#she presented in front of the superintendent twice

[tiredflowercrown]

Elementary school me was that bitch

[kisskissbanggang]

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[14K Words/1Hr. Read - Teacher!Bang Chan x Admin!Female Reader - Fake Relationships, Guest Appearances, Fluff, Smut, Slow Burn, New Teachers, Vanilla, Office Sex, Allusions To Troubling Subjects]

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You should’ve expected a phone call when you read the email. At least then you would be somewhat prepared for the verbal lashing you were currently receiving from one of your greatest teachers. 

“I’m sorry, but — wait, you know what? No I’m not, I’m not sorry — but I am not staying here with this dumpster fire waiting to happen! He’s wrecking the department — Johnny, let me talk — and I didn’t even want him here to begin with. Congratulations, ma’am, you torpedoed my program I worked so hard to build.”

Doyoung paused, waiting for you to call his bluff, to appeal to his good side as usual. He was right. He’d done so much for his school — for the district, really, and this was getting out of hand. Johnny could be heard behind him, the poor principal having apparently had his desk phone wrestled away from him to begin with. 

“Mr. Kim,” you spoke into the phone, mustering all the confidence you had in you, “what do you want me to do? I mean it. Tell me what you want.”

“He goes or I go,” Doyoung dramatically laid out into your ear. Johnny could be heard trying to console the raving teacher before Doyoung apparently ducked him every few seconds. “I’m losing my mind. I have 150 students becoming fucking hypnotized and they’re influencing their peers like the plague.”

“Besides losing either of you,” you carefully negotiated, “what do you want me to do? I value your input; I always have. Dig into the meat with me here, please.”

“I will not teach beside some noble renegade who wears hoodies to class and asks his students to call him by his first name. I won’t teach in the same building, nor in the same school. This is dangerous, and you know it is. For all the money you’re throwing at PR this year you could be putting it in your students.”

You hated that Doyoung was right. This was not a great start to the year. A sigh escaped that you had not meant for, and Doyoung audibly steeled himself on the other end of the receiver. He was waiting now. 

“I’m coming down there,” you announced. Apparently Johnny heard you, a god fucking dammit being heard behind Doyoung’s shoulder. Doyoung, however, was sated. 

“Fine,” he replied, but he didn’t sound fine. He sounded like he was surprised he got anywhere. “I’m sorry I got so upset.”

And like that, Doyoung hung up. You slumped down in your chair, having been pacing your otherwise pristine office for the past 15 minutes which had felt more like 15 hours. You were fussily rearranging your desk, trying to calm yourself back down when your assistant finally felt it was safe enough to poke her head into your office. 

“Ma’am—” Yeji greeted before you held up a hand to stop her. You pinched the bridge of your nose in exasperation. 

“How many more calls this week?”

“Only four,” she replied. A relieved sigh softened your tense shoulders as she set the personnel file you requested on your desk. 

You felt so old now, run ragged by all the mayhem, but it wasn’t so long ago that you were young yourself. Even then, you still were according to most standards. You were the youngest assistant superintendent to ever serve the district, a set of magnet schools within the city comprised of one private Montessori primary school, one public STEM-focused junior high, and one private-public hybrid high school of the arts. You pined for the ultimate position, but that chair was long occupied by Mr. Simmons, a token favorite of the school board. He called you dear and was always acting like some big man pitying a little girl. However, this didn’t mean you hadn’t tried like hell to make an impression. 

Your first three years had been a terrific uphill trajectory. In year one, you brought on Doyoung to replace the retiring choir teacher and head of the music department at the high school. To date, he’d brought in more accolades than his predecessor did in twice the time. For your second year, you collaborated with your junior high on an agricultural enrichment program that offset food costs district wide to the point you could improve offerings in all three cafeterias. This year, you re-established the district PTA. Doyoung’s rabid Booster Club and the parents of the junior high’s robotics team made up the first meeting, and more and more parents had joined since. 

So it only seemed fair that this year was your first true hurdle. It had been such an innocent decision: you took a proposed program from the junior high and adapted it for your high school students. A music production and distribution program was a clean, sleek idea that was sure to impress the PTA and enrich the lives of your students in their already affluent music department and work as a dual credit with the business side of the class. What you hadn’t betted on, however, was what exactly a young teacher could get into in a high school setting. 

Chris Bang wasn’t naive — you were sure of it, looking at his portfolio. He’d cut his teeth independently producing from a young age and gathering a loyal following online. This was a concept you understood well enough, but had a time and a half explaining to anyone older than you, it seemed. Anyone older than you, but also especially Doyoung, who was very fiercely proud of his hard work to get his double Masters in Choral Conducting and Music Theory at 21 and didn’t have the patience for homegrown prodigies. You couldn’t blame Doyoung, really, even with his dramatics. His competition choir was a force to be reckoned with — surprisingly disciplined, endlessly talented, and ravenously competitive — and now two of his students were wrapped up in all this, too, and that was just the extent you were aware of. 

You tapped out an IM to Yeji from your desktop, asking her to come back into your office, and she dutifully popped in a few seconds later. She pulled up a chair in front of your desk as you rested your head in your hands for a moment. “Tell me, Yeji,” you sighed, “what’s your read on this?”

