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Veronica Brown Removed from Father UPDATED
After Oklahoma Supreme Court removed the stay at about 3 PM local time on Monday September 23, the Capobiancos went to Cherokee land to take Veronica. I fear for her emotional well-being and physical safety. The exchange happened in the dark moments ago according to Tulsa World who has been covering the story from the beginning.
Oklahoma Supreme Court
"The Oklahoma Supreme Court has lifted an emergency stay in the fight for Veronica Brown, potentially opening the door for a South Carolina couple to take custody of the girl while the appeals process plays out.
At 2:40 p.m. Monday, the decision was posted to a docket sheet on the Oklahoma Supreme Court Network, just hours after mediation efforts ended between Veronica's father, Cherokee Nation citizen Dusten Brown, and Matt and Melanie Capobianco, a couple from James Island, S.C., who have been attempting to adopt his child for four years.
The failed mediation now means the case will go before the state's Supreme Court, but apparently the Cherokee child might not be staying in Oklahoma while the appeals continue. The stay was initially issued on Aug. 30 after a Nowata County district court judge upheld a South Carolina adoption decree that awarded custody of the girl to the Capobiancos.
However, Veronica and her immediate family are currently living on trust property adjacent to the Cherokee Nation's tribal complex in Tahlequah, which means a court order from either the Cherokee Nation or a federal court may be needed to remove the girl.
All parties involved the case are still under a gag order. It is unknown when or if Veronica Brown will be handed over to the Capobiancos, as attorneys for both Cherokee Nation and Dusten Brown filed responses with the Oklahoma Supreme Court within an hour of the stay's dissolution.
Thanks to a court-ordered seal, the responses' contents, along with the details from the six days of negotiations, are not public information. However, a copy of the Supreme Court decision was posted online late Monday afternoon and shows five of the nine judges ruling to dissolve the stay.
Two ruled against dissolving, one abstained and the ninth, Justice Tom Colbert, split his decision.
In her dissent, Justice Nona Gurich cited the lack of a recent best interest hearing in her hesitance to dissolve the stay. One of the primary arguments from Cherokee Nation and the Brown family, a best interest hearing in the case has not been conducted since Veronica rejoined her biological family almost two years ago.
"More importantly, South Carolina courts failed to hold any kind evidentiary hearing concerning the best interests of Baby Girl and the likelihood of psychological harm to the child resulting from a severance of the parent-child relationship," she wrote. "Additionally, Father's parental rights were terminated without proper notice and an opportunity to be heard. Everything in the life of Baby Girl has changed since 2011, and therefore, I cannot join the majority's decision to dissolve the temporary stay and to deny original jurisdiction.
"Although this is a complicated case, we should accept our legal responsibility to follow established law in making a determination having such a profound impact on the life of this child."
It is also unclear what, if any impact, Monday's decision to dissolve the stay will have on a decision handed down earlier this summer by the Cherokee Nation District Court that awarded guardianship of Veronica to her stepmother, Robin Brown, and her paternal grandparents, Alice and Tommy Brown. That ruling was handed down just prior to a Charleston County, S.C., family court judge finalizing the adoption decree in the Palmetto State.
In a released statement, Cherokee Nation attorney general Todd Hembree made it clear that Monday's decision would have to be filed with the tribe's judiciary before the Cherokee Nation takes any action.
"This order, just like any other order from a foreign jurisdiction needs to be filed for domestication with the Cherokee Nation District Court," he said. "There is a conflicting Cherokee Nation order concerning a Cherokee Nation citizen on Cherokee Nation land. We are a sovereign nation with a valid and historic court system.
"As Attorney General, I will require that our court system be honored and respected. I took an oath when assuming this office to uphold the laws and constitution of the Cherokee Nation and the United States. Nowhere in that oath is it required that I defend the laws of South Carolina."
The four-year-old has been living with her father in Oklahoma after spending the first two years of her life with the Capobiancos. In addition to two South Carolina courts and the U.S. Supreme Court, the case has gone before judges in eight different Oklahoma courts."
Okla. court lifts stay in Veronica case, giving Capobiancos chance to take her
{Native American Times 9/23/13 by LENZY KREHBIEL-BURTON]
See the Capobianco fans and news sources on Twitter : https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BabyVeronica&src=hash
Stand Our Ground for Veronica Brown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StandingOurGroundForVeronicaBrown
"Baby Veronica's biological family handed over the 4-year-old girl Monday night, giving her back to the adoptive parents, multiple sources told the Tulsa World.
The child's transfer of custody has not been confirmed on the record by Cherokee officials or any family members.
Dusten Brown's attorney, Clark Brewster, confirmed that the Brown family was negotiating the possibility of giving up the girl late Monday.
With supporters gathering near the scene, Cherokee Nation marshals are stationed at intersections, with media and about 20 onlookers — some with signs of support for Brown — being kept about 100 yards away from the house.
Earlier in the day, after a week of negotiations failed to reach a settlement between the biological father and the adoptive parents, the Oklahoma Supreme Court cleared the way to send Veronica to South Carolina.
It's not clear what prompted the possible handover Monday night, after Brown's representatives had promised earlier in the day to continue pursuing legal options to keep the girl.
Brewster had confirmed that the girl may be handed over late Monday to Matt and Melanie Capobianco, who would take her back to South Carolina."
Source: Capobiancos take custody tonight of Veronica from biological father
[Tulsa World 9/23/13 by Michael Overall]
REFORM Puzzle Pieces
See the rest of our coverage herewith the most comprehensive post here.
Standing Our Ground for Veronica Brown Facebook group says "They came in with armed Federal Marshalls. 6 unmarked cars. 9 marked and 2 SUVs and took her as she was screaming to stay and as an ambulance took her grandfather who didn't get to say goodbye because he had a heartattack." Twitter feed says Veronica was screaming "I don't want to go! I don't want to go!"
Statement from Cherokee Nation Attorney General
"TAHLEQUAH, Okla –Tonight around 7:30pm central time, Veronica Brown was peacefully and voluntarily transferred to her adoptive parents, Matt and Melanie Capobianco. The transfer was completed at the will of Dusten Brown, after the Oklahoma Supreme Court lifted the stay of transfer of custody for four year old Veronica.
The transfer, although emotional for the Brown family, was peaceful and dignified. It was not ordered or supervised by law enforcement, rather Dusten Brown willfully cooperated with today's order.
Dusten and his wife Robin packed two bags for Veronica, one with clothing and one with toys. Dusten told Veronica how much he and the rest of the family love her, and that he would see her again. Following their emotional goodbyes, Veronica was transported from her home by a Cherokee Nation attorney, to a location approximately a quarter mile away where the Capobiancos were waiting.
She was strapped into a car seat by that attorney, told again how much her father loved her and left with the Capobiancos.
Dusten Brown was just as brave today, as we he was when he fought for our country in Iraq. Although this is not something any parent should ever have to do, we could not be more proud of the dignity and courage with which he carried himself.
We are deeply, deeply saddened by the events of today, but we will not lose hope. Veronica Brown will always be a Cherokee citizen, and although she may have left the Cherokee Nation, she will never leave our hearts.
We hope the Capobiancos honor their word that Dusten will be allowed to remain an important part of Veronica's life. We also look forward to her visiting the Cherokee Nation for many years to come, for she is always welcome. Veronica is a very special child who touched the hearts of many, and she will be sorely missed. –Todd Hembree, Cherokee Nation Attorney General"
Photos of transfer can be seen at State court orders Baby Veronica to adoptive parents[Tulsa World 9/24/13 by Michael Overall]
"Dusten Brown told his daughter Monday night that he loved her and would see her again.
He packed two suitcases, one for clothes and one for toys, according to a source familiar with Monday night's hand over.
Brown broke down in tears as Chrissi Nimmo, the Cherokee Nation's assistant attorney general who had led the tribe's fight to keep Veronica in Oklahoma, drove the girl a quarter mile to the Cherokee Marshal Service headquarters, where the adoptive parents were waiting.
Nimmo buckled the 4-year-old girl into a car seat, reminded her that her father loved her and told her that Matt and Melanie Capobianco would be nice to her.
The adoptive parents drove away, apparently escorted by three South Carolina law enforcement officials who had arrived in Oklahoma earlier in the day.
The transfer came just after 7:30 p.m. Monday, hours after the Oklahoma Supreme Court lifted an order that had been keeping the girl with Brown while he appealed decisions to give her back to the Capobiancos.
With the state Supreme Court clearing the way, a lower court issued an order at 4:30 p.m. demanding that Brown surrender Veronica immediately.
The child was staying with her father and his family at a house on tribal land near Tahlequah, and the Cherokee Nation was ready to insist that the court order be "domesticated" in tribal court before handing her over to the Capobiancos, Todd Hembree, the tribe's attorney general, told the Tulsa World.
But Brown himself decided that it was best for Veronica to go ahead with a "peaceful and respectful transfer," Hembree said.
"Dusten proved himself to be a strong man this evening," Hembree said. "He put aside his own desires and did what he thought was best for his daughter.
"I respect him for it." The transfer won't necessarily end the epic custody battle, which started when the girl was 4 months old and reached Monday's turning point just a week after her fourth birthday. It's not clear if Brown will get to see her in the future.
When the Capobiancos lost custody in December 2011, they appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and eventually got Veronica back. Now, Brown still has the right to continue his appeals, Hembree said.
"We will assess our legal options in the morning," he said Monday night. "Is this over? I would say not."
As the Brown family prepared for the hand over, an ambulance took Veronica's grandfather to a hospital after he suffered what a source described as either a heart attack or a severe panic attack.
His condition was not known Monday night.
A few dozen supporters watched the ambulance come and go, but Cherokee marshals kept the crowd and the media about 100 yards away from the house.
Meanwhile, the Capobiancos' spokeswoman shared photos of Veronica smiling with her adoptive parents during recent court-ordered visits.
