Tag: United States

If you do a search on the internet, there seems to be no end to what has been written about this simple, yet powerful weapon. There seems to be no small supply of writers who have used dramatic titles to add to the impact of an otherwise so-so article on the subject.

“Fistful of Dynamite,” “Rod of Pain,” and many others lead the way as writers share their own knowledge and insight into this inconspicuous, and yet surprisingly powerful little weapon. Unfortunately, far too many of these articles serve little to no real purpose in helping you to actually create results. And, these articles range in scope from the generalized “what it is” variety, to the overly bloated tome that includes what seems to be every single detail and supposition that the author wishes to impress you with.

Believe me, I have read a lot of what’s available, and while there are certainly a number of valuable resources from real experts, they are buried in a cyber-world of practically worthless “chatter.” While you can feel free to recreate my extensive research on the subject, I’ve brought it all together so you don’t have to.

So, what, exactly, is a Kubotan (pronounced “koo-bow-tahn”) anyway?

Good question. And to answer that, you can read the book titled, KUBOTAN: Self-Defense Keychain to get a much better idea. But, for now, I’ll give you the short, “what’s it look like and what else might it be called,” version. For those interested, the above book covers the viewpoints of “where did it come from and how long has it been around,” as-well-as others in its other chapters.

In my other articles, you can take a quick overview of the strengths and weakness of this popular self-defense weapon. But, for now…

The Kubotan, also known as a…

1. Pocket-stick…

2. Self-Defense Keychain…

3. Mini-Stick, and…

4. many others…

…is arguably, the most common self-defense weapon, next to the handgun, in the United States.

While many new tactical weapons continue to find growing acceptance within the law enforcement and security communities, there seems to be little change within the realm of private citizens. It appears that, once people find a good thing, they tend to “stick” with it. (Yes, pun intended!) According to many experts in the field of defense and personal protection…

“…the most popular, and quite possibly the most versatile, personal defense weapon is the Kubotan.”

For simplicity’s sake, I’ll refer to the weapon throughout this article as the Kubotan or, more simply, the self-defense keychain. However, regardless of the name given to it, this powerful little compliance tool, carried by thousands of men and women – martial artists and non-practitioners alike – is an awesome means of deterring and controlling an attack situation.

Besides being, quite probably the cheapest weapon you can buy, in the hands of even a person skilled in only a few basic moves, the Kubotan is a formidable weapon for stopping an assailant in his tracks. And, for those with more training and developed skills, the self-defense keychain is one of the most effective self-defense tools that you can use today.

The weapon is simple in appearance, inexpensive to acquire or make, and fairly easy to conceal. While not as versatile and convenient as a clipknife like the Delica from Spyderco – my preferred weapon/tool of choice, by the way – it is definitely easy-to-learn and even easier-to-use.

Depending on the manufacturer, the Kubotan is just a basic rod made of metal, plastic, or wood. It’s about 6 inches long and, as the name suggests, usually has a key ring attached at one end. The “official,” patented, Kubotan weapon “invented” by a man named Tak Kubota, has grooves machined into the weapon to identify it as a unique creation. But, just like “Band-aid” has come to be the generic name for adhesive bandages and “Q-Tips” the same for cotton swabs, the bar-shaped, self-defense keychain is almost universally called a “Kubotan.”

There are other variants of the basic model, including what is billed as the “Ninja” version of the weapon. This little piece of imaginative effort, created during the ’80’s when every weapon had it’s own “Ninja” version, has two thinner spikes protruding out from the side of the weapon that fit between your fingers when you grasped the main bar of the tool.

Let me assure you that, regardless of what you ever read or hear, the Kubotan or self-defense keychain is NOT a Ninja weapon – officially or unofficially. It’s ancestors that gave rise to the modern version, at least in Japan, were used by almost all trained warriors – not just the Ninja.

