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Gail Daugherty never expected a chronic shoulder issue to land her in acupuncture school, studying Chinese medicine. As a competitive swimmer and triathlete, she had been experiencing severe shoulder pain and limited range of motion that began affecting her sleep, mood, and ability to perform certain tasks. The doctors wanted to inject steroids and were even thinking of surgery.
Gail, with her PhD in holistic nutrition and abundance of body awareness, wasn't interested in either. A fellow triathlete recommended acupuncture and she thought, "No way! That sounds like it hurts and it probably doesn't even work."
A year later with worse pain and greater limited range of motion, another triathlete gave her the number of her acupuncturist. Gail begrudgingly committed to 10 sessions with major reservations. Although it took three months to notice a difference in her shoulder, she eventually ended up pain free with complete range of motion returned. Gail was hooked. Not only was she an avid believer in the effectiveness of Chinese medicine, she began cultivating a strong interest in learning how to do it herself.
After her personal experiences with the medicine, acupuncture school was always in the back of her mind, and she would check out schools every time she looked for a new place to live. Her opportunity to study acupuncture serendipitously presented itself at last while she was working in Mexico. She received a call from Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine asking if she would be interested in teaching Biochemical Nutrition at their school. It was an irresistible opportunity to live in a beautiful community by the ocean and learn more about acupuncture. After her first trimester of teaching, she began taking classes. Though she began her studies in California, Gail eventually decided to transfer to AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine where she completed the Master of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine program.
Three days after her 2009 graduation she went to work on cruise ships as an acupuncturist. She traveled the world and saw places she never thought she would get to see (like the Great Sphinx of Giza), all the while learning how to talk to people about acupuncture and encourage them to try it.
"I was very fortunate to work on the largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas. I saw between 80-100 patients per week, which really allowed me to hone my skills and find my specialties," Gail said.
Now Gail is a licensed practitioner and the Clinic Director of Pain Free Acupuncture Clinic in Dallas, Texas. Her clinic has two locations, one in Plano at the Willow Bend Wellness Center and one in Craig Ranch inside The Cooper Clinic. She will be opening a third site at The Cooper Clinic's Dallas location next year and is in the process of interviewing and hiring several acupuncturists. She specializes in pain management, injury recovery, allergies, and stress reduction using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Dr. Tan Balance method, and NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques).
When reminiscing about her time spent at AOMA, what sticks out most to Gail is working at White Crane (now AOMA Herbal Medicine) and smelling and touching the herbs, seeing how people were using them, and being immersed in the learning environment there. "The people I met at AOMA were incredibly diverse, but we continue to be uniquely bound. It's wonderful to share an intense experience with so many wonderful people," she said
One of Gail's current business ventures involves acupuncture business coaching services and a related workbook.
"I've written a workbook and have a coaching practice to help acupuncturists be successful and inspire them to get over their fears and obstacles," Gail said. "I've been working with therapists, acupuncturists, and massage therapists to help them want to get out of their comfort zone, because that's where the magic happens."
According to Gail, it's all a matter of perspective. "Once practitioners can get to the point where they see no other option but to be successful, they are," she said. "The trick is for them to know where they are right now, where they're heading, and finally -- how to get there."
Growing her practice, all the while helping other practitioners be successful, has really brought Gail's love of helping and healing people to a whole new level.
With a blossoming career to show for all of the hard work she has put in, she clearly has an abundance of excellent advice for other acupuncturists entering the field.
"Find which acupuncture styles and conditions you are the best at using and treating; it's important to choose 1-3 things that you are really, really good at treating," Gail said. "I think it's a mistake to want to treat everything. Would you go to a doctor that treats asthma, delivers babies, and does heart surgery? I wouldn't. I want to go to the best doctor for each issue that comes up."
"If you want to work for yourself you have to wear many hats," Gail says. "Most of those hats are things you don't like doing. Make a commitment to get out of your office four hours a week and go talk to people. Since my practice focuses on pain and injury, I set up a table with my liquid herbs, brochures and some needles and let every single person that walks by me know that I'm an acupuncturist and I'm here to answer any of their questions. Some people breeze by and try to ignore you, but most people are very interested in TCM. It's uncomfortable, but so is sitting in an empty office waiting for the phone to ring."
"Don't be afraid to refer. I specialize in pain, stress, injury, and allergies. I have gotten to know several acupuncturists in the area and I refer to them when it's an issue that doesn't fit my style. The growth of my practice has not suffered. There are plenty of people to support your practice."
"Ask for help," Gail says. "Most people want to help, especially if you ask for something specific. For example, I've asked patients to mention me to three people they talk to that day and give them my card. Your patients love you and love the work you're doing. They want to help you be successful, but they may not know how.
Collect testimonials while you are in school and with every patient once you're out. Ask your patient to take a moment before or after their treatment to write a few words about you, your clinic, and their experience working with you. I also keep a flip camera on hand and a waiver to record them and post it all over the internet. You can check them out at www.PainFreeDallas.com."
She also highly recommends not being afraid of competition. "The more people there are talking about acupuncture, the more people will know about it," Gail said. No matter where you live (even Austin or California), there are plenty of people to support your practice."
But Gail's most important recommendation is this: Enjoy every minute of it. "Most people don't have the ability to transform lives. We get to do it every day. You have an amazing gift."
Moving is no small feat - finding a place to live, packing up your belongings, recruiting helping hands, finding a friend with a truck, tying up the pieces at your old place and remembering all of the little details for getting settled in smoothly at a new home. It is no wonder that moving is often considered to be one of the most stressful events in life!Austin is a rapidly growing city with much to offer new residents. Depending on how far you are moving (i.e. across town vs. across the country); the process of finding a place to live may be different. No matter where you are starting from, the following insights will help you stay organized as you navigate the Austin rental market.
Knowing your move-in date will help you determine when you need to be ready to sign a lease. Some apartments only list their availability 30 days prior to a potential move-in date whereas others list availability 60 days prior. Privately owned houses, condos, and duplexes usually have openings based on 30 day notices, possibly even shorter times, and are generally looking for quick move-ins. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to start your housing search 45-60 days before your anticipated move date.
Before starting your search, it's important to have an idea of what you are looking for. Most apartment communities in Austin offer one year leases. Some properties may offer nine and six month leases, however leases lasting less than six months can be very difficult to find. Many apartment communities charge an up-grade fee for leases shorter than one year, and such fees can be as high as an extra $150 per month. Privately owned properties like rental homes or duplexes almost always offer one year leases.
An alternative option for a shorter term lease is to sublet. Subletting a property can offer a temporary home-base while you explore Austin's many neighborhoods and search for longer-term accommodations.
When you have found a place you like and you are ready to submit an application, it is important to keep in mind that there will be associated application fees and deposits required. Planning for these fees will help you create a realistic moving budget. Application fees can range from $35 to $150 and will vary depending on location. These fees are applied to the cost of running criminal background and rental history checks for potential tenants. A rental deposit is typically required to be paid to the property owner or management company. Deposit amounts are variable and can range from $200 to $1,000 per unit. Newer apartment communities that offer more amenities typically ask for higher rental deposits. Some apartment communities may include an "administrative fee" as part of the deposit that is frequently non-refundable and may be as much as half of the deposit. However, this type of fee is usually only found in larger, newer apartment communities. Owners of houses, duplexes, and condos often ask a new tenant to deposit the first and/or last month's rent up front. With many animal-loving residents in Austin, pet deposits are a very common feature of the rental market. Amounts and specific policies may vary depending on individual properties; though, a typical pet deposit will be around $300 - $500 for one pet. Half of this deposit is usually refundable while the other half is typically a non-refundable cleaning fee. Having more than one pet usually incurs additional deposit costs (often $250 per additional pet), and many communities limit the number of pets allowed to three. In some cases apartment communities may charge pet rent instead of a deposit. Pet rent is a monthly fee paid in addition to rent and can vary from $15 - $50 per month, per pet. If you have furry friends, it's important to ask about a property's pet policies before applying. Before paying any deposit, it is important to verify with the leasing agent whether a deposit is refundable if the rental application is cancelled, withdrawn, or refused. Once an application is approved, the rental deposit is no longer refundable.
When evaluating a rental application, apartment communities and property owners will consider/ verify the following:
When considering a potential tenant's credit history and income, apartment communities typically expect to see that an applicant's monthly income is approximately three times the amount of monthly rent. Combined income from roommates, financial aid received by students, and potential co-signors' income are additional factors that may be considered. Most communities will allow co-signors for applicants that do not meet the earnings criteria. Co-signors are generally expected to own a home and earn five to six times the amount of the unit's monthly rent. Depending on employment status, applicants may be required to present paystubs, income tax information, bank statements, or confirmation of financial aid eligibility to verify income.
Applicants with less than 6 months of rental history or a low credit-score may be required to have a co-signor on a lease or pay an additional rental deposit. Factors such as a history of broken leases, evictions, or a criminal background will generally result in co-signors being refused. While apartment communities always perform criminal background and rental history checks, not all private owners do so. New residents should discuss the qualifying rental criteria in detail with the apartment community or property owner during the application process.
