Apr 7

Co-working links

Career, Translating/Interpreting, Writers

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The following links are from the article on co-working by freelance translator Joel Dechant (CIR Fukuoka-ken, 2001-04).

Coworking Google Group http://groups.google.com/group/coworking
I’m Outta Here E-Book http://www.imouttaherethebook.com/
Coworking Wiki http://coworking.pbwiki.com/
Web Worker Daily –http://webworkerdaily.com/
Independents Hall, Philly –http://www.indyhall.org
CoLab Tokyo –http://co-lab.jp/about/index.html
Jelly –http://www.workatjelly.com

Apr 7

Co-working – a new approach for changing times

Advice, Career, Translating/Interpreting, Writers

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Joel Dechant (CIR Fukuoka-ken, 2001-04), freelance translator based in Fukuoka, has been exploring the “co-working” trend. If interested in discussing with him, click on his name to contact him via LinkedIn or post a comment below to share your thoughts or perspectives.

After 3 years on JET I worked at a private Japanese university as a translator for 3 years. It was essentially a JET-type job: translate, interpret, assist foreign students and/or plan programs for 3 years and then you’re out. After their stints were up, some of my other colleagues went home or elsewhere in Japan to work in universities, government agencies or in the private sector, but I-on the other hand-decided to stay.

“What about my contract?” you ask. Well, my employer and I struck a deal. They needed someone who knew the university and who could translate and interpret well, and I wanted to stay in the area. By virtue of being placed in the position that bore the biggest share of translation and interpreting work, I was able to hone my skills well enough to confidently say, “Hey, I can do this!” So we wrote a new contract in which they would outsource their work to me. With the stroke of a pen, I was self-employed.

It was like a dream come true. How many times had I Read More

Apr 7

JETAA Chicago Newsletter – Spring 2009

Writers

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Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04) just put out her first issue as new editor of the JETAA Chicago Spring 2009 Newsletter (PDF). Have a look-and-see at what’s going on in Chicago’s JET-world:

Letter from the Editor
Photos from Shinnenkai and Ski Trip
Guide to buying Japanese food in Chicago
Spotlight on local JET alum writer: James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-fish
Poet and JET alum James Shea Book Event
Japan America Society of Chicago Spring Events

Apr 7

Bankruptcy Bill #14 – Online Dating

Cartoon/Illustration, Humor, Writers

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Bankruptcy Bill is a cartoon created by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Gideon Kendall. To see more strips as well as original bankruptcy haiku, go to bankruptcybill.wordpress.com.

Apr 2

“Bankruptcy Lover” – by Bankruptcy Bill and The Fresh Starts

Cartoon/Illustration, Humor, Music, Writers

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Ladies and gentlemen, debtors and creditors, we are pleased to share the debut single by Bankruptcy Bill & The Fresh Starts….

“Bankruptcy Lover“

http://bankruptcybill.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/bankruptcylovermp3.mp3

(Click either the link above or the image below to listen.)

Bankruptcy Bill & The Fresh Starts groupies can get their…

Posters here: http://www.zazzle.com/poster_bankruptcy_bill_the_fresh_starts-228608539647711199

Mugs here: http://www.zazzle.com/mug_bankruptcy_bill_the_fresh_starts-168135713990751518

Hats here: http://www.zazzle.com/hat_bankruptcy_bill_the_fresh_starts-148439025032658748

Click here for the lyrics and explanatory notes as well as a note on copyright and use restrictions. Read More

Apr 2

JET alum Michael Auslin to moderate panel on North Korea missile launching

Academic, Events, Japan Trends, Writers

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____________________

Testing the Obama Administration: Implications of a North Korean Missile Launch

http://www.aei.org/event1912

Event Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2008

At this event, JET alum and AEI’s Director of Japan Studies Michael Auslin will moderate a panel that will discuss the implications of a North Korean missile launch, including how the launch will affect U.S. relations with other countries in the region, and the future of the six-party …

Apr 2

Even more video from the JET Alumni Author Showcase

Books, Events, JETAA Chapters, Roland Kelts, Video, Writers

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Thanks to Lawrence Brenner (www.lawrencebrenner.com), an online video and content specialist who covers a lot of Roland Kelts’ events, we have even more video from the JET Alumni Author Showcase laid out in nice YouTube video clips:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E204A157B05C1AEC

Apr 1

Zorgamazoo wins 3rd prize at New York Book Show

Books, Cartoon/Illustration, Uncategorized, Writers

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Good news to report from Rob Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of the rhyming novel Zorgamazoo:

One reason I travelled to NYC last week was because my book was up for a design award from the Bookbinder’s Guild of New York, presented at the New York Book Show.

