Read. Buy every book you think you might be interested in and read. Then apply what you read in either (or both) side projects or open source. Then read some more. When you feel decent enough to land a job, go for a job where you can learn the tech you want to learn even if it means cutting back your paycheck. Only you know how much of a cut is acceptable to maintain a lifestyle you want to have. At that point you should be good enough (if development really is your thing) to establish a 'career'.