Hints of Asian

         

I haven’t taken my melatonin yet, but fatigue is setting in. Awesome! I am getting used to the time change. That or the fact I had a long day. To top it off I was in an air-conditioned mall for most the day so getting outside hit me that much harder on my walk home from the train. Immediately cranked on the a/c and put on my shorts. The downside, 2 late evenings home has caused me to miss pool time. What a shame. Well I do have all day Saturday and Sunday.

I left off on my way to BR to buy some socks. I decided against it and just did bare foot in the dress shoots. I tell you it was a good idea. Upon my arrival back at 7 For All Mankind, we were asked to stay until the show.  I have met a few buddies while waiting. Its rather interesting how some people you can carry a conversation and others you can’t. The 2 gentlemen, which I clicked with both, happened to be from the same agency as me. The 3 of us represent OMM male talent. Clemens is a tall german fella and Rafa is from the Phillipines. They both seem to have their head on straight. The other models were sociable as well, but I didn’t have much of a conversation with anyone else. Many of the women were Russian and the language barrier was quite significant. All beautiful nonetheless. 

Hiding behind a curtain we hung out for what seemed to be an eternity. It still was quite long though, over an hour. 5 minute call time. We were all dressed and ready to rock the runway.

Word of advice: Don’t cross your arms when wearing clothes for the runway ( you get in trouble as I learned very quickly)

I should really have asked what the beat was but there was a 4 string quartet playing smooth criminal before the walk so here you go.

We were now at the point that the whole week had been leading up to, the runway. Choreography all set and simple, we just had to walk now.  As you walk down the runway, you have an eternal gaze. Our instructions were to look bad ass and have attitude. So not giving a **** about what people are thinking was what ran through my mind. Strong face, laser eyes, and slight clench of jaw, all very stoic.  Camera’s are flashing everywhere and there are professional photographers stationed at places where you pose. Pose, hold until flashes stop, then keep moving. Nice and simple. When you are off stage, its no holds barred get changed. Pants, shirts, shoes are flying everywhere. Each person is assigned someone to help them put on their new wardrobe.  Then you roll out again.

Once we finished, we put back on our normal clothes and went to mingle. We didn’t have to stay, but I was hungry and really wanted a glass of wine, and that I did. Red of course. After a few pictures with some random people, Clemens and I had a brief conversation with a very outgoing and nice guy Keith. Then I moved on to chatting with a beautiful woman Melissa. Melissa is a publicist and works on bringing concerts and the like to Singapore. She complemented me on my look and mentioned that there is hints of Asian in me and it will do very well in this market. We also talked about Hong Kong and Taipei, and a little about Japan as well. I don’t know if the modeling industry is all about networking, but I figure the more people I know the better. Melissa older than I am but she said that her assistant and some of the other people she works with would be more then willing to show me around Singapore and take me to the beach, etc. A very thoughtful gesture I must say.

Finally when leaving I got handed a gift bag. In it is a $100 gift certificate to 7 for all mankind, a complimentary wash and blow from Salon 360 and a free classic manicure from Vedure. Now the first one makes sense, I know if I decided I could use that. The second one I may pass off to one of my female modeling counter parts. Do I do the same with the Manicure? Or do I try a manicure for myself? I have never done something like that before. This is all part of the adventure right?

The evening turned out to be pretty awesome. And to top it off as I was leaving the Marina Bay Sands, there was this elegant skyline. Sorry guys, I don't have any pics from the show yet.

                                           

I have now just taken a few melatonin and will be crashing momentarily. Good night. I appreciate the comments. I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing.

Caught in the rain

I am going to bed the latest in the day yet, but I have a lot on my mind and wanted to share first. 

Credit goes of course to Luke for this awesome picture

After the quick stop at my place I had to head to a casting. This casting was for a corporate video of some sort. Upon leaving my place it was pouring cats and dogs and didn’t appear to be letting up. I ran up to my room and grabbed my jacket to drape over my bag and myself. I stopped at another point hoping the rain would let up. It didn’t! Fortunately there was this woman who offered to share her umbrella with me (note to self buy an umbrella). She was probably mid to late 20’s and commented on me being tall and handsome. Very very shy.

2 stops on the train led me to my station and a short walk to the casting. My arrival I was met by Ian the guy from yesterday and a Brazilian guy and a Russian girl. The audition is for a speaking role, and being one of the few fluent in English certainly helps my cause. I like to think of myself as being charismatic and outgoing, something that can portray confidence in front of the camera.

I spotted a STi on the way out the door from the casting

I left the casting and figured now was about time to check out Orchard road. This for you people in Halifax puts Spring Garden to shame, for those in Calgary the core has got nothing on this, and for those abroad I am not sure, but its massive.  I was impressed the other day with Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, but this is probably 2 km of 7 stories of malls.  

Shortly before I made my way onto the strip of stores I wandered around a few little storefronts. They must have easily been 25 custom tailors. In the market for a dress shirt I kind of walked a little slower to figure out what prices would be. These shops are interesting, 2 people work in tandem. One woman is outside and a man inside. She plays to your interest or none. Then they say well why don’t you just grab our business card. Swooped in. I entertained the thought as I am in need of a white dress shirt. I packed the wrong one. Smooth I packed one from when I bartended, it has wine and liquor stains all over.  I sat down; he showed me a few books of fabric. Discussed what the different ways he could make it look.  I asked about why I should get him to make it. He had Master Tailor certificate and top entrepreneur certificate for the last 2 years. Quote was 130 for an Egyptian cotton shirt.  I shrugged it off and said I was not interested in buying right now. He pushed and said why don’t I make you one then you decide if you want more. I think many people would collapse under the additional pressure he put. I just told him politely that if I was going to buy I would. Grabbed his card and peaced.

