Knock on wood, the work continues to pour in. Yesterday delivered quite the variety of events. It all started with the daily few hours at the gym which was nice. Put in a solid hour and a half on the stationary bike and banged out mad reps of low weights.
I've quenched my agencys thirst to have me increase my muscle which is honestly a satisfying feat. It's been said that once you've acquired the necessary muscle to drop the weights in half and increase the reps. I don't enjoy moderation so in between my shoulder exercises I do 100 curls of 10 pound weights for the biceps. I;m starting to thrive from that burn I get when i push myself. I;m never sore the next day though so I imagine its not too damaging.
The steam room enticed me before the shower and it was a pleasurable experience shower followed suit. With the work out completed I rewarded myself with an ounce and a half of almonds and a half water and half liquid protein mix-lovely. Then made my way to the other gym I'm fortunate enough to have access to and had a photo shoot for their marketing paraphernalia.
The make up artist, director of the shoot, and other "model" I was working with were all very gay and very lovely to work with. Next week I'll be working with them again for some new images to boost my book. Oh joy! I love networking in this city because it boosts my chances of meeting those random important or valuable people. After the shenannigans are the gym I wandered down 8th avenue to pick up a protein bar and then to my first casting.
The casting was for a jewelry designer who is shooting a video for television. Not so sure on the specifics but long story short they were selecting a male and female and I ended up being the selected male model. Earlier that day I emailed the agency-Big Boss-and asked if they had any castings for me. They emailed me the same info for the casting which I had found on my own for this jewelry designer. I figured by allowing the agency to take credit for it rather than my saying oh never mind I already found that, it would show them that I can actually book work and potentially make them want to push me for fashion week.
The other day I went to the agency and told my booker Florian that I "really really want to be in fashion week". He said that my book was too young and I needed more work done, I did not like this response. I moved to nyc just before last seasons fashion week and now its time to dive in head first. I've got one confirmed show for fashion week, presentation rather. I want more! So I gave Boss this shoot for a few reasons, secondly to see how they will be about paying me. It's all a game and I'm testing them.
So after the casting I made my way to the party where I was booked to be the shirtless bartender. When I enter the elevator and press the top button, floor 17, I wasn't sure what to expect when the doors opened. I found this gig through craigslist and it stated that they wanted a shirtless bartender for the gay party in a penthouse apartment. Was I going to see rainbow flags and guys prancing around in sailor outfits or was I to be kidnapped by men in black leather bondage gear and submitted to the underground sex slave world? The scenario was much more tame than my fears were amassing to. Orange pants, button down shirt, and that kind gay smile..."I'm Ron".
We went over how the drinks were to be served and how the host wished for the bar to look then waited for the guests to show. Most of the attendees were humorously interesting gays. One of my favorites was Andy the porn producer. "Gay porn, straight porn, and solo porn." was the intro to his pitch to get me to enlist. Nonchalantly throughout the night I could observe his desperation in breaking my "no"s to his enlistment requests. He could not succeed in acquiring a new porn star from the party so he was forced to accept the next best thing, the potential of a new straight friend whom he would always wish to be his new star.
I consumed beverages and the guests consumed massive amounts of liquor. I conversed with interesting people, told them of my wild craigslist adventures, and got a few business cards to continue communication at a later point. Extended communication has yet to occur though perhaps boredom will lead me to the dialing of a few numbers down the road. I got tipped out well and the host paid me in cash so I left there with a nice wad in my pocket. Too bad I was so drunk that I blew all my money at the strip club on the way home, just kidding.
I retired late and woke up late the next day to hit the gym again...chilled with an old friend from catering and await tomorrows unpredictable outcome.
Night. Night.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Boston
So I visited Boston for a day. There was a promo that I was to participate in for 3 weeks. Before I could start I came to a realization. A brutal truth with its positives and negatives, nothing uncommon as that's life-plain and simple.
I did my daily gym routine and set off for Megabus's 31st and 8th loading rendezvous. Twas a hot and sunny day yet I still plopped my hiking pack stuffed with dirty clothes (to be washed at good ol' gramma Pats house) directly in the sun to await the arrival of my undesired method of transportation, a double decker bus. To no surprise the bus was late and the whole populous of bus seekers was herded away from the original waiting area due to some "delegates" arriving.
