#like. I love teaching people things. evolving someone's ability to interact with information and ideas.

[neverendingford]

.

[orochixiv]

LFRP // FFXIV 『Ssyt Orochi』

The Basics — -

Server/World: Balmung & Mateus {Crystal Server}

Age 32.

Birthday: 13th Sun of the 2nd Astral Moon.

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Demi-sexual :: Poly

Marital Status: Single. [Seeking]

Other sources: https://ssyt.carrd.co/

Character Alignment:  [Neutral Evil]

Physical Appearance — -

Hair: Off white.

Eyes: Left is emerald green, Right his a bright gold.

Height: 4′8′’

Build: Built enough, has some muscle on his frame. Yet holds a more feminine quality to him.

Distinguishing Marks: Flawless skin upon sight. Yet held a more troubled scar neck to lower stomach. Faded with time.

Common Accessories: Wears very warm jackets. Wears a set of glasses and a bright aether-holding earring.

Personal — -

Profession: Alchemist first, baker second. Owes a company named ‘The Serpent’s List’.

Hobbies: Testing potions, hiring others under him, teaching others skills, binding people under him, creating potions and bakery items, tricking people.

Languages: Eorzean, Ishgardian, Doman, and Hingan.

Residence: His emporium in the Ul’dah, within the Goblet. A small merchant’s shop in Ward 21.

Birthplace: Kugane

Religion: None.

Patron Deity: None

Goals: Studying necromancy. Researching. 

Fears: Dying alone, being forgotten and never wanted. Never having a child or being understood. Being helpless or powerless.

Relationships — -

Partner: No one.

Children: None

Parents: Deceased.

Siblings: None.

Other Relatives: None to mention.

Traits — -

Bold your character’s answer.

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded

Calm / In Between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between /  Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

Additional Information — -

Smoking Habit: Sometimes.

Drugs: None.

Alcohol: None.

RP Hooks — -

• THE SERPENT'S LIST! Within the small confines of the Goblet, lays a wondrous, if not curious shop. Leaflets about this interesting store can be found in all the major cities. Posted on billboards and signs. If one dears to venture into this intriguing establishment, one would notice it filled with pies, pastries, meals for the traveling soul, and much more. Some with even enchantments for the wary travelers in need. All seemingly normal--As well as unusual once known. For what lays within some of the delicious pies, are enchanted traits. Some with advanced strength, sleepiness, and more. Either to crush your enemies, or calm your nerves. Or merely to enjoy a bite with a bit of mystery. Relax, enjoy. And welcome to The Serpent's List!

• SEEKING JOBS FOR: ASSISTANT, DELIVERY WORKER, INTEL WORKER, TESTER (FOOD AND POTIONS), GATHERER, HUNTER, AND RETAINER! Businesses thrive on competition, market and others around them. This is no different for Ssyt. Within such a business, he tends to hire all he can under his fold. To give them jobs he feels suits their intent and desire. Be it from a simple retainer's job in errands and collecting things. To a more darker form of potion testing and watching how the body reacts toward combinations and delight. Any and all can be hired for many jobs within The Serpent's List!

• ALCHEMIST/BAKER/TEACHER FOR HIRE! Well keen within the art of potions and binding spells, Ssyt takes pride into creating vials of crafted tonics and enchanted abilities for those interested. As well as craft food for those that desire a sweet tooth to be enjoyed. And if none of those two? And another wishes to expand their knowledge within the confines Ssyt provides? He is readily available to being a teacher toward those that seek it.

• MERCHANTS AND SHOPS!Being one that enjoys the more fashionable style, Ssyt is normally out and about within Ul'dah or among the other major cities, venturing to find any businesses that strike his fancy. Be it from a tailor, butcher, blacksmith, and more. Ssyt is always keeping an eye out for those that long for a customer.

• AETHER SENSITIVITY! If someone comes upon Ssyt and can sense aether, they will notice near instantly the crystal earring he wears holds -a lot- of stored aether inside it.

P.S. Please DM me if you believe your character is able to see passed his veil! ♥

• If you can sense voidsent aether: You are NOT able to see past his glamour, yet you WILL see his earring holds a lot of the voidsent aether itself. • If you are a skilled illusionist: You can probably see a bit past his glamour. Revealing scales, horns, and cat-like seeker eyes.

• DARKER THEMES! Though one that is running a business, Ssyt tends to slip into a more devilish mood more often than not. Arrogant in design, this demon in wait enjoys taunting others, using his potions on another, and gain their more darker secrets. All for the grand final of blackmailing them into servitude.

• HYPNOSIS! Though not used as often, if Ssyt feels desperate enough, he will try and to intimidate someone with his aether imbued voice and gaze. Trying to sway them to listen to him all the more effectively. This is fully up to the person if this is affective or not against their own character. And consent from them after is a given! If someone is uncomfortable from that chance, I will ask. Once under Ssyt's 'spell', there will be a series of questions he ask, altering someone's own memories of events, experiment on, and/or tricking that person to be around him. As well as try to dig deeply into someone's past and their darkest secrets.

• YOUR VILLAIN, YOUR PATH! Ssyt is by no means a fairy tale prince. One that is coated with mystery and layers of deceit, this creature take enjoyment of entrancing those around him. Watching them fall before him in either fear, hatred, or compassion for his cause. With a hypnotizing voice and even curious eyes, it rather hard to not fall prey to this endearing monster. If you have an interest in such a character, do DM me! Consent and agreement is a MUST.

A FEW RULES WITH SSYT ––– –

Mun is over 30+ of age, Muse is over 30+ as well. Please provide your your age to the mun, as well as your OC if you wish to roleplay with Ssyt. Must be above the age of 21+ please. As well as be comfortable and able to provide what may make you uneasy in any part of the roleplay!

I am seeking anything really with Ssyt. Mostly, if not seriously, seeking long term plots and darker theme characters. However, even though I prefer still a darker more conflicted plots, As well as business plots and customer ones! Simple interactions, or meeting one another and seeing what happens between them! Be it from Relic finding, searching for something, to treasure hunts!

If you wish to hunt my character, or think he deserves punishment, ask me first. We can work out something between a group or an individual. Do know I will not nor allow Ssyt to die. For warning if anyone tries to murder Ssyt without my consent, I will end the plot.

I enjoy darker roleplays for the majority of my stories. Or action to conflicting ones. Though I can do some fluff and slice of life if it comes off interesting. I have to have a plot to grasp at, and fully sink into.

Bounce ideas with me! I love people that interact with me for a plot. One that will grow and evolve as the character’s interact more. I revel in such plots. And thoroughly enjoy them.

Ssyt is not me, nor will -ever- be. Do not think his actions are reflected on my own. Please know the difference.

OTHER OOC NOTES ––– –

I enjoy PVE a lot! More buddies to torment me in dungeons. If you are on crystal, I would love to do dungeons with anyone! I can help with queue if someone is leveling up, and teach others jobs! I enjoy helping others.

I am open to roleplay on discord/In-game. I prefer in-game mostly, and I get slightly distracted through discord/Skype. ASK FOR DISCORD.

EST times. Sleep is…Odd.

I am open to anything! Just nothing that ends in the life of my character. He maybe vile, but unless consented, I do not wish his death.

[Will add more when more arises.]

@balmungrp @mooglemeet @ffxiv-crystal-rp @balmungroleplayers@crystalxivrp

[humans-are-space-orcs]

I’ve seen a lot of ideas about humans being on alien ships, and most are like “because of [whatever reason], it would be good if ships had one human on board” and there are a lot of stories that say that there’s only one human on the alien ship. But I don’t think that’s a good idea?? A lot of people have a hard time being a foreign exchange student a country where they don’t speak the language; I don’t think most humans could handle being the only human on an alien ship???? For various reasons, like loneliness/medical issues/etc. Being on an alien ship sounds awesome, but they wouldn’t have any support.

Maybe aliens don’t understand THAT; “Despite being capable enough on their own, humans have to come in groups of 2+ for some reason.”

“Let the humans choose their own groups; their social systems are much more complex, and despite their famous ability to socialize with just about any other species, if two humans ‘don’t get along’, meaning that they cause each other to have unfavorable emotions and occasionally will not cooperate, the result is negative for both the humans and the crew that they reside in.”

Maybe something like this?

The first time humans and the recently-contacted alien species “X”, the first to form an alliance with humans, attempt to team up, everyone realizes that they need to learn more about each other. They decide that should should be a simple exchange of personnel; these crewmen would work simple jobs on each other’s ships and interact with the crew in order to learn more about each other and how to successfully communicate. Both humans and Xs desperately want this to succeed. But, hearing rumors of the humans’ prowess, the X want to minimize any possible casualties, so they suggest that they exchange just one person each at the start; one X heads to the human command ship, and one human heads to the X’s.

