Bernardo Faria v. DJ Jackson, Pan 2013

Caramelized-Onion and Bacon Risotto

This risotto is adapted from a recipe in Open House Cookbook, by Rachel Bay.  Serves 8 as a first course.

1/2 pound thickly sliced meaty bacon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 large onions, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium broth
2-4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups arborio rice
1 teaspoon coarsely chopped thyme
1 cup peas (optional)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Salt and freshly ground pepper

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then crumble.

In a large saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onions and cook over moderately high heat until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and browned, about 20-30 minutes. Transfer the onions to a plate. Rinse out the saucepan.

Bring the stock to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover and keep hot over low heat. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the large saucepan. Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add enough hot stock to cover the rice, about 1 1/2 cups, and stir constantly over moderate heat until the stock has been absorbed. Continue adding stock, about 1 1/2 cups at a time, and cook, stirring, until it has been completely absorbed before adding more. The rice is done when the grains are just tender and the sauce is creamy, about 20 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the onions, bacon, thyme and 1/2 cup of Parmesan (and peas if using). Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the risotto into bowls and serve with additional Parmesan.

Help rebuild academy devastated by fire!

Sasser Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness in Oklahoma will be hosting a seminar to benefit the reopening of Pesadelo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an Alliance affiliate in Dallas TX which was shut down due to a fire in February.  The seminar will be this Saturday, March 30, from 1-4pm, located at Sasser Jiu Jitsu, 235 W. Main, Ardmore Oklahoma.

Pesadelo's Facebook page is here.

If you cannot attend, but want to help, you can still make a donation at:
http://www.gofundme.com/pesadelobjj 

There is also a PayPal donation link if you prefer that route.

Money will go to buy new mats and equipment, as well as to rebuild. The minimum donation to attend is $20, but more is greatly appreciated.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to support the BJJ community, and learn new technique from world-class black belt and 2013 Pan gold medalist Stephen "Pesadelo" Hall!

Techniques will be shared by
Alliance 1st Degree Black Belt, and World Champion, Stephen "Pesadelo" Hall
2nd Degree Black Belt under Marcelo Garcia - Rob Ables
2nd Degree Black Belt Alan Shebaro
and 1st Degree Black Belt Jason Sasser

Anything is appreciated...I definitely want to thank all the people for their prayers and support and encouragement through these times...Looking forward to being able to get my students back into a place to help them, as well as give those who come to visit a true representation of the BJJ lifestyle and hospitality. God bless you for your help whether it be prayers, advice, new ideas, money, or materials.

Watch this Wednesday- Miyao v. Grippo, Pan 2013

Just got back last night from the Pan.  What a great week!  Arrived last Tuesday, worked as ring coordinator supervisor Wednesday-Sunday.  Didn't get to watch many full matches, but saw lots of snips here and there and as always, the majority of matches come down to the guard.  I had a fantastic time, met lots of new friends and old ones, and happily saw a TON of Liz Sussan's "United" (against rape) patches on women and men alike.  Hopefully I can go to Worlds too.  Looks like I will be at the NY Open April 20 and the Dallas Open May 5, as well.

So here's a fun one to watch, from the Pan.  Gianni Grippo v. Paulo Miyao.  Enjoy.

A "submissionary" trip bringing jiu jitsu to Ethiopia in May 2013

Check out this new project from Sean Coleman connecting students in Atlanta, GA & Jackson, MS with students in Ethiopia through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

They will be embarking on a ‘submissionary’ trip to Ethiopia in May 2013 to introduce the Gentle Art to the region – and to also use it as a bridge to connect students from the U.S. to Ethiopia via a unique pen pal program. This will be an opportunity for “at risk” kids in the United States to make lasting connections to kids in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – as well as Eritrean Refugees inside of refugee camps in Ethiopia – through a common connection of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Building up to the May trip, they are talking with several organizations interested in helping contribute gear & equipment for this inaugural trip.

Would you be interested in being involved in this project through sponsorship or including your students in this program?  Or even buying a t-shirt?  They have some cool ones on their site: www.BJJinETHIOPIA.com.

Here’s what Beth says (Co-Founder of Vector Jiu Jitsu, for at-risk students in Jackson, MS) “Training in BJJ saved my life, it brought me out of a dark time, gave me the boldness to switch careers and led me to the complete and utter fulfillment I experience now. BJJ found my husband at a dark time in his life also. This forged within both of us an overpowering urge to “give back” to this world through Jiu-Jitsu. After much research, determination and faith we have now launched a youth outreach program, based in BJJ training at the high school where I teach. At one of the lowest performing schools in the country, we have seen unbelievable results in some of our kids, and they burst with excitement EVERYDAY we come to train with them to see what sort of personal development milestone they will reach through BJJ in their lives next.”

Beth's program, Vector Jiu Jitsu, is connecting her students with students in Ethiopia.  Sean Coleman trains in Atlanta, Georgia and has been in that community for over seven years. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can do so much for children facing bullies, environmental risks (crime, drugs, etc), and even refugees battling depression and hopelessness in Northern Ethiopia.

I appreciate your time and consideration for what “BJJ in ETHIOPIA” has to offer to our communities.

If you’re interested in learning more, please email Sean Coleman at bjjinethiopia(at)gmail.com or call Sean at 404-723-7397.

