She returned to Oakland .
She began working as a musician in churches , Renaissance fairs , cabaret and other local venues , while surviving on varied jobs such as roofing , auto mechanics , carpentry , translation and secretarial work .
Returning to Oakland , she began working as a musician in churches , Renaissance fairs , cabaret and other local venues , while surviving on varied jobs such as roofing , auto mechanics , carpentry , translation and secretarial work .