…I’m very pleased to announce that Zorgamazoo won 3rd prize in the Young Adult Hardcover category! The book was beaten out by two other impressive entries, Moribito by Nahoko Uehashi, which took 2nd prize, and Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley, which claimed the category.

(Click here to read the rest of Rob’s post)

(Click here to watch a video clip of Rob reading reading a selection from Zorgamazoo at the recent JET Alumni Author Showcase.)

Apr 1

Roland Kelts interviewed by AnimeNewsNetwork’s Chicks-On-Anime

Article/Journalism, Books, Cartoon/Illustration, Celebrity, Interview/Profile, Roland Kelts, Writers

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A good (and long) interview with Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, by Bamboo and Sara (aka Chicks-On-Anime) has been posted on the AnimeNewsNetwork.

Mar 31

News: 84-year old Japanese woman foils 22-year-old burglar in Fukuoka

Humor, Japan Trends, Writers

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Thanks to Kirsten Phillips (Niigata-ken, 2005-08) for sharing proof of what JET alums already know: obaasans are not to be F*&%$ed with:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/84-year-old-woman-apprehends-22-year-old-burglar-in-fukuoka

Mar 31

JET Alumni Author Showcase – Video Clips

Books, Events, JETAA Chapters, Roland Kelts, Uncategorized, Video, Writers

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In case you missed it (or enjoyed it so much you want to relive it), below is a highlights clip from the JET Alumni Author Showcase along with clips of each of the three author readings, all of which took place March 22 in NYC. (Bonus tip: Try to picture each author teaching an English class in a Japanese high school as you watch them do their readings.)

Highlight Clips

James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish

Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.

Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of Zorgamazoo

Mar 31

Review: JET Alumni Author Showcase

Article/Journalism, Books, Events, JETAA Chapters, Reviews, Roland Kelts, Uncategorized, Writers

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JETAANY Hosts First Author Showcase

By Gina Anderson (Nara-ken, 2003-05), former JETAA DC newsletter chair and Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02), editor of JQ (JETAA NY) Quarterly Magazine

New York City’s Holiday Inn hosted a summit for published JETs as JETAANY launched its debut JET Alumni Author Showcase on March 22. The panelists included pro writers Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), Robert Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04) and James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06). (Click here and here for photos and here for video clips.)

Drawing over 60 JET alums, friends and family, the event kicked off with some words from Akira Sugiyama, director of the Japan Information Center of the Consulate General of Japan in New York. Moderator and playwright Randall David Cook (Fukui-ken, 1991-93), creator of the critically acclaimed Off Broadway plays Sake with the Haiku Geisha and Fate’s Imagination, asked each author to share a favorite selection of their works with the crowd.

A professor at three different universities including Tokyo University, a writer and editor for two magazines and a columnist for the Yomiuri Shimbun, Kelts spoke about Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S., his non-fiction book about the eponymous subject. He began by Read More

Mar 27

JET alum Michael Auslin to moderate panel on Asia-Pacific Maritime Security

Academic, Events, Japan Trends, Writers

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JET Alum Michael Auslin, Director of Japan Studies for the American Enterprise Institute, will be moderating a panel on Tuesday, April 14 at the AEI offices in Washington, D.C. titled “Are Alliances Enough: The Role of the U.S.-Japanese Alliance in Maritime Asia.” The panel is part of an all-day conference titled Protecting the Seas: Maritime Security in the Asia Pacific, America’s Interests, and Asia’s Future.

Read below for more details. Read More

Mar 26

JET Alumni Author Showcase – More Photos

Books, Events, JETAA Chapters, Photography, Roland Kelts, Uncategorized, Writers

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Many thanks to JET alum Vlad Baranenko for capturing the JET Alumni Author Showcase in photographs. Click “Read More” below to see all the photos.