I've been sitting here today at work, listening to old-school Michael Jackson - don't judge me - and it occurred to me what a strange life famous musicians must have. I'm sure this is no great revelation, but I imagine most young people would gladly sacrifice a limb to trade places with Adam Levine or Taylor Swift.

I don't know any famous musicians personally, but I have a little experience with being a professional musician myself. It was nothing on a grand scale, but I spent the better part of two years travelling and singing as my sole livelihood. Here's what I discovered.

I hate to travel. Despite the dreams of "seeing the world", it becomes quickly apparent that interstates look the same no matter what state you're in. Sure, there are times you get to see some amazing places, but that is always shoved into your deadlines, which in my case, were pretty tight.

I doubt the same is true for most celebs, but I had to set up sound equipment for my own gigs. Set up = hard manual labor. Period. There is nothing fun about it. And when you're done with the concert, guess what? You take it all back down. Imagine doing that night after night after night after night. You get the exhausting picture.

Then there is the seemingly universal predispotion for famous musicians to end up on drugs or abusing alcohol. I'm not making light of this. It is saddeningly common if Entertainent Tonight and E are to be believed (because why would the media lie **extreme sarcasm implied**). Makes me think perhaps the lifestyle isn't as glamourous as we make it out to be.

And of course, there is always the intense pressure of making the next hit so you can stay on top of the charts. And if you're not churning out hits, the remedy seems to be taking off your clothes and making a video which leads me to believe most of the A-listers are cold all of the time, and who likes to be cold?

So as you watch the New Year's extravaganzas on TV tonight, and you see all of the half-naked people singing to millions with a big smile, just remember you're probably much happier than they are. And at least you're warm. :)