...I think probably is (or should be) to "bring your camera everywhere". I tend to follow this rule most of the time. I take it with me to work, when visiting friends and family, and when just going on random walks.
A couple of nights ago I went down to Seattle to catch the Spock's Beard concert, and I was debating whether or not I should bring my camera. I've only been able to bring it into one previous concert, which was Marillion (you can see the photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tym/sets/966031 ), and that time I didn't have my new lenses.
This time if I brought the gear I'd be able to take better photos because the lenses are a lot faster, and have a better range, but I was worried that I wouldn't be able to take it with me, and would have to leave it in the car (since the gear is not insured yet). Also I was worried about getting hassled by border guards on the way back, who may think I bought some of the gear while down there. So I ended up leaving it all at home.
As luck would have it, the place was a dive, with no security, and the band was very friendly and approachable, and I would have had no problems taking photos. I was right against the stage, inches away from the band, and had I brought my camera I would have taken some killer shots. I'm such an idiot for not bringing it.
On the positive side, the drive down and back up was awesome (fortunately one of the cops must have been sleeping as I passed him at a speed a little higher than the limit ;) ), since it was such a nice day. Also on the way there I stopped at Bottleworks, a little beer store in northern Seattle, and picked up 6 750ml bottles of belgian ale (yum yum) including 3 bottles of Gulden Draak, the "best beer in the world" according to Stella's restaurant on Commercial Dr. The guy at the store was very knowledgeable, and even threw in a very nice Gulden Draak glass (an $8 value) :) Will have to hit that store every time I go to Seattle from now on (unless I can find a store in vancouver that carries the golden dragon).