Apartment rental rates are generated based on city-wide occupancy rates, meaning prices can fluctuate frequently. Rental prices will also vary based on the type of unit available (e.g. number of bedrooms, square footage, amenities, etc.) and exact location. In addition to checking rental prices for specific properties online, it is also advisable to contact a property directly to verify the current rate and to inquire about any move-in specials that may be offered. Cost of living calculators can help new residents moving from another city or state to estimate housing costs in Austin.
It's always ideal to visit a potential house/apartment in person before making a commitment and signing a lease. Unfortunately, this is not always an option if you are moving from a different city or state. Recruiting the help of a leasing agent or apartment locator can help to narrow down your options and find a place that meets your criteria and standards for quality of life. Many apartment locating agents in Austin offer free services to clients looking for housing and it's important to choose a locator that is responsive, professional, and respectful of your housing needs.
AOMA Apartment Locators List
AOMA Apartment Reference Guide
In addition to individual leases, alternative housing opportunities exist including roommate arrangements, house shares, and cooperative living. Check out our next blog post in the Moving to Austin series for more information on this topic!
Michelle Gonzalez
Michelle Gonzalez is an Austin-based real estate agent and AOMA student. Prior to beginning her studies within AOMA's master's degree program in acupuncture & Chinese medicine, Michelle worked as a full-time licensed real estate agent at Team Real Estate. She has years of experience and expertise within Austin's rental and home-buying markets.
Jillian KelbleAs AOMA's Admissions Coordinator, Jillian Kelble works one-on-one with new students to support their transition to graduate school and is the administrator of AOMA's bi-weekly new student housing digest. In addition to her role within the Admissions Office, she has also worked as a property manager for a privately owned rental property in downtown Austin. A transplant from the west coast, Jillian brings personal insight about the process of relocating to her work.
For the last four years, your life has been more or less ordered for you – class times, clinic times, study times, work times – and now it's totally up to you. How do you take all your training and make it work for you, to build a future? There's no sure pattern for success, and your mentors and teachers are no longer watching over you every day to give guidance. The world can look very scary out of the school setting, but before you pull your lab coat over your head and hide, take heart. You can survive, and thrive, as an acupuncturist.
Hopefully, you started working on what you were going to do and where long before you graduated. Finding a good location that's not in a saturated area is important, and establishing a name for yourself in that area is vital, even before you graduate. If you joined your local Chamber of Commerce, some local networking groups and service groups, you have a head start, because all your fellow members are prospective patients. If you haven't joined those organizations yet, now is the time to do it. You'll probably have a few months before your license is granted, so use the time wisely. Network, meet people, shake a lot of hands – your enthusiasm will be contagious, and people will be curious. Make sure you're armed with business cards, brochures, and a website before you go into battle. Get a name registered as a DBA in your county, and get yourself a shirt with the name and logo on it. Then wear it. Everywhere. You'd be surprised how many people will ask about it.
Find someone who is established to start with so you can learn the ropes. Most established acupuncturists are more than willing to take on an intern to work the front desk and learn the business; you can also find a lot of chiropractors who are happy to take an acupuncturist on. Even though some of them advertise they can do acupuncture, most of them don't have the time to do it, and welcome new graduates. When your license comes in the mail, you'll be ready to jump into the pool, so get your feet planted somewhere while you're waiting.
Once licensed, use all those contacts you made. Hand out gift certificates – one free treatment isn't going to break you, and those people will come back for more. Use them for door prizes at local events, especially women's events. Use them in Chamber Auctions, for Chamber Lunches, or to support an auction at your local High School. Give them as gifts for birthdays. Soon, those patients will tell others, and you're on your way. Participate in events and go to some health fairs – let people see and get to know you. Utilize social networking as well, you can learn a lot from other acupuncturists, both established and just beginning. Use free time wisely to learn more about running your practice. Before you know it, you're treating 20 patients a week, then thirty, then forty, and your first year will be coming to a close.
As long as you realize that learning doesn't stop when school ends, you'll do just fine. Reach out, and your practice will grow. Above all, trust in yourself, and your hard-won skills.
Kathy Kerr, LAc, MAcOM, AOBTA, is an Acupuncturist practicing in Georgetown, TX. She graduated from AOMA in 2008 and has taught several brown bags and business development classes. Her undergrad is in marketing and management, and foreign language. Kathy lives in Round Rock with her husband, two dogs and a bird named Qing Long. Visit her website here: www.orientalmedicineassociates.com.
NOVEMBER 21 & 229am—5pmFree, walk-in appointmentsSmokeout Location:East Communities YMCAin the portable building5315 Ed Bluestein BlvdAustin, TX 78723
Despite all the well-researched facts regarding the negative effects of smoking, people continue to smoke cigarettes because of the addictive nature of nicotine. Many smokers try various quitting methods with not much luck, struggling to find a solution that is sustainable, lasting and healthy. Acupuncture has been shown to have great success with treating the full range of addictions and addictive behavior, and has been proven to be especially useful and successful in helping people stop smoking[i].
Acupuncturists are trained to address addictions, especially nicotine addiction, following the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The addiction is analyzed from several perspectives, all of which include the full spectrum of physical, mental, and emotional addiction.
Acupuncture works to adjust cravings by balancing the body's brain chemistry and also helps heal the physical damage the body undergoes from smoking. There are many recognized protocols to help people stop smoking.
Auricular acupuncture, or ear acupuncture as it is commonly known, is often used in the treatment of addictions. Protocols for nicotine addiction may use ear points alone or along with other body points [ii] to help balance a person's overall pattern. In this technique, fine needles are inserted into a set of five acupuncture points on the ear, as promoted by The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), a not-for-profit organization who teaches and endorses this acupuncture detoxification protocol.
For this protocol, the patient may even be sent home with small beads placed on the ear using adhesive tape. When stimulated, these small beads continue to help curb withdrawal symptoms (an application of auricular acupressure). In general, one can expect frequency of visits to be several times per week for the first week or two (recommendations vary per acupuncturist and patient's condition).
The goal of the practitioner in the treatment plan is to support patients through the acute phase of withdrawal, improving their success at kicking the nicotine habit. Commonly, patients experience a decrease in cravings, changes in sensory perception as the taste and smell of cigarettes becomes intolerable, and an increased state of calm and relaxation.
The multiple withdrawal symptoms that one can experience when trying to quit are well-known, including but not limited to insomnia, fatigue, feeling jittery, cough, chest tightness, dry mouth, constipation, irritability, depression, anxiety, and lack of concentration. Acupuncturists routinely address these issues independently, and improvements in such symptoms are commonly experienced as side benefits by patients. In the scientific community, there has been a huge influx of insightful findings on acupuncture's complex mechanism of action, offering explanation of why this ancient treatment works. Research supports acupuncture's role in influencing the various aspects of the nervous system, thereby modulating things like your gastrointestinal system, heart rate, stress response, and mood.
In 2011, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a subsidiary of the US Department of Justice, in collaboration with the American University, evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture as an adjunct to substance abuse treatment. This initiative ensued as a result of many drug courts using acupuncture as an adjunct to the substance abuse treatments provided to drug court participants. In the BJA review of the literature, they determined a number of acupuncture studies demonstrated reduced cravings and symptoms of withdrawal when coupled with conventional treatment plans.
Here at AOMA, we take a vested interest in the life quality and health of our patients and community. That means we not only want to help provide affordable and sustainable care for those who are committed to quitting smoking, we also want to offer treatments for those who are simply curious to exactly how effective acupuncture can be in treating addiction!
Not only does AOMA host the Great American Smokeout every year in November, offering free treatments to those in the community wanting to stop smoking, we also have a special herbal remedy specially tailored to smoking cessation. This formula was masterminded by one of our renowned professors and doctors, Jamie Wu, LAc, MD (China), MS, Vice President of Faculty. The formula, called Clear Lung, Calm Shen formula, or Dr. Wu's Stop Smoking Formula, is a specially formulated herbal remedy made of herbs that specialize in treating addiction, lung health, and the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of withdrawal. These herbs are powdered and encapsulated in our herbal dispensary (AOMA Herbal Medicine) and then sold through prescription from practitioners in our clinic.
There are multiple other herbal prescription formulas available at AOMA Herbal Medicine that are tailored to treat addictions based on your specific pattern, constitution, and individual needs and preferences. Come see us at the clinic for more information!
If you have never heard of the Great American Smokeout, check out the details below. Don't miss this special yearly event -- get a start on your New Year's resolution to give up the cigarettes early!
Free acupuncture for the annual Great American Smokeout!
In honor of The American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout AOMA is partnering with East Communities YMCA to offer FREE acupuncture for nicotine cessation.
For more information, call 512-693-4373
[i] Starkey, J (LAc). Acupuncture Can Help You Kick the Habit. Retrieved online on November 3, 2013.
[ii] http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/auricular/nada_detox_protocol
AOMA alumna Sadie Minkoff was a modern dancer in a company based in New York City when she injured her sacrum in a rehearsal. Minkoff says, "I was studying Eastern philosophy and Shiatsu and was petrified of needles so I was hesitant to try acupuncture until I got injured." Minkoff finally mustered the courage to travel to New York's Chinatown to try out acupuncture.
