From: Skip K. [USA]
Subject: Speedy Delivery...

It was the evening after I had sent my order that
asudden breeze extinguished the candle by which I
was mending my tabi. There was a rustle from out of
doors and then the sudden cawing of a crow in the dead
still of night. Something went 'thump' at my door step. 
Shrugging off a sudden, cold sweat I hastily relit the
candle and ran to the door, kicking it open, fully ready
to embrace death head on.

  My only adversary was a chorus of crickets and a waning
moon, whose rays were just strong enough to pick out the title
of the elegant tome lying on the steps at my feet.

Ninpo:  Wisdom for Life.

"Wow!" I said, picking up the book.  The dull, stainless
steel katana clattering at my feet.  "That was really, 
really, REALLY fast!  Cool!"

"No problem," a voice said, with a heavy New York accent.
An engine roared as a battered Chevy Malibu launched itself
from a nearby shrubbery, hitting the road with a spray of
gravel and a shower of sparks, trailing from the remains
of what was once a proud and fully-functional tailpipe.

"Kent?"  Mom shrilled.  "Is that you making all that racket?
Go back to bed!"

I sighed heavily but did as she told.  She had already 
revoked my trenchcoat priveledges for a week after 
practicing nage-waza with Mrs. Peasley next door. 
I thought the crutches would have given her an advantage...

_______________________________________

Mucho thanks to Joe Maurantonio of the Bujinkan New York Dojo
for EXTREEMLY timely and cheerful service upon recieving my 
chicken-scrawled order for Hatsumi Soke's new book. It'll be
tough to get any work done without sticking my nose in the 
book for another peek every 5 minutes.  If you're thinking
of getting this book, stop.  Thinking, that is, and place 
yer damn order!  ;)