"It was really a sweet thing to finally see after all this time," one of the couple's attorneys, James Fletcher Thompson, told Charleston's Post and Courier. "The transition seemed to go without incident. That in itself is very good news for all involved."
It's not clear when the Capobiancos will return to South Carolina.
The state Supreme Court's decision came after a week of negotiations had failed to reach a settlement.
Brown had been asking the Oklahoma courts to have a hearing to determine what was best for Veronica before sending her to South Carolina.
And two Oklahoma Supreme Court justices wanted that kind of hearing, too.
"Baby Girl deserves her day in court," Justice Noma Gurich wrote in her dissenting opinion.
Justice John Reif also dissented, while Justice Tom Colbert dissented in part and concurred in part.
Justices Yvonne Kauger, Joseph Watt, James Winchester, James Edmondson and Douglas Combs voted in the majority.
Justice Steven Taylor did not vote.
The court's decision was posted at 2:41 p.m. Monday.
By 5 p.m., the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office had received a court order from an Oklahoma district court demanding that Brown give up custody.
"The court order was directed to us, so we served it," Undersheriff Jason Chennault said. "We gave the Browns time to say goodbye and pack some things for Veronica, some clothes and things."
It's not clear how Monday's transfer of custody will affect a criminal case against Brown, who is facing extradition to South Carolina on a felony complaint of custody interference.
His attorneys have argued that he was under no legal obligation to obey the court orders from South Carolina while appealing the case in Oklahoma.
It's also not clear how the transfer will affect a separate federal lawsuit that was filed this summer in South Carolina by a coalition of Indian rights groups.
Veronica's civil rights were violated when South Carolina refused to consider her "best interests" before taking custody away from her Cherokee family, according to the lawsuit filed by the National Indian Child Welfare Association and other groups.
"Any other child would have had her or his best interest considered in a court of law," said Terry Cross, the association's executive director.
"The legal system has failed this child and American Indians as well. Our prayers are with everyone concerned, but most of all with Veronica."
The Capobiancos arranged a private adoption with Brown's ex-fiancee and came to Oklahoma for Veronica's birth in September 2009.
Brown has said he was tricked into signing away his parental rights when he thought he was only giving custody to the birth mother.
He won custody two years later, when courts in South Carolina decided that he had not given voluntary consent to the adoption.
This summer, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Brown didn't have standing under the Indian Child Welfare Act, a federal law designed to keep Native American children with their tribes.
The decision required South Carolina's courts to reconsider the case, and the Capobiancos regained custody.
Nothing in the U.S. Supreme Court's decision, however, "states or even hints" that Veronica herself didn't have rights under the Indian Child Welfare Act, Oklahoma Justice John Reif wrote in his dissenting opinion Monday.
"Veronica was entitled to this special best interests inquiry and determination under the settled law of the case," he wrote, "and as a matter of due process."
9 a.m.: Veronica's two sets of parents are at the Civil Court of Appeals in downtown Tulsa. They leave less than an hour later.
10:15 a.m.: A judge says a week of mediation has not produced a settlement agreement between Veronica's biological father, Dusten Brown, and her adoptive parents, Matt and Melanie Capobianco.
2:41 p.m.: The Oklahoma Supreme Court rescinds its ruling that kept Veronica with Brown while he appealed a South Carolina court order that required he give custody of the girl to the Capobiancos.
5 p.m.: The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office receives a court order that Brown immediately relinquish custody of Veronica to the Capobiancos.
Approximately 7 p.m.: Brown says goodbye to his daughter at the Jack Brown House, where they had lived since July on the Cherokee tribal complex in Tahlequah.
Approximately 7:30 p.m.: Veronica is taken to the Capobiancos at the Cherokee tribal headquarters."
Standing Our Ground for Veronica Brown Facebook page says "Veronica cried to stay and didn't want to leave but she was NOT forcefully pulled from anyone. Her father did this as peaceful as he could under the circumstance. They prepared her and handed her over … It was extremely chaotic, not sure where the violent scenario came from but it did not occur that way. The two SUV's were escorted back out by the 15 vehicles we are told were marshals, some marked and some unmarked."
Most news stories are not reporting accurate details of the case nor the transfer.
Cherokee Nation Mourns as Veronica Is Returned to Adoptive Family [Indian Country Today Media Network 9/24/13 by Suzette Brewer] says "
In the end, it came down to one simple strategy: Waiting. As Dusten Brown faced the Damocles Sword of jail time and a felony warrant, Matt and Melanie Capobianco only had to wait.
Last week, as the clock was running down on the stay that the Oklahoma Supreme Court had granted him, Dusten Brown had tried to negotiate even a bare minimum of visitation with his daughter. At the beginning of the week, there was a hopeful offer that included three weeks in the summer, one weekend every other month in South Carolina, and with alternating Christmases, which seemed like a solid deal. But as the parties returned to court on Wednesday morning, the Capobiancos again reneged and the negotiations started all over again.
By Friday afternoon, they made one last half-hearted offer in which Brown would get to see his daughter roughly 10 hours a month in South Carolina, with supervision. But even that, according to insiders, was not written to include any kind of enforcement.
Even before they were virtually forced into mediation in a courthouse in Tulsa last week, Dusten Brown had tried to negotiate a settlement with the Capobiancos for months, which they outright rejected.
In spite of their public proclamations that they had "always" insisted that they would allow Veronica to stay in contact with her paternal biological family, behind the scenes insiders say it was apparent to the Brown family and their lawyers that the Capobiancos weren't interested in negotiating any kind of deal at all. This fact alone is one of the reasons Dusten Brown had fought so vociferously and publicly to force them to the negotiating table.
But even then, the negotiations were merely photo opportunities in which they were photographed arriving and leaving the courthouse in downtown Tulsa. Once inside, they had no pretense about their intentions. All they had to do was wait; no matter what Dusten Brown did or did not agree to, he was going to jail, say insiders.
After the "negotiations" failed again on Monday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court lifted their stay, which allowed Veronica to remain with Brown while he continued to seek legal redress in Oklahoma.
Exhausted and left with few options other than jail time and the loss of his military career and pension, he discussed her peaceful transfer with his family, legal team and tribal officials. He and his wife, Robin, packed a few bags for Veronica, who had just turned four-years-old last week. Before the family gathered to say their last goodbyes, Tommy Brown, Veronica's grandfather, began suffering chest pains and was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
At 7:30, a caravan of federal marshals made their way to the Jack Brown House in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a guest residence near the Cherokee Nation tribal complex where the Browns had been staying for several months to maintain their privacy.
Chrissi Nimmo, the assistant attorney general for the tribe, took Veronica's hand and led her to the waiting SUV that was to take her to the Capobiancos.
After a four-year struggle to keep his daughter, one that led the shy, unassuming soldier all the way to the Supreme Court and beyond, it was over.
As the Brown family went to the hospital to visit their patriarch, the Capobiancos went on another media blitz, starting with a live interview on CNN.
As word of the transfer began to go viral, condolences for Dusten Brown and his daughter began pouring in from all over the country.
"We are deeply, deeply saddened by the events of today, but we will not lose hope," said Todd Hembree, attorney general for the Cherokee Nation. "Veronica Brown will always be a Cherokee citizen, and although she may have left the Cherokee Nation, she will never leave our hearts."
"Our hearts are heavy at this course of events," said Terry Cross, executive director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association. "Any other child would have had her or his best interest considered in a court of law. The legal system has failed this child and American Indians as well. Our prayers are with everyone concerned, but most of all with Veronica."
Experts say that because of Veronica's current age, she will experience trauma and homesickness. But adult adoptees who have been watching from the sidelines are all-too-familiar with the challenges that lay ahead for a little girl who is cognizant enough to know what has transpired.
In Oklahoma, she was surrounded by her large extended family, which included her grandparents, her father and stepmother, her sister, Kelsey, from Brown's first marriage and a chatty phalanx of half a dozen cousins, with whom she had grown close. She had made friends at pre-school and loved her pets. She was a spark of lightning with a sharp mind and quick to giggle, a girl who loved pink and shoes.
In South Carolina, Veronica will be the only child on both sides of her adoptive parents' families. The Capobiancos, both of whom are in their mid-40s, have no other extended family nearby, save for a stepmother who was divorced from Melanie's father before he passed away.
"This is not a win for anyone," said a Washington, D.C.-based attorney who had been monitoring the situation since January. "And certainly not for the Capobiancos, who had the force of the court system behind them, including Chief Justice John Roberts, who is now the de facto head of the U.S. adoption industry. With this case, from which he should have recused himself, his name and legacy are forever stained with the injustice that was done to Dusten Brown, his biological daughter and Indian tribes in general. He alone pushed this case before the Supreme Court."
Time will tell what the ultimate outcome will be for Veronica, who will undoubtedly be given the best of what the Capobiancos can afford in terms of education and the trappings of an older, upper middle income childless couple. Nonetheless, so far in her young life, she brought attention to the corrupt and broken system of illegal adoptions that are taking place every day throughout Indian Country. In spite of her removal from Oklahoma, Veronica Brown paved the way for other children to remain with their communities and families, bringing attention to the loopholes and cracks in the Indian Child Welfare Act that allow attorneys, social workers, guardian ad litems and judges to continue profiting from a very profitable industry adoption and foster care industry that traffics Native babies and children.
"We hope the Capobiancos honor their word that Dusten will be allowed to remain an important part of Veronica's life," said Hembree. "We also look forward to her visiting the Cherokee Nation for many years to come, for she is always welcome. Veronica is a very special child who touched the hearts of many, and she will be sorely missed."


