Preparing for the deluge.

As you know, we are experiencing a severe drought here in California. But the forecast predicts that a lot of rain will be falling in the coming days and weeks. It's something called El Nino. We do need the water. So I suppose that is a good thing.  

 

As for myself, I have been preparing for the wet weather ahead. I bought a couple of rain jackets at a post holiday sale at the mall. The jackets were heavily discounted. I probably wouldn't have bought them if I wasn't aware of the weather forecast.  

 

By the way, it was crazy busy at the mall. I don't mind shopping but I could do without the crowds.

 

 This jacket is simple and functional. I like the sleek look and the color. I didn't want an all-too-common black or gray colored jacket. I like the muted shade of red. It matches well with the dark colored shirts and pants that I might wear.

 

 

 I also got this colorful pair of running shoes. Too many running shoes are just so bland and boring. I don't know if this pair of shoes will improve my running, but at least I know that my running style will get a lot better. 

 

Blast from the past.

 

My friend Greg, who is a model and whom I mentioned in some of my previous posts, showed me his portfolio when I met up with him recently. He has an impressive resume and portfolio. I saw some of his earlier work. It got me to thinking about some of my own early modeling work.

 

I admit these photos are not particularly impressive, but I am going to share them with you anyway.

 

 

 

When I started modeling, it was for fun. Then, I also did it for my aunt's clothing business. Fashion and modeling were two things that I got involved with during my high school years.

 

This vest was inspired by the baja style design. The sweater had a festive tribal vibe. So, that was how I looked like and what I wore back then in high school. Also back then, I thought thick framed glasses were cool.

Schooled by a model

When you want to learn something, learn from the best. Although I have been busy, I made sure that I made time to meet and learn from the best.

 

Maybe Greg isn't the best, but he is good enough for me. He is a pro. His modeling resume is so much better and impressive than mine.

 

I caught up with Greg today. He is a model that I met on a photo shoot a while back. We hung out and he showed me some of the tricks of the trade. He gave me some pointers on improving my modeling skills (if you can call modeling a skill). 

 

 

scratching my head

 

I realized that I look like an amateur compared to him. I think I need to take more lessons from him.

Winning new clients

I have been relatively busy with work these past couple of weeks. With the holiday season here, some of my clients wanted extra massage sessions, more than their usual weekly, biweekly, or whatever the case may be, session. And for others it was simply a desire to rearrange the usual schedule.

 

Some of them mentioned the holiday stress that they were experiencing and that they wanted the services of my magical hands to relief that stress. Others have mentioned the need to get their massage sessions in before they go on vacation.

 

Whatever the case may be, I try to accommodate them as best as I can. I juggle my schedule to a time that works for both of us. I usually bend over backwards to accommodate them. 

 

 I have also gotten new customers these past couple of weeks. Some are just one time deals. A few of those customers, I am hoping, will become regular clients.

 

 

 

One potential customer actually wanted to meet me in person before they would accept my services. They wanted to check me out first. It was like a job interview. That usually doesn't happen. That is not how I operate. My customers generally are referrals, or they may be people who saw my ad somewhere.

 

Usually, we talk over the phone. And if we agree to the terms of service, then I go over to their location to do the job. There is no job interview.

 

I decided to make an exception with this particular customer. First of all, it was a referral. And they seemed to be wealthy from what I gather. They were looking for a long term relationship with a therapist. Two individuals were looking for therapy service, not just one. Plus, it wasn't going to be a one time massage.

 

 

I went to their ritzy apartment complex for a get-to-know-you meeting. It was essentially a job interview. I put on some dressy casual clothes. I took these self pics from the courtyard of that apartment.

 

By the way, I did get the job. This couple was very meticulous and demanding. They had a few complaints while I was working on them, but overall the session went as well as it could have. They said they will call me to schedule future sessions. I haven't heard from them yet. We'll see.

Seasonal looks

The holiday season is here and that means it's time to wear holiday clothing. Lots of red.

 

Get a load of this checkered suit. Who would wear this? Well, actually, I did. But only for a photoshoot. I did this photoshoot last month. The images from this shoot are intended to be used for the holiday season.

 

The scene of this shoot is of party goers going to a Christmas party, southern California style, I suppose.

