Well, I see the fiscal cliff is averted. But this may not help research scientists who make their living from federal funding (me). Automatic spending cuts have been put off for 2 months (called "sequester"). A Program Manager sent an email that said most proposals were rejected because they can only commit 80% of their funds because of continuing resolutions, etc. Well, most programs that we submit to have long had only 20% success rate.

I'm going to continue to write proposals this year, but especially will work on manuscripts. I have said that if I am not doing better by December 2013, it is time to give up. I will look into whether I can consult for the petroleum industry. That could include interpretation of seismic reflection data, and training of new hires to do the same. But much of the petroleum industry is a couple of decades ahead of what I do, using 3D imaging and very specialized software.

It is not for me to judge where the USA should spend its money. Not all research should be funded. I think that huge deficits and national debt cannot be good. We do spend more money on defense than the next many (how many?) countries combined. I don't teach and work with a Cal State University professor who has 10 grad students, a heavy teaching load, and much "sevice" (runs field trips for example). He trains students whose starting salary in industry is more than his.

I'm slow to get things published (although not terrible). I made my choices knowing it would be like this. I had a couple of good funding years.

I finally resubmitted the manuscript on Palos Verdes California region a couple weeks ago. I'm working on one on the near offshore between Long Beach and San Diego. I was invited to be on a thesis committee for a student in France, and was invited to give a talk this past November. Turkish students and professors like working with me. I'm getting out of my Heartland isolation (being there for 6 1/2 years really damaged my career: I developed no new collaborations there). The Island (where I am today) is 2 hours south of Boston so lots of universites I can visit on a day trip; I can invite myself to give a talk, go see talks, etc.

Now watch me in a year not doing any better with funding but hanging in.

Chris