Friday, August 25, 2017

crossconnectmag: The Brilliant Paintings of ARANTZAZU... crss





















crossconnectmag:

The Brilliant Paintings of ARANTZAZU MARTINEZ

An academic  painter from Vitoria, Spain. She attended the Fine Arts University of the Basque Country and graduated in 2000.  Unable to find any classical art training, she moved to New York. There she enrolled in the New York Academy   of Figurative Art (NYAA) MFA program and graduated in 2002.

It was during this same year that she met her mentor, Jacob Collins, the founder of the Water Street Atelier, the Hudson River Fellowship and  The Grand Central Academy.  To develop her training still further she studied under him at the Water Street Atelier from 2002 to 2005,  where she completed her training following the nineteenth century academic  method.

The technical expertise, the considered  compositions, the exceptional treatment of light and the human form are evident  and much appreciated in Martinez’s  work. The symbiotic relationship of these elements creates imagery that evokes   Romanticism and Symbolism.

Her work has the ability to recreate a dream world where magic and fantasy are  part of reality.


Like us on Facebook and Twitter         Posted by Andrew

crss

crossconnectmag: The Brilliant Paintings of ARANTZAZU...





















crossconnectmag:

The Brilliant Paintings of ARANTZAZU MARTINEZ

An academic  painter from Vitoria, Spain. She attended the Fine Arts University of the Basque Country and graduated in 2000.  Unable to find any classical art training, she moved to New York. There she enrolled in the New York Academy   of Figurative Art (NYAA) MFA program and graduated in 2002.

It was during this same year that she met her mentor, Jacob Collins, the founder of the Water Street Atelier, the Hudson River Fellowship and  The Grand Central Academy.  To develop her training still further she studied under him at the Water Street Atelier from 2002 to 2005,  where she completed her training following the nineteenth century academic  method.

The technical expertise, the considered  compositions, the exceptional treatment of light and the human form are evident  and much appreciated in Martinez’s  work. The symbiotic relationship of these elements creates imagery that evokes   Romanticism and Symbolism.

Her work has the ability to recreate a dream world where magic and fantasy are  part of reality.


Like us on Facebook and Twitter         Posted by Andrew

10 Best Speakers That Are Clever, Portable and Stylish

These days, everything has to be fast and easy: news, books, food, and even music. While there are plenty of apps that provide high-quality music streaming, the modern audiophile also wants good sound quality.

Lifehack has handpicked the 10 best speakers that are portable and totally stylish.

1. UE WONDERBOOM Super Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Big, clear, crisp 360-degree sound and big bass. Its 10-hour playtime makes it possible to take this with you on whatever outing you want! The WONDERBOOM is also incredibly waterproof: you can enjoy your favorite tunes in the shower, at the pool, or just walking around on a drizzly day.

Best for: The urbanite listening to music in all weather conditions.

UE WONDERBOOM Super Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, $99.99

2. Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth

Feel the power of the EXTRA BASS with this affordable Sony portable speaker! The water-resistant Sony XB10 connects via both Bluetooth and one-touch NFC. It weighs in at only 0.71 pounds, but its impressive battery life will allow you to listen for up to 16 hours when fully charged.

Best for: Super portability and affordability.

Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth, $48

3. Drifter Portable Smart Action Speaker

If you’re looking for a “smarter” speaker with more functionality (and just as much portability as the competition), you might love the beautifully-designed Drifter. This speaker is both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, has a touchscreen, and allows you to download songs right onto the device’s internal storage.

The Drifter’s battery allows for 8 hours of playtime. It’s absolutely built for traveling: it’s 100% waterproof, can float, and you can clip it or mount it to stand alone.

Best for: The nature-loving travel junkie

Drifter Portable Smart Action Speaker, $250

4. B&O PLAY by Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Built-In Microphone

This ultra-portable speaker fits in the palm of your hand or your pocket for the easiest transportation ever. It’s splash and dust-resistant, and although it’s small it has a big sound!

You can personalize your audio with “smart” features like snooze and voice activation, and it’s equipped with a built-in microphone for clear calling and voice activation. You’ll get up to 10 hours of playtime per charge.

