There was once a suburban bear called Arnold who 1 lived in a nice house, with lovely furniture and a wife and children who loved him.

Every day be would leave home in the morning to go to work in the city where be would work bard until evening. Then be would catch the bus home, eat his tea and spend the evening with his family in front of the television.

Pretty soon be found his job boring and so one day be accepted an invitation from his workmates for a pint and a game of pool, in the pub after work. It wasn't long before the quick pint turned into a regular 5 or 6, then 9 or 10 pints and before he knew it Arnold was staying out half the night with the boys boozing.

Arnold's wife and family suffered enormously and the neighbours started talking about bow disgraceful Arnold was. Arnold was oblivious to this and would not be seen by his family from morning till night. One day after a particularly boozy session, Arnold stumbled into the house, knocked over the hatstand, put his foot through the window and fell down the basement stairs.

the next day his wife Elaine gave him what for over breakfast. "You were drunk again last night," said Elaine. "No I wasn't, I was merry," said Arnold. "You're a drunk and its disgusting," said Elaine. "It's about time you started looking after yourself, you're frightening the kids and the neighbours are starting to talk, and who's going to pay for that window." She went on. "How did that happen? Anyway you're wrong about my drinking, I can take it or leave it alone, but if it makes you happy I'll give it up," said Arnold.

From that day on there was a change in Arnold,. everybody remarked on it, be started keep fit classes, he walked to work in the morning and took up jogging in the park in the evening. Then one day somebody suggested be try Aikido, and after just one session he said this is for me. Pretty soon he found jogging and keep fit boring and spent all his spare time practising Aikido.

Arnold would not be seen by his family from morning till night, he neglected his family and the neighbours started talking, then one day he returned home from practice completely exhausted, he stumbled into the house and decided he would like to practise some Ukemi. He knocked over the hatstand with his first roll, put his foot through the window with his second roll, and rolled down the basement stairs with the third.

The moral of this story is ? No matter bow much you try to improve things, sometimes they just don't get any better!!

Brian Morris

Very often books on the Martial Arts and on the History of Japan make reference to different eras in Japan's past. They talk of the _ period or maybe the HEIAN period, and assume that the reader is familiar with these terms. Constantly going to the glossary can be a pain. Footnotes may only give dates. Sometimes it is difficult to? put these dates into perspective. Maybe the following table will help.

Richard Kacperek

VIDEOS

Mr Mucha is considering producing a video of AIKIDO. It would probably include JO KATAS weapon taking, IAI and KUMITACHI as well as basic AIKIDO techniques.

However, before this can be produced there is a need to find out about demand. The video would contain three hours material and would cost around £30. Mr Mucha is hoping to sell at least 100 or the idea may not be viable. So, can people talk to each other, and their instructors, and contact him.

Editor

I apologise for the lateness of this newsletter, but I am finding it increasingly difficult to fit it in due to increasing pressures of work.

If anybody would like to help, or even take over the job, please let me know.

In any case, if you have an article, photo, drawing or advertisement, let me also have that.

Editor

Click image to view a historical time line - comparing Japenese to western events

GRADINGS

ALTRINCHAM - 15.3.92 & 21 June 1992

CHORLEY - 14 June 1992

Grading details were published in the paper version - Not published online under Data Protection Provisions