And with those long days that start and end with very physical work, the verb that hoes with this job is still "play". That used to make me SO angry when people would call me and ask "You playing tonight?" My standard answer was always "No. I am WORKING tonight, but I am not playing." They see that stage time and think that's all there is to it. Somehow missing all that physical work, the solo practice time, the band rehearsal time, the expense of buying gear, the expense and time to maintain it...

Though I dished it out too. I used to rag on one of the bartenders I was close to telling her "Oh geeze. You cut fruit, you open bottles and you wash glasses. And you call that WORK?" Knowing full well they got there at 5 and worked until 3, running back and forth the whole time.

I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.

1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.