Best for: Hanging out with your family or friends

B&O PLAY by Bang & Olufsen Beoplay P2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker with Built-In Microphone, $169

5. Fender Bluetooth Battery-Operated Portable Speaker

This Bluetooth speaker packs 30 watts of power, and – at 4.3 pounds – is on the larger side of the speakers on this list. At the same time, it’s got two woofers and one tweeter for maximally natural sound reproduction, and it has a built-in microphone if you need to use your phone hands-free.

Best for: Outdoor parties where you need excellent sound quality

Fender Bluetooth Battery-Operated Portable Speaker, $199.99

6. Solar Speaker, Portable Wireless Bluetooth Bamboo Wood Speaker & Phone Charger by REVEAL

Natural bamboo combined with energy efficient solar panels give this speaker an elegant and eco-friendly look. With excellent sound clarity, this solar speaker offers 8 hours of battery life when the sun isn’t out. You can even use this speaker as a charger for your smartphone, tablet or other devices while playing music on the go.

Best for: The environmental-friendly audiophile

Solar Speaker, Portable Wireless Bluetooth Bamboo Wood Speaker & Phone Charger by REVEAL, $79.99

7. Braven Stryde 360 Degree Sound [2500 mAh] Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

The Braven Stryde looks super durable, and it is. This bluetooth-capable speaker is waterproof and dustproof: in fact, it can be fully submerged in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Its cylinder shape means you can fits in almost any cup holder, whether you’re commuting to work or sitting in a lawn chair.

Explosive sound is possible because of the dual passive radiator and opposing drivers for 360 degree sound. This speaker also has voice command control, like the Amazon Echo.

Best for: Great sound on the road.

Braven Stryde 360 Degree Sound [2500 mAh] Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, $99.99

8. GGMM E5 Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Superior Sound Speaker

This award-winning portable speaker lets you connect directly to your Bluetooth. That means you can listen to internet radio or your favorite online streaming services even without connecting to your computer or phone. This speaker is also compatible with your Apple devices, so you can answer calls or forward them to voicemail at the press of a button.

With an impressive 15 hours of playtime, this super slim speaker is a mere 1.5 inches thick. It comes with a removable leather strap for convenient transportation.

Best for: The listener who wants a long battery life.

GGMM E5 Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Superior Sound Speaker, $99.99

9. Native Union Switch Bluetooth Speaker – SWITCH

These Bluetooth speakers feature high quality audio, noise reduction technology, and a super-sleek and professional design. It’s mainly designed for conference call functions, as it’s fully compatible with Skype, Google Talk, and other VoIP applications. You can also use it to charge your mobile devices.

Best for: Using in the office.

Native Union Switch Bluetooth Speaker – SWITCH, $106.82

10. ECOXGEAR EcoSlate Rugged and Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

You can stream music up to 100ft. away using your smartphone or tablet. With up to 12 hours of playtime per charge, this speaker has waterproof tech and a built-in charger. It’s ideal for outdoor parties, driving, or more rugged activities at the beach, or while camping, hiking, rafting, etc.

The ECOXGEAR features speakerphone and microphone providing a hands free calls anywhere you might be.

Best for: The avid hiker or beachgoer

ECOXGEAR EcoSlate Rugged and Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker, $119.20

The post 10 Best Speakers That Are Clever, Portable and Stylish appeared first on Lifehack.



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How to Stop Passive Aggressive People from Sucking out Your Energy

People who tend to continually avoid conflicts are more likely to be passive aggressive. It is a way of them masking their hostility and anger. It is still anger projecting though and the unwanted and seemingly unwarranted behavior can be confusing to the recipient. On the surface the person may seem nice enough, but their intentions, attitude or behavior is being fueled by hostility.

Most of us encounter passive aggressive people on a weekly, if not, daily basis. It can make you feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster when dealing with a passive aggressive person. They don’t overtly act angry or upset with you, but their passive ways project that anger to you whether it is through their eye rolls, not returning your calls, walking out of the room when you enter, or another form of covert hostility. If you are the recipient of passive aggressive behaviors, you know all too well how frustrating, energy sucking, and angering it can be to deal with such a person and their behaviors.