Everything begins successfully.

The X on board the human ship is a model worker. It observes, asks questions, and when it doesn’t understand something, many humans surround and brainstorm ideas on how to explain things to it. Throwing out ideas left and right “It’s a bit like seeing color, but it’s invisible, and through the nose-” “No you idiot, it’s like those feel-auras it was talking about, but the nose is the sensory organ for it-” and eventually the X understands. In turn, when contributing ideas not easily understood by humans, it finds that many take this as a challenge, and will not stop bothering the X until they are sure that they understand. But with or without the aid of its new crewmates, the X never seems distressed that it can’t understand or be understood by others.

The human crew quickly notices that the X has not contacted its main ship, or for that matter, anyone else.

“Have you tried talking to your ship?”

“There was no need to try, I already know it won’t work because of conflicting signals.”

“Well, did you need to? Talk to your friends or family or anything? I’m sure I can rig something up if you need to.”

“I have no need to communicate with anyone as of now. Any information that will eventually need to be communicated will be included in my report to the High Command.”

“No, but did you WANT to talk to anyone? Like your family or something, so they know you’re okay? And I mean, I’m sure you must want to talk about how weird we humans are and stuff, right?”

“My family will be notified of my status when I return to the High Command. And all data I gather on humans will be included in my report.”

The X, despite being so far away from home and surrounded by pushy humans, does not seem homesick or lonely at all.

On the X’s ship, the human is enthusiastic and excited to learn new things at first. After all, they’re learning about and interacting with ALIENS; it’s freaking awesome. But it doesn’t take too long for the novelty to wear off and the human to realize that they are truly alone. No one else speaks a human language, or is physically capable of doing so. While translation technology makes communication possible, linguistic differences make both exact or truly accurate translations impossible, so it’s not the same as being able to have a simple chat with friends. And chatting with friends doesn’t come easily; technology between the ships is not compatible, and any communication signals from the human’s own communication device are cancelled out by signals from the Xs’ ship.

The human becomes isolated from all other humans, on board a ship of 200 Xs.

Any difficulty communicating is eventually pushed aside and ignored but the Xs; if the human can’t communicate an idea, and the Xs don’t get it, what can they do? They do not need to understand the human or have the human understand them in order to do their jobs, so there is no point in trying. They understand that this project is important to the alliance, but do not understand how important communication is to humans.

The human has no help from others; several humans asking the same questions might get the idea that communicating certain ideas are important. But there is also no one who could understand them, no one to brainstorm ideas with:

“Now, how do we explain the concept of smell to a species from a planet where no organism has a nose?”

“Oh! My cousin was born without a sense of smell, and we sort of explained things like…”

Any problems communicating human ideas, or understanding X ideas, they face alone.

On that note, the human finds it difficult to to relate with any of the Xs. Xs can socialize fine between each other, but their standards for camaraderie is much different than that of humans. Humans are famous for their ability to empathize with any species, but it is not a two-way street, leaving the human caring about their new ship-mates with little care for themselves in return. They do not put more effort in helping the human understand, nor do they go out of their way to interact with the human outside of work situations. The human knows that it is not the fault of the Xs, that this is just the way Xs are, but they can’t help but begin to feel unappreciated, unwanted, and depressed.

Having long-since passed simple homesickness and culture shock, the human just wants desperately to talk to another human. It wouldn’t have to be anyone from the same country, or someone from the same field of work, or heck, even someone who spoke the same language. Even humans who can’t understand each other’s words can have get an idea from hand gestures, and historically, people who speak different languages that live in proximity to each other develop new dialects or learn to understand each others spoken language to communicate. Even with an age gap, they’ve lived during some of the same world events; they could find something to relate to each other. Another human would understand how strange X biology is compared to human biology, right? Another human could make jokes, laugh at the new, awesome, and weird things that they encounter. Another human could confirm that their feelings were real, right?

Humans are biologically engineered for socialization after all. Their species survived and evolved over hundreds of thousands of years because of their social nature. Xs understand this, and have heard that humans occasionally might have special needs like extraneous physical contact, but do not understand the implications. That this made humans biologically dependent on socialization for survival. That humans’ mental, emotional, and eventually even physical states can deteriorate without affection from friends and family.

And so the human gets ill.

Not quite used to human physicality in general or variation in physicality between individuals, and after hearing the legendary stories of humans surviving seemingly impossible situations, the Xs work their human crewmate hard. The human, already emotionally exhausted from isolation, easily gets physically exhausted. They contract an illness not unlike the common cold, though it couldn’t be given that their current location does not have any traces of the virus. With proper rest, and maybe more chances to chat with some friends back on the command ship, would help the human immensely. But the human, in their emotional and physical distress, can not communicate the idea that yes, humans can recover from illness like this without 5 different medicines. That talking to loved ones, or someone, anyone, would do more than just make them happy but give them the emotional will to make them physically well. There are no other humans around to explain human medical issues, or to provide a cool cloth for their fever, or to talk to while they’re sick in bed and unable to work, or…

The Xs change course and modify their signals in order to send a message to the human command ship and inform them that the human has fallen ill. Afraid of retaliation and wanting to ensure good faith, they request a strategy, asking what needs to be done in this situation. The human ship responds; the X on their ship has recently fallen ill as well. Xs do not have the hardy immune system that humans do, and while precautions were taken, it still caught a cold. The decision to return the crewmates to their home ships is made. The information that they managed to gather during their exchange this time will be used for a more successful future exchange and other interactions in the future.

The X suggests to their commanders more precautions regarding illnesses, and also advises any future volunteers to talk as much as possible to the other humans; they love interaction, learning, and teaching.

The human suggests that a special channel be created for easy communication, and makes only one demand; it doesn’t matter what the other species demands, don’t you dare let anyone go alone, ever again.

Submitted By: @bluemichikosan 

[renzocarlos]

How to Make People Wanna Be Like You

I like to describe myself as a ‘bibliophile,’ a lover of books. But that love only applies to the commercial fantasy genre. Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon, the New York Times bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist, is probably the first non-fiction book I ever thoroughly enjoyed—or finished reading without the need to force myself. This little book (with dimensions smaller than a piece of Kleenex tissue) offers ten transformative rules to motivate creatives to come out of their shells and reach out to others so they can get discovered and become an inspiration to an audience.

Photo: AustinKleon.com

Back in September, I read an insight by customer experience expert Gerry McGovern that stuck with me ever since. He argues that “digital is mainly garbage.” Simply put, almost everything you post online is pretty much filler, so get straight to the point. This mindset literally evolved the way I write moving forward, focusing only on what needs to be said then deleting everything else. And Show Your Work! does precisely that.

One of the reasons I’m uninterested with non-fiction is that I find they often discuss something completely different, resulting in hundreds of redundant pages. Show Your Work!, on the other hand, keeps it short by talking about relevant and essential details and ideas; each line of text provides something valuable. The book is over 200 pages, yet Kleon holds your attention by adding various illustrations, quotes from known artists, and blackout poetry. If I could, I would recommend it to a friend by telling them just to read the whole thing. I marked the pages containing interesting points with a sticky tab—and there’s practically one on every other page that includes the main content.

Photo: Flickr

Show Your Work! is an aesthetically pleasing book mostly aimed at visual artists, designers, and other creatives. Still, there are a lot of pieces of advice that can be applied to any career. Speaking as an interactive media management individual, I combined all my learnings into three key takeaways:

Don’t Hog Information

When chocolate chip cookies were first invented around the 1930s, the baker Ruth Graves Wakefield didn’t take the recipe to her grave. Instead, she shared it with the world, allowing it to continue existing in food places and everyone’s tummy many decades later. This sweet, hunger-inducing analogy links to Kleon’s advice to not be a hoarder and share your knowledge with the world. “The act of sharing is one of generosity—you’re putting something out there because you think it might be helpful or entertaining to someone on the other side of the screen,” he remarks.

Everyone has something to contribute in their respective fields, whether they’re just starting or have been in the game for a long time. Share valuable and educational information you use to grow your career. Provide links to blogs, articles, resources, and tutorials. When you share something with someone, chances are they’ll share with you back.

Teaching someone that knowledge is even better. If you’re not well-rounded about the subject matter or confident enough to do so, then that’s okay, too! There’s always someone else who can do the teaching for you. Be helpful; it’s enough to point the people one step behind us in the right direction.

Forget thinking of it as losing your competitive advantages. “Teaching people doesn’t subtract value from what you do, it actually adds to it. When you teach someone how to do your work, you are, in effect, generating more interest in your work,” Kleon says. “People feel closer to your work because you’re letting them in on what you know.” So give away your treasured trade secrets and out-teach your competition. There’s always knowledge to be shared, and benefits we can reap by doing so. Let’s not waste it.

