Interview with ‘Assholes Finish First’ author Tucker Max
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Author Tucker Max. (Gallery Books)
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
In 2006, Duke Law School grad Tucker Max published I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell, a real life roundup of his drunken, sexual misadventures that unexpectedly shot him to the top of the New York Times Best Seller list and cemented him as the leader of the “fratire” (male chick lit) literary genre.
Following last year’s release of the film version of IHTSBIH, Max is back with a new digest of debauchery, Assholes Finish First. The book’s launch this week kicked off a coast to coast 34-date signing tour, and I spoke with the controversially hilarious author about his interest in Japan and future plans.
What kinds of things do you enjoy about Japanese culture?
Well, obviously, I love Japanese food. My favorite TV show of all time, without exception, is Iron Chef. Not the stupid American version; Iron Chef Japanese, like, the real one; the one that was on in Japan…my DVR for years was set to record almost every single Iron Chef episode. I can talk to you about Battle Porcini, when [Chef Masaharu] Morimoto did the porcini crème brûlée…the original Iron Chef is, quite literally, along with The Wire, my favorite TV show of all time.
Have you ever been to any of Morimoto’s restaurants?
I actually know Morimoto pretty well. Like, in a total weird coincidence, his restaurant in Philadelphia, Morimoto’s…the GM of that place for a couple of years was my buddy Paul Ardaji. So Paul knew that I loved Iron Chef Japan; he brought me in one night [with] Morimoto and we had dinner. And Morimoto, for whatever weird reason, like, we kind of hit it off and became friends. And Morimoto actually did a charity event with me in New York.
And this is a true story…this [is] actually going into my third book; it’s not in the second book. But Morimoto and I—it was basically like we were supposed to be, like, celebrity bartenders, and so of course everyone wanted us to mix, like, cool shots and stuff…so we did it like Iron Chef. He would have them pick an ingredient so people would bring, like, nacho chips over from the kitchen, and then he would make a shot with nacho chips that was, like, amazing…we got fu*kin’ plowed. Anyway, long story short, one guy over there got belligerently drunk, and he got into kind of like into a scuffle with one of the bartenders who worked there, and ended up getting me and him kicked out of my own charity event…I could not have been, like, more happy that I got kicked out of something with Iron Chef Japan when I’m not Japanese; it was the best.
Read the rest of the interview here.
Career: JETAA Northern California Career and Networking Forum (CNF) – October 3
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Posted by JETAA Northern California’s Mark Frey:
Join us for a great opportunity to meet professionals from both Japanese and U.S. organizations that play active roles in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, as well as recent JET returnees and fellow alumni. The JET Alumni Association of Northern California (JETAANC) Career & Networking Forum will take place on Sunday, October 3, 2010, at the Kabuki Hotel, 1625 Post Street, San Francisco, from 1:30-5:00pm. Registration begins at 12:30pm. A networking happy hour will follow starting at 5pm in the hotel’s O! Izakaya lounge. The event is free for JET alumni and non-alumni may attend for $5.
The event will feature keynote speaker Andrew Hattori (Miyazaki, 2002-04), JETAANC Board Member and member of the Public Policy Institute of California; a panel discussion featuring JET alumni; and a networking session where attendees can meet representatives from various organizations, companies and members of the Bay Area professional community. During the networking session, participants will also have the opportunity to discuss resumes and job hunting techniques with alumni and recruiting professionals.
Recently returned JETs cannot afford to miss this event. For veteran alumni, this is a great opportunity for you to make career contacts, catch up with old friends, and help recently-returned JETs—your second chance to be a sempai all over again! If you are interested in attending, RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/3xsg2lr.
For more information on this and other JETAANC events, contact president@jetaanc.org or visit www.jetaanc.org
Job: Japanese to English in-house reviewer/coordinator (Full Time)
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Job posting via MultiLing Japan. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
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Job Position: Japanese to English in-house reviewer/coordinator (full time)
Job Details:
MultiLing Japan Y.K., located in beautiful downtown Yokohama is looking for a native US English speaker with translation experience to join our team. The right candidate will have a strong background in mechanical, chemical, or electrical engineering, an eye for detail, and the ability to adapt to the working culture of a small Japanese company. We will support a visa for the right candidate. Salary is based on performance during a 3-month training/evaluation period. Areas of focus include patent, IT, and general legal translation. Intermediate to advanced computer skills are appreciated.
