Bangkok Refugee in Kuala Lumpur
With the biggest party of the year(Johnny Walker Black Circuit) about to go down tonight in Kuala Lumpur, I sit here on my friend Kat’s balcony staring at the beautiful view of the mountains north of KL…
But all I can really think about is “I’m going to Bangkok on monday.”
I’ve been down here in Kuala Lumpur for a few weeks now as a bit of a Bangkok Flood Refugee. While there are many people in and around Bangkok whose lives have been horribly affected and continue to be affected by the floods, my area of town remained dry.
Here is a bit of a lighthearted video touching on the main problem in my area of town.
Most of Bangkok proper in fact did not flood. But I figured with work being effected negatively I would take off down to Malaysia and chill for a few weeks.
And it’s been a great time!
Just yesterday, my friend and partner in many crimes, Josiah Mizukami and I made a guest appearance on BFM 89.9 to talk about metrosexuality.
I was not super pumped about the topic of conversation at first, but as we got into the show, a lot of fun was had. First of all, I don’t really consider myself a metrosexual even though I do display some suspect habits. I model, so thats a big one. I also do tend to care of how I look and on occasion I have been accused of spending too much time while fixing my hair (I have thick curly hair people, it’s not easy). And for those of you who listened to the show, yes I do rub a slice of cucumber on my face in the morning sometimes. This may not be as much metrosexual as just absolutely ridiculous, but whatever… it feels awesome! (there will be a link up to the podcast soon).
What’s more ridiculous is Josiah admitting to spending a fair amount of time on, his Superman curl. This very old picture below of Josiah does not contain his superman curl… but touches on one of the topics of the evening. Metrosexuality and homosexuality are not the same. However, sometimes metrosexuality can be pretty gay. Actually this picture does not really touch on that topic, I just had to put it up. Isn’t he adorable?
Earlier this week was Female Magazine’s model search event. While we were all very disappointed that the beautiful and I might add rambunctious Sarah Hodgens ended up getting 3rd place behind 2 obvoiusly less deserving candidates, we all had a great time drinking with friends and sneaking in pre-show beer…
I mean tea from Subway 
.
So tonight I will go out and enjoy my last big night in Kuala Lumpur and maybe forget about the glorious Bangkok for just a bit.
I have no doubt that Johnny Walker Black Circuit will not disappoint and I am pretty excited about it.
But come monday, as I sit in the back of a taxi heading from Suvarnubhumi Airport to my apartment in Bangkok, I will get to do one of my favorite things in the world. I’ll make a few phone calls to some friends and say…
“Yo! I’m back…”
Bangkok Warm-Up, Host’n Antics, Pica The Pug
I departed Singapore last week to head up to Bangkok to look for and apartment and to work on Creation Circus’ 2 quickly developing short films. Apartment hunting some how got lost in between catching up with good friends and “all you can drink for free” events (a common occurrence in Bangkok where alcohol radiates its blessings upon us like rays of sunshine from the heavens.) All in all, the trip went smoothly aside from My friend Tom Barrett’s pug(Pica) and I being allergic to each other.
Imagine being sound asleep on the couch only to be awoken by the cool mist of a congested pug’s sneeze causing you yourself to begin sneezing uncontrollably.
Pica may very well also have urinated on my Blackberry which not only created a mystery smell for a few days but also rendered my Blackberry unable to charge its own batteries. P.S. Pugs are not “cute” or “ugly cute”.
My trip to Bangkok was brief as I had to get back to The Spore to host a Davidoff Road Show and shoot a quick corporate video.
People of Orchard Road, my apologies for the harassment which was only enhanced by the 4 large speakers emitting my quipped rhetoric directed at your every move. However, I shall not apologize for the my white short shorts, The “Can you find the guy with the mic game”, or the dance-offs (DJ Jazzy Davidoff spin’s a mean set!).
Oh… nor will I apologize for my buddy Travis getting violated by a teenage girl during a dance-off leaving the crowd and myself speechless. May she haunt your dreams my friend. (actually that was probably inappropriate and not Orchard Road acceptable. I will take partial responsibility for that one, but lay most of it to rest on the shoulders of her father.)