Details of the project and the upcoming May 10th trip can be found her:
www.BJJinETHIOPIA.com
Facebook.com/BJJinETHIOPIA
@BJJinETHIOPIA

Something's rotten in Camp Springs, Denmark...

Title: STATE V JACKSON, DEALONZIO
Case: 03841 FECR012155 (SIOUX)

(When he was at Northwestern College in Iowa.)










https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrm


Here's the statute:

http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?category=billinfo&service=IowaCode&input=709.4

709.4 SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE THIRD DEGREE.
A person commits sexual abuse in the third degree when the person
performs a sex act under any of the following circumstances:
1. The act is done by force or against the will of the other
person, whether or not the other person is the person's spouse or is
cohabiting with the person.
2. The act is between persons who are not at the time cohabiting
as husband and wife and if any of the following are true:
a. The other person is suffering from a mental defect or
incapacity which precludes giving consent.
b. The other person is twelve or thirteen years of age.
c. The other person is fourteen or fifteen years of age and
any of the following are true:
(1) The person is a member of the same household as the other
person.
(2) The person is related to the other person by blood or
affinity to the fourth degree.
(3) The person is in a position of authority over the other
person and uses that authority to coerce the other person to submit.
(4) The person is four or more years older than the other person.
3. The act is performed while the other person is under the
influence of a controlled substance, which may include but is not
limited to flunitrazepam, and all of the following are true:
a. The controlled substance, which may include but is not
limited to flunitrazepam, prevents the other person from consenting
to the act.
b. The person performing the act knows or reasonably should
have known that the other person was under the influence of the
controlled substance, which may include but is not limited to
flunitrazepam.
4. The act is performed while the other person is mentally
incapacitated, physically incapacitated, or physically helpless.
Sexual abuse in the third degree is a class "C" felony.

It would seem he was charged with:

c. The other person is fourteen or fifteen years of age and
any of the following are true:
....

(4) The person is four or more years older than the other person.

Doesn't seem like he's registered as a sex offender in Maryland. He was charged with sexual abuse and pled down to an assault not necessarily involving sex. 

The publicly available information on the rot in Team Lloyd Irvin is summarized like this: 1989 gang rape, multiple defendants convicted, Lloyd tells his male students it was a consensual train run, New Year's Even 2013 gang rape in parking lot, Jordon's statement regarding coerced sexual acts on a medal chaser, and now it's discovered DJ was charged with third degree sexual abuse and pled down to assault with bodily harm. Birds of a feather...

Now it seems painfully clear why DJ chose to remain with Team Lloyd Irvin.

This is more than Lloyd, more than Nick and Mateo, more than DJ, more than the sum of the parts: it's endemic to this team.

 Something is rotten in Team Lloyd Irvin.

A good instructional for the basics: the B12.

Brian Johnson is a Machado blackbelt in Seattle (under David Meyer and John Will) training at the Northwest Jiu Jitsu Academy.  About a year ago, he put together a solid 3-DVD instructional series covering the "B12" or the basic 12 foundational lessons beginner grapplers need to know.  It's $100, available on Amazon, and worth it for whites and new blues.

DSTRYR-SG also reviewed this, here.

 

I actually prepared this review in May 2012.  Unfortunately, for whatever reason, I didn't post it-- I think I was having issues with making video clips.  Aaannnd, then life got away from me and I misplaced my notes aaaannnnd... look, it's almost a year later.  But I found the notes and here we go-- absent video clips, since I'm in California right now, without my harddrive, thus no B12 at the mo'.

Overall, it's a well-made, nice basic curriculum.  I don't think there are many instructionals like it on the market; maybe the White to Blue material from Roy Dean.  I'd say this series is designed for students without an academy (military members overseas, people in rural areas, people in between academies etc), people looking to practice at home who need visual reminders, AND beginning teachers looking for some guidance or role modeling on teaching.

It was professionally produced with a nondistracting background, the demonstrators usually wear different colored gis which makes it easier to see who is doing what, the audio is clear, and the techniques are shot several times with good alternate angles. At the end of each technique, a group of students drills the material (such a nice touch, something I never see in other DVDs.  I can imagine it would be SUPER helpful if you and a partner were watching the DVD together with some mats-- you wouldn't have to pause to drill, you could drill and watch and listen at the same time.)  I liked that there were female students in the mix, too.  And at the end of the disc, you'll see a little warmup footage (I think maybe better at the start?) and some competition footage of Brian's.

I appreciated that the essentials of some of the techniques were summarized in list form written out on the screen-- for example, the essentials of a good armbar.

The techniques taught include: 

• a top control flow
• side to mount
• mount to back- rear naked
• mount to armbar
• closed guard- break posture, cross collar choke, scissor sweep from common reaction
• "reverse scissor sweep" (shin sweep) and back take from common reactions
• guard pass- similar to a stack pass to cross side to mount
• mount to side mount (technical mount) to armbar or to back to bow and arrow
• cross body to knee on belly (knee ride)
• KOB to near armbar, far armbar
• switching KOB sides over head or knees
• mount escape
• single leg guard pass (more details on the earlier pass)
• dbl leg guard pass (dump pass)
• cross side escape to guard
• armbar from guard
• kimura from side
• americana
• guillotine, kimura from guard
• hip bump sweep
• standing in guard
• open guard sweeps-- ankles, monkey flip
• armbar from mount
• takedown-- single leg (head inside) from knees
• dbl leg from knees-
• cross side escape to knees to takedown

There are a couple little picky points-- a typo in the scripted intro ("and and"). The introductory speech from Brian and Rigan is repeated on volume 2. Sometimes they change locations for filming and the mats go from blue to red. The ladies are always drilling with each other.  More concerning, I did not like how the armbar from top was demonstrated because his knee allows so much space behind the tricep and swinging the leg around isn't the optimum in control.  Aside from that the techniques were good (and who am I to critique a blackbelt; there are many right ways to do things!)  I wish they would have had different warmups for each disc (helpful for beginning instructors) and that they would have put them at the beginning, not the end.