After significant sweat stains and what would be a solid tan had I not covered myself in 70 spf sunscreen the 30 minutes prior after my shower at the gym, my mega bus arrived. I had never been on a double decker bus in the states so I made it a point to experience the ride to its fullest potential. Front row on the second floor, YEAEAH BABY.
As we waited for everyone to settle their luggage into the depths of the bus's behind I settled into my seat and discovered that the power outlet had a cover which prevented my oversized BB charger to be inserted-quality. None the less I did not less this dull my excitement for the roller coaster, I mean long ass ride to come. Think about it...Flying down the highway at 60 miles per hour with your face pressed against the front window 10 feet high like a childs face pressed against the doors to Toys R Us prior to their birthday or a gift receiving holiday, I felt like buzz light year queuing up for flight.
Life has delivered me its share of anticlimactic experiences but this wasn't one of them. I strive to make the best out of any scenario and it was relatively entertaining, stimulating rather than staring at the back of another bus seat though I couldn't get myself to stand up and say "to infinity and beyond!"
My arrival to Boston was simple; I purchased some McDonalds (I know, bad model), got two T passes to grammas location, and carried on to meet her. She kindly met me at the stop 30 minutes out of the city and we carried on to dinner. Chicken with a cranberry sauce and some sweet potato roll things is pretty ridic when you're starving though I couldn't get myself to finish the plate.
We went back to the abode and took some digitals for a new modeling abroad prospect then watched some television and discussed the plan for the next few weeks of promotions. G Ma retired to bed and I found myself folding the now clean clothes I had dragged all the way from NYC. Woke up around 2 am in the chair with the telly on and headed up to bed...it was so foreign to sleep in a quality bed.
I woke up to my Grandmother popping her head into my room saying "Randddyyyyy its 7:20". The plan was to have breakfast at 7:30 so I exuded from my covers and slothily wandered downstairs. Surprise...no, I remembered of my chicken left overs and combined them with the eggs and toast G ma had made me. A solid start to the first day of a long promotion.
Twas a beautiful day in Boston and I had arrived 45 minutes prior to when the team was supposed to report in. I found myself staring at some flowers in a park when my phone rang. "Can you make it to Astoria for a catalog shoot at 11?" My manager asked. I informed him that I was in Boston and his response though simple really had an impact, "Fuck, ok bye".
The simple but powerful reply my phone had delivered to my ear was as influential as a hunters bullet piercing the skull of a tiger who stepped right into the cross hairs. I fucked up. When I went to Miami for my buddy's wedding I missed out on multiple opportunities for modeling but I was so drunk that it didn't really set in. With my clear minded thoughts the reality that if I want to model in NY I must stay in NY flooded my head...30 minutes later I was on a bus back to the city.
Happiness is a foreign thing to me though I wouldn't say I'm depressed merely discontent. I wake up everyday with the hope that I'll get a phone call or email from someone I've poured my efforts or product of my efforts into telling me that they want to use me for a project which will either jump start my career or fill my wallet. Will I fall into the extremely low percentage of people in the world who find success in modeling? Will I be able to pay rent and eat because I keep my schedule open with the thought that I'll need to fill it with a paying photoshoot? My path in life is currently full of insecurities but I suppose the thought of not knowing I will succeed makes it a great adventure and that actually makes me smile.
I did my daily gym routine and set off for Megabus's 31st and 8th loading rendezvous. Twas a hot and sunny day yet I still plopped my hiking pack stuffed with dirty clothes (to be washed at good ol' gramma Pats house) directly in the sun to await the arrival of my undesired method of transportation, a double decker bus. To no surprise the bus was late and the whole populous of bus seekers was herded away from the original waiting area due to some "delegates" arriving.
After significant sweat stains and what would be a solid tan had I not covered myself in 70 spf sunscreen the 30 minutes prior after my shower at the gym, my mega bus arrived. I had never been on a double decker bus in the states so I made it a point to experience the ride to its fullest potential. Front row on the second floor, YEAEAH BABY.
