Author

Jack Kairos (JestJack)

Hello and welcome to Ink Harmony, I'm Jack Kairos, also known as JestJack or just Jack. A storyteller, a seeker of truths, and an observer of the human experience, my path has been as unique as the perspectives I share. Here at Ink Harmony, I bring forth a collection of stories, essays, musings, and poetry – each a reflection of life’s complexities and my quest for harmony and peace in a chaotic world.

My writing is deeply influenced by my diverse experiences. Formerly a chef for over a decade, I have a rich background in the culinary arts, where creativity and precision blend seamlessly. Currently, I am exploring new horizons as a digital press operator, a role that allows me to witness and participate in the evolution of print in the digital era. These experiences not only shape my worldview but also enrich the narratives I bring to you.

In my work, you’ll find a confluence of personal experiences and a belief in the potential for positive change. Rooted in pragmatic lessons from life, my writings aim to inspire thought, provoke discussion, and encourage a deeper understanding of ourselves and our world. It's about finding balance and wisdom in the face of life's challenges, akin to a modern-day stoicism that values resilience, empathy, and perspective.

Here, you’ll encounter a spectrum of ideas and stories – from essays that explore the nuances of society to anecdotes capturing human resilience, from imaginative fiction stretching beyond the ordinary to poetry that speaks the language of the heart. Expect an honest exploration of life in all its shades, acknowledging where we are, understanding where we’ve been, and envisioning where we could go.

To bring more depth to Ink Harmony, I will be introducing two new categories. The first will be dedicated to straightforward, no-nonsense food-related posts, reflecting my past as a chef. These posts will focus on the culinary arts themselves, without the embellishment of unrelated narratives. The second category will document my experiences and insights as a press operator, shedding light on this important yet fading industry.

Join me in this journey, where we connect through stories that challenge us and bring us closer to a vision of a better, more understanding world.

Why the name JestJack?

It started out as Hayokah (phonetic, alternate spelling of Heyoka) which is a Sacred Clown role in Lakota/Dakota culture - the idea is that the Heyoka's role was to behave in a manner opposite and contrarian to the general sentiments of the tribe which served to moderate behavior. Imagine everyone is fired up and angry about something, everyone feeding off of each others emotions, and then the Heyoka comes skipping through the group whistling a happy tune and laughing. You see this and it helps you to calm down and have a little bit of a better perspective.

After some time I decided to change it out of respect for the Sioux since I am not myself Native American (half of my family is though) nor Heyoka.

One of my favorite musicals is this old one called The Court Jester with Danny Kaye and Angela Lansbury. In it Danny Kaye's character is tasked with protecting the infant king from the usurper King but due to an unexpected encounter ends up assuming the identity of the usurper King's new Court Jester Giacomo who is actually an assassin in disguise. When they get to the Court Danny Kaye has to pretend to be a Jester who is actually an assassin and juggle all these roles while also trying to protect the infant true King. I like the idea of a man finding himself in the role of an entertainer and villain and playing both very awkwardly while also being a good guy.

But Giacomo was not available on Twitch so I ended up naming myself Jackamow (phonetic spelling of Giacomo) but after a while I got tired of people pronouncing it as Jack a mow (as in ow) instead of Jack a moe.

After a lot of soul searching I settled on JestJack which is a a play on words between Jester, Jest, Just and Jack (not my real name) because I always liked the line in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy where Gag Halfrunt describes Zaphod Beeblebrox as "Vell, Zaphod's just zis guy, you know?" because Zaphod has this huge ego and Gag Halfrunt is his brain-care specialist.

So I'm Jest zis guy, you know?