But I loved seeing the competition footage.  I hope Brian gets better camera-holders at future tournaments because some crucial moments were lost due to operator error, yet it was very exciting to watch and I can imagine it is very motivational for a beginning grappler.

Brian is coming out with a new instructional called The Entangled Arm, basically an overhook guard game for gi and nogi.  They're in post-production now and I'll be updating this with links when I get them!  

Headed to the Pans...

Please don't think nothing is going on with the whole "rape culture-Lloyd Irvin-Keith Owen" confluence of events... I'm just in the midst of having finished two work deadlines and starting a third, due next week, plus training, plus getting ready to leave for the Pans in Irvine CA this afternoon, on top of all the stuff that seems to happen behind the scenes. It's happening!  just maybe not in public as much :)

-- A great site compiling all the links, timelines, etc on the various Lloyd Irvin rape cases is here, www.lloydirvinrapetruth.com/.

--Steubenville football players convicted ("found delinquent" as they're minors) of sexual assault.  Horrific stupid comments by so many people out there.  Great article about it here.

-- Rumors abound about the NYE rape survivor, confirming that rape culture is alive and well in many minds.  (I am working on something to help instructors, leaders, coaches educate themselves and their students/friends, as best I can.)

--Prof. Tony Pacenski posted a reply to Prof. Keith Owen's diatribes on women in jiu jitsu.

--Ironman Bret wrote a nice piece on the 97% vs. 3% mindset.

-- A sickening but very important documentary about rape in the military.

Please do come say hi if you see a short chick with red hair working as a ring coordinator (wearing a blue pinney with a ring number on it) at the Pans--- probably it's me :)

One last thought-- something healthy and low carb, gluten-free etc.  The recipe calls for tuna, but I find tuna to be dry and too strongly flavored.  Ironically, my amendment is to sub in raw salmon.  Do this at your own risk, only use sushi-grade salmon (or tuna) etc.  But that's what I do!

TUNA WRAPS

6 ounces chunk light tuna packed in water (or diced raw tuna or salmon)
¾ cup chopped celery
8 kalamata olives
5-10 chopped cashews or almonds
½ cup chopped red onion
1-2 tablespoon mild salsa
1/4 diced avocado
4 large lettuce leaves
1 teaspoon capers (optional if you are looking for a low sodium meal)
1 teaspoon pepper

Mix capers, nuts, celery, tuna, olives, avocado, onion and salsa, in a small bowl. Sprinkle with pepper if desired. Wash and pat dry lettuce and leave whole. Place tuna mixture in the lettuce down the center of the stalk. Wrap and enjoy!

Belated "Watch This Wednesday"

Sorry, was scrambling to finish something for work yesterday.

Gluten-free Sausage and White Bean Stew

1-1/2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves (or 1 Tbsp. dried thyme, or to taste)
9 sweet Italian sausages
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, cut into medium dice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 cups dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc
15-oz. can petite-diced tomatoes
Three 15.5-oz. cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup lower-salt chicken broth
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. In a 12-inch skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add half the thyme and cook, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool. Wipe out the skillet.
2. Using a small, sharp knife, pierce each sausage in 3 or 4 places. Heat 1 Tbs. of the oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until cooked through and golden brown on all sides, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the sausages to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm.
3. While the sausages cook, heat the remaining 1 Tbs. oil in a deep, 10- to 11-inch-wide pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and the remaining 1 Tbsp. thyme and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine, raise the heat to high, and simmer until reduced by half, about 7 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices and cook until very soft and about a quarter of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the beans and broth.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Using a potato masher, gently crush some of the stew with 4 to 5 strokes, or just enough to thicken it a bit. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Cut the sausages in half on the diagonal. Ladle the stew into wide, deep bowls, arrange the sausages on the stew, and top with the sauteed thyme.

Where does Lloyd's money come from?

I got an interesting email from a friend and I think it speaks volumes:

"Lloyd has a huge following outside the jiu jitsu community, and they have no idea who he REALLY is.  Don't you think it might be a good idea to discreetly point them toward some of the "emerging information," so Lloyd doesn't keep sharing podiums at their "big money" speaking events and getting kudos from the likes of Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul) and James Malinchak (The Secret Millionaire).  They may be scammers themselves, but wouldn't it be awesome if they decided he was too scummy even for them?

A little background...

My friend and personal trainer has been caught up in the Internet marketing madness, but fortunately, is not too entrenched.  I have learned so much over the last few months and shared what I learned with her.  What I came to realize is that Lloyd is involved with the biggest names in Internet Marketing, and many of these names are the same ones my trainer knows.

