Today’s standup comic is essentially an artistic monk dedicating his/her life to mastering the craft of standup comedy and all the self-development that comes along with it, often at the expense of a comfortable lifestyle usually pursued by non-comics of the outside world. During his/her artistic evolution, he/she usually struggles under complete obscurity for an extended amount of time and must not lose faith despite their general inability to accumulate wealth, to date/marry successfully or to achieve fame, status, and success in their early years. It requires nothing less than complete dedication and sacrifice for the craft. Blood, sweat and tears. The kind in which those who have never attempted it will never fully understand.