Interview with Richie Kotzen on Mr. Big, touring Japan
Interview/Profile, Music 
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For over twenty years, Richie Kotzen has waxed nearly as many albums under his own name, as well as high-profile discs as a former member of platinum-selling rock bands Poison and Mr. Big, the latter of which enjoyed massive popularity in Japan. Kotzen recorded two albums with them—1999’s Get Over It and 2001’s Actual Size—before the group called it quits with a Japanese farewell tour the following year. (In 2008 they reformed their original lineup, and is rumored to hit the road in the U.S. next year.)
Kotzen’s most recent release is 2009’s Peace Sign. JQ Magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) spoke with him for Examiner.com while he was en route to the next stop of his current tour, which comes to New York’s Highline Ballroom on May 25. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to read the interview and subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories, including parts II and III of this interview.
Job: Translation/Writing/Editing with JAPANiCAN (Tokyo)
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Thanks to JET alums and JAPANiCAN employees Bryan Reynolds and Brian Blanchard for sending this job listing to JetWit:
JTB GMT WEB販売部 JAPANiCAN営業チーム 求人情報
【Job Summary】
Job type Back office
Career level Mid-career
Contract type Fixed-term contract staff
Contract period End of June 2010 – 31 March 2011
Contract renewable a maximum of 4 times. After initial contract period, subsequent contracts will be for a period of 1 year.
*The decision to renew a contract will be based on job performance and results achieved under the previous contract, and will only occur with the consent of both parties.
Location Tokyo Shinagawa-ku
English level Native
Japanese level Business
Salary JPY 2,800,000 – 3,000,000/year
Requirements Native level English, currently residing in Japan
Able to begin work by end of June 2010
【About us】
JAPANiCAN.com is an online travel booking site for foreigners planning to travel around Japan. We provide a wide range of travel services and hospitality that has been built and integrated on top of the history of the JTB Group, one of Japan’s biggest travel companies. Our website is available in English, Korean and Chinese (traditional and simplified).
Our division has a culturally diverse staff and is a very friendly environment.
We are currently looking for native English speakers to join our Translation/Writing/Editing staff.
Read More
How to Present Yourself to a Publisher or Agent at a writers conference
Advice, Article/Journalism, Books, Career, Networking, Uncategorized, Writers Comments Off on How to Present Yourself to a Publisher or Agent at a writers conference
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Laura Popp (Mie-ken, 2009-Present) is a current JET who writes fantasy and science fiction for children and young adults, and is an occasional playwright/film maker. Her short work includes a short story titled “In theShadow Realm” and a documentary she made in Malawi. To read about her amazing adventures all over Japan, go to her blog at laurajanepopp.blogspot.com. (And check out the Authors/Books section of the JetWit Library for a list of more writers in the JET-o-sphere.)
Tired of submitting queries to agents and editors and simply getting form rejection letters or worse, NO RESPONSE? Wondering if they`re even bothering to read your stuff? Frustrated by wanting to submit to publishing houses that only receive submissions from agents and “referred” writers? Consider meeting publishers and agents at a conference!
Recently I returned from a writers` conference in my home in Oklahoma and came back with some great success stories to tell. Even better than the wonderful presentations on writing, polishing and marketing were the opportunities for networking and industry contacts. One literary agent asked me for the first fifty pages of my middle grade novel Dargon, another agent requested a proposal for my young adult novel Treasure Traitor, and a publisher from Simon and Shuster asked to see the full manuscripts of BOTH. A travel publisher also requested a proposal for a non-fiction travel-essay book on Japan, and best of all, a Christian magazine publisher accepted one of my stories on the spot! Of course, most of these are just birds in the bush, if you will, but they are certainly a good start.
So how did you do it? you may be wondering. Well, let me tell you…
Do your homework
Many conferences post information about editors and agents who will be attending in advance. Research them and pick the ones that look like they may be interested in your completed fiction projects or non-fiction ideas. Note that most agents and publishers will ONLY consider finished fiction works and proposals for non-fiction articles and books.
Try to make an appointment
If you have the option to make an appointment, Read More
Examiner.com NY Japanese culture roundup: 5/19
Japan Society Round-up, Networking Comments Off on Examiner.com NY Japanese culture roundup: 5/19
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.