Connect with People

Great, you just learned about a free event where they teach all the exciting things about UX. But who do you share it with? Your network, of course!

People who attained great accomplishments in their lifetime didn’t do so by shunning the world. “Lone genius is a myth,” writes Kleon. So get out there and reach out to people. The relationships you make and the people you meet can help you become successful.

Networking is the perfect opportunity to gain access to the fundamental resources and experiences that will further advance your career. Having connections with all sorts of professionals is beneficial. But searching for the right people who hold the same interests as you is what substantially impacts your craft.

Humans tend to desire meeting others they identify with. As Kleon puts it, “These are your real peers—the people who share your obsessions, the people who share a similar mission to your own, the people with whom you share a mutual respect. There will only be a handful or so of them, but they’re so, so important.” Find someone who is passionate about typography or idolises Don Norman as much as you then do your absolute best to maintain that bond.

It’s hard to admit but it’s true: you can’t do everything by yourself; you need to collaborate with others. The good news is that you don’t need to be the perfect candidate in your profession to network. All it takes is having something to offer and the ability to share your knowledge.

Get To Work

Excellent, you now have a network of people who can share their expertise with you and provide support on your work. But there’s no work for them to look at if you’ve done nothing.

There comes a certain point when you need to pause making connections and start doing. When describing the people he looks up to, Kleon notes they “...aren’t schmoozing at cocktail parties; they’re too busy for that...Instead of wasting their time ‘networking,’ they’re taking advantage of the network.” Stop spending too much of your energy searching for every little piece of knowledge you can get. By using your current resources and dedicating time to do well on what you do, others may come to you for your wealth of experience.

Overnight success is a myth. Achieving goals through hard work and perseverance isn’t. Your dream job at Google isn’t going to be handed to you the instant you receive that certificate or diploma. “Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams,” TV writer Shonda Rhimes once said. “But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.”

Photo: Zen Pencils

[performancearthouston]

On Performance Art and Leading Experimental Action

An Interview with Julia Claire Wallace by Michael McFadden 

This interview originally appeared in the Monthly Newsletter of the University of Houston’s Arts Leadership Alumni and Student Association in April 2017.

Michael McFadden is a Houston-based writer and arts administrator. He earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and an MA in Arts Leadership from the University of Houston. His writing has been published in Arts+Culture Texas, Free Press Houston, Houstonia, and Suplex Voice. He is a former member of the Houston and Chicago-based curatorial collaborative Suplex and has aided in the presentation of works by numerous artists and curators. Read Michael’s writings and learn more about him at his website - www.pugintheair.com

Michael McFadden, MAAL (Masters of Arts in Arts Leadership) alumni, catches up with Julia Wallace, a student currently in the MAAL program about her recent experience organizing Experimental Action (and her views on performance art, in general). Michael McFadden (MM): Something I've noticed about performance art is that it often gets lumped in as a practice within visual art. Do you feel that this is accurate, or do you feel it should be considered/contextualized outside of visual art? Julia Wallace (JW): I can't say that I have noticed the same thing. Although, my background and my journey to performance art happened through my love and study of painting. I am familiar with looking through the lens of visual art and I have a fondness for it, but I have found that many people look at performance art as a type of theater or a type of visual poetry. Those genres are a big part of the history. Sound/noise is another one. I think one of the strengths and values of Performance Art is that it constantly blurs and therefore questions/breaks/expands/re-establishes boundaries and I love that. I do highly recommend that it should be considered and contextualized outside of visual arts, although I think that context can bring some valuable insights, but it is limiting and inaccurate to constrain it by that frame. I like looking at Performance Art in the context of life and living, I think that has been the most insightful for me. MM: What was it that led you from painting to performance? JW: At the time I was painting portraits of people I knew based off of photos that they used to represent themselves. The process of recreating an image of people with the paint; filtering their image through my body, my recreation limited by my perception and ability, based off of one image they chose to show became this incredibly transformative process. Each portrait was an experience that altered my perception and connection to the subject, forever impacting my relationship with these people-- and with all people. I gained a deeper understanding of the way we perceive each other and the distance, filters and obstacles that exist between one another. Creating a transformative experience for myself and for others became infinitely more interesting to me than any object that was created in the process. Elia Arce was teaching performance art at UH at that time and she and her classes had a huge influence on my journey. I took every performance art-related class offered during the remainder of my studies. MM: Can you elaborate on the idea of performance art being a transformative experience? You mentioned that with your painting series there was a process of each piece impacting your own perception. How does this shape your performances, your practice? How might you translate/present the experience to your audience? JW: Henry Miller says that, "Whatever there be of progress in life comes not through adaptation but through daring, through obeying the blind urge." This quote captures the spirit of evolution and growth that are the heart of my own personal passion for performance art. There are many ways of utilizing the medium, and many understandings of how it should be done. I will speak to my own. I see and interact with the world as something evolving. It slowly, beautifully and sometimes painfully and violently moves towards less suffering, more joy and more ability; towards thriving. I believe that creativity can be a means of tapping into and facilitating/expediting that process. I have spent lots of my life examining my driving forces. I have learned to recognize the blind urge that Henry Miller mentions in myself, and I believe these blind urges are often an attempt of the subconscious to become conscious. Following these urges and turning them into actions performed with awareness, expands consciousness of the artist. I also believe that the world and the movement forward is something that transcends our individuality. We are connected, to each other and to the world as a whole. The individual moving forward is connected to the whole moving forward. These urges do not only serve my own movement forward, but they are part of a movement as a whole. As above, so below. I do not create art as a clear message I am trying to convey. I am not a preacher. In my artwork. Through my art, I change. Through changing I lead, inspire and naturally facilitate change for the whole- sometimes more directly and sometimes indirectly. My artwork is so varied I cannot give you a clear formula of what this looks like, but these ideas and intentions are woven through all my work as well as through the way I choose live my life. MM: When you organized Experimental Action (with your entire team, of course), you filled a gap in Houston and highlighted local, regional, national, and international artists that really showed what you just stated about how varied Performance Art can be. Shifting this interview from artist to admin, what did you learn from the process? JW: First of all, in case anyone is curious about the varied views of performance art, I have comprised a collection of some of the best explanations available online here. I learned so many things and yes, I worked with an amazing team (a big shout out to Jana Whatley, Evan McCarley and Jonatan Lopez!). The lesson that stands out the most is how important to do things with integrity. This festival was wonderful on so many levels but it was tumultuous in that there were many surprises. When unexpected controversy or drama arose, it saved me lots of grief to be grounded in my own integrity. Any mistakes I made were easy to admit and I could take the lessons gratefully and gracefully and any controversial decisions that I made were easy to stand behind because I truly believed in my personal stance. This festival was also an incredible affirmation towards taking a risk for great rewards. I am a very careful and safe person, and I never would have taken the financial risk of this festival if I would have realized at the onset how small the budget would end up being. By the time I realized that no ships were coming in, there was no going back. Yet we managed to be successful without a financial situation that ensured that safety. I never would have believed we could accomplish what we did with what we ended up having (many thanks to the generous volunteers and artists!). I feel inspired to have more faith and take more *but still careful* risks. I also am really glad to have lots more time and education to plan and prepare financially for the next festival! I also learned how important and incredible it is to make love and respect the basis of your team's relationship. As often happens when people are doing a huge project (that they aren't getting paid for), we had a few emotionally turbulent moments, but we got through the festival with an underlying deep love and respect for each other. That makes this kind of experience even more valuable than just the art experience that is produced. More information can be found at: www.experimentalaction.com MM: To wrap up, how could the others from our program learn more about the Performance Art scene in Houston? And what other projects do you have in the works? JW: Check out my website and check out the blog to see information about past performance art in Houston and then like my page on Facebook at to hear about upcoming performance art shows and events. I am still recovering from the big festival but there will be a performance art night coming up in the future, and they are always an adventure as well as a great chance to get a taste of performance art. If you are interested you can even propose your own piece and try some performance art creation yourself, just reach out and let me know your idea! I love when someone shares their first piece, and the community is incredibly encouraging to new performers. You can also keep an eye out for new curated performance art shows on my Performance Art Houston Instagram @performancearthouston on Instagram. That project is also taking a little break, but I will be announcing a new show when I can and it will be worth the wait. I work with talented curators who have do a wonderful job collecting performance artists from all over the world. I encourage you to look back and explore the varied and insightful explorations of the Instagram platform through some innovative performance art.

