Being Normal...

I'll tell you something. You want to make it in the business world now a days, you need to know people. But in most cases it's a series of "you scratch my back and I'll think about scratching yours" (in which case I would say most people scratch your back in return.
There is another currency out there, it's the money of "favors." I'm talking real business favors, I come in and do something for you for free, you come in an do something for me in return. Double coincidence of wants spread over a longer time period. Genius. Use it folks.
Having skill is one thing. I agree, a highly skilled person has great value. But without connections, it doesn't matter how skilled you are, you will remain a bump on the log with no work. I've always believed that education is a necessary thing but you can get an education at almost any college, some better than others. But the greatest asset you can gain from any education establishment is connections.
I would much rather spend one semester at Julliard and make a million connections than in some cases go spend 4 years in another school. My ROI would be likely much higher with the people that I will end up knowing than in the middle of nowhere. Now that is not to say, however that you won't make miracle connections or won't be connected by going to smaller or less esteemed colleges. I am merely stating that people with money and power go to places with money and power and skill, and if you've got the charming personality, you will likely make better more advantageous connections in an esteemed college/university. It could also be a load of hogswash for I haven't been to such places
and experienced such things. But just take that all  under consideration have have a fantastic day!

That photo....is me. 

Dance with me everyone. I've been dancing a lot. Maybe you should too. 

Last word of wisdom. Drink Tea, Relax and Take a moment to breath, it's bad enough that we are glued to our phones that we have becomes too busy for real rest. 

-J

You won't believe what she did...and neither did I...

You just won't believe it....why?...you'll find out soon...or even why is there a cow at the bottom of this blog?....

At least that is what you are meant to believe. And we click the magical link and AWAY WE Go.....off on the magical internet adventure to uplifting stories or things of utter shock and horror. 

But it's phrases like these that catch people's attention! 

I have a bit of fun for you. Take a moment and stand on a busy street corner with high traffic. (in more rural areas this might not be possible) Go to a fairgrounds or any place where you expect noise and just calmly say "Blah Blah Blah" It's amazing the results. Maybe you expect that people will turn their heads towards you. I just love the attention.
Now I could bore you with loads of marketing schemes and ideas you can take out of the "blah blah blah" scenario. I have a simpler point to make to you. 

You are wanted...

Desired.   well at least your money is...

There are people out there that are paid a large lump of money to figure out what you are thinking, what you might like to do on a Sunday afternoon, and more importantly how to get your attention without making it seem like "I'm going to steal your money and your soul."

And everyone is a sucker to someone. One of my favorite funny phrases about marketing specifically in the area of "conning people into buying something" is "I LOVE ROBIN MARKS"

While I personally don't love Robin Marks, there are millions of people who do.

"Marks" are suckers, normal people who can fall for a bit. 

"Robin" is short for "Robbing" 

"I love robbing suckers"

While I don't agree with the principle...the line is clever.

But now a days, maybe we aren't cheated out of anything more than time and we happen to be okay with that. The Whole world is fighting for you attention, but let's be honest...they already have it. And while week long netflix binges can be fun, or youtube marathons, gaming for hours, couponing, blogging, reading books for hours, can be perfectly fun. THERE IS A WHOLE WORLD OF UNIMAGINABLE POSSIBILITIES. There are things left to explore more than the edges of a minecraft map, or the end of a video series, etc. Don't be left a mark to the great long play con of the world....immediate gratisfaction and sedation. And as long as you're happy, feeling like you've accomplished something today (no matter how insignificant or imaginary) you won't care about a world falling apart around you tiny bits at a time. 

You have skills, gifts, traits that are undeniably strong with you. Don't let the whole of the world distract you from the things you can really do. 

Or more so, Don't let the world convince you that you are talented in one way or to chase talents that society thinks is "too legit." There are too many possibilities and too many good things left to be done to let them all squander away. Just a thought for you.

We have a responsibility to use the talents we have, I mean...it would be like being a cow and never using it's udders....which would be udderly ridiculous. 

Give some milk today, use your natural talents and push past the society drawing you away.

Be...out-standing in your field. 

Toodles! 

