Folk Art | HOMETHEATER

Finally an Elite Pro Boxer to Compete in Mixed Martial Arts – UFC 118 – Couture Vs. Toney

April 27, 2020 Comments Off

It was inevitable, I hoped anyway, that a world class, bona fide professional boxer would enter the world of MMA. The two sports are competitors in a way, for audiences anyway. There should always be room for both, but I know that I personally used to watch boxing religiously until MMA came along. But there’s always that nagging question for a fan: who would win in a real fight, a boxer or a mixed martial artist? MMA has had Tae Kwon Do experts, kickboxers, even professional boxers. But a top name boxer? Not yet. Could a top ranked boxer knock the lights out of an MMA fighter before you can say ‘takedown’? Well, in the words of Chael Sonnen, “we are all gonna find out.”
I just found out when I was watching UFC 117 that Randy Couture is slated to fight against the one and only boxing legend James Toney. This is what Dana White and all other MMA fans have been waiting for. Not only is one of the best of the boxing world taking on the challenge, but he is taking on Hall of Famer, one of the best in the sport of MMA, none other than Randy Couture.
Talk about a legitimate matchup. Couture has fought, and beat, the best light heavyweights and heavyweights in the MMA world. He has been tested. He has lost battles, and he has won battles. He has been tested. Dana White could have thrown Toney in against a contender or a gatekeeper to the division, but he threw him in with the best.
This will go back to what Randy Couture called the first generation of mixed martial artists. Back when the goal was to find out which style of fighting was dominant against all the others. Was it wrestling? Kickboxing? Strongman? Judo? Boxing? The legitimate boxing representatives did not participate, the sport wasn’t even mainstream, for crying out loud it was outlawed in the U.S. for years. The one lesson that seemed to be learned from that generation was taught by MMA Hall of Famer Royce Gracie: everybody needed to learn Jiu Jitsu! Since then MMA fighters have learned that they need to learn many styles of fighting to be competitive: wrestling, boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, etc. What Randy calls the new, or third generation of MMA fighters, came up learning all of them at once as a cohesive whole, they came up as true mixed martial artists.
So now the big test comes. Back to the first generation of MMA. Will the elite professional boxer prove that boxing skill and power can overcome the new style of fighting in mixed martial arts? Or will Toney be defenseless against Randy’s takedowns and rendered helpless on the ground? I wish I knew the answer now, but “we are all gonna find out” when Couture and Toney meet at UFC 118, Edgar vs Penn II.…