Most "needle phobic" patients are generally surprised to find out that acupuncture needles are a thin metal filament about the width of a human hair and cannot deliver the same kind of impact as a needle used for a flu or tetanus shot. Minkoff, being terrified of needles, was no different. She was pleasantly surprised to find that the sensations from the needles were minimal and the treatment itself was very enjoyable and effective. Minkoff says, "The injury resolved quickly but what was even more exciting to me was how good I felt after my acupuncture treatments. So I continued getting acupuncture and started learning about Chinese Medicine."
Eventually Minkoff found herself at AOMA studying acupuncture. Her journey as a practitioner has taken her many places including an interdisciplinary clinic in Washington, DC and a western medical clinic in Austin. She has also worked in a couple of integrative settings with IUI and IVF patients. In 2012 Minkoff received hospital privileges when a local doctor invited her to do acupuncture during fertility treatments in the hospital where he worked.
Currently, Minkoff owns a private practice with her partner Michelle Schreiber in Austin. Sage Acupuncture focuses on both fertility and oncology. Minkoff reflects, "We have created a beautiful sanctuary where people can feel comfortable and supported in their healing process." As Minkoff's clientele grows she holds the intention to continue to work from her heart and serve her community.
Since Minkoff has been in the acupuncture field she has learned that listening and compassion promote success in her practice. She has also learned that no matter how many tools she has to share with her patients she does not heal the patient, the patient heals herself. This philosophy has kept patients coming back to her years after they get pregnant and have their children.
AOMA is holding a food drive to benefit local families in need this Thanksgiving!
All donations will given to the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Items will be collected from Nov. 1 - 26, 2013.
Each year, the Capital Area Food Bank provides more than 24 million pounds of food and grocery products to approximately 300,000 people in need. These items serve local non-profit organizations and social service agencies. AOMA's community hopes to make a difference by providing extra goods and meals during the busy Thanksgiving season.
Questions may be directed to email@example.com.
Throughout the years, AOMA has been engaged in many community collaborations. To learn more about other community collaborations, please visit aoma.edu/community-classes/community-collaborations/.
You've probably heard someone describe the sensation of nervousness as having "butterflies in the stomach." Perhaps you've referred to a person displaying restraint in the face of hardship as having a "stiff upper lip," or a sensitive person as "wearing their heart on their sleeve."
What about complimenting someone's gallbladder when they accomplish something brave? Probably not, right?
This saying, often heard in China (and AOMA's classrooms), has its foundations in the Traditional Chinese Medicine concept of the gallbladder as the source of courage and judgment. Attributing emotions, bodily manifestations, and physiological functions to organs is an important aspect of our medicine and an incredibly informative lens through which to view the body.
This practice is referred to as the Zang-fu system; it is a foundational tenant of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It builds upon Yin Yang theory as well as Five Element theory and is used as a launching pad for more complex TCM diagnosis. (If you need to brush up on Yin Yang theory and Five Element theory, read our Chinese Medicine School posts on the topics.)
The Zang-fu consist of eleven organs in total—five of which are considered Yin in nature and six of which are considered Yang in nature. The five Yin organs—Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney—are referred to as the Zang. The Zang are solid organs and are responsible for the generation and storage of Qi, Blood, Body Fluid, and Essence.
Every organ has unique characteristics and functions. They are also said to "open into" certain body parts (thereby controlling that body part's functioning) and manifest in others.
Element: WoodPhysiologic Functions:
Opens Into: EyesManifestation: Nails
Element: FirePhysiologic Functions:
Opens Into: TongueManifestation: Facial complexion
Element: EarthPhysiologic Functions:
Opens Into: MouthManifestation: Lips
Element: MetalPhysiologic Functions:
Opens Into: NoseManifestation: Hair of the skin
Element: WaterPhysiologic Functions:
Opens Into: EarsManifestation: Hair of the head
Each Zang is paired with a Fu—one of the Yang organs. The Fu organs are hollow. They primarily receive and transport food and water throughout the body. These more active functions are the reason they're considered to be more Yang than Yin. The organs and their pairings are listed below.
Zang: LiverFu: Gallbladder
Zang: HeartFu: Small Intestine
Zang: SpleenFu: Stomach
Zang: LungFu: Large Intestine
Zang: KidneysFu: Bladder
Zang: Pericardium (Though not always grouped with the five Zang organs, the Pericardium is considered the protector of the heart; it is also an acupuncture channel.)Fu: San Jiao (also called the Triple Warmer and Triple Burner)
It is important not to conflate the TCM organ with the Western anatomical organ. For instance, the Spleen in TCM isn't necessarily the organ that filters the blood. Some features do overlap—for example, the Heart being involved with blood —but it's best not to think of the Zang-fu as literal organs, but rather consider them figurative entities.
Just as the Five Elements follow a generating and controlling sequence, the Zang-fu system can also be examined in this context. (For an overview of the Five Elements and to view the generating and controlling sequences, check out our blog post on the subject.)
These controlling and generating sequences are used to visualize the source(s) of pathological conditions and can be used to approach a treatment. For example, it is said in TCM that if an element (or organ) is in excess, an acupuncturist should "sedate the child." So, if the Liver organ was hyperactive in a patient, the acupuncturist may choose to sedate the Heart.
The Zang-fu system is an incredibly important and consequential method of TCM diagnosis: It influences the diagnostic decisions, treatment plans, herbal prescriptions, and overall understanding of acupuncturists and herbalists the world over. The Zang-fu organs (including the Pericardium) also constitute the twelve primary acupuncture channels and are consequently used on a daily basis by most practicing acupuncturists. Take a moment to review the Zang-fu system and soon you will discover an entirely new way of viewing the human body.
It's 1976, and my mom and dad are sitting quietly with their eyes closed, hands resting upward — thumb and index finger touching — while my younger siblings crawl on their backs and shoulders. My older two brothers and I sit nearby, holding our own meditation poses, bored, rolling our eyes and counting the minutes until this ritual will end.
At least once a week or whenever things got stressful, my parents would pull all five of their children — ranging in age from ten to one — into our library for a family meditation. As much as I complained, a part of me yearned for this spiritual practice.
Spiritual renewal is essential to our emotional well-being. It helps us nurture our essence, feel centered, build inner strength, live in integrity, and trust life. It allows us to experience a connection to a higher power, feel a sense of purpose, and experience meaning in our lives.
There are many different ways we explore and nurture our spiritual lives. For some this includes spending time in nature, yoga, prayer and meditation, or musical or artistic expression. Some of the daily practices that provide me spiritual nourishment include:
We all crave sacredness and ritual in our everyday lives — not just around birthdays and weddings. Rituals can be both carefully planned events and casual but regular remembrances such as voicing gratitude before a meal or creating dedicated space in your day for contemplation.
When we mark important transitions or milestones in our lives — whether it's your daughter's first period or your son starting kindergarten — we connect to the sacredness of everyday life. We remember that life is mysterious and we're more than our to-do lists!
Stillness, whether experienced through prayer, meditation, or reflection, is our time to be alone and connect to our inner wisdom or our higher power — what I call our internal GPS system. It's essential for all of us to carve out time for quiet reflection each and every day.
One of the biggest gifts I've received from a daily meditation practice is the ability to live more comfortably with what is--whether that's my husband's recent layoff or a car accident. Life is like the weather in Texas — constantly changing. Meditation has helped anchor me, so that despite this impermanence and turmoil, I've learned how to be still and find my center in the face of it all.
Mother Teresa says, "The fruit of love is service."
We are all interconnected. The more we reach out and are present to one another's pain and suffering, the stronger we become and the easier it is to embrace the esoteric idea that we're all one. I believe huge shifts in consciousness can occur when we reach out and help one another navigate this sometimes scary, often isolating and perplexing, but beautiful world. Sometime that might look like serving soup at your local homeless shelter and other times, it's helping out your neighbor who just lost her husband.
Many great spiritual teachers believe the answer to everything is to just "be here now," and that our suffering and emotional distress would end if we simply stopped resisting the present moment.
One weekend as I sat on the couch with a full-body cold: a splitting headache, body chills and a nonstop runny nose, I thought about this principle. And, as I watched the things I was missing fly out the window — my friend's birthday party, my son's piano recital — I connected to my breath and felt myself arrive in the present moment. I sensed my resistance begin to dissipate and a feeling of peace slowly settled over me. I temporarily suspended my desire for things to be different and I embraced that on the couch, with a cold, was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Three of my immediate family members died unexpectedly between my twenty-sixth and thirty-fourth birthdays. For years I let those losses dictate how much and how often, I could experience joy. Anytime I started to feel light, free, or happy, the old feeling of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" would creep in.
Can you only be happy if things are going your way and all the stars are aligned in your favor?
I believe we're born with the innate capacity to experience emotional well-being and joy; it's our birthright to feel good. Happiness comes from within; we're wired for it. We just have to remember to choose this moment to moment.
It's easy to forget who we really are. To lose sight of what really matters. To fall asleep and not remember how interconnected we all are and that we're fully human and, at the same time, divine.
A regular spiritual practice — whether that's daily prayer or meditation, being in a spiritual community, or singing— serves to anchor us. It grounds us and helps us navigate the challenges we face from just being human. It helps us stay awake.
So ultimately, we can begin to let go, trust the rhythm and flow of life and relax into the beauty of our true nature.
Austin-based life balance coach/speaker Renée Peterson Trudeau is president of Career Strategists and the author of the new book Nurturing the Soul of Your Family. Thousands of women in ten countries are participating in Personal Renewal Groups based on her first book, the award-winning The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal. Visit her online at www.ReneeTrudeau.com