As we waited for everyone to settle their luggage into the depths of the bus's behind I settled into my seat and discovered that the power outlet had a cover which prevented my oversized BB charger to be inserted-quality. None the less I did not less this dull my excitement for the roller coaster, I mean long ass ride to come. Think about it...Flying down the highway at 60 miles per hour with your face pressed against the front window 10 feet high like a childs face pressed against the doors to Toys R Us prior to their birthday or a gift receiving holiday, I felt like buzz light year queuing up for flight.
Life has delivered me its share of anticlimactic experiences but this wasn't one of them. I strive to make the best out of any scenario and it was relatively entertaining, stimulating rather than staring at the back of another bus seat though I couldn't get myself to stand up and say "to infinity and beyond!"
My arrival to Boston was simple; I purchased some McDonalds (I know, bad model), got two T passes to grammas location, and carried on to meet her. She kindly met me at the stop 30 minutes out of the city and we carried on to dinner. Chicken with a cranberry sauce and some sweet potato roll things is pretty ridic when you're starving though I couldn't get myself to finish the plate.
We went back to the abode and took some digitals for a new modeling abroad prospect then watched some television and discussed the plan for the next few weeks of promotions. G Ma retired to bed and I found myself folding the now clean clothes I had dragged all the way from NYC. Woke up around 2 am in the chair with the telly on and headed up to bed...it was so foreign to sleep in a quality bed.
I woke up to my Grandmother popping her head into my room saying "Randddyyyyy its 7:20". The plan was to have breakfast at 7:30 so I exuded from my covers and slothily wandered downstairs. Surprise...no, I remembered of my chicken left overs and combined them with the eggs and toast G ma had made me. A solid start to the first day of a long promotion.
Twas a beautiful day in Boston and I had arrived 45 minutes prior to when the team was supposed to report in. I found myself staring at some flowers in a park when my phone rang. "Can you make it to Astoria for a catalog shoot at 11?" My manager asked. I informed him that I was in Boston and his response though simple really had an impact, "Fuck, ok bye".
The simple but powerful reply my phone had delivered to my ear was as influential as a hunters bullet piercing the skull of a tiger who stepped right into the cross hairs. I fucked up. When I went to Miami for my buddy's wedding I missed out on multiple opportunities for modeling but I was so drunk that it didn't really set in. With my clear minded thoughts the reality that if I want to model in NY I must stay in NY flooded my head...30 minutes later I was on a bus back to the city.
Happiness is a foreign thing to me though I wouldn't say I'm depressed merely discontent. I wake up everyday with the hope that I'll get a phone call or email from someone I've poured my efforts or product of my efforts into telling me that they want to use me for a project which will either jump start my career or fill my wallet. Will I fall into the extremely low percentage of people in the world who find success in modeling? Will I be able to pay rent and eat because I keep my schedule open with the thought that I'll need to fill it with a paying photoshoot? My path in life is currently full of insecurities but I suppose the thought of not knowing I will succeed makes it a great adventure and that actually makes me smile.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
So its been 5 months...
What can I say? Commitment isn't my forte...sorry I've neglected you for 5 months mister blog or shall I say, Rupert?!?
Since we've last chatted much has occurred and I feel it necessary to update you on my NYC situation.
First and foremost, I've lost weight. I know you were always nagging me about eating pizza and drinking all those tasty coffees from mud but now you can't say shit! I've slimmed down, toned up, and popped out some abs getting me the attention of Boss Models. THAT'S RIGHT, I'm a BOSS boy now :)
In retrospect i am full of remorse due to my lack of keeping a log of all my catering adventures. Many late nights of underpaid, under appreciated, BITCH work and now I am left with two caterers who hire me only when absolutely desperate or when the client requests a person with my aesthetic nature. Fuck em...Now I dance around abercrombie and fitch for 9 dollars an hour getting high off of the womens perfume they spray endlessly as if it were oxygen and we were in a space world.
Getting hired at Abercrombie was a bit of a joke. The interview was a group interview and besides some chick from Jersey, I was the only American there. Nothing wrong with not being American though if you can't speak a language how the fuck are you supposed to help customers. With respect though most of our customers are foreigners so it does make sense......I'm not buying it though, guaranteed those kids wont last longer than a month though who am I to judge, not sure I will either! Literally 20 minutes after the interview I got a phone call..."uhhhmm yes Mister Harris we'd love to have you join our team here at A&F"....shit Abercrombie is now the epitome of desperation in my book. I tried everything...besides stripping...and now I must resort to working in douche bagville to barely make an income.