-Jim

Change and Equality

The world is a crazy place that is in constant change. Much like Douglas Adams' "Hagunenon," it seems the world around us tries to shift to achieve some sort of goal, form of justice, idealism. And when they have achieved it, the world has somehow alienated or blockaded someone else's form of social justice, ideology ..etc. So where are we left? Does it really matter where are left as long as we stay standing up? Is standing something that we are doing or are we laying down on air whilst simultaneously pushing down on the ground really hard with our feet? Questions we must consider before we can really move on to get some sort of tangible grip on reality (or that which we call reality anyway) Equality is impossible, socially speaking. And so social justice cannot exist because in a room where everyone has a differing view of the rules to the game of life, monopoly rules don't apply, there's no book of rules every people seems to all agree on as a firm truth. She gets 200 for passing go while He get 4000 and a book signing for getting out of jail free. It goes back to "you can't make everyone happy." So I suggest to all of you, get invested into the "poster board and sign" business because without a doubt, in a democracy, as one group finally gets a chance to change the old rules, another group of people who happen to like the old rules, and another group who happen to think that they should get a chance to get new rules because, the first group had a chance (after all its only fair..) will set out buying more signs and making more noise about something altogether new and so on. But we can't just stop this, it's impossible to stop this cycle because again various versions of truth, beauty, life, flavors of tea, favorite colors, and such keep people from ever agreeing. I feel that the best way we can really bring this whole situation down is to form a dictatorship, something horrible and nasty. Throw in words like "communist" and "militaristic", set to boil for 15-20 years and voila, everyone is equally miserable. So much is their misery that the minor bickering between them on what colors the wall should be really don't matter because they both agree this dictator is a really bad guy. And you know what happens when you get your rights taken away? You get all that's left....get it? See it's a sort of pun....Yes. Let me take you back now to a few minutes ago when you were reading about "equality is impossible." 1+1=2 unless in human intercourse where 1+1=[1,8] due to the random nature of humanity. At no point can there be a firm grasp on equality. NOT THAT I AM SAYING THAT WE SHOULDN'T STRIVE FOR IT.... But just know that somewhere else in this grand universe...we fail to give equal rights to someone else in a relatively similar situation.

Maple Syrup and Mayhem

The Maple Syrup Festival is held in Wacarusa, In. It's in the outermost reaches of Indiana past the myriad of single lane roads, through the fields and villages. Commercial society doesn't hold tight here with mom and pop shops lining the two main streets that intersect in downtown. If you had a decent arm, you could throw a stone from one end of the downtown business district to the other without completely throwing your arm.  Cell phones seem almost out of place though it seems like everyone (except for the amish it seems) has them.  We were set up on an empty lot where a building once stood. From the looks of it, it's one of the few buildings they have ever taken down. One shop has been up since 1915. I was without wifi.
I love my wifi. As much as it pains me to say it, I need wifi. It's not a necessity to live and I don't freak out without it but anything that we hold dear technologically speaking doesn't mean a dingo's kidney without wifi. We might as well be holding extremely expensive paper weight/watch/calculators.
The festival itself was a blast to perform and the wind seemed to agree. Large blasts and gusts of winds destroyed one of our canopies and...
*I must say that the word "Canopies" looks so much like "Can-o-pies" which sounds disgusting but in desperate times I would gladly eat it.*
And.....it managed to batter most of our equipment.
True story about the Maple Syrup Festival
I will tell you two small bits.
1. The Maple syrup festival was created 45 years ago because...well everyone had a festival at the time and the town thought...hey! why not? In fact, they used to tap all the maple trees on main street for syrup and have it at the festival. Unfortunately, teenagers started urinating in the buckets on main street and so they had to stop that touching tradition. Now all of the maple syrup at the festival comes from a local Amish farmer who makes it.  (I got a baby jug of it)
2. I did manage to get wifi at the grounds where i was staying...but it required me to stand in a port-o-potty near a funeral home to get it. (yes in a sense I was getting my wifi from the dead)(it was ethereal-net)(it was a guest wifi....for those crossing over)
Well that's all I have to say about that.
stay tuned for some more insanity, t-shirts?, mayhem and more! Luv you all!
-Jim

If Women Were Hot Pockets

TEN WAYS TO BE CLEVERLY SUPERFICIAL UNDER THE GUISE OF FOOD!

Men and women are often inclined to make quick judgments on their fellow men and woman. Strangely enough, they use words like "hot", "cool", "sexy", "fine" and even phrases like "brick house" and "tall glass of water". Though I am sure these descriptions are accurate, I feel that they lack the necessary descriptive properties to define the person as a whole. BUT! Do not be afraid. I have a solution...
Men and women descriptive slang for internal and external features!

1. She/he is a hotpocket

Note: this isn't to say they she/he is available in at your local grocer.

