I hope everyone has had a really good Christmas with lots of good stuff!  I'm really gonna try to update this site a bit more often.  In fact, I'm considering moving the server, and putting the Bujinkan pages on their own site address, instead of as a sub site of Starbuck's Place.  Like other ideas running through my head at the moment, this'll probably have to wait until after New Year's.

REMINDER:  Everyone should be thinking about their 2009 Bujinkan Membership dues!  I need to send it in to Japan for the new year - and the whole process will take a bit of time.  I'll mark off on the Training Roster after each person has paid up to date.

I'd also like to make up some t-shirts and maybe some caps with our dojo name... dunno what it'd cost, but it'd be cool to have.

 I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Just a quickie update.  Seems my younger students are having a problem making it to the Friday training.  They've requested I switch it back to Wednesday's starting around 18:00.  I'm gonna have to check with the administration at Seljestad Barneskole, but if it's okay with them, it's okay with me.  Unfortunately, because my work hours shift, I can never guarantee being at class.  Fortunately, we had already worked out this little problem at the beginning of the season when Tommy agreed to head the youth class.  I'll be there when I can, but for all intents and purposes, he's the teacher in the class.

ALSO beginning January, all students will be charged the small monthly fee of 50kr.  This is more to offset costs then some attempt to make any kind of profit - I'd prefer payment at the beginning of the month please, but arrangements can be made.  Anyone interested in beginning to train with us will forego the first month, so you can see if you like training with us or not.

Just discovered the date for this year's Kaigousuru seminar in Stockholm.  As you can see from the banner above, it will be May 1-3, 2009.  The seminar prices are:  One day - 700SEK, Two days - 1100 SEK, All 3 days - 1250SEK.   When you sign up, you also have the option of having lunch available, or joining the banquet on Saturday night.  There's apparently still room left to stay at the Dojo, but I'd contact the webmaster to be on the safe side.

Congratulations to Steve, who has now been promoted to 6th kyu!  He's worked really hard, and he's definitely progressing well.

GAMBATTE KUDASAI!!!

23. December 2008

Well, not a big shock, but this year I managed to make it to Daikomyosai in Tokyo - which was a blast.  Tommy Robertsen and Julia Levenets joined me as we all got to experience the seminar together.  I had been lucky enough to see Hatsumi-sensei in action during the 1989 Tai Kai in Maryland, but this was the first time to see him for real for Julia and Tommy.  I got the impression they were suitably impressed.  I will definitely be picking up a copy of the 2008 DVD when it's available if for no other reason then to remember all the techniques that were shown off!

Had a real blast hanging out with shihan Ed "Papa-san" Martin and his brother Gus the first week.  They were nice enough to take us under wing and help us get familiar with things so we didn't get too many "gaijin points" - but I'm sure I earned a few!  The weather was absolutely perfect on Saturday and Sunday - beautiful fall days, as we (all 360ish of us!) trained in the park and earned plenty of stares from the locals who were out enjoying the fall.  The weather turned rainy and chilly for the last day of training on Monday - which coincided with Hatsumi-sensei's birthday.  I wasn't able to attend the party afterward - which was just as well considering I didn't have any appropriate clothing (ie: suit and tie).  I'll remember to pack accordingly next year.

During the two weeks, we (Tommy, Julia and I) tried to make as many training sessions as our funds would allow.  For anyone thinking of heading to Japan to train?  Figure out how much you'll need... then double it to be on the safe side.

A few things of note happened - which are worth mentioning.  Firstly, a big old congrats to Tommy and Julia who were awarded their Shodans!!!!  They've even got the certification from Hatsumi-sensei to prove it.  In addition, I was promoted to Nidan, and theoretically all my paperwork is finally in order to get supplies from Hombu (patches, certificates, membership cards, etc).  Which of course reminds me that we'll need to order 2009 membership cards for everyone who still considers himself actively training soon - should be 150kr.

Another mentionable honor I received, and a significantly bigger shock, was that at my last training with Shiraishi-sensei, he gave our dojo two gifts.   The first was a demon mask that he made himself - this was huge for me personally.  Papa-san had gotten one the week before, and when Shiraishi-sensei pulled the mask out and passed it around for all to see, I NEVER expected him to offer it to me.  It will absolutely have a place of honor.  The other thing he did for us, at my request actually, was to give me a choice of 6 names for the dojo here in Harstad.  I chose Bujinkan Rakunin Dojo (武神館 楽忍 道場).  Rakunin Dojo can be translated as "Place of Easy Perseverance Training".  Next year on my visit I hope to have 2 flags with our dojo name made to put outside the gym when we're training.

GAMBATTE KUDASAI!!!

12. December 2008