I don't know what Frank Sinatra meant by 'toddling town', it was pretty awesome to me! My one free day to explore this spectacular city was just an appetizer. The Hay House 2 day Writer's workshop, which was the main reason for my trip, was definitely worthwhile. I met lots of really interesting and eclectic people from around the world, and learned all I needed to know about being a writer. The bottom line can be summed up in one word: 'Platform'. Yups. If you don't have a platform, forget about it! Platform + Ghost writer = bestseller. Sounds sad - it is!
You could be the next Charles Dickens or Margaret Atwood but it's useless if you don't have a platform! Start with the platform, then move on to the writing of the book, and if you don't know how to write - no problem, just hire a ghost writer. Let's say you have a bestseller...be prepared, because the royalties from your book will be just like 'pin money'. The main source of income for writers today is through speaking engagements. Who would have thought? So, if you like to speak in public, that's a great start. Apart from 'Platform', the other big word for writers is 'Diversification'. You need to be able to have a stream of income coming from other sources - CDs, e-books, t-shirts, key rings - anything!
The 2 day event was a treasure trove of information. I just loved author Mike Dooley, who spoke at the event. He was an accountant by profession, but left the industry after a few years to pursue his dreams - and then worked like a demon! He does not like to write, nor does he enjoy reading. However, he does like to transmit power thoughts to others through his 'Notes from the Universe'. Check him out!
The Hyatt Regency where we stayed was like an airport - huge! It is a Convention Hotel, and as such was buzzing with activity. Just imagine, all eleven hundred rooms were fully occupied! There was a dizzying array of events going on at the hotel: a Tattooist Convention, Theology Convention, Filipino Medical Convention, Weight Watchers, Bridal Fair, Girls Choir group, as well as our Hay House Writer's Workshop, attended by 530. Lots of people - diverse in the extreme!
While I was at the seminar, Kevin adventured around Chicago, and was so taken by the Art Institute of Chicago, which he said he will remember for the rest of his life! They had a spectacular Irish exhibit. You can google it 'Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design 1690-1840' at the Chicago Art Institute. Chicago has so many fabulous Museums to explore - you'd need a week at least, make that two! For my part, I noticed the little things, like the fact people love their chocolate in Chicago, and their pizza. I never in my life saw so many sweet shops, charming bakeries, and pizzerias! Divine decadence. Folk are friendly, laid-back, and very pleasant. I cannot tell you how many ladies stopped me on the street to compliment the boots I wore...and this was on a miserable snowy day - can you imagine the fun on a sunny day!
The 'Magnificent Mile' was precisely that. Magnificent! Wide streets, high glamorous shop windows with enticing merchandize smiling back at you. Oh! the lure of it all - just as well my Visa was hacked for the second time since January, and I had none to play with, and the sun wasn't shining! If all the aforementioned were in play - who knows what damage I'd have done!! The Starbucks on the MM was equally alluring. Comfy velvet seats and couches were in place for people to simply rest and chillax after their shopping expedition. They didn't even need to buy a coffee - just people watch, and wait for the snow to fly. On a sunny day, one could float off on a romantic river cruise...oh the joy to be had after a hard day's shopping!
Another highlight of the trip was our visit to the American Doll shop. For some weird reason, I wasn't as keen as Kevin to go in and explore! Time was valuable, and I'm more into clothes than dolls! However, it was such a pleasant surprise. There was a huge line-up for the dolly hair salon. Little girls, with their grannies and mothers, were lining up to have their beloved doll's hair done, at a price not too far off from the human one! Rows of salon seats awaited the pampered little dolls. The attention given to each doll would make a hungry dog swear! And the bakery was another eye-opener for me. I did not realize the dolls had come so far. The doll of the year was named Grace, who was a baker. Grace had her own bakery in the store selling Grace cookies, and cupcakes, and chocolates, with her name printed on them...sweet! Whoever invented the American Girl dolls was a genius.
Because we had only one day together to explore, we took the City Tour for the day. It brought us all around the city, and we hopped on and off to our heart's content. The only BIG drawback was the weather - snowing hard, slushy, freezing cold, messy, yucky in the extreme. Sorry Alberta, but it reminded me of why I left the province - I don't like snow!
On our travels we passed the fabulous Drake Hotel, where many famous people stayed, including Lady Diana. Apparently, Marilyn Monroe has her initials carved on a table in their dining room. We also saw the condo where Oprah lived, the Trump Tower, the building where Batman flew from, and many other movie landmarks...the building where Al Capone housed his speakeasy, a street named after Hugh Hefner, who was educated at the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as Walt Disney. Apparently, it was Walt's wife who chose the name 'Mickey' for the infamous mouse. Walt wanted to call him a whacky name like Mortimer - all of us in the bus agreed it wouldn't have been the same!
Chicagoans love their blues music - and the Irish! Yes, I detected a huge Irish influence - maybe it was because St. Patrick's Day was just over. Apparently, they dye their canal waters green each year. I read about all the many activities I just missed. It would have been so much fun to celebrate there. They have several fabulous Irish pubs and restaurants. We visited one near the hotel and it was dramatic, for want of a more descriptive word. Red velvet walls, high ceilings, chandeliers, golden lanterns, and shelves filled with auld Irish memorabilia. Kevin informed me there is a place that re-produces all these auld artifacts for pubs. They sure do an authentic job!
What I saw in Chicago was enough to entice me to make a return visit some time d.v.
Hugs and Kisses,
Polly P xxx