A hotpocket (when heated) often leaves the outer edges unbearably hot and the center cold. Thus, a man or woman who is extremely hot (attractive) but has a "cold" personality can be called a "hotpocket"

2. For group settings, you can substitute the hotpocket phrases with pizza rolls instead

A group that is a fair mix of relatively hot people with cold centers is a Plate of Pizza Rolls

3. She/he is macaroni and cheese

This can be taken apart in a few ways....

a. She/he is Easy Mac, the derogatory term "easy" does not imply the common place "easy." This describes a person who comes on to needy or overbearlingly enjoys you.  (easy mac is often too soggy and wet to be eaten unless made by a pure genius)

b. She/he is Kraft Mac n. Cheese, This is your above average person, good looking with a good "cheesy" comedy that makes you smile. Hot-warm and often decently dressed.

c. She/he is homemade Mac and Cheese. I want to marry this person. now. That's what you mean when you say it. 

4. She/he is Marie Callender's Lasagna

Beware, she/he is hot but is also high maintenance. She/he will take forever to get ready and require multiple opinions on whether or not she/he is really hot yet. 

5. She/he is McDonalds

She/he is okay, has one of those faces you think you've seen everywhere but you're just not sure. Though their profile picture looks great, you see them in person and you are disappointed. Though some of you hang around because you were good friends in kindergarten, just not the type you are really looking for...ultimately, this is a friend zone. It's your lack of real flavor...not me. 

6. She/he is Jello

Jello comes in all shapes and sizes, it's a jolly person of any shape that you enjoy, especially at parties!

7. She/he is old milk

They seem okay at a glance, but one deeper look and you'll smell it...another look and you'll hear it, one sniff and you'll see it's terrible. (applicable to all races, not just white....or green)

8. She/he is Top Ramen

Honestly, you don't know what to think of them, until you get them in some other situation, you really don't know. 

9. She/he is Margarine 

Fake personality and fake tan....all those artificial flavors and artificial colorings...I don't know what to do with you. just stop.

10. She/he is Chinese Food

Doesn't matter how old they get, this is someone you can come how to, a bit spicy when you need it, warm when you want it, cold when you need it and just right any time of the day.

There you go.......ten things you really didn't need to know but now you know it!  I'm not suggesting you label people, but if I took the time to label people...this is how I would do it

As a last thought, opposites attract for a reason....why? I've got my thoughts, what are yours?

-J

A-musings on life and creativity.....out of the mind of Jim

Good Morning Star Shine, The Earth Says Hello!

So today I have decided to share with you the inner workings of the mind of Jim.....

Here are my viewpoint on crucial issues in life:

Life:

1. Life is full of awkward moments. You either drown in them or learn to surf on the waves of awkwardness in the disturbed pool of ordinary life.

2. Life is a dance...sometimes I'm the beautiful swan but most of the time I'm that awkward white guy in the corner trying to clap to the beat and missing....terribly....plus who puts swans on a dance floor??

Sleep: Non existent. I shut my eyes and pretend to be awake

The Universe: if I said more than one line, it would be a multiverse.

Religion: -prefix "re" as in redo or reform....well whatever "ligion" is, I'm sure I don't want to do it again.

Truth: The opposite of false as in lies or lying...thus if I lie whilst simultaneously lying down...double negative, it's a truth and I'm living in a hammock for the rest of my life saying whatever I want.

Beauty: Is relative...as in I'm relatively beautiful and I don't care what you think...no really.  

Here's some poetry for you....:

"Wisdom 2"

"'Forgive the mark', the artisan admits
Lest imperfection implicates a fool
For what perceivers blind to blemish be
In admonition causes most to see."

-Jim

"Wisdom 1"

Old Souls in young bones, be wise 
And in this wisdom, maturation find
For young at heart will oft be led astray
Despite the soul's contention ever with.

-Jim

"Wayfarer's Life"

I fare the way 
Wayfarers stay 
With highway bones 
And gypsy hearts 
This circus home 
Where e'er I roam 
From this here shore 
To land apart 
Cannot be bound 
The ocean sound 
Receding waves 
In grasping hands 
Wayfarers go 
Perform the show 
To make your life 
Upon the lands.
-Jim

And lastly, here's two songs you can love or hate. Really it's your choice, but I love them both haha....oh the King of Spain.

