That's a tough one. I know some sysadmins would love to quit their jobs to do something concrete and tangible like wood working or carpentry. On the other hand,

That's a tough one. I know some sysadmins would love to quit their jobs to do something concrete and tangible like wood working or carpentry. On the other hand, I imagine carpentry can be hard work, physically stressful, financially uncertain. From how you described, I think you're naturally interested in computers and servers, and will likely continue studying and experimenting anyway, even if it hasn't yet led to paying work. You can gain knowledge and experience through these side projects, and that can prepare a way for you to make a full career transition. I don't have any answers or advice, as I'm still trying to figure it out myself (currently in a fairly demotivated phase, looking for the next step up) - but I wish us all good luck in our endeavors. Personally, I believe you're on your way to becoming a tech wizard. The question is finding someone, maybe a smaller company/startup, who can recognize your value, talent, and potential.