Aaaautoooomaaatic, Automatic

I'm still frequently surprised how much one can control interaction here. One can choose just how visible, or invisible, one wants to be. You can go for days of normal life-- subway, shows, clubs, even the newsstand and restaurants-- being completely unseen and unnoticed. Upon a few subtle modifications, suddenly you're out there, approachable and, therefore, typically approached.

I went back and forth on that when visiting. Since living here, I've typically been more in "invisible" mode. On the subway (if by myself) and commuter train, my book is whipped out immediately (if not already open on the platform) and I don't look up again until my stop. Seeing a show or movie, typically the same situation until the lights are down-- I'm nose-deep into my book or program until the lights make it impossible to do otherwise. I don't do the typical iPod thing when walking around, usually, as I like to be aware of my surroundings, but I am typically heads-down with little eye contact.

There are days, however, when I feel like putting Clark Kent to rest and letting Super(Wo)man out for a spin. My head is up as I walk down the street, I'm in a cheery mood offering smiles to those also shedding their own cloak of invisibility, people are chatty with me on the subway, restaurant, etc.

Sometimes it's more conscious than others. There are times I notice I'm doing it and it's been completely subconscious, other times it's with a purposeful shift.

Tonight, I consciously let Super(Wo)man out, from even getting dressed. For one thing, I was dressed to go out. I shed the glasses for contacts, donned a bit of makeup, threw my hair back in a mess of its natural waves and curls, and looked up from the ground, smiling and open for the world. Sure enough, after the show my friend and I were seeing (in a cabaret setting, so tables and drinks vs. theatre seating), I was approached by a guy who appreciated that I got all the jokes (we were about the same age and his two companions were born most likely when we were in high school). Again, removing that cloak of invisibility proved not just in my head. I guarantee you, had I chosen otherwise, I'd have not had any interaction with anyone other than the friend with whom I'd arrived. Those asked in a lineup of patrons of the club would never have been able to pick me out.

It's an interesting social experiment at times.

We went and saw "Gashole" (aka Blend-o-Matic in places between the coasts where their true name doesn't really sell well). If they are anywhere near you, I beg of you-- go see them. And be ready to laugh your head off. They also happen to be wonderful musicians and singers, but that's not really the point of their collaboration.

(Oh, and for my twin S and her lovely husband JB... when they started the intro to "Total Eclipse of the Heart" in one of their comical medleys, I nearly popped a vein from laughing extra hard).