“Well, ma’am,” she mulled it over, “it’s not great. It’s awful, really. But it’s hard to tell by now what’s real, what’s a cry for attention, or what feels real but is actually just the zeitgeist. You know how this is, what it can turn into.”

You did. You’d remembered your own whirlwind feelings at a similar age, even just out of high school. Strangers and dissenters had a hard time believing it, but before you had assumed the role of meticulously poised and proper, you were frustratingly belligerent and stubborn like many of your peers when you were younger. It was easy to recall how real, how present every moment was at the time, but you didn’t even remember the whole story now. In fact, you hadn’t thought of that story in ages, but you were suddenly reminded of the smell of pine trees and sugar, the cool electricity of being out past midnight. It was quite possibly the most excited you’d ever felt, but now you couldn’t remember the fine details, the corners sanded down to curves over time. To your students, these letters were the most exciting and dramatic thing to ever happen to them, and if they would remember the details later on would depend on how you handled the situation. 

The first letter surfaced just a week before, and online of all places. A full declaration of this girl’s undying love for Chris and all of the very, very, very inappropriate things she wanted to do with him, found in an envelope on the keyboard outside his office and posted online before he could ever see it. The next letter was eventually found two days later, apparently picked up from where it had missed the trash can: a 17 year old boy, feeling emboldened enough to finally profess who he was — gay, madly in love with Chris, and willing to risk it all. A third was stolen from a girl’s backpack from some bullies and she had been a wreck, so sure that Chris had picked one of the other two and she’d missed her chance. That girl hadn’t returned to school yet. Who knew what else was going on in the hallways, in the cafeteria and bathrooms, in the parking lot after school? 

Four more parents contacted your office, according to Yeji. Four more letters. And now Doyoung was threatening to quit, for added reasons you hadn’t even been aware of. You flipped through Chris’ personnel file, hoping not to find any red flags, but hopefully find any reason this spiraled out of control, anything other than tumultuous teenage life wreaking havoc on your students. 

Your sigh renewed in spades as you glanced at your assistant again. “Who do you remember most from high school?”

Yeji’s eyes were cast downward as she thought about it. “Other than my friends? Probably the student teacher in my auto class,” she blissfully reminisced. “The teacher would sleep half the time and the student teacher would just teach us whatever we wanted to know and what we needed to know for tests. I remember I had the biggest crush because of that.”

“That’s what I was afraid of.”

“Sorry, ma’am,” Yeji gave an apologetic smile. “What about you?”

Her question knocked you off your feet for a moment. For some reason, you hadn’t been expecting it, but you immediately had an answer. “Aside from friends? Weirdly enough,” you began, “someone I didn’t meet until graduation.”

As sickly sentimental as the thought of it was, it was true. You didn’t even remember that boy’s name anymore, but you’d met exactly three times before you left for college. He had been hanging out by the bonfire on the beach at a grad party no one had expected to get so crazy. You couldn’t remember your conversation, but you could remember his bleached hair tucked under a beanie catching your eye as he sat by himself, his friends apparently wreaking havoc on their own somewhere. His lip ring was crooked, and in a fit of beer-buzzed confidence you’d fixed it for him while you talked about the phony gravitas of graduation. You’d almost kissed him, too, connecting over things that seemed way more kismet than they probably were when your friends finally made you walk home with them. 

You gathered up the rest of your patience and courage as you bid Yeji goodbye until your return and headed out to your car in the lot, making the tedious journey to the high school. The handsomely vintage architecture was charmingly modern inside the gates and within its walls, but not overly so. However, this also meant the school was a hike and a maze to navigate through to find the music department. You were distracted, though, missing a turn here or there and having to turn back a couple times now that you were suddenly remembering your clandestine romance from years ago. What was his name? It wasn’t even that long ago. Had so much really happened since then? You wracked your brain. He had a reasonably fresh and nice scratcher tattoo on his bicep, you remembered, but you couldn’t remember what it was for some reason, just like his name. He had to have said it in one of these memory bites. 

The second time you’d met, he’d been handing out flyers on the boardwalk for his own show at a rave in a warehouse on the other side of town, out where the beach met the woods. He’d seen you before you’d seen him, and he had popped up with a greeting of Hello, stranger. He had made you promise to be there, which is where you met the third and final time later that night. He greeted you again the same way. Hello, stranger. You’d thought it was cute then, and still did, which must be why you still remembered that detail, at least. He liked your shoes, your worn work boots you’d picked up at a thrift store and refused to get rid of despite all the times your parents asked. 

Those warehouse shows were always nuts, all sorts of vendors arriving who were willing to shack up with any event that passed through. He had bought you cotton candy from one of these vendors when you met him after his set and you chatted as you walked along the tree line, talking about his dreams of becoming rich and famous on his own terms. He kissed you, once, and you tasted his lip ring and spun sugar for weeks. You found yourself wondering now if he ever did become rich and famous. 

Doyoung gave you a passing glance in the hall as you stalked towards Chris’s classroom: he looked impatient but thrilled and, sure enough, well dressed in his usual suit and tie. You wondered if this new staff member was exactly what Doyoung was fear mongering. Maybe it was simply a difference in values. This was Chris’ first year teaching professionally, you remembered, and now you felt miserably guilty. What a horrible way to start a career. You hadn’t even visited your new teacher since he began, but just the door outside his room was a mess. Doyoung’s fretting made more sense now. Even though you’d only gotten four phone calls, Chris’s classroom door was plastered in letters. 

