The Thank You Wave is Back

So I was thinking last night about the thank-you-wave. Not too many people still do it, but there are some chivalrous individuals holding on to it like a balding man holds on to those few measly strands 5 inches longer than the rest of his peripheral hair, brushing them over proudly as if he is fooling us all into thinking he actually has a full head of hair. But back to the thank-you-wave. There is really no reason it should be confined to cars. I am going to implement the thank you wave into the milieu of accepted gestures outside of the vehicle. After all, there are already several ubiquitous signs that really get the message across. Take the flip-off. Now that's a gesture that had its start outside the realm of cars but made its way in.

Today if someone tells me they like my shirt or compliments my hair (which would never happen as I somehow managed to sleep on it such that most of it lies in the plane perpendicular to my head), I am going to walk right past them; and without looking back I'll just hold up my right hand. Booyah, chivalry's back beeotches.

Ok, I'm in...

Alright, I'm jumping on the bandwagon. After greats such as Ryanne, Sandy, and Tim, I am inspired. And why not? It seems like an appropriate time to start something like this. I am getting married in two months and my career prospects as a neuroscientist are beginning to disappear before my eyes like water through a sieve. Can I make money as a simile writer??
I do feel I'm on the verge of something. I don't know if it's poverty or just a change. We'll have to see. For those of you confused by this uncertainty I speak of, let me expound. Our current president has done wonders for scientific funding. And by wonders, I mean has taken a dump on and smeared it in real good. I'll explain...
Labs, much like mine, depend on federal funding to buy supplies and equipment and to pay the salaries of graduate students. Our lab in particular applies to NINDS (National institute of neural disorders and stroke). Before Bush came around, 30% of all grants were funded. This number has dropped to just 3%. This means that if 100 labratories ask for money, 3 will receive it. My lab is not one of the lucky 3.
Through this all, I must admit, I can't help but feel extremely lucky. Yes, I could be bitter, which is so much fun, but I can't seem to get there. Besides a wedding that looms near, I have taken this funding crunch as a possible oportunity. Maybe the lab will dissolve and maybe it won't. If it does, I feel like I'm in the very lucky position of saying "I'll be OK anyway." I'm not one of those die-hard scientists.
I can be happy if I don't do science. Hell, sometimes just the prospect of not doing science makes me smile. I could be happy doing lots of things. I could sing on broadway or be happy serving hot-dogs in one of those carts outside the theater. I have great friends and family and I won't let my job (or lack thereof) dictate my happiness. In your face like a shoe, Bush.