Speaker 1
I'm a painter. I like making music. I don't want a boss. I try to love everyone. I live within my means.
Speaker 2
I am a vegan. I love to volunteer at my local community garden. Have two dogs and cat. I am a student at a community college. I am hoping to be a nurse one day.
Speaker 1
I am a struggling artist. I hope to get into the music industry. I am trying to make more money. I don't want a job with a boss.
Speaker 2
I have a cat and two dogs. I painted a picture of my pets. I am a painter. I study art at community college. I volunteer in my community. I was a starving artist for 20 years. I hope to be a nurse.
Speaker 1
Hello, I am looking for new ideas for a painting.
Speaker 2
That's cool! I just painted a picture of my cat and two dogs..
Speaker 1
Lovely, are you painter too?
Speaker 2
Yes I volunteer in my community and study art at a community college.
Speaker 1
That is cool, I am struggling artist right now. Haven't hit a big project.
Speaker 2
I was a starving artist for 20 years but now I am hoping to be a nurse.
Speaker 1
Cool, I am hoping to get into the music industry.
Speaker 2
Good luck! I tried for a long time. The odds are like winning the lottery.
Speaker 1
I heard, I am just trying to make more money.
Speaker 2
Now with streaming services, even the big names don't make money.
Speaker 1
That is right, I just don't want a job with a boss.
Speaker 2
I know how that is. You have to market your music just right to earn a little.
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Speaker 1
I am a struggling artist. I hope to get into the music industry. I am trying to make more money. I don't want a job with a boss.
Speaker 2
I have a cat and two dogs. I painted a picture of my pets. I am a painter. I study art at community college. I volunteer in my community. I was a starving artist for 20 years. I hope to be a nurse.
Speaker 1
So are you going back to college to train to be a nurse?
Speaker 2
I hope so! I want to finish my current art courses and save up some money first. Money has been tight lately but it's getting better with time. How has art income been for you lately?
Speaker 1
Just horrible!! I can't anything going on. I am just flat broke. You know that feeling, right??
Speaker 2
Oh, I've been there many times before. You should try finding some other sources for money because the art industry can be fickle sometimes. Is there anything else you might have an interest in?
Speaker 1
Only music!! That is my thing. How did you endured so many years as an strugling artist?
Speaker 2
I had to rely on a lot of help from family and friends a lot of the time. I also worked some odd jobs and had to use some help from the government. They were tough years but eventually rewarding
Speaker 1
Your  life story is really inspiring, but working odd jobs is hard for me.I can't stand someone bossing me around
Speaker 2
That makes sense. I even feel the same way sometimes with my professors at community college. What type of music are you trying to make?
Speaker 1
I am a jazz musician, and that is the problem!! Jazz is not very popular nowadays. What about you? What is your style of painting?
Speaker 2
Oh cool! I love jazz! I currently mostly paint portraits, but in the past I've also done impressionist paintings. Who are some of your favorite musicians?
Speaker 1
The classics one. Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald. And your favorite painters are?
Speaker 2
My two favorites are Van Gogh and Picasso! And I really love Salvador Dali too. Do you ever go to jazz shows?
 1 hour
Speaker 1
I am a struggling artist. I am struggling to make money with my art. I don't want a job with a boss. I don't want to work odd jobs because I don't like being bossed around. I hope to get into the music industry. I'm a jazz musician. I don't think it's easy to be a jazz musician these days. I really like classic jazz musicians and singers.
Speaker 2
I have a cat and two dogs. I painted a picture of my pets. I am a painter. I study art at community college. I volunteer in my community. I was a starving artist for 20 years. I hope to be a nurse. I want to save up money so I can go to college to train to be a nurse. I used to struggle financially. I used to rely on my family and friends for support when I was an artist. I also used to work some odd jobs. I had government help. I sometimes don't want to be bossed around by my professors. I love jazz music. I paint impressionist paintings. I really like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Salvador Dali.
Speaker 1
How's your studies going? Do you have a lot of homework?
Speaker 2
It's not too bad. It's tough, but reasonable. I've definitely lived through harder times before, but I'm still getting used to listening to professors again. How has jazz been going for you lately?
Speaker 1
It has been going pretty well. I am seeing more and more interest in my performances, but I am still not doing well enough to make a full-time gig out of it.
Speaker 2
Oh, that's too bad. I'm certain it can be a tough industry, but getting any exposure at all is probably really helpful. It's important that you're comfortable and secure enough to perform and practice effectively though
Speaker 1
Yeah, I am just feeling really motivated lately to try my hardest and see everything work out. I hate working for other people.
Speaker 2
I understand that. I used to be the same way, but I've accepted more lately that I might have to sometimes take orders to get everything I want in life. That's part of being a nurse, after all. I like to be as independent as possible in my art though
Speaker 1
As a nurse though that must be really rewarding, being able to use what you have learned to help people feel better again.
Speaker 2
That's true! I guess that's part of what I have to look forward to, and a more stable income. Is there anything you like to do to help those around you?
Speaker 1
I volunteer at a food bank a couple of times a month when I am not busy. I feel fortunate to be healthy and at least be able to live like I do, so I try give back when I can.
Speaker 2
I think that's wonderful. I've had to visit food banks a few times in my life when everything else fell through, but I'm more fortunate now, thankfully.
Speaker 1
What are the names of your cat and dog? I have a cat myself.
Speaker 2
My cat's name is Tiggy, and I have one dog named Zelda and one named George. They're wonderful! What's your cat's name?
