Lit
I made my annual trek to the Printer's Row Lit Fest. I've never figured out how to capture it in a photograph. Too much background noise for clean street photography, but I am sure there are street photographer's who can deal with it. Also, there is too much plastic, too many garbage cans, and too little movement.
As an event, Lit Fest is always interesting. Lots of new authors trying to sell self-published works. I spoke with one author who wrote a Harry Potter-like fantasy novel that takes place in Chicago. As I understand it, the magical folk live amongst us, but we cannot see them--sort of a parallel universe. Turns out, if I understood correctly, our regular police force needs the wizard police force to help solve a crime. If only the wizards could solve the pension and budget deficits at all levels of government.
Lots of things beside books being hawked. Rolling Stone and Life magazine covers, posters, movable type, and leather journals. Any book seller who had Mohammad Ali books and memorabilia had it promptly on display this year. There also was a Donald Trump board game that must have come out sometime ago--The sign said it had all the pieces. Asking price: $15. Certainly cheaper than Trump steaks.
At the end of the day, the focus is on the kids. The outdoor stage is devoted to entertaining them, although I missed the Wiggle Worms.
I did stop in one of the tents to listen to Eric Zorn and Mary Schmich, two columnists for the Chicago Tribune. Much of their talk centered on working for a newspaper in the digital era. Schmich is not fond of the Comments section that often accompanies articles. The term "Troll" came up.
I am not sure whether Evelyn and I ever ate at Blackie's when Evelyn lived in the Transportation Building (my home for three months in 1993).
Copyright 2016, Jack B. Siegel. All Rights Reserved