I came across an interesting article on CNN.com this morning.  It’s about people changing careers due to the flagging economy.  One section talks about Alex Barnett, a lawyer in DC who decided that his true passion was stand-up comedy.  Good for you, I say.  Alex, since you’re both a lawyer and a comedian, I’m sure you won’t mind if I point out some of the less cogent parts of your interview.

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From attorney to comedian: Alex Barnett, 43, of New York City

Alex Barnett grew up hearing about legal issues because his father was an attorney.

He graduated from St. John’s University School of Law and became an attorney, too. He dabbled in nonprofit law and then focused on class-action litigation.

But law was never his passion, Barnett said, and in his spare time, he channeled his creativity into writing short stories and taking acting and comedy classes.

When he was laid off from a small Washington, D.C., law firm in 2008, he started performing at comedy clubs for the money.

SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU FUCKING JACKASS.  Your short stories and the work you did in your comedy classes must have been brilliant.  I mean, it’s tough enough for seasoned performers to make any money worth mentioning doing sets at comedy clubs, but you, Master Barnett, fresh out of a Learning Annex “I Want to be a Jokester!” class must have slayed club owners with your wit.  Nobody does club work in the beginning for the money…because there’s no money to speak of.  That’s why people wait tables or temp.  I loathe the fact that you exist.

He even turned down a steady government job offer. “I realized if I didn’t love it, and there were too many question marks around it, then I needed to turn it down,” he said.

How ironic.  I’m considering taking a steady government job “for the money.”  You and I must be matter and anti-matter, Mr. Barnett.  That means we can never be in the same room at the same time.  Because I’ll punch you right in the dick.

The biggest difference between law and comedy is that comedy has fewer rules and regulations, Barnett said.

Yeah, that’s the biggest difference.  It’s not the money.  Or the education required for the former and the timing and talent required for the latter.   I can’t wait to read your analysis on race relations.  “The biggest difference between black people and white people is what they do on Thanksgiving.”  Brava, you dong.

He found the field of comedy challenging at first because there was less structure.

His life has changed in other ways since he took the freelance route. He works almost every weekend — the prime time for comedy club performances.  His paycheck has shrunk since his lawyer days, which means he and his girlfriend have cut down on expenses and eat out less often.

Really?  You’re making less than the $129,000 that the average U.S. lawyer makes?  Even with your 9PM opening slot at Francesco’s in West Patterson, NJ on the 28th?  Fire your agent, Barnett.  He’s fucking you.

He no longer receives the luxuries of a company-sponsored 401(k) plan or health insurance, and he pays for his benefits out of pocket.

I watched your set on Youtube…and I’m happy that, with all of your sacrifices, you still have enough in your budget for sweet Affliction t-shirts.  TAP OUT!

A drastic career change may sound difficult, and the first few years usually are the toughest.

But you’ve weathered the storm, Alex.  From here on out it’s smooth sailing on lakes of money surrounded by tv execs throwing development deals at you from the shores.  Way to stick it out through those two tough years!

But Barnett has some advice for people considering it: “You only have one life, so do what you want to do with it.”

Agreed.  I mean, if you had remained a NON PROFIT LAWYER, the world would have been denied this gem:  “I’m Jewish.  That means I don’t want half of anything: money OR the West Bank.”  Preach on, Barnett.  Preach on.