Moving on…
While in The Spore, work on Creation Circus’ flagship short film continues as our new editor Lesh and I have gotten some fantastic editing done. For those who may not be experienced in film editing, it’s kinda like matching up the colors on a Rubik’s Cube, but each square also has moving images and sound that have to be matched up as well. Then take into account that 4 people have a say in how everything matches up and each of them are color blind in different areas of the optical spectrum.
A common expression I have whilst editing.
With post-porduction on the short film is going full steam ahead, I can’t help but be excited about eveything going on. And while Singapore’s surreal utopiatic perfection is great, these days I can’t help but have Bangkok on my mind.
It’s just such a damn awesome city. I could go on about the great bars, clubs, eating establishments, people, and ease at which one can manage to accomplish just about any daily task, but I won’t. It’s really about the Bangkok Vibe! People constantly ask, “why do you like Bangkok so much?”. To which I usually respond with “It’s just got such a great vibe!”. It is because of this vibe that I will be spending much more time in Bangkok.
And one more thing…
Disclaimers: In no way do I condone radical and or revolutionary dancing by the youth of our world in public places which may make many feel uncomfortable.
In no way to I condone ”Pug Strangling” as a sport. However, as a means of defense of self and property I give it a green light.
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Traveling Travels: The Philippines
This past week I went on a trip to the only predominately Asian-Latino Country I know of…
The Philippines! Asia gave Filipinos beautiful islands, weather, and a great ethnic foundation for some beautiful people. Spanish colonization gave it a bit of latin passion. Spanish Conquistadors out of Mexico gave forth tacos, and the USA occupation gave basketball and english. If it sounds like a rad place that’s because it is.
In Manila I met up with some old friends and let it be known that the stories are true. At any point Filipinos are capable of breaking out into song and Dance.
Shortly after my arrival I was informed that the weekend after Holy Week was just simply the best time to go to Boracay. So… we did just that.
(Magellan certainly did not have this in mind when he first landed.)
With some of the whitest sanded palm tree lined beaches I have ever seen, Boracay makes for a nice trip.
More reason The Philippines kick ass!
Thanks for the great week Philippines.
So Am I In The Running? (Blogalicious enters a blogging competition… kind of.)
Greetings!
I imagine those of you not familiar with this blog are new readers brought to this land of blogging wonder by the MAS blogging competition which I have entered. You may very well be a competing blogger checking out the competition. If so, be prepared to have The Fear of blogging envy instilled deep within your very being. If you’re not prepared to have your soul pierced by fear, I suggest you go read some other blog about personified candy canes and gay bunny rabbits prancing around in Gum Drop Land as the sounds of wooden wind chimes and flutes ease your delicateness within.
Or, you as a reader may simply be a fan of blog culture who can’t wait to see if anyone has done something at all intriguing for the MAS blogging competition. I have also checked out the competition and it is quite doubtful you are going to find anything too interesting. However, this chick is super hot.
Moving on…
So are you still with me?
Fantastic.
If you’re looking for a blog which involves mediocre commentary about a single light-hearted topic which gets a lot of views from people that simply lack common sense then my blog may not be for you. Perhaps you are looking for a blog which panders to the ever cranking gears of the world’s money machines thus generating personal gain through sponsorship dollars. If this is the case, my blog may not be for you either.
Blogalicious is simply about life in Southeast Asia seen through my eyes as an actor, host, writer, model, budding film-maker, and esteemed socialite; along with insightful commentary about all the bull-shit that is constantly going on all around us.
So, I’m way up over here on my high horse which is standing on this really tall soapbox which I built with my magical wand of earned arrogance and I am screaming to you all…
IF YOU WANT A BAD ASS BLOG ABOUT COOL SHIT…
CHECK IT OUT!!! Click HERE!
Okay, now to view my Video Blog entry to MAS.