The passive aggressive person can continually get other people to do things for them by manipulative behaviors. Their passive aggressive behaviors are just that, emotional manipulation to get their way without having to own up to their true feelings or intentions.

An article on “Barking up the Wrong Tree” explains the manipulative ways of a passive aggressive person:[1]

They never ask for what they want. They whine or charm or sulk… until you offer. But they didn’t ask, so they don’t owe you anything. Hey, you offered. And they claim to be the kindest person in the world. Would never hurt a fly. But they attack others — always with plausible deniability.

It’s never their fault. They’re not a bad person. In fact, at least according to them, they’re always the victim.

Passive aggressive behaviors also come when a person is not able to say “no”. They want to please others, they may have a fear of rejection, or they simply don’t want to be a disappointment so they continually say yes when they are internally saying no. Their behavior then reflects their hostility toward the situation by negative and unwanted behaviors.

Spotting out a Passive Aggressive Person

Whatever the reason behind passive aggressive behaviors there are ways to deal with them once you understand this is what is happening. Passive aggressive behaviors come in many forms including the following:

  • Sarcasm
  • Procrastination
  • Subtle sabatoge
  • Pretending not to understand
  • Avoidance
  • Lateness
  • Flakiness
  • Purposefully not including others
  • Backhanded compliments
  • Not being a team player
  • Lack of cooperation
  • Eye rolling
  • Sulking or withdrawing

The Energy Vampire

The problem with being the recipient of passive aggressive behaviors is that it is confusing and draining emotionally. The words that the person is saying contradict their behavior in one way or another. Their unwillingness to address the underlying problem is why they are using passive aggressive behaviors.

That co-worker who says they will help you with your important project that is due to the boss in two days yet they are avoiding your phone calls and texts may be passive aggressive. They said they would help you, yet you can’t reach them and you are coming down to the deadline and were counting on their help. They said yes, so it is frustrating and confusing that they are not reachable. They may have said yes because they didn’t want to disappoint you. They didn’t want to “not be a play player”. Their words said yes to help, yet their behavior is telling you the real truth. They had no intention of helping, or they thought that they may be able to help, but deep down they really did not want to help you, but it was easier to say yes in that moment.

Your energy is getting sucked by trying to reach out to this person. At the same time you are analyzing why they are not answering your calls. For example, you may be wondering if they have a family emergency, or an issue with you personally, or if they forgot about the project. You waste all sorts of mental energy and time trying to figure out what is really going on with this person and why they are not contacting you. They then come back with a flaky response to not returning your calls and you realize they were avoiding you because they really didn’t want to help you. They said yes when they really meant no.

It can be extremely frustrating, time consuming, and angering when dealing with passive aggressive people. In the end you feel like the energy is being sucked out of you because of this person. However, there are ways to deal with this type of person in your life.

Protect Yourself from Energy Vampires

There isn’t a one size fits all solution for dealing with a passive aggressive person. It depends on many things including whether you have to actually deal with the person on a regular basis (such as a work environment) or whether you can or want to limit your time around this individual.

Below are some ways to deal with a passive aggressive person.

1. Recognize the Behavior and Discuss the Real Problem

Passive aggressive people are acting this way because there is an underlying issue. They have underlying hostility and anger that they are projecting through passive aggressive behaviors.

That co-worker who always says “yes” but really means “no” is perhaps afraid of losing their job, so they say “yes” even when they have a full plate and more than they can already handle. They may be feeling anger toward themselves for saying yes, anger at their co-workers for not realizing they are already overworked, or anger toward their boss for not appreciating how much they already do on the job. This anger then causes them to flake on co-workers when doing a team project, they may show up late for meetings, or they may fail to follow through on projects that they are supposed to complete by specific deadlines.

If a passive aggressive person is continually acting this way and you can’t avoid them because you either work with them or they live with you, then you need to address the problem.

When approaching the individual, there are several keys to making the conversation productive and not make it backfire on you by making the person even more angry. Here are some tips:

Stay calm and collected during the conversation.

