Derek Molliver was kind enough to provide this update:

“I saw your post on the blog and had to respond. It is kind of scary what you can find on the web. I am in fact waiting for a parking spot at the University of Pittsburgh, I’m doing a postdoctoral fellowship there in neuroscience, studying the molecular basis of pain. I just moved here from Portland, OR a couple of months ago, and I am still adjusting to being on the east coast again. We do indeed have a meeting in the Caymans, I won’t even try to justify it, it’s my only opportunity to go diving. Good work on the blog, it’s good to be back on the east coast again where people actually know what Williams is.”

Comments:

1) Know where Williams is? All my (East coast) aunts and uncles still think that I went to William and Mary! But, as my lovely wife is always pointint out, my family should not be used as a reference point in such matters.

2) I recall an episode from “30 Something” — back in the day when none of us could imagine being 30 something — in which one of the characters talks about how all of life was spent on 5 activities, one of which was searching for parking. Surely there is someone who can provide me with the exact quote . . .

3) Studying pain. I hope that everyone remembers this key dialogue from the “The Princess Bride”:

“It took me half a lifetime to invent it. I’m sure you’ve discovered my deep and abiding interest in pain. At present I’m writing the definitive work on the subject. So I want you to be totally honest with me on how The Machine makes you feel.”

“As you know, the concept of the suction pump is centuries old. Well, really, that’s all this is. Except that instead of sucking water, I’m sucking life. I’ve just sucked one year of your life away. I might one day go as high as five, but I really don’t know what that would do to you. So, let’s just start with what we have. What did this do to you? Tell me. And remember, this is for posterity, so be honest — how do you feel?”

Extra credit for anyone who can come up with the speaker. I will avoid the cheap joke of comparing Pittsburgh to the Pitt of Despair.

;-)

4) Whaaaa! I want to go to Grand Cayman . . .