 

 The following photos are from another photo shoot. The images from this shoot are also intended to be used during the holiday season.

 

 

This shoot was done at a house located near the Angeles National Forest. The house looked like a rustic cabin in the woods. The location is suppose to convey a homey atmosphere at Christmas time.
 

 

 This was one of the other outfits that I wore. For some reason, the wardrobe people like the checker board look for their holiday campaign.

Conservation

I did my part again to remind my fellow Californians to conserve water. As you know, we are still in a drought.

 

Earlier this year, I did a photoshoot for an organization that encouraged homeowners to replace their water consuming lawns with a yard of drought resistant plants and vegetation.

 

I got hired again by that organization to do another photoshoot, which I did the other day.

 

 

The gardeners created an eco friendly landscape. Not only was it eco friendly, I have to admit that it was a cool looking yard.

 

Do your part. Water is precious. Conserve it.

Back to work

I had one day to recover from my Hawaii trip. I'm back at work. Back to reality. I wasn't in a mood to work, but I have bills to pay and clients to satisfy.

 

I was still in a Hawaii state of mind though, so I wore an aloha themed shirt to a massage session with one of my clients. It wasn't really a fashion statement. It was more a reflection of where my mind was. My client didn't mind at all.

 

 

 

As much as I wish that I had a longer vacation, I am happy to be home. The LA skyline is a comforting sight to see.

 

I was right back in the hustle and bustle of downtown. One of my clients happens to live in a downtown high rise. There are great views of the city from the apartment, even from the bathroom. As you can see, this is where we set up the massage table.

 

It is easier to get back to work when you are working in a luxurious setting with fantastic views. 

Too much of a good thing

I really let loose during this trip. I kind of regret it now. I indulged myself with food and with having a good time. I blame my cousins. They tempted me with all sorts of goodies.

 

Tako or octopus poke

 

smoked ahi



ahi poke

Poke is a dish found in many restaurants on the island. There are a variety of seafood that can be used to make poke. Ahi and octopus are two of my favorites. I ate so much poke during my stay.
 

spare ribs

 

I ate more than just seafood. The island's restaurant scene provided a lot of food options to choice from.

 

macadamia nut cream pie

 

 

I am not a speedo wearer, but this trip was all about letting loose and saying screw it to my inhibitions. I speedo-ed around the beach on my last day on the island, and it felt good.

 

 

As I said, I regret the indulgence. I need to hit the gym.

Aloha

I spent the Thanksgiving week in Hawaii. It was good to see the family. It was good just being there. I love Hawaii. I spent the entire week on Oahu. I had a good time, just kicking back.

 

I did some touristy things like hanging out in Waikiki, but mostly I chilled with my cousins in the hoods of Honolulu.

 

 

 

Waikiki beach

 

Diamond Head in the background

 

 

surfer dudes



the Royal Hawaiian

native dude in ceremonial garb

 

the crowd at Kapahulu groin

Kapahulu groin

 That's right. It's called the Kapahulu groin. It's a pier-like walkway in Waikiki that extends into the ocean. It is a good place for people watching. I saw plenty of nice bodies.

 

 

I spent a lot of time at the cultural center that my aunt runs. I love getting back to my roots. In LA I sometimes feel lost in the huge sprawl. The hoods of Honolulu feels homey. I almost didn't want to come back.

 

strumming the ukulele

 

 

One of my cousins gave me this cool tank top as a reminder that I almost got lost at sea. Among the things that I did on the trip was go boating. It's an island. Surrounded by water. How can you not do water activities.

 

Anyway, I dozed off on one occasion and my boat drifted. If my heroic cousin wasn't there to save me, I might be in Tahiti right now. Actually that wouldn't be so bad.

 

He gave me this tank with the image of an anchor to remind me that I need to get anchored. Maybe it's a metaphor for my life.

 

bringing home the goodies

don't fall asleep

 

 There are all sorts of restaurants and take out joints in every nook and cranny around Honolulu. These are the places that the tourists don't know about, but they serve some of the best food on the island. It seemed like I ate at everyone of them.



 

 

 

I am back now. And I feel rejuvenated in mind and in body. Well, maybe not entirely in body. I probably over indulged in island cuisine. Food and sun is a potent combination.