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In golf ,when you sway in your backswing and downswing, no matter how in sync your golf swing may be, the chances of you returning the club head solidly to the back of the golf ball, are very slim..
In a recent post entitled: TEMPO, I made the point that in order to strike the golf ball cleanly,( at the bottom of your down swing and on the center of the club face), all the movable parts in your golf swing must be in sync…Timing..
Impeccable tempo alone, although providing great benefits to your game, will not be the cure-all to your ball striking ills.. Those aforementioned movable parts must definitely be addressed.
In this article I wish to focus on the primary "movable malady", that culprit that is embedded in many golfer's swings…
SWAYING …..( It is generally considered to be an excess of lateral (side to side) body motion in a golf swing,away from the golf ball).
You've heard the term swaying most closely associated with the takeaway. From the static position at address, in order to gain the golf swing's momentum and help the process begin, the average golfer starts the back swing by moving off the ball laterally to the right. ( for a right handed player). And I do mean noticeably off the ball.( See photo).
This immediately takes their swing out, and then around their body and way off of the proper golf swing plane, and the majority of the time, it results in the golfer yanking the club too far inside on the back swing, where the club will eventually get " stuck" behind her/him. Feeling that they're out of position they will then conjure up all sorts of ways to attempt to get back into the hitting zone.
On the downswing the sway, through an unwanted metamorphosis,changes into a sliding motion. To compensate their sway, the golfer must slide laterally, to the left, and fight their golf swing in order to get in a position to strike the golf ball.. You've heard the fantastic term: " Let the club swing you"….We'll with the sway and slide the very opposite is usually true…
Observe the variety of golf movement on the driving range the next time you go. You will see that what the vast majority of golfers have in common is that they are moving all around, and that their ball striking is suffering the fate of inconsistency. It can be ugly to witness..
The best advice I can give the average and beginner golfer regarding stopping the sway in their golf swing,( and then be able to strike the golf ball more solidly), is to keep the lower half of your body quiet throughout the process. This does not mean be completely rigid and stiff, so as to inhibit movement..but close to that..
You've seen demonstrations by accomplished golfers, where they knell down on the ground,( creating a stable, stationery foundation,taking their legs and feet totally out of the equation), and yet they are still able to hit a teed up golf ball impressively long and straight.. This underscores that the upper parts of the golf swing are the most important, when it comes to introducing the club head to the ball solidly at impact..
The lower body parts are valued additives that should not be overlooked, but that should not be focused on until the upper body movable parts are synchronized and are ingrained in your golf swing….
Many golf instructors see it just the opposite as I'm suggesting. They advocate using the lower body first and foremost,.. golf from the ground up.. Perhaps it is one reason why golfers' handicaps continue to remain at the same high levels they have been for decades…. Their advice is sound, but as I'll argue below,it can be only executed by the proficient golfer…
So much of the golf instruction that we " junkies" fill our heads with, be it in print, on the internet or in video format, is geared to an accomplished swing. You closely watch Ernie Els' buttery swing, hoping to subliminally clone it into your technique.. But in these instructional pieces so many of the important minute details of the golf swing are often overlooked in their presentations. They make the assumptions that you already know the fundamentals and nuances of what they are talking about . They mention angles, and lag, pronating,leading the down swing with the hips etc.,, things that the average golfer finds hard to comprehend… And, because we all are at different levels in terms of our learning curve and understanding of the golf swing, we often misinterpret key elements in what we see and read .We may actually pick up bad habits rather than the panacea the article intended to prescribe… And this can lead us on a dark and shady path, from where we are completely lost as to what to do and how to swing a club….It's a wonder sometime that we can even swing the club at all !
Professional golfers and skilled amateurs sync all the movable parts together. They know how to properly incorporate the " engine of the golf swing", the lower body, into the orchestration.It's all about timing….
They have spent hundreds upon thousands of hours practicing and honing in on their tempo and coordination of all body parts… You have not,… and most likely will not have the time nor desire to put in such effort.. After all it is their job, but not yours.
Therefore, since the lower body,( hips ,legs and feet), are so difficult for the week end golfer to synchronize, I feel it is of utmost importance, and imperative, that you at first focus your entire practicing efforts on learning to strike the ball consistently with your upper body parts, the parts most closely attached to the golf club, ( hands, arms, shoulders and chest). Until you can gain the skills required to strike the ball solidly, time after time,through hand-eye coordination, do not bring the other half,( the lower half), of your body into play….. But please, be sure to make a full shoulder turn. Don't simply swing your arms back and forth without the upper body going along with them. For this would render your practice worthless..
Once you have built a confident upper body swing, one that you can trust, then, and only then, begin working on bringing the lower body on board…..
Here are some useful bullet points that will hopefully help you rectify the situation:
-At address have your weight slightly favoring your left side.This makes it much harder to sway off the ball at the beginning of the takeaway.
-Brace your right foot and have your right knee pointing slightly inward, in the direction toward the golf ball.( A good drill is to place a golf ball under the outside middle of your right foot. This gives you that "locked in" lower body feeling when you start the back swing).
-Keep your head over the ball and try to have it remain in this position ,( it will move slightly).Think of your head being attached to the top of neck and spine, and turn "up and around" them, not swaying laterally with them.
-As mentioned in my post on TEMPO, find a trigger mechanism that helps you get the golf swing started from a static position to a fluid movement back and then eventually through on the down swing. Hogan waggled; many forward press their hands to get started.. Don't overlook this important aspect..Do whatever works for you.
-Take the club back at the start in a " one piece" motion..i.e. the hands, arms, upper body in sync.( A good tip is to have the back of your left hand facing the target for the first several inches of your take away).
I hope this gives you food for thought..and that your game improves considerably.
If you are of the mindset and appreciate our commitment to keep our content fresh and free to you, please donate a sum of your choice. Your generosity would be gratefully appreciated! Regards, email@example.com
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text:
HeartBreak Stroking
Julian is a 24-year-old Italian charmer with a ripped, lean body, a killer smile, and an oh-so-incredible face right at the crossroads between teen dream and handsome man. The combination of olive skin, pearly whites, and deep-brown eyes seems to radiate an intense sexuality in such an effortless way. It just grabs you by the balls and makes you want to drop to your knees and start snacking on his. Whether he is just brimming with confidence in what he brings to the table, or being totally unaware of just how sexy he is, we cannot say for certain. How he managed to keep his hands off his cock until he was 16 and hold onto to his cherry until he was 19 is something else that does not quite compute. But since he already has a 37-year-old ex-wife on his �been there� list, once he found out what that seven-inch pleasure stick was for, he had as many ideas of what to do with it as we did.Already shirtless by the time we start rolling, the deep cuts of Julian's obliques form twin ridges that move your eye across the sculpted planes of his sinewy torso right to the prize: that lump in his jeans. He plops down, spreads wide, and digs right into his shorts, determined to be at full mast before he unleashes the beast. And as we expect; it does not take long before that perfectly tapered, cut cock is flopping back against his abs and those heavy-hanging balls do their happy dance underneath. His thick, dark bush encircles the base, and the gentle arc of his cock has the head depositing its first drops of pre into a pool on his navel. As he drums away, that cock does two of the things we like best� it gets longer and thicker, and it shows there is growing room left!We get a telltale view of his furry crack as his balls swell and force his legs apart. Julian squirms in the chair, furiously working his shaft, pausing occasionally to reach down and rub that tender skin between his sack and his hole before accelerating to a double-fisted grip. His smile gives way for the first time, replaced with the sneer of desire as his babymakers travel up. In five rapid fire blasts like a firing machine gun at the height of the battle, those washboard abs are glazed with a thick coat of breeder batter.
- released : 04-06-2007 |