"All of Me" John Legend

"King of Spain" Moxy Fruvous

New Roles in Life

Everything Changes

"You got to give the people what they want, A Rock star" - Ben Folds "Rock star"

So this blog is dedicated to the new changes in my life. In this case, its being a marketing manager for the circus. Talk about a perfectly fun job for me! I produce and create media for the circus while reaching out to everyone to get booking for the circus. It's a non stop work life here in the gran ol trailer. But not without its own troubles. Economy, Subjectivity, The Color Blue, Life in its entirety. 

But despite all of that I am going to bring the best and give the people what they want....
An Awesome Memory to last a life time.  The Kent Family Circus Show.

Below are the multiple videos I have made for the circus promotion group. 

It will grow more each day and I have a few more coming out soon! So keep an eye out!

For the Fundraiser Needs

Enjoy and please comment, like and share as you can. All the help is appreciated. I have something very special for you coming up! haaha

-Jim

Top 8 Ways We Clap Today

CLAP!

It's a very simple process whereby the hand or a hand or two parts of the body come together to make a sharp sound known as a "Clap." While most people know automatically how to do this from birth, I have a few tips, reminders and observations on clapping. Take these as you will.

1. The Golf Clap: it's easiest to start with the quietest of all claps and move upward from there. Many people will use only two fingers and slap it on their palm and back of the hand. While this move is specifically for the game of golf, I also recommend this move at parties and other public events when one party member makes a particularly witty comment that goes completely unnoticed. This clap is then a sign of respect. 

2. The Traditional Clap: This is the universal language of appreciation. Please use it at all times during a performance (whether televised or not) when you either like the act and or as a sign of respect for those people who can do things you can't or won't take the time to do/learn.  This is done by firmly striking the two hands together in the general area of the palms. 

3. The "I'm-not-sure-that-I-should-be-clapping" Clap: This is one of the more complex clapping patterns because it is decidedly indecisive. This is to say, your next move is decided upon based on how indecisive you are about clapping at a certain point.  Here are the traditional patterns...
.....a. The Light Alternating Hand clap/slide: This move involves a light clap on beat that shifts hand positions from left dominant to right dominant while sliding the hand slightly around between claps just to show how uncertain that those around you are are really clapping. You see some hands clapping but you're not quite sure it's socially acceptable but some people are doing it but yeah... so on and so forth.

.....b. The Clap and hold: This move shows a greater degree of uncertainty as you now clap sporadically on beat but every once in a while you will feign a moment of passive passion and put your hands together and hold them, maybe slide them about while you wait for a moment you feel certain that you can clap again.  

.....c. The Thigh Clap: At this point you are not entirely sure that anyone is clapping at all so you put your hand down to clap on your thigh because if you have to stop because of "strange looks" you can pretend you were just resting your arm at your side or searching for something really important in your pocket. (here is a good time to use the classic "oops-I-have-to-check-my-cell-phone-because-I-don't-want-to-be-socially-awkward-moment-but-this-is going-to-be-socially-awkward-anyway-so-why-do-I-do-it" maneuver)
.....d. The I'm-totally-not-clapping-but-I-can-pretend Clap: This is a way to avoid the whole clapping bit or embarrassment bit. You look like you're doing what you're supposed to but if there is a break in the song you won't be the "fool" that claps over the important solo or the end of the song. This person is also more likely to be lip-syncing while on stage to. But warm bodies on stage make a difference too. 

4. The Fast Clap: This clap is utterly useless unless you are trying for a world record, over enthusiastic or a 3-6th grader trying to prove that you are "more awesome" than little Billy because you can clap twice as fast as he can.  DON'T use it as much as possible unless the above applies. 

5. The "Round of Applause": Come on now, most of you know you have done it at some point! This is that clap a clown or performer somewhere convinced you or your child to do after a great trick. This involves the traditional clap that is then moved about in a circular fashion. The circle motion make is a "round" of applause. Funny right?

6. The Slow Clap: I hate you. But this is perfect for socially awkward situations. Embarrass friends and family members!! Start off slow and progressively get faster. There is one addition to this clap which is the The Slow Clap awkward non inclusion stopping clap. This is the point where you just stop. Don't...just stop really. 

7. The Single Clap/High 5: Watch enough scrubs and you will find a name for every type of high 5 alive. I cannot begin to describe what each clap means. You just have to field test them yourself. The Single Clap also has a million reasons for execution. Try it yourself please, what am I to you? A know it all? Puhlease!

8. The Clap. Don't Ask.

That's all for now. Your list of claps.

