I'm reading The Comedy Bible by the venerable comedian Judy Carter. She wrote it in 2001. We already covered that I am a procrastinator on January 11th (http://www.michelletomko.com/blog/ive-been-trying-to-figure-out-a-title-for-this-blog-all-day). So I get it. But better late than pregnant I always say. And I say it louder today after having dinner with my new 13-year-old friend. Boy do you have to watch what you say! I bet lawyers prepare their defendants by having them dine with 13-year-olds. I would be more at ease on trial in Salem. Talk about a tough room. Also apparently "Ask me why again. Go ahead. I dare you", is not an acceptable response according to her mother. Whatever. God I love my dogs.
Anyway on page 55 there is this great idea called the Commitment Contract. Carter wants you to write in the book, every nun that ever taught me is spinning in their graves. Yes write in the book the completion of the following line "I commit to doing comedy until..."
Here is the genius of it. It works for anything too. You can swap out comedy for losing weight, getting an education, avenging your father's death, etc. But if you answer like I did "I commit to doing comedy until I keel over onstage and head for my dirt nap." Then the idea is nothing can stand in your way! I have already written the ending of the story. Not getting an agent, the Browns quarterback troubles, snake bites, writer's block, none of these things will prevent me from doing comedy until death do us part. And even then I want a bumper sticker on my coffin that says "I'd rather be breathing."
So sure this is a way for you to be held accountable for something. Sure it is hokey. And sure it was a way for Judy Carter to get your personal information to try and solicit you for her comedy workshops when you sent in the form. But I like it. I sent mine in. Although hotmail refused to believe This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is a valid email address, Maildaemon and I know the level of my commitment.
Do you have something you want to commit to but you never had the middle-aged, late-blooming comedian to commit to? Well look no further. Go ahead. Fill out the form and mail it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can stay anonymous. I'm not selling anything. Yet.
committment contract