Legacy 2012

Having just read poor Stephen’s “Year” I must admit that since Wed. I am not faring any better. My lymph nodes feel like coconuts, and my head feels as though someone keeps inflating balloons under my skin. I had hoped to use this respite–this quiet time between Christmas and the New Year–to catch up on writing papers, grants, and other obligations.

I had also intended to jump-start my third Lab Lit novel (tentatively titled: “Let My People Go“–about a student whose mentor does not want her to graduate yet)–and at least have had enough strength to get those matters moving.

In the spirit of another year about to pass, and the silly 1st year Blogiversary that I hastily put together last year, I thought I’d try to lighten things up a bit. So here goes:

Feeling as I do right now, Mayan calendar notwithstanding, I thought that I had better straighten out my legacy to Occam’s Typewriter. Should I succumb to the beastly virions that plague my innards, here is what I leave for everyone:

To Richard Wintle: My Pentax K1000 camera and a lifetime supply of AGFA film.

To Athene Donald: My axe–so you can continue to smash glass ceilings for gender disparity.

To Erika Cule: A copy of my Ph.D. thesis. In Hebrew.

KristiV: My lovely undergraduate zoology drawings that were jolly entertainment for my entire class.

Richard P. Grant: My old defunct BlackBerry.

Bob O’Hara: No cats, but you can have my daughter’s guinea pig.

Sylvia McLain: My favorite 3 liter box of red wine so you can fill the glass in your profile picture.

Jenny Rohn: My 2013 Journal of Cell Science calendar and some Paas dyes.

Austin Elliott: My Polar Bear Tournament 1st place reserve chess trophy.

Stephen Curry: A list of all the manuscripts I’m handling for the PLoS One open access journal.

Steffi Suhr: My snowblower, in case you go back to the Antarctic.

Cromercrox: You can share my BlackBerry with RPG, or perhaps he’ll give you the battery.

Frank Norman: A laminated copy of my Omaha Public Library card.

Cath Ennis:  My postcard with a beautiful picture of Manitoba’s provincial bird: the mosquito.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!

About Steve Caplan

I am a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska where I mentor a group of students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers working on endocytic protein trafficking. My first lablit novel, "Matter Over Mind," is about a biomedical researcher seeking tenure and struggling to overcome the consequences of growing up with a parent suffering from bipolar disorder. Lablit novel #2, "Welcome Home, Sir," published by Anaphora Literary Press, deals with a hypochondriac principal investigator whose service in the army and post-traumatic stress disorder actually prepare him well for academic, but not personal success. Novel #3, "A Degree of Betrayal," is an academic murder mystery. "Saving One" is my most recent novel set at the National Institutes of Health. Now IN PRESS: Today's Curiosity is Tomorrow's Cure: The Case for Basic Biomedical Research (CRC PRESS, 2021). https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B006CSULBW? All views expressed are my own, of course--after all, I hate advertising.
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8 Responses to Legacy 2012

  1. rpg says:

    Thanks Steve. I shall batter Henry with a blackberry. That’s what you meant, right?

    GWS, and all the best for 2013!

  2. cromercrox says:

    How thoughtful. Just what I always wanted.

  3. Steve Caplan says:

    Hey folks, I’m not dead YET!

  4. And we thank you. AGFA film, the stuff of legend. 🙂

    Now, who’s going to Omaha to bump Steve off so we can all collect this swag?

  5. Steve Caplan says:

    Athene hasn’t collected her axe yet–and I have this creepy guy protecting me– (http://occamstypewriter.org/stevecaplan/2012/12/29/more-on-creative-self-promotion/)
    So watch out!

  6. Cheers, Steve. It will look good in my trophy cabinet… oh, wait a minute… I don’t have a trophy cabinet. Or trophies. *Sigh*

    Happy Holidays, anyway. And get well soon!

  7. Ooh, thanks Steve, I feel itchy just thinking about it!

    I hope you feel better soon

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