Bauhaus’ Adventure

April 4, 2020 Comments Off

“The organism of a house evolves from the course of events that have predated it in a house, it is the functions of living, sleeping, bathing, cooking, eating that inevitably give the whole design of the house its design is not there for its own sake, it arises alone from the nature of the building, from the function it should fulfil…architecture has not exhausted its raison d’etre, unless we consider our emotional needs for harmonious space, for melodious sounds and for room to move, that first bring the space to life, as the purpose of reaching a higher order”. Walter Gropius, in 1930
In German, the word Bauhaus means literally, “building houses”. But, beyond words, the concept refers to a whole new conception of arts and life. Part of their basic training, the artists were encouraged to go out of their narrow expertise – not only painting, designing, sculpture – and to embrace the area of creative experiences. The ain was to offer them a wider base for improving their knowledge.
The idea of this article started relatively spontaneously. While being in Germany in 2009, I took various opportunities for understanding more about this movement, which I knew but only at a very superficial level. I was familiar with many of the works and projects, but was fully unaware of the philosophical background of the entire movement. Since, I was fascinated not only by the diversity of the artworks belonging to the Bauhaus movement and the current influences, but also by the holistic conception corresponding at a great extent to the needs of the world we are living today.
The origins
Kunstgewerbschule was founded in Weimar by Henry van de Velde in 1908. In 1919, he was succeeded at the head of this institution by Walter Gropius, who had closed relationships with Weimar’s other school, theHochschule fuer Bildende Kunst. Three years before he recommended and the local authorities agreed, the merging of the merging of the Kunstgewebeschule and the Hochschule fr Bildende Kunst into a single interdisciplinary school of craft and design.
While he fought on the front of the WWI, Gropius wrote “Proposals for the establishment of an educational institution to offer artistic advisory services to industry, trade and craft”. The manifesto of the Movement was released in 1919 – as a couple of paragraphs expressing the main idea of the founder in a very concise form -, and illustrated by a woodcut – The Cathedral of the Future, an industrial utopia using the religious symbol as a pretext for inclusiveness and holistic perspective – by Lyonel Feininger.
Once confirmed as the leader of Bauhaus, he followed his principles and succeeded in bringing in Weimar various outstanding artistic names of the day: Lyonel Feininger, Gerhard Marcks, Johannes Itten, Georg Muche, Paul Klee, Oskar Schlemmer, Wassily Kandinsky. The expressionists were joined by De Stijl representatives. In 1923, one of the most representative figures of the movement, Theo van Doesburg, delivered some lectures for the students of Bauhaus. Another influence is from the part of the Russian Constructivism.
Even Gropius was an architect by formation, a department of architecture was absent in the first years of life ofBauhau’s school. Ironically enough, in many cases the movement is identified more by the influence in the area of city planning and manners of building, than in the area of design and visual arts, in general.
The context when the Bauhaus was born is extremely interesting – a tumultuous period, both in international and home politics – the end of the WWI, the Russian Revolution of October 1917, the boiling socialist-anarchist movements in Germany, among which the Spartakus Bund lead by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg – asin the area of arts, where Dadaism and Blaue Reiter and Fauvism and De Stijl were only ones of the most important new categories of artistic expression. Despite obvious political orientations – on the left – of some of the members of the school’s board, Gropius outlined and tried to maintain his own life a self assumed political neutrality. In the same time, he was a strong believer in the need for a new society, in his aesthetical vision projected as a total environment where all the manifestations of arts were connected and interdependent in a better world for the humans. A vision transmitted for decades and resurged in our 21st century.
Back to the origins
His vision about the mission of arts is outlined in the manifesto published in 1919, in his first year of directorship. The starting point of his approach was the reform of education, as a first step in creating a unitary framework covering the entire spectrum of artistic activities. The system was organised on the basis of a master-apprentice relationship, mirroring the Renaissance and concepts of education, turning around the idea of …

Martial Arts Business – How to Sell Without Selling Out

December 10, 2019 Comments Off

Many martial arts instructors feel that there is a conflict between their values and doing what it takes to succeed. For many, the idea of martial arts marketing borders on prostituting their art. For others, it seems like the methods of successful marketing are contrary to their artistic sensibilities.
You were taught to be humble, but it seems that advertising is all about bragging. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Is Your Marketing Intimidating or Inviting?
One of the main misunderstandings about marketing that many people have is that it’s all about selling. You’ve seen the shameless self-promotions of the big business dojos. The full page ads in the phonebook, the coupon slips in the newspaper, the TV ads and the web sites are nothing short of disgraceful.
Look at their ads with the eye of a would-be customer. Most parents will approach a school with some timidity. Take that mindset and look at the looming, surly and hulkish image of the instructor. See the large classes in their video ads. Look at the students breaking five boards in mid air. As a parent of a 7 year old girl that’s scary, isn’t it?
Martial Arts Marketing Says That You’re Available
There’s an old saying in martial arts and mystical circles: “When the student is ready, the master will come.” While on a mystical level this is an instruction for students to open themselves up to learning, it also has a pragmatic application for teachers. You, as the master in question, have to put the word out that you are available to teach.
How many students out there are ready and waiting for a master? What if the master that appears to them in a Google search is you? Naturally, they will gravitate to you for instruction.
Martial Arts Marketing Doesn’t Have to Be Gaudy
The myth is that effective martial arts marketing has to be big, flashy and intense. Not only is this idea in conflict with martial arts principles, it’s in conflict with marketing in general. With that in mind, there’s nothing keeping you from using the resources you have available to market your school. Your flyers, brochures, web site, etc. can be as low key as you like.
Your counterpoint probably shouldn’t be completely Zen, but it can definitely be more…normal. Go ahead and display some fighting skills, but don’t make the soundtrack be heavy metal. Emphasize the values your students will learn. Show the benefits of your program. Any student you would want is after these lessons anyway.
Sticking to your principles in your advertising shows your integrity more than using archaic marketing strategies. In this market swamped with corporate sell outs, you would stand out simply because you don’t play their game.
With the right martial arts management consultant, you can learn everything you need to know to make your school a success without compromising your values.
To learn about the first and only No Membership Membership program in the Martial Arts Business Industry Click Here. PS It’s FREE!…

