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We are fast approaching the end of the year. Everything seems to be speeding up. I don't know if that's because we have built-in clocks telling us to get with the program or if it the sense of urgency has been created by advertising companies. My point is this:

I have lived in Japan for 18 years. I have done my best to adapt to all customs, traditions, foods, manners, etc. But there is one thing that I will not give up, which is Thanksgiving Day. I am an American, and, for me at least, Thanksgiving meant family and food, shared in the loving atmosphere of my parents' home.  

If you are a foreigner living and working in Tokyo (no matter whether you call yourself a gaijin, a gaikokujin, a foreigner, or a non-Japanese), you will most likely, at some point, feel a sense of isolation or loneliness or some great desire to connect with something comforting or familiar. The solution to this, in brief, is to connect to and support the foreign community.

There are any number of ways to do this, whether it be patronizing restaurants, enjoying performances, or participating in classes that are run by members of the foreign community. This is not to suggest that you therefore shut the door on your Japanese life. I encourage you to bring your Japanese spouses or friends with you to any of the aforementioned places. These are simple ways of expanding your network, making new friends, learning more about what's available to you in our incredible town and a way to stay connected, because, again, it's easy to become isolated here, and there's no good reason to allow that to happen. 

Culture clashes. You've heard of them; have you experienced them? In our situation, we specifically refer to the Western experience in Japan. The picture above is a great example. On the left we have McDonald's, which established itself in Japan over 30 years ago. On the right, we have tables of squid drying in the hot summer sun. They seem to be existing peacefully side-by-side. But are they?

For those in the foreign community in Tokyo who are not fluent in Japanese, it is important to remember that when it comes to health issues, we need to reach out and help each other.

Hello All,

I hope you are enjoying the rainy weather. I'm from California, so the rain is a treat for me. I also enjoy it because I know what's around the corner: hot, hotter and hottest. Get your cool-gel packs now!

To those who follow this blog:

I have made every effort to focus on upbeat, positive experiences working in Tokyo as a freelancer. But sometimes I must point out certain harsh realities, specifically related to getting paid by agencies that handle film/TV/voice actors. Those harsh realities include: Not being told how much or when you will get paid for a certain job, and having to send multiple "friendly" reminders to the agent to get them to tell you what they should have told you from the first moment.

For those of you who have read my book, you will be familiar with my comments about "Getting Paid On Time." Because I continue to encounter a strange attitude from certain agents about paying talent on time, I feel I must again write about this issue. 

I am sitting in a gorgeous house in Irvine, California where I have been staying for the last three weeks. I needed to get away from Tokyo and get some perspective on my life in light of the events that took place on March 11, 2011. I have been extremely fortunate to have wonderful friends who have allowed me to "decompress." It has really helped. 

As most of you know, a major earthquake hit Japan on March 11. For those of us living in Tokyo, things are changing moment by moment. This is a difficult time for many and the focus of FIT in the coming months will be about surviving and keeping people aware of what's happening here and how I have handled challenging situations having to do with my jobs. That is the best way for me to share with you what is going on, by making it personal.