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All you need is love. And a pinch of reality.
And this, my fellow Georgians, is what we are left with.
Posted March 5, 2011 at 6:07 am
3 notes
#HOPE Scholarship#Mike Luckovich
…Fuck you, Nathan Deal.
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By Ramsey Cox
"Although it seems I oppose many of the president's judicial nominations, I can say with confidence that this is not the case with Mr. Dowdell," Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said on the floor before the vote Tuesday. "Dowdell has stated that he does not agree that the Constitution is a living document.
After that vote, the Senate confirmed Jesus G. Bernal to be a U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California by voice-vote.
"I'm very excited to rise in strong support of Jesus Bernal," Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said before the vote Tuesday. "He's going to make an amazing judge."
Akin still working to retire campaign debt
Sen. Murray congratulates Heart on Rock and Roll nod


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|Total (w/tax)
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Book Description:
''This book could be a springboard for teachers ... to become more actively involved in advocating for a paradigm shift in our concept of education.''--Grace Lee Boggs, The Boggs Center''Kumashiro is a remarkable sleuth who ... shows us how the deck is stacked, how the game is played, who gains, and who loses. Join him in a clarion call to build a Movement to reclaim public education.''--Robert P. Moses, The Algebra Project''Courageous, blunt, and hopeful, Bad Teacher! offers a democratic vision for true educational change.''--Sonia Nieto, University of Massachusetts at Amherst''Anyone seeking to understand why so many of the reforms we have pursued have failed will benefit from reading this book.''--Pedro A. Noguera, New York University''Kumashiro explains why we should think differently about the prescriptions that are now taken for granted--and wrong.''--Diane Ravitch, New York University, author of The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education''Kumashiro expertly examines the many forces working against public education, and how and why these forces are at play.''--Dennis Van Roekel, President, National Education Association''Bad Teacher! is oh-so-smart and timely. . . . This book attacks head-on the ragged patchwork of 'school reform' that has left us without even the vocabulary to frame what's gone wrong.''--Patricia J. Williams, Columbia Law SchoolIn his latest book, leading educator and author Kevin Kumashiro takes aim at the current debate on educational reform, paying particular attention to the ways that scapegoating public school teachers, teacher unions, and teacher educators masks the real, systemic problems. He convincingly demonstrates how current trends, like market-based reforms and fast-track teacher certification programs are creating overwhelming obstacles to achieving an equitable education for all children.Bad Teacher! highlights the common ways that both the public and influential leaders think about the problems and solutions for public education, and suggests ways to help us see the bigger picture and reframe the debate. Compelling, accessible, and grounded in current initiatives and debates, this book is important reading for a diverse audience of policymakers, school leaders, parents, and everyone who cares about education.
Tags: Education-Teaching, Schools-Teaching, Education-Theory, Reform-Policy,