Throw Out the Martial Arts Training Videos – Here’s A Simple, Highly Effective MMA Home Workout

November 15, 2019 Comments Off

The only trouble with Martial Arts training videos is they require a player to be able to use them. Busy modern lifestyles often leave little time for fitness training, this simple, highly effective workout can be performed almost anywhere without the need for a DVD player or almost any other equipment. And better still it can be done in only four minutes! Although a warm up and cool down are recommended.

The Tabata method consists of eight rounds of 20 seconds effort preceding 10 seconds rest, that’s 8 x 20 + 10 seconds = 4 minutes. Quick but not easy, this workout will make your cardio conditioning go through the roof while stripping fat from your belly.

It’s best to choose exercises that use large muscle groups rather than isolated body parts as the idea of the Tabata method is to work flat out during the effort section of each round during the cycle. This is key to gain the benefits in just four minutes you really have to work at very high intensities, nothing less than flat out will do.

Here’s an example of a good Tabata Workout

Hindu press ups

Fast press ups

Hindu squats with jump

Burpees

Hindu press ups

Fast press ups

Hindu squats with jump

Burpees

This will stress both the upper and lower body giving a full body workout in just four minutes! Of course, a warm up and cool down are recommended, which will prolong the workout a little but the whole thing can be completed in ten minutes or so. Alternatively, you could have a good stretch after the Tabata with the aim of developing flexibility. The muscles will be nicely warmed up and conducive to flexibility training.

Obviously, you can substitute your own exercises for those in the example but remember that the idea is to work at as high an intensity as possible. Fast repetitions are the key. You can judge progress by recoding the total number of reps during the entire Tabata cycle and attempting to beat that score and subsequent scores in later Tabatas.

The beauty of this workout is you can perform it almost anywhere. The one piece of kit I recommend is the Gymboss Timer which is small and light and takes the nuisance of watching the clock out of the Tabata method. This interval timer beeps when you need to rest and again when it’s time to start again. It can be set so that it lets you know when the workout is complete.

Combined with the Gymboss Timer the Tabata method makes for an excellent MMA home workout!…

Some Helpful Advice Abouts Arts And Crats

October 10, 2019 Comments Off

Making crafts is a great way to spend time. There isn’t a better way to show your care for someone than by giving them something you made yourself. Everything you create is uniquely yours. Continue reading to learn some helpful tips you can use while creating.

Do you need new materials for your projects? The Internet is a great place to find supplies for less. Check on Google to find great deals. Some stores even give you free shipping, for even greater savings.

Get creative when it comes to thinking about what items you can use to complete craft projects. Paper goods are great things to use. Empty rolls of toilet paper or paper towel tubes are good. You might also incorporate magazines and newspapers. Take a moment to think about what you can do with an item before just throwing it away.

Do not be too hard on children when they are working on arts and crafts projects. Your main objective should be to foster creativity. If you’re getting down on the kids, you are going to stifle any creativity they have.

If you can’t seem to find reasonably priced art supplies, check second hand stores. Goodwill and consignment shops have ample supplies for a creative enough mind. Merchandise is eclectic and sells quite quickly, so be sure you visit these stores on occasion to keep up.

Focus on one thing at a time. When doing arts and crafts, it is tempting to do all kinds of projects and to start all kinds of crafts. However, a lot of projects end up unfinished that way. Finish your crafting project before starting a new one. This will ensure it gets done.

Research great craft ideas online. There are many websites where you can gain inspiration and ideas. No matter what age kids or adults will be doing the project, you are sure to find something that everyone can do online.

Stay organized. You can organize your things in many ways, so figure out which is best for you. By having your supplies organized, you can quickly find every item you might need. You also will be able to do easy inventory in your head.