When I started studying Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) I was overwhelmed with what seemed like the exotic nature of the plants we used. I developed a reverence for these plants and imagined they were somehow different, that they must be grown on the misty sides of mountains and tended by enlightened monks. I kept this notion for an embarrassingly long time, which was confirmed by my inept attempts to grow some of the herbs I thought would be able to take the Texas heat.
(protip: turns out you have to water and care for plants and just because the nursery sells it doesn't mean it is a good match for my special kind of neglect.)
Fast-forward a couple of years and I had a nice little coincidence convince me just how wrong I was. We have to use the Latin names for herbs on our labels, so I started to get used to going back and forth between pin yin and Latin. Then I did a little work with the City of Austin invasive plant monitoring team, which involved a lot of pouring over lists of, you guessed it, Latin plant names. I started to see Chinese herbs everywhere and quite a few of them are considered invasive. So let's go through a quick list of some Chinese herbs that you probably walk past almost daily.
Number one on the list of Central Texas invasive list that is also a Chinese herb:
This perennial aster long considered the scourge of the suburban lawn also has an extraordinarily long history of use as medicine and food. The common name dandelion is a corruption of the French "dent de lion" meaning "tooth of the lion" which refers to the toothed or lacerate leaf margins. The younger tender leaves are tasty in salads, the flowers can be used to make wine and the whole plant is used in TCM where it is listed as a Clear Toxic Heat herb and is one of the five herbs that makes the formula Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin so effective.
Harvest this plant when it starts to flower but before it goes to seed and dig as much of the long root as you can get. Let it soak in tepid water to loosen dirt and then remove any additional dirt with running water. Dry the whole plant on drying screens in the sun. You can separate the leaves and flowers as they will dry faster than the root and don't need as much cleaning.
Hated is probably not too strong a word to describe how people feel about purple nutsedge. In fact, it is listed as one of the world's worst weeds because it propagates vegetatively, is a perennial, and resists almost all control measures. It produces about inch long rhizomes, which is the part we want to use. The rhizomes can be separated from the roots and aerial portions of the plant, pressure washed and then put on a screen in the sun to dry. Xiang Fu is used in TCM as a qi-regulating herb mainly focused on liver qi stagnation.
Honeysuckle does very well in Texas. It can take the heat and is pretty drought tolerant. If you are out hiking around in a greenbelt in Austin and keep a sharp eye you are likely to come across some. The key way to identify the Japanese honeysuckle is contained in the Chinese name. Jin Yin Hua translates as "gold silver flower". If it has coral colored flowers then it is L. sempervirens and not what you want although the nectar is just as sweet and there is something about sucking the nectar out of honeysuckle that just brings out the kid in you.
Harvest this flower right as it about to open. If it has already opened it is too late. Then, because this flower is delicate, you should dry it quickly. It would be hard to get any appreciable amount of product from a wild stand of L. japonica as you will work pretty hard just to get a couple of grams of dried flowers.
So let's talk about some trees that are everywhere in central Texas.
This is so invasive that in just about any disturbed area near water you will find them, in fact unless controlled they can easily take over large stretches of mid-canopy trees in established forests. In the spring they have a very nice cluster of flowers that develops in late summer to a cluster of dark purple fruits. Each fruit contains one or two seeds and that is the portion used in TCM. Pick them when they are ripe, but you will have to beat the birds to them. Dry on a drying screen. You do not have to remove the seeds from the fruit to use as an herb.
In TCM Nu Zhen Zi is used as a Yin tonic and is frequently used in formulations for menopause.
This invasive is as likely to be found in disturbed park areas as it is to be in someone's yard planted as a specimen tree because of its unusual and beautiful flowers. Both the flower and the bark are harvested but harvesting the flowers can be fiddly work. They are delicate and sticky and don't all flower at the same time. They need to be cooled after harvest and then dried. According to Wilson Lau, president of NuHerbs, it takes 3 man-hours to properly clean half a kilo of He Huan Hua so that it looks like you are used to seeing it in clinic. Peg Schafer, author of The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm harvests the flowers but recommends leaving them whole with the calyx and a bit of stem if need be, but to warn potential buyers that there are stems. The bark can also be harvested but, by in large, requires cutting down the tree or at least large branches.
Both the flower and bark of M. julibrissin are listed in the Calm Shen category of TCM herbs for constraint due to liver qi stagnation.
Sang Ye Leaves
Sang Bai Pi Root Bark
Sang Zhi Twigs
Sang Shen Zi Fruit
You are probably more likely to find M. rubra (red mulberry) here in Central Texas, but if you look closely you will find the species, M. alba (white mulberry) that is indicated for so many uses in TCM. If you do find one, what you have found is a runaway. M. alba was imported from China in an attempt to start a silk industry that was floundering because M. rubra, a sort-of native, was not the silk worm's preferred species. That industry floundered further when they could not compete with the low wages paid in China and Japan. (Sound familiar?) However large stands of M. alba still can be found in the panhandle of Texas where they were also planted as windbreaks. Some of our runaways come from those too.
So what is the difference? Well, you can't really tell from the fruit or the bark but you can see the difference in the leaves. Both M. alba and M. rubra have leaves that are anywhere from simple ovate leaves to ones that are deeply lobed but there are two distinguishing characteristics. M. alba has leaves that are really shiny on the topside and the leaf margins have teeth, but think molars (slightly rounded) and M. alba has duller topsides and its leaf margins have teeth but think incisors (much sharper) You are also much more likely to find M. alba in full sun and M. rubra is more shade tolerant.
This tree's uses in TCM are varied, from dispelling wind heat, helping with cough, directing herbs to the shoulders and yin tonic. The most likely plant part you will be harvesting will be the leaves, which are frequently used. Pick them then wash in warm water and leave out on screens to dry. It's just that easy. The twigs should be harvested from the higher parts of the tree, which can be dangerous over a certain height and will require some cutting and drying. If you want to prepare them the way the are prepared for use in China you will need some heavy duty cutting gear.
This is not a simple preparation and will require specialized equipment. However, the fruit doesn't require anything but beating the birds, raccoons, and possums to it. Everybody loves mulberry.
So get out to the parks around central Texas and see if you can find all six of these Chinese herbs and if you do, think about processing them for personal use. Some things to think about when you are wild crafting is pollution, both air and water. If you are harvesting along Shoal Creek, say in Pease Park, think about where the water came from. It is largely rain runoff and it washes down oil, herbicides, and fertilizers just to name a few. Lamar Blvd. is a pretty well traveled street and every car that goes up and down it, is leaving behind combustion residue. The good news is that most of this stuff will make it into the soil where it often gets mechanically filtered and then bacteria and fungi in the soil go to work on many of the toxic substances. Of course, some of these chemicals are filtered out by the plants and not taken up in the roots and rarely make it to the leaves and fruits. As far as airborne pollutants go, washing the part of the plant you are going to use is a pretty good way to remove most of them.
About the author:
David Jones L.Ac., a graduate of AOMA, is one of the founders of The Third Coast Herb Co. where he is chairman of the board and the vice president of new product development, which is quite a mouthful so he prefers Chief Herb Nerd.
Illustration notes and credits
T. Official – Medicinal Plants – An illustrative and descriptive guide Charles F Millspaugh M.D. 1892
C. Rotundus – Flora of China
L. Japonica – Fleur de Jardiner 1836
L. Lucidium – Curtis's Botanical Magazine vol. 52 1825
A. Julbrissin – Missouri Botanical Society
M. Alba – Saint Hilaire Arb. Pl. 44 1824
AOMA student Blake Gordon is known on campus for her infectious smile and her extensive knowledge of naturopathic medicine.
Although Blake's home is in East Texas, where she attended school from high school through graduate school, she wasn't introduced to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) until she moved to Arizona to attend Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM). It was there that she first experienced the amazing effects of TCM personally and saw firsthand how it improved the lives of patients she treated.
As Blake neared graduation from SCNM, she knew that she wanted to come back to Texas and offer Texans another approach to health and healing. However, she wanted more training in TCM, so she asked her TCM professor which schools in Arizona and Texas he thought were the best. Fortunately, he was a graduate of Chengdu University in China, and noted that many of the professors from AOMA were as well. According to him, Blake would get the best TCM education from AOMA, because he knew that the AOMA professors there had received the best training in China. Per his suggestion, she later visited AOMA and upon touring the campus: "I knew that it was the best place for me to truly learn TCM," Blake said. "Thankfully, his recommendation stands true!"
She certainly has a lot of experience to offer her patients and her community. Not only is she a working as a Naturopathic Doctor (ND), but with an extensive background in teaching and bachelor and master's degrees in Biology, she also conducts multiple nutrition and health talks for the local Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center. She definitely keeps busy, also working part-time at Peoples Pharmacy in Westlake.
Blake admits her hard work is not always easy. This is now her 12th year of post-high school training as she pursues her goal of being both an ND and Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc). "It can get a little cumbersome at times," Blake said. Blake's intended graduation date of December 2014 is only a little over a year away, however.
Although it can be a challenge to remain steadfast in her studies, she credits her perseverance to her faith in Jesus Christ and having a group of supportive family and friends to keep her going. In her free time, she usually chooses to relax by catching up on sleep or watching a variety of shows on Hulu Plus.
One of the reasons Blake was drawn to Chinese medicine was its unique blend of simplicity with brilliance and wisdom. "I love the fact that Chinese medicine was developed centuries ago; however, it is still applicable to any person today. TCM incorporates all parts of the person, i.e. physical and emotional aspects, as well as addressing the person's lifestyle."
As a naturopathic doctor, she is a big fan of how food, the environment, one's emotional state and thoughts, lifestyle choices and numerous other factors are all major contributors to a person's state of health within the TCM diagnostic process.
Blake's advice to other AOMA students? "Know that God has a great plan for your life and that it's up to you whether you chose to participate in His plan for you or to go your own way."
AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine4701 West Gate Blvd.Austin, TX 78745800.824.9987 | 512.454.1188 | 512.454.7001 email@example.com
© 2014 AOMA Academy, LP - All Rights Reserved


