In these times…

I’m frustrated. I’m angry. I’m depressed. I consider ever dollar I spend and stress that my bank account is gradually decreasing. I’m tired. I’m anxious. I’m unemployed.

Everyone knows someone looking for work…a lot of you are probably looking for work yourselves. The sucky economy has hit so many and it’s hard to keep going when you face so many closed doors.

I worked as an usher yesterday at an event at Columbia University. I heard about it through a friend and was excited to have a reason to put on a suit and earn some cash. Most of my fellow ushers were also unemployed and we shared a mutual pain of rejection. We’ve all sent out multiple resumes (ranging from as few as 10 to as many as 50) and had an interview or two that ultimately resulted in a NO and maybe a bit more life experience.

Some will say struggling through this makes us stronger, builds some character and gives us a chance to grow and learn. Also it means we have free time to do all the things we normally couldn’t do! But then again, money really is a tool we need to do those things.

Today is a hard day and I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I watch my inbox for interview invites and hope something will break. I consider increasingly drastic methods for finding jobs…and remind myself that I would make a valuable addition to any company.

I go on…continue the search, continue the fight, and hold on to hope.

My name is Justin. I want to start a career in non-profit and international relations. I’m a highly adaptable and positive person with demonstrated success in challenging environments. I believe in creating a better world and that we have the ability to do that right now. Let me hear from you.

Central Park

Waiting for the coming of spring is a long and arduous process. The cold dregs of winter hang on in the air and wind and make us cry out for warmth and sun. By April we are all ready to put away out heavy coats and some even dare to wear flip flops on the first day of 65 degree weather.

Here in NYC, spring and winter have been stalled chit chatting at the doorway of seasons causing Gothamites to have moments of blissful warmth mixed with all too familiar days of cold and gloom (and sometimes snow). Hopefully winter is just about ready to head on out and let spring take over for the season.

This past Saturday we had the warmest weather yet and most of New York flocked to parks and open spaces to take in as much sun as possible. Below are some pictures of the long afternoon I spent with friends in Central Park.

Derek and Mike, two of my closest friends here in the city.

The sun and grass were so nice that Derek and I opted for a little nap. This proved to be difficult due to the rowdiness of the folks around.


Color effect! These are are some cool new friends I've made in NYC


We stayed until the sun began to set...such a nice afternoon

Celebrity Sightings!

One of the many cool reasons to live in NYC is that sometimes you see famous people walking around acting all normal. As you know from previous posts, I love people watching and constantly reap a bountiful harvest each time I stroll down the street. Because I stare at almost everyone I pass, I occasionally get an extra surprise and see a celebrity! Below are the famous people I’ve see since moving here.

First sighting: Demetri Martin, comedian. I saw him on St. Mark’s on a Saturday night and noticed him when a young boy said, “Good luck with your career!” and hugged him. He then got into a car and drove away.



Chet, cast member for MTV’s Real World Brooklyn. Definitely a minor “celebrity” and really more of a twat (have you seen the show?) but I still thought it was cool to see him. He was walking along 14th Street near where I live. We actually made eye contact and I feel like he was looking at me thinking, “Hey, do you recognize me? Please recognize me! I was on the Real World!” I didn’t say anything to him.


Donald Faison, most notably the character Turk from Scrubs (also in the 1995 ground-breaking film, Clueless!). I saw him on Bowery Street shopping in some photograph art stores. He was with 3 other “normals” and I noticed him when he laughed (exactly like Turk does!). I called my mom and sister for this one.


Kiefer Sutherland, intense hero, Jack Bauer, on the TV series 24 (as well as multiple films like The Three Musketeers…oh, and he also is the spokesman for Calorie Mate, a Japanese snack food). I spotted him just this past week walking in Union Square on a rainy day. He casually strolled by not in a hurry at all (very different from his role in 24). I was actually talking to my mom on the phone when this occurred. I don’t think she was as excited as she was about Turk.

I know if I see any of the crew members of any of the Star Trek series (except Enterprise, what a lame fest…but then again Scott Bakula was captain on that show and I’d be excited to see him because he was on Quantum Leap) I will wet my pants and go up and ask to shake their hand. Lord help me if Patrick Stewart walks by! The combo of Capt. Picard and Professor X from X-Men would just blow me over and I would probably try to make him come with me for coffee so I could absorb as much of his refined charm as possible.

Who knows who I’ll see next. I’ll keep my eyes open (and my blog updated!).

Somebody done dropped their liquor

A lot of stuff goes done on the streets of New York. Sometimes it gets ugly, violent, or done right wasteful. The other day I was walking home and I heard this big commotion coming from up ahead. I scanned the pedestrian masses and saw a man and woman shouting and gesturing wildly at each other. I was instantly enthralled, but knew I had to keep my staring to a minimum (cause that’s just rude). Below is the conversation exchanged between the pair.

Woman: I told you I done bought enough liquor for tonight!
Man: Well I thought we could use some more.
Woman: We have enough. We don’t need two more bottles.
Man: We do with your sister in town.
Woman: Now why do you have to bring that s*#t up? She’s only been here for a week.
Man: And she’s already finished off half my wine cellar.
Woman: (gruff laugh) Wine cellar? Some cheap a*@ bottles in a box under the kitchen table aint no wine cellar.
Man: Woman that aint the point!

Then there was some escalated shouting and grabbing of the paper bag with the liquor that ended with a rip! and smash, shatter-shatter-clink.

Strong smelling alcohol briefly flooded the sidewalk and drained away to the street. The couple moved on in a silent, but fuming huff with the woman mumbling and reaching for her cell phone.

I waited a minute or so and then took the photo of the broken bottles.

APRIL FOOL'S!

The post entitled, "Return to Japan", is my April Fool's joke! I'm not going back to Japan...I'm staying right here in New York City!

I feel kind of bad for fooling people...but I couldn't resist a little April 1st fun.

I'll be in NYC for a while. I love it here!

Return to Japan

This morning I woke up after a difficult night of tossing and turning knowing what I must do. Most of you out there don’t know it, but living in NYC has been a bit of a struggle and with the economic climate like it is, I just don’t think my dreams of living here are going to work out.

I’ve been actively seeking employment for the past 3 months. I’ve talked to a dozen people trying to network, I’ve crafted a beautiful resume, I’ve searched and searched for positions where I could excel, but STILL, I’m unemployed and drifting. I’m tired of the dead ends and I’m ready for a change.

So, I’m planning on heading back to Japan! I know I can get work as an English teacher there (have lots of old contacts writing me and offering me some work) and I also plan to pursue my voice acting dream. Plus, I really miss those beautiful green mountains and all those polite people.

I’m still young and flexible and I savor the adventure ahead of me! More to come soon!