The interviewer asked a few douchey questions but my favorite was, " describe the brand in two words, and you cant repeat what the others have said or you'll have to dance in front of everyone ( a true douche move)". Seeing how I was the only English informed one there, I was told to go last. The folks were saying shit like "sexy, stylish, modern, hot, hip, BLAA BLAA BLAA". No lie, first thing that popped in my head was the two words DOUCHE BAG....now I can't get it out of my head. Everyone there is a douche bag...Not really but in such a douchey environment of such a douchey brand I really need to find humor in whatever way necessary, even if its in lying to myself. I know, pathetic..but what else can you say about working at A&F-PATHETIC...oh and DOUCHE BAG.
Alright.
Being with Boss has only given me a few tests which have given me some high fashion esque photos, whatever...hasn't gotten me any money or any travel and that's all I want! So now I'm just emailing as many photographers, designers, stylists, and people related in any form to the fashion industry as possible in hopes of networking my way to success or at least the next level. Traveling abroad is a temptation, tapping into the asian market sounds fun but I don't want to neglect New York just yet. So many decisions must be made while the pressures of living in New York continue to exude on the daily. Its fun in a stressful way. Whether I win or lose it'll be something to look back on and say, DAMN SON.
Since we've last chatted much has occurred and I feel it necessary to update you on my NYC situation.
First and foremost, I've lost weight. I know you were always nagging me about eating pizza and drinking all those tasty coffees from mud but now you can't say shit! I've slimmed down, toned up, and popped out some abs getting me the attention of Boss Models. THAT'S RIGHT, I'm a BOSS boy now :)
In retrospect i am full of remorse due to my lack of keeping a log of all my catering adventures. Many late nights of underpaid, under appreciated, BITCH work and now I am left with two caterers who hire me only when absolutely desperate or when the client requests a person with my aesthetic nature. Fuck em...Now I dance around abercrombie and fitch for 9 dollars an hour getting high off of the womens perfume they spray endlessly as if it were oxygen and we were in a space world.
Getting hired at Abercrombie was a bit of a joke. The interview was a group interview and besides some chick from Jersey, I was the only American there. Nothing wrong with not being American though if you can't speak a language how the fuck are you supposed to help customers. With respect though most of our customers are foreigners so it does make sense......I'm not buying it though, guaranteed those kids wont last longer than a month though who am I to judge, not sure I will either! Literally 20 minutes after the interview I got a phone call..."uhhhmm yes Mister Harris we'd love to have you join our team here at A&F"....shit Abercrombie is now the epitome of desperation in my book. I tried everything...besides stripping...and now I must resort to working in douche bagville to barely make an income.
The interviewer asked a few douchey questions but my favorite was, " describe the brand in two words, and you cant repeat what the others have said or you'll have to dance in front of everyone ( a true douche move)". Seeing how I was the only English informed one there, I was told to go last. The folks were saying shit like "sexy, stylish, modern, hot, hip, BLAA BLAA BLAA". No lie, first thing that popped in my head was the two words DOUCHE BAG....now I can't get it out of my head. Everyone there is a douche bag...Not really but in such a douchey environment of such a douchey brand I really need to find humor in whatever way necessary, even if its in lying to myself. I know, pathetic..but what else can you say about working at A&F-PATHETIC...oh and DOUCHE BAG.
Alright.
Being with Boss has only given me a few tests which have given me some high fashion esque photos, whatever...hasn't gotten me any money or any travel and that's all I want! So now I'm just emailing as many photographers, designers, stylists, and people related in any form to the fashion industry as possible in hopes of networking my way to success or at least the next level. Traveling abroad is a temptation, tapping into the asian market sounds fun but I don't want to neglect New York just yet. So many decisions must be made while the pressures of living in New York continue to exude on the daily. Its fun in a stressful way. Whether I win or lose it'll be something to look back on and say, DAMN SON.
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