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MILWAUKEE (WSAU) A lawyer from suburban Milwaukee has been sentenced to five years in prison, for stealing $542,000 in a fraud scheme. 52-year-old Thomas Bielinski admitted that he lied when he claimed to represent property owners who never tried to recover excess funds from sheriff's foreclosure sales. Bielinski filed claims with the Clerk-of-Courts' office on the owners' behalf – and he kept the money. He did it by stealing identities, forging court information, creating fake companies, and falsifying notarized items.
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge J-D Watts also told Bielinski to spend five years under extended supervision when he leaves prison. Watts said he levied the maximum penalty due to the enormity of the fraud. The judge also ruled that the county was the main victim, and those who now wanted to claim the surplus funds were secondary. Over 30 victims were told they would have to file their own claims for restitution, because the county was claiming the same losses. A county lawyer said her office would try to pursue civil judgments against any property Bielinski might have, so the other victims can try to recover what they lost.
The judge will decide next month how much Bielinski will have to pay back. He was charged last August with a single count of theft-by-fraud – and federal marshals had to arrest him at a church service he attended on the day he missed a scheduled court appearance last December.

subset: commoncrawl


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Washable Keyboard
Crusty and soda stained keyboards are now a thing of the past thanks to the washable keyboard from Logitech. This water proof and washable keyboard features a durable design that is perfect for the messy computer user, and will put all your old keyboards to shame.
$39.99660 saves


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Heroes + Villains: Alter Egos
Batman: Arkham Asylum alights on retail shelves this week. By my unscientific count, this makes Arkham Asylum the Dark Knight's 19th game, and that's not counting the ones in which he hasn't had top billing. His fellow Justice League member Superman boasts a count of around 12. Over in the Marvel Universe, Aunt May's favorite nephew has swung his way through an estimated 28 videogame adventures, with the latest being Spider-Man: Web of Shadows.
There already may be lots of superhero games in the world, but the genre could still broaden its horizons in terms of what is on offer. Keep reading for a list of things I think are missing from the superhero genre, and the characters who could fill those voids.
Racial and gender diversity
The majority of superheroes who show up in videogames conform to a central casting stereotype of the square-jawed WASP male. Even a lesser-known character like the Darkness who gets his own game is still just another white guy. But comics have more diversity amongst do-gooders than videogames show.
This looks like a job for: The Black Panther and Wonder Woman
Why they would make great games: Longtime fans know that Wonder Woman was a mortal battling the gods way before Kratos debuted in God of War. A game featuring her could counteract the dozens of empty, sexed-up heroines that usually show up in games.
The Black Panther rules a technologically advanced nation, the fictional African country Wakanda, whose resources have always been coveted by others. Done well, a game featuring the Panther could deliver a new shade of black to the genre and to games in general -- one where smarts win out over slang, brilliance beats thuggishness, and the jungle could be the most civilized place on Earth.
A counterculture ethos
Superhero games feature protagonists who never doubt they are doing the right thing, and whose actions wind up reinforcing the existing power structure. But sometimes the way things have always been isn't morally just or humane. In those cases, a hero's job is to disrupt the status quo.
This looks like a job for: Reuben Flagg
Why he would make a great game: "American Flagg!" was mature in all the right ways. Reuben Flagg is an out-of-work actor who joined up with a private police force called the Plexus Rangers -- only because he needed a job. When most heroes save the day, corporations and the ultra-rich get to continue throwing their weight around. Whether it's stopping a Big Pharma conspiracy or uncovering illegal real estate deals, Reuben Flagg's actions engineer change that really matters. You can't read into the politics of most game characters, but Flagg's would be an open book.
Aerial and outer-space action
Even in games like Superman Returns, where the lead character can fly, most of the derring-do performed in superhero games feels disappointingly earthbound. After all, threats to humanity don't just roll down the street. Sometimes the bad guys dive at us from above, and we need heroes who rise up to meet those challenges.
This looks like a job for: Silver Surfer and Hawkman
Why they would make great games: The Surfer and Hawkman aren't the kind of heroes who occasionally swing up between buildings to patrol a city. Games built around both characters could make the sky and outer space into living, breathing game worlds in the same way that Grand Theft Auto accomplished that for cities.
Ecological themes
The kinds of metahuman battles we're currently playing through must be wreaking havoc on Mother Earth. Crushed buildings, overtaxed power grids and the resources used to rebuild them take a heavy toll on an increasingly fragile ecosystem. We need a hero who can save the planet while saving the planet.
This looks like a job for: Swamp Thing
Why he would make a great game: "Swamp Thing" is a horror story that begins when scientist Alec Holland becomes the embodiment of the latent consciousness of all of Earth's flora. Creepiness is nothing new in videogames -- but an ecological spin on scary gameplay might deliver a fresh and timely take on what gamers think of as frightening. A Swamp Thing game could show that humans behave as monstrously as any demon or maniacal supervillain when viewed from a plant's perspective.
Self-aware humor
Smiles tend to be scarce in high-stakes superhero skirmishes like Arkham Asylum. (We're not counting Joker's ghastly grin.) Even an inveterate wisecracker like Spider-Man had to suffer through a gritty onslaught in his last outing, Web of Shadows. How you win the day needn't be so grim. Surely a costumed crusader can brighten the day of the folks he's saving, right?
This looks like a job for: Ambush Bug and Plastic Man
Why they would make great games: The fourth wall has been way too secure in the superhero genre; it's high time players had some fun breaking it down. During an earth-shattering galactic crisis, Plastic Man is the kind of hero who's getting a kitten out of a tree. And Ambush Bug knows that he's a character in a comic book. With those powers of his, he's a one-man Portal -- and he's been known to break out into song, too.
Romantic tension
Girlfriends, boyfriends and significant others show up mostly as side elements during a super-person's quest for justice. Mary Jane often plays the helpless hostage in Spider-Man games, and you get the feeling that Superman would get a lot more done if he weren't always saving Lois Lane. What's missing from the romantic relationships we see in superhero games is a sense of courtship -- more specifically, courtship among equals.
This looks like a job for: Hawkeye and Mockingbird
Why they would make a great game: The banter between the cocky bowman and the coolly unimpressed martial artist, who eventually got married, crackles with attraction. Still, it wasn't exactly love at first sight, and Hawkeye and Mockingbird's romance would be a great challenge in character development. In their love story, she?s not the person in distress; he is. Turnabout can be fair pay and fun to play, too.
Check out more Crispy Gamer features:


