Hi, I guess this post is still on-going--
I'm a software engineer and former military linguist. My *real* job, though I only make about $50 a year off it, is writing fantasy fiction (short fiction--it's easier to break-in with short fiction, then sell the long stuff after one has a track record). I haven't hit the big time yet, but I've only been at it for a year or so... so there's still hope!
Blame writing on my return to smurf collecting. Writing is one "Wow, I loved it!" for every 99 "don't quit the day job, bub." Smurfs, however, still hang out with me regardless of whether I bring Paul's aversion towards swiss cheese to a satisfying and thought-transforming conclusion.