So, I guess I better explain the random photo of my drinking with some woman... ha! I am at a conference in San Jose, Ca. Hob nobbing with the great ecologists of our time. The photo is of Betsy one of the next greatest ecologists- but more so just a good friend from the Blaustein lab. The odd thing about these conferences is the friendships you develop. You only see these folks at the conference, ocassionally if they speak somewhere and yet they reach the level of comraderie that you would have for any friend at home. Take for instance my buddy Pieter Johnson, world reknowned amphibian ecologist- works on parasites causing frog deformities. We chatted last night off and on all night long like were are long good friends. I have known him for 5 years now. Yet I probably have only hung out with him for a total of 40 hours. I suppose it has to do with living similar lives that brings us closer together... or it could be the drinking at the bar?