Then remove the cloudy appearance from the mosaic, by using a bit of glass cleaner to wipe it down. It may be tough to get the mortar powder out otherwise, and it’s never a good thing to have that powder ruining your final project.

Look in your kitchen for craft materials. You might just be surprised what you’ll find there that can be used for crafting. You can look to cans, tin foil, glass jars and lots more. You can use beans or uncooked pasta as supplies.

There isn’t a limit on what can be done in arts and crafts. You can make a craft out of almost anything if you’re creative enough. Your creativity will kick in when you start. Keep this information in mind anytime you are interested in creating a customized, one-of-a-kind item.…

Robert Drysdale’s Victory Over Marcelo Garcia Analyzed

October 1, 2019 Comments Off

Looking back at this classic submission grappling match, there is much to learn from these two phenomenal athletes and Brazilian jujitsu black belts.
Marcelo Garcia is arguably one of the greatest grapplers that has ever lived, who has submitted larger opponents like Ricco Rodriguez. I say this because many people have claimed that he was beaten by Robert Drysdale stricktly because of Drysdale’s size advantage. While it is true that Drysdale significantly outweighs Marcelo Garcia, I will examine their match up and uncover why it was more than just a size advantage that was responsible for Drysdale’s victory.
The match started off with both of them battling for grips and you can clearly see early on that Garcia spent more time being the aggressor and looking for a shoot to get in. After about a minute in the match he succeeded at picking a single leg to which Drysdale remained calm and focused and regained his footing after being taken down only to be taken down again and end up with Garcia in his guard. But this is where Drysdale showed a very smart strategy and immediately stood up as soon as Garcia pulled out of his guard.
I would like to stress the importance of this strategy of regarding the guard as a transitional position and immediately standing back up from the guard as a superior strategy than just hanging out in the guard and becoming too dependent on it. More on this in a bit.
They lock up again and after a little bit more frustration on Garcia’s part for his inability to maintain the clinch and make it work for him he manages to shoot again this time he is countered with the D’arce choke (also known as the Brabo choke). This choke along with the Anaconda choke is an extremely effective counter for the shoot and here Drysdale managed to use it perfectly. Marcelo Garcia is to blame for attempting the same entry giving a very focused and strategic opponent like Drysdale a chance to focus on countering a predictable entry on his opponent’s part.
Drysdale quickly sunk it in place and moved in to position himself to use the most leverage to his advantage while using the choke to get on top of Garcia, but Garcia tried with all his might to flatten on his belly and resist but it was too late the choke was sunk in place and it was just a matter of getting the positioning on Garcia to apply the pressure necessary to secure the tap. This is where Drysdale’s size came into play and he was able to use it to force Garcia over into the right position and squeeze the choke getting the tap.
Drysdale won this fight by applying effective strategies like in standing up from the guard. The guard has become a go to position for some grapplers and this is not just a tactical error in a self defense situation it has enabled the sport of grappling to become boring because of this misuse of the guard.
This classic match should be viewed and analysed by everyone practicing Brazilian jujitsu, grappling and mixed martial arts. It will help improve your game better than most instructional dvds will.…

Expert Arts And Crafts Tips Anyone Can Implement

February 18, 2019 Comments Off

Do you wish to dazzle others with some unique craft projects? Maybe you just want to create something that you’ve never done before and make it a nice showpiece around your home. It doesn’t matter what the reason is, there are many neat ideas in the crafting world. Keep reading for quality tips!

Do you want an awesome source for your craft materials? Online retails offer a lot of savings on many supplies. Go to the search engines and look up good deals on craft item materials. Free shipping is one thing you should look for at these stores.

If your projects could make a mess, lay down some old newsprint first to protect any surfaces that could suffer damage. When your project is done, throw newspaper away and you won’t need to be concerned about mess issues.

Craft projects can be many different things. Plastic bottles or paper plates that would otherwise be thrown away are a great example. Paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls are useful. You might also use magazines and newspapers. Put your creativity to use on items you normally pitch. You may be surprised with what you come up with.

Remember that kids can be messy with arts and crafts. If that stresses you out, cover surfaces with newsprint or butcher paper to catch the bits of glue, paper, and glitter. Washable adhesives and markers are some other options.

