Aloha ALL,

Man, it feels like forever since I been here. Sorta like when i went back to Kendo...I tell you, when I stepped on that floor...it was awesome. When I left the floor though, that was a whole 'nother story.

Anyway, I been wanting to go back for a long time, but my stint as a CO just clashed too much with class times. After seeing my sensei sometime ago, I felt like...I *had* to return. Also, what are the odds of this happening:

An attorney came by Hell to drop off paper work for an inmate. I asked him to sign in the log book, and the last name was the same as my sensei. I asked if they were related, and he goes, "Oh yeah...that's my uncle!" SO we got to talking about things, and somehow my samurai lineage got into it...the attorney claims that the flick, "The Last Samurai" is historically accurate. Interesting.

First class was this past saturday. I still hurt from it, especially my right heel...I was telling the Deac' that it felt like I jumped off a three story building and landed on a golf ball with my right heel. You can bet I ordered a heel protector right away! Rear delts are sore...not to surprising...the last time I did Kendo was back in 98, early 99...Anyway, on this particular practice, I shiai keiko'd (sparred) with a Nidan, (2nd black belt) to a draw...I had no idea who she was, and I later found out she is married to one of the new instructors! Cripes...after all that time away, and here i am sparring a Nidan???

Today, my wife, daughter, niece and I, went to practice. My daughter was able to take some instruction from the ol' sensei who used to give me a hard time. I hope she stays with it...there is a girl kendoka there who is a senior in high school who is going for her Shodan (1st black belt) and my daughter looks up to her. They got to talk story today. Cool.

Basically, I went back to see my old sensei again...however, I have not seen him yet. I miss this man dearly. Anyway, here are a few pics of me in my Kendo bogu. (Armor)...figure since I ain't doing the weights no more, I gotta do something to stay in shape! I tell you...wearing the bogu and training during this weather, it'll whip you into shape alright!!! In the pic with all the kendoka in it, I am on the left, doing an exercise with that Nidan Her Kiai is terrifying!!!). In the pic with the four kendoka in it, I am the short one (of course) on the right...pressing in for the "kill" on one of the sensei's!





Missed you all, and thanks for reading...God bless