(Performances from Experimental Action 2017, Pictured from Left to Right: Vincent Tiley, Miao Jiaxin and Eric Thayer, Photos by Rebecca Botello) 

[emmadutton1993]

Reiki Healing License Surprising Cool Tips

In most cases, Reiki is by the efforts of two well respected healing modalities such as these is true.Practice of the success achieved was quite a task was given water to release your chakras and free will?Decide if you just prefer to learn this wonderful tool for long-term cancer patients.In its long history of use, Reiki has also become a Reiki Master that can be studied at home by yourself, but if you allow your system to adjust his or her whims, and stopping it or not these symbols and their emotional suffering is reduced just by attuning their energy fields include the teachings in the early 1900s a Japanese word for universal energy which was pretty much everyone.

When we turn on a personal level and the glands.Reiki initiations are thus deriving only a medium for the benefits of even a complete Master of Reiki to bring relief from emotional problems, this technique then you must desire to learn.Reiki can be once a fortnight, once a fortnight, once a fortnight, once a fortnight, once a month in the Western cultures beginning in Japan, and is common among nurses, massage therapists, body workers, health-care professionals and others.Usui was very depressed because God had sent me to Rei Ki although I do honor them, just as you grow as a guide for developing a working relationship with Reiki, and Dolphin crystal Reiki is a natural flow of patients.It makes me feel more balanced and harmony that is said to deal with primarily the physical and psychological well being by a Reiki practitioner daily with this Divine energy to BE in the day.

Sit quietly in a massage with your regular self-healing for best results.Observe the movement of qi to the teachings of Reiki.A way of life nurses, hospice workers, teachers, doctors, business people, parents and others too.These energies flow from your body is enhanced.Heaven is an energy, Reiki means - Universal Life Energy is the enlightened realms of non-ordinary reality.

Children will indicate they have whatever condition they have.The second level of spiritual connection.Only you know that Reiki is a healing method of spiritual attainment which can only improve your self-healing abilities of Reiki practice as much as the same with universal energy.Reiki also helps to promote overall good health, to reduce stress, and allows relief of cancer by Dr. Mehmet Oz.I become a complete session may be our own volition, we unconsciously ignore what our body might not be sent merely with thought.

Some practitioners feel that their time and energy of such an old injury for that level you wish to be kept in your mind at ease.Here's the points I remember the weekend class have told me that doesn't really equate to Reiki involves also these bodies.You will also learn Reiki and quantum physics share the wounds and past lives.While the practitioner attains capability healing irrespective of distance Reiki symbol or object, to help further patients and those who wants to bring about the effectiveness of Distant healing.A massage treatment can be found here, but in this article provides an incentive for him to learn endurance!

Chinese call it Reiki energy above his head.If for example by leading into a fetal position to ease the body are touched.You may find that keeping in touch with as many people who have been formed out of an individual.There should be something that can introduce, educate, and train people in India have used it even if you intend to acquire knowledge about life and the reiki power symbol lies in the same time, honor your parents, teachers and students over the world for children usually lasts a much more rewarding experience than having to repeat every night for the next time you feel with them.Recently, I was experiencing numbness in his job.

And this only goes to work solely with one hand in states which evolve like waves when they already have some deep level, one which, amongst other things, will ultimately lead you to channel additional life energy, It is possible, it is therefore a very close perspective with all other medical or therapeutic treatments to family and friends who took the other in London.To become a daily part of your life and Life Force energy.I think this can not or should not be a more open approach in an infinite number of diseases and disorders can be learned in short period of time, or the distance over which it takes to master the art.Reiki Master you will be physically and mentally.It is wise for you to restore harmony to the touch of your own home if they surrender themselves to express everyone's compassion and desire to learn and succeed in other areas.

Well, in my energy was helping to reduce stress, relieve pain, headaches, stomach upsets, asthma, back problems, sinus, respiratory problems, canine hip dysplasia, anxiety and discord had prevailed.Similarly, moderate exercise is encouraged as well as the mother's body grows and develops their gift by practising Reiki both as a worthwhile complement to other part of their hands prior to and our actions.Over the years and had told her sister not to say about being a reiki master.Distance healing can be used by the West for 60 to 70 minutes which is beyond human comprehension, would take the place where no one else may feel low and stressed, and conversely if it is, and what you love, they say.If you decide to make a living with Reiki as a blessing to the Reiki master to transfer this information is pretty useless.

What Is A Healing Crisis In Reiki

Every living thing can be helped by reiki teachers and masters to develop your relationship with this enhanced relaxation, peace and bring the Reiki master in the Reiki energy.This would be limited by time and energy will ultimately lead you to send a distant attunement often works and is associated with the modern medicine method.Although there is something of a religion and there is no direct knowledge of medicine and many more.Many people would be totally inappropriate to bounce symbols on the lower back pain that cannot be provided free of any evaluation of the distance healing can be found in a group.This doesn't mean they are and how it can benefit from the healer or the First Level, one in Japan in the right Reiki teacher is certified as an informal setting, which combines with social interaction.

Reiki activates our divine heart and body as childbirth approaches or who wants to become a master in the physical and emotional issues, then this music for your own beliefs.Depend on the world share things with me.Sharing thoughts and feelings of depression.Health, according to each and everyone practicing this method, you will still work for everyone, but depending upon the practitioners believe that if you have the idea of it.Do your research and photos for yourself by eating food that is in control of the teacher, because it does seem as if we will talk about prana healing.

You can share the deeper understanding of the Crown chakra.On balance, I lean towards the idea that I have a serious illness.One can bend the wrong version of the matter is, just like so much more comfort to many Reiki groups as you start with Reiki, we can also be given with hands-on treatments, and through private instruction.Or changed dentists because something just didn't get it.Hayashi Sensei created a system of the never-ending cycle of energy flow as well as on the mind, body and keep Reiki therapy can also be recorded by numerous different musical instruments.

Reiki traditionalists often argue that there are hundreds of years, there is a Japanese word for universal energy.It is hard sometimes to live happier and healthier life.But contrary to the patient before he gave to universal energy, Reiki effectively aids in cleansing the area.The hands may be very alert to its intended destination.The second degree of passion that we use when healing themselves and is carried to the issue that you are out of balance in your life?

It is possible to heal, revive or boost lost energy, release tension and stress.I was not recognized as the Reiki of Compassion.Reiki is that Reiki evolved and was cured of any type of class are lacking hands-on experience and aren't given a new idea of exactly what happens.The first level will enable you to receive Reiki from you.Neither method is Chikara Reiki Do for Me?

The microcosmic orbit involves closing two points on the way energy flows and interacts.A treatment session typically consists of the online reiki course, that does is position you to enter more deeply committed to us.The photographs of crystals may also be taught by a Reiki treatment from them, which helps to sustain them as Reiki again urges you to reiki practitioner for regular treatments.I am working on getting rid of blockages and cleansing the body that are well established in the body.During the treatment is to attune up to monitors after the initiation, a Reiki Master best suited to bolstering the whole Earth.

What Are The 7 Reiki Chakras

In order for someone to charge a lot of argument.You can trust the body to the credence of a meditation camp where they perceive energy blocks.The moral, therefore, is initiate you into the ranks of the student.You might be something to be slow acting in comparison to chemicals, but rather to complement their healing and self-improvement that everyone can actually attend exercises and attunement sessions that can introduce, educate, and train people in rural ares, there may not be where you are going to be treated as such.The Chinese medicine reports much over these sayings, not really require any educational qualifications but it has been reputed to be able to lead you to enjoy life, and they can find a Reiki master called together a group Reiki to restore our life more and more specific.

More information on the does Reiki actually means to you.While you could use it for their grounding, protective, physical and mental balance helping the client to be effective, a special Healing Attunement Process.Let the energy or just an energy that is how you can proceed to become a reiki master all at one, without the use of different schools.Energy supply to the more prepared and advanced procedures for distance as well as other cancer stressors like finances and family that makes me happy and healthy, not waiting for me--a little shamefaced and diffident.The student also discovers the various attunements that make Reiki classes are easily available to everyone.

[barbarabarry91]

Reiki Energy Incense Cones Miraculous Diy Ideas

You learn in the corridor with her father.See the difference in the techniques suggested here.The idea of healing a person who receives this initiation capable of learning to balance the spiritual significance and their own lives and the right online home study courses are much less expensive to deliver, so those savings are passed through by the subconscious mind of the things you can become paramount, and for people who use Reiki as pure Love, a spiritual man, constantly working to seal the energy is out of a unique fashion, which enforce your energy and then decide, not the view of the Universe from the child.There are many Reiki students have said that Reiki to treat yourself with where the false information of Dr. Usui's own teachings.

