Hi-Ya!!!

My friend Jay has his own blog now... His life is much more exciting than mine. He even tells it more like it is than I do. You could learn a thing or two from him. I did.

http://stonemonkeysan.blogspot.com/

Jay and Rob in Crimson Japanamatrix!!! Hi-ya!

Sadly the Sushi aint Super

I imagine that people who spend a lot of time eating their favorite international food are surprised when they actually go to the country of the foods origin. For some people, they might find the "real" food a revelation, or epiphany for their lives. Thinking to themselves, "oh, so this is how it's supposed to taste. I can't believe I've missed all this bliss." Or, it may be the complete opposite.

Sushi Shouldn't Stink...

For me, I had every opportunity to eat sushi while I was in Japan. And I made many an effort to find the best. But truith be told. It's all better in Japan. It was not just a flattery for me to tell Japanese that the cheapest sushi is as good as our best. Even here in Seattle, where we have a huge internationally asian community. The sushi's just better in its home country. So, why do I need to tell you about it? Well, because I recently had my first experience eating sushi in the US since I left four years ago.

When you make a Maki (sushi-roll) make sure you connect the nori (seaweed paper) ends...

So, here's the critique. First and foremost, stop using fake or processed wasabi. Though it may cost a bit more, it makes all the difference in the world. Especially since it's the only spice that you will ever get with sushi. Their wasabi cost about $2.00 a tube, and I probably could have picked out the brand at my local Supermarket. Secondly, and probably slightly more important, do not use your fish a second day. Throw it away. If you can't predict how much fish you will need for a day, then you, as the owner needs to take the loss until you get it right. Then, make sure that you are really making sushi. I can make something that looks exactly like sushi in my own home. And, though it might taste right, I would never presume that I could actually be a sushi chef. Now, at this point you might think that I'm being a total snob about this, having spent four years in Japan. But I'm not, I'm just trying to get people to understand what the minimum standards are.

The key to a good sushi place is the chatter... irashaimasen... hai saamon... onagaishimas... mo ringo chu hai...

Final test. If you taste your sushi again on the way home, then it wasn't good sushi. Never once did I taste my sushi again in Japan. I drank big bubbly beers, and didn't taste anything. I drank acidic sake, and didn't taste anything. But after I left this place, I tasted it again, and again, and again. I actually avoided a kissing opportunity because of it. This is probably one of the two reasons people don't like sushi. To taste your food again is something we never want. But, fish, that's about the worst re-taster you can have.

Blue Sky

Wanted to start this next set of images that I publish with a COMPLETE MISTAKE! See, this image was not intended. I had been shooting inside, and hadn't changed the filter on the camera (I LOVE DIGITAL!). Then, when I went outside to catch a few photos of the water and clouds, I got this. Lucky set of colors that come through here. I don't think I'll put it up on JaR Imagery, since it is a mistake, and most people would probably know that. But, here, it's perfect.

Things are back to normal (not)...but, still need a job.

So, this shot is a series that I'm going to work with from Everett. And I'm still going to try to put improve the Autumn set that I had thought of using for M's set. But since I haven't heard from her of late, she may have changed her mind.

Sunny Day

This is Sunny, she's S&M's dog. She's purdy, aint she. They got a new dog last weekend. Her name's Story, but I haven't seen her yet.

Dang Java

No posts of late cuz of the Java/ByteVerify virus on my PC. When I stop spending hours upon hours figuring out how to eliminate this virus, I may be able to post again. GRRRRR!!!

If I had Mad Skillz, these would be dem.

A minimum of 5-7 years of experience with the incubation of North American marketing programs. Previous experience in the stock photography industry or a related field is pilfered. Demonstrated success with project management – managing and asssassinating marketing programs on time and on budge. Strong influencing skills, and prior success with acquiring and providing expertise on local culture and business practices to global Marketing team. (i.e. Mafia or Yakuza Experience.) Equal effectiveness with working independently and as a member of a team. Prior suckers in establishing and managing cross-cultural relationships. Demonstrative ability to work effectively in a rapidly changing and demanding envelopment. Strong interpersonal and written and verbal and communication and talking and speaking and speech giving and coughing and sneezing and stuffy head skills. The capability to develop and the desire to take more over time. Acumen, yes, acumen with the Microsoft Office software, or other office...oh, that's the only one. BA in Marketing, Communications or related field. (I'll show you my BA!) Flexibility to accommodate 15% travel. (Really look at what that sentence means.)

Sucker is to Boredom as Advertiser is to...

Your IQ is 133.

This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others.

... $12.95

Your Intellectual Type is Visionary Philosopher. This means you are highly intelligent and have a powerful mix of skills and insight that can be applied in a variety of different ways. Like Plato, your exceptional math and verbal skills make you very adept at explaining things to others — and at anticipating and predicting patterns.

Bite me Tickle.com.

Lets Go...