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Four Oaks - Local Area Photos and Information
Local Area Photos | Local Business Directory | Local Real Estate | Local Employment Center
Four Oaks is a populated place located in Pendleton County at latitude 38.634 and longitude -84.318.
The elevation is 630 feet. Four Oaks appears on the Falmouth U.S. Geological Survey Map. Pendleton County is in the Eastern Time Zone (UTC -5 hours).
Pendleton County: Cities & Towns | ZIP Codes | Schools | Features (airports, churches, hospitals, etc.)
BOUNDARY MAPS: | Falmouth Division | Pendleton County
Four Oaks - Searchable Map, Aerial Photos & Driving Directions
|BIG Map |
Driving Directions |
Data Source - USGS GNIS FID: 508029
BOUNDARY MAPS: | Falmouth Division | Pendleton County
Nearby Cities, Towns & Census Designated Places
Four Oaks, KY
(< 0.1 mile)
Hayes, KY (2.7 miles WNW)
Falmouth, KY (3.1 miles NNW)
McKinneysburg, KY (3.9 miles SE)
Bachelors Rest, KY (4.5 miles E)
Antioch, KY
(4.9 miles SSE)
Morgan, KY (4.9 miles WSW)
Browning Corner, KY (5.3 miles E)
Catawba, KY (6 miles N)
Neave, KY (6.3 miles E)


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Lil Wayne
Get more "Extra" Scoop headlines for Wednesday, September 5!
Selena Gomez Gets Raunchy for 'Spring Breakers' -- Reuters
Pippa Middleton's US Royal Treatment -- Daily Mail
John Mayer and Katy Perry Back Together -- TMZ
'Harold and Kumar's' Kal Penn Mocks Clint Eastwood at DNC -- Digital Spy
"American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery found himself in the history books as his debut album, "Clear as Day," opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Read full story at L.A. Times.
Here are more hot topics for October 12!
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks -- and many celebrities have taken to Twitter to remember the victims and their families.
Anderson Cooper: "On the air right now at the world trade site. Families of those killed are gathering. It is a beautiful memorial."
Lea Michele: "To all the families and people of New York affected by the tragedies of September 11th my thoughts and prayers go out to you."
Demi Moore: "Today on #9/11 as we take pause to honor and remember the loss let's us also connect and hold the love that heals and unites us!"
"Extra's" Michael Corbett checks out some choice celebrity real estate on the market right now -- from Christina Aguilera's bachelorette pad, to Harrison Ford's luxury Chelsea loft, to rapper Lil Wayne's Miami waterfront mansion.
"Extra's" Michael Corbett checks out some choice celebrity real estate on the market right now -- from Christina Aguilera's bachelorette pad, to Harrison Ford's luxury Chelsea loft, to rapper Lil Wayne's Miami waterfront mansion.
And who has the biggest house on the market? Is it former "Dynasty" star Linda Evans or actor Ryan Phillippe? That would be Phillippe's 7,447 sq. foot, 5 bedroom, 6.5 bath house, which tops Evans' 3,904 sg. foot, 4 bedroom, 5.5 bath.
For more information on celebrity real estate, visit Trulia.com!
This segment shot in front of 9559 Oak Pass Road in Beverly Hills, selling for $13,995,000! Courtesy of Jade Mills, Coldwell Banker Previews International JadeMillsEstates.com
Rapper Ja Rule is going to see some prison time for carrying a gun.
Ja reached a plea deal with prosecutors Monday after pleading guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, MTV News reports. The charge stems from Ja Rule's 2007 arrest following a NYC concert performance with Lil Wayne.
After the concert, both rappers were separately pulled over by NYPD. While cops discovered a loaded semi-automatic in Ja Rule's vehicle, they also found the same in Lil Wayne's car, along with illegal substances.
Per the agreement, Ja Rule will likely serve 16 months in prison, followed by a year and a half of post-prison supervision. "Minor setback for a major comeback," Ja tweeted after reaching the deal.
Last year, Lil Wayne also settled his plea deal, and in March of this year, he turned himself in to begin his one-year sentence. He has since been released and is currently on probation for an unrelated incident in Arizona.
Lil Wayne was released from Rikers Island in New York City on Thursday after serving almost eight months of a one-year jail term on a weapons conviction. -- People
Get more "Extra" scoop headlines for November 4!
David Cassidy Busted for DUI -- TMZ
Miley Cyrus to Star in "So Undercover" -- Gossip Cop
Guess What Gwyneth Paltrow is Singing on "Glee?" -- PopEater
Demi Lovato's Family Outraged Over Comments Allegedly Made by Her Dad -- Page Six
Fierce fashion statement!
"Gossip Girl" star Leighton Meester performed for the crowd at the American Eagle Outfitters Flagship Store opening party in Times Square on Tuesday.
See Leighton, Ashlee Simpson, Adrian Grenier and more celebs at the party
At the event, Meester told MTV News she has been collaborating with Lil Wayne for her upcoming album. "I met [Wayne] a few months ago, and he's honestly... I don't even know if he'll want people to know that he's incredibly polite and respectful."
The actress and rapper teamed up for the track "Make It Rain." Meester added, "He's so talented and very funny. And really optimistic, and super supportive of me, which I've really, really appreciated so much."


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Pro Day: Gates wows NFL scoutsPosted March 21, 2011
Edmond Gates, Abilene Christian University's all-America wide receiver, continues to impress potential employers from the National Football League. Scouts from 17 NFL teams were on hand at Wally Bullington Practice Field this morning for ACU's Pro Day. Read more here.
Wildcat Video Minute
Combine a few hundred Wildcats, plenty of pens and post-it notes - What do you get? This month's Wildcat Video Minute takes a look at how the Student Alumni Association helped celebrate "I love ACU" day.
Explore Majors
Find majors or programs that interest you.
Visit Campus
Satisfy your curiosity about what it means to live and learn at ACU!
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Learn more about our application and admissions process.


