Having learned to cope with PowerPoint - I estimate (without being sure of the error rate) that I have seen just over 1,000 slides in a two day period - I am looking for relaxation.
Help is at hand from the Mothers of Prevention, SPR's very own band. I have never associated good music with prevention scientists but all my preconceptions are quickly dismissed.
There are eight musicians -a much higher ratio of artistic talent to conference participants than I would have anticipated- and more surprising still, they were all very accomplished.
Leading from the front was Brian Bumbarger from the Prevention Research Center, Penn State (on vocals as they say) and David Hawkins from the Social Development Research Group at the University of Washington (on acoustic guitar and vocals). Many people will remember David as the originator of Communities that Care, long before his musical career took off.
Fame has unfortunately taken its toll. Celene Domitrovich, also from Penn State (on backing vocals and leading the dancing) was listed in the programme under her stage name of Celence. Look out for Celence's forthcoming work on Prevention Tunes.
Apparently, the Society has long rewarded musical talent. On completing his term as President of the Society in 2003, Gil Botvin from Weill Cornell Medical College (trumpet and flugelhorn department) was awarded the prestigious Golden Trumpet Award.
Many more accolades will follow. No self respecting scientific conference should be without its own band.
The Mothers of Prevention are:
Gil Botvin, Weill Cornell Medical College, trumpet and flugelhorn
Brian Bumbarger, Prevention Research Center, Penn State, vocals and, when his back allows, drums
Celence, Prevention Research Center, Penn State, vocals and dancing
Jim Emshoff, Georgia State University, electric piano and vocals
John Graham, Penn State University, guitar and vocals
David Hawkins, Social Development Research Group, University of Washington, acoustic guitar and vocals
John Jiminez, lead guitar
Randy Swain, Colorado State University, bass guitar