If you can’t find the supplies you need, look at thrift stores. Goodwill and the like have all types of stuff that crafting enthusiasts can make use of. Be sure to check back as inventory constantly changes.

Look to Beadaholique to find lots of cool bead accessories for your jewelry projects. You can get beads, chains and other items to create beautiful pieces. Costume jewelry is an important part of many of our modern fashions. You can coordinate your wardrobe and save money by crafting your own.

Crafting is fun with kids. You can either forgo the examples or show them different ones so that they just use their imaginations. To illustrate, they may come up with ways to paint or glue something that didn’t occur to you. Their thoughts and ideas are important, so allow them to be a part of the final execution of the project.

Go online to find terrific arts and crafts suggestions. To do a crafts project, there are lots of sites online to locate ideas. No matter who is doing the project or how old they are, you can find something that you can all do by looking online.

Keep all supplies for arts and crafts projects well organized. Put your stuff away any way you wish. If you have your supplies organized, it will be much easier to find what you need for your projects. Additionally, organization helps ensure you have what you need to complete your crafting project.

As discussed, arts and crafts can result in many different creations. Whether it’s something simple or extravagant, there is much to learn. Use the helpful tips you have read about here and create some fascinating art pieces.…

The Most Helpful Arts And Crafts Advice

July 31, 2018 Comments Off

Arts and crafts projects are for everyone. Some even turn this hobby into a full time career. Whether you are sewing a quilt or knitting baby boots, there is a product created which can be used, making it a great outcome. Learn what you can about crafts and keep reading the tips below.

Would you like to save money when you buy your craft supplies? There are a lot of online places to find your craft items at a big savings. Look online to locate the best deals out there on crafting supplies. Several top Internet stores even provide free shipping.

Never scold a child if he or she doesn’t get a crafty project “quite right”. One of the points of these projects is to inspire individuality. They won’t if you point out problem areas with what they’re doing.

Remember that when kids do crafts, it will be messy. If that bothers you, cover the work surface with newspaper or butcher paper to contain the mess. Washable markers are another option.

Anyone interested in crafting will find a fabulous assortment of jewelry making supplies at Beadaholique. Make precious jewelry with their selection of beads and chains. Costume jewelry is incorporated into the majority of contemporary fashions. By creating your own, you can save money and coordinate your jewelry to match your wardrobe.

Research great craft ideas online. If you are looking to start a project, look for ideas online. Regardless of the age of the people doing these projects, you should be able to find something for everyone online.

Etsy is a great place to purchase the supplies for arts and crafts projects. This website sells items from individuals. You will also be able to actually sell your projects on this website. If you want vintage items for your projects, this site is great.

When your mortar dries on a mosaic, spray it with Windex and wipe clean. It can be hard to get the mortar out but you don’t want powder to screw up the finish.

Children thoroughly enjoy making crafts and different art creations. If you are working with several children, look for a project they all can enjoy. For fun and creative ideas you can use your friends, family or the internet as resources to help you come up with something enjoyable to do.

Make a bird feeder. Get a plain pine cone, and smear the whole outside with peanut butter. Kids love this. When the peanut butter still has stickiness, roll it all around in bird seeds. Your seeds will adhere to your peanut butter, so all you need to do is add a string and hang the feeder in a tree.

Try entertaining the entire family with arts and craft projects. There are great projects available for any age. You can find out age specific project groupings by looking online.

Now you are ready to create anything your mind can dream up, all thanks to the tips above. Apply them to your arts projects and enjoy the experience. You will see that what you make becomes even better each time you do it.…

Looking To Learn About Arts And Crafts? Read This

March 19, 2018 Comments Off

Create special memories with your child or create something unique for your home with some fun arts and crafts. However, it can be hard sometimes to get fresh ideas or find ways to do them without spending a ton of money. Read the following article for suggestions on how to do just that.

If you’re struggling to find good prices on your supplies for your art projects, try browsing through some second-hand stores. There are many consignment shops that offer unusual supplies for today’s artist. Check in frequently, because this sort of merchandise sells quickly!