The door creaked and fluttered as you opened it and peeked your head inside. The room was devoid of any human presence. For a space that needed to serve multiple purposes, it was sparsely filled except for classroom materials and equipment. Regular desks and chairs filled the floor as opposed to risers or music stands like in the other department classrooms, but there was still a soundproof practice room in the back of the room, and only the recording equipment stored around the room gave any hint to the classroom’s purpose. To deal with the mess after the third letter, a sub was leading Chris’s classes in the library, but you at least expected to find him here himself, or at least some posters or framed photos. You peeked inside the small office at the head of the classroom, finding it just as empty as well, but with some more personality. A few extra milk crates of visibly nicer vinyl records for sampling and listening were stacked beside the desk along with a nicer record player than what was by his desk out in the classroom. Some books sat on a shelf with a modest cactus in the corner, and finally some photos: Chris shaking hands and smiling with tons of industry players and friends, and occasionally appearing in one of those hoodies Doyoung had been warning of. He did own suits, apparently. Multiple. And he looked good in them. 

A polite cough surprised you at the door of the office. 

You whirled around, the sun outside silhouetting Chris as he stared at you in his dimly lit office. “My office hours are cancelled this week. May I help you?”

It was your turn to cough, clearing your throat. He was certainly young. He was certainly handsome, his grimace pronouncing the charming dimples in his cheeks. He certainly didn’t dress like a teacher. Chris stood in the doorway of his own office, looking at you curiously in his hoodie, jeans, and sneakers. He even had a backpack hung on his shoulder and a bag of greasy fast food in his hands. He suddenly looked down at it, embarrassed. 

“I, er, wore out my welcome in the teacher’s lounge, it seems,” he sighed out a sullen laugh. “And I needed some fresh air.”

“Mr. Bang, I—“

“Call me Chris,” he insisted with a tired grin. Your heart shamefully thumped at how friendly and cute he was. It was easier to pretend you didn’t hear him. He stepped around you and dropped down into his desk chair. He silently gestured at his food, appearing to ask if you were alright if he ate while you talked. You nodded. He dug into the bag and cheekily offered you a fry. You coolly shook your head. 

“I’m sorry we have to meet like this, but as assistant superintendent—“

Chris sputtered, standing up from his chair as he choked down the fry he’d just put in his mouth. “Ma’am,” he gasped finally, “I didn’t—“

“I know,” you nodded again. You waved up a hand in understanding. “Please, sit back down. I wanted to come by and see how you’re doing, considering the current state of affairs.”

Chris stayed standing, uneasy and fidgeting. “Alright, what do you want? Is this it? Please don’t suggest I need an attorney, I don’t think I can handle it.”

“What?” You asked, surprised. 

“I’m sorry for snapping,” Chris lamented, “but I’ve gotten dozens of emails and messages through the school portal from parents and students asking me if I did anything, and it’s doing my head in.”

“They’re what?!” You hadn’t even considered anyone actually thought the teacher was guilty of anything. He nodded gravely. 

“Read the letters outside!” His demand came out brokenly as he pointed behind you. “They’re begging me and taunting me to do all sorts of shit. Confess, quit, fuck them — all sorts of awful trash that I never even imagined. I just wanted to teach. I don’t know why the hell this is happening to me.”

You had no idea about any harassment. This looked bad. It looked bad to your students, their parents, the staff — everyone. You pulled out your phone from your purse and brought up the PR rep’s number, now on your speed dial. “You didn’t do anything.”

“Of course I didn’t—“ he sputtered before you cut him off. 

“I wasn’t asking, Mr. Bang. You didn’t do anything and I believe you. A good superintendent would support good staff. Your first few months brought nothing but praise past my office.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Chris quietly said. He finally sat down as you dialed the rep. She would be by shortly. You found another chair hiding under a pile of books and cds and moved them so you could sit. Chris was looking at you oddly now as you hung up, sitting closer than you’d normally like in the small office. You shifted uncomfortably. Chris offered you a fry again before you stiffly refused once more. He shrugged and began inhaling his food in earnest. 

“Hungry?” You asked sarcastically, instantly regretting it. There was no sense in kicking him while he was down. 

“Emotional eater,” he clarified around a mouthful, equally sarcastic in your resumed awkward silence. You considered the young teacher in front of you. If you recalled the personnel file, he wasn’t just a brand new teacher, he was new to the area as well. A rumor apparently spread among the students and even some of your staff that he had been running away from something, but you never paid that any attention until you were actually in the same room with him. He caught you zoning out in his direction, an eyebrow raised as he paused on his mouthful of food, and you sheepishly pulled out your phone and checked your agenda until your rep finally found you hiding out together in the tiny office. 

Ryujin had become your go-to girl since the school year started but even more so over the past week. Public relations for a school district should never have to become very high-maintenance work, but Ryujin was quickly proving herself over-qualified for the job. She stood in the doorway, tall and cool in her confidence despite her short stature as she looked over the situation. 

“Stand up,” she simply directed Chris. 

He gave you a quick glance, not moving until you nodded. Chris set his food down and stood, hands in his hoodie pockets as Ryujin circled him. He warily shied away from her prodding as she pinched and pulled at his clothes, looking at tags and labels. She fiddled with the cute studs in his ears, tugged on the strings of his hoodie to draw him more to her level, and ruffled his dark, fluffy hair to look for showing roots or product. Ryujin looked at you now. “This isn’t so bad,” she told you decidedly. 

