# But I'm an ARTIST! No, you're a barista **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 2, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958 "2006-07-02T18:59:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2006, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/21 "2006-07-02T22:15:17Z")
As a child, I never wanted or expected to grow up to practice law. Then again, now that I do practice law, I’m about as non-traditional as it is possible to be in this profession. If I’m not actually in Court, I work in jeans, boots, and my leather jacket when weather permits. Got very long hair. Was watching a video clip last night, and noticed I look more than a little like Ronnie Van Zant. I didn’t get the corner office, Beamer, and six figure income…but I have retained some portions of my soul, while managing to afford food and shelter on a consistent basis. When I tried to make it in theatre, perhaps I retained more of my soul, but I didn’t eat as well…or as often. I still dabble in writing various things. Most never get seen by anyone. Some stuff gets posted various placed around the internet, generally to rave reviews. Eventually, I’ll probably get serious about submitting material for publication/income…but until I’m able to command serious money for my literary efforts, I’ll be doing the law thing. I’ve got a very close friend that never “sold out”. He may be the smartest guy I ever knew in terms of pure intellect. Holds a terminal decree. He’s barely making a living, drawing public assistance between jobs, never has two nickels to rub together, no savings for retirement, sometimes he can’t keep the utilities turn on because he can’t pay the bill. I’m not willing to live like that when I have the ability to do otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2006, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/22 "2006-07-02T22:16:47Z")
Liz Phair nailed her critics nicely in [SHitload s of Money](http://www.lyricsondemand.com/l/lizphairlyrics/shitloadsofmoneylyrics.html): > [@](#): > > Louis is probably thirty years old but he looks like a solid 45 > Louis says he’s got a headache > I look in his eyes, and I believe him > > The big L.K.'s and the gangster disciples > Louis can’t think of who else could take over > But he just can’t get up in the morning > A genuine face, braced for survival > > It’s nice to be liked > But it’s better by far to get paid > I know that most of the friends that I have > Don’t really see it that way > But if you can give 'em each one wish > How much do you wanna bet? > They’d which success for themselves and their friends > And that would include lots of money > > \ ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2006, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/23 "2006-07-02T23:18:14Z")
[QUOTE=Eureka] I have to say, the thread title is making me envision a Puzzler by Will Shortz on NPR some Sunday morning where you take a 7 letter word for an occupation people work to keep from starving drop the first and last letters, add a T, scramble the letters to come up with an occupation often associated with starving. It needs work. [/QUOTE] Or you could go down the cryptic crossword route: Endless coffee maker - confused with tea - creates libation for galleries. (6) ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/24 "2006-07-02T23:34:39Z")
I sense unspoken assumptions. 1. A day gig must be _full-time_ and _out of the home_. Even if it gets you by, you ain’t wukkin’ for da Man unless you are physically on the plantation most of your waking hours. 2. It’s also gotta be something totally draining and soul-killing. ---
**Author:** ![Diamonds02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/25 "2006-07-03T00:05:55Z")
homeskillet, your friends are being dumb. If everyone becomes an artist/bum/doll-furniture-maker, then who would do all of the serious work? ☹ 😛 ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/26 "2006-07-03T00:44:57Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] You can be both an artist and an accountant. Some people don’t get that. [/QUOTE] Well, some do. However most of them are serving prison sentences. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Naz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e99b99/32.png) [@Naz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naz)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/27 "2006-07-03T01:24:40Z")
[QUOTE=homeskillet] **“But you don’t look like and accountant”** And what exactly does an accountant look like? I probably look more like one while I’m putting together a consolidated balance sheet. It’s just like when people say, “_Oh, but you don’t look like you’re a "gay_” WTF Just what does a “gay” look like, well maybe not so much at the moment, but I’m sure I look pretty “gay” when I’m getting plowed by a big ol’ hairy piece of man meat! :eek: ] [/QUOTE] I give your rant a 9 just based on this. I’m damn lucky I didn’t have a mouthful of Dr. Pepper when I read that. I work retail. I work retail so I can pay the bills and go to school. On my off time, I write, I draw and paint, and I make jewelry. I’m sick of people telling me that I need to do those things full-time. Look guys, I enjoy my arty stuff. But I’ve no wish to starve and leave my house to live in a crummy apartment. I’m going to school so I can get a job doing something I like, but I’m not going the I’m-an-Artist! way. Screw the hippies! When’s dinner? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/28 "2006-07-03T02:07:39Z")