• Jack Canfield (author who seems to have sold out for $$$) 
• James Malinchak (Secret Millionaire on TV, copies Disney marketing techniques, has LLoyd and Vicki testimonials on his page) 
• J W Dicks (co-owner of Celebrity Branding, with Nanton.  They make people (including Lloyd) "best selling authors" through scammery) 
• Nick Nanton (co-owner with Dicks; they are both attorneys) 
• Andrea Adams-Miller ("expert on healthy sexual relationships" and a big Lloyd fan)

Given a few extra minutes, I could probably find a few more.  Didn't find any "group" pages yet on FB, but will keep looking...

 James Malinchak absolutely is close with Lloyd.  Here are photos from one of the Big Money Speakers conventions in December 2012, at which Lloyd was a presenter.  I presume Lloyd gets paid to appear at these things...

Here they are with Felipe Amarante, who with his wife Sofia trains at Cyborg's in Miami, I believe...




https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=538167379528510&set=t.581431113&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=525978610755019&set=t.581431113&type=3&permPage=1

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151567697358332&set=t.581431113&type=3&permPage=1

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4510121484159&set=t.581431113&type=3&permPage=1

Apparently, Lloyd's appearances are quite the crowd pleaser.  


And here's a page dedicated to an upcoming event. Not sure if Lloyd is scheduled to speak at this one. The copy is similar to the format of every other Lloyd and Lloydie promotional.  Lloyd and Vicki's testimonials are part way down the page.

http://www.bigmoneyspeakerbootcamp.com/

These names appear over and over again, they're all selling the same BS, and Lloyd and Vicki are providing testimonials on some of their pages. Do you think it would be a good idea if people shared a link to www.lloydirvinrapeexposed.com on their pages, just so they get a different view of this guy?  Perhaps the Salty Droid should know about this, too, since he is a HUGE fan of Malinchak and Co.   ;)

I know this is a little off topic, but the idea that Lloyd can continue "unmolested" with his marketing BS just makes me seethe."


Why, Friend, I think it's fabulously ON topic.  If Lloyd Irvin can maintain an alleged victim pool, he will continue his alleged abuses.  So I went ahead and mentioned this to those people, through their blogs, websites and facebook pages.  I encourage you to do so as well if you are so moved.  Here's what I wrote:

"Andrea,

I wonder if you're aware that your colleague and affiliate Lloyd Irvin Jr. of Camp Springs MD has been embroiled in a massive scandal related to his allegedly fraudulent business practices and allegations of sexual abuses of young female martial arts students?

You are welcome to read more about it here

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/3/5/4066506/team-lloyd-irvin-sex-abuse-cult-power-medal-chasers-exodus

or my blog georgetteoden.blogspot.com

or here-- www.lloydirvinrapetruth.com


Sincerely,
Georgette"



Jack Canfield already deleted it from his facebook page, lol....

Marcos and David Avellan market soft core "jiu jitsu instruction"

Pretty much the Avellan brothers' entire Kimura Trap system is laid out in softcore porn fashion. I figure that there are some people who might like to know what he and Marcos Avellan (the marketing "brains" of the partnership) really think about womens' role in BJJ/MMA.  As if Keith Owen isn't bad enough!  I guess we need to discuss sexism in BJJ/MMA some more, as Meg did in her wonderful article.

Or maybe this is just the manifestation of the Avellan brothers total lack of self-confidence?  I mean, I have heard David is a good grappler, at least, and the techniques could be legit if properly performed.  Do you suppose David's most popular techniques are replicated here by these women who look like softcore porn stars because the Avellans thought they wouldn't get an audience any other way?

Bottom line, I agree with others wiser than I (who brought this to my attention tonight) that it's LCD stuff, just like all of Lloyd's stuff. Lowest Common Denominator. It really does tell you where women stand in the hierarchy, though, doesn't it?

It's David's product, but it was handled by Lloyd and Marcos. And it was filmed at Freestyle Fighting Academy (FFA)-- owned by David and Marcos.  It used affiliate marketing advocated by Lloyd, the type where everyone glad hands reviews to one another, like a syndicate.



Technique?  Crap.  Outfits?  Hot, very cute, but totally inappropriate for actual grappling.   Acrylic nails? cleavage to the South Pole? loose hair? Excuse me... I thought Manto was bad! 



Sheeee-it, these girls can't punch.  Bullshit costumes only the bravest would wear?  (Ronda's allowed because her matches last a minute, two tops.)  Belly rings?!  Eye makeup?  and the sexy hair toss?  Baloney!



Worst kimura ever, guaranteed you'll be passed and have your back taken in 1.2 heartbeats. This is porn and it reveals pure misogyny.

And check this thread on Sherdog, with Balto's review of the DVD set.  The instructionals were sold out with comments like this from David:

"Wow, what a rush these past few days have been. My first DVD set was a huge success. I want to thank everyone that helped, including my top affiliates in Alan Belcher, Jason Scully, Ken Primola BJJ Athlete 2.0, Stephen Whittier, Scott Nelson, my cousin Alex Malave, Bob Dorris, Rhadi Ferguson's Fan Page, my brother Marcos and all my staff that were pivotal in helping out - but most importantly, I want to thank Lloyd Irvin Jr. for his guidance... it was because of him and everyone else that I was able to generate over $100,000 in sales with my first DVD via the internet in two and a half days on sale! If you want to learn how I did this, come to Lloyd Irvin's internet marketing event for newbies in October, more info at http://www.theinternetmarketingblueprintevent.com/ Thank you everyone!"

And then they weren't sold out.. like many LI products.

