My husband and I and our two grown daughters who call San Francisco home had climbed the heights of Nob Hill and ridden the elevator to the 19th floor of the Mark Hopkins Hotel for cocktail hour at Top of the Mark. Panoramic views of the city and the water and the bridges at sunset. A splendid site, the kind you write home about.
The last place in the world where you would expect to get into a little disagreement.
I am trying to recall it all. The signature martini menu, dance floor, and lounge atmosphere. Everyone dressed to the nine’s. A trip back in time and civility, expecting to see Tony Bennett take the mic in his easy stride and wide smile at any moment.
And that was what I was noting–in fact he was singing to me–when one of my daughters mentioned pointedly, “Mom, you can put that notebook away now.”
I don’t need to back up and inform you that we had had this discussion before concerning cell phones and texting in restaurants. But paper and pen? I always thought that the indisputable right of writers through the ages, and I was simply exercising my right.
But to the girls, it’s the same thing. Rude.
I’ve thought so much about this, I don’t know what I think anymore. A dilemma for all time, apparently.
a little elbow room
a little elbow room 
My sympathies. Hope the martinis eased the sting! Peace, John
That’s a tough one! Maybe sometimes being very present and writing later–even if you lose a few details–is the way to go.
or perhaps that’s what powder rooms are for?
Lol. Yes, perhaps. It’s hard sometimes being understood when you’re a writer. People don’t understand the scenes we play out in our heads or the importance of capturing that right word right now because in 10 seconds it will be gone!
Ah yes, The Memory Thing!