Approach the conversation trying to put yourself in their shoes and let them know you are there to understand them and help them.

Be kind.

If the person thinks you are “out to get them” or are blaming them, they will not participate openly and honestly in the conversation.

Try to get them to acknowledge a deeper problem is the cause of these passive aggressive behaviors.

Do it in a manner that you create a bridge of understanding and care so they feel comfortable looking at their behaviors introspectively. This is the time to get to the core of the issue, as it is the only way to uncover what is driving their passive aggressive behaviors. You can’t eliminate their behaviors, without eliminating the problem, or helping them work toward a solution.

Be compassionate.

Be understanding. Recognize that passive aggressive behaviors are this person’s coping skills for a real problem that they didn’t want to address, which is why the behaviors arise in the first place. Know that you are being the bigger person by helping them through this, but it is for the betterment of your relationship.

Avoid a judgmental tone.

If you act judgmental, this will make the person become defensive and possibly become even more angry at you.

Let them voice their issues and listen.

Many times a person is passive aggressive because they don’t think anyone will listen to their problem, or they believe that they aren’t being understood. Be an attentive listener and reflect back what they are saying so they know you are listening and comprehending what they are voicing.

2. Set Boundaries and Be Specific

Once you have uncovered the real problem, through discussing it with the individual, you can set up boundaries. Setting boundaries is your way of communicating what you will or will not tolerate in the relationship moving forward.

For example, if it is a co-worker and they have been feeling over-worked, which is why they have been angry and thus acting passive aggressively, then set boundaries. Let them know the lateness is not acceptable, nor flaking on group projects. They have to follow through or not say “yes” to everything. They may need to reassess their workload priorities. Whatever they need to readjust in their life to make things better for them at work is up to them.

It is up to you to set the boundaries. Communicate specifically what you will no longer tolerate in the relationship. In the workplace example, it can be expressed that you will no longer accept the lateness, not following through with group work, or not responding to your messages.

3. Refuse to Play the Tit or Tat Game

Don’t get into tit for tat because you will eventually become the loser too. Playing this game only builds more hostility and anger on both sides. Be the bigger person or find ways to simply not engage in this behavior.

You have two options. The first is to discuss the root problem (go back to #1). The second option is that if this person is not essential in your life and their behavior outweighs the benefits of spending time with this person, you may want to consider limiting your time around this person (see #5).

Whatever you do, resist getting into a playing the passive aggressive game with this person. For some relationships and especially families, it happens for years on end. The tensions will only continue to rise as the behaviors continue. The only solution is to work at healing the relationship, then setting boundaries around the passive aggressive behavior, or simply not be around the person.

4. Recognize That It Is Not You, It’s Them

There are different kinds of people in this world. Aggressive people will do what they want at all costs to get what they want. Assertive people will work to get what they need and want, but they also know when to say no and when to ask for help. Passive aggressive people are another category of people who manipulate other people emotionally. They mask their true feelings by covertly projecting their anger, hostility, or other negative emotion through other behaviors, such as those mentioned earlier in the article (i.e. withdrawing, flaking, eye rolling, sarcasm, subtle sabotage).

It is not your fault they are unable to verbalize their real problems and issues. In order for them to stop their passive aggressive ways, they will need to find a way to express their emotions and issues verbally rather than through negative behaviors. Some people never figure this out and others choose not to ever even try to change.

It leaves you in the position of deciding whether you want to continue a relationship with this person. Eventually, you will see you have no other options except distance, if they elect to not change and you have discussed this subject with them.

5. Distance Yourself

This is exactly what you think it means. Limit your time and interation with a passive aggressive person if you don’t want to deal with their personality and manipulative ways.

If their passive aggressive ways are beyond the worth of that person in your life, you may want to consider moving on with life and no longer interacting with this person. Sometimes this is easy if it is simply an acquaintance. If it is a close friend or family member, you better be prepared to explain why you want some distance. If its a co-worker and you feel you don’t have another option, then refer back to tips #1 and #2.

Recognize that you do have choices and options. Perhaps it is a boss and you don’t see any possibility of this person changing, then for your own emotional and mental health, you may want to consider different employment in the future.