Some of these soft core videos have been released this year, and some were indeed released last year. MANY do seem to be marketing the Kimura Trap DVD set, so whether it was before or after the rape stories broke, it's still a super shady way to market a DVD set that has nothing to do with naked (or 3/4 naked) chicks using sloppy technique. It definitely describes the character of the marketing behind them, IMO, as unbelievably unscrupulous, willing to go so far as to objectify women in order to make a buck selling more DVDs.

Just like in the rape case regarding Maldonado and Schultz, where Lloyd allegedly knew that one or both of those guys had bad history with unwilling women, at best, and just like Lloyd's own gang rape case in the past. Just like how Lloyd hired lawyers to defend his medal chasers instead of truly siding with the victim. Just like the countless other women who have allegedly been sexually assaulted over the years, nothing but objects for the master.

Speak with your pocketbooks, ladies and gentlemen.... hit them where it hurts.


  note: edited to remove my own sexism, and bias against skinny girls, which was graciously called out on facebook... thank you for correcting me!

Edited to add: great followup on this from Megan, on her blog Tangled Triangle.

Pans is right around the corner!

So this weekend is the Chicago Open-- good luck to all you cats.

And then March 20-24 is the Pans in Irvine-- good luck to all YOU cats, too.

Won't be going this year, to work or compete.  Just too much going on for me at work and I didn't know when I would be gearing up for the embryo transfer (looks like late April sometime, tentatively) but we DO want to come work Mundials.  Expect to hear more about that in the future.

For those cats who are not cutting weight for any tournaments, eating gluten free, or eating Paleo, I offer you the yummiest no-bake cookie of all time.  (I happen to be on a roll with losing weight, finally having lost every pound I gained with IVF hormones and whatnot, and only 5 lbs away from leve, so I will not be eating any of these!  though I *might* make them for a teammate who had a birthday yesterday.)

Reese's Bars -- makes a 9x13" pan 

1 1/2 sticks butter or margarine, melted
1 cup peanut butter- melt this in the microwave in the same bowl with your butter
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons peanut butter


In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan (for easier removal, line the pan with two crossed sheets of waxed paper, wax side up.  Or no-stick aluminum foil works well too.

In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave but keep your eye on it, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Spread over the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.  If you lined your pan, pull the whole block out of the pan before cutting and serving.

Am I still training? yes of course!

With all the insanity in the BJJ world right now, between Lloyd Irvin and Keith Owen, I sometimes despair...

But I put it all aside every evening when I get to class.  Despite my fears, I have happily resumed my old routine of training every day-- or almost.  I think I'm averaging 5 days a week.  I'm a little sore, sure, but it's a really splendid kind of sore (which I know most of you can empathize with.)

Two nights ago, our visiting instructor Frank Curreri (a Drysdale blackbelt who weighs 135lbs) showed a whole series of different sweeps from variations on butterfly, DLR, and spider guards, and combinations of the above.  Including takedowns.  It was a very busy, action-packed class, but the cherry on top was the rolling loop choke/sweep from butterfly guard.  I need to drill that sucker about a billion times, because it will be so worth it when I get it polished up.

I really need a guard game.  I'm far far stronger on top, despite my pathetic inability to finish people from mount.  Cross side is where it's at, baby-- if you're not on the back.

Anyway, have some work to do at my real job, so I should go do that.  Here's what I am thinking of having for dinner.  Last two nights I had pot roast with brown rice, potatoes, onions and carrots... yum.  Now I'm feeling like something a little more fresh and green.

Garden Lettuce Salad with Skirt Steak, Avocado & Toasted Pumpkin Seeds 
from FineCooking.com

 A mandoline works especially well to quickly, easily, and evenly slice the carrots and radishes.  This is both gluten-free and Paleo.

Serves 4

1 clove garlic, pounded to a smooth paste with a pinch of salt
2 Tbs. freshly squeezed lime juice; more as needed
1 Tbs. red-wine vinegar; more as needed
1 tsp. cumin seed, toasted and lightly ground (so still a little coarse)
1⁄2 tsp. sweet paprika
Kosher salt
9 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1⁄2 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas) (optional or can substitute sliced almonds or sunflower seeds.)
One 1-1⁄4-lb. skirt steak, cold
Freshly ground black pepper
2 ripe avocados
4 large handfuls assorted mild garden lettuces, about 8 ounces total, washed and dried
2 medium-size carrots, very thinly sliced
3 radishes, very thinly sliced

To make the vinaigrette, combine the garlic, lime juice, vinegar, cumin, paprika, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Whisk in 6 Tbs. of the olive oil. Taste with a leaf of lettuce and adjust the vinaigrette with more lime juice, vinegar, or salt if necessary. Set aside.

Put the shallot in a small bowl and cover with ice water. (The ice water crisps the shallot and helps remove some of its hot flavor.) Set aside.

Warm a small sauté pan over medium heat and add 1 Tbs. of the olive oil and the pumpkin seeds. Fry the seeds, tossing or stirring frequently, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel and season with salt.

Cut the skirt steak into about 6-inch lengths and return it to the refrigerator until shortly before you are ready to cook it. (Because skirt steak is so thin, you want the beef cold to prevent it from overcooking before it browns.) Season the beef with salt and coarsely ground black pepper. Warm a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and place the beef in the pan without overlapping the strips. Cook until the beef is nicely browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and cook on the opposite side until medium rare, 1 to 2 minutes more; time will vary depending on the thickness of the meat. (If necessary, reduce the heat to medium high to finish cooking thicker sections of the meat.) Transfer to a plate and let rest for about 5 minutes.

