Day 316 of Photo 365 was an ordinary Tuesday, except at the strike of nineteen hundred hours when I was this close to greatness. Talking Volumes, a literary series hosted by Minnesota Public Radio, concluded its regular season this evening at the Fitzgerald Theater with a special guest and special seating. For the first time in the three years I’ve attended the series, seating was available onstage, behind the author’s hot seat and piano used for musical interludes. For the following 90 minutes, Pat Conroy, author of The Great Santini and Prince of Tides, among others, sat in the white chair and told stories, shared observations, and teased those of us sitting behind him that we were in “steerage.” Best third class seat I’ve ever had, Mr. Conroy.

Tonight was the season opener of Talking Volumes, a literary showcase of author lectures, hosted by Minnesota Public Radio. As the chimes rang, singling that the event was about to begin, people rushed inside the Fitzgerald Theater, not wanting to miss a moment.

This is day 268 of Photo 365.