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If you had the opportunity to start over, what would you do?
November 2, 2009
If you had the opportunity to start over, what would you do?
I can't afford to live in Manhattan anymore. After five years of attempting to gain a steady career, it's time for me to throw in the towel.
I am 27 years old. I have a bachelor's degree. And I have freelanced for a handful of television networks for the past 5 years, mostly doing creative editorial (read: post-production) for on-air and web promos. Frankly, I can't tell if it's the fact that it's so difficult to keep a steady flow of work, or I am just generally unimpressed with the job itself, but I am burnt out. Furthermore, financially I am not making ends meet because I only get 1-2 gigs a week (which usually last a day).
What I am looking for is steady work, but my feeling is I have been working in such a niche field that my skills are not portable to other industries. I do consider going back to school for an MBA, but my undergrad GPA is a feeble 2.4 as I was battling depression during college (and still am to this day). Frankly, I am not sure if business school is the way to go. But in today's economy the lingering feeling is an MBA is one of the few masters degrees that usually pays for itself.
Considering I am split between trying to find new work in a budding or stable industry and going back to school, I have two questions:
1) What resources are available to find out where job growth is occurring? Note: I am not limiting myself to the US. If you tell me China, I ask how do I get hired there.
2) Besides US News & Reports, what resources can I use to learn about business school programs, and learn whether an MBA from an average school is worth the cost? Especially those schools who, assuming I managed to pull a kick ass GMAT score, would consider an individual with a less than stellar undergrad GPA like myself.
I have no direction, but I know I need a serious change, because the fact is relying on parents for financially support is taking its toll on how I value myself. Thanks for reading this longish post.
posted by
Work & Money
(20 answers total)
10 users marked this as a favorite
I wouldn't maintain much illusion about an MBA being the road to riches these days unless you are a top graduate from a top school. There are a lot of B school kids looking for jobs, and a lot of business folks with a lot of valuable experience out of work. I would not sign myself up for $100,000+ of debt in this economy, FWIW. It ain't what it used to be.
posted by
Admiral Haddock
on November 2, 2009 [
4 favorites
My first question to you is what would you
to be doing 40 hours a week? If money wasn't an issue, what would you like to fill your time with?
(I knew at 22 that I was on the right path the day I idly started doing the lottery dream and realized that even if I won millions that day, I'd still show up for my entry level grunt job because I loved the work.)
If you are depressed, you might not be excited by much. And making a good living may weigh out to be more important than going to be an artist/mountain climber/quilter. But your first priority should be figuring out what makes you happy to be engaged in, and trying to work out a way to get paid for it.
posted by
on November 2, 2009 [
1 favorite
What I or anyone else would do if we could start over -- and many of us ARE starting over right now -- is immaterial. We're not you, and we don't value what you do.
So what DO you value? As touched on above, think about what you'd like to do even if money were no object.
You'd be a fortunate person to be able to do exactly that and get paid for it, but how about something related to it? Spend some serious time thinking about what you value and how you might be able to make money doing something you value.
Hint: looking merely at degree stats and possible salaries isn't a route to happiness.
posted by
meadowlark lime
on November 2, 2009 [
1 favorite
There are too many variables presented to give you genuinely good advice beyond what Admiral Haddock said. If you are battling depression and searching for a job you should be living with/near a support network if possible. If you love doing this job and want to work in the field, find a job where your support network is (local news? local ad agency?).
posted by
on November 2, 2009
I wish I could help you with the degree advice, but have you considered seeking similar work in an area other than New York? I've watched my New Yorker friends struggle to make ends meat for years in their entry-level jobs. Though they're in the best city in the world, they often can't take advantage of it because of burn out and sheer exhaustion from working all the time just to make rent. Like you, many are reliant on their parents.
On the other hand, I live in a bustling southern college town where you can easily rent a one bedroom for under five hundred dollars a month. Though wages are somewhat smaller proportionally, I'm still able to maintain a much more comfortable standard of living than they are, even at an entry level salary. And there's still plenty to do here. Don't get me wrong--New York is an amazing place, but it really sounds like a big part of your problem might be that, by living in Manhattan, you are fundamentally living beyond your means.
posted by
on November 2, 2009 [
2 favorites
Ha! Ends meet rather.
posted by
on November 2, 2009
You know what I say to thee... trust in yourself. Dig deep the fuck down and ask yourself WHO do you want to be. What makes you happy?
Do not be distracted by external things. Turn off the TV, shut off the computer, put down the iPod, turn off the radio, and close the newspapers and magazines. Don't listen to the news talking about the economy, and don't listen to the papers talking about the job growth.
Listen to what is burning in your heart and mind. You can do it.
posted by
on November 2, 2009 [
4 favorites
I agree with PhoBWan. Manhattan can be a burn out all on its own no matter how much money you have, but especially if you're just barely making ends meet. Maybe you need some time to explore and you could do that in a cheaper area of the country. Mefi me if you want some suggestions.Also if it makes you feel better, I know lots of people who are in their late twenties with Masters degrees who still at their entry level job and wondering "what am I doing with my life, how am I going to pay for my loans, when am I going to feel like a grown up, when am I going to get the job I want, does the job I want even exist (insert anxiety as needed)". I think it's a tough time for young people to be finding a direction, when the former "go-to-school-get-good-job-become-independent" model is clearly becoming less and less of a sure thing. It makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one.
posted by
on November 2, 2009 [
1 favorite
Listen to what is burning in your heart and mind. You can do it.
Good advice. Great pep talk. But do be prepared to hear little in response. True passion is a rare thing. Education can be more than a certificate for a higher salary -- it can ignite a spark.
See also,
Office Space
posted by
on November 2, 2009
Are you saddled with loans? I always told myself that if I couldn't find a way to pay for college, I'd join the Peace Corps or Americorps for a 12/24-month stint to take advantage of their loan repayment voucher programs.
Luckily, I found work as a customer service rep with a company that reimburses $10k of my tuition each year, so I'm working my way through school and thinking of it as "Yay! Decently well-paying job and free education in exchange for having shockingly little spare time!"
posted by
on November 2, 2009
Lizzicide: I'm not sure about Americorps, but Peace Corps will not actually pay back your loans for you. You can usually defer your loans and get a bit over $6k when you are finished, but that's it.
I would not recommend Peace Corps to anyone with depression.
posted by
on November 2, 2009 [
1 favorite
Moving to a cheaper locale is the best bet. Something close to a major sized city.
For short term, can you afford a weekend out of the city? Visit some friends or relatives, take some reflection time in a quietera> place. Downgrade everything you can. Move to a cheaper place, don't go out a lot, buy things only if you really need them. JC classes can be worth the time, if you want to retrain for another line of work.
If you aren't enthusiastic about business school right now, you're not going to love it if you start a program. For all the time and money a grad program represents, you should be head-over-heals with that subject.
The Bureau of Labor's
Occupational Outlook Handbook
is a good resource for U.S. stats on job growth.
posted by
on November 2, 2009
(quiet, not quieter)
I'm starting over too, and I'm about your age. Most people I know are in shitty jobs or starting over, and we have degrees. It helps to have a stress reliever and a support network. I go running.
posted by
on November 2, 2009
I am also starting over, but I have different reasons. It took an act of the gods to get me to take a look around and start working on my dream. Anyway, I'm back in college (at age 43) getting a BA and looking at grad school. What do I wanna be when I grow up? What I wanted to be twenty years ago before life interfered - a teacher. Specifically, I want to teach English to speakers of other languages.
I highly doubt I'll make a killing doing it; as a matter of fact, I hear the pay can be pretty bad at times. But I love to teach, and I like to teach English, and this is where I want to be.
Where do you want to be?
posted by
on November 2, 2009
I don't think you're in a position where taking an MBA as a generic earnings booster makes a lot of sense.
An MBA from a Top 25 school is still pretty certain to pay for itself, without you having to do a lot of planning ahead of time. An MBA from the kind of middling program you'll be able to get into if you spank your GMATs makes sense to pursue because you're at a point in your career where, to progress any further into management, or to see a significant earnings boost in the track you're on, you need an advanced degree. It doesn't make as much sense to get one because you want to change careers, and especially not because you want to change careers but haven't figured out what you want to change to.
Figure out what you want to do, and if at some point down the road you need to apply to B-School to do it, that's when you should do so. Even if that does turn out to be what you do, you'll be a far more compelling candidate if you have a story to tell about what specific goals (beyond working 40 hours a week and becoming financially independent) you're trying to get your MBA to accomplish.
posted by
strangely stunted trees
on November 2, 2009
Getting an MBA can be a reasonable way of hitting the reset button. It will certainly expand your network of weak ties which is useful for seeking out and finding new opportunities.
That said it's not a cure all and it is not for everyone. I have seen MBAs work well for two stripes of folks.
There's the first set of individuals who are investing in certification to advance in their field. These individuals have a very specific rationale for being in school and they know which classes and experiences will be most beneficial for meeting their professional development needs. In these cases, the MBA often adds a credential to the existing experience base translating into more money and greater mobility within that field across companies. The pitch, they've added education to their already strong base of experience.
The second group consists of those individuals who have a career change in mind. The career changers that make successful transitions are usually the ones that know from day one what industry they want to end up in. They spend their time taking the classes and working the network of alumni, peers, and professors which will help them prepare and position themselves for entry into the new industry. For this set of individuals high prestige programs are more useful. This is because the perceived quality of the MBA program it is one of the strongest piece of data an employer in the new industry can use to guess at potential effectiveness of the candidate.
You clearly sound like you fall into the career changer category, but it also sounds as if you don't have a strong idea of what it is you want to do. I'd have that destination firmly in mind before you plunk down the time and money for an MBA program.
posted by
on November 2, 2009 [
3 favorites
@strangely stunted trees
"An MBA from a Top 25 school is still pretty certain to pay for itself"
An MBA from a Top 5 school is still pretty certain to pay for itself.
Fixed that for you. If not top 5, top 10 max, forget about it. I have friends from the top 20 who can't find jobs. I know of big companies that won't even look at you if you don't have it from the top 5 schools.
posted by
on November 2, 2009
I'm in NYC (Queens), a few years older, and also make my living primarily in the world of network promos post-production.
Here's some stream of consciousness advice in no particular order:
- Do not invest the time or money for B School looking for a return on your investment.
- Figure out a way to re-connect with your passion
- You still live in Manhattan and you're young- get inspired - go to MOMA, the Angelika, Film Forum, see galleries, video art, concerts, dj's, go do something out of your ordinary routine to re-invigorate your creative self.
- Look at your career from a different angle and consider expanding your skill set, there might be something that turns you on that would be new, but also makes use of your experience and contacts in the network world (don't take network connects for granted, I worked long and hard to get them and many would love to have yours, even if they don't seem to be doing much for you now. Maybe you want to shoot instead of edit, learn motion graphics, web design, etc....
- Think about starting a small business with some people in similar positions - pick your partners wisely, look for people who are honest, hard-workers, and hungry.
- To help fix your financial situation, move out of Manhattan! Pick another borough!
- You say you are looking for steady work, but our economy is changing rapidly, and "steady work" is not so easy to come by...The idea of a big corporation taking care of you for life is gone, you have to make your own way. Get motivated about something that excites you, and go for it.
- Feel free to MeFi mail me to tell me more about yourself and your skills if you want more advice from someone in a similar industry.
posted by
on November 2, 2009
Since you're in a creative job, I'm assuming that you chose it because you like doing that work. Could it be that you're not burned out but rather
bored out
because things are not moving, because you lack clients? How about trying to get more work by relaunching your business? It would be like starting over, but with a few years of experience to back you up.
You need to think of yourself as a brand, and start marketing your brand accordingly. Write a marketing plan, and try to stick to it. Define which clients you want. Define where those clients gather. Try to find out what they expect from a business like yours. Are there opportunities that you are missing? Do a SWOT-analysis (strenghts, weakness, opportunity, threat).
Then, start working on a better website. Go to networking events. Try to get gigs as a speaker on events in the segments where your clients are. Write a professional blog where you analyse trends and topics from your sector. Use direct marketing to reach prospects. Try to generate more leads, and try to become a better salesperson. Theres is plenty of info out there on the web to achieve all this. Even more if you count the vast number of books on Amazon that deal with these kinds of problems.
Most importantly, I think you need to see your "I don't have enough work" as a collection of small problems that you can solve one by one. One would be: positioning yourself better. Read up on that. Two would be: reaching your client base. Find some info on that and fix it. Three: pitching your business and closing sales. Again, a sea of books on the subject. Etc, etc. Give yourself a year. Work really hard at all this. After this, evaluate if things are looking better. Even if you decide to quit, you will know you gave it your best shot.
posted by
on November 3, 2009 [
1 favorite
One thing to consider with the moving idea is that wages are certainly lower elsewhere. Yes, my cost of living is cheaper in Baltimore but the job I found also pays 1/2 as much as my last job in Manhattan. YMMV.
posted by
on December 27, 2009
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(10/18/12) - There has been another meningitis related death in Michigan.The Michigan Department of Community Health confirms a 62-year-old man from Washtenaw County has died.
Four people, who received the shot in Michigan, have now died including a 56-year-old woman from Genesee County.
A fifth person died in Michigan, but she received the shot in Indiana.
A steroid made by a Massachusetts pharmacy has been tied to a national outbreak of the rare fungal form of meningitis.
Four Michigan clinics received the shots.
A lawsuit was filed Monday in Detroit federal court on behalf of any Michigan resident who may have been exposed to tainted steroids.
The MDCH says, as of October 18, Michigan's case count stands at 49 total cases. That accounts for 45 cases of meningitis including four deaths, three epidural abscess and one joint infection.
Nationwide, 20 people have died. That according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's latest update.
The case count is at 257.
The steroid injection investigation spans 16 states.
ABC12 Main Station810-233-3130
Mailing Address:2302 Lapeer RoadFlint, Michigan 48503


text:
This advice is designed to provide basic guidance to traders. It is not a complete or authoritative statement of the law.
Metal Containers should not exceed 23 litres capacity, be permanently labelled 'Petroleum Spirit - Highly Flammable' and be fitted with a secure leak proof cap.
Plastic Containers should not exceed 5 litres capacity and comply with the Petroleum Spirit (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982.
They should be legibly marked with the Manufacturers name; month and year of manufacture, nominal capacity in litres; legend stating "Complies with S1 1982/630"; the words 'PETROL and HIGHLY FLAMMABLE'; hazard warning sign and precautions to be taken.
This advice is produced for the Guidance of Business. It is not intended to be a complete statement of law. For further help or advice with this, or any other Trading Legislation, Please contact your nearest Trading Standards Office.
B/pet/187/001 July 2008


text:
How do you not have KP on this list? He and Boley literally backbone the defense
Teams just don't seem to throw at Prince. But until he gets the picks, his road to stardom is steep.
Also gotta give both of our kickers big-time props, as well as Wilson on returns.
We need our coaches to assign playing time based on something other than player salary.
Fantasy headline quotes:
-Insanity, with "Eye of the Tiger" playing in the background, accumulated the highest point total this week and beat Hakeem Nicks 137.95 - 100.75, overcoming an 18.22-point spread.
-Legend of Seawright Throat-Punches Mediocrity.
-20-page Eli Argument Knocks Out Insanity, Delivers an Early-Season Message


