“Seriousness is the only refuge of the shallow” is another Oscar Wilde quote I enjoy and reference often.

As professional music types, what we do’s objectively insane, while simultaneously being the single most satisfying way to live one’s life. The cognitive dissonance, at this point, is like slipping into a warm bath. If ever I look at myself in the mirror and my dimpled, jowly countenance isn’t laughing in the general direction of either common sense or someone pursuing the actuarial sciences, well, that’s when I know it’s time for an attitude adjustment, usually courtesy of strolling down 12 South and counting the number of 30-something white guys in sockless penny loafers. The road mercifully not traveled.

Inside the drudgery, absurdity and discord, there's a ton of fun to be had, and thankfully we’re the ones creating the soundtrack.