It is a huge dice roll, but it is less dreary and hopeless than shift work. I think people like me settle for it because we come from poor backgrounds and prefer the security of steady checks, but it is really just White slavery. It is better to develop a talent and see where it takes you—-even if it is something like singing in a high register and plucking a childish string instrument. However, many people never make it and more importantly are unable to be truthful to themselves that they never will. For some, they’ll keep their jobs and do summer stock or play in bar bands or do 5 minutes a month at Comedy Cellar as a walk-on and that’s fine, but nothing is sadder than seeing someone 35 living at home and auditioning or making demo tapes and waiting for their big break.