Mr. In Between

September 30, 2012 — culture, NewYork City, TribeUpNYC

My friend and I have been in a discussion about what is a typical New Yorker. I have gone to visit, enjoyed the company, pondered the nature of things and done ancestry research. TribeUpNYC was a fine example of how simple and yet how complex New York City is now and always will be. I have always appreciated the culture and the talent, not to mention the exceptional goods available there. I have never before attended a conference held in Manhattan.

I knew this was the conference for me because it was being held by my blogging tribe Triberr.  I enjoy participating with other bloggers in sharing content and appreciating each other.  I like the nature and helpful vibe of the big chiefs, so I decided to go in person.  I was blown away by the perfection of the event  to my own needs as a blogger.  Seriously professional points of view were effectively delivered, including a section about comedy.  We were both entertained and educated before being turned loose to party with some yummy food and drink created by mighty fine Haitian caterers.  There was that international mix that is common in Manhattan. That is how those of us from way out west know something is very different.  We are not in Tucson any more.  Multi lingual, multi ethnic cuisine is just the start of the exciting shift.

I was very happy to be able to meet many people I had known on line in one way or another, and thrilled to have direct access to the presenters.  They all hung out schmoozing around the party giving darshan.   They were all really impactful, and wildly diverse, just as one might want to have in any tribe.  Lena West introduced herself as a New Yorker, and my friend Marc and I agreed she is a typical one.  She was brilliant and to the point.  Her most important teaching in my recollection is that time is not money.  Money can be made, lost, made, grown, lost again, invested, etc.  Time spent has been spent forever.  This brings me back to my definition of the typical New Yorker.  Time management is way different for New Yorkers because just being there takes up huge amounts of time and money.  Strategy is wildly important to them.

I nominate Lena as typical New Yorker for the following reason:  She has no time for Mr. In Between.  I think that is what they all have in common. They are masters of a certain kind of discernment.