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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The troll thing has a lot to do with racial abilities. Trolls are commonly seen as having the "worst" racials on hordeside. Bow specialization? Beastslaying? Compare those to the old-school WotF, increased pet damage, or increased health and a stun (which has long been the only way to get a stun with a shaman, making Tauren a very popular race, especially for pvp shaman).
People seem to like to forget about or gloss over berserking. Yes, getting maximum effeciency from the spell requires you to be low on health, but there are plenty of environments where a dps player will find themselves with a diminished health bar.
I play a troll, quite proudly. A troll arcane Mage, to be specific. And let me tell you - casting missile barrage while at low health with berserking and icy veins both up and running will confuse, terrify, and awe your guildmates. Throw an embrace of the spider proc on top of that and - well, it's a thing of beauty.
Can't wait to wear my champion of the darkspear title with pride
I'll be displaying that title on my paladin as soon as I'm able, but you're absolutely correct. I didn't realize until I'd taken massive advantage of recruit-a-friend that none of my characters are trolls (due completely to terrible racial abilities). Unfortunately, unless I want to delete a level 60+ character, I won't have one on my current account.
They certainly are one of the coolest races around though; I just wish they'd fixed the racial abilities earlier so I would have considered rolling one.


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Join 500,000+ Artists
Its' free and it takes less than 10 seconds!
Wow, it has been a long time since I have posted here. The work here is looking great. Here is some recent work just for fun. All images were done in about 1.5 to 3 hours in photoshop.
All this image does is show how stiff my figures are...
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Nice stuff, man. 'like also the colour compositions.
"Happen to every guy sometimes this does."
great... u really have proficiency in environment design... how did you get into it?
thanks a lot!
cuzzo-I got into environment design by just doing it a lot. Some people doodle cars, some people doodle characters....I doodle environments. As to how I got into the industry...by being obsessive and persistent and constantly improving my portfolio.
yay dylan my man! you rock my boat as always. keep it up!
Awesome. Your posts are always a treat. Reminds me I need to get your Gnomon DVDs
the third is my fav.. love the shapes of the structures... Its interesting because Ive been into the shapes of buildings and structures more then the actual practicality and the technical design.. you have great work... keep it up!
Mainloop- man i must be dyslexic.. cuz i thought you asked how many people are on lsd
I am studying environments and designs right now and looking at your stuff gets my creative juices flowing. This is awesome stuff. I don't really have any crits that would be useful, I just think it looks great. Keep it up.
My Little Art Blog
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that has been given to us." --Gandalf
Very nice stuff! I find the perspective lines a little distracting on the second one though - it makes it looks a bit sloppy.
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The Art Department
SpringOfSea's Sketchbook


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These are delicious! I made them exactly by the recipe, and my two teenage sons devoured them in a couple of hours. At their request, I made them again a few days later (a double batch this time) and they are disappearing again! I did dust them with powdered sugar (didn't use the cinnamon), and I think it made them much prettier. The only other comment I'd make is that they really ought to have the word "almond" in the name. It is by far the most prominent flavor, although the orange is noticeable too. The recipe doesn't state it, but they will come out of the pan more easily if you let them cool for about 5 minutes before removing them.
Orange-Spice Madeleines
DixieDishrag Posted: 12/09/08
heidi365 Posted: 12/19/09
I'm not a fan of cloves, and am lukewarm on cinnamon, so i substituted both for an equal amount of cardamom and absolutely loved the result. Cardamom & orange are a great flavor combo.
FrannyFran Posted: 12/09/10
These are good, and the flavor is very reminiscent of Constant Comment tea. I found the almond flavor not strong enough for me, but that's just my preference. They don't get the madeleine 'bump' in the center, and the process is a little different than others I've made. These are very cakey and not at all bad, but I probably won't make them again.
Daily Specials


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Duplicate content on website have become more deleterious since Google Panda updates. It is so important that I guess no website owner can afford to overlook. Google Panda was designed primarily to target low value content on websites, Scraped content, and to reduce duplicate content that results in spam based search result. Duplicate content can also arise from dynamically generated pages.
301 Redirect and Canonical tag are most important weapon to resolve duplicate content issue for every web developer but unfortunately many web developers do not have a clear understanding of what they are, or how, or when each method should be employed.
301 Redirect:
301 redirect is mostly use when one change URL of website and want Old URL to be live in search result to avoid 404 not found error. Also it is use when one move domain to new webhost. Redirect tells search engine that the website has been moved but it helps in preserving ranking.
Most important use of 301 is to let search engine know the preferred URL of your website domain.
Example: http://www.example.com and http://example.com both are same URL but search engines treat them as different URL. The 301 redirect allows you to specify the "proper" domain and retain the strength of the websites ranking so that it is not split between the two.
Canonical Tag:
Canonical tag is basically used to avoid duplicate content issue on websites. Before canonical issue came into existence duplicate content was simply ignored which has negative impact on SERPs and it got very difficult to get quality and relevant results while performing web searches.
Canonical tag is used in head section of HTML document. Canonical tag is simple one line code which is treated same as 301 redirect. It ensures that the page rank and back links flow to the proper URL and not split between two domains with www and without www.
<link rel="canonical" href="http://www.example.com/product.php?item=abcd" />
Above tag tells search engine that the correct version of "abcd" page is located at the www version and not the non www version.


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Tag: TocoBoca
App maker Toca Boca acquires Zinc Roe
Swedish children's toy and game developer Toca Boca announced today that it is acquiring Zinc Roe, a Toronto-based design studio that creates websites, apps and games for children. The acquisition targeted Zinc Roe's talented development team and its popular Tickle Tap series. The financial...
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At 10, has the UK still got anything to offer India? David Cameron is on the second day of his visit to India where he's meeting Manmohan Singh. He's been calling for stronger business ties between the two countries. But is this far more to the UK's advantage than it is to India's? Has India overtaken the UK as a place to do business and a place to live in? And is coming over to the UK no longer all it's cracked up to be?
After 11, Nihal will be joined in the studio by UK Chair of The Angeli Foundation which aims to fight female foeticide and crime against women in India. It also campaigns against abuses within the dowry system and urges parents to place more importance on the education of their daughters. Has India seen real change in its treatment of women since the recent high profile rape case?
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Epiphone Les Paul Std QuiltTop Reviews
I got my axe from Coda music the UK. They sold me the guitar but thats about it. Not the best service but the guitar was delivered on time and in perfect nick. I paid £250.00!! Way less than any other shop I could find anywhere.
I would recommend this axe to anyone who wants that sort of tone cos you just can't warrant the extra money for the difference in sound. And if you get picky just replace the pickups and your away again. Proper 'bo, I tell thee.Edwardinio rated this unit on 2003-11-29.
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� Gear Review Network / MusicGearReview.com - 2000


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The San Diego Chargers hoped that Robert Meachem would fill the void left by Vincent Jackson when he departed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not only did he not fill the void, he created a void.
In fifteen games with the Bolts last season, his first in San Diego, Meachem caught a grand total of fourteen balls for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns. The former New Orleans Saints wide receiver has struggled since his breakout 2009 campaign and now the Chargers have looked around the league to trade the five year veteran, but have found no takers, this according to an ESPN Q&A session:
Derek from San Diego wants to know if I think the Chargers could trade receiver Robert Meachem before the season starts.
BW: I highly doubt it. The Chargers have to find a desperate team. Meachem is owed $5 million guaranteed. It is virtually impossible to think any team would take on that type of money for a bottom-of-the-rotation player.
Meachem, who's two lone touchdowns came against his former team signed a four year, $25.5 million dollar deal with the Chargers last season which included a $7.5 million dollar signing bonus.
Money not well spent, obviously.


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The ultimate blog for Lululemon Athletica fans. Photos, reviews, and news of the latest lulu.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Photo of Live Simply Coal with Black Roses Print Tee - Cute!
I've seen the white with the Black Roses Print tee in my local store but I might have to get this one. I like the subtlety of the black print on the coal background.
Posted by LuluAddict at 6:24 PM
3 comments:
I have the white.. and im gonna need this one too love it!
- December 13, 2010 at 6:55 PM
Anyone else see a lion, perhaps a tiger in this print??
- December 13, 2010 at 7:05 PM
Patty - yes! I see a lion!!!
- December 14, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Image: lostandcold
It wasn't Finding Nemo that turned us on to this! Honest!
Seriously though, the Glaucus atlanticus, also known as the Blue Sea Slug, Sea Swallow and Blue Dragon Sea Slug, is an animal that raises many questions. Questions like:
1. "Does it really float on its back?"
2. "How can you tell whether it's upside down?"
3. "What does it do?"
4. "Is it poisonous?"
5. "Where does it come from?"
Let's start with the most important question of all:
"What is the Glaucus atlanticus?"


