IGNORANCE & DISAPPOINTMENTS
All of us are ignorant in one way or another, however, some are truly over the deep end of ignorance and that tends to lead into disappointment.
Case in point - I'm a really, really nice guy - it's just when I'm being ripped-off or being taken advantage of is when I can transform into a complete A-HOLE or beast. There is one 'social media model' and one 'actor' that did rip myself off. They were advanced a certain amount of money to work in 2 totally different projects I created and guess what these inbreds did? They backed-out with no advance notice and both of them were supposed to repay back that advance but haven't. The reasons they gave for the cancellation was that they were 'scared' and 'frighten' of me and that stems from a false accusation/charge that I was a 'harasser' and 'stalker' and that accusation/charge came about due to a previous incident where another 'talent' owed myself a financial reimbursement and this is how I can become relentless. I don't cheat, lie nor steal from no one and when someone OR anyone does it to myself, I go completely ballistic and this is where I was accused/charged of 'harassing and 'stalking' because I was owed that reimbursement and I sought out what was owed to myself. Of course those accusations/charges were dropped because I'm no harasser, no stalker, no thief, no murderer, no killer - but yet the certain 'social media talent' segment actually believe that when they are so ignorant and don't bother to know or inquire on the truth. The two 'talents' that were paid that advance know what they did was wrong and that's why I work and use a CONTRACT FOR PAYMENT and that''s to protect ALL parties involved. Legal and personal action was taken against those 2 'talent's but no amount of legal and personal action can eradicate the ignorance that prevails on the internet and social media and it's disappointing. I'm pretty sure if I was some wretched 'celebrity' those 'talents' would have no problem in working with me and doing the job.
I expect to find disappointment in the make-believe world of social media, however, I would never have imagined ignorance and disappointment would reside in a library system but that's what happened years ago when I performed two FREE magic shows for the ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM in Orlando, Florida. I don't mind occasionally doing or performing for FREE or for charity but I do mind on how I'm being treated for my FREE services. The first magic show was scheduled and it went off as planned and perfect. The second magic show was scheduled specifically for the childrens department and my assistant and I was ready to go as planned and that show also seemed to go off the way it was planned and rehearsed. But, it seems just one parent took issue with some of my witty banter and obviously couldn't understand or comprehend how I was relating my talk to my tricks/illusions. I also performed a magic trick where I took an empty cup and made a bunch of M&M's candy magically appear in that same cup and one of the kids wanted to eat a M&M and I let her eat one but unknown to ALL of us, the little girl was allergic to peanuts and started vomiting while her GRANDMOTHER just sat there and watched and didn't say anything that her granddaughter has an allergic reaction to peanuts. I don't expect the majority of our society to be smart or even intelligent, but at least work and use your minds. Nothing great EVER comes from the masses and that is something I will never get used to or accept. One library staff in particular seemed upset after the show even though many other parents were coming up to me and my assistant asking all kinds of questions on exactly how the tricks were done, how long I've been doing shows, when is my next show, etc. That particular library staff member stated that the performance wasn't what she had expected and she preferred the first performance more. Of course I asked for specifics and all this certain library staff member said was that one of the parents was upset over my scripted magic show and the fact that one of the kids were allergic from peanuts and the ambulance had to be called. What was so pathetic and idiotic was that the little girl had her own GRANDMOTHER there with her and she let that girl eat the M&M peanut candy. The way that particular library staff employee/member handled the situation by blaming myself for what happened is an indication of how our society views ARTISTS and not celebrities because I'm pretty sure if I was getting PAID for those two shows and if I was a CELEBRITY that incident would have turned out very differently and it's sad.
Now I can see why and how people charge for their services/products/performances and it's because it's a business and it should be treated as such with respect. Sometimes I'm a little too nice and I've been told by several industry professionals that with my talent and ability that I'm a little to gracious but that is the way I was brought up. To be thankful and gracious because not most people can do what I can do and therefore I appreciate this wonderful gift that was bestowed upon myself and sometimes I don't mind sharing it. But it's sad IGNORANCE turns into DISAPPOINTMENT when dealing with certain people. I did not appreciate the lack of and the disrespect this particular library staff member/employee displayed myself so I sent a blistering letter to the ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM detailing the situation and how tacky and pathetic their staff was in rectifying or handling the issues. Mind you, I did these two performances for FREE and had not asked for any type of payment whatsoever but I do expect a certain decency, decorum and an appreciation for my talent, ability, structure and creativity and when it is not shown then I have no problem in addressing it and showing it at all. Again, NOTHING GREAT COMES FROM THE MASSES. Greatness is usually a byproduct of a few or singular vision and thought.
IGNORANCE leads to indecisive, unclear and unfocused 'talents' and that leads to a waste of time and resources. These 'talents' worship at the altar of 'celebrity' and it leads for them to being DISAPPOINTED later in life when REALITY hits them. Having longevity means to know how to handle your business and to be decent, professional and all with a grace of wisdom. I could care less on what genre someone works in, as long as they have the basics. These people have to start thinking for themselves and properly follow through on contracts, pay and don't be easily misled on internet or social media gossip. I know for a FACT certain 'models' who are thieves and there's even one certain 'model' who is a convicted sex-offender but yet this particular 'model' loves to pass her self off as mighty and righteous in the fake and superficial world of social media.
If you've noticed that I didn't list the names of the 'talents' that ripped me off or the incompetent ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM staff members/employees, but I did immediately once those situations occurred. I don't know if I'm mellowing or just trying to take a different perspective on how the 'NORMALS' in our society function. The above shows that IGNORANCE and DISAPPOINTMENT can be found in any areas of life. I don't need to listen to gossip or social media garbage because that shows IGNORANCE and that leads to DISAPPOINTMENT.
- JAMES D. WATKINS
|
|