Chris was confused, left about ten miles behind the conversation. “Why—“

“What do we do?” You asked. Chris looked wildly between both of you as you decided his fate without him. “We’re dealing with harassment now.”

“Of course we are,” Ryujin nodded thoughtfully, “I mean, look at him.”

“Hey!” Chris rightfully looked offended, even as you held up a calming hand to settle him down. Ryujin impatiently waited for you to let her continue. 

“He doesn’t look like a teacher, he doesn’t act like a teacher, he’s under 30, and— I’m sorry— he’s cute. He was bound to get eaten alive when his students are only a few years younger than him and he has no experience.”

“So,” you reiterated, “what do we do?”

“He can go back to teaching,” Ryujin ruled, “but he has to look and act the part. No more first-name basis, no more street clothes.”

“This is so ridiculous!” Chris laughed in disbelief. 

Both you and Ryujin glared at him now before she continued. “He’ll have to make a statement first. I’ll write it, of course. He can speak at the next PTA meeting. But —“ she turned to face him for once, “you shouldn’t be alone. Do you have a spouse? A partner? Some boyfriend or girlfriend?”

Now you shared Chris’ confused look. “Why does that matter?”

Ryujin folded her arms. “I don’t mince words. Sympathy, mostly. For anyone worrying, he’ll clearly appear to have support. For anyone who is doubting him, he clearly appears to have a loyal and loving presence in his life that can attest to Mr. Bang never having any nefarious predilection for his students and never intending to inspire any regrettable actions. It’s ultimately a similar reason to why I suggested you should wear a wedding ring.”

Your face heated up once again at being outed in front of your staff member. Ryujin had suggested a fake wedding ring ages ago when you first hired her. The moment you were appointed, parents instantly began doubting you. Even Superintendent Simmons, a parent himself, questioned you at your third interview. How could you — a young woman with no spouse and no children of your own — ever deign to understand what it’s like to raise and nurture one? The sheer stubbornness that you felt in response to that sentiment made you refuse such a placating notion as a fake wedding ring. Chris seemed to notice your embarrassment before he piped up himself, almost seeming to want to change the subject back for your sake. 

“No,” Chris said simply, “I’m single and fine with it.”

“Look,” Ryujin rolled her eyes, “that is fine. Find a fake, then. It just needs to look real. It’s not fair, but these parents will assume you’re a better person if you’re not single in this situation. They need to see that you’re a loving and committed professional who just wants to teach and nurture young minds. The next PTA meeting is this Thursday night. Today is Tuesday, so you have a little time, but not much. Consider it, and I’ll have an optional line in your statement for whatever you decide. Do you have a suit?”

“For funerals and weddings,” Chris grumbled. 

“A sweater is fine then,” Ryujin shrugged. She put a reassuring hand on your shoulder. “This is going to be fine. Let me know if you need anything.”

“You’re leaving?” You realized with thorough embarrassment that you sounded distressed. 

“Unfortunately, yes,” she sighed, “the Superintendent wants a meeting about his son or something. You will be fine. Keep me updated.”

Ryujin ghosted out the door as fast as she’d come, and Chris reeled. “The nerve! I can’t believe her, can you?”

“Yes,” you nodded seriously, “I can. She’s right.”

“Oh, come on!” Chris blustered. You stood back up now, gathering your bag in the crook of your arm and straightening the carefully pressed collar of your suit jacket. 

“I don’t want to see you have to end your career so soon, Mr. Bang,” you sympathized as you pulled out a business card from your purse and handed it to him. “Again, I’ve only heard good things about you until all this. Call me if you need anything. You shouldn’t have to face this alone.”

Things settled for one day. And then Thursday morning happened. Yeji was pale as you entered the office in the morning. 

“John called from his cell.” 

You checked your watch. First period was just starting at the high school. 

God dammit. 

You jogged into your office, grabbed the phone, and dialed him back. Johnny was out of breath. “I have a situation,” he panted into the phone. You could hear shouting behind him. Specifically, you could hear Doyoung shouting behind him. God dammit. 

The tires on your car screeched as you peeled out of the parking lot of the admin building, tearing across town and barely breathing until you passed through Johnny’s office on your way into the building. He was icing his cheek with a cold pack from the nurse, his tie loose and slack around his neck and his suit jacket haphazardly slung over the back of his chair. Before you could say anything, he just shook his head with a disappointed laugh before returning to work at his computer. You walked quickly through the hallway, students watching you from their first period classrooms until you reached the music department. Taeil, the band teacher, closed Doyoung’s door behind him as he saw you in the hall. 

“Ma’am,” the teacher greeted, thoroughly exhausted, “I wouldn’t go in there. We already called a sub for the rest of the day and I took Doyoung’s kids to the library for independent study.”

“Thank you, Mr. Moon,” you thanked him graciously, “do you have any idea what happened?” Taeil shrugged helplessly. His tie was crooked as well, his rolled sleeves uneven. You looked over at Chris’ room, open to the hall. Letters had shuffled off the door and onto the hallway floor. “Take care of Doyoung,” you instructed Taeil, “make sure he’s okay and that he gets home alright.”