Contact:
Please send your resume and cover letter as well as a sample of your translation to the email address provided.
マルタイリングジャパン有限会社
info-japan@multiling.com
http://www.multiling.com
横浜市中区海岸通4-17東信ビル
045-315-3135
Person to Contact: ビゲロー or 江嶋
Job: Program Officer for Japan Leadership Program (US-JAPAN Foundation)
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Job posting via JET alum Elizabeth Gordon (Iwate-ken 2003-05). Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
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Job Position: Program Officer for Japan Leadership Program at US-JAPAN Foundation
The US-Japan Foundation is announcing a search for an energetic, self -starting, well-organized person to serve as program officer for the US-Japan Leadership Program.
The Leadership Program, now entering its 12th year, brings together some 20 American and 20 Japanese leaders in the age group 28 -42 for intensive weeklong conferences each summer, alternating between Seattle and Kyoto.
For a full description of the program, visit our website at www.us-jf.org
Click ‘Read More’ for more job details and requirements
Department of Education to the Rescue? Proposed CFR Changes to account for “Program Integrity” and “Gainful Employment”
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Matt Leichter (matt [dot] leichter [at] gmail [dot] com) (Saitama-ken 2003-05) is a renegade attorney who plays by his own rules. He operates a think tank of one, The Law School Tuition Bubble, where he archives, chronicles, and analyzes the rising cost and declining value of legal education in the United States. He also maintains the “Bankruptcy Legal Topics,” and, “Bankruptcy Billables,” sections for Steven Horowitz’s Bankruptcy Bill. For further reading regarding JETs and the law, he recommends JETs with J.D.s.
Unlike Japan, the United States has no trouble filling graduate degree programs, as this NYT article on Japanese higher education points out. The student debt situation in the U.S. is so dire that the Department of Education is adopting a new regulation to require some schools to demonstrate their graduates are employed and paying down their debts after graduation. Can this rule apply to the ever more expensive law schools?? Find out here.
Japan America Society Roundup 9.27.10
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Gail Cetnar Meadows (Hiroshima-ken, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10), co-founder of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Godzilla and Japanese Culture – Since the monster’s first appearance more than 50 years ago, Godzilla has become a cinematic icon and a globally recognized symbol of Japan. Southern Methodist University’s new dean and Godzilla expert, Dr. William Tsutsui, will give a talk exploring the serious lessons to be learned from the 28 Godzilla films and the abiding worldwide popularity of the King of the Monsters.
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 5
- Time: Registration at 6:30 p.m.; Lecture at 7 p.m.; Reception at 8 p.m.
- Place: McCord Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Dallas Hall, Southern Methodist University, 3225 University Drive, Dallas
- For more information: http://www.jasdfw.org/downloads/godzilla.pdf
Japan Career Day – This fall JASM will host its first Japan Career Day, aimed at students and young professionals looking to use their experience with Japanese language and culture in a future profession. This event will feature speakers, panel discussions and workshops on how to leverage your Japan experience into a successful career. Cost is $5 for JASM members or $10 for non-members. Following the Career Day will be a Sushi Social networking event where attendees can network with established Japan professionals from around the metro area. The social costs $30 for JASM members or $35 for non-members.
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 6
- Time: Career Day from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sushi Social from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Place: Career Day will be at Macalester College, Alexander Hill Ballroom, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul. The Sushi Social will be at Sakura restaurant, 350 Saint Peter St., St. Paul.
- For more information or to RSVP: Call the JASM office at 612-627-9357 or e-mail jasm (at) us-japan (dot) org.
