Who is Jon Kortajarena?

"Sometimes awful things have their own kind of beauty."
-Jon Kortajarena
as "Carlos"
in the 2009 Film
"A Single Man"

On July 11, 2008 I was in Paris, France when I was taken aback by the coolest photographic eye wear ad in front of an eyeglass shop. I liked the image so much that I took a picture of it for future inspiration. It seems that it would not be the last time I would see the male model in this ad.

Jon Kortajarena was named Spanish Model of the Year (2009) by Marie Claire magazine and GQ Magazine Germany named him Male Model of the Year (2009). He was born on May 19, 1985 in Bilbao, Vizcaya, Pais Vasco, SPAIN. I surely saw him in other advertisements but 'you know how it goes'. One simply says, "Oh, it's just another model."

Kortajarena took me by surprise recently as he was featured in the 2009 Tom Ford film 'A Single Man'. Here is a brief clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MCgJOxw788&feature=related

Apparently, Jon Kortajarena was discovered when he met a friend (Eduardo Sayas) who persuaded him to try the fashion world and suggested he go to Barcelona to meet some customers. Kortajarena made his debut in 2004 at the Fall 'Emporio Armani' and 'John Galliano' shows in Milan and Paris.

In 2004, he became the face of Roberto Cavalli's Spring Collection campaign Just Cavalli that quickly jet started his career. His runway credentials include walking for Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani, John Galliano, and Chanel in Milan and Paris.

In 2007, Kortajarena signed with GUESS?.

In 2008, Kortajarena was featured on the over of the spring/summer issue of L'Officiel Hommes magazine devoting 200 pages to the Bilbao native as well as appearing in the recent Tom Ford eye wear ad with Karen Elson.

PHOTO: The Tom Ford inspiring eye wear ad I saw
and photographed in Paris on July 11, 2008:

Keep your eyes peeled for Jon Kortajarena. We will likely run into him again.

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 18, 1985
Friday

This morning I telephoned the Nautilus gym in San Leandro, making an appointment with Jim at 6:30PM.

Then I thought to randomly give Danny Garcia a call.
"We haven't talked in ages!"
I was surprised by his reaction. It's not like it has been years.
"You did just cut my hair in mid-December," I answered.
It was an awkward phone call. I wonder if it will be the last.

I met Bob Umland at the Galleria, CITY EATS. All he had was his American Express card. I get the feeling he is in debt a bit even if he does claim to bring in $5000 a month. He must be a big spender. We had a great lunch. I felt really good about it. Bob is always so busy though. He seems to feel that we see a lot of one another. This was a surprise to me! It's almost like a repeat of the 'Paloma' situation. Bob plans to go skiing this weekend. We did make plans to have dinner on Tuesday. He is finally going to come to visit Alameda. I wonder if he will be the least bit enchanted with any of my things (maybe a little?). I am sure he has seen a lot better. It doesn't matter because I love my place and my surroundings.

Bob and I ate our Chinese food and continued to gab about Wilkes-Bashford and the fact that he has no time to relax. I mentioned my new gym appointment. When Bob spoke he reminded me of my Christmas card I sent him about how he needs to relax. We talked of our meeting on October 20th and how it will be three months this coming Sunday. I mentioned that my car's birthday is January 20th. We massaged each other's words about how great it was to be together. Bob calls me "kiddo" sometimes. It cracks me up.

I remained at work for a full eight hours. All went smoothly. There were no big sales but I still had a good day. I attended a service committee meeting and discussed the skit I am going to do for the 'after work' seminar party on January 28th. It should be fun. Dale Orlando has promised to bring me a pair of his over sized shorts to wear. He is really big and fat (but he's so very nice).

I sped through the usual BART transportation routine and made it to the 24-Hour Nautilus Club in San Leandro. I did it. I joined the club! I met with Jim, the Assistant Manager, who gave me a guided tour of everything. Then a guy named Al went through twelve repetitions each of most of the machinery with me. It was fun. I sweat it out. Paloma is so right! I felt a lot more confident and better when I left the club.

PHOTO: Kristjan Palusalu, 1930
a photo of a photo I saw at a Photography Exhibit
in Estonia on July 15, 2008

Once home I telephoned Sherri to see if she had any spare VHS videotapes to watch. She wasn't home. She works at HOME VIDEO now so I know she always brings some freebie tapes home.

I telephoned Dad and we exchanged a few words (all good).

When I called Chris Cordellos his mom said, "Oh, he's at Nick's."
Ironically, Chris called me right back within a minute so he was obviously having his mother screen his calls. I knew he wasn't at Nick's. Chris and I made arrangements to get together this afternoon to do something. I made one thing very clear.
"I am not going to miss my work out at the gym tonight."

I began reading the Examiner and got the urge for a professional massage. I made an appointment for a massage with a therapist named Steve Erlich for after my work out at a place in San Leandro.
The massage felt so good after the weight lifting.
"You have a pleasant body to work on compared to a lot of the clients that are shot and have let themselves go."
I laughed. At the same time I took his words as a compliment.

My muscles feel a bit tone and relaxed. I plan to pursue my body building. I want to!

This marks the end of another journal book. It's exciting as I know I am going to feel good 'later in life' when I reminisce on all of my past tales and experiences. There will be good ones that I smile over. And there will be bad ones that I will probably laugh hysterically over...

Life was full of new, interesting things, full of puzzles and small mysteries.
-James Mitchell Clarke
"Luis of Guadalajara"