1. Play Bass (possibly) for The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash full time, suffer a big cut from teacher pay (which isn't great to start with), but make more professionally as a musician than I have ever made, ever

2. Teach and play as a hobbyist (looks like I might have an interview Thurs. or Fri. at Akins High School in Austin for a Choir Position)

3. Grad School

Oh well.

The fact that Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash will employ a known dot head means you HAVE TO TAKE THE GIG!!

AND, that means you should have more gigs down this way.

listen up, grasshopper.
stop looking out and start looking in.
my advice is 2-3 days alone without a computer and a cell phone.

I'm never going to be able to grab the pebble from your hand.

True. It's just I'm almost 30 and maybe I ought to accept that talent has nothing to do with it. I just wasn't born with a golden horseshoe up my ass.

Something with music obviously, so 3 doesn't seem like a good option. Whatever allows you to play music and still live.

Music Grad School? Teach in the ivory tower? Rock out in the ivory basement?

Neither were most of us, mang. I have been thinking a lot about similar things, and have tried to keep in mind that life is what happens while you are planning for the future. You don't have to settle for anything, or anyone, for that matter, besides yourself.

Believe me, I never though that life would lead me to wroking a second tier down-ballot race in a state that I cringed in terror when my dad told me he was moving here. I never thought I'd be buying a goddamn house and looking for work in MONTGOMERY. But sometimes you gotta take what lives gives you.

You are obviously able to eat on the money you make, and it doesn't SEEM like you need much more than that right now.

LOOK INTO YOUR HEART.

Dotheads are born without hearts. Just look at my parents.

We'll see how it all shakes out. Had a good talk with the Head Bastard. Now it's on him.

settling = death
i'd rather keep searching.

Teaching will always be there. The only drawback is the length of time needed to build up that retirement. I'd still chase the dream with John's illegits.

I don't even know why I ask, when I know the answer deep down inside.

I guess I like to try to fool myself that I can lead a normal life sometimes.

You're gonna look awesome on GAC.

Look, it's easy: if you're afraid of risking comfort and security (and food and shelter) to follow your dream to be an artist, then don't do it and get a job instead.

do what you want. Deena will support you because she obviously loves you if she hasn't left you over the p**sy eating thread.

Go play bass. You're still young. No, you probably won't become a rock star, but you'll have a good time and be able to pay your bills.

Get a straight job after you have your fun.

Just make sure the van is locked when you play Brooklyn.

I cry every time.

yeah Phil...these advice threads are getting to be poptodd'ish with just slight variations on the same post. you're smarter than relying on the advice of mostly a bunch of internet strangers for such important life decisions. And knowing that, we ought to be smarter than to continue doling it out.

Of course, we still wish you the best, but look within grasshopper as the wise ayah suggests.

Number 1.

There you go. And stop talking about normalcy like it exists!!!!

Im late to the show but I figure I would post this (if my connection lasts) because with the arrival of Responsibilty (i.e. children) - and starting a new job I have thought about this quite a bit. Mainly because, I dont like Responsibility, and Im part anarchist and part reactionary. This leads to interesting tension. Of course you have to look within - no one is going to give you advice that will make a difference since you will probably hear all options and still be undecided. Im not so sure that school is the answer though - namely putting off the difficult decision that you face now, until 5-6 years down the line when you are faced with an eerily similar decision (esp. as music programs get no respect at most Universities these days- the arts have gone the way of the dodo).

Its probably not the most popular opinion but hell thats me. I dont understand why this even has to be a question. I have never seen the arts as a job- its great if you can get paid to do it- but being realistic, you see that talent has nothing to do with who makes it. Are you going to have to do it as a career to be happy? If not, then why subject yourself to insiduous things such as the 'music' industry?

I mention this because Im 30, I have an OK career but of course Im still thinking of leaving it.. Ive thought about law school, culinary school, marrying rich-- you name it. In the end , I realize this job works because it gives me the financial security I need but the freedom to do pretty much anything (post-tenure). I guess I have no real new advice but Im going to post this anyway because I took the time to write it:)

But maybe it doesnt have to be as black and white as job in music, no job in music. Id try to convince myself/re-define what I want out of music, to something that is more in tune with what this crazy mixed up world is willing to give you.

I did a lot for my happiness quotient when I decided to not have a job.

....and some peyote buttons, that'll put things in perspective.