I have had a good solid year of small acting gigs (Own network and Reelz) and background acting gigs on Designated Survivor and Suits.
So it even seemed like an unlikely decision for myself to turn my back on this recent success and say..."why do I feel kind of dead inside?" I realized I needed something exciting to happen. I needed something to change.
Why not make a change happen. Here is the genesis of my idea to go back to Taiwan.
I had just completed a screenwriting online course and I was offered an ESL teaching course for 15 dollars. I thought, what a bargain, so before I knew it I had signed up. That got me thinking, "maybe I could teach in Asia again if I am physically fit enough and if I could scrounge up the cash to make it happen".
The next step was actually submitting my name for a job in China. I heard back from the school within an hour and they said I was shortlisted for the position. I started to get a bit of the old adrenaline flowing again. However the more I thought of China and its oppressive pollution in the cities that were being offered, the more I wasn't sure. Was I going for it or not?
I conferred with my friend Steve in Taiwan (on facebook) that I hadn't seen for 10 years, and he asked me why I wasn't considering Taiwan again?
Well, I really enjoyed Taiwan in my previous two trips but there was a bit of a sour taste left in my mouth because of the way I was deported due to a Visa overstay.
The more we talked, the more I realized that I needed to know someone, anyone... in a foreign country. It would be good to know Steve, he could help me get the scooter I needed, and to hookup to the phone system, and we could meet after class etc.
He assured me that there was a job waiting or several like it for a guy like me. That was it. I arranged for a close friend to look after my place and before I knew it, I purchased that ticket online.
Holy shit, I have just committed to go teach in Taiwan, wow, Im over 50 now with a heart issue, am I out of my fricking mind.
No I hope not. I was waking up each day with a new bounce in my step. 22 hours away by plane was an Island the size of Vancouver Island with 22 million people.The cities I would be in Taoyuan is dirty, hot and industrial with the odd earthquake and typhoon.
This will be a great challenge. There is an opportunity to save a little money for my new investment account that I have opened. I need to have some type of investment to fall back on. Living paycheck to paycheck sucks.
Would you decide to go from a balanced but slightly unfulfilled life to a life on the set of the real life blade runner?
I have also been in contact with some acting and modelling agencies in Taipei and they are interested in meeting me. I believe that a older white guy who can still occasionally bring the goods, might be in demand there. I love teaching the kids so that part is always very fulfilling and should take care of itself on the emotional meter.
That's the story though. I will miss all my close friends (including a very sweet and sexy woman I have been dating)and supportive family, after the initial stunned response, everyone has been very supportive.
I am off for a quick dental surgery to remove my wisdom tooth in the next couple of days and then it is the final preparations to move this old body across the world. Wish me luck. If it doesn't
Rick
