Monday, 24 March 2014

Mon 24th March 2014 7:30PM-8:30PM Joined Krav Maga/Brixton

http://www.southlondonkravmaga.com

Beginner's class:-

Mon/Wed: 7:30-9PM
Sat: 1PM-2:30PM

Today, I went and re-joined Krav Maga self-defence; before they used to hold classes around midday inside of West Norwood tennis club; they moved premises, however; now, they hold classes at St Matthew's church in Brixton during the evenings.

The cost to re-join was really expensive; in all a total of £100.00; £65.00 for yearly insurance/and, a further £35.00 per month payment for classes. Beginner classes can be attended: Mon/Wed/Sat.

Frankly, I really don't know for how much longer I will be able to afford paying £35.00 monthly; with all of my other bills still remaining totally 'unpaid'...?! However, I felt really pretty desperate to get back into doing some sort of keep fit/martial arts training. The last time I trained with them was 2 years back, during 2012; back then I was still a beginner; and, now, 2014, I remain a beginner!

For some weird reason, I never got any further with doing martial arts, than just to remain a complete beginner all throughout my entire life. Either I lose interest; and, something else takes over both my attention/time; or else, I might run out of money; at other times, I find I can't get along with certain members/-etc. But, frankly, I never ever managed to make it anywhere past 'white belt' status.

Monday, 17 March 2014

170314 1AM-3PM Went Kingswood Library Art & Nature Class to Teach Origami

Monday, 17th March, 2014 1AM-3PM Went to Kingswood Library (Sydenham Hill) to go and teach Origami inside of the downstairs Billiards Room.

I showed them some Origami Basics.

-Vertical standing folding card
-Horizontal standing folding card

The Paper Hat base, used to make various different shapes...

-Paper Hat
-Bookmark
-Pixie Hat
-Boat
-Flat fish
-Open mouthed Basking Shark/Jaws
-Puppy/Mouse with tail

Also,...

-Decorative box
-Banger
-Envelope

It was requested that I come back next week for a second Origami teaching session.

Saturday, 15 March 2014

140314 9AM-3PM Went Lambeth College: Clapham Centre: Introductory Science

WENT TO INTRODUCTORY SCIENCE AT LAMBETH COLLEGE: CLAPHAM CENTRE

Yesterday, Friday, 9AM-3PM, I went to Lambeth College: Clapham Center  to go and study Introductory Science.

So far we are into the 3rd week, I think, of an 11 weeks 'short course'. Unfortunately, I've already missed not going to 2 weeks. So I'm way behind. Furthermore, because this is a 'short course'; therefore, everything has to be crammed in; thus, if you miss weeks out; then, I'm afraid, you are left more and more further behind.

I really don't know if I will be able to catch up or not. But, at least, I'm trying. Though, I admit another part of me is thinking I might have to drop out.

Altogether, there are 3 lessons per day. So far I've missed all of the morning lessons. I only took part in the evening lessons, instead.

BROUGHT SOME LIBRARY BOOKS

I entered the college library where I discovered they had books on sale going for just 0.20p each; which is a total bargain. The only trouble was having to carry all of the books home...I brought £3.00's worth. Luckily, I had a big bag in my backpack; which I used to store the books in. Then, coming back home, I simply looped the bag handle onto one of my bike's handlebars.

The next problem is, however, will I actually find enough time to read through all of those books...???!!!

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

110314 Did Portrait Drawing at Dulwich Picture Gallery

2PM - 4PM Went Dulwich Picture Gallery, -(Courtesy of Paxton Green Time Bank)-, to go and do a FREE course in Portrait Drawing practice, which was being held inside of the Linbury Room.

The attractive young lady we drew was called, Lisa. She was slim blonde; and, wore a floral dress; with black leg stockings, and, black shoes.

We were all given a huge sheet of thick watercolour paper to start off with...; together with drawing pencil stick/graphite stick/and, kneaded eraser.

At first, we practiced doing some 'blind contour' drawing; which is a drawing exercise where you don't look down at the paper; but, instead, concentrate only on looking solely at the model, alone; whilst at the same time drawing lines 'quite blindly' onto paper representing the surface of what you see. This exercise helps you to study the model in 'full detail' with your eyes/mind...as well as, teaches you to develop both careful hand/eye co-ordination. The teacher said, not to rush; but, instead, to draw very patiently, and, slow; and, above all, remember NOT to look down at the paper. -(Needless to say, trying to resist the ever constant temptation to look was really hard...?!)

The next exercise was to re-draw over the picture...by doing a mixture of rubbing out/and, also, re-inforcing lines using charcoal/too, crayons.

The final stage was to get a clear brush dipped into water...and, just smudge the lines over...to produce a sort of painting.

At the conclusion, everyone's work was shown off to the whole group, and, carefully discussed; it was very interesting seeing the end results of what other people drew/painted; this is because everyone tends to draw differently from one another. As usual, I really wasn't very happy with my own artwork; though, others claimed they liked it. My fav. artists there was the actual teacher herself(she put on some really brilliant drawing/painting demonstrations); and, also, a guy called: Alan...who produced entirely 'unique' abstract work...but, which I thought was of simply astounding quality. In fact, I was even thinking of buying it from him; and, then, getting it framed; only trouble was, I then remembered that I was totally flat broke...so completely forget all about that idea!

Afterwards, I went into Dulwich Picture Gallery itself; and, in there spent some time copying 'masterpieces'. Bloody hell, it's hard trying to get even 'one single line right...?!' No wonder when I draw...it doesn't ever look like it...???!!!