standing on the corner, waving at ambulances

So as I was leaving work yesterday, I noticed that there were emergency vehicle lights reflecting in the window of the library across the street. As I got closer to the intersection, I saw that there was an ambulance at their side entrance that was pulling out into traffic. While the light for me had just turned green, I decided to wait to see if the ambulance was going to go against the light. So I hesistate at the curb and keep my eye on the ambulance driver, who makes eye contact with me, waves, and puts the siren on as they go through the intersection.

My first thought was, "wow, that's an awfully polite EMT." I simply assumed that he was acknowledging my waiting to cross the street. Fairly odd behavior. But, okay.

Then my brain caught up with the fact that the wave was too familiar - it wasn't just the "hey, thanks for not getting in the way of this medical emergency" wave; it was a "hey, how ya doin" wave.

And I recognized the driver as a guy who used to work at the theater about five years ago. Last I knew, he left house management to be a fire fighter. Now he's apparently driving ambulances.

It's really weird to be waving back at a speeding ambulance.

People look at you funny.