I don’t want to waste my time

About a month ago, I bought one of these little things:

It has changed my life. An odd thing to say, but I truly appreciate the power of a little speaker for unleashing the beast of enthusiastic head banging. I have reignited my eclectic taste in music by simply plugging in the ipod on shuffle and rocking out. This song is playing right now. 

1984, the famous Orwell novel about a totalitarian utopia, can easily be used to describe the life of many people I know. It can also be used to describe the path we are lead to believe to follow, one of conformity.

In the beginning we all start our paths in a similar fashion. Much of how the rest of our life goes is determined by family, culture and society. But why? Is our life really destined to follow this linear path? Things certainly aren’t going to be perfectly straight. If that were the case I would never have found myself counting down my final days in Asia, with a Chang beer in my hand listening to Sum 41.

For me there has been a number of defining moments of choice in my life. I feel blessed to have parents that understand my desire for choice. Of course it doesn’t come without resistence, and they are always acting in what is felt to be the best interest for me and my future.  Sometimes my decisions have been great and life changing, like heading to Halifax to pursue my degree in nutrition. Some have been incredible stupid and lacking foresight; buying a $35 000 car at age 22. Either way as much as they protected me they allowed me to learn lessons myself. This brings me to right now.

My time in Bangkok and Asia is nearing a close and is creating a lot of reflection.  7 months ago I made the decision to change my life path. I had a great job, fulfilling, and I was helping people change their lives, it all was very rewarding. For what? To move to SE Asia and pursue the superficial journey in modeling. This seems crazy, but for me it has been the right choice.  I don’t want to waste my time. As fantastic as the job I had was, it was missing something. Although modelling doesn't satisfy everything either. 

What was missing? Challenge.  I am someone that loves to grow. As Andy Dufresne said, get busy living or get busy dying.  I want to live and experience. There is so much of this world for my eyes to see, and my body to experience. Modeling oddly enough helped present this opportunity for me.  Although it has not been intellectually stimulating for me I have developed a greater curiosity for quantum physics and greater psychological understanding.  

I of course enjoy sharing my thoughts. Similarly I like reading about others as well. Kevin wrote a great reflection of his time in Thailand here : http://changethewayitis.blogspot.com/2012/05/look-back.html And also my buddy Brad is going to be swimming the English channel and journaling his adventure towards the goal here: http://bradleyfarquhar.blogspot.com/2012/05/putting-on-weight.html

Both these buddies are perfect examples of failing to conform. They have both taken their lives in a different direction and made a difference for themselves.  I envy both of them for doing such things. And as green as I become, the envy is not jealousy but a drive. The driving factor pushes me to continue enjoying life. 

Reason, Season or Lifetime

 It seems that this past week I have had a solid writing block. Enormous actually. Almost to the point of it being fed 50 000 big macs and not exercising for years. This big fat block sat in front of me whenever I opened up my computer to write. In all honesty, you never know why you just can’t get in the mood to express yourself. Fortunately it’s gone on a bit of a diet and taken off some of that weight.

I am going to get a little serious in a moment, but first an update on BKK Shenanigans.  I am working about twice a week lately. Last week I posted my “guilty of stealing your heart picture” and worked the following day as an English football player. This week, I shot for a magazine with Kevin for Guy Laroche and Thursday I will be doing my last job in Thailand. Working right down to the wire.

My buddy was in town this past weekend and we hit up the weekend market. There is so many interesting things there for dirt cheap. While you can bargain a bit many are pretty firm on their prices. I realized I am a weird shopper. I am your typical man, I prefer shopping when I know exactly what I need. When I don’t? Well I walk around aimlessly like a beachball at a Bieber concert. I pop up once and a while, but for the most part I just bounce around. It wasn’t until I was left on my own. 1 hour left in the famous market to shop for gifts. The beast of frustration was unleashed and wham wham wham, I spent nearly 60 CAD, buying gifts for 9 people, 2 t shirts for myself and a pair of headphones. That’s what I call efficiency.

Although my reluctant shopping did come with a price, and no I am not talking dolla bills. I walked around the market for close to 5 hours. An injury that looks like the evil face of that nasty chuahaha the neighbour owns has creeped back into my life. After a hike gone wrong (I hiked down the mountain far to fast), I created myself some wonderful knee issues. These have been mostly non-existent since I arrived in Asia. Well it returned, chewing my up in agony along the way. Fortunately a few days rest has dulled the uncomfortable feelings. 

I leave BKK on Thursday for a better place. Koh Tao that is. I am embarking on an adventure to become a certified open water diver, followed by the mayhem that is full moon party. I am not a big partier, but this year I will be attending 2 of the worlds greatest parties of 2012. Best Parties of 2012. The second party you shouldn't even have to guess. 

Well the time has come. My period of modeling life in Bangkok is quickly coming to a close, goodbyes are beginning and some friendships may seize to exist, while others continue to blossom. That is really the life of modeling internationally. A past client of mine sent me an email (ugh a forwarded email I thought), but despite being chain mail it had a great message. I can’t take credit for writing this although I think the original author is unknown.

“People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. 

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. 

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season. 

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.”

Oh boy its all mushy mushy, it seems like a sisterhood of the traveling pants on crack. Those that know me know that I don’t dare go anywhere near those kind of movies. Although after falling asleep on my friends couch I was terrified to see a horse talking about sex. I fell asleep thinking of bloody knuckles and flying fists only to awake to this torture.

