Three years ago, I made sandwiches. For money. That was my job. It was 2010, right after graduating from Eastman with my master’s degree, and right after my interview with NPR, where I said:

“if all else fails and I can’t find a job… I’ll just have to get a normal job for the first time in my life.”

And I did.

Of course, I wanted to do music stuff to make money, but that doesn’t happen right away. “OK world! I have a degree! Give me money!” Not that easy.

So, I walked next door to Eastman and stopped in at Java’s Cafe, where I ate lunch nearly everyday as a student. Their sandwiches are that good. I asked if they were hiring. They weren’t, but the manager and I had developed a friendship over the years (because I was there EVERYDAY), and he said:

“We don’t…