The more commonly recognized variants of the weapon are generally manufactured from heavy-duty plastic or aluminum. The official Kubotan, and third-party copies, are simply straight rods with blunt ends. However, many self-defense key chains have at least one tapered end with the key ring attached to the squared, blunt end. Needless to say, some of these “centerpunch-like versions, are extremely dangerous – as they have the capability of actually penetrating the target and doing more severe damage.

And, for those of you who are fashion-conscious and need to make sure that your self-defense weapon doesn’t clash with your Armani, these little gems even come in a variety of colors and high-tech shapes to match just about any ensemble.

So, to answer the question, “what IS a Kubotan?”

It is a simple, easy to learn and use, self-defense weapon that can be effectively used by the smallest defender, to bring the largest assailant to his knees in seconds. Quite simply, it is the best weapon for the person with little to no formal training and who wants to be able to learn to defend him or herself with the least amount of time, effort, and money.

To help with your search, listed below are the top culinary schools in the world.

Culinary Institute of America (CIA) – CIA has many learning facilities including 41 professional kitchens and bakeshops. They offer bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts.ts.

Le Cordon Blue – Their program is designed to give students the hands on experience they need to make it in the restaurant business. Training combines French techniques with modern American technology. They strive to move beyond the basics, teaching students how to create their own recipes and cooking techniques.

The Art Institutes – This program has been reviewed by industry leaders and employers of relevance to ensure the studies meet the highest of standards. The program also reflects how things are done in the real world rather than a simulation.

The French Culinary Institute – They follow a total immersion approach giving students hands on training in small classes taught by distinguished professors. They offer both career and amateur courses.

Arizona Culinary Institute – You can earn your culinary diploma in just nine short months of full time study. Studies combine hands on classroom training with work in the premier student run restaurant. Class sizes are small, with only 10-14 students per class.

Although each of these schools is considered one of the top culinary schools in the world, it’s up to you to decide which school is the best match for your professional goals and interests. So, be sure to compare each school’s degree programs and tuition to find the school that is right for you.

Boiling water without burning it may seem like a simple process but in reality there are some individuals who simply do not know their way around the kitchen. They cannot tell you the difference between saut and broil. Culinary students who are interested in the top culinary schools must have some background in the kitchen if they hope to become an executive chef one day.

They have to know the basics if they want that ‘A’ on their souffle. It can be a demanding career and one that is tough on the body, mind and ego but for those who have the determination the pay off is extraordinary.

Top culinary schools are not everywhere. There are many located throughout the United States that offer a comprehensive cooking degree upon completion, yet there are some that do not and so you must go online. The only online school that may be applicable, should you want to run the front end of a restaurant, is The University of Phoenix with their Hospitality and Business Management program. However, this program will only teach you how to run the front of a restaurant, as it will not include any instruction in the culinary arts.

Many cooking colleges offer a special type of arts program that is world renowned. At the California School of Culinary Arts Pasadena, you can partake in the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts program, about which most people are most familiar.

It is a great curriculum that offers three distinct programs, which you can either take separately or all together. They offer the culinary arts program, a baking program and a program that focuses on Hospitality and Restaurant Management.

If you are not thinking about obtaining a certificate or degree and simply want to further your skills and knowledge in the kitchen, then you may want to think about specialized classes in one area of culinary delight.

My experience has taken me through a vast selection of resorts, 5 star hotels, restaurants, catering companies, cafe’s, boat charters, retail deli’s, cooking classes and major events providing me with experience of all levels of cooking with a huge influence in Modern Australian cuisine and a strong French background.

I have firm experience in a fast-paced environment with extensive knowledge of functions and a la carte menus and also the ability to put together successful degustation and canape menus both on and off site.

