That sounds like it would have been a really cool lecture! I don't know if you have worked with David Rondel at Reno, but I am pretty sure he was a student of Barry Allen's at McMaster, who was also a student of Rorty's. Your Rorty roots may run even deeper than you think!
As someone on the waitlist at UO, I would approve of your decision. (I was about to use the word 'Shadenfreude' (which I recently learned from studying for the GRE), but I don't think that is what I am feeling, because my pleasure is certainly not derived from the pain you are feeling).
I am just glad that you are such a strong candidate, lisamadura!
Sigh*
Maybe there will be a waitlist... crumbs from the king's table etc.
The only good news I have had today is that someone mistakenly priced a bottle of wine at $2.97 instead of $12.97.