 7 hours
Speaker 1
I am a struggling artist. I am struggling to make money with my art. I don't want a job with a boss. I don't want to work odd jobs because I don't like being bossed around. I hope to get into the music industry. I'm a jazz musician. I don't think it's easy to be a jazz musician these days. I really like classic jazz musicians and singers. I do volunteer work. I am grateful. I have a cat.
Speaker 2
I have a cat and two dogs. I painted a picture of my pets. I have a cat named Tiggy and a dog named Zelda. I am a painter. I study art at community college. I volunteer in my community. I was a starving artist for 20 years. I hope to be a nurse. I want to save up money so I can go to college to train to be a nurse. I used to struggle financially. I used to rely on my family and friends for support when I was an artist. I also used to work some odd jobs. I had government help. I sometimes don't want to be bossed around by my professors. I love jazz music. I paint impressionist paintings. I really like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Salvador Dali. I like to help others.
Speaker 1
I got a steady gig at a restaurant!
Speaker 2
That is awesome. When do you start? Maybe I can come watch.
Speaker 1
I start tomorrow, I am a bit nervous as I have no experience with working in a restaurant or with a boss that supervises me.
Speaker 2
Don't be nervous. You love playing music so just sit back and enjoy it.
Speaker 1
I suppose, hopefully I can still have time for my other interests. I still want to do volunteer work at a regular basis.
Speaker 2
How many days do they have you preforming? I am sure you will still get time to do that.
Speaker 1
I am working part time for now, so only five days a week and not on the weekends. Although they did mention I might have to be on call for certain weekends that have events or special occasions.
Speaker 2
Then make sure you volunteer on the weekend unless you know it is a holiday. I am sure you will get your time. 
Speaker 1
Thats the plan, I am sure I can make it work if I plan out my time carefully. Have you painted any impressionist works recently?
Speaker 2
I am in the middle of a piece right now. Having some issues finishing it.
Speaker 1
I can relate to that, sometimes I experience a creativity block while I am finishing up a piece, and I can't think of a way to end a song that I feel meets my standards.
Speaker 2
We are always our hardest critic. Everyone loves my pieces, but at times I don't like them at all.
 13 hours
Speaker 1
I am a struggling artist. I am struggling to make money with my art. I don't want a job with a boss. I don't want to work odd jobs because I don't like being bossed around. I hope to get into the music industry. I'm a jazz musician. I don't think it's easy to be a jazz musician these days. I really like classic jazz musicians and singers. I do volunteer work. I am grateful. I have a cat. I got a steady gig at a restaurant. I am nervous because I have never worked in a restaurant or been supervised before. I will not work on the weekends unless it is a special occasion. I hope I still have time for volunteering now that I am working. I am familiar with creativity blocks.
Speaker 2
I have a cat and two dogs. I painted a picture of my pets. I have a cat named Tiggy and a dog named Zelda. I am a painter. I study art at community college. I volunteer in my community. I was a starving artist for 20 years. I hope to be a nurse. I want to save up money so I can go to college to train to be a nurse. I used to struggle financially. I used to rely on my family and friends for support when I was an artist. I also used to work some odd jobs. I had government help. I sometimes don't want to be bossed around by my professors. I love jazz music. I paint impressionist paintings. I really like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Salvador Dali. I like to help others. I recommend volunteering on the weekend. I am painting a impressionist piece but am having trouble finishing it. I don't always like my own work and am critical of myself.
Speaker 1
i started my new job at the restaurant and it hasn't been too bad. My favorite part are my tips. My least favorite part is my boss; he yelled at me yesterday because I stopped playing for a few minutes to use the rest room. 
Speaker 2
Oh no! Sorry to hear about your boss, but stick with it!! Hopefully he'll see how dedicated you are and take it easier on you after a while.
Speaker 1
Yeah, I'm really trying to get over my issues with being bossed around, but I got really irritated because doesn't everyone have the right to use the bathroom when they need to? I hate feeling like a little kid that has to ask permission.
Speaker 2
No, I completely get it! I'd have a hard time dealing with that...and probably would've told him off!! Maybe you can report him? He legally has to give you a break!
Speaker 1
I want to, but I think I'm just going to hold my temper this once. I really need this gig right now, and playing music in the restaurant is better than having to take a job in the kitchen or as one of the waitstaff. If it happens again, I will definitely report him though. I know you have had a lot of odd jobs; how do you deal with a difficult boss?
Speaker 2
I don't. That could be some of my issue! I've always did odd and end jobs, so I'm my own boss. With clients, I hold my tongue if the gig pays good. If not -- I cut them lose. 
Speaker 1
My attitude is very similar to yours; this is the main reason why I've been so resistant to taking a traditional job. Still, money doesn't grow on trees - guess I'll have to suck it up. I've been thinking of coming up with a system where the restaurant patrons can put in song requests. Do you think that would be a good idea?
Speaker 2
That'd be a huge hit! Would you play ANY song? Seems like it'd be hard to learn and master them all. You could use a karaoke machine. 
Speaker 1
I have a pretty big repertoire of jazz hits memorized and I'm willing to learn some of the more popular hits of today. Maybe I should make a catalog of what I know and leave it out for patrons to browse? 
Speaker 2
That would work. Do you think your boss is gonna allow it? 
Speaker 1
I'm not sure; I don't think we're on very good terms right now. I should probably wait a week or so before suggesting it. Hopefully, he sees it as me taking initiative and not me trying to take over or assert authority over him.
Speaker 2
Probably for the best. See if you even want to stay there or if he's just THAT horrible. I'm really hoping you guys warm up to each other.
5 days 13 hours