Both ‘live-to-air’ radio presentations and pre-recorded segments on;

– ABC Perth

– ABC Radio National

– RTRfm

– Radio Fremantle

– 6EBA

– ABC Rural WA

On going artcles in high profile magazines and newspapers such as;

– Flourish Magazine

– Quest Newspapers

– Coffs Coast Advocate

– Byron Bay Echo

– Fishing Western Australia

– Merredin Wheatbelt Mercury

– Nude Food Magazine

– Busselton Dunsborough Times

– The Kalgoorlie Miner

– Echo Newspaper

– Examiner Newspaper

– Post Newspaper

– Pizza News Australia (online magazine)

– Community News Blog (online blog)

– WA Health and Fitness Magazine (online magazine)

– Frigidaire Quality Appliances (online website contribution)

best culinary schools in the world

Chicago, Illinois – the country’s third largest city, is also in the top 3 cities for the best recording schools. With the birth of jazz in 1914 and many music legends such as Nat King Cole and Michael Jackson being born here, you can certainly understand why Chicago recording schools should be at the top of your list if this is your career pursuit.

Needless to say, in a city known for its music history, the Chicago recording schools are numerous and the choices are great., the choices for Chicago recording schools are numerous and great, given that the city itself is known for having a deep-seated musical history.} The School of Media Arts at Columbia College offers undergraduate and graduate programs to provide students seeking an educational opportunity in the arts and recording. Their department of audio arts and acoustics builds the fundamental skills needed to survive in today’s technologically advanced and ever-changing environment. Some of the courses offered: recording and production, recording live sound, music engineering and music design.

Columbia College Chicago is a private college that has the largest arts and media department in the country. It follows that the courses that they offer are outstanding and mentoring and hands-on resources are endless. The school also features a very diverse student population; as such, it’s regarded as one of the finest urban institutions in the United States.

The Flashpoint Academy -Chicago is yet another wonderful alternative for you. Committed to advanced techniques and learning in the field of digital arts and entertainment, Flashpoint, the Academy of Media Arts and Sciences offers a 2-year program in Film/Broadcast Media Recording Arts. Their departments are engineered to replicate studios in the digital recording industry keeping themselves at the cutting edge of teaching students bold new ways to approach recording. Unlike most other schools of advanced learning, Flashpoint prides itself on the fact that most of their curriculum were created by industry professionals and not professors who are basically out of touch with the newest recording technology available.

The list of Chicago recording schools is endless. Finally, if you’re seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Sound Recording Technology, then DePaul University might be the perfect Chicago recording schools for you. This private institution has more or less 24,000 students, is the biggest private school in Illinois, the largest Catholic University in America and is the 10th largest private university of the country.

The 4-year degree offered at DePaul involves recording sound for television, video and music production and multimedia as well as teaching methods of acoustics and theory. The school takes pride of taking a less conventional approach to classroom instruction by giving students access to state-of-the-art sound equipment. DePaul University offers off-campus teaching in world class digital and analog facilities where students receive experiences in exact settings they will work in; a true advantage for those loving hands on teaching and mentorship opportunities.

One of my favorite stories to tell is about the time my brother-in-law’s girlfriend got her black belt in karate…

She had her big flashy test…kicked the bag…sparred other girls (and a couple of guys that looked like girls!) with the foam booties and gloves on…did her kata with the appropriate “snap” in her movements…very nice.

Now, I’m not a complete jerk, so I let her have her moment. Congratulated her, hobnobbed with the karate “master”, and ate a piece of the sheet cake with little icing karate dudes on it….

That was until a couple of months later at a family graduation party when she began to tell all the girls how the type of “karate” she studies is great for fitness (ok), fun (ok), and self defense (BZZZZZ!).

I had stood what I could, but I couldn’t stands it no more…

I walked right up into the middle of the gaggling girls, singled her out and flat out asked her, “Tell me the truth…If a 225 pound man attacked and tried to rape and kill you, can you 100%, honestly say that you would know what to do? Could you save your own life?”

There was a deathly quiet pause as every single girl in the room visualized that horrible situation in their own minds. Then came the same answer I’ve heard from every single women martial artist I’ve ever met in my life who doesn’t train with us…

“Ummm…I guess not.”

