30 July 2007 – New York City, Part 2

What wonders doth sleep perform, upon our wearied souls…

This morning provided our first real opportunity to slow down and catch up since getting on the train. In many ways, it was our first opportunity in a much longer time period than that. Having slammed our way through the past three months, putting together both the DVD and this tour, we knew that, no matter how crazy the tour might prove to be, it would be more restful and balanced than it has been at home.

We slept in, had some coffee and some great conversation with our hosts, caught up on email, posted blogs, and then we took a walk, venturing out a bit into the city, looking for a cold drink and a bag of chips, and ending up in Forest Park, where we sat by the old carousel and fed the birds.

Hot and muggy, the park, though green and lush, was saturated with the sounds of nearby traffic and construction. From the road, as we passed by earlier in the day, it had looked like an oasis. From the inside, it felt tired and worn, trodden upon and sad. And yet, right before our eyes, a blackbird swept down and latched onto a fat, green hornworm that was crossing the road and yanked it into the sky. “Life goes on,” the bird seemed to be saying. “We’re not dead yet.” The hornworm, of course, may have begged to differ.

Later in the afternoon, we packed up and drove into Manhattan. The expected traffic jam did not materialize and we got there early, so Phil showed us around a bit, a place he referred to as Alphabet City, Lots of striking architecture and tiny mutant dogs. We got to our venue and set up the room and waited for the audience to arrive.

We had about thirty five people for this one, and there were ten of us who stayed for the circle. It was a weeknight, a worknight, and there were pyramids to build the next day, and so many who might otherwise have chosen to stay went home when the film was done. Those who stayed had a bit of sweet dialogue, as we spoke of our core denials, and the feelings that arise when those denials get challenged. We were glad, as always, to meet new friends, and hear from their hearts as they faced into the present predicament.

We piled into the car and headed home, where Phil and Tom prepared a feast, and we spoke further of plans and trends and scenarios. The news from the economic world feels urgent and ominous, and here, in “the belly of the beast”, it feels like it’s right outside the door.

Tomorrow we head to Connecticut. See you then.

Tim