This is where it got rather entertaining, like a pack of horny men outside of a club, those scouts from the other tailors stalked me trying to get a piece of action. What line do you think they used when I blew them off? “ Here come grab my card”

Finally I made it to Orchard Road. It was magnificently decorated. Very festive and eye catching. By this time it was close to 5:30 and hunger pangs had begin to set in. My sights aiming for another cheap meal. I have learned quickly that if you want food you go to the very top floor or the very bottom. Starting at the basement I checked things out, nothing really interested me. So up I go, up, up, up. My destination was the 7^th floor of the mall. While browsing, something caught my eye. I had to look 2 maybe 3 times.  And I found dinner. Convenient the name of the place too.

Thats right! Rice flour rolls. They were awesome. Wrapping up dinner I cruised through many malls. My goal, a good quality inexpensive beard trimmer. I know what you are thinking now, Zach? Beard? Ya right! Well with my baby face a little scruff helps me look older. Rather than suffering with a clean-shaven period. Sorry ladies, I know how much you hate whisker rubs. I found one a Panasonic one in a department store. If I can remember to next time I will take pics, Sears you can learn a thing or two.

I also stopped by the apple store. I needed an usb cable to charge my almost dead iPod. Music is a fantastic way to help fly by train rides. This is an open call for suggestions. If anyone could email me mp3 versions that would be awesome. Apple store wanted 28 bucks, so I strolled on. I found a vendor in the mall, same exact cable 10 bucks. Works fine so far.

The first of many christmas trees

I think I know who likes these

Before heading on my way I stumbled upon a grocery store. I picked up a few things I didn’t have here yet. Laundry detergent, shower puffy thing, some hand sanitizer, a hand towel, and a larger body wash (turns out travel size doesn’t last when you have 2 or 3 showers per day).

This is where things got a little interesting yet again. I walked by this awesome Christmas tree where kids were playing in foam. Turns outs when you don’t have snow, you make foam.

I continued on my way home along Orchard Road. I was expecting a bit of a walk. It ended up being close to an hour. A very enjoyable walk though. I walk by a number of embassies, I wanted to take pictures but that’s not exactly legal. The rain all day made things incredibly humid. Wearing a dress shirt and jeans didn’t help my sweating case at all. I am glad that I was wearing flip-flops. Yesterday morning I developed a bit of a blood blister on my heel. Odd coming from the shoes I have been wearing daily for the past 6 months, humidity again to blame.

Seeing the kids jumping and dancing in this can only bring an ear to ear smile

After quite a ways of just residential (mansions I must add), I spotted a yellow sign. This is a good sign to see when you are thirsty and sweaty. It means A/C and fluids. I picked up this 7-up revive. Boy does it do the trick, 90 calories of sugar (a must as your metabolic rate is higher in warm temperatures), B vitamins and of course sodium. Tasted like grapefruit with very little carbonation.

Finally I was back at home. It was 9 and the pool closes in an hour. So I jumped into my shorts and swam back and forth for half an hour. I think that is the first time in my life I have ever done that. I also discovered that there is an indoor gym facility too. So that crazy jungle gym type gym isn’t all that I have access too. Kind of a nice thing to hear. 

Whoa, this is super long. Almost done, I promise. When taking care of my laundry, I took the opportunity to have a conversation with the woman who owns the apartment Michelle. We chatted for a bit, then I discovered that she tried to get into the Mount PR program, and then ended up getting a degree from SMU instead. Small world. We both shared our love for the 5 fishermen and Digby scallops. During that conversation it was established that she is totally cool with me cooking as long as I do my dishes.

Phewf! I’m spent!

A Nice Treat

Today was a slightly earlier start for me. Last night I went to bed around 10:30, I was completely gassed at that time. After waking maybe 3 or 4 times because of the heat I eventually climbed out of bed around 8. Note to self you really do need A/C to sleep, so turn it on.

My first stop for today was a casting for some fashion photography. The gentleman I met with was awesome. Immediately upon my arrival he offered water/pop and candy. I jumped on the former as walking has truly made me sweat a ton and I don’t want to be dehydrated. Shortly after going through my book, Alex the model from yesterday arrived. This is the 3^rd time we have bumped into each other now. I think she will be quite helpful, as she has travelled significantly through this line of work.

I have 4 hours to kill before I head to a fitting. This afternoon I have a fitting for 7 For All Mankind. So I walked around for a bit. Its crazy the amount of travel stores in the malls. I am talking like 20-30 plus in each mall. Although that was in the Chinatown part of this city. I am now sitting in the food court of the 7^th floor of a mall. I bought a towel and some snacks at the CareFour grocery store. To my luck I found some Nature’s Path cereal ($7). For lunch I ended up with a bento box in a hawker centre. 1 cup of rice, 1 cup of cabbage, 2 orange slices, a fried egg and about 4 ounces of salmon ($5).  I think these first few days here have been a little more expensive than the remainder will be, buying some initial groceries, transit pass, etc. 

Last night I briefly met my landlord Michelle. I hope to have a conversation with her tonight about pool and gym access. I need to get a workout in ASAP. One of the concerns that have come up is that I look a little younger in person than I do in my photos. I think adding some of my size back will help.