I started aikido in 1982. I had practiced jujitsu for long enough to get a green belt and had fenced (western-style) for four years in collegiate competition. My knees could not sustain either jujitsu or fencing so I started aikido at the University of Texas at Austin aikido club. I diligently practiced and passed a shodan test given by Rod Kobayashi. After getting my PhD in 1988, I stopped practicing.
When Fred Phillips came to OGI, he convinced me to begin practicing again. So in 1996 I began remembering how much I have forgotten. The process continues to this day.