Taeil nodded and let himself back into Doyoung’s classroom as you carefully approached Chris’. The room was dark, books and papers strewn across the floor. You cautiously switched on the light, only to find the teacher slumped in his chair at the head of the room, icing his own face with a metal water bottle. He silently glanced at you and sighed as you rushed over to check on him. You set your purse on his desk and gingerly pulled the water bottle away, sharing Chris’ sigh as you saw the bruise on his cheek. It felt a bit gross to still find him so frustratingly handsome in this moment. 

“What happened?” You softly asked him. Chris sank into the chair and gave a dejected shrug, helpless to recollect. And he didn’t get much of a chance to even try, as a commotion erupted in the empty hallway. Doyoung stood fuming in the doorway with Taeil futilely attempting to pull him away. 

“So you are here,” Doyoung grimaced at you before he shot a glare at Taeil, “why are you lying for her? Everyone is treating me like I’m insane and I’ve had it.” He stormed over, only stopped as you turned to press a confrontational hand to his chest. Doyoung had quite the busted lip. 

“Mr. Kim, I know tensions are high—” you began staunchly before Doyoung steamrolled you. 

“Do you?! Do you even know what happened?” He leaned to the side, staring daggers into Chris. “Tell her, you sorry excuse of a—“

“I’m telling you, Kim, just like I have been telling you,” Chris glowered, “I have no fucking clue what you’re talking about! You’re the one who came in here looking to start a fight.”

“You’re a goddamn liar!” Doyoung shouted. You put your hands on his shoulders, making him look at you. 

“Tell me, then, Mr. Kim.”

Doyoung shiftily looked back and forth between the two of you. “Tell you what, ma’am?” he grumbled. “Tell you that I had the joy of overhearing one of my brightest students talking with her friends during zero period, bragging about fucking in his practice room? Tell you that she’s just a freshman? Tell you that I caught her and her friends giggling as she wrote her own fucking letter?” 

Doyoung pulled a crumpled piece of notebook paper out of his suit jacket and shoved it into your hands. You looked back at Chris, his shaking eyes horrified as he was apparently hearing this all for the first time. 

“I admit, I took matters into my own hands. I flew off the handle. Why, though, would I come to you with all this first, ma’am?” Doyoung pleaded. You recognized the helpless heartache in his eyes, hating how much he was losing his students. “You wouldn’t come to me first if I asked for your help. You’d go straight to him.”

You glanced down at the notebook paper in your hands, catching glimpses of curly, naive confessions, and you looked back at Chris again. He didn’t look guilty. You didn’t want him to be. You wanted this all resolved, as cleanly as possible before you possibly wrecked the year before winter break. You thought fast. 

“I did go to him first, Mr. Kim,” you conceded, quiet yet confident, “and I apologize if my actions come across as selfish, but this ordeal has caused quite the strain on mine and Chris’ relationship, even more so since it’s still fairly new.”

Doyoung backed up, aghast as his eyes flicked between the two of you again. His normally soft gaze was pure hellfire. “You’re kidding me,” he shook his head in disbelief. He had no interest in waiting for a confirmation before he turned to storm off, herding Taeil along with him. 

Chris was staring at you when you turned back to face him, shocked as he was at your sudden plan. “Why the hell did you do that?” 

You pulled out your phone to dial Ryujin, but before you actually sent the call through, you bored your eyes into Chris, who was still wincing past the bruise on his face. “You still didn’t do anything?”

“Never,” he adamantly shook his head. 

“Good,” you nodded. “We will need to talk before the PTA meeting tonight. My assistant will call you with details.” You plucked your purse up from his desk and shouldered it. Chris watched, still stunned as you made for the door. His continued stare made you pause, a hand on the door frame as you turned back to face him. “You’re innocent,” you explained, “but if you quit you’ll be proving everyone who’s doubting you right. It seems like no one is on your side except me, so if no one will do anything then I will. You’ll be fine, Mr. Bang.” With that, you regained your confidence once more to walk down the hall. You caught your breath before you tapped out a message for Ryujin on your phone. Somehow, you didn’t expect her to call you right away. 

“I’m sorry, but you what?!” Ryujin exclaimed, stooping you in your tracks from wherever she was. 

“You said he needs to find someone and make it look real!” You hissed, trying to keep your composure the best you could in the quiet hallway. 

“I didn’t mean you!”

You grumbled out a curse under your breath. “Well, it’s a bit too late for that clarification,” you bit out, “so what do I do now?”

Ryujin could be heard tapping on her cell phone as she spoke to you. “I’m on it,” she assured you, “and I’m sure you already figured you need to talk before the PTA meeting tonight. We need to make sure you’re on the same page. I’m forwarding you the statement I wrote. Hang tight, I’m going to meet you at your place.”

Chris frowned at the suit laid out on top of your couch after you’d extracted it from its garment bag. Ryujin had brought it, on loan from some unnamed resource, complete with notecards of her prepared statement in the breast pocket. “Why does this also feel like proving everyone right for some reason,” he said uncomfortably. 

“What exactly is wrong?” You sighed. Chris fidgeted. He looked out of place in your apartment, his soft black hoodie and worn jeans contrasting starkly with your minimalist and meticulously organized sanctuary. His brows were furrowed with impending panic, but he looked determined. 

“I’m nervous,” he bemoaned, “tell it to me again.”