US-Japan Business Luncheon – The keynote speaker at this luncheon will be Shuhei Aoki, Bank of Japan’s General Manager for the Americas and Chief Representative in New York. Mr. Aoki will explore the topic “Can Japan Prosper Again?” With China having passed Japan as the world’s second largest economy, Aoki will address questions about whether Japan can regain its economic momentum by expanding trade with China, or whether the U.S. is a more reliable partner.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 28
- Time: Registration at 11:30 a.m.; Lunch and Networking at noon; Lecture and Q&A at 12:30 p.m.
- Place: The Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad St.
- For more information: http://jasgp.org/newsletter/current.html
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail the info.
JET ROI: JET alum creates “Smile Kids Japan” program for JETs to volunteer at orphanages in Japan
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Check out this article from The Japan Times on Fukui JET alum Mike Maher-King who started Smile Kids Japan (www.smilekidsjapan.org), a web-based network that enables JETs to volunteer at orphanages around Japan. The idea came from Mike’s own experience volunteering at an orphanage in his area, which he then expanded to bring other JET alums to the orphanage as well.
Here’s the URL for the article: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100925a1.html
(Also of note, the article is by a JET alum journalist, Jody Godoy.)
Examples like this do a wonderful job of demonstrating the Return on Investment that Japan continues to reap from the JET Programme and its alumni. If you have other examples to share, please email them to jetwit@jetwit.com and we’ll post them for the JET alum community and others to read about.
Update 09/29/10: Turns out Interac is not “belly up” afterall. According to a comment received (posted below):
When companies merge and/or or change their names in Japan, they send out announcements that the previous entity is dissolving. I would get announcements like this from a fund-managed client of mine in Tokyo twice a year. My contacts there never changed. Interac wants Maxceed and Selti and Selnate to all be called Interac for marketing purposes. Nothing has changed.
JetWit apologizes for any confusion.
The General Union Interac Branch announced last week that private ALT recruitment and dispatch firm, Interac, plans dissolution. Having been bought up by Advanced Partners, AP intends to dissolve and liquidate the company.
The fall of Interac, in the midst of questions about the future of the JET Programme, raises interesting questions and concerns. As one of the largest private dispatch companies to go under– Interac has about 1,500 ALTs in the Japanese education system. Will any boards of education choose to direct-hire their ALT, or are we looking at a massive influx of jobless former ALTs as their contracts expire? Will other dispatch companies step in to fill the void, or is this a signal of the end times for the work of ALTs as it exists today?
With the JET Programme’s unclear future, and the private sector’s dispatch model cashing out– what does the future really hold for native speakers in the classroom?
The General Union announcement is available here.
Lengthy (albeit colorful) commentary is available on BigDaikon.
Tom Baker covers the 2010 Tokyo Game Show
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Tom Baker (Chiba-ken, 1989-91) is a staff writer for The Daily Yomiuri. As another example of JET ROI, he is one of at least four former JETS to have been on the newspaper’s staff in recent years. He usually writes for DYWeekend, the arts and leisure section. You can follow Tom’s blog at tokyotombaker.wordpress.com.
Earlier this month he covered the Tokyo Game Show, Japan’s biggest video game industry trade show. His story focused on new motion-sensing control systems from Sony and Microsoft, and also on innovative games by indie creators such as Minori Yokota (shown in the photo). Here is an excerpt:
Some of the freshest and most radically creative offerings at this year’s Tokyo Game Show were part of the Sense of Wonder night, a showcase for innovative indie games from Japan and overseas.
Minori Yokota, a graduate student at Kanagawa Institute of Technology, declared that he “hates” dating simulation games, which surprised the audience who watched him demonstrate a game called Love Press++: Massage for Your Truelove that he developed together with Prof. Akihiro Shirai and fellow student Taisuke Yamashita.
The game uses a Wii balance board to represent the torso of an imaginary woman, whom the player massages. As Yokota pressed and kneaded, a recording of a voice actress sighed, squealed and cooed–until he rubbed her the wrong way, when she scolded him for his clumsiness.
Humor of a blacker sort was seen in Ulitsa Dimitrova, a German cartoon simulation of the life of a homeless child, while MusicMineSweeper is a whimsical Japanese game that makes music based on the semirandom patterns players create in the popular Minesweeper game.
