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"How to Declan" - Who I am & where you could find me... (if you really wanted to)

Jeez you must be bored.

For far too many of my humble waking moments, I'm the director of the international and distance learning operations of the Yamasa Institute, where without exception I've had the privilege of working with many wonderful people, yada yada yada. I coordinate the International Office and the Admissions Office, set the quotas and the parameters on which applications to accept/reject, supervise the development of the OCJS and associated database projects, and liaise with lecturers & researchers offshore. I split the Institute's group based programs in two in 1999, creating the AIJP and SILAC streams, and since 2000 have devised the ACJS schedules and program polices. In the last few years the job has started taking me to Hokkaido on a regular basis, which is not a bad thing.

The gig also means that as the webmaster thingee, I coordinate the various websites/domains (yamasa.org, yamasa.tv, yamasa.cc, okazaki.fm), and pretend to be a geek, which I am clearly not. Not a bit. The most difficult part of the job is constantly adjusting the parameters governing the selection process for the Aichi Center. The most tiring part of the job is driving to the bloody airport all the time. The most enjoyable part of the job is watching people improve their Japanese quicker and more successfully than anywhere, sharing their successes and trying to help them through any frustrations. Oh, and um, heliskiing, beer, snow monkeys, good eating and an occasional dash of culture isn't a bad fringe benefit either.

My passport, alien registration card, driver's license, name, height, drinking habits etc etc etc all scream that I'm Irish, but unless I've had quite a few pints you should be able to pick up an Australian accent fairly quickly. After quite a few pints, I can't really guarantee what I sound like.

For better or worse, the Japanese language has consumed all of my adult life. My interest in Japan initially started with industrial & production engineering and quality control methodology - and that is why I initially came to Japan. Over time I found that Japan's language, history, culture and heritage were also of endless interest to me. After working in manufacturing in Japan, then Australia and the Japan again, I started working in Japan as a technical translator. For the past few years it has been Japanese language education that has filled my rice bowl.

I came to Japan in April 1992, lived in Chiryu, Osaka, Sapporo, Gunma and Tokyo and then in Okazaki City. I live not too far from the Institute in a place that is far too big for me and that has a nice garden that invariably needs some serious weeding. Currently I'm on a toushi-keiei visa, I must get around to applying for permanent residency soon since I've been eligible for it for a while now. I don't teach and never have - my preferred role is purely managerial/administrative with a focus on project management.

Why are you still reading this?

I am the worst guitarist and least successful goldfish owner in Okazaki. Before inviting me out to Karaoke, please note that I will either be dancing on the table (yours, to be precise) or asleep in a corner - there is usually no in between. I am forgetful, and can never remember where I put my pen, my house keys, my makita drill, my hipflask, my cellphone (I usually have to call it to find it), or the spirally thing you need to open a bottle of wine (I can't remember what its called). Hence I depend entirely on my wonderful multiskilled, multilingual, multitalented multistaff. I don't get enuff sleep, and frequently get hauled out of bed to either take students to hospital at 3am at best (during the course of this job I have developed an instinctive dislike of hyperchondriacs), or at 4am to get down to the local police station at worst. Likewise, I also too often find myself answering the phone at 4.30am and informing (invariably North American) parents/friends of students etc that "Yes, your son/daughter/relative did arrive safely..." and "...well I'm sure that they will call you as soon as they find a phone, which they probably will do when it is no longer 4.30am....."

Variety being the spice of life, whenever I get the chance you might find me pouring a pint in Zig Zag, a very very very small bar I manage for the students more or less as a hobby / social service. It is still fun, and I've always liked making things (making widgets, making cocktails, making counters and shelving - its all much the same to an ex-industrial engineer). Unfortunately, to prevent me from enjoying the full burden of this role, or from propping up various local bars from the other side of the counter (comparing Guinness and good Sake, purely in the name of social & cultural research of course), I somehow ended up becoming the editor of the Okazaki City Guide. I'm also fairly active in the Chubu committee of the ANZCCJ and slowly getting involved in the Irish Network Japan.

I am on the road too much (apart from business trips and the bloody airport, I am responsible for, supervise and often participate in the discovery tour program). Being a director means that I work the graveyard shifts that staff don't want to - so usually I have the privilege of picking up carloads of people at night or on weekends & public holidays. Don't worry if your flight is delayed, I will wait for you until after the bloody airport shuts down.

I am generally where the yen stops whenever there is a complaints or service level related problem. Whenever a student is unable to get what they require from student services or faculty, my door/cellphone/mailbox is open. Either write to me using the Yamasa contact details or make an appointment. Office hours are on the International Office door and will vary a little depending on the season. The busier the season the shorter the available hours. Sorry about that. However if it isn't urgent or private, feel free to interrupt my pint in the bar. I don't bite. Feedback & suggestions - all are always welcome. I might not always have enough time to be able to acknowledge receipt of the information, but a big thank you.

All in all life is not exactly a box of chocolates. At this stage I don't take out the garbage, though it is increasingly suggested to me that I do this also. My evil twin narcissist urges that I say "Yes". Haven't you got something better to do?

And if you want to know the lyrics & chords of the Mac Davis "It's Hard to Be Humble" classic, here they are.....

(Refrain)
Oh Lord it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror 'cause I get better lookin' each day
To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man
Oh Lord it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can

/ D - - A7 / - - - D / - - D7 G / - D A7 D /

I used to have a girlfriend but I guess she just couldn't compete
With all these love starved women who keep clamoring at my feet
Well I probably could find me another but I guess they're all in awe of me
Who cares I never get lonesome 'cause I treasure my own company

/ DG D - A7 / " / " / " /

(Refrain)

I guess you could say I am a loner, a cowboy all locked up and proud
Well I could have lots of friends if I wanted, but then I wouldn't stand out in a crowd
Some folks say that I'm egotistical - hell I don't even know what that means
I guess it has something to do with the way that I fill out my skin tight blue jeans

(Refrain)