text:
Thursday, June 17, 2010
© Copyright 2014 Gwinnett Daily Post
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Christan Morales said her son just wanted to honor American troops when he wore a hat to school decorated with an American flag and small plastic Army figures.
But the hat ran afoul of the district's no-weapons policy because the toy soldiers were carrying tiny weapons.
''His teacher called and said it wasn't appropriate because it had guns,'' Morales said.
Morales' 8-year-old son, David, was assigned to make a hat for the day when his second-grade class would met their pen pals from another school. She and her son came up with an idea to add patriotic decorations to a camouflage hat.
Earlier this week, the Tiogue School in Coventry sent the cap home with David at the end of the day after concluding it violated a zero-tolerance policy for weapons.
The principal told the family that the hat would be fine if David replaced the Army men holding weapons with ones that didn't have any, according to Superintendent Kenneth R. Di Pietro.
Morales said the family had only one Army figure without a weapon (he was carrying binoculars), so David wore a plain baseball cap on the day of the visit.
''Nothing was being done to limit patriotism, creativity, other than find an alternative to a weapon,'' Di Pietro said.
The district does not allow images of weapons or drugs on clothing. For example, a student would not be permitted to wear a shirt with a picture of a marijuana leaf on it, the superintendent said.
The principal ''wasn't denying the patriotism,'' he said. ''That just is the wrong and unfair image of one of our finest principals.''
Morales said her son was inspired to honor the military after striking up a friendship last summer with a neighbor in the Army.
Banning the hat ''sent the wrong message to the kids, because it wasn't in any way to cause any harm to anyone,'' she said. ''You're talking about Army men. This wasn't about guns.''
More like this story
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- Bridge honors Mass., R.I. couple killed on 9/11 ( July 29, 2011 )
- Ga. lawmaker proposes bill to arm school principals ( January 8, 2013 )
- MUST READ: Cheers! British toast new shatterproof pint glasses ( February 4, 2010 )
- Blood found at home where Maine tot was last seen ( January 28, 2012 )


text:
Think creamy mushroom sauce on top of spaghetti squash strands with morsels of tasty chicken spread throughout. This paleo chicken spaghetti is an easy weeknight dish and it's delicious. It makes a decent amount too, so you'll have plenty of leftovers. You can eat it as a casserole, or mix it all up and eat it like spaghetti.
There are a few steps to making this recipe, but they are all realllly easy. Here's the breakdown:
1. Cook your chicken
2. Cook your spaghetti squash
3. Make your creamy mushroom soup sauce
4. Assemble and bake!
So, the first step in making this chicken spaghetti is to cook your chicken. I suggest buying a whole chicken (fryer/broiler) and cutting it into pieces – or you can buy one that's already pre-cut if you can find it. Kroger sometimes has these organic griller packs which include four chicken legs and two chicken breasts. I think it's good to use a combo of dark and light meat here because sometimes white meat can get a little dry. Anyway, after you rinse the chicken, put it into a pot of boiling water. You can add whatever spices you want to the water – it'll make for a tasty chicken stock. Simmer and cook the chicken. Once its done, set it aside to cool and then remove the meat from the bones. I used three packed cups of shredded chicken meat in this chicken spaghetti recipe.
Make sure you save that chicken stock. Organic chicken broth typically costs about $4 for a four cup serving. Well, I paid $8 for this pack of chicken and it gave me enough meat to feed four people at least two meals AND provided about 6 cups of chicken stock. Chicken stock is awesome and you'll have plenty left over after making this recipe. I froze the leftover stock and made an awesome butternut squash, sweet potato and carrot soup with it. I also saved the chicken bones and put them in my freezer so that once I've collected enough, I can make a bone broth. I collect bones and keep them in my freezer… that's totally weird isn't it.
While your chicken is cooking, prep your spaghetti squash and put it in the oven to bake. Just follow the oven method below or cook your squash in whatever way you prefer. If you're interested in another spaghetti squash recipe, try this ground beef spaghetti squash casserole. It's a pretty popular dish.
Now it's time to make a creamy mushroom sauce. Oh, this is so good. In a saucepan, add oil, onions, mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Once the veggies get nice and soft, add the garlic, serrano pepper and spices. After a couple minutes, deglaze with white wine. Then add the coconut milk and chicken broth and let everything simmer until the sauce is as thick as you'd like it to be. At that point, let it cool slightly and blend it together in a food processor (or with an immersion blender).
Assemble the cream sauce, chicken and squash in a casserole dish along with the tomatoes and bell pepper. Mix it all together and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.
Enjoy this incredibly awesome spaghetti on a cool fall night. It's an awesome comfort food made paleo and will warm you right up.
- 3 cups cooked chicken, white and dark meat (I cooked 1 whole chicken cut into pieces, see below)
- 1 large spaghetti squash, cooked
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 14 oz can Organic Diced Tomatoes, drained
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 white onion, diced
- 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, roughly chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth, (use from cooking your chicken).
- 1 cup Coconut Milk
- ¼ cup white wine
- 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 serrano, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- ¼ - ½ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (add however much you'd like)
- freshly ground salt and pepper, adjust to taste
- In a casserole dish, add cooked spaghetti squash strands, cooked chicken, diced tomatoes, bell pepper and mushroom cream sauce (see below).
- Mix well and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.
- Serve.
- Add oil to a saucepan along with onions, mushrooms and a pinch of salt.
- Saute on medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until onions are translucent and mushrooms are soft.
- Add garlic and serrano pepper and cook until the water evaporates. Then add spices and let them bloom. After a minute add wine to deglaze saucepan.
- Cook for 5 or so minutes then add coconut milk and chicken broth.
- Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes or until it thickens to your liking.
- Blend the creamy mixture in a food processor.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Carefully add chicken pieces and any seasonings you'd like to the boiling water. (I added salt, pepper and fresh thyme).
- After about 5 minutes, reduce to a simmer for about 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked.
- Remove chicken from pot and set aside. Once cool, remove chicken from bones.
- Save the broth - it's liquid gold! (I normally strain before using)
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and add a little oil, salt and pepper to cut sides.
- Place squash cut side down in a baking dish.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until you can easily pierce the skin with a knife (cooking time depends on size of squash).
I used an organic "griller" pack of chicken which is basically a whole chicken cut into pieces
Also, I hope this goes without saying but save your chicken broth! I used 1 cup for this recipe and used the rest to make an amazing butternut squash soup.


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Why did an icon get a DD?
Let's begin at the beginning.
"There are so much better pieces in this deviant's gallery, why was this tiny pixel featured?"
The short answer would be because a DD is also a feature of an artwork which is outstanding in its own media. not only the deviants gallery.
The long answer is that as the CV for Icons & handhelds, I'm tied by the boundaries of my gallery. I can not DD traditional or digital art, nor can I poke my nose into the anthro gallery. Every CV is assigned a gallery which they applied for in the confidence of doing it justice and being able to pick out the best works. While this doesn't mean I don't like traditional or digital art, it just means I focus on a very specific part of digital art and that I only pick DDs from that specific gallery. And when it comes to featuring DDs, I look at the entire customization gallery, not just at the gallery of one single person.
Community Voices: What is a Daily Deviation?DDs: The deviantART definition
So, as the title says, What in the world IS a Daily Deviation (DD), anyway?
You know what deviantART says about it, right? Under :faq61: it says:
A small assortment of submissions are chosen each day by a select group of staff/volunteer members who wish to showcase an image which they found impressive or otherwise interesting enough to deserve being brought to the attention of the community-at-large.
That says nothing about a DD being a perfect specimen of art-- in fact, it doesn't even use the word "art" at all. Basically, as CVs, when we are giving a DD, we are doing so because we think the image is interesting and well-done and deserves your attention. It may be technically exquisite. It may be technically quite good but exceptionally thought-provoking. It may be exceedingly creative. It may be all of these things! Above all else, it should stand out in some way from others in that medium or gallery.
Pixel iconists are true miniaturists
First of all: most icons I feature are pixel art which, by definition, is art made one pixel at a time. You could essentially compare it to pointillism, but at a much smaller scale. For those of you who've ever tried pointillism, you will undoubtedly know that it's time-consuming and takes meticulous planning of colour and composition. When you relate this to pixel icons, not only are you working on a canvas that's at most 100x50 pixels big, you are also having to fit in tremendous detail and in most cases an animation on so small a scale. While the image can be zoomed in on to make it easier to work, you still have to make sure the image looks good when you zoom out and that all the details read correctly. This can often mean hours of working and reworking until the image looks simple enough to be recognizable, yet detailed enough to make the piece stand out.
I am of belief the amount of work that went into it should not be dismissed simply because it's a small piece. You wouldn't look at a Medieval book-illustration and dismiss it simply because it's tiny, so why do the same with pixel art? Instead, try to look at the intricate detail in the pieces, the animation which is often pretty complicated and try to imagine how long it would take you to make something like that on such a small scale.
It's like pointillism on a canvas the size of your thumb with a pencil the size of a needle, or as Moonbeam13 put it: "It's like micro lego.".
This dot: . is the size of the brush you work with. Pretty amazing, no? If you haven't tried pixeling yet, I also suggest you do. It is not something that is easy, but it is extremely rewarding when you finish such a small piece completely.
So what about those desktop icons?
Desktop icons, as the name implies, are made to freshen up or to customize your desktop. While they may have a more functional nature to them, that doesn't mean they can't be art.
When you stop to take a look at the many different ideas people come up with, you can't help but be blown away by the creativity of the people who constantly work to allow you to change up your electronics to what you want them to be.
These people work with watercolors to make the icons, or vectors, or pixels. Almost any medium is used and the results are always phenomenal!
I still think icons are unimpressive, what now?
While I can't change your mind if you truly do not like pixel art or icons, I would like to end this article with several types of art that tie in with pixel art, be it in different mediums.
When you're cross-stitching, the chart you're using is pixel-art. When you recreate a sprite from a game you like with Hama-beads, the beads you are using are like the pixels in pixel art. When you make a Pikachu out of lego-blocks, based on the Gameboy game-art, you're pixeling with lego. And when you're making a mosaic, you are basically making a work of pixel art as well.
While all of these examples may seem a bit unconventional when compared to what most people recognize as pixel art, it is in a way reminiscent of the art made with a 1ppi brush on a small canvas.