Cut the avocados in half lengthwise, remove the pits, and slice the flesh diagonally into about 1⁄4-inch slices. Set aside.

Drain the shallot. Put the salad greens in a large work bowl; sprinkle the shallot, carrots, and radishes on top and season with salt and pepper. Gently toss the salad with just enough vinaigrette to lightly coat the greens. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Add about half of the pumpkins seeds and toss once more.

With a delicate hand, transfer the salad to a platter or individual serving plates, evenly distributing the seeds, carrots, and radishes that may have fallen to the bottom of the bowl. Then, using a large spoon and starting at the very edge of the avocado (where skin meets flesh), scoop the flesh out of the avocado in one swoop. Separate the avocado slices and tuck them here and there among the greens. (At this point, I like to season the avocado, as best I can, with salt.)

Thinly slice the meat against the grain. Arrange the skirt steak on the side or in the salad. Drizzle any remaining vinaigrette on and around the salad, focusing on the avocado and beef. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and the remaining pumpkin seeds on top. Serve immediately.

Watch This Wednesday: Grippo v. Cornelius

I know this is up everywhere-- but if you haven't watched the match between Gianni Grippo and Keenan Cornelius at the Boston Open yet, this is a gotta-see.  Absolute finals, brown belt, by the way.

One I haven't seen yet, most sadly, because of durn work deadlines.  But see how I love you, bringing you this brownie goodness on hump day when I can't even enjoy it myself?

The revelations on MMA Underground and elsewhere....

In case you missed them.... revelations from a former Mastermind member.

Read Fuzzy Badfeet's posts here and here and here too.

Read Brent Brookhouse's article published yesterday on Bloody Elbow here.

(photo courtesy of Jordon Schultz)

New patch coming soon...

Here's the proof.  I think I'll have these in a few weeks, maybe less, thanks to the wonders of Sam at NHBGear.com.  The patch will be just one of these (this is doubled for printing, and then the two square patches will be cut apart.)  Figure about 6" by 4", so lots smaller than the first batch.

Note the "Member 97%" too :)

Patches will be $9 which includes postage. Just email me with your address, and paypal me the money.  Send to georgetteoden at yahoo dot com.  And THANK YOU :)

Eating crow with Luca Atalla

Edited to add: for perspective, a timeline of events that may help you interpret Ryan and Luca's exchange below.

 January 9th, 2013: Two male TLI competition team members (Nick Schultz and Mateo Maldonado) are arrested and charged with raping a fellow female student on January 1, 2013..

 January 10th: Details of Lloyd Irvin's involvement in a 1989 rape come to light. http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/1/10/3856994/team-lloyd-irvin-rape-case

 January 18th: Ryan Hall issues an open letter online. It is a call to martial arts practitioners and instructors to strive for integrity above a win-at-all-costs mentality, and also serves as a barely veiled critique of the culture fostered at TLI which he was once a part of.
http://livingthemartialarts.com

 January 22: Lloyd Irvin issues an open letter, published on GracieMag.com http://www.graciemag.com/2013/01/official-lloyd-irvin-statement/ .

The letter addresses the recent rape charges against his two students, and acknowledges his involvement in the 1989 rape case (he received a "not guilty" verdict, but appeared to have played an active role in a gang rape in which several others were convicted). GracieMag includes a footnote to Irvin's letter in which GracieMag C.E.O. Luca Atalla provides a link to his own public statement regarding the recent news, titled "How the Reputation Murder Works." It essentially serves as a defense of Lloyd Irvin and a dismissal of Lloyd Irvin critics. There are contentious exchanges between Atalla and readers in the comment section, including a back and forth between Atalla and Kathleen Callos ( the mother of TLI student/competitor Keenan Cornelius).
 http://lucaatalla.com/2013/01/how-the-reputation-murder-works

 January 24: I respond to Luca:
http://georgetteoden.blogspot.com/2013/01/luca-atalla-speaks-for-graciemag-about.html

 circa February 19th (dates vary): A few TLI affiliates announce that they are breaking ties with Lloyd Irvin including BETA Academy. 
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/2/19/4007012/beta-academy-owner-explains-ending-relationship-with-lloyd-irvin

 February 22-- I post an rebuttal to the rumor that Lloyd Irvin's codefendant in the 1989 gang rape was acquitted:
 http://georgetteoden.blogspot.com/2013/02/lloyd-irvins-codefendant-was-not.html

February 27: News surfaces that several prominent members of TLI are leaving the school, including Cornelius 
http://www.graciemag.com/2013/02/keenan-i-can-no-longer-be-absolutely-sure-that-this-is-the-right-environment-for-me/

 March 1: TLI team member Jordan Schultz posts a message on Facebook providing background into why he and several members are leaving the school, which includes an accusation that Lloyd Irvin manipulated the trust of at least one female student in order to coerce sexual favors from her. http://forums.sherdog.com/forums/showthread.php?p=80259355

 * * * *

 Here is the private exchange between Ryan Hall and Luca Atalla, shared with me by Ryan and published here with his consent:

 * * * *

3:50pm  Ryan Hall

 Hello Luca, How are you? I am wondering if you would be willing to post a letter that I wrote on GracieMag? I have a lot of experience with what has been going on in the BJJ community lately and I hope that my letter can share a viewpoint that most people may not have seen yet. I can send the letter to you for your review today if that's ok.
Thanks and talk to you soon,
Ryan