“We met over the summer at a cafe downtown,” you explained impatiently. 

“That’s so soon for someone like you to be backing up a pariah like me,” Chris laughed, almost on the verge of breakdown, apparently. He was choking down a milkshake. He’d brought you one too, of course, but when you politely refused he took it as a consolation prize. It was incredible to you that he seemed to be in such good shape for how much food he put down. Or, you realized, maybe a catastrophe of this caliber wasn’t very common for him. 

“Put on the suit, Mr. Bang,” you urged, “please?”

“Oh my god, you need to stop calling me that if we’re dating!” Chan nervously laughed again.

“Look, I’ll be just fine, I’ll be able to fix it when we’re in front of people,” you insisted, “but you need to calm down.”

“Calm down? I’m having an entire escape plan thrust upon me and I’m trying to adjust.”

“Well,” you huffed as you found yourself meeting his level, “maybe you wouldn’t need this escape plan if you didn’t take such a lax approach to teaching.”

“Excuse me?” Chris asked, blindsided by your outburst. 

“Don’t act like you don’t know what people are saying!” You doubled down in defense, squaring up against him as you impatiently folded your arms. 

“Why don’t you tell me, ma’am, what exactly people are saying about me?” Chris stood defiantly, toe to toe with you and daring you to follow through. You took the bait. 

“You know exactly what people are saying,” you challenged him, “that you refuse to take the role seriously because it’s easier that way. You give these students too much freedom, and you’re encouraging them to act out. Who needs homework? Who needs textbooks? Who needs seating charts? They call you by your first name and think you’re their best friend, that you’re one of them, only older, just like they wish they were! They live and die by your approval because you seem so cool and you don’t seem like a teacher.”

“Oh, so I don’t seem like a teacher now?” Chris scoffed. 

“They certainly don’t respect you like one,” you snapped. A deep pause coursed through you both like a cold breeze before he burst. 

“Well you sure as hell don’t respect me like one, so why the hell are you helping me?!” Chris shouted. 

“Well,” you mocked, quickly losing grip, “here I was thinking it was the right thing to do!” You heaved out a frustrated sigh, throwing your hands in the air and finally turning away as you couldn’t stand to look at him. 

However, you may have glossed over the in-progress milkshake that had been in his hands, now currently all over his hoodie and on the spotless hardwood floor of your apartment. 

“Oh, great!” Chris laughed incredulously. “I sure look like I could use the help now, Miss Assistant Superintendent. Guess I’ll put on the stupid suit so I don’t make a bigger fool out of myself at my public execution tonight.”

Your face regrettably heated up as Chris frustratedly tugged his hoodie off over his head, his shirt following right after as he fished the pressed white shirt out from within the suit jacket. He had an admittedly nice figure, his toned torso never being hinted at through his comfy wardrobe. A set of tattooed compass roses on his upper arm caught your attention, and you wished you didn’t find it attractively endearing. “I don’t know why I agreed to this,” he ranted, “no one would ever believe I’d date a stuck-up, uptight, tyrant like you.”

“The feeling is mutual,” you fumed as you turned away, not wanting to get distracted, “except no one would believe I’d ever date an arrogant ingrate like you.”

Chris could be heard pacing behind you as he buttoned the shirt, apparently pausing at your mantle over the fireplace. “I bet you were a nightmare as a student, a real grade-grubber and brown-noser,” he grumbled, now seeming to have found your framed photos of you and your friends at graduation, first from high school and then from undergrad. “I’m going to hang myself with this godawful tie— is this you?”

You rolled your eyes as you walked over and snatched his tie out of his fingers to do it yourself. He’d already deftly changed his pants while you weren’t watching. “Sure, that’s me,” you muttered, “and no, I wasn’t a nightmare, thank you very much.” You paused as you felt a shift in his silence and glanced up at him. For the first time you noticed a subtle cologne on him, a gentle musk that was miserably attractive on him and you just wanted to get this over with even faster. Chris was giving you that indecipherable look again as you fiddled with the stupid necktie. From this close, you could see a cute little dot just under his lip, a telltale spacer that more than likely usually held a lip ring and—

Oh. 

Hello, stranger. 

Chris was gravely silent as he parked in front of your apartment later that night. The PTA meeting had been a disaster, starting the moment you left to travel back to the high school, where the meetings were held in the main theater. A loaded silence had staked itself between you the whole drive, and neither of you had reviewed Ryujin’s statement whatsoever. Nonetheless, you sat and stood close enough to each other during the meeting to be clear but not obscene in what you both were implying with your proximity, and you were faithfully beside him as he approached the podium. It was difficult to ignore the hushed whispers resounding through the audience. Chris’ brazen confidence was all but gone by now, fully broken as multiple hands immediately shot up to get a word in. Chris had forged ahead, though, even as his hands tried not to tremble around his notes. Ryujin’s statement didn’t mince words, just like her. He read out how his inexperience wrongly led him to take a more casual approach to teaching, how he’d recklessly and misguidedly inspired his students to put too much trust in him. He read out what a struggle this presented for both of you, being faced with accusations of such severity, and wishing to regain the trust of the assembled teachers and parents. The hands stayed in the air, and Johnny moderated question after question and Chris adamantly confirmed again and again and again that he had done nothing except naively neglect to put a firmer stop to all this. He was the one, and not Ryujin, to say that he should have brought the letters to Johnny’s attention and not simply ignored them, hoping the situation would stop on its own. More hands kept raising. Seemingly every parent belonging to a letter on Chris’ door was here wanting personal reassurance and, subsequently, a reason from him that their children were acting out. It felt like a never ending ordeal, a constant string of hurt and confused parents needing comfort. Johnny had no words for Chris when he finally ended the meeting, putting him out of his misery. Nothing else got done on the agenda that night. He only clapped a sympathetic hand to his teacher’s shoulder. 