Stay tuned next time for more claps you can use

Fill My Heart with Song and Let me Live FOREVER MORE!

I love the french language without a doubt. Pandora just found me a lovely version of Fly Me To The Moon in french...it's beautiful.

Let's talk....

The Louisville Kids Fair is Legendary. That's right! Legendary!
If you didn't get a chance to go there I suggest that you do because it's worth your time and money to go..even if it is just to see me. (and the family of course) The indoor atmosphere is strangely calming compared to some of the insanity that mud and dirt brings (but don't get me wrong, mud and dirt are beautiful things).  The costumes stay cleaner longer and let me tell you what...AS MUCH AS I LOVE IRONING AND DOING LAUNDRY....yes, I for reals love to do those things, it's nice to not have to do them as much.
I am going to write one more blog tonight that will reference some neato things. You should read it anyway.
Also it's important to note that I will be performing amazing new routines at the end of the month Lord willing that my back does not snap in half and I survive this part of the tour with few scratches!

Tour....the beginning of something new!

WOAH...... TOUR!..... WOOOOAH!

The Life Of Leaving Home:

So here we go...on the road again.....I just can't wait to get on the road again!!!! I cannot wait to see the people that I love from tour while travelling but I will also miss all of those wonderful people at home as well. Lukas, my bro from another mo, I am going to miss massively. But he's got good things cooking musically for him that you all should be excited about.  SO MUCH HAPPINESS! I got to see the amazing Jeremy, Janelle, Kelsey and Tammy. These fantastic people will also be missed in massive ways!! Should all go well I hope to see them and be with them soon again making epic memories. Lukas...DON'T BURN DOWN THE HOUSE...Thank you!

Leaving Home...and Driving.....in a van....for hours...on end!

So let's go over this whole sitting for hours on end....that sounds logical right? It's not like you will be sitting for hours on....not you end? hahah. LET ME SUMMARIZE THE COUNTRY FOR YOU....
It should be noted that EVERY STATE HAS A BEAUTIFUL APPEAL TO IT...
1. California: North to south you go from beautiful green ish...countrysides to desert grays and browns...the roads are equivocal to a kitchen grater and cheap masseuse!
2. Arizona: Amazing rock formations. It's like all the hills decided to get the same haircut and nobody got the memo to be original. Being half asian I make the comparison to walking down a street in Japan...everyone has black hair. 
3. New Mexico: What did old mexico ever do?? Pshhh I don't know what Old mexico did but new mexico is nice. The thrill of my ride was the curve in the long highway. But seriously, it's a nice place to drive. High desert!!!!!! Who thought of the name Albuquerque? I mean really. I'm not going to google it right now because I want to live in my ignorance. It makes things much funnier for more me!
4. Texas: Once you get past the refreshing smell of cow manure...Texas is grand. With the signs for the Big Texan every few miles it's a blast and I am constantly hungry for that ridiculous 72oz steak....though to be honest....I could never eat that much food in one setting. I'm good with my sushi and my rice.  But if given the opportunity, I will try to chow that amount of food down.
5. OOOOOOOKLAHOMA....: WHY U HAVE SNOW? really? It's nice though...the ice and snow is refreshing compared to the lack of ice, snow and rain in California. way to go guys! Keep it frosty! Jack frost came up in dis place and owned it!  Again driving was STRESSFUL....the roads had a lovely narrow point for this wide rear load to try to squeeze through.  I mean it...just stressful but the coffee and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy are really helping out!

THE ROUTINESSo the new tour will have some really neato routines!! Here's a brief description:
Amelia's Hula Hoops----"Moon Trance - Lindsey Stirling" Fast paced routine with sharp turns and more body movement than you have seen in past routines
Olivia's Lira "Greyhound - Swedish House Mafia" A lively powerful routine that shows off more of Olivia's contortionism and lyrical movement
Victor's Diabolo "Sing Sing Sing - Louis Prima" Yes it's a routine with a Diabolo with Victor Kent jr. You'll like it
Jugglin Jim Kent's 1 Stool 3 Balls "Anvil Chorus - Boston Pops Orchestra" What can you do with a stool and three balls? Well dance, sit, balance and juggle in innovative ways you would have never thought of in your wildest dreams... (providing that your dreams are not that wild to begin with)

ALRIGHTY THEN FOLLOW LE TWITTER
@jugglinjimkent
LURV YOU ALL! CATCH YOU ON THE FLIPPETY FLOPSY!