Japan Society serves up annual sake lecture/tasting Wednesday (5/19)
Japan U.S. Media Professionals launch networking debut Thursday (5/20)
Salon Series offers Joy of Okinawan Music and Dance Sunday (5/23)
JQ Magazine’s May/June 2010 “JET Author Issue” Out Now!
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It’s a veritable JET literary review in the new issue of JQ, featuring an interview with bestselling Learning to Bow author Bruce Feiler and three-time Stephen Leacock Medal winner Will Ferguson! Click here to view.
Additional contents below. Thanks to JQ editor Justin Tedaldi (Kobe-shi CIR, 2001-02) for another solid issue. Contact Justin if you’d like to pitch or write a story for the next issue.
CONTENTS
- Page 3….From the Editor, New Country Reps
- Page 4….Nippon News Blotter / Wynne Memorial
- Page 5….JETAANY Election Recap
- Page 5….Gorgeous Entertainment by Anthony Waldman
- Page 6….Int’l Center of New York by Pamela Kavalam
- Page 6….Yoko Shioya of Japan Society by Lyle Sylvander
- Page 7….JETlog Feauturing Gail Cetnar Meadows
- Page 8….Bruce Feiler: The JQ Interview by Justin Tedaldi
- Page 9….JETAANY Society Page Photos
- Page 10…Nihonjin in NY: Nobuya Nagahama by Stacy Smith
- Page 11….Echostream Rocks the Anime Circuit by Earth Bennett
- Page 13.…Robataya Restaurant Review by Nancy Ikehara
- Page 13….The Niigata Sake Book by Yukari Sakamoto
- Page 14.…Will Ferguson: Canadian Cousin by Joshua Graubart
- Page 15….The Funny Page
Job: English teacher in Kagoshima
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This job listing received directly via Neil Reid of IAC:
IAC Academy of Language and Overseas Study is looking for an experienced native English teacher to join our team in Kagoshima. At IAC, we pride ourselves on our commitment to providing excellent English education and our personal investments to our students and their families, and the IAC family. We are looking for a part time instructor to teach three hours on Saturdays at a culutural center. If you are enthusiastic, have a great work ethic and are interested in joining the IAC family please send your resume to the address below.
Neil Reid
Human Resources and Recruitment Manager
IAC
neil@go2iac.com
WIT Life #94: Beard Papa and other familiar favorites
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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.
Today is our last full day in San Francisco, so I decided to explore some of the offerings in the immediate vicinity of where I am staying, Hotel Nikko. Here in the lobby there are so many Japanese customers that I occasionally get flashbacks to the many times I spent in Kumamoto’s Hotel Nikko at various events during my time on JET. Natsukashii!
I went for a walk to the local mall with my co-interpreter who was on a mission to find cream puffs. I had no idea that Beard Papa had an outpost here on the West Coast, but sure enough Read More
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.
My interpreting travels bring me to San Francisco this time, and I couldn’t leave without paying a visit to Japantown. I hadn’t been there in a couple of years, but I clearly remembered the array of restaurants, souvenir shops and an onsen-like spa I once had a soak in. I went with a friend who was craving something sweet and wanted a recommendation, so I suggested we get 白玉汁粉 (shiratama shiruko), one of my favorite Japanese desserts following ぜんざい (zenzai). We ended up at Kissako Tea where we were served by Hiro and Koji, pretending to be a charming 
couple in the picture on the right.
Kissako also had a nice selection of mochi (pictured left), including Read More
More JETAA Iron Chef — Now in Sydney
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Here’s a message from the JETAA group in Sydney, Australia about their Sushi Iron Chef Event —
Event reminder – JETAA Sushi Iron Chef this Saturday!
Will you be the JETAA Iron Chef?
That’s right – the JET Alumni association is having a cook-off! Iron Chef style!!
All former JETS and folks interested in Japan are invited to attend!
Without giving too much away, sushi will be rolled, Japanese music will be played, and yes, there will be Iron-Chef like exaggerated commen…tary, hmmms…and ahhhs from judges and fun prizes to be had!