Players of Record Tripping, by American creators John and Dan Bell, use the scroll wheel of a computer mouse to scratch a record, deejay-style. Then, the same motion is used to contol the rotation of other round objects, such as a windmill, a clock face and safe’s combination dial, with each phase of the game having a different objective.
The youngest presenter was 17-year-old Mahdi Bahrami from Iran, whose elegant Everything Can Draw! uses lines to trace the paths of moving objects. He said he was inspired to create it in geometry class.
Such games might seem to offer hope in a sequel-swamped gaming world, but when a member of the audience asked Bahrami if he intended to pursue a career in video games, the whiz kid gave a one-word answer: “No.”
Read the full article here.
WIT Life #128: All’s well that ends well?
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
The recent Japan/China conflict came to a resolution quicker than anticipated as it was announced that the Chinese fishing captain will be released today. He was being held in Okinawa, and a prosecutor there said, “We have decided that further investigation while keeping the captain in custody would not be appropriate, considering the impact on the people of our country, as well as the Japan-China relations in the future.” However, the case will not be officially closed in order to leave room ‘for some ambiguity that would allow both countries to save face.’ Some in Tokyo showed dissatisfaction with the decision, including conservative governor Shintaro Ishihara who claimed that Japan had caved in to Chinese pressure. Online communities in both countries were buzzing, with the Chinese side saying “Yatta!” and the Japanese side being more critical. Things may not be over yet though. Currently four employees of the construction company Fujita are being questioned by authorities in China after traveling there to prepare for a project to dispose of chemical weapons abandoned in China by the Japanese military during World War II. They have been charged with entering a military zone without authorization.
WIT Life #127: The plot thickens
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Tensions have increased between Japan and China over the former’s prolonged detention of a Chinese fishing trawler captain. In response, China has put an embargo on shipments of rare earth minerals, which are used for various manufacturing purposes such as solar panel glass and Prius motors. The conflict has escalated to the point that Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao stepped in early this week to personally demand the captain’s release. Stay tuned to see how this diplomatic crisis pans out.
JapanInfo e-Newsletter September 2010
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The September 2010 edition of JapanInfo is now available online: http://editor.ne16.com/he/vo.aspx?FileID=2bbd4d99-ee36-41cb-9c27-6ffba6035701&m=c084f6d45dcb1543a1f92db467644006&MailID=13708788 (Click here to subscribe to JapanInfo by email.)
Of note is a feature titled “Alumni Unite to Stress the Value of the JET Program” which describes the efforts at the recent JETAA USA National Conference hosted by JETAA New York. Here’s a quote:
“At this year’s meeting in New York the main focus was the recent Japanese government review of the JET and JETAA budgets. While JET is the most successful public diplomacy program ever launched in Japan, and JETs are recognized as assets to both Japan and the US, there has been criticism of the high costs local governments must bear to accept JETs. Additionally, Japanese tax payers may not be aware of the contributions JETs make to the Japan-US relationship.”
Also of interest to the JET alum community will be the focus on JET and JETAA by Ambassador Nishimiya in the “From the Ambassador’s Desk” feature. Here’s a snippet:
“I had many conversations with JET alumni during the conference and I was encouraged by the fact that so many of them spoke earnestly about how they became big fans of Japan through their participation in the JET program and its alumni activities. Even in Japan there are not many people who could express their deep love for Japan in such a straight forward manner. I truly hope that I will continue to have the opportunity to promote the JET Program, strengthen my ties with JETAA, and aid the program in the future.”
Additional JapanInfo articles of interest include:
- The 65th anniversary of the end of World War II
- Japanese Training Squadron and Ambassador Nishimiya Visits Maryland
- Dr. Hinohara & “Freddie” convey the importance of life
- Friendship through flowers – Ikebana Demonstration
- Izumo: City of Myths and Dreams – A once in a lifetime journey
- The Japanese Embassy of 1860 Visits Philadelphia
- As well as a number of great listings in the Events Calendar!
JapanInfo is published by the Consulate General of Japan in New York/Japan Information Center and is a great source of info for Japan-related things going on in New York and the surrounding area.
