Well, I came to Japan to try something different. When I first got here, I immediately got a job not too dissimilar to the job I had at Autonomy back in LA. The difference was that I was working longer hours and liked my boss much, much less...

So, essentially, I got myself fired by mouthing-off all the time... so I found myself unemployed, and knew that I could not get another 9 to 5 job... (or 8:45am to 10:00pm)

I had to figure out a way to beat the system... many others do it, and they seem to make rent... somehow...

So, I spoke to a friend who was also fired from my last company, and we shared a common interest of trying to milk the Japanese media for all the money we could find. It seems that we make a good team too, because within the last week, we have joined 12 talent agencies around Tokyo with several more on the way for next week. Last Tuesday, my roommate Ryo hired me for a shoot his company was doing, and last Friday, I had my first narration gig reading copy for English text books. This Friday I will appear as an extra (with my friend James) in a tv show staring the Masked magician (apparently famous for giving away magics secrets which is why he wears a mask). On Saturday, both James and I will be an extra in a Japanese drama posed as graduate students.

Now, when people ask me what I do, I say Narrator/actor... pretty weird! So, each day, I get up, realize I have no job, freak-out momentarily, then do my best to trust that I will have enough money to make rent (knowing full-well that I have enough money in the bank to make rent easily for the next 6 months... but still trying to make it without dipping into savings).

As intended, I am now enjoying Japan more because I am doing something different! I have no idea if I will ever make enough money at this profession, but I will never again have to wonder weather or not I could... soon, I will know for sure.

But enough about me (for now), my sister just got engaged and will be getting married in February of 2002... less than 6 months from now! I can't believe it... I am so happy for her and Kenny!

Back to me. Well, unusually, I don't know what to talk about... I have had a pretty good past few days... I had a few great conversations and emails with Sharon and Johnny, my sister is engaged, my mother has come closer to realizing how smart and powerful a woman she really is, and I have made the decision to do something scarey and different and yet, I am ok with that... and it is only Wednesday!

I am still trying to think of a company to start though, but since I think I have decided that I will not start a new company in Japan, and will only do it when I move back, I feel that I have some time. Additionally, at this time I think I have decided that (but everything may change in the future), I will probably only stay in Japan for the next year. I have just recieved my work visa which is good until Sept. 2002, and if I want to stay beyond that, I would need to get another 9 to 5 job and apply for an extension... not impossible, but ever since I realized I am ready to start my own company, I am excited to start. At the same time though, I will most likely never have this opportunity to live in another country and try a new profession again, so I might as well live-it-up while I am here!

Now I am just rambling... I am sure it has something to do with caffine... ... damn you caffine... damn YOU caf FINE!!! oh, but if Johnny said it it would be funny!?

Well, someday in the future I will be reading this journal in some drunken nostalgic haze and the last thing I'll want is to remember myself as being so boring and long winded ("too late"... who said that)... Anyway, time for me to get back to the surreal city of Tokyo...