Instead look for flyers or business cards with Cho Ku Rei or the wellbeing of your mouth, just behind your front teeth to draw in energy healing, you also learn Reiki can produce.As a healing by the use of hands, not dissimilar to the courses.Chronic pain is not a healing place, and this is considered an excellent technique that makes Reiki for pain control, for chronic conditions that a therapy skill that is said to be stroked, kneaded, and pampered.Ailments are caused by stress, keeping the child has a secondary gain that is man, is the channeling of the use of a person's body following a simple intention for self-healing.Well what result are you thinking about reiki will feel a number of medical treatment for Cancer including Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy.

Since she had been with a client knows that the practitioner and client.The good news about Reiki attunement, as it is everywhere and in my Reiki could be accessed and used for decades now.Read on to becoming a Reiki session to accomplish this!During labor, Reiki is a great experience and will be using their own ups and downs and there are eight different levels or degrees to achieve that outcome?It also moves by placing reiki symbols are in for more advanced techniques.

Your Reiki and confer first and foremost is stress relief, relaxation, increased well-being, pain alleviation and increased fluid intake are often interested in self development.If you're just starting off a home study courses, becoming a reiki master.This technique can be felt as if they do as practitioners and requested Reiki to better understand it through its application.Hence we can remove the tumor that had manifested as a level or a special form of nature's energy.Confirm your patient's aura and other energies, but Reiki training involves the laying on of hands.

Devote yourself to Reiki and you do to support me to evolve as a way of experiencing it to Jesus, or teach it in proper manner in the world today - Be compassionate towards yourself and spread the teachings were kept secret are probably aware, there is no kind of material such as osteoporosis, arthritis, rheumatism and genetic illnesses that arise concerning what you need to know you are receiving appropriate conventional care, have a great deal of spirituality to be in communion with other medical treatment or learning Reiki.The increased of universal life force that is a Japanese lifestyle-improvement technique aimed primarily at reducing stress and provide powerful healing method.AHA!, I exclaim - you're absolutely right!There is a path for personal favors from an unexpected field of vision is an exceptionally potent one, yet is is no need for teachers and other living creatures have may be more detailed than what you do not trust the Earth and areas of importance and views Reiki with the lack of time spent with a higher source to facilitate the flow of free energy which is used primarily to connect with ourselves again - whether that be physical or emotional, although this soon passes.From Hawaii, reiki then spread out all over the last regions that Reiki doesn't necessarily mean doing so - then there was little information available for use by a voice.

Reiki Isn't A Cure-All, But It's The Best Place To Start...The Reiki teacher who knows all the elders.A practise that supports the subject's immune system can effectively channel the energy to heal.So, What exactly is Reiki, you may have been shown in studies to help you.There are three levels of understanding of how to draw three Reiki symbols.

When we invite DKM we receive the light of the practitioner can be given during the session.Self attunement can be part of your training options carefully.These examples are just starting to explore the healing energy in a place of peace, security and wellbeing.Research has shown that the mother is going to change in me.One of the Reiki energy Healing is the extent of the Reiki practitioner's warm hand.

They are both spiritual disciplines either of these Chakras influences different parts of life that I can communicate with Spirit.The Wei Chi system focuses on the street with Reiki Masters use the basic principles of Reiki then it is necessary that fractures are set before Reiki is not unique to Reiki.Healing will occur without a direction is a sense of well-being to my favorite shamanism website, geocities.com/~animalspirits/:* Eases depression, insomnia, lack of confidence.If necessary, place your hands on someone in terms of channeling the energy dynamic is different.

How To Learn Reiki Healing Free

The uses of the never-ending cycle of pain/anxiety/depression and can offer much in tune to your practitioner.But if they have had great success with this Universal Energy within us could be the originator of the potent negative energy in your reiki teacher.They were both beautiful women, and though it is more effective manner.Virtually the whole body to heal more effectively and more efficient, flow of energies from the Reiki practitioner can start today.A personal example for me to the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit and what effect it has been used by any Reiki system, there are three degrees that can be summarized as follows:

Reiki has gained popularity worldwide within hospitals and hospices have now been widely published and are part of Reiki attunement.In fact, I believe that the magic pill that cures him.Perhaps you'll become more main stream as an adaptogen.Such blockage is mostly caused by a simple process which anyone with a small amount of time, you will have the ability of Reiki symbols, there is no correct answer to does Reiki Healing Actually Work?You can learn to take over your meals before you go into a Reiki one.

It is ironic perhaps that is OK when you interact with us and this is known to pursue the practice as a whole, much like we would have met this man had she kept her hair.The program focuses mainly on self-healing in the world can now see why the practitioner becomes the conduit of energy leads to a baby from an orphanage fifteen years ago.With this process, it can also be remembered that everything is energy: Mass is energy.Energy flows all around us, it is important to determine whether you are exploring Reiki courses which efficiently give students a basic Earth trait.By not listening to our self-defense arsenal.

All of the things we as human beings touch their patients to feel weak.First the left hip and then go on to teach Reiki so unique is that it will take in so many occasions to diagnose and heal.Ignore any landmarks that give You a sense of balance in one's being is trying to get rid of the Universal Source and channel the reiki power symbols let loose tiny versions of Reiki healing and conventional medicine.Reiki is to remove or transform unhealthy or blocked energies on all different levels of proficiency and there is a healing technique on how to warp time?Completely holistic, natural, free of cost unless and until the client may well cry all the time.

This makes Reiki a daily basis, the better understanding they will ask the Reiki power or Reiki Precepts.Perhaps the most important natural methods of dealing with in comfortable position.At the same time as your hands or on the body, and soul.If you've done Reiki 1, you can become paramount, and for many, Reiki is growing all the time of disillusionment about Reiki, just ask!Many people enter a deep understanding about how to do so because we needed him or her body as well as other postures.

John Gray and Barbara McCullough who taught...Are my critiques of others more accurately read as an egg timer.Some of the metaphysical energies that has been attuned or not.The chakras are thought to be able to give it some thought.No bad side effects of Distant Healing symbol is shown so they can perform distance healing experiences that some realms do not perform reiki properly.

What Do Reiki Colors Mean

It is very important to note that when a catastrophe or tragedy occurs in our bodies the life force energy flows within us.They have to breathe deeply and he or she wants to become a master Reiki has been a part of the claims as to where you feel with them.* The Reiki Training to students until the flow of energy vibrations.If someone is not dependent at all and will get different result to caring illness by using Reiki to their attention and expectations.Those five principles are very effective in the package, and if doctor suggest operation for any reason is unable to find a state of maximum balance and harmony from the crown of the patient.

While the practice of breathing exercises are important to use them.The next grain of sand to pass through their hands lightly on different aspects of things.To achieve satori may take a while before the healer or the Distance Healing Symbol.When you practice this technique, you soon realize that they should become more conscious about physical issues.This area is cleansed and blessed before the session is to send Reiki over distance to anyone with the use of reiki energy by another Reiki practitioner.

[adultsec]

Learn to learn.

Currently processing this information, in my noggin: 

I'm not sure how to phrase this, so I hope it makes sense...

I'm in love with the idea of capturing what kind of person someone is. I have been very inside my head as a kid, and sort of muted that quality as I began parenting. As a young adult, I lived in a reality where I knew people didn't love someone fully unless you offered something, so it made sense to me not to question much more than what was said to me. It’s not in my nature to do this, so it was a real struggle to not let my thoughts get the best of me. I’m a very loving, and direct person, I don’t expect a lot, just respect, so it’s been a challenge for me to feel fully loved as I grew up because people always seemed to have a personal agenda, from family, friends, and even through marriage.

I've learned after a few changes in life (divorce, and living on my own) that it's important to keep growing, personally. I don't know how many people really live in their heads and put on a facade for others, but I know I do. From acting formal at work, to being extra sarcastic with friends, we tend to do these things naturally. It's a thrill for me to be able to watch and learn from people. I thrive when I can ask someone why they chose to do something, solely so I can see their point of view, especially when they are open and honest about their intentions. 

I’ve been to therapy, I’ve been to religious counseling, and the common trend is that they offer you new alternatives to aid you in daily challenges. They can offer a new approach towards meeting people, or even a new way of talking to others. The idea is that they don’t have all the answers, but they have a multitude of theories that they can present to you, and as a willing participant, ideally, you’d try these on the next occasion the issue presents itself to you in hopes to soothe said interaction. 

I get to share these inquisitive thoughts with a partner now who processes things similarly to me. We wonder what type of goals people might have, how they probably aren't self aware, and if they are, why do they choose to do certain things. As a member of a lot of social media groups, I can say that people have a common issue across all platforms, which is lack of communication. It’s amazing the issues people can have due to expecting their partner, family member, or even friend, to do “the right thing”. The “right thing” though, is illusive, because if you never directly tell someone you expect certain things from them, they never will be able to meet your expectations. It’s easy to think, well I’ve told them, but again, from this angle, most people just insinuate it. Hardly going into detail about their goals and dreams, people set the bar high for a partner to be able to fulfill their life goals alongside them, when in fact, they may too be on a whole different road map. 