To vote for me is quite easy. Simply click this little icon directly below. It will take you to the MAS traveller blog site and you will again see my blog. Below it is a Facebook Like icon. Go ahead and be a bad ass and click that shit. Also please feel free to be a SUPER bad ass and click the Facebook Like icon either at the top or bottom of this blog.
So yeah, I’m not even allowed to enter the blogging competition. And yes, Iceberg penises are a growing problem in the oceans of today. And yeah, of course I support Malaysia Airlines due to the fact they are NOT AirAsia. And yes, I am sure there are many great reasons as to why Malasyian Airlines won’t allow somebody like myself to enter their blogging competition. But… COME ON! I mean, I’m practically in the competition anyway since there is no kind of screening for the blog entry process (Hell, somebody could put porn up on the Malaysia Airlines site right now and it would probably stay up for a full day before anyone noticed.)
Not to get too repetitive,
But what can you expect from me? Well I do love the medium of the written (typed) word. But as they say, a picture speaks a thousand words and moving pictures speak a million. Please feel free to get a taste of Blogalicious by perusing the following pics and vids.
So, I’m here in SouthEast Asia making as much other worldly brilliance as a Eurasian from Texas possibly can. I’m having a blast while doing all this amazing stuff and I’m incredibly greatful for all the amazing people I have met, friends I have made, and am super excited about all the films, music, shows, commercials, events, and random craziness we are creating together here.
And go ahead and be a bad ass and click that Facebook like icon at the bottom or top of the page.
Disclaimer: In no way does Justin Bratton condone the viewing of porn or the posting it up on airline websites; in no way does Justin Bratton condone the objectification of white chicks or yellow bananas; in no way does Justin Bratton condone the usage of obscenities such as “shit”, “fuck”, “ass”, “bitch”(when not being used to refer to a female dog), and pretty much anything Fox News says ever.
Merrell China Print Ad Shoot (I hugged a cow)
Yesterday I traveled to a rice field just outside Malacca, Malaysia to shoot a Chinese print ad for the American hiking shoe company Merrell.
Amusing Merrell comercial:
I’ve shot with children, I’ve shot with green screens, I’ve shot with drunks, I’ve shot with racists, I’ve even shot with French people; but this shoot marked the first time that I have shot with animals. 2 cows!
Through the course of the shoot I became rather close with one of the cows who I affectionately named “Dinner”.
Dinner and I had the best of times as we put forth our best poses so that Merrell would be satisfied with the billboards which would shortly be up all over China. Watch out Acer Ad!
(I would now like to take a quick moment to test out China’s authoritarian internet censorship policies…
China sucks… and China and The USA want to have little superpower babies together called Chinaricans.
If you’re in China and you are reading my blog… I did it! I have beat China! And you very well may be shot in 3… 2… 1…
If you are a Chinese Internet Censorship official and you are reading my blog… get to fucking work! You may also very well be shot in 3… 2… 1…)
During breaks, Dinner and I would cuddle.
.
That evening I ate beef and I thought about Dinner…
I thought… “man…
It would suck to be a cow”, but Dinner at the very least was luckier than most cows in that he got to do a photo shoot with yours truly and will forever live on in Merrell billboards across China.
Well, for the next year anyway.
Dinner, this post in Blogalicious is dedicated to you and the great work that we did together this fantastic day.
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4 Countries 1 Month!
I just arrived back in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia a couple nights ago after a month of some hardcore work and traveling. I spent a month back in Texas with fam and friends for New Years and Christmas and then headed to Bangkok in mid January for a day of production meetings for Creation Circus’ newest project. Then I spent a week in Shanghai exploring a new city and then it was back to Bangkok. The next week was full of production work and shooting for the new film. Its a busy month with lots of traveling, and the next couple of months could very well bring more of the same.
Shanghai, China
Sports Drink Commercial Shooting (When did I become a stunt man?)
A month back I shot a sports drink commercial in Kuala Lumpur. As can sometimes happen with any TV commercial shoot, there were surprises. The kind of surprises that sneak up on you slowly. The kind where you look around and you think to yourself… “What is that odd looking wooden box doing there?”
“What the hell is that going to be used for?”
