I’m just home from the bank; I needed to close a joint account I had with our daughter and finally managed to convince myself to enter the bank. (I prefer ATMs—they don’t take as much time and I don’t have to talk to them.) As the banker was helping me close the account he had to type some information into the computer. He asked for my employer’s name. Hmmm. I’m never sure how to answer that question. Self-employed? Opera San Jose? Symphony Silicon Valley? UCSC? SCU? The list goes on. I first explained that I was a musician but I could tell he wasn’t sure what to do with that so I finally said to put down UCSC because I taught at the university. (I then had to explain that I teach music there … I’m not sure what else a musician might teach, but oh well!) I guess he was interested in my job, because he then asked me what I played and how often I perform concerts. He was a nice young guy, and we chatted for a while and then he finally said, “So this is your hobby then?”
Sigh.
That’s not an uncommon thing for someone to say. It’s very difficult for people to understand that what I do is a profession and that it is also hard work. He also said what I’ve decided must be the obligatory, “Sounds like a lot of fun!”
“Yes,” I replied, “and it’s also work.”
I don’t know that he understood what I was trying to say, and I guess that’s not my problem. But no wonder so many people think we are overpaid. It’s a hobby and we are just having a lot of fun!
(And sure, I DO have fun a whole lot of the time. I actually think that jobs should have a bit of enjoyment in them and I pity those who work at things they absolutely hate. I also puzzle over them—why not try something different?)
Now it’s time for lunch, and then it’s lotsa fun at 2:00 … and work as well. I have a Boheme rehearsal.
—–