It’s never necessary to tell a child exactly what their finished arts and crafts project must look like. Try not to show concrete examples of the finished product so their imaginations can run wild. They can put an eye where an ear goes. Just let them have fun.

Etsy is the perfect place to find your arts and crafts supplies. Individuals sell items here. You can also sell your creations on Etsy. If you want vintage items for your projects, this site is great.

Stay organized. There are lots of ways to store and organize your supplies. Find a way to work for you. If you stay organized, finding needed items will be a breeze. You will always be aware of which supplies are already on hand.

Spray glass cleaner on a towel and wipe it clean. Powder from the mortar is hard to to clean out, and you would not want this powder to affect the finish of your final product.

To put together a whimsical bird feeder, begin with a small pine cone and coat the outside with peanut butter. Roll the sticky pine cone in birdseed. The peanut butter gets the seeds stuck, which stay even once dried. Attach it to a tree or structure with a string, and everyone can enjoy the birds coming.

A Spirograph can be a wonderful tool for teaching children basic pattern skills. Watching the pens create interesting patterns and shapes shows them how wave patterns work in physics.

When your children are working on crafts, look for other opportunities for learning. Look for teachable moments like having them count something, do math, or learn reading through instructions.

Do not toss product packaging after you’ve opened something. You can reuse this material in different projects. Put all of the packaging together in a box or bin so it is easily accessible when you have a new art project you want to do.

If you are in need of certain arts and crafts objects to work with, place ad in a publication or online where you might meet someone that has what you’re looking for. You could be very surprised at the results! Other people may be trying to sell of give away whatever it is you are looking for, so you won’t be able to beat the price.

With luck, you are inspired with fresh thinking thanks to this article. You can truly create some wonderful things if you take your time and explore new ideas. You could even use some of them as gifts for your loved ones.…

Arts And Crafts Tips And Advice Straight From The Pros

October 3, 2017 Comments Off

Would you like to impress your family and friends with an interesting and unique project? Perhaps you wish to create a really unique decor piece for your home? There is a variety of options available for arts and crafts projects. Continue to read to get fabulous ideas!

Protect your surfaces with newspaper when taking on a messy arts and crafts project. When you are finished with your project, recycle the newspaper.

There is a variety of supplies you can use for your projects. Any disposable paper goods are great choices. Paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls are useful. Newspapers and magazines will also come in handy. Take your throwaways and come up with creative ways to incorporate them into your projects.

If you are having trouble finding your arts and crafts supplies at a reasonable price, start looking into second-hand stores. There are many consignment shops that offer unusual supplies for today’s artist. Check back often, as these items often sell out quickly.

Concentrate on just one thing. When working on this type of hobby, it can be tempting to launch a variety of projects all at once. However, that’s a surefire way to keep those projects unfinished! There is no need to rush; don’t begin another project until you have finished the one you are working on. You will be happy to find that you have completed projects to amaze your friends and family with before you know it.

You don’t have to lay out perfect samples of the craft you want to do with children. Let them be as creative as they wish. For instance, never tell a child that an animal must have two eyes, a nose and a mouth. Instead, let them decide what the face should look like. This is a time to let them be creative without interference.

Be sure to keep all supplies for your craft projects organized. There are different ways to do this, but you should pick something that makes sense to you. If you stay organized, finding needed items will be a breeze. It also gives you an idea of all the things you have to work with.

The mosaic can look cloudy after the mortar dries, so what you do is use glass cleaner to get the mosaic clean. It helps to keep your mosaic free of mortar powder for a more beautiful finished project.

If you don’t like something you painted on a canvas, paint over it. Oils are highly adaptive, so a few more coats aren’t going to do any harm. Actually, you can create something more interesting.

If you want to make a birdfeeder alongside your children, start with a single pine cone, then add some peanut butter on the whole surface of it. When the peanut butter becomes nicely sticky, drop it into a bag of birdseed. The birdseed will stick tight to peanut butter, even when it is dry, so tie a string onto it, hang it, and wait for the bird to come.

You can create a variety of things by using arts and crafts. From the simple to the extravagant, the subject is very broad. Follow these tips to make a lot of different objects of art.…