Here in the United States there seems to be a government agency looking into just about every consumer industry in an effort to protect people from scammers, hucksters, and other assorted con men or corporate swindle.

Unfortunately, for women who are looking for a martial arts style that will provide them with a way to defend themselves, there is no government agency licensing or even looking into instructors or the proven effectiveness of the claims.

Therefore there is an over abundance of inexperienced, untrained, liars who claim they are teaching self-defense. These frauds will often teach a style that sounds and perhaps even looks good on the mat, but lacks any value in real combat.

Moreover, dealing with criminal rapist scum is no time for a woman to find out that her “training” was really just cardio kickboxing in disguise… So share the following information with a woman you care for.
Examining the profiles of rapists gives incite into a dangerous enemy.

The Power-assertive rapist considers himself manly and is the one most likely to commit date rapes. This type makes up 44% of rapists and will try to con a victim and gain her trust, but will have no problem using whatever level of physical force he needs to take control.

The Anger-retaliatory rapist hates women and will look to brutalize and punish them. He looks for targets of opportunity and will most likely beat you unconscious then commit rape. This animal makes up 33% of rapists and is easily enraged.

Power-reassurance rapists account for 21% of rapes and often spies on or stalks his victims since he lacks the confidence to have a normal relationship with women. In his twisted fantasy, he sees himself and the victim as lovers, and will force her to wear lingerie and kiss her while seeing the attack as lovemaking. However, using violence is not out of the question if it comes down to making a woman give in to his demands.

The Anger-excitation is the worst of the lot. A sexual sadist, this sick bastard only makes up 5% of all rapists. He has his attacks preplanned and victims can be women he knows or just spots haphazardly on the street. He derives sexual pleasure from inflicting pain and will tie up, gag and torture women for days on end. So vile is this creature that he will even film or photograph his victims so he can relive the attacks. He is the hardest to catch of the group because he usually kills his victims when he’s through.

During an attack your mind will be racing and you won’t be thinking clearing about what kind of rapist you are dealing with and what approach to take, but what all experts agree on is that a “properly trained” woman who fights back early DOUBLES their chance of escape…AGAINST ANY SIZE OR STRENGTH ATTACKER.

The Department of Justice reported that 93,934 women were forcibly raped in 2005 (They’re still calculating ’06)…These numbers are completely unacceptable as women can and should know how to defend themselves.

In Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, safety is listed right after breathing and eating. Personal protection is too important to be left to the police alone, or to depend on others for help.

Teaching and learning a martial art is ok as it has plenty of redeeming physical, cultural, social, & mental benefits. However, what people (especially women) need to understand, is that 99% of martial arts are NOT legitimate methods of self-defense.

Since ages Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has been popular as a full contact combat sport among the masses of the United States and Canada. In the present scenario, after being known as a multi-million dollar business industry, the MMA has played a pivotal role in thrilling the entire sports fraternity coming with advanced fighting techniques and skills. We can say this has been quite responsible for creating enormous craze amongst the people for purchasing the Mixed Martial Arts clothing and accessories. The main thing is that today not only the fighters are using these apparels, but a large group of fashion freaks have come forward in order to make purchasing for these outfits.

Obviously, the current market has numbers of options of colors, styles and brands of MMA apparels. But, when anyone plans to adorn him/her with such outfits, he/she does not have to put his/her great efforts in finalizing the one. Put simply, the reason is quite clear because today a huge range of fantastic designs and creative styles of this clothing style is serving various clothing needs of the people living in different parts of the United States and Canada. People can find them in different colors that range from white, black to grey. MMA shirts fit snugly on body and it is very comfortable to carry them. One has an opportunity to avail with an exclusive range of T-shirts which contain information about varied MMA fighters. Apart from it, people can go through an exclusive range of hooded sweatshirts for cooler weather.

All in all, in the current world the colorful and attractive Mixed Martial Arts clothing and accessories have given many people especially from the young age an opportunity to rock in places like parties and streets. These apparels are available in different varieties like shirts, shorts and t-shirts.