So I met two of my former co-workers (we'd worked at a startup company that dealt with the health care costs of mega corporations via technological applications; I was in sales, not the tech side) for a couple drinks and dinner last night.

In the middle of the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

For those of you who aren't from Michigan, you may not be aware of the Fair, which I believe is still the biggest street art fair in the US. People who live in Ann Arbor mostly hate it, because of course, it's impossible to move around downtown during the four days of blocked streets, vendors up the wazoo, and people from all over the world.

Anyway, we planned to meet down there before we realized it was Art Fair week. Even once we realized it, we didn't change our plans because if you're going to go to the Art Fair, the best day to go is Wednesday, because it's the opening day and, being mid-week, is the least busy.

But still. I was grumpy and filled with trepidation when I left my house (and, incidentally, left some family friends swimming in the lake~where I should have been) because 1) it was bloody hot, and 2) where on earth was I going to park? and 3) how long were we going to have to wait for a table for dinner?

However. Not only did I get a metered (ie, free after 6 pm) parking place on Main Street (just three blocks away from part of the Fair and restaurant Mecca), but I met up with my two friends and we found a place to eat and a table right away. Nothing was crowded. It was busy, of course, but nothing was crowded.

Oh, and by the time I got down there, a nice breeze had picked up, the humidity had gone down, and the temp had become comfortable.

In short, it turned out to be lovely evening, including the company.

So we ate dinner, then walked a bit, then went into a different place for an after-dinner drink and dessert.

I tell you all this because…well…I didn't get home till much later than I'd planned. Which means…I didn't dive as far into the book I'd intended to read last night.

I am pleased, however, to report that between a variety of conversation topics (religion, sex, politics, etc.)–some of them quite heated, but all very cordial–that I was able to do some research.

See, both of the friends I was meeting were of the male persuasion.

I always like to hang out with guys in what I call their natural element (ie, they're not trying to hit on me or anyone I'm with). It helps when writing scenes from the male point of view, and to really see what guys think.

Plus I enjoy hanging out and being one of the guys–insofar as they'll let me. 

So even though I didn't read my book (well, I confess, I did start it yesterday at lunch and am about a third into it), it was a productive night. Research, research, research. Ahh, the life of a writer!

The only problem was, when I told them that, they thought I should pick up the tab.