 2:17am Ryan Hall 

Luca, Just checking back to make sure my message didn't get lost in your inbox.
Ryan

 10:11pm Ryan Hall

 Hey Luca, How's things? Think you could post this story to GracieMag? It's fairly credible, I think. http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/2/19/4007012/beta-academy-owner-explains-ending-relationship-with-lloyd-irvin
Take care,
Ryan
 BETA Academy owner explains ending relationship with Lloyd Irvin
www.bloodyelbow.com Following terminating his relationship with Lloyd Irvin, BETA Academy owner Nakapan Phungephorn explains the situation, including claims of shady business tactics and bully behavior. 

1:15am Ryan Hall

 Hey, Luca.
How's things, irmao? Remember that time you were defending Lloyd and yelling about "the reputation murder" or whatever crap you invented to try to obscure what was right in front of you? Yeah...might want to get on damage control, boss. Just a friendly heads up.
Ryan

 1:39am Luca Atalla

 I stick with my words. I'm not here nor my vehicle to attack others.
Good luck.

 1:54am Ryan Hall
 A bold position given recent events. Kudos for your bravery, sir. http://forums.sherdog.com/forums/f12/keenan-leaves-tli-2400515/index39.html
Scroll down to the end for a heaping serving of crow.
Keenan leaves TLI - Page 39 - Sherdog Mixed Martial Arts Forums forums.sherdog.com Page 39- Keenan leaves TLI Grappling Technique

 10:06am Luca Atalla

 If it's true (which sincerely appears), the police will seize this case, and it's going to be very soon. I had no way to know it, and I wrote based in the information I had at the moment I wrote. Ryan, I don't really feel like I need to do damage control. I would defend anyone if I thought people were attacking him without proofs, or for other reasons. I would do for you, or for anyone else. That said, my belief is still the same. This thing if proven will take Jiu-Jitsu sadly down. And Jiu-Jitsu doesn't have anything with people's behavior. Again, I am writing here but I'm not sure it's all true, and I will wait to things wrap-up. I'm not a legal specialist but it seems pretty clear that if the guy is guilt, the legal system will act very fast and the good will prevail. Thanks for advising me.

 10:12am Luca Atalla

 for other reasons = for different reasons than the facts that happened. Bottom line, based in the information I knew, there was not a rapist culture in his environment. Things change, but I don't have a crystal ball. It's my posture. I can't open a powerful media channel for attacks based in conjectures. The difference of GracieMag attacking people and you or other guys attacking people is big, and you have powerful social tools to do it nowadays, as it's proven. Sincerely, I expect the evil to lose, even if it is naive. And, in the end of the day, it seems that that's what is going to happen. Good luck!

 2:24pm Ryan Hall

 Luca,

GracieMag is a "powerful media channel"? Ha. You are a for profit faux-journal that pushes the interests of its members and ignores anything and anyone that does not parrot your party line. There's nothing legitimate about your media. Please continue to tell yourself whatever you need to in order to sleep at night. I find it amusing/appalling that you can't even back off your nonsense or stop patting yourself on the back for the ten seconds it would take to apologize to the people you've deeply wronged with your support of possibly the worst person that the martial arts has seen in the past decade.

You should be ashamed of yourself. It's funny that you mention a lack of information being the source of your error. I can't help but notice that there was a pretty impressive lack of information supporting Lloyd Irvin, yet you (the same guy who was speaking at his event) felt comfortable attacking the people who stood up for what is right and even went as far as to suggest that their motives were some sort of vendetta. You wrote based on your own self-interest because you are a coward and an opportunist.

 Finally, your asinine suggestion that you don't want this to reflect negatively on Jiu-Jitsu is also pathetic and an obvious red herring. Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and martial arts are composed of people. People are what was at risk, what was being abused here, you moron. In closing, it isn't "what it is," as you suggest in your weak, spineless Facebook wall post. It's what Lloyd and people like you have made it. You are right about one thing, though: this is sad. I hope that you will actually reflect on this situation and come out of the whole thing with a little more respect for others. I'll consider letting you off the hook when you make a public apology.

Ryan 
PS One more for the road:
http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfmgo=forum.posts&forum=11&thread=2140273&page=1
 My Experience W Lloyd as Mastermind Member - Mixed Martial Arts Forum
www.mixedmartialarts.com

 2:46pm Luca Atalla 

Ryan, look, you can think whatever you want about myself or GracieMag. I train Jiu-Jitsu before you probably were born, you don't arrive here YESTERDAY to tell me what to do.

If my not be a powerful media channel for you but you're a ZERO for me, as an athlete, as person, and even as a blackbelt. 

I never trained under Lloyd (LIKE YOU), and even Lloyd wasn't even thinking on train Jiu-Jitsu when I started GracieMag back in 1994. I stick with my points. I am not interested in your personal agenda or personal vendetta.

 2:46pm Luca Atalla

 If my = GracieMag might.

 3:10pm Luca Atalla

 The summary is, you don't recognize GracieMag, for you I'm coward and opportunist and a moron. And from my side I don't know you, don't recognize you, don't know your agenda. Why bother to chat here? Keep your work and I will keep mine.

