Well it's impossible to catch up here because NYC has people from all over the world and most aren't even interest in Japan or Asian countries at all so that makes it hard for me.
Second there are more Chinese, Korean and Indian people that other Japanese and Asian countries so that also makes it hard for me too!
My only companions and witnesses of my passion are JapanesePod101.com, Japan Society, meetup, few Japanese friends and Mixi!
I'm a closeted who loves Asia and its people that's the true!