Please come along and bring your friends (RSVP plz)
Cost per head is the low low price of $15
The location is 64 Lawrence St Alexandria
(http://www.facebook.com/l/1026a;maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=64+Lawrence+St+Alexandria&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=64+Lawrence+St,+Alexandria+NSW+2015&gl=au&ei=2j7rS7S0LorGrAewlazYCQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBkQ8gEwAA)
Nearest train station is Erskineville. Street parking is available.
Looking forward to seeing you there!!
Yes, New York has Japanese belly dancers, too
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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.
Nahoko Sugiyama discovered her niche at an early age. As a little girl growing up in Tokyo, she imitated the moves of the Japanese idols she saw on TV. As a teenager, a penchant for clubbing set the foundation to become a dancer, and in her twenties she took up Oriental (belly) dance, Quickly becoming a popular draw through professional appearances, she decided to make a career out of this exotic form of expression.
Moving to New York in 2006 for more in-depth training, Sugiyama joined the Mosaic Dance Theater Company a year later. “One of my teachers in here is a choreographer for this company, therefore I joined it,” she explains. “We have a wide range of Middle Eastern dance numbers, not only Oriental dance, which makes us unique. We focus on theater shows, [and] have big theater shows both in New Jersey and New York every year.”
This Friday, she will perform at Manhattan’s Arena Event Space with six other dancers as part of the Alternative Belly Dance Show.
Job: Part-time English Teacher to Japanese
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Hills Learning, a language school in New York City, is working on an exciting and new curriculum for Japanese who would like to learn English in New York City. The course is called “New York Cultural English,” and is currently looking for the right teacher for the job.
Ideal candidates will have previous experience teaching Japanese and Japanese language skills.
New York Cultural English
– 10am to 12pm on weekdays (Mon, Wed, Fri) available
– Fri 12 to 2pm, and some nights also available
– Looking for a culturally savvy teacher who has a background in the Japanese language.
– The course is designed around cultural events and activities in New York City, so cultural knowledge and a fun, energetic personality are strongly desired
For more information about the school: ;Language School New York
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.
As reported at Sakura Matsuri earlier this month, cosplay (costume play) is a growing trend among youthful patrons of public Japan-related gatherings. Last year, New York’s Japan Society hosted its first-ever cosplay party as part of its KRAZY! exhibition dedicated to anime, manga and video games. The event was a sold-out success, drawing nearly 500 fans who expressed their visual zeal (not to mention their tailoring abilities) for the more contemporary facets of Japanese culture. This year’s edition, fittingly titled Cosplay Party 2.0, kicks off Saturday, May 15, and is expected to top last year’s inaugural event.
The day promises a chance to meet and mingle with other cosplayers, nonstop musical entertainment by cosplay DJ Ruby Red, a photo booth, free admission to Japan Society’s current exhibition Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters and a full-tilt costume competition, hosted by Uncle Yo and judged by World Cosplay Summit 2009 Team USA along with guest judge and Japan Society artist-in-residence Hiroki Otsuka. During the party, Japan Society’s theater will host New York’s big screen premiere of the anime film Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone.
Tom Baker interviews 2 movie directors, pans one manga
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Tom Baker (Chiba-ken, 1989-91) is a staff writer for The Daily Yomiuri. He usually writes for DYWeekend, the paper’s arts and leisure section. You can follow Tom’s blog at tokyotombaker.wordpress.com.
He recently interviewed Shane Acker, director of the animated film “9” and Richard Kelly, who most recently directed “The Box,” a thriller starring Cameron Diaz. He also reviewed the manga “Hot Gimmick.” Here are some excerpts:
Shane Acker
[The characters in the movie are all animated dolls with numbers instead of names.] A different personality aspect is dominant in each one. Rigid orthodoxy is represented by leader 1 (voiced by Christopher Plummer), creativity by inventor 2 (Martin Landau), bravery by warrior 7 (Jennifer Connelly) and so on. Elijah Wood does the voice of 9, the truth-seeker of the group, and John C. Reilly voices his timid friend, 5…
The most amusing character is 8 (Fred Tatasciore), who embodies sheer physicality. In one scene, he achieves a moment of strange bliss by stroking his head with a large magnet, an activity that Acker called “degaussing himself.”