“Wow! It has a crazy ass trap door that comes down. It would totally suck to sit on that as the trap door lever is pulled.”
And then you hear the director scream out, “Justin! get on the trap door!”
And of course you have to sit on the trap door holding a sports drink.
See for yourself.
Sports drink in in face, spine jolted, wicked awesome!
Yeah, so I got to do that about 40 super fun times.
Then came the constant drinking of the sugary sports beverage. After about 4 bottles of any sugary sports beverage one begins to start feeling kind of fuzzy in their hands and begins to see things; everything begins to slow down and you start to realize you have no idea whats going on. The only thing you know is that you are nauseous and don’t want to drink any more of that damn drink.
No worries, the next scene where I had to jump in a cold pool for the underwater shot managed to help me regain my focus. My focus on being freezing.
And lets not forget when the directed asked me, “Justin, can you a do a bicycle kick without the mats one time. It would be good to have one shot, but don’t do it if you may hurt yourself”.
Like an idiot my response was “I’m like a ninja, it won’t be problem”. Maybe all the sugar from overconsumption of sports drinks had clouded my judgement, or maybe I am just an idiot. I’m not really sure. But I am sure that as I landed on the hard cold concrete on my left should, I felt a great deal of pain.
End result, sprained shoulder.
Then there was day 2.
Day 2 involved me sitting on a plank in a shallow pool of water as I was pulled along by a rope in a circle at 2AM. I am serious.
If you are wondering if that fall to the left hurt my recently sprained shoulder… wonder no more. It totally hurt.
In spite of the unexpected stunts, the shoot was great and should end up looking quite impressive.
Read MoreShampoo Shoot (Doorless Balcony)
After a 6 day trip to Bangkok to move out of my apartment, I returned to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. I stepped back into my apartment for no more than 10 minutes and the phone rings.
Bangkok – “Justin I need you back for this commercial. And to shotgun beers at 7-11. And to do The Beer God pose”.
Justin – “I’m in!”
So all day Saturday I spent my time navigating my way through the endless mine field that is the AirAsia website to book my ticket. After 3 hours of attempting to pass a new trap AirAsia set up on their website (the old “impossible to advance past trying to not pay for a seat” trick), I managed to book my flight.
So off I went this fine Saturday morning back to the wonderful Bangkok, where upon my arrival I was told I would be heading off to Hua Hin that afternoon.
On the van ride down to the mountainous beach resort town I interrogated the other passengers in the van as to what their jobs were on the shoot. I asked the girl next to me, “So what is your job on the shoot?”. She responded with “Stab In.”
I sat back for a moment and thought to myself, “So is this crazy chick asking me to have intercourse with her in the van? That’s not very professional. Or is she threatening my life for some reason?”
She quickly realized I was confused and then said “Stab in.” again while pulling her hair.
Shabam! Thanks to my quick thinking I remembered that we were shooting a shampoo commercial and quickly realized she was the hair stand in.
Thank god we avoided a possible embarrassing situation where she reaches for a fork during dinner and then I punch her in the face in self-defense.
Or me trying to explain to her in broken english that she was simply not my type.
I suppose one way I could get around these kind of little situations would be to learn Thai. I am totally on it! Again.
My room in Hua Hin is quite nice but there is one little oddity.
The doorless balcony.
I have been thinking to myself what the benefit of a doorless balcony would be. I came up with this…
Nothing.
There are no benefits to having a beautiful balcony in every room of a hotel overlooking the ocean and mountains, and that balcony not having a door. Luckily I am quite nimble so am able to climb through the window to enjoy the fantastic view. However, what do fat people do? Or people in wheel chairs? How about the drunk people? What about one eyed pirates with horrible depth perception? I wonder how many people have attempted to make there way through the window and misjudged their foot placement only to place it right over the railing and onto the concrete parking lot 4 stories down.
Moving on, after dinner we all got trapped in a torrential downpour.
We’re off to an interesting start on this one.
Read MoreIn Singapore!
I am currently in Singapore to host the Davidoff Champion Roadshow!
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