A Tiger is waiting in the freezer

Today was a very slow day work wise for me. Jet lag is starting to clear from its ugly path. Although I was still significantly tired this morning. I jumped out of it with a morning Skype session, followed by the pool and the gym. I need to put on about 1 inch in my chest measurement, so that means bigger chest and bigger back.  My back is getting well taken care of with swimming, because face it I don’t swim that often and I can feel it pretty much every day. So today was a day to pump my Arnold sized chest into action. I cooled off and achieved some cardio in the pool afterwards.

I set up a meeting with the wonderful ladies at the agency to pick up my allowance and chat a little bit. We talked about my cat allergy and they all suggested Zyrtec from the pharmacy, its apparently not to expensive and works like a charm. My cat allergy hasn’t been bugging me that much. But I am very cautious to close my door any time I enter or leave my room. I spend very little time in the common area as a result. Only slightly off topic. During our discussion we talked about the new Pics from Luke Elijah and how we were quite pleased with them. We also discussed about building my book by doing other test shoots. The trouble is actually find a time that works for both a photographer and me. Good news of course! My schedule will be quite busy for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The details haven’t all been confirmed yet, but I got the corporate video gig, also the condo development one and I have another fashion show for Friday. If I were a little more androgynous I would likely let or a squeal or some crazy prepubescent Justin Bieber excitement sound. Instead, I am super stoked.  The video is a 12-hour day, which is kind of crazy. I think it should be fun too. Good experience…adventure.

After leaving OMM I was somewhere between Chinatown and Little India. I went back to the hawker centre that Pat took me to last week. I went straight to the same place to get an Avocado juice. So awesome. Lunch hour was tapering off when I was there it was close to 2:30, so many places were sold out and closed. I found that kind of interesting that many signs have an opening time say 11:00am and close when they run out of food. I found a soup place, to try something different. I wanted this pork rib soup but they were sold out. So I asked the guy, what the other 10 people in line had ordered. Majority ruled and I asked for Buddha Jumped over the Wall with some rice. I swear I took a picture, but it’s not on my phone for some reason. L . Anyway this soup had everything, oyster, squid, pork, chicken, celery, carrot, some sort of root vegetable, mushrooms, probably more that I can’t remember. He also gave me this little disc with a sauce in it. I dipped my finger in the sauce and it almost knocked me over, so salty. It was hot too which I love, but I didn’t use it.  The verdict, way to much food. It was decent I would probably give a 6.5 out of 10. The roasted duck the other day was an 8. Worth the experience for sure.

I saw 4 of these police special command vehicles today. This was outside a bank.

I wanted to continue my adventure so I Crip walked my way over to Dhoby Ghaut station and searched out the printer guy to get my new pics for my book. Curious the whole way I walked into 3 or 4 malls, just to see what they had. There are stores here where you go to play your FPS video games, pretty cool, although I have better things to do. I also darted in and out of the malls, as it felt more humid today than any other day, probably because it rained most of the afternoon.  

Melissa also got back to me and introduced me to a friend closer to my age here in Singapore and also a very experienced woman in Hong Kong with modelling. 

I came home for a bit, watched an episode of Dexter. After much effort I finally found a site that streamed video here in Singapore. If anyone has suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. Then the gurgle of my stomach called me to go grab dinner. Here it is:

I stopped by fair price picked up a few snacks, nature valley bars and some more nuts. And because I haven’t in a while and I have been craving. I spotted this and thought of Dad. He calls the bums that ask for money downtown this. 

And finally I bring you the title of my post:

I titled the post this so I wouldn't forget that my beer is sitting there. This will be my first beer in Singapore.

 PS. Thanks guys I cracked a thousand hits sometime over the last day or two. 10 countries are represented. 

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!