 3:26pm Ryan Hall

 Luca,

Does this mean we're not friends? If I thought you weren't my friend, I don't think I could bear it...
 At least we'll see each other in Vegas?
http://therealplayerlifestyle.com/
RE: Your Personal Invitation To My “Players ONLY Party” With The ONE unhinged genius normally holed up in his compound who you can’t afford to miss…

 3:32pm Luca Atalla

 Yes, I'll see you there.

 3:32pm Ryan Hall

 Yay!

Sex scandal rocks Team Lloyd Irvin

Jiu jitsu fighters flee into the night, apparently.

This was posted on my facebook wall in the wee hours by a "Johnny Justice."  Time will tell if it is true.  But I believe it has the ring of truth to it.


Recently a fellow team member came to me she was burdened and confused. She sought me out as a confidante a person she could trust. She had been battling with a situation morally inside her head. She explained the details of secret interactions she had with her martial arts instructor and employer.

She started with the question “Are you suppose to do anything to become a World Champion?” I replied, “Yes, there are sacrifices you must make to become a World Champion and you are going to have to do some things that other people won’t do to become a World Champion”. She began to cry as she explained.

She said that when she first joined the team she was given a set of rules. She was told exactly how she should act. Everyone on the team follows the principle of the Android. An Android does what they are commanded with no question and no hesitation. Whatever the Programmer says the Android does. According to the Martial Arts instructor this correlates to Martial Arts if the coach gives a commanded and the athlete hesitates or questions for a moment it can cost them the match. That is the importance of being an Android.

Second rule, your word is your bond. If you do not keep your word you are a liar. If you do not follow what you say you are a faker. If you do not keep your word you are definitely not serious about what you are trying to accomplish.

Third rule, confidentiality whatever you talk about with your instructor stays only between you and your instructor it is a form of trust. She explained the Instructor has been deceived and hurt a lot in the past so it was difficult to prove your trust and loyalty to your instructor.

When first coming to the team her instructor automatically judged her, told her that “I have a weird feeling that you are lying and you do not want to be a world champion, you came for alterior motives”

I noticed that the woman was always getting scolded or on thin ice with my martial arts instructor. She always seemed to be messing up tasks that were given to her as her job. She always seemed afraid that she was going to be kicked off the team and sent home. Every team member that comes from another state can be kicked off the team and sent home at any time. Any member of the team will confirm this. This is a consequence that looms over all the athletes.

At one point I thought she really was being sent home.

She had been trying to tell me, and others. She asked us hypothetical questions like “would you do ANYTHING to be a world champion” and she’d tell me she did some things she wouldn’t normally do but her instructor asked her to do it and he said she was proving he can trust her. She explained the things she did for her instructor was a test to see if she would really do anything to be a world champion. That she would keep her word to him and do anything he asked her to do. And she would do it without hesitation to prove her loyalty and that she was an android. I always thought it was something different, like she messed with someone’s credit card or something but I was so wrong.

Her instructor would both ask and instruct her to do sexually inappropriate things with him. Re-affirming his instructions with things like “I thought you said you wanted to be a world champion, and you said you would do anything I tell you to do without hesitation”. He would make her repeat to him over and over that she loved him like a script.

If she ever hesitated or questioned he would call her a liar and say that she didn’t really want to become a world champion and she wasn’t serious about her goals.

This activity went on for a couple months and then he asked her is she would give herself to him sexually, and if she would have sexual intercourse with him.

That’s when she broke down and came to me she was so wrapped up and confused about the tests and hazing she came to me for guidance. And I am happy she did so that nothing else bad happened to her.

What he has asked of her and made her do is disgusting and abusive. I am so grateful she came to me and I was able to open her eyes.
To explain to her that it was wrong, that she did not have to do those things to prove she really wanted to be a world champion.

I think, but cannot confirm that there are other victims on the team. I would see the instructor sleeping in the same hotel room in the same bed at tournaments with other female teammates. Multiple teammates have also been called to his room to give him massages alone together with him in a hotel room, which I always thought was a little inappropriate considering he is there Martial Arts Instructor.

I trained with the team for over a year. 6 months into my stay there I was offered a unpaid mentorship as his internet assassin, and I would be trained to do internet marketing.

The rules on the team were “no inter team dating” and “you always follow instructions 100%” now that I think about it, both rules together breed the perfect environment for the martial arts instructor to take advantage of his female students sexually. Dangle the dream of being a world champion in front each member of the team to control their every move.

The instructor never did anything to me, the training environment was not the healthiest at times, but I was never harmed. And I cannot speak for other male members, but each has their own story. In addition several of my teammates have left the environment within hours of hearing the story I told them. This confirms that each of them had their own suspicions of what was going on.

I was in charge of a project to make several websites, with the soul purpose of covering up the google search results of keywords.

I now realize that it was wrong to do that. And people need to be informed before they choose to associate with the instructor.

I apologize to the female team member and the other female team members I have spoken about. I had to break her trust and warn others about the situation. She confided in me and was not ready to tell anyone about it. But as my moral responsibility the world needs to know. And I encourage anyone who has been affected or controlled by Lloyd Irvin to speak out.

In closing, I have left the team for good, I have ended all ties with team lloyd Irvin and will never have anything to do with it again in any capacity. I came to the team thinking it would be the best thing for me, plenty of good training partners, hard training, and to learn marketing. I was a fool, and I apologize to anyone that may have been affected by my actions while on the team.

Jordon Schultz