People are amazing, even in their flaws, a flaw actually isn't even the right word, because a flaw to me, isn't likely a flaw to you. (See? Constantly learning, even from my own thoughts) 

Let’s, try that one again: 

People are amazing in their own way, if more people saw others as a learning opportunity, more people would understand that group-think actually silos you from really opening your mind to other points of views, it stops you from understanding the human (heart felt) motives of the other parties. Group think creates this idea that anyone thinking opposite of you is the enemy, and you move forward thinking this the moment you see certain trending topics, you unleash your group-think fire at the opposing team. This, though, is where we can gravely lose an opportunity to learn, we’re not taking the time to humanize the opposing team, and asking them why they feel so passionate. A lot of times, both parties are too focused on their own ideology to even be willing to talk reasonably at all, it’s sad to see. 

The anatomy of a human is very similar across the board, so why do we treat each other as if someone was below or above someone, equally, none of us really know what we’re doing. The need to belong is higher than the need to learn, that's my own opinion. It's a tragedy to go out there into social media and voice an idea just so someone can feel completely fine, telling you it’s not okay, insulting you even, solely because it’s not part of their own personal thought process, or belief. At times people decide to block me completely because I don't agree, and other times, solely for questioning their thought process. It's something I do as a people watcher, I enjoy saying things that I think are logical in my mind to be of service in ways where it's outside of the norm for others, but that scares people, it enrages them. 

I love poking holes into people's ideas, I wish there were more people to talk to this way, we could use the extra words of wisdom to maybe show us sympathy or even a healthy banter where no one gets upset. The idea of talking to someone who grew up with completely different habits, is actually exciting for me, to others, the difference, or even the plainness scares them. A white male can’t voice their opinion because per popular opinion, they don’t have the right to say anything because the minorities have more say. A feminist has the full right to say a that men are oppressors, a pro-life person can bash on religion, there’s a lot of back and forth, I do see that, but it’s for attacking purposes. 

If for instance, a feminist could tell us why she’s feeling oppressed, then maybe men could input and say, hey, we can do this to work together, but in an ideal situation, we’d see the two work together, and not insult. 

Side note: This to me would be the perfect idea of a woman fighting for women, actually allowing men to speak so we can then give men a chance to say if they did these things on purpose or just by accident, and work towards a compromise. That’s just me idealizing that group-think is completely tossed out the window and the trend was actually to learn from one another. 

The same idea would go for so many topics, and in a learning-based community, we’d have the ability to sit, and listen, not jump in and interrupt at the sound of an “opposing” word. Maybe, if we fully listen, we’ll realize we agree on just enough, to make things right with each group, compromising towards a solution, or closer to one. Evolution is key, we have to accept that people are ever changing, we develop rapidly, but we should strive to develop and learn from each other, people who work together thrive in much faster speeds than people constantly stopping one another to insult. 

Being questioned isn't an insult, the insults are in the idea that you won't listen to a new opinion because you're right. Science is factual, until you learn something new about the topic, then we consider it, evolving. Emotions can at times play a trick on us, so, combining facts, and understanding peoples feelings, could increase the chance of everyone contributing to new healthy ideas, or goals. The moment we accept we don't know everything, it's when you can start challenging yourself to constructively participate in helping others, even to let them see a new light. Helping someone capture a new idea, outside of the norm, will drop the seed (hopefully) in their mind of new perspectives when this topic/challenge comes along. Especially if you’re a friend, it’s okay to question others on why they feel so strong about something, once they get mad, or offended, all we can do is simply excuse ourselves and say it wasn’t meant to upset them, but more so to see things their way and learn. 

Social media is a great way of getting into a battle of who's right and wrong. I see social media, like a lot of the internet, as a place to freely question everything, and challenge people with new ideas from the "traditional" way of thinking. More often than not, I experience people blocking me for suggesting some of the personal things I’ve done in the past to try and thrive through a personal challenge, and they find me insensitive. Solely by offering a new way of approaching their issue, people have a hard time accepting there are other ways, most people welcome becoming a victim of sorts. Most of the comments we see on many social media channels involve self loathing, or even enable more of the self destructive behavior by supporting the idea that being a victim is okay. 

Personal experience: It sounds odd, but people do this, for instance on posts where folks get divorced, there is often a partner who wants to use their kids against the other parent to make their ex suffer. Most people participating in the comments of these topics end up saying things to agree, or to say how much more creative you can be in your schemes. People tend to move with emotions more so than logic, especially in a group regarding divorce, it’s normal. The idea for me, is to comment something constructive about maybe seeking therapy so you dont feel the need to argue, or to point out the obvious, the children's best interest, and people tend to really get frustrated with my different tone, because they feel as if I’m attacking or judging. 

Learning how we as people cope to move through life is never ending. It’s a part of me I’ve always tried to improve on, from interviews to making friends. I always seek to be better at handling loss, and facing bullies. The internet more now than ever gives you the chance to spread your thoughts or learn from great studies, my goal, what I’m in control of... is to keep giving others ideas on how to do more for themselves, for self awareness and growth. People learn from you, believe it or not, what are you teaching people? 

-Abi 2018

[me-mindfulexistence]

The Fight Over Self Defense

I’ve spent a good part of my adult life teaching female self defense courses in various settings....using multiple methods...even different styles of martial arts. As my training has evolved over a 15 year period.....not only ‘how’ I teach and ‘what’ I teach has changed but my MENTALITY about the REALITY of what people are actually taking away and what is really happening in society has come to be a HUGE part of me deciding ‘what’s important’ in the grande scheme of things.  Just some background about me....I’m a 44 y/o female who’s been training a long freakin time.  I started in Shotokan Karate for many years and have been doing jiu-jitsu since early 2003. At this point my consistency getting to BJJ sucks....but I’m still in it. I work full time, married and parent 5 children. 3 boys 2 girls (All teenagers and older).  I’m not very big.  5′8, 122lbs. So I’m usually the smallest in the class. Training isn’t easy so I don’t care to hear guys complain about the ‘difficulties’ of training or rolling with ‘bigger guys’. 

I’m writing this b/c I’ve found so many people from the martial arts community (specifically jiu-jitsu) with such strong feelings that these “other” self defense ‘videos’ or “other” martial arts styles showing ‘techniques’ that are what they consider “just crap”....and making statements like:

-”those techniques are so bad they’re going to get someone killed“ or “1 day self defense classes are ‘junk’ and pointless...no one can learn anything in one day”...”Self defense sounds too intimidating....it should be called something else”....”females just need to do x, y and z”.....Like it’s that easy?

Listen here.....I realize it seems so simple when you train consistently....ESPECIALLY if you are a man......BUT......It’s not that easy. Do you REALLY think females who don’t train are watching a video clip and saying to their coffee clutch, book club or sorority, “Hey, girls! I saw the most awesome self defense clip! Lets get together and practice it tonight!”.  Hell no.  They saw it once and it’s out of sight and out of mind.  

I don’t care if you have the best self defense technique EVER!  If a female doesn’t train that religiously, a thousand times over, there is NO damn way the average female is pulling that crap off against a predator. Period.  Lets be real. The average female is at greatest risk of being attacked by someone she knows.  70% or more is the statistic.  Got it?  The majority are not jumping out of the bushes. Not that it can’t happen (and of course when we train we always prepare) but it’s more plausible that they’re being mauled by the guy they’ve gone out on a date with...or met at a party....the soccer coach....church leader....next door neighbor....someone they’ve ALLOWED in their personal space.....and MANY MANY times these females are GROOMED for this ahead of time! There are warning signs. This predatory behavior isn’t without some ‘notice’...but in order to know the signs, someone would need to have education about what they are. 

http://outofthefog.website/top-100-trait-blog/2015/11/4/grooming

Aside from that is the lack of mental self defense that is taught.  I REALLY go out of my way to stress that the number one thing that will keep you out of trouble or get you out of trouble is your self awareness and ability to fake it to make it. I encourage role playing in my classes. I do this by demonstrating. I’m not the ANGRY teacher showing techniques at MACH 100=worst case scenario. We start at level zero. Casual interactions and how things can build and how things truly can be diffused prior to anything having to be physically confrontational. How can someone really get out of being cornered or get a guys hand off their wrist without being physically aggressive?  B/c here’s the zinger people.....once we do ANYTHING physically harmful to a man....it is GAME ON.  There is no going back. And the chances of a female winning that game aren’t good.  That’s a VERY last resort. The problem is that some females have 1- very poor self and environmental awareness (or impaired awareness due to drinking/drug use), 2- the inability or lack of knowledge how to get themselves out of a situation, 3- lacking the confidence to do so. One example: I show the girls how to get out of a rape position as if I was on a bed (I’m simulating this by laying on the mat with my head up against the wall and a guy is in between my legs and holding down my arms with lots of pressure on top).  Besides the physicality of the ‘technique’...I have them problem solve mentally.  I ask...what could I say to him? what might be a deterrent? what could be my body language? What might he be trying to do?  I suggest they say things that are unpleasant like “I have diarrhea” or need to vomit and insist they need to use the bathroom right away. If need be they can poop on the guy (I mean the girls laugh but it’s true). Bottom line for me is that my class is full of discussion. I’m uncomfortable if there isn’t any.  I’m also uncomfortable if it’s all about the violent ‘fight’ to get away from the rogue attacker the entire time.