Back on topic, this is a good message. As much as I wish to remain close with everyone I meet, it’s inevitable that distance will dimish the relationship. I saw this upon graduation from high school, completion of university, moving to Asia, leaving Singapore, and now leaving Bangkok. Some are hurt by this realization and others remain stoic. I for one am not exactly the best at expressing my feelings (it’s a work in progress), but I am very logical in my thought patterns. I have understood that some friends are single serving, while others prevail. Frequently you can tell who will survive as a lasting friendship and you will know which ones are a season or reason.

High Stepping ( second set on magazine shots + my french TVC)

Wow, I haven’t been incredibly busy lately, but for some reason I have neglected the period of personal reflection I like to share so much. As a matter of fact I actually just read about my wedding again (Oh the memories) to refresh me on where I left off.

Hold up before that. About a month and a half ago I briefly mentioned that I was hanging from the side of a building for a TVC.  Well my buddy Charles who just returned home to France saw my face pop up on the television this morning. Here is what he saw:

After the wedding I didn’t get to enjoy a honeymoon, it was straight back to work.  Unlike these two friends:

Ben and Janelle, got married on May 12 in Calgary and they decided to visit me here in Bangkok. Well not quite, these two lovebirds are off to enjoy their honey moon (a real one). Congrats!

I haven’t worked as much since the Thai Airways ad was filmed.  Today being the 3^rd job since that fateful.  In all my hipster bashing of Kevin, it seems as though stylists for brochure (today) and catalog (last week) are set on making me look hipster. I can imagine someone just prodding my eyes out of the lens less glasses, or turning my suspenders into an evil death contraption suitable for an episode of Games of Thrones.  Example of me being an evil leprechaun.

I have made friends with some incredibly fun Brazilians and also took the opportunity to knock back a Brazilian BBQ with them, cooked by a Brazilian. It was cool as I learned some of the traditional dishes and also ate some incredible cuts of meat. 

For those that never have experience Brazilian BBQ, get on that ASAP. It’s pure deliciousness on a sword of awesome.  You essentially get to eat all the meat you want, beef, lamb, pork, chicken heart you name it. After finishing a meal I end up with a food baby, which is born the next day.  I didn’t get a pic with my camera but here is an example. 

Lastly it appears as though I have really honed the fashion sense for golfing. Now I just need to learn to be a decent golfer, damn that slice, or draw or fade or whatever that send my ball 250 yards straight and then makes a left turn at Albuquerque.  

Don’t Stop ( tons of phuket pics and of course one with my bride)

Just a western boy born and raised on Canadian soil.

Just a city girl, living in a Bangkok world.

Two fates that random, met. On a boat to fortune, never forget.

Okay so I am certainly not the best a writing lyrics, and for those to have the fortune of hearing me sing, I don't exactly have the voice of an angel. As a matter of fact this song was playing on my IPod on the plane to Phuket. But that one fateful day, Wednesday may 9 will not be one forgotten easily. It was the day I tied the knot with my beautiful Thai bride in a bay just past Phuket.

For a Canadian guy, that has only experienced 4 islands, (Iceland, Cape Breton, PEI and Singapore); my mind resembled a high school cafeteria after a food fight. I didn’t realize that you had to be up at 3:30 to board your boat for the wedding. Needless to say I was a little tired, but excitement took over quickly with sunrise.

Every island we passed whispered its own unique greenscape and rock face. One island stood out above the rest though. One some may recognize from the movies, as part of my favourite series, 007. In the movie "The Man with the Golden Gun", Scaramanga (the dude with 3 nipples) lives on this Thai island.

And just like that, it was over.

Where did we go wrong? We broke with tradition last week when we took some pictures of her in dress and myself in linen suit. Or maybe it was the language/ cultural barrier? Then again some say we rushed things too much. I mean it was only 1 week from when we met to when we married. It's a shame that our destiny has come to an end she was such a nice, fun, and beautiful girl too.

In all honesty though, this was an incredibly fun experience shooting a TVC (TV commercial) in Phuket. It proved to be a stunning backdrop to a picture perfect wedding. The commercial should be ready in the next month or so.

My camera arm is sore from all the pictures I took, enjoy! I am disappointed I didn’t get more pictures of the bride and myself; hopefully some will turn up over the coming days. A few more pics for good measure. 

Here is a link to my facebook pictures. A Wedding in Phuket (TVC)

Wedding Bells are Ringing

 After discovering some stellar workouts using bodyweight, I have done well to keep my body sore and growing. Of course any suggestions are welcome, I am presently working on the human flag, but that will take me a while to achieve.  

On with some news: it’s been over a month since I did the casting, but I booked a gig with Thai Airways for a TVC. Well it’s finally here, tomorrow night I depart for Phuket for my wedding. That’s right I am getting married in Phuket. We have a beautiful boat for the ceremony and will be floating in the middle of a bay. What do you think?

I have a couple other small gigs booked over the next few weeks. I have booked an additional catalogue; look book and event as well. Things as you can see have slowed down a bit, but I am happy to see that I am still getting bookings. 

This past week, Goose, Iceman and myself hit up the Thai wake park. I also had a few castings and some gut busting laughs. 

Poor Kevin ordered a glass of guiness and this is what he got

Cruise down soi cowboy 

Do you see this shit

Only in Bangkok

On the physical front, after having a hell of a time trying to get gym stuff worked out with Fitness first for a month long membership and them not budging, I haven’t hit the gym in almost 2 weeks. Now I have been doing those bodyweight workouts and recently started incorporating some swimming every day.