**cerberus** , I think posting the full lyrics to a song violates copyright, so I deleted all but the first three paragraphs. Anyone who wants to see the full lyrics can follow the link. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/29 "2006-07-03T02:53:29Z")
[QUOTE=homeskillet] **“You’re just workin’ for THE MAN”** [/QUOTE] 1968 called; they want their accusation back. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/30 "2006-07-03T03:02:43Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] 1968 called; they want their accusation back. [/QUOTE] CCR called, they’re just glad people still sing their song… _Left a good job in the city, Workin for the man evry night and day, And I never lost one minute of sleepin, Worryin bout the way things might have been._ ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/31 "2006-07-03T03:27:17Z")
Personally, I think the OP is going too easy of these people. If somebody tries “But I’m an ARTIST!” on me, the best they can hope for in response will be “No, you’re a waitress in a coffeeshop.” ---
**Author:** ![Carlyjay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Carlyjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carlyjay)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/32 "2006-07-03T03:47:41Z")
Hm. That’s funny. I’m an actress… but I’m _really_ a waitress. ---
**Author:** ![homeskillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ba0ec/32.png) [@homeskillet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/homeskillet)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/33 "2006-07-03T07:14:24Z")
[QUOTE=Naz] Screw the hippies! When’s dinner? [/QUOTE] Stick around **Naz** , rumour has it Lois makes a Beefaroni Casserole that’s **outta this world**! ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/34 "2006-07-03T07:53:22Z")
Can we extend the rant to all personallity assumptions? Example: I knit during class to stay awake. People know me as the knitter. A couple months ago, my mentor took a group of us out drinking and I uncharacteristically drank a whole bunch and started a lively discussion on Japanese porn. To this day, people come up and tell me enthusiastically how I got so drunk that one time and talked about Japanese porn. I have great fun in restarting the conversation right then, dead sober, just to prove that it is possible for knitters to know of the outside world. So fuck your art friends who are largely upset that you can have your craft and still eat too, and fuck my classmates for thinking I’m a boring sod just because I can knit. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/35 "2006-07-03T10:38:40Z")
“Do they ever call me Pullet the Scarf-knitter? No. But you stick just one tentacle into every oriface…” 😃 > [@homeskillet](#): > > “But you don’t look like and accountant” That’s when you have to start accusing them of being too narrow-minded, uncreative and prejudiced to break out of the conceptual box they’ve locked themselves into that prevents them from visualizing your inner accountant. ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/36 "2006-07-03T10:49:19Z")
[QUOTE=Sublight] “Do they ever call me Pullet the Scarf-knitter? No. But you stick just one tentacle into every oriface…” 😃 [/QUOTE] That’s not where yarn goes! :eek: But seriously, why does everyone go to tenticle porn when talking of things Japanese and sexual? I personally find the rape stuff more disturbing. Almost every Japanese porn I’ve seen, liveaction or animated, the girl is either a total slut doing feces or outdoor stuff or has to be “convinced” that she really does want to have sex. WTF is up with that? But I digress… ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/37 "2006-07-03T11:05:24Z")
Because tentacle pr0n is what makes Japan great! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/38 "2006-07-03T11:12:01Z")
[QUOTE=duffer] Well, some do. However most of them are serving prison sentences. 😉 [/QUOTE] That whole “accountant” thing gives artists a bad name! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/39 "2006-07-03T13:52:25Z")
[QUOTE=DanBlather] The problem is not how **homeskillet** defines herself, it’s the fact that she is surrounded by asshats. [/QUOTE] Hmm… > [@homeskillet](#): > > It’s just like when people say, "Oh, but you don’t look like you’re a “gay” WTF Just what does a “gay” look like, well maybe not so much at the moment, but I’m sure I look pretty “gay” when I’m getting plowed by a big ol’ hairy piece of man meat! I would have guessed **homeskillet** was a he, not a she, based on this tidbit. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958/40 "2006-07-03T14:08:09Z")
[QUOTE=runner pat] C’mon,confess. You really want to be a lion tamer. 😃 [/QUOTE] Well yes. Yes. Of course, it’s a bit of a jump isn’t it? I mean, er, chartered accountancy to lion taming in one go. You don’t think it might be better if she worked her way towards lion taming, say, via banking? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-im-an-artist-no-youre-a-barista/362958.md?page=3)