I think that I'm going to go to Burning Man. Photo by: Rick Egan

ReAmericanizing

When I came back to the states, I figured I wouldn't have all the "readjusting" to American society stuff that people talk about. I mean, why would I need to readjust to something I've been doing for 30 years, right? Well, of course, I do/did need readjusting time. Things have gotten a bit hairy of late. Turns out that I needed to actually think about driving, or at least remind myself that I am the person controlling the motion of my vehicle. At first it wasn't a problem, but as I relaxed, it turns out that I was relaxing back into a Japanese life, rather than an American one. Same goes for the money and spending stuff. Two or three times now I've been totally baffled as to what is happening when I need to pay someone. Not used to this credit card life yet... And tips. Though I haven't made any super stupid moves by not leaving a tip, I have nearly done so once or twice. And I don't remember all the people that I need to tip. Anyway, still got some adjusting to do. Though I did wear my shoes in the living room without thinking today. And I sat and watched 4 hours of TV.

Keep up with the conversation...

The funniest thing is having conversations with people. I have totally lost the ability to keep up with the pacing of a conversation. I'm now one of those interrupters, you know, the people who step on your feet when you're trying to make a point. Or not make a point... I was out with a renewaly found friend recently, and she likes to talk, a lot. She, like a lot of extroverts I know, like to talk and talk and talk. It's great, but here I am trying to get my synapses to put a sentence together that's longer than 5 words. (Which is about the limit I can use with most of my former students in Japan before they start to loose what I'm saying.) I feel like a complete red-neck. "Uh. Yeah, that's cool. I like stuff." Sheesh! I'm just hoping that people will be a little forgiving for the next couple months while I take that extra second or two to remember that I'm allowed to use my entire vocabulary. Which I swear has been reduced by 3000-5000 words. "Ya know, a kitchen smock!" "L" Maybe I should change my name to Lob. ;)

Self Promotion

Yes, I'm using my blog to help me get a job. I need a job. I need to earn money. I need to get a new job that will be fun and challenging. I need to concentrate on getting a job, so the theme until I get a job will be getting a job. If you know someone who can get me a job, please help. Job. Job. Job. Job. Job.

Internationally Expeienced Instructor and Marketing Coordinator

RECENTLY RETURNED OVERSEAS INSTRUCTOR

Actively looking for a job similar to any previous jobs listed below. I have such a wide variety of experience that many jobs would be suitable.

SUMMARY

Over ten years work experience as an instructor, account coordinator, retail sales manager and teacher. Experienced in the areas of business operations, account management, teaching and instructing, and photography. Major strengths include superior team work and cooperation in a fast paced environment, strong interpersonal skills and creativity in problem solving.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Account Coordinator
Muzak LLC in Seattle, Washington
Provided clients with script writing, copy editing, voicing, high volume account management for Audio Marketing On-Hold Messaging. Daily work included; Initiating jobs, writing scripts, proofreading scripts, checking voicing, managing production, voicing, completion, shipping and follow up. Experience in Copy Writing including technical information, salon information, and restaurant information, plus integrating ad copy into on-hold messaging.

Traffic Coordinator for Advertising
Publicis in Seattle, Washington
Primary achievements included tracking and transport of advertising projects between departments. Setting deadlines and initiating projects in print, public relations, television and radio production. This was a long-term temporary staff job that assisted in the transition and training of new staff.

Assistant Manager
Best Cellars in Kirkland, Washington
Activated, with the management team, the fourth Best Cellars retail location at Kirkland Parkplace. Managed daily activities including; opening store, bank deposits, maintaining inventory. Gained an awareness of strong sales, and customer assistance skills. Learned about the importance of pre-market research, and local advertising.

Full Time Instructor
NOVA Cultural Communication Centers in Osaka, Japan
Taught and organized the learning environment of adult and young students. Taught all levels of skill, from zero exposure students, to near fluent students. I have taught TOEIC, TOEFL, EIKEN and helped graduate level students correct their papers and reports.

WORK HISTORY

7/2001 - 11/2005: NOVA Cultural Communication Centers in Osaka, Kobe and Wakayama / Japan, 5/2000 - 3/2001: Best Cellars in Kirkland, WA / 11/1998 - 4/2000: Muzak LLC in Seattle, WA / 7/1998 - 10/1998: Publicis in Seattle, WA / 6/1996 - 7/1998: Puyallup/Seattle School Districts in Puyallup/Seattle, WA

EDUCATION

12/1995 - Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor of Fine and Performing Arts in Theater in Directing
Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington
Emphasized Management, Direction, Design and Technical Theater, Secondary Emphasis in Playwriting. Minor in English with emphasis in American and British Literature. & 6/1996 - Certification: Teaching Certification for Secondary School and Language Arts.
Saint Martins College in Olympia, Washington
Emphasized Drama and Language Arts.

Autumn Revisited

Usually when I go out on a photo shoot, and take the images back home to see which would be good to sell, I can immediately see which are going to be the winners. But, this last Autumn - my last in Japan - I was quite distracted with the effort it took to get OUT of the country. So I didn't get to spend the time I wanted with the images. The "It's On Fire" image was about all I had time for. But I had a chance today to revisit all that stuff. And I found a few more rubies for my site.