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Posts tagged bored
Posts tagged bored
Your least favourite Killers album
Im not answering that. They are all perfect act to say that I like one of them the least would be wrong.
Day two, here goes.
Your least favourite Killers song:
I pretty much love every song that TK have ever written, no joke. I GUESS the song I listen to the least would be Where The White Boys Dance… Don't hate me!
Thought I might as well do this… I've got nothing better to do (besides school work, but who cares)
Your favourite Killers song:
Okay… well, I do love Mr. Brightside- and I would call that my favourite song of all time, but I feel like if I say that then I will be judged.
I would say some of my favourites are Mr. Brightside, A Dustland Fairytale, When You Were Young, Spaceman, Sweet Talk, Jenny was a Friend of Mine, This River is Wild and Read my Mind.
I guess when I'm in a raving, awesome move- Mr. Brightside is my favourite, and when I just want to listen to some amazing, beautifully written music, it's A Dustland Fairytale.
If you bothered to read all that, I applaud you. Seriously. I tend to go on a lot when I'm bored.
Didn't work as well as my other one. But it looks ok. Thanks for the suggestion!
should I be ashamed of this?
i love you
Whoever made this should get it made into a poster and sell it!
whenitshineslikegold: Haha… I'm touched. Thinking of doing some more, but don't know what next? If anyone can suggest a good song, pop it in the ask box (song must be by the Killers cos, you know, they're awesome).


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the everlasting
do you not know & have you not heard? 'the everlasting' is coming in june. we unveil to you…the track list:
1. do you not know?
2. no limits
3. all that i am
4. all we are
5. kingdom come
6. for you
7. sons & daughters
8. light it up
9. magnify
10. leaning on the everlasting arms
11. the everlasting


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Follow us on Twitter @AJCBiz
Emory University students may no longer be munching on Chick-fil-A sandwiches and waffle fries this summer, and the campus insists it has nothing to do with fallout over comments about gay marriage the popular restaurant chain's president made last summer.
Students on an advisory committee have recommended that the restaurant, which has been on campus for 29 years, not be among new food vendors in a redesign of Cox Hall Food Court on the DeKalb County campus. A final decision on whether to include Chick-fil-A in the mix has not been made, a campus spokeswoman said.
Michael Sacks, co-chair of the Food Advisory Committee at Emory, said surveys show students want more choices at the food court, and a chicken restaurant is not among them.
"It's really not politically motivated," Sacks told AJC reporter Leon Stafford. "It's a coincidence of timing." He said the committee decided last week to remove Chick-fil-A and Domino's Pizza,
Continue reading Emory may drop Chick-fil-A from campus options »


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Skip Maine state header navigation
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|Home | Contact Us | Calendar | Archives |
Education Information
Home > Professional Development > Achieving Results Intro > Table of Contents > References
References and Resources
These are the principal publications that informed the work of the Professional Development Policy Advisory Committee. Additional publications and resources may be found on the Department of Education website or through related organizations.
Barth, R. (1990). Improving schools from within: Teachers, parents and principals can make a difference. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Collins Writing Program, (Collins Educational Associates, Newbury, MA) http://www.collinswritingprogram.com
Darling-Hammond, L. & Ball, D. L. (January, 1998). Teaching for high standards: What policymakers need to know and be able to do. Consortium for Policy Research in Education, Philadelphia, PA, National Commission on Teaching & America's Future, New York, NY. On-line at: http://www.nctaf.org/publications/Teaching.pdf (Note: This document is a Adobe Acrobat - PDF file that requires special plug-in. The document may not meet accessibility standards)
Elmore, R. F. (2002). Bridging the gap between standards and achievement: The imperative for professional development in education. Washington, DC: Albert Shanker Institute, p. 5.
Guskey, T. (March, 2002). Does it make a difference? Evaluating professional development. Education Leadership, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), p. 46-51.
Knowles, Malcolm G. (1984). The adult learner: A neglected species. Houston: Gulf Publishing Company.
Maine Leadership Consortium. (March 2000). The report on common ground V. Orono, ME. http://www.ume.maine.edu/~cofed/msln/
Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance. (August, 1998). Maine a community of leaders: A white paper on professional development. Augusta, ME. http://www.mmsa.org/
National Staff Development Council. (2002), Standards for staff development - revised. Oxford, OH. http://www.nsdc.org/
Woodward, S. K., & Townsend, R. (September, 1998). Major shifts in staff development. Penquis Bulletin. University of Maine Center for Research and Evaluation. Orono, ME. p. 2. http://www.ume.maine.edu/~cofed/cre/
|Copyright © 2007 All rights reserved.


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Shhh the baby is sleeping
I don't know how to explain what that means anymore than I know why pretty much everyone knows the feeling.
It isn't a migraine- but every sound is grating, every touch, everything. For people with PTSD, this feeling often comes right before or after a panic attack. I've learned over the years though that it isn't something only people with mental illness experience.
Things you can do:
1. Cocoon yourself. They make weighted blankets, and if you experience this often enough(and have the cash to shell out for them)- they're pretty cool. But if not, get as many blankets as you can and wrap yourself in them. You want a solid, stable sensory experience. For whatever the reason, the weight helps slow down the racing heart and may even allow you to sleep.
2, Take a shower in the dark. Take a night light or something like that in there with you- if you won't be able to do it in the total dark. Make sure everything is as quiet as possible, and then either take a shower or bath in the dark. I prefer almost too hot water myself. Showers in the dark are great for sensory input, because turning off the lights makes you pay more attention to your other senses, and you get physical, auditory, and smells too.
3. Going in public? Wear a jacket. If you can avoid over heating in one- that is. Wearing a jacket will help add sensory input- and keep your nerves from picking up every stray accidental touch/whisper of the wind. Also carrying a grounding object in your pocket that you can rub/squeeze can help.
4. Plank. Or really- any sort of thing that puts strain on a lot of muscles. Personally I like holding push up position, or doing downward dog. You probably don't want to be doing something that requires you to move/touch too many different things- which is why you want things that put tension, but require you to remain relatively still.
5. Joint Compressions. Start with your your shoulders- work your way down to your fingers. and then from the hips own the leg to the ankle. They advise doing each joint three times. A lot of children who have nerve issues are advised to get special brushes (they have soft bristles- and lots of them) so that they brush along their arms and legs in order to help calm them down.
6. Beanie babies or other weighted dolls. Once again, this is something I learned from working with children. I'm not sure why it works, but it has. It's probably that the weight provides a more solid sensory input- and the fact that it is a doll- it can also be a comfort toy of sorts.
#free_69min: ghibli! i worked really hard on these puns okay
when someone says they dont like me


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SAN DIEGO -- The remains of a soldier who went missing in action in Korea 60 years ago were returned to his family Thursday night by an Army honor guard.
Cpl. Eugene "Mackie" Morelli was declared missing on Feb. 13, 1951, during a battle near Hoengsong in Korea. Morelli, who was born on the Mesa Grande Indian Reservation in San Diego County, was taken prisoner and died in a North Korea prisoner of war camp. His family didn't learn of his death until several years later when a POW who was with him when he died contacted them.
Morelli's remains were only recently identified when DNA from a tooth was matched to that of a close relative.
A plane carrying Morelli's remains touched down in San Diego Thursday at about 9:30 p.m. Among those on had to receive them was Morelli's nephew, Michael Garrett.
"I have a deep-felt feeling of gratitude and appreciation that our uncle is finally home," Garrett said.
The family plans to bury Morelli on Saturday at Bloomdale Cemetery on the Mesa Grande Reservation.
The public is invited to participate in a procession from Bonham Brothers & Stewart Mortuary to the cemetery. The procession will leave from 321 S. 12th St. in Ramona at 9 a.m.
Final interment will be held at Bloomdale Cemetery near Bloomdale Ranch beginning at 10 a.m. To reach the cemetery from Santa Ysabel, take Highway 79 north for about two miles, turn west at Mesa Grande Road and follow the road for about five miles.