You tapped out what happened in a text message to Ryujin. Her diagnosis was optimistic but tough, and in your continued silence in the car, you suddenly realized you were stopped in front of your apartment. Chris was quiet, zoning out at the wheel until you nudged him.

“Ryujin says we can still do this,” you encouraged him. “Enough of the parents should believe you. We just need to make sure the students and staff do, too…. as well as the board.”

Chris leaned forward, letting his head rest against the steering wheel. “I wish they didn’t have to believe me. They’re probably stressed as hell over this. This whole thing is such shit,” he muttered. “We don’t even like each other.”

“We don’t?”

“What?” Chris sullenly chuckled. “Just because we did ages ago?”

“I mean,” you shrugged, “I remembered that pretty fondly. I thought of that kiss all summer.”

“We kissed?”

Ouch. 

You sighed. “Fine then. You’re right. We don’t like each other. You’re cocky and naive and I’m…”

“Uptight?” Chris smirked, but he shut his mouth when you clearly didn’t appreciate the jab. “I’m sorry. I do appreciate everything you’re doing, you know. I just… I’m going through it.”

“I know,” you commiserated. 

“What do we do now?” 

“There’s a board meeting next Wednesday night,” you explained. “You can accompany me to that, and that’ll take care of them. Until then, we keep up appearances at school, now that we’re exposed.”

“How are we doing that?”

“I’ll figure something out,” you reassured him. “What’ll you do now?”

“Oh, you know,” Chris laughed tiredly, “probably go pick up a taco box and try not to ruin this suit.”

You nodded in understanding as you unbuckled your seatbelt and dug around in your bag for your keys. “No hoodies, okay?”

Chris nodded, watching as you stepped out of the car and fussily smoothed your skirt back down. “Do you need me to walk you up?”

“I can manage,” you grinned softly as you pulled something out of your bag. You handed him the offending note from that morning. “I didn’t do this just because I thought you didn’t do anything. This letter is addressed to a Chris but it appears to actually be a student named Christian S.”

“Oh,” Chris grimaced, “isn’t he Superintendent Simmons’ son? I have him in fourth period. He’s one of the first chairs in Taeil’s concert band. He’s sort of… gross, sometimes, about girls. I can’t say I’m surprised, but I’m still disappointed.”

“You alright?”

“I should’ve done something,” he muttered as he sank back into his seat, still staring at the letter. 

“Don’t start with that,” you lightly admonished, “it’s not always easy to know when to interfere.”

“Thank you,” Chris said quietly. 

“Of course,” you said with a small smile. “Goodnight.”

Johnny and Doyoung did a double-take as you walked into the music department the following day at lunchtime. It only made sense to you that if Chris was trying to dress up more, you’d match him by dressing down more. Your requisite suit and heels were switched out for a simple blouse with some tailored jeans and flats. That alone was a huge step for you, considering you even refused to dress down for the annual Welcome Back picnic for the district staff every year. You felt uncomfortable despite still looking clean and poised, but leagues more approachable apparently, proven as students’ passing glances lingered on their way to the cafeteria. Johnny’s look was simply one of surprise, but Doyoung’s was nothing but bitterness. Even Chris, as he happened to prop open his classroom door when you walked down the hall, was curious to see you looking so casual and chipper as you strutted up to him with a bundle in your arms. He was surprisingly handsome, wearing a blazer over a simple t-shirt with some slim jeans and sneakers — better, but not quite there. He couldn’t help a small smile as you theatrically revealed what you had brought: his cleaned hoodie and shirt folded and draped over a bag of takeout to split. 

“Hungry?” You asked sweetly, but hopefully not overdone. A couple of students walked past, their eyes boring into you. Chris looked unfazed, took the hoodie and shirt from your hands and, with a quick look down the hall at Doyoung and Johnny, beckoned you into the classroom with a nod.

“Starving,” he answered with a grin, and even gave Johnny a cheery wave as he promptly shut the door again behind you. “What are you doing here?” He quietly asked you, the dazzling facade of confidence instantly crumbling. His panicked surprise wasn’t lost on you. 

“We need to keep up appearances like I said. It’s Friday, you’re going through a hard time, and you’re eating like you grew another stomach. I brought us something to eat,” you explained, pushing the bag into his hands. 

“You—“ Chris looked dumbfounded, eyes darting between you and the food in his hands, “— brought me lunch?”

“Yes? What else was this supposed to be? I’m your girlfriend, for all intents and purposes.” You led Chris back into his own office and helped yourself to a seat. “We also need to brush up on our relationship in case anyone asks.”

“Fine,” Chris nodded as he dug into his food. “Let’s study, then. I’m guessing you went to college right after we met, and I’m sure you taught at least a little before this.”

“Grade schoolers,” you nodded, “it was good but not for me. I never asked about your accent.”