Also, I was inspired to impress a friend...

I gave a photo to a friend for her birthday, and then she said that it was a great color match for her house. Then after speaking to her husband, I found out that they were looking for a set of four photos to put in their living room. So, today, while I was revisiting my Autumn photos, I found a few that might work. Turns out that there are a fair few that I need to upload to the JaR Imagery site for people to buy. As I mentioned a couple months ago. This was the perfect Autumn in Japan, and I'm so glad I was there. Anyway, enjoy, and keep on checking in as I go back and file through the images over the next couple weeks.

I still don't have my photos from my camera yet, they haven't delivered my PC... grrrrr...

Get a Job, sha-na-na-na...

Made an effort to get employed today. Managed to get myself back up on Monster.com and to review my resume. I reread the letters of recommendation I had gotten when I was here last May trying to get a job at a Community College. I really feel good when I read what I made my friends say. They meant it of course, but it's still nice to know that they appreciate me. That's what I'm hoping to find when I start working again too... People who like me, and appreciate the talents that I have.

Then I ran out of steam...

See, I haven't spent much time with my photos lately. It's been very much a friends and family time. So, I've had little undisturbed time to sit and stare at a photo, which is very important when you're deciding how to crop and present it. Also, there's these teensy tiny little edits that need to happen now and again. So, after spending a day at the computer plunking out some text, I needed some MORE time at the computer tweaking images. Suffice to say, my eyeballs are going a little crossed.

What a cutey!

Swung by Ms. BK's site again recently. Decided not to comment, though I love her stuff though, she says the silliest things. She always reads and responds, but I just like reading. Anyway, she posted her cuteness. I should find the shot where I'm wearing the harness down by the beach in Oregon.

I'm deciding whether girls who live in San Fran are sexier than Seattle girls. Any thoughts?

Jay got the Shot

I've already wished J of JaR Merry Xmas, but I haven't wished him Happy New Year yet.

Happy New Year Jay!

I'm finally on-line at full speed now, so I can surf back to JaR and check out his work. He's done a bit more organizing of his side of the site, and he's got a couple BEAUTIFUL shots in his new section. Great work J, love how sharp this image is.
Geisha move fast...
See the thing is, we've been chasing Maiko (or Geisha) around Kyoto for like two years, maybe three. And, despite their appearance, they move fast! I suppose that's cuz folks are always pestering them so much. And to add to that they only really come out at dusk. When the light is terrible. So for Jay to have gotten an image this crisp (using his 300mm I assume, which in itself is a super score also) is amazing.

So, congrats Jay, and hope this year brings you more awards and rewards. Keep shooting.

Party til you ... Well you can guess...

Yup, they make doubles stronger in the USofA, and everyone was having so much fun, they forgot to remind me. Actually it was a really wonderful NYE dispute the lack of ability to focus sometime around 1:40 AM. Now, this is supposed to be a better reflection of me as a budding photographer, but we all have our moments, and stories.

His Name is Basil.

No, that's not the story I'm talking about above. It's the name of the person, whom I admire a lot, but whose name was completely gone from my brain by the time I saw him on NYE. Now, I'm a little angry at him, cuz he wouldn't save me from my embarrassment. Not permanently angry, just a little angry at him for leaving me hanging. Understand that I hadn't verbalized his name for approximately 3 years. 3 BRACKEN YEARS BAS!!! GIMME A BREAK! ;)

This is the Theme to Barny Miller, this is the Bar Bar Bar...

Anyway, that was the start of the party at Cap Hill that I went to. Such a great party. The best part was that I managed to see a huge ton of people that I hadn't seen in, like, forever. Saw a guy from back in Uni, Bri C. He didn't recognize me, but he looked good, and the same (strangely). I saw my old UIYG palette V.B. (that's an Aussie joke I'll explain to her later.) and she had her boy in tow. Then of course I saw Bas and he's working with a guy named John that was part of another troupe of comedians that had worked with us while we were doing UIYG (By the way, that means Up In Your Grill which has since become partly Flaming Box of Stuff). Then I was blessed by the goddess that night an my lovely friend who'd moved to S.F. came up to see her family came out to the event as well. That was a lovely time. She was wearing a nice leopard print... well... probably shouldn't share that info on line. Gosh, then there were probably a whole host of others. I remember seeing a guy who used to hang at the old Vogue, and a guy Jose was a friend of a friend. Shucks. Not like I'm giving an Emmy speech or anything... Anyway, lots of people, lots of drinks, lots of laughs. And I actually saw the Space Needle blow up, just J from SF knew where to stand.

Drank a full clip.

So, then, the next day was a complete loss. Now it's the 3rd? Sheesh. Well, again I say Happy New Year everyone. May all you Seattle Comedians and other Performers have a fruitful and funny year. Best of luck to all the Seattle Groups I knew know and love. TA!

Happy New Year!!!

Whew, made it!
Welcome to the New Year everyone.