New York October 2008

We came to New York this time to run the third NeuroLeadership Summit. It was also the run up to the US presidential election, and the air was full of noise. Come to think of it, that is always how New York is. The economic slump was barreling down, so a strange mix of hope and anguish as retirement funds halved, stock portfolios were left in tatters, and people lost their jobs.

Our summit was a great success, held near Time Square. The vibe of the participants and scientists was optimistic, and the room full to the brim. The best bit for David, I believe, was that Werner Erhart, the founder of Est was there (and is speaking at the next conference in LA).

I feel in a sense that it was a coming of age for David and his ideas, to have the top scientists in the field talking about the neuroscience with consultants and change agents from all over, thinking about how to apply the findings to their work and organisations. The feedback was extraordinary.

Our good friend Stuart Ziegler joined us to do the photography for the event. His ongoing support technologically, artistically and emotionally does wonders (thanks Stu).

It was Halloween. We carved pumpkins, wore funny clothes all day and generally tried to live the American dream, at least for the day. David Levine and Griffin, worked on inducting Trinity and India into the halloween thinking. The girls got dressed for school: Trinity was dressed as a fairy, while India was dressed as Dorothy the Dinsoaur. The big parade starts a couple of blocks from Wooster Street where we stay, so we watched start, and saw some wonderful characters, including monsters from 'Where the wild things are'.

During our visit Trinity and India both got to go to the Blue School for two weeks straight. India enjoyed the 2yr old class twice a week, while Trinity was in Kindergarten five days a week.

The light in the class rooms, the wonderful resources, and energetic teachers where a thrill to be in contact with. Trinity made some friends including Sidney her new pen pal (right).

It was also the run up to the US election. New York is a very blue state, all democratic, at least in Manhattan. On the day of the election the students at Blue School held a poll, and found that all but one student were pro Obama. We went to an election night party with my friend Marni, and shouted out from the balcony with the cars beeping on the streets below as the results became clear.

David and Stu went to Time Square to dance with the crazy crowds, strangers hugging, high fiving anybody moving. Then the long flight home.