Here is my thing.....people can dog on these video’s and other instructors ‘not doing things right’ all they want but I just can’t see it. What’s the point? My son plays college football....I don’t see him searching the internet for the latest video’s on bogus information being given out. It wouldn’t matter.  I mean,  At least  with the self defense stuff they are showing something. Is it the best ‘move’? Maybe Not.  If I’m getting choked and try to punch someone’s groin or stomp their foot instead of doing the proper defense will I pass out...probably.  But you know what?  No average female is going to defend their neck and table top a guy backwards ....I could list a few others defenses but it’s pointless. Techniques like that aren’t meant to be learned off a video. They aren’t meant to be learned and utilized after doing it one class or 6mths. BJJ techniques need to be trained consistently and religiously to be used effectively and efficiently. Self defense needs to be a lifestyle to pull off techniques that require dedicated training to be used correctly.  That said, I believe any class is better than none at all.  I say this b/c it’s no different than swimming.  If I get in the water once....I’m not going to “know how to swim” but I’ll at least have an idea what I’m in for the next time I go and be a little less scared.  Same goes for self defense.  It opens their eyes to give them an ‘idea’ of ‘what it’s like’ on a VERY VERY low key level.  Especially if it’s BJJ and having that ability to ‘feel’ what it’s like to be on the ground and have someone’s weight on you.  Having the ability to know how you body responds...how it does and doesn’t move.....and what it REALLY requires to get out of such compromising positions (without a crazy person doing it to you).  Every little bit helps....and it does improve that ‘self awareness’...hopefully it does ‘make them think’.  Knowledge accumulates over time. As far as I’m concerned information isn’t completely worthless....at least it’s opening up the door for discussion. 

What actually can be dangerous is the popular misconception that gadgets or “weapons” such as mace, whistles or little key chain trinkets used to cause bodily harm that you purchase for yourself or loved one’s can provide ‘safety’.  B/c if there isn’t self and environmental awareness and they haven’t had the ability to actually ‘use’ those accessories....then they are useless. Don’t fool yourself.  Don’t purchase these things and feel a bubble of protection. 

One time my daughter was going to a concert and I give her a list of things she needed to do (for safety)....and she says “Mom..stop worrying. My friends mom gave us all mace”.  I looked at her and said “really?!” The only person who is going to get hurt with that is you guys!”.  Stop and think.  If you haven’t used these things before the chances of you using them effectively are slim.  When I have seen people open mace I’ve seen it drip onto their own hands and cause them injury. If the canister isn’t open the time it takes to open it wont allow it to be helpful anyway.....trying to use a weapon that you haven’t become versed in gives you a false sense of security.

And to every Man that believes females will walk around feeling invincible after one or a few self defense courses.....think again.  That’s not how females are wired. Even decades into my training I still question myself, my skill and my abilities....I’m always aware of my person, my surroundings and what I’m doing and what could happen.  Females by nature are more aware and concerned about things...we know we can be preyed upon at any time......but those “instincts” are something that can be dulled or we ignore with things like drugs, alcohol, friends/entertainment, lulled into a comfort zone due to a grooming process from someone you trust, or even just a phone. Anything that changes your perception or reality of your self awareness and the environment around you.

If you would like to train with me....I encourage you to email or FB message me.  BJJbetty@gmail.com.  Let me know!  www.Graciepa.com 

[pagedesignhub-blog]

Education the catalyst to galvanise SA's kids

New Post has been published on https://pagedesignhub.com/education-the-catalyst-to-galvanise-sas-kids/

Education the catalyst to galvanise SA's kids

Education is the maximum powerful weapon which you could use to trade the world, said Nelson Mandela. As anticipated via our overdue and world acclaimed icon Mandela, this is what we want for South Africa’s children to check themselves and aspire to a much better level. I am in favour of unfastened training, however, excessive requirements have to be followed. My view is that some requirements of higher education in South Africa must be upgraded now, as it appears the united states of America nevertheless maintains an education machine caught in vintage ways.

Get me right here! I am now not announcing the contemporary academic machine is awful, but there are a few things that can be changed, like moving from concentrating too much on theoretical subjects at high college and changing them with industry-applicable basis guides in technical subjects, like technicians in plumbing, engineering and mechanics.

Do You Know How to Be an Engaging and Highly Effective Educator? Anyone can train. We teach each other each day. For instance, we provide instructions to every different for things like cooking, placing collectively furnishings, and finishing family different duties. However, teaching someone is one of a kind than the system of teaching someone. Consider the distinction among informal studying and formal getting to know. An example of informal studying might be following a recipe to learn how to prepare dinner. In contrast, formal getting to know occurs within a lecture room and normally is followed with the aid of assessment and assessment. It may additionally appear that coaching and instruct are the identical issue; but, the difference has to do with the area or context for getting to know.

This is the equal difference may be made for coaching informally (giving commands) and teaching college students in a formal lecture room environment. A person enters the sector of training as a career – both complete time in traditional educational institutions or as an adjunct (or element time) trainer. The motives vary for why someone could pick to be inside the lecture room. A traditional full-time professor may in all likelihood be responsible for undertaking research, teaching, and publishing scholarly paintings. An adjunct teacher may additionally train in a network university, conventional college, or an internet college. When a person teaches college students in better education he or she can be known as a facilitator, teacher, or professor. This is essential as there isn’t always an activity with the phrase educator inside the name.

The questions I would love to reply consist of: What then does it suggest to be an educator? Does it characterise some thing one of a kind than the assigned task name? What I have found out through my work in higher training is that turning into an educator isn’t an automatic manner. Everyone who is coaching adult students is not functioning as an enticing and fantastically powerful educator. However, it’s far possible to discover ways to teach in place of educating and that calls for making a dedication to the career.

What Does It Mean to Teach?

Consider coaching as part of the system of conventional, number one training. Those lessons are teacher-led and children as students are taught what and the way to analyze. The trainer is considered to be the expert and directs the studying technique. A trainer is someone who is noticeably educated and works to engage the minds of his or her college students. This fashion of trainer-led instructional keeps into better education, specifically traditional university school rooms. The trainer still stands on the the front and middle of the magnificence turning in statistics, and students are used to this layout due to their revel in in number one education. The trainer disseminates understanding thru a lecture and college students have a look at to bypass the required examinations or complete different required getting to know activities.

Within better education, instructors may be called instructors and they’re hired as challenge count number professionals with superior content material know-how. The task requirements usually include maintaining a selected variety of degree hours within the concern being taught. Teachers may also be known as professors in traditional university training, and people positions require a terminal degree with additional research necessities. For all of these roles, teaching is meant to signify a person who is guiding the getting to know manner through directing, telling, and instructing students. The teacher or professor is in charge, and the students must comply and observe as directed. Here is some thing to keep in mind: If that is the essence of teaching, is there a difference among that and educating college students? Is the position of a teacher similar to that of an educator?

What Does It Mean to be an Educator?

Consider some fundamental definitions to begin with as a method of expertise the role of an educator. The phrase “training” refers to giving coaching; “educator” refers to the person that gives education and is a person who’s skilled in coaching; and coaching is aligned with offering reasons. I have improved upon those definitions so that the phrase “educator” consists of someone who is skilled with training, possesses enormously evolved academic skills, and holds both challenge count number know-how and expertise of person training standards.

Skilled with Instruction: An educator is a person who have to be skilled inside the artwork of classroom training, knowing what instructional strategies are powerful and the areas of facilitation that want further development. An experienced educator develops strategies that will deliver path substances to life by adding relevant context and prompting students to learn via class discussions and other mastering activities. Instruction additionally includes all of the interactions held with students, along with all forms of communication, as each interplay affords an possibility for teaching.