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Black crepe flared skirt
Item No.1030201318
Great for a smart or casual look, this flared crepe skirt from Red Herring comes in plain black with a banded waist and exposed half zip to the rear.
- Back length: 55cm / 21.75"
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- Model Height: 173cm, 5'8", Waist: 26" , Hips: 37"
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My reaction to this was sort of "meh." The pork tenderloin turned out perfectly but there wasn't anything particularly unique about it. The best use for the pork was making bacon, pork, avocado, and sprout sandwiches out of the leftovers! The apricot-onion marmalade was good (if not a bit tart) but the recipe made a vat of it and I wasn't sure what to do with those leftovers. It did take a long time to reduce the liquids in the marmalade but that worked out fine for me because I started the marmalade a day ahead and then let the rest of the liquids reduce while I was reheating it the day of my dinner party.
Pork Tenderloin with Dried Apricot and Onion Marmalade
More From Cooking Light
Nutritional Information
Amount per serving
- Calories: 262
- Calories from fat: 24%
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated fat: 2.8g
- Monounsaturated fat: 3g
- Polyunsaturated fat: 0.6g
- Protein: 25.8g
- Carbohydrate: 23.2g
- Fiber: 2.1g
- Cholesterol: 81mg
- Iron: 2.6mg
- Sodium: 619mg
- Calcium: 35mg
- Pork:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
- 2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins, trimmed
- Cooking spray
- Marmalade:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cups thinly vertically sliced yellow onion (about 2 large)
- 1 cup dried apricots, diced (about 7 ounces)
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
- 1 cup fresh orange juice (about 4 oranges)
- 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- To prepare pork, combine first 4 ingredients; rub evenly over pork. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add pork; cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove from pan; wrap pork in foil. Place in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until thermometer registers 160° (slightly pink). Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.
- To prepare marmalade, heat 2 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook 8 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add dried apricots; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in water, scraping bottom of pan to loosen browned bits. Stir in 2 cups broth and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates. Serve marmalade with pork.
My Notes
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Pork Tenderloin with Dried Apricot and Onion Marmalade Recipe at a Glance
- COURSE: Main Dishes
- CONVENIENCE: Entertaining
- MAIN INGREDIENT: Pork
- COOKING METHOD: Bake
- OCCASION: Autumn, Winter, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's, Thanksgiving
- PUBLICATION: Cooking Light
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Categories > Celebrities > My Chemical Romance > It was you I was thinking of.
I'd like to run away with you.1 Reviews
Cassie trys something new.
It was you I was thinking of.
(#) clutsy_93 2008-01-02 04:48:39 PMoh my god.
she has to like cheat on him or something or
get a guy to go out with Cas and then he like
kisses her whenever and then gets caught cheating
and then lol. Mikey founds out and trys to tell Cas.
ruined the story my bad.
Update SOon
Author's responselol, well that kinda was in my plot. but i have something better. (i hope).


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DaVita employees honor veterans
A group of DaVita employees from Kent volunteered with friends and family to lay 1,600 wreaths on graves at Tahoma National Cemetery on Dec. 15.
The day including a ceremony with prayer.
For lead volunteer Karen Lemley, family and volunteers, it was an opportunity to honor veterans. Lemley's son-in-law, Army Sgt. Michael E. Ristau, who was killed in Afghanistan in July.
The effort was part of the DaVita employees' "Village Service Day," a community project that embraces the spirit of Wreaths Across America – the placing of wreaths on graves in all 50 states, including 24 national cemeteries.
The symbolic gesture, which honors veterans for their service, began more than 20 years ago at Arlington National Cemetery.
Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization, has expanded since the inaugural ceremony at Arlington.
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High-quality imagery plays an important role in telling Mercy Corps' story, and we are honored to support their 2013 Humankind photo contest....Read More
Within a collection of more than 80 million, one often comes across images that have lain dormant for many years. Just the other day, that happened to me....Read More
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|Hawthorn Suites Harper Woods properties are provided below. Search for cheap and discount Hawthorn Suites hotel prices in Harper Woods, MI for your personal or business trip. We list the best Hawthorn Suites Harper Woods hotels + motels so you can review the Harper Woods Hawthorn Suites hotel list below to find the perfect place.
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TC Electronic BH250 250W Bass Amp HeadWith this super-compact bass head, you get a lot more than just power to play. The unique TonePrint feature allows you to load and swap effects in seconds, which is sure to inspire you to come up with personal and diverse bass lines.PowerliftWeighing in at only 4 lbs./1.8 kg, BH250 is the ideal partner if you are a busy bass player in need for a full-featured head with ample power and oomph. Get through any gig or session, while keeping your spine functional beyond your 30th birthday. With BH250, you get the perfect balance between output and weight.Signature EffectsBH250 sports Bass TonePrint, a unique feature that lets you load signature effects into the TonePrint slot. There are an ever-expanding roster of the coolest people in bass today give us their signature versions of TC effects. They're available for free and you can beam them directly to your BH250 via our übercool, free TonePrint app for smartphones.In Tune with BassistsBH250 features an onboard tuner, allowing you to get and stay in tune in a matter of seconds - quick and hasslefree, no matter if you use 4, 5 or even 6 strings. Tuning up in between songs can be a necessary evil, but with the built-in, always-on bass tuner, you are sure to gat back to playing in seconds. Crowds hate waiting!TonePrintThe 'magic' knob… Chorus, Flanger, Vibrato, Drive, Octaver or SpectraComp? Your Choice! This knob is your shortcut to instant inspiration. A lush chorus is sure to inspire different bass lines than a tight compressor, a fuzzy drive or a dry signal.Made for BassThe Tone Controls are tailored specifically for bass as each knob will boost and cut at different frequencies, making sure that you can dial in any tone you want with ease.Bass TunerThe built–in tuner will tune up your bass regardless of whether you play 4, 5 or 6 strings. The four LEDs match a standard 4-string bass, but if you have a low B–string the E and A LEDs will light up together, and if you have a high C–string, look at the D and G LEDs.DI OutUse the balanced DI Out to send a signal to a PA or FOH when playing live, or use it as a high–quality bass preamp in the studio when recording, taking advantage of the Tone Controls and TonePrint feature. Choose between sending a 'pre' or a 'post' signal.Plug & PlayUse your iPod, phone, MP3 player or similar to jam along your favorite tracks. Just plug it into the AUX input and you're ready for a rehearsal session, combining your favorite music with your favorite bass tone!Late Night Jammin'If you like jamming late at night, plug in a pair of headphones for a silent session. Keep it grooving, and keep your family and neighbors happy at the same time.Foot ControlYou can hook up a Switch 3 pedal for ultimate floor control. The first switch is mute, the second will turn TonePrint on and off and the third toggles between the two latest TonePrints loaded into the amp, giving you the option of storing and using two TonePrints.Effect TypesYou can load and swap effect types on the BG250/BH250 via USB or the TonePrint App for smartphones. Once you load an effect of your choice to the amp, you can use the white TonePrint knob to adjust the wet/dry balance - more or less effect so to speak.OctaverYou will find that our Sub'n'Up Octaver is one of the most flexible octavers you'll ever come across. It can take you up an octave, or down an octave, keep it clean, or add some dirt. And it tracks like no other octaver you have ever tried - all the way down to the low B-string!ChorusThe Chorus effect is based on our legendary Stereo Chorus Flanger - aka SCF - that set new standards for chorus greatness decades ago and is still going strong. Now, it has been tailored with painstaking attention to detail for one specific purpose: Bass! SpectraCompSpectraComp is the same multi-band compressor that you'll find in the Blacksmith. In essence, you get a 'compressor per string' that is not fooled by the impact of the lower strings only, which is a known problem when using single-band compressors for bass.FlangerThe BH250 Flanger effect builds on our Vortex Flanger pedal that has amazed and inspired bass players all over the world ever since its release in 2010. Bass DriveBass Drive will give you the same convincing tube-like character that the TubeTone feature of e.g. RH750 and the Blacksmith is so famous for. On top af that, it can also get downright dirty and add drive, distortion or fuzz for more heavy duties.VibratoThe Vibrato effect is similar to our Vibrato Shaker pedal. It may not be the most common effect for bass players, but many have found it great for experimenting with new styles and creative ideas.
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