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It's always nice for a Westerner to be acknowledged in Tokyo, especially when it's by one of the top English-language infozines in town. Metropolis magazine was kind enough to do a mini-write-up about my BooksNote event at Good Day Books in Ebisu this coming Sunday night. And, perhaps even nicer, was having peers stop me on the street, with the magazine in their hand, look up and say, "Hey! I just saw you in the magazine!" 

If you have already read FIT, you know that voiceover jobs (or "narrator" jobs, as they're known in Japan) can pop up suddenly -- and you need to be prepared.

The month of February in Tokyo is notoriously slow for freelancers. It seems that everyone starts has gone into hibernation and your phone will literally stop ringing. I admit, it can be tough, and it always takes me by surprise.

I would like to thank all who came on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 and who donated to help the Haitian earthquake victims. We were able to raise nearly ¥170,000 (about US$1900) to give to Japan Red Cross. 

When I first came to Tokyo 16 years ago the thought that I could be a journalist was the farthest thing from my mind. I couldn't conceive of it. But eventually, and through a freelance opportunity, journalistic work came my way. I am not sure why, but it never occurred to me that I could be a member of that august organization, the Foreign Correspondents'  Club of Japan, better known as FCCJ.