''Hey, I bombed, but everybody bombs. Rob Maher said not to live set to set''.

No, in your case, live set to set. Please.

Amy Mumma (who is not a comic, but married to one) said something pretty interesting the other day. She said that if you really want to be a successful stand-up comic (remember success is defined differently for everyone) then you can't look at it from a perspective of financial gain. Sacrifices will need to be made and if you are unwilling to make those sacrifices you will find it near impossible to accomplish your goals. However, it is completely irresponsible to live life without looking at fiscal responsibilities and that these two things may be diametrically opposed. Wow, she's smart. What a conundrum.

Recently a local booker/manager was destroyed by national online magazine for a quote she gave to the City Paper. I will be vague as to only speak to those who know who and what I am talking about.

Initially I was bothered by this quote as it directly applies to and affects me (local comic, 38 years old). However, the more I thought about it the more I think I understand what she was trying to say.

I think the comparison to an athlete was way off the mark, implying that skills diminish as you get older. That, obviously, is the complete inverse to reality and probably not the best choice of words. However, I think what she meant was that it is harder to make a ''career'' out of stand up comedy as you get older. This is 100% correct. I have a wife and two children. I have responsibilities that do not allow for risk taking. I have commitments that I didn't have when I was 20. I have obligations that take priority over my comedy ''career'' and I can't make the sacrifices necessary to become a full time comic. I think by ''make it'' she meant making people laugh for a living. She's right. I can't do this. I wish I could, but I can't, and for the exact reason she said. I am too far along in life to start a job that pays nothing and takes time away from my current life's priorities.

I will continue to play the lottery. If I win, then it's comedy full-time. Another comic, who will go nameless, has a plan for financial independence which will allow him to go into comedy full-time. He has decided he will sell T-Shirts on the internet which will eventually allow him to quit his lucrative job in the Government's printing office. This is so hair-brained that it just might work. I want to help him, so I (by ''I'' I mean my brother) designed some T-Shirts to help sales along. Once his site is up and running, these shirts will be available to you all sizes and colors.

Please order early as there will certainly be backorders.