Velcro, thanks for the support. I wouldn't exactly say I have money for the PhD--but from what I've read, if I'm a research assistant or TA, I can likely get tuition covered plus a decent living stipend. The one place automatically covers 75% of your tuition once you're officially a candidate (like when you're working on your dissertation), in addition to other funding.

I'm debating whether it makes sense to try for it, but figure I need to take the steps, like getting recommendations, taking GREs, etc., and then if I change my mind or find a job in the field, then I could decide not to go--assuming I get accepted of course! But if I don't take the steps, then I can't do it. Plus it gives me a goal to focus on, which I'm sort of lacking right now (lots of really short-term freelance projects, but nothing long-term).

This is all my T's fault, for saying she always thought I'd be good in research and academia...and for reminding me how I seemed like a different person when I was in grad school and especially during an internship for it...