A passive aggressive person does not easily change, so keep this in mind when you realize you are dealing with a passive aggressive personality.

Decide to Do Something—Anything Is Better Than Nothing

However you decide to best deal with the passive aggressive person in your life, any decision is better than just letting things exist the way that they currently exist.

A passive aggressive person will not magically decide to change their ways. More often than not, their behaviors make relationships have great turmoil over time. It is best to deal with the issue of their behavior head on or simply decide to no longer have a relationship with that person. Either way is better than letting things fester, as time will only prove things to get worse.

Psychology Today stated the following about this topic:[2]

In the long run, passive-aggressive behavior can be even more destructive to relationships than aggression. Over time, relationships with a person who is passive-aggressive will become confusing, discouraging, and dysfunctional.

Don’t let a passive aggressive person take you on an emotional roller coaster in life. Deal with the problem, which is them, or they will continue to take you on this ride until you confront their behavior head on.

Reference

The post How to Stop Passive Aggressive People from Sucking out Your Energy appeared first on Lifehack.



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How Note Taking Helps Me Come up with Hundreds of Creative Ideas

Note taking always seems boring to people. It never seems to be something that will boost creativity. But this is not true.

If you are looking for an approach to help you think clearly and more creatively, Visual Note-taking or Sketchnoting will help. This technique will keep your brain active, engaged, and highly stimulated. Let’s look at what Visual Note-taking is, why you should use it, and how you can develop it.

What Exactly Is Visual Note Taking?

Visual Note-taking combines handwritten notes, symbols, drawings, and your creative brain.[1] You do not have to be an artist nor possess any experience whatsoever to use this technique.

Additionally, you do not need expensive or fancy tools. All you need is a pen and paper.

How Visual Note Taking Stimulates Your Brain

Visual Note-taking is an excellent method to connect (previously unseen) dots. These are the benefits of visual note taking:

  • Improved memory retention.
  • Active, engaged, and highly stimulated brain.
  • A better and more creative critical thinker and problem solver.
  • More creative ideas to be connected in different way.
  • Notes will become easier to review.

Transform Ideas Through Visual Communication

Try thinking like a comic book when you use this technique. The next time you are listening to a presentation, a lecture, or in a meeting, try to take notes visually. If you are a teacher, professor, or instructor, try developing your next lesson plan visually. Let’s see how.

  • Step #1: Draw a line through the middle of your paper.
  • Step #2: On one side take hand written notes. The other side is for drawing.
  • Step #3: Do not write down everything verbatim, instead, use acronyms or abbreviations.
  • Step #4: Write down the key 4 or 5 main points or concepts.
  • Step #5: Start experimenting!

Jetpens.com provides excellent examples of the following to use for beginning Visual Note-takers: Text, Shapes, Containers or Frames, Connectors, Icons, and Symbols.

  • Text: Try to make your text stand out. For example, if you are using the word “bold” make sure it appears as “BOLD” or “moving” should feel like it is literally MOVING!
  • Shapes: Use basic shapes and then make them come alive. For example, overlap two circles and turn them into a Venn diagram.
  • Frames: Use containers or frames to help consolidate or collect your ideas. For example, add a cloud over the head of person or symbol and include a quote from a lecture.
  • Connectors: Use connectors to link ideas or connect your thoughts via roads or networks.
  • Symbols: This is the easiest and best way to start on your journey to become a Visual Note-taker. If you are taking notes on economics, simply start adding visual symbols of money; or communication, start using symbols of an iPhone or e-mail. There are so many ways to make this work.

So, how do you bring this all together? The easy answer is simply to just have fun and allow yourself to have fun. If you mess up, draw a new image! You must practice and experiment to make this work.

Continue on Your Visual Note-taking Journey

Finally, let me recommend some references for you to explore more about visual note-taking so you can apply the skill right away.

Remember, there is no limit to what your mind can create. Visualize success when using this skill as there are an infinite amount of ways you can use it.

Reference

The post How Note Taking Helps Me Come up with Hundreds of Creative Ideas appeared first on Lifehack.



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