I am traveling back from a week in London and came to a realization about myself. I have transformed from a plan-everything-in-advance type of person to a last minute, do-it-all NOW person. This is solely due to the internet, and my iphone.
 
In London, I did not have access to 3G network as I regularly do in New York. This meant a few things. Firstly, it meant paper maps. Secondly, it meant seeking out Starbucks as if they were oasis in a desert (access to wireless). It meant having to read up about folks I had the pleasure of meeting with way in advance, rather than getting a quick fix via google/Linkedin/Twitter pre-meeting… No internet, no info baby.  And forget about knowing what friends are nearby.
 
What amazed me was how disappointed and disconnected I felt. I would have easily traded a cell phone number for my gmail connection…texting wasn’t even enough.  Obviously, my work revolves around email and the web, and “connectivity”—I couldn’t even use GO TRY IT ON in stores because I couldn’t reach the web.
 
Angry Birds got a ton of play, but other than that, my iphone had a bit of a vacation.
 
That being said, I became massively creative. I’d snapped photos of Google maps on my iphone to recall where I’d need to go… I’d kindly ask people on the street for directions and I’d repeat the address just to double check. I even borrowed someone’s blackberry at a house party at 3am to “check my gmail” (cringe). And shame on me, I asked the sales girl what she thought of a top I tried on…
 
 
And then like an addict, I’d hop into SBUX to get my own type of fix. I’d log on… see lists of “unread” emails- (something I rarely see as I used my iphone to keep up with what comes in) and browse twitter as if it was my news source and connection to the world at large, seeping in the information, laughing out loud in appreciation for daily satire I normally take for granted.  All and all, I missed immediate access. I missed getting somewhere and then figuring out the exact address. I missed getting hungry and then asking urban daddy and yelp where to eat. I missed immediacy and real time. I am a total junkie.  
 
Alas, I sit in the airport, (with free wireless) and I can start to sense the feelings of home and 3GS.  With a newfound appreciation for the real-time web, I fully embrace my last minute style. It feels streamlined in a way- no extra waste- only research what you need, in that moment, never to much planning needed—room for elements of chance to take you by surprise.
 
And now I have to go- 8hr flight- no wifi.