As I made my way down the streets of downtown DC, something particularly odd struck me. 

And yet when I looked closer, it wasn't odd at all, but actually very normal and very common. 

It would actually be odd if I didn't see what I saw.  But twenty years ago I wouldn't have seen what I saw. 

And what I saw were massive amounts of people strolling down beautiful boulevards, in perfect weather, hypnotized by a numbing infatuation with technology.

Yes, I am talking about the cell phone.  The magical, addictive world of constant communication; who can resisit?  In this decade it has now become completely normal to talk to yourself as you drive your car,  walk down the street, or walk your dog, to the delight or fright of some unexpecting onlookers.  It's become part of life, and it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon.

But it becomes quite humorous when on the same intersection I see pedestrians in all four corners of the crosswalk buzzing away on their cell phones, completely oblivious to their surrroundings, onlookers, and even moving vehicles.  I am not one to criticize of course because i have been victim to the emergency phone call about which red dress to buy for the Friday night outing, as I'm walking my dog through a busy intersection.  And yes, this usually turns into the cell phone becoming glued to my ear for the rest of walk, degrading my dog's exercise break to a hurried jog so as to get back home and check my facebook page. So, I am the last one to talk.

But the reason I am talking and bringing up this issue is to address the reason why we have to keep our phones glued to our ears, particularly when we are alone.  Is it easier to avoid eye contact, interaction, and awkwardeness if we look too busy to engage with other people due to a phone call.  It seems more and more the case to me.  We  sometimes use our technology as an excuse to avoid human interaction, and this very well could be completely subconcious so we don't know we're doing it.  Maybe my absentmindedness comes in handy here as many times as I've forgotten my phone at home, only to be forced to make it through the day without my umblical cord.  

I love this city.  The sights, the smells, the sounds, the soul of the people that keep it beating day in and day out.  I could totally live there, walking up and down Park Avenue, grapping a cup of coffee from a corner cafe, walking my chihuahua along the waterfront, taking a stroll in Greenwich village, window shopping for vintage treasures. It's endless and beautiful and yet simple and edgy.  That's New York for you. Some people can't handle it and I totally understand. It depends on your perspective. It can be smelly and dirty, mean and sharp, annoying and tiring. But that's part of it's charm. The fact that it's a melange of so many angles, people, cultures, ideas, makes it the crossroads of the country and the world. You really feel like it's happening here, and if you batt your eyelashes just so, they can feel the breeze on the other side of the world.  That's what New York does to you. Hate it or love it, it seeps into your veins and refuses to budge from your essence.  It calls you back, like an obsessed lover refusing to go away regardless of your feelings.  Take me as I am, it tells you.  You have to if you want me.  And you do.