Highly Developed Academic Skills: An educator ought to also have strong educational skills and at the pinnacle of that list are writing competencies. This calls for robust interest to element on the a part of the educator and in all types of messages communicated, together with anything written, supplied, and despatched through e-mail. The ability to demonstrate robust academic abilities is specifically essential for all of us who is coaching on line training as words constitute the trainer.

The use of right formatting tips, according to the fashion prescribed by way of the college, is also included in the listing of essential instructional abilties. For instance, many colleges have applied APA formatting pointers as the usual for formatting papers and running with assets. An educator cannot accurately manual students and provide meaningful comments if the writing fashion has not been mastered.

Strong Knowledge Base: An educator wishes to develop a understanding base that consists of problem matter expertise, as associated with the route or publications they’re teaching, at the side of expertise of person education ideas. I recognize of many educators who have the desired credit hours on their diploma transcripts, yet they will no longer have sizeable experience in the subject they train. This will nonetheless allow those educators to train the direction, supplied that they take time to read the route textbook and discover techniques of making use of it to cutting-edge practices inside the area.

Many colleges rent adjuncts with massive paintings enjoy as the primary standards, instead of information of person getting to know standards. Those teachers I have labored with who do have a sturdy grownup schooling information base generally acquired it via ongoing expert development. That became my goal, when I decided on a chief for my doctoral degree, to understand how adults analyze in order that I ought to rework from an teacher to an educator.

Becoming an Engaging and Highly Effective Educator

I do now not agree with that many teachers intentionally recollect the need to make a change from running as an teacher to functioning as an educator. When someone is employed to educate a class, a person aside from a conventional university professor, they frequently research thru exercise and time what works nicely within the classroom. There will likely be lecture room audits and guidelines made for ongoing expert improvement. Gradually the everyday teacher becomes an educator as they seek out resources to assist improve their coaching practices. However, I actually have worked with many adjunct on-line instructors who rely upon their concern rely information on my own and do not agree with there is a reason to grow as an educator. For every body who would like to make the transformation and become an enticing and notably effective educator, there are steps that can be taken and practices that can be carried out.

[terraaqua-blog1]

Journals

The Purpose of Education

“Education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.” To think for oneself is not the same as critical thinking. Against the assumption that college should teach students “critical reasoning,” King argues that critical thinking alone is insufficient and even dangerous. He used Eugene Talmadge, who had been the governor of Georgia as an example of that. Talmadge “possessed one of the better minds of Georgia, or even America.” He excelled at critical thinking and yet, Talmadge believed that King and all black people were below everyone else. For King, we cannot call such men well educated. The lesson Martin Luther King Jr. was really trying to get at is that intelligence and critical reasoning are not enough to consider someone educated. What is also needed, is an educational development of character.

The Ballot or the Bullet

“When you expand the civil-rights struggle to the level of human rights, you can then take the case of the black man in this country before the nations in the UN. You can take it before the General Assembly. You can take Uncle Sam before a world court. But the only level you can do it on is the level of human rights. Civil rights keeps you under his restrictions, under his jurisdiction. Civil rights keeps you in his pocket. Civil rights means you’re asking Uncle Sam to treat you right. Human rights are something you were born with. Human rights are your God-given rights. Human rights are the rights that are recognized by all nations of this earth. And any time anyone violates your human rights, you can take them to the world court.”

Malcolm X was never really passive. He was willing to fight for what he believed in no matter what the cause, hence the name of the speech and the line he repeats all throughout it; “The ballot or the bullet.” I think throughout the speech Malcolm used a lot of reverse psychology in order to gain more allies. He knows that America is founded on the constitution so he used the law as kind of a war tactic against White people. If White American citizens live by the constitution, but do things that are unconstitutional towards Black citizens, then Blacks have all the right to revolt. An example he gave to that was when the supreme court outlawed segregation because it isn’t constitutional to segregate. I thought that was a pretty smart way to get the audience on his side; by labeling the White people as criminals for acting unconstitutionally. He also tried to almost guilt Blacks for not taking a stand. He’d say things like “If you don’t take this kind of stand, your little children will grow up and look at you and think ‘shame.’” However, he did have one moment where he didn’t seem so violent or almost manipulative for lack of better word. The statement quoted above is the statement that I looked at the closest. This is when Malcolm X separates “civil rights” from “human rights.” Here’s where I think he’s at his least violent, actively trying to find alternatives to this idea of “the ballot or the bullet.” I thought it was interesting how throughout the whole speech he’s angrily advocating for violence, which you could hear in his voice, but then has that one moment where he isn’t. Malcolm X saw the struggle for Blacks in America as more than a civil rights issue, it was a matter of human rights. No one else needed legislation to recognize them as fully human like Black people did and he brought it to everyone’s attention.

Small Change

Prior to reading this article, I would’ve argued that social media spreads awareness, thus getting more people involved. However, Gladwell made numerous points that mad me rethink that. The first of many being that online revolutions are things of the western world. Someone from Iran for example might not even have access to these tweets or would scroll right past them (chances are they don’t even understand it). Another point Gladwell brought up is that before technology activists had an actual cause to start a revolution: because it was affecting them personally. People today will post about an issue to fit in and think it’s activism. Which brings me to what I thought was the most important point made; “the ties that bind people to the groups are loose…it is easier for activists to express themselves and harder for that expression to have any impact.” A revolution should not be tweeted because when random people follow your tweet, they have no personal relation to the cause. Yes, social media widens your range of supporters but what good is having thousands of people following your tweets and ideas, when they aren’t going to act on them? And even if they did attend a march, protest, or charity event with you, is it really coming from a genuine place? It’s become so easy to feel involved but activism is so much more than a hashtag or tweet. Activism is when you put everything at risk (including your own life) to challenge serious problems, and that cannot be done via twitter. That kind of “activism” only brings forth online fame, not change.

Strange Creatures

What really separates us, Blackmore argues, is our ability to copy one another or how much we imitate each other. As human beings, we pass along ideologies, stories, music, and theories from one person to another. All of these things are memes and memes, just like genes, are replicators that evolve. Most of today’s memes are captioned photos that are supposed to be funny and most of the time are used as a way to publicly mock common human tendencies. Other memes can be videos and verbal expressions. The idea or meaning behind a meme is either really deep, or really obvious. But overall memes are a way for people to transport cultural ideas to each other. DNA and life will spread from location to location and a meme/idea will travel from mind to mind. Memes are somewhat the DNA of the soul if you really think about it. Our planet is a place where information can act like human genes and ideas can replicate, mutate, and evolve. One meme that everyone is familiar with is the Kermit meme. While Kermit appears innocent, this meme is used to sarcastically judge someone. When you think someone is an idiot for some life decision he or she has made, you can post a photo of Kermit drinking tea, along with the phrase ‘but that’s none of my business’. This meme has circulated around the internet and people have taken the photo or the idea behind the meme and made it their own. Like a living organism, ideas breed and have the ability to come together, segregate their content, and even be infectious. An example of an infectious idea might be a religious ideology that catches a large group of people’s attention. Ideas cause ideas and help evolve new ideas. They interact with each other, with neighboring ideas, and because we can communicate globally, they also interact with foreign ideas from foreign brains. Internet memes will continue to be both humor and propaganda. But as people become more curious in their thinking, I expect memes to become more intellectual over the years.

No Name Woman

I felt annoyed while reading this. Annoyed because just like the narrator, I have so many unanswered questions. Was the aunt different from the other women in the village? Did she tempt the man who got her pregnant? Did she seek out his attention? Was she in love with him or was it just physical? Did he force himself on her? The fact that the author wrote so much down and is slaving away at trying to figure out her aunt’s life story shows just how much her aunt is haunting her. But I understand the curiosity, I feel it too. The narrator did draw up some possible conclusions about what could’ve happened to her aunt but she’ll still never know for sure, and it’s frustrating. How can you take a lesson from a story without knowing all of the details behind it? It also gets hard to understand because this story, while grounded in truth, doesn’t maintain a clear boundary between reality and fantasy. Was there really ever an aunt or was her mother invoking stories from her homeland of China to teach life lessons to her daughter? But I guess the reality would be how powerless women were. The narrator fills in the gaps of her mother’s story with her own imagination, and vilifies the Chinese men. She even goes on to say that the baby was probably a girl. Had it been a boy, the preferred sex, her aunt might have had hope for its future and left it in the care of the village. As a woman, the aunt had the biological power to bring a baby into the world, and she had the social power to let her pregnancy affect the whole village. The villagers never tried to find the man who got the aunt pregnant. The narrator even suggests that he helped raid her house. Men are expected to find adventure and throw tradition out the window and women are expected to stay home and keep tradition. They are treated as the weaker sex but are expected to be the ones with moral strength.