Cell phone dependency
While walking the streets (in the non-prostitution sense) I Can't help but notice how many people are talking on their cell phones as they hurry past. I'm not one of those technology haters who believe in boycotting cell phones, since I doubt I would survive without mine. I left mine at work the other day and I felt practically naked without a phone, especially since I don't have a land line in my apartment. Anyway, not the point, I digress.

It just seems that there are more and more people talking and walking. Besides noticing the incredible talent this takes on busy streets, it's made me wonder if people are really talking into their mobile phones for conversational purposes or if they are only clasping the metal pieces for protection purposes. In a city where eye contact is minimal, I can't help but wonder if cell phones have become to mad sidewalk dashers what earphones are to subway riders and books are to table-for-ones.

Do we chat because it is the only time we can talk to someone, or are people scared to walk alone? Maybe cell phones are like cigarettes for the non-smokers, something to hold onto in a crowd.

I know when I am standing awkwardly outside of a restaurant, waiting for a friend to arrive, I'll whip mine out in public and dial away ;). Even when I have nothing really important to say, I just don't want to stand there with nothing to do. I especially noticed that I call more when I'm feeling uncomfortable or well, bored.

I know it's the bored factor in my mother's case, since she calls me whenever she is alone and has a cell phone nearby. In the car, leaving work, she will call me or another friend just because she cannot stand not talking for those five minutes. I tease her by saying that I am not her "phone whore."

Now that I am more conscious of the possible psychological reasons behind my cell phone dialing, each time I grab for my flip phone in public, I have to ask myself, do you really want to talk or are you wimping out and using it as a social crutch?

Fusion TechForum takes my cell phone usuage idea a step further.

PS: I have a new weekly blog renter: Thoughts Outside My Head, by a thirty-something from the Midwest whose writing her own novel. Be sure and click on the screen capture of her blog, it's on my left side column.

Geez, pardon me!
Evidently it's not cool to point out to a stranger on the subway that they are wearing the same outfit as you, unless you like getting an eye-rolling look back followed by silence. I mean what was I supposed to do? We were crammed right next to each other and wearing the same blouse and a similar jacket if I might add. Apparently this woman--with good taste in clothing--thinks she's the only woman in Manhattan to buy clothes from Express!

Also, I recommend not asking someone at a party with the initials TNT if they know drama, from the Clint Eastwood like glare that I received he did, lol.

News: Goodbye Mr. Miyagi. I liked that dude, but who knew he was nominated for an Oscar? I always pass a sushi place near me in the West Village called Miyagi's.

'Signs' of the name obsessed
Because my friends know that I'm obsessed with my name--which means 'Star' in Hindu and 'The Tower' in Gaelic by the way--my friend V took the following photos from her town in Louisiana which is fortunate enough to have a high school and other stuff named Tara ;) Thanks V!



Headed to my mother's home in CT for Thanksgiving dinner. Have a Happy Turkey Day all!

Makeup and Cocktails
I started Sunday off with unlimited mimosas at Brunch, although I didn't indulge as much as I did the last time I went, my appetite was focused too much on the Steak and Eggs I was eating with my NY book club girls.

That evening K and I went to an invite only MAC cosmetics party in SoHo, which was appropriate since K was the first one to introduce me to MAC products, damn her! ;) When we go out together we have no will power when it comes to spending, never mind when you are seeing an advanced look at new MAC colors and being served champagne and chocolate truffles. At least MAC is reasonably priced compared to other cosmetic brands though. I bought a Viva Glam V lipstick (the benefits go to AIDS causes) and Black Tied and Cranberry Frost eye shadows. So I managed not to go overboard at least.

PS: Today is my first day of work at Horn Group, it's still orientation stuff right now though.

DVR / Tivo Alert: Letterman finally gets Oprah to return

Surprise Surprise
I'm good at keeping secrets but I'm not as good at keeping surprises. Does that make sense? A secret I understand is personal and I don't go blabbing ever, but surprises I get caught up in the excitement and accidentally spill the beans.

When I was 9-years-old and out to dinner with my mom, two weeks before Christmas I turn to her and say "Angela got her mother a Meatloaf tape, but she got the idea from me because I bought my mom a Bette Middler tape." My mom laughingly looks at me and goes, "Oh really?" Dammit! lol, We always blow secrets for each other, but it's expected between us.

This summer I thought a friend knew about her birthday dinner, turns out she didn't, but that really isn't my fault, I wasn't warned by the party planner. BUT last January when my friend K turned 30 was informed of her surprise party in August, I kept my mouth shut for five months, even as her friends and family booked flights to fly in from all around the country and as she complained to me about not having anything to do for her big day. I was even the person who brought her out to the restaurant for what she believed was a dinner for just the two of us. Yes, I'm patting my own back.

So why am I writing about surprises? My lips are sealed or should I say my key strokes ;)

Update: SHOOT now I almost blabbed who my secret santa is this year.

News: My blogging friend Pia over at Courting Destiny is mentioned in the Long Island Press' Hot Target column. Congrats!