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is there a scholarship for trying
ya. so damn true
Helena BC
Helena BC
Helena BC
I try to talk to you, but I don't know what to say. I am afraid you don't want me to say anything. So I don't. But inside of me there are words waiting to come out.And tell you how I feel-like how I miss you. And how I love you despite my broken heart.And how I need you in my life. And especially how much I want you.But those words may forver stay in my heart-locked inside.Sometimes I wonder if there are words locked inside you too… but I'll never know.
(via noviantopambudi)


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Political and Economic Department
ASEF's Political and Economic department aims to provide and communicate quality, actionable inputs for the policy dialogue between Asia and Europe.
Our Goals
- To regularly monitor and analyse developments in Asia-Europe relations in order to identify relevant policy issues where ASEF provides an added value;
- To design and implement programmes responsive to the identified needs of Asia-Europe relations;
- To transform the outcomes of programmes into inputs actionable for Asia-Europe policy dialogue;
- To deliver and implement a communication strategy for the dissemination and advocacy of the outcomes of IE activities.
Our Work
In 2011 the focus areas of the Intellectual Exchange Department include:
Human Rights and Governance: We bring together government and civil society actors to dialogue and share good practice.
Our programmes:
- Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights: The largest government-civil society dialogue on human rights issues in Asia and Europe.
- Asia Europe Roundtable on Conflict Management: Promotes action-oriented discussion on conflict management and peace-building in Asia and Europe
Education and Academic Co-operation: We promote inter-regional partnership in Asian and European studies.
Our programmes:
- The EU through the Eyes of Asia: measures and analyses the perceptions of the EU in Asian countries
- Asia in the Eyes of Europe: A mirror study to the EU through the Eyes of Asia project. Explores the perceptions of Asia amongst European ASEM members
Environment and Sustainable Development: We discuss environmental and sustainable development issues relevant to Asia and Europe.
Our programme:
- Asia-Europe Environment Forum (ENVforum): The ENVForum's Asia-Europe Strategies for the Earth Summit 2012 aims to produce an analysis of International Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD) options for Rio+20
Economy and Society: We explore a range of social and economic issues with the aim of developing policy recommendations for enhanced inter-regional cooperation.
Our programme:
- The impact of the Crisis on regional Economic Integration: Discusses coping strategies, mechanisms and long-term solutions to the crisis and potential future crises in Asia and Europe.
ASEF Public Health Network: A multi-sector and multi-level platform between Asia and Europe for public health policy dialogue.
The Network activities are classified under three thematic areas:
- Regional Integration and Infectious Diseases – The Network aims to create a platform for consistent exchange of knowledge and experience between Asia and Europe on regional integration and infectious diseases.
- Multi-sector Pandemic Preparedness and Response – Through the ASEF-ASAP (Accurate Scenarios Active Preparedness) scenario exercise, the Network aims to engage health and non-health sectors towards multi-sectoral pandemic preparedness and response.
- Public Health Dialogue – The Network aims to engage multiple actors to address the health issues that affect vulnerable groups such as young people, migrants as well as sexual and ethnic minorities.
Team Members
- Mr Thierry SCHWARZDirector
- Mr Stéphane OERTELDeputy Director
- Ms Grace FOOProject Manager
- Ms Sunkyoung LEEProject Manager
- Ms Grazyna PULAWSKAProject Executive
- Ms Ratna MATHAI-LUKE Project Executive
- Mr Shaun GAVIGAN Project Executive
- Ms Hanae HANZAWA Project Officer
Mr Thierry SCHWARZDirector
Thierry Schwarz, is nominated by the French government to head the Intellectual Exchange department in 2012.
Prior to his secondment to ASEF, he was Adviser to the Council for Administrative Reform and Founder and Director of the Joint Master degree program of Public Management between the French National School of Public Administration (ENA) and the Royal University of Law and Economics in Phnom Penh.
He was founder and Dean of the Europe-Asia Undergraduate Program at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (l'Institut d'Etudes Politiques), France from 2007 to 2010. Between 2001 to 2007, Thierry was Regional Counsellor for Cooperation in South-East Asia with the French Embassy in Bangkok and Deputy Counsellor for Cooperation with the French Embassy in Beijing.
Thierry's other prior experiences include CEO Asia-Pacific Region of the Waste Management Division, Suez Environment in Singapore, Executive Vice President, International Operations of the Waste Management Division, Suez Environment in Paris, CEO, Moulinex-Krups North America in New Jersey and Executive Vice President International Operations, Moulinex-Krups in Paris and Judge in the Paris Administrative Court from 1978 to 1980.
Thierry studied at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, California and the National School of Public Administration in Paris. He obtained his Master in Law with Paris II University.
Mr Stéphane OERTELDeputy Director
After finishing his French-German Secondary school in Berlin, Germany, Stéphane studied Human Sciences at the University of Oxford and obtained his Master degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics.
Stéphane then worked as a Business Analyst for a global management consultancy in London, U.K. Because his real interest was in economic and development issues, he then joined an NGO in a remote area of Tanzania as a volunteer. After a few months, he undertook an internship at the Directorate-General for Development of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium working on project financing and evaluation.
Stéphane later joined the United Nations as a Junior Programme Officer in Islamabad, Pakistan working on governance and election issues, and later in Geneva as a Liaison Officer working on inter-agency coordination. Since passing the UN global recruitment examination in Economics, Stéphane has worked as an Economic Affairs Officer for the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He then joined the Global Leadership Fellows Programme of the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. After working in the Africa department there he was appointed to Associate Director of the Global Risk Team until he and his family moved to Bangkok, Thailand in 2011 where he worked on several short-term assignments and consultancies for multilateral agencies and companies.
Ms Grace FOOProject Manager
Grace Foo reports to and assists the Director of Intellectual Exchange in administrative and departmental matters. She also helps in preparing various departmental reports. Grace also works with other project officers on the Informal ASEM Semianr on Human Rights series and the Asia-Europe Environment Forum.
Grace joined ASEF's Intellectual Exchange Department in 2007. Prior to this, she worked at GP Batteries International Limited, the Singapore Manufacturer's Federation, and GE Global Controls Services.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma City.
Ms Sunkyoung LEEProject Manager
Sunkyoung Lee joined ASEF in April 2009 as Project Executive for the ASEF Public Health Network. The Network promotes public health dialogue in Asia and Europe through a multi-level and multi-sector approach. Her involvement in this programme centres on overseeing the management of the Network as well as facilitating the establishment of interactive and sustainable networks across regions, organisations and individuals to tackle public health issues.
Sunkyoung has worked in Korea and Europe (Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium), and prior to joining ASEF, she interned at the Information Society and Media Directorate General of the European Commission. She obtained her BA degree in English Language and Literature at Ajou University and her MA degree in European Public Affairs from Universiteit Maastricht.
Ms Grazyna PULAWSKAProject Executive
Grazyna Pulawska joined ASEF in February 2010. She is responsible for the Asia-Europe Environment Forum programme, which aims to strengthen co-operation between Asian and European stakeholders in the field of environmental and sustainable development.
Grazyna worked for the Ministry of Economy in Poland, working in the field of regional development. She has also been active in the NGO sector, mainly with the Service Civil International network in Belgium and the Development Wheel, a Bangladesh-based NGO specialising in supporting local entrepreneurship and fair trade.
She received her Master's degree in International Relations through a joint programme between the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris and the Warsaw School of Economics.
Ms Ratna MATHAI-LUKEProject Executive
Ratna Mathai-Luke joined ASEF in 2009, where she has been working on programmes related to ASEF's thematic focus of Human Rights and Governance. In particular, she coordinates the Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights series and the Asia-Europe Roundtable series on Conflict Management.
She received her BA (Hons) degree in History from Delhi University (St. Stephen's College) and her Master's degree in Forced Migration from the University of Oxford. With a background in research and policy analysis, she has published papers with UNICEF, Refugee Watch, and the Global Action on Aging.
Mr Shaun GAVIGANProject Executive
Shaun GAVIGAN joined the Political and Economic Department of ASEF in February 2014. Prior to this, he worked with the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Ireland the Irish government agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment.
Other professional experiences include his work with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland. He has also held positions with leading companies in the finance, telecom, media and publishing industries.
Shaun received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics/Sociology and History at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He later went on to complete a Masters in Politics at Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland.
In 2013, Shaun was awarded a place on the Farmleigh Fellowship Programme, a scholarship programme supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland. This Masters in Asian Business comprised of study at University College Cork's School of Asian Studies in Ireland and enrolment in Nanyang Technological University's executive MBA programme in Singapore.
Ms Hanae HANZAWAProject Officer
Hanae HANZAWA joined ASEF in January 2014 as a Project Officer for the ASEF Public Health Network. She also provides administrative support to the Director of ASEF's Political and Economic department.
Hanae has years of experience in the non-profit organisations in Japan, USA and Canada, working on human rights advocacy, HIV/AIDS, mental health, addiction and homelessness. She interned at the Department of Economic and Social Affairs in the United Nations Headquarter, working on the Commission on the Status of Women.
Hanae obtained her BA degree in English and Sociology from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and studied as an exchange student at Mills College in California. She completed her MA degree in Women and Gender Studies with the collaborative program in Asia-Pacific Studies from University of Toronto.