A Japanese Drag Queen Walks in the Door....

Not even kidding, the other day, a vintage, Japanese pop-star Drag Queen walked into my store. Here's who I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J136WjKxkbY&feature=related

He/she carried a ceramic she-chicken like a bouquet of flowers before buying a large aluminum abstract painting. It was all very spectacular. Cards were exchanged, I immediately found youtube evidence (see above) of his/her validity and thought about how he/she must feel to be so famous on one island and so anonymous everywhere else. I also thought about his/her translator. The whole interaction was done through her (definitely a her) because, even though the "Frank Sinatra of Japan" (more evidence):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMYiKzPkraQ

had been in the public eye for decades, and traveled and performed throughout the world, he/she still didn't speak enough English to conduct a pretty simple business transaction.... but he/she did have an iPhone. Without the translator, not even I, who has been to Japan, bought Japanese cars, electronics, and sushi, and who fully acknowledges that Asians are taking over the world, I have not even learned enough Japanese to say, "Thank you for spending a few thousand dollars here today."

How did this happen?

This got me thinking about communication and technology and all the wonderments therein.

Technology: the Great Equalizer, Communicator, and Divider.

The Japanese pop-star drag queen just bought a condo around the corner from me, but I will never see her/him again. He'll be in his iPhone and I'll be in my computer. I'll be talking to all of you in English, he'll be connecting with friends in characters.

Sixty years ago, everyone in our neighborhood would know about the new guy/girl and everyone would have an opinion about it. Now, we barely notice. We're busy! We have apps to play with and second cousins in Germany to facebook. We'll be translating and navigating and constantly evolving our new language of inter-web, passing over opportunities to learn dozens of legitimate languages. I've been promising myself to learn some Spanish for years now, but I just don't have time since I'm still trying to work out effectively communicating sarcasm via text message in 160 spaces or less.

What's funny about all of this is that even with my cell phone, lap top, desk top, GPS, and camera, I'm still behind the times. I learned at the Apple store the other day that now you can get all of that in one nifty little hand held device... and more!! I felt really old when I had to ask the 12 year old who works there where the power button was.

Some other side effects of all of this technology that I've noticed include intense awkwardness at cocktail parties. Its almost as though no one really knows how to start up a conversation anymore. Lacking this skill fades the subsequent tradition of courting. Once upon a time, I've heard tell, a gentleman would meet you, send you a cute note and flowers. Then he would actually show up at your door, take you for a "tour of the gardens" and then a few days later, have dinner with your parents. Nowadays, you get excited if he finds you on facebook and you're lucky if you get more than a "hi" via text message (was that a sarcastic "hi"? or was it sincere? Do I just say "hi" back? Would it be weird to ask for a picture because I really don't remember what this guy looks like...).

Are we losing our innate human skills of socialization in exchange for online social networking? Or are we upgrading? Are the subtle nuances of pleasant conversation being lost to phrases like LOL? Or is this truncated version an improvement?

Sixty years ago, before the little "i" was attached to anything, Mr. Fabulous-Japanese-Drag-Queen and I would have considered ourselves neighbors. We only live a few hundred yards from each other. We probably would have found a personable way to communicate, and, I like to think, we would have become friends and exchanged beauty tips. But these days, I'll probably just see him on TV... and wonder what's happened to the ceramic chicken.

Somehow in Transit

When you really think about it, airports are kind of amazing. 

They sit like small metropolises, filled with people of every age, shape, size and occupation. Most have restaurants and shops. Some have metros and moving walkways. They're glowing little transit centers - modern day oases specifically designed to facilitate the weary traveler in their journey. A stopping point to rest up and refuel or a starting point for the next adventure. Airports are the beginnings of your vacations, your resting place between meetings, your safe haven from the elements. Need to charge your cell phone? Have an outlet! Care for a pretzel? Or maybe a money exchange booth? There they are! Right next to each other. So convenient. 

What I particularly appreciate about the harbors of the sky is the temporary anonymity and the autonomy that they provide. Because I know no one there and I don't have any place to be until my flight begins boarding, my mind gets a break from focusing on the little things and has time to consider the Big Picture. Since I'm in my egocentric early 20's, the Big Picture = Me. And My Life. And where it thinks its going. 

Of course, when I am in an airport, I know exactly where I'm going. I know how I'm going to get there too and what I'm supposed to do until then. I have my routines and I go through the drills. Begin with security. Show ID. Take off the shoes, take off the belt, take out the little plastic baggie with my harmless little travel sized shampoos. Wait for the guy who doesn't know what he's doing to make a few trips through the metal detector. Be patient. Go through the metal detector. Collect my shoes, belt, plastic baggie, find the departure screen. Appreciate the myriad of possibility each listed city represents. Find a snack and a magazine. Go to my gate. Chat up the gate attendant for a window seat. Sit down somewhere and watch the people go by. Take a deep breath and think.... 

Having those few hours just to kick it have become crucial to my mental health in recent times. During the typical stop-over, no one expects me to answer a phone call or be anywhere. Technically, I'm on the go, and so that itch to be doing something is already satisfied just by showing up. There's no pressure to be making friends since I'll probably never see the nice old lady sitting next to me ever again. It would be physically impossible to take care of all of the overdue errands I've been meaning to get to. And so released from those responsibilities, I can seriously consider my future and the scary facts of my current situation. 

Scary Fact #1: After 5 years of specified study and one year on the career path, I don't like the field I've chosen. A shocking revelation, to be sure. I feel like there should be support groups for stuff like this. Hello my name is So-and-So and the focus of my adult life sucks and I no longer want any part of it. 

Scary Fact #2: My unique set of skills does not really equip me for many other industries. Not the way I thought it would when I chose art history classes (which I loved) over biomedical chemistry classes (which I just kinda liked). 

Scary Fact #3: The economy. 

Scary Fact #4: I'm terrified of poverty but for some reason, I still feel like I can be picky when it comes to taking a job. 

So now what? Do I go back to school? Learn something else? What would I study? I'm young enough. I could still become a doctor, or a lawyer, or a Pirate Queen, or.... realistic. I have the world at my fingertips, but what do I do with it? Its like standing in front of the departure screen, choosing a city. All you really have to do is pick a gate, cash in your frequent flyer miles and get on the plane. 

Just pick a direction and go. Go. 
... 
Airports are awesome... if you're leaving soon.