Roger, I've been working for nothing for the last 4 or 5 months, and for 50% salary for the few months before that. This past week I learned that the only two pending proposals I was on for salary are rejected. I have about 3 months salary for 2013, although new proposals (due February 15, April 15, and mid May, the last being USGS-NEHRP) could get me some funding towards the end of the year. I've gotten a little one-time funding, worth about 1 week's salary, twice.

I sort of decided that if I don't have new papers accepted for publication and some new funding by this time next year, I should look into whether consulting for the oil industry could work, and if so, quit academics.

I'm a big whiner and I make my career decisions knowing it would be like this. I just lack other skills where I can make much more than minimum wage.

Chris