January 2001

Thoughts - 1/31/01

I'm back again. So I sat down and tried to figure what I want to be when I grow up. When I was a kid I wanted to build race cars. When I started college I discovered that I didn't enjoy the disciplines required to build race cars. Then I tried my hand at driving race cars. I wasn't crazy enough. Then I went to school for Television Production. I enjoyed it, but I was never able to shine. I became very good at the technology, but never expressed myself well. While working on my TV degree I took some acting classes. This helped me break out of being the introvert I had been my entire life. Then I started doing standup when Wallaby's Comedy Club opened in town and started an Open Mike night. I loved it.
 
So here I am nearly 40. I'm supposed to be having a mid-life crisis, but I'm not. I've never been happier. I've done alot of thinking lately. I sat down and studied what it takes to be a successful comedian, and realized that I don't have what it takes. That bothered me for a while until I realized that it's not me, but it's standup that does not meet my creative needs. I have struggled a long time trying to fit what I have to say into the format of standup comedy. So I have started experimenting with other forms of expression. I have rediscovered writing like I never knew it before. I am now able to keep my internal critic at bay. I have discovered how to rewrite successfully. Now each piece I write is better than the last. I have discovered the bliss of sitting down and creating a STORY. Of course I never would have developed these skills without doing standup.
 
So am I done with standup? Not even close. I still need what standup gives me. And I still feel I have a lots to share comedicly. So I'll still be doing comedy once or twice a week.
 
So what does it take to be successful comedian? I'm not going to tell you. It's not something to learn, it's something to know. (Holy Freshman Philosophy Flashback Batman!) And my truth may not be your truth. But I will tell you that I still believe that anyone who puts in the time and honest effort WILL be a successful comedian.