Click here to subscribe to JapanInfo by email.
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Matt Leichter (matt [dot] leichter [at] gmail [dot] com) (Saitama-ken 2003-05) is a renegade attorney who plays by his own rules. He operates a think tank of one, The Law School Tuition Bubble, where he archives, chronicles, and analyzes the rising cost and declining value of legal education in the United States. He also maintains the “Bankruptcy Legal Topics,” and, “Bankruptcy Billables,” sections for Steven Horowitz’s Bankruptcy Bill. For further reading regarding JETs and the law, he recommends JETs with J.D.s.
Take a break, and listen to some Rock & Roll!
Job: HR Generalist
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Job posting via JET alum Connie Sim, (Shimane-ken, 2000-02). Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
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Job Position:
HR Generalist with Native English for a Japanese auto-parts maker client.
Job Description:
Japanese auto-parts manufacturer is seeking a Native English HR Generalist to develop their global operations and expand their base of overseas & foreign employees.
The main responsibilities are
Requirments:
Location: Tokyo
Contact:
If interested, please forward English & Japanese resume and Japanese Rirekisho to connie dot sim at gc-agent dot com
JET Alum Author Profile: Malena Watrous
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Malena Watrous (Ishikawa-ken, 1998-2000), author of the novel "If You Follow Me"
Freelance writer, essayist and blogger Liz Sheffield (Hokkaio-ken, Sapporo-shi, 1993-95) recently came across an article in Writer’s Digest about Malena Watrous, the author of If You Follow Me. The book’s description and the author’s biography made Liz think there was a JET connection. Indeed there was — here are Liz’s thoughts about the novel and her conversation with the author:
Malena Watrous (Ishikawa-ken, 1998-2000) joined the ranks JET alum authors with the recent release of her debut novel, If You Follow Me, published by Harper Collins in March 2010.
Although Watrous admits she didn’t want her novel to become a “Japan weirdest hits” type of book, she does an exceptional job of capturing details and drawing upon common expatriate experiences in Japan. Part of the joy in reading If You Follow Me was having a trip down memory lane. For example: ever receive a handwritten note from your Japanese supervisor admonishing something you did? Check. What about the nasal voice booming over the portable PA system each night as an old man tries to sell his jagaimo? Check. One too many kanpais at the bonnenkai? Check.
Along with these key details, Watrous also weaves together a story that is unique and which is about much more than a gaijin living in Japan. If You Follow Me is the tale of Marina, a young American who moves to Japan with her girlfriend in order to teach English and escape the painful reality of her father’s recent suicide. The cast of characters in the town of Shika includes a quirky co-teacher of English who sings a mean Elvis on karaoke, a silent neighbor boy who is just breaking out of hibernation and the British expat who is attempting to become the next great foreign talent after his stint teaching English in Shika. As is true for many who live abroad, Marina is changed by her experience in ways she never could have anticipated.
“I’d say that the experience made me have a deeper understanding of what it feels like to be different,” Watrous says of the impact the JET Program had on her own life. “It gave me a lasting sense of the value of creating relationships between people of different ages and backgrounds, and made me less afraid of ‘strangers’ of different kinds. It also gave me a greater sense of possibility.”
She notes that she witnessed similar realizations in her students as a result of her presence in their classroom.
“I loved seeing my students become less afraid of the big bad foreigner, which actually happened so quickly and naturally, especially with the elementary school kids, who were just magic to me. I loved those first grade boys with their fuzzy heads, who talked to me like I was another one of them.”
It’s no surprise that the book has received awards and recognition in the United States as well as generous support in Japan. Watrous’ heartfelt and often humorous novel allows readers from any country to experience a journey of sadness and grief that leads to an eventual greater sense of possibility.
So, what can readers expect next from this talented author?
“I’m working on a novel set at least partly in occupied Japan. I hadn’t thought that I’d write another book in Japan, at least not right away, but a character presented herself to me and I’m having a lot of fun with it. Plus–now I’ve got the perfect excuse to make another research trip.”
Go to Motherlogue to hear more about about Malena’s experience writing If You Follow Me.