“In film school, especially in the days of video, if you had a videotape and you wanted to just wipe it clean, there’s a degaussing machine, which is basically like a supermagnet, and you would wave the videotape over the degausser and it would just take off all the footage that’s on there,” Acker explained. “So that’s the kind of idea, he’s sort of wiping his memory banks. You realize why he’s so dumb.”
Richard Kelly
Imagine that a mysterious stranger has just handed you a wooden box with a red button on top. He explains, rather convincingly, that if you push the button two things will happen: Someone whom you don’t know will die, and you will receive a payment of 1 million dollars…
In writer-director Richard Kelly’s movie The Box, based on a short story by Richard Matheson, the stranger’s name is Arlington Steward (Frank Langella), and he is conducting a high-stakes social experiment by visiting the homes of middle-class American couples and offering them the choice of pushing the button or not.
“Tonally this movie crosses a lot of genres,” Kelly, who previously wrote and directed Donnie Darko (2001) and Southland Tales (2006), told The Daily Yomiuri in a recent phone interview. “It’s a science fiction film, it’s a domestic melodrama, it’s a suspense film, there’s elements of horror in it, and there’s also some black comedy inherent…The conceit of pushing this button on this contraption and someone you don’t know dying is very mischievous. Anyone who would build this contraption and make this offer is smirking when they do it. And Matheson was smirking, I’m sure, when he wrote this short story.”
…[The story is set in the 1970s because] the mysterious stranger is a character type whose day has passed, according to Kelly. “When I set out to write this screenplay, I initially was trying to figure out how to make it work present-day, but when you introduce modern technology and the Internet, social networking sites, Google maps, satellite maps, reality TV, just our media-saturated world that we live in…there is no such thing as a real stranger anymore. Everyone can be found on the Internet. You can find anyone’s house, you can go onto a satellite map with a 360-degree view.”
“Hot Gimmick”
[In this manga, a high school girl’s seriously unhealthy relationships with her would-be boyfriends is presented as perfectly normal.]
For example, the day after one of her suitors is unable to reach her by phone (for reasons that are no one’s fault), he slaps her across the face so hard that bystanders rush to offer first aid. But Hatsumi chases after him to make the following speech, which he receives in stony silence: “I’m sorry. For being so clueless. For…never being able to get your calls…I’m so sorry. I’m really sorry. For not understanding how you feel about me. I’m sorry.”
Later, when one of the boys proposes to her, she thinks, “Maybe if we got married, he’d finally be nice to me.”
She seems unaware of some basic principles of healthy human interaction, such as this simple standard: If a friend arranges for you to be gang-raped, that person is not really your friend.
WITvid #7: “I Feel Good”
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WITvid is a periodic series by Peter Weber (Saitama-ken 2004-07), the JET Program Coordinator in San Francisco.
Oh man, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted a WITvid, but I came across this one and had to share. It’s a throwback to the the early 90’s the the early years of the JET Program. Timothy Beagley aka julesvegas (Kitashigayasu 1991-’92) presents a complication Enkai video set the sounds of the Godfather of Soul. Looks like not much has changed as far as Enkais go.
Enjoy!
Job: Miyazaki Gakuen *still* needs an English teacher (Miyazaki)
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Via the Miyakaki-ken Yahoo listserv:
This is a repost for Miyazaki Gakuen, which is still looking for good teacher to cover some Junior High and High School classes. Miyazaki Gakuen is a private High School located in the heart of Miyazaki City. The job starts in September and no teaching license is required.
Requirements:
-Bachelor’s Degree
-Be a native English speaker
-Conversational Japanese skills
-Prior teaching experience is a plus
Salary is around $3,000 a month. Paid vacation includes 10 days of nenkyu and one week of spring vacation, a month long summer break, and a week of winter break. This job requires you to work two Saturdays a month (first and third Saturday from 8:20 to 12:15). Weekend hours will be awarded with nenkyu.
Interested parties should send their resume in Japanese to Ernesto Salinas at ernestosalinas@hotmail.com.