“You did, actually. That first time, so that’s probably why you don’t remember. I grew up in Sydney, moved here before junior year in high school. Do you live by yourself? I didn’t see a roommate or any cats.”

“I live by myself,” you confirmed, “I gave up on roommates around the time I took this job. No time for pets, either. I guess I’m too uptight.” Chris winced as you continued. “Yes, I’m aware of it; I guess I’m just sensitive. Did you find a good place in the area?”

“Yeah,” Chris said thoughtfully, “cute little house. You should probably see it sometime.”

“You bought a house?!”

Chris’ ears reddened. “Yes? Again, it’s little. A couple bedrooms, a couple bathrooms. Lots of work to be done on it, but it’s all mine. Here, look.” You watched, momentarily stunned as he fished his phone out of his pocket and clicked it open. He pulled up a surprisingly adorable photo of Chris in front of a humble little house, holding what you could only assume was his dog you didn’t know he had. “Cute, right? Her name is Berry. You should meet her.”

“I’m so sorry,” you shook your head in advance, “but you could afford a house? What brought you to teaching anyway?”

“Producing was good, but not for me,” Chris meekly bit at his lip, “I always wanted to try teaching what I know, and thankfully your team brought me on while I’m still earning my degree.”

“So one day you just decided to be an educator?” You asked dubiously. 

“Didn’t you?” Chris seemed more cagey now, more defensive. 

“Sure, but maybe this explains your approach to teaching.”

Chris sighed hard and set his food down. “You know what? I knew you were bringing it back to that. Here I was thinking we were on a little better footing after last night. My approach to teaching came from thinking of what I wanted when I was these kids’ age. I wanted someone to treat me with respect and value my opinion and talk to me like an adult.”

“Right,” you nodded, “but that acceptance clearly looks like an invitation to some students.”

“An invitation to what? The other staff are always saying how closed off their students are, but they’re not like that with me. They’re proactive, they’re independent, they’re thoughtful, they’re excited to be here.”

“What about students who aren’t yours?” You challenged him with your stare. It would’ve looked better in a suit. “Your students are in love with you — some of them literally — and it makes them act out with their other teachers, even students who aren’t yours are citing you as their inspiration. Terrific and capable teachers are being defied simply because they’re not you. Admit this is easier for you than establishing and upholding boundaries.”

Chris listened, but he scoffed nonetheless. “Fine. It’s easier. I’m terrified of these kids but I want them to like me and trust me. But even if I assign them homework and treat them like they’re children, that still won’t solve how the teachers don’t trust me.”

“They will,” you impatiently assured him. 

“Even Doyoung?”

“Why do you care?!” You gave a stunned chuckle. 

“I mean he punched me in the fucking face yesterday,” Chris shrugged. “Is it true you two dated?”

You gaped at him, stunned. “Why do you care?” You repeated. Chris nonchalantly shrugged. “Are you jealous?” You were provoking him on purpose, but there was no use in pretending you weren’t disgusted with this line of questioning. 

“No! We don’t even like each other.” Chris was floundering, now facing his desk more than you. “I’m a naive and arrogant asshole and you’re an uptight ballbuster who sold out, remember?”

“Sold out?” You guffawed, standing up now. “Who the hell do you think you are?! I grew up.”

“Right, well—“ Chris barked as he got up to square off against you. “Did you grow into a stuck-up busybody who is more worried about how she looks than how she’s doing?”

Chris’ ears were burning scarlet as you bristled at his words, but he still walked you to the door as you stormed away. “That was too much. I’m sorry,” he apologized sheepishly before he opened the classroom door into the hall. 

“Go fuck yourself, Mr. Bang,” you quietly gritted out, despite your saccharine smile in case anyone was watching. “I’m helping you and then I’m never speaking to you again.”

You were right back in your suit jacket and skirt on Monday, having stewed all weekend over how much more you hated doing this with Chris now. Worse, you hated feeling like he was right. He was shamefully attractive and smart and funny and charming and as much as you hated it — he was right. Somewhere between getting your teaching degree and getting offered your job, you’d become incredibly jaded by the people around you, but not without reason. Even now, the only people who went out of their way to make sure you didn’t feel like you were some child were Ryujin and Yeji… and Chris. Doyoung had, too, which was why you had dated briefly, but now he had joined everyone else in babying you like you were bound to fail. That wasn’t even mentioning the board, made up of all men from old money who mostly seemed to hire you for humor and bragging rights. Even still, this wasn’t even mentioning Superintendent Simmons, who talked to you like he was a lion with a mouse in its paws. 

So, sure, you had reasons to be aloof around the people surrounding you, but Chris’s nagging was starting to bother you. Yes, you were leagues more organized and fastidious than you had been growing up, and you even took some solace in sprucing up your space, but you also had to recognize you were quick to do that instead of facing problems at times. It was easy to organize the kitchen for the fourth time or clean out your closet, but it wasn’t always easy to deal with adult problems. You took great pride in your appearances, because looking capable helped you feel capable, but did that mean you were? It was difficult to say, almost as difficult as deciphering Yeji’s bemused look on your way into the office on Monday. 

A gorgeous bouquet of flowers was sitting on your desk. You curiously walked over, plucking the small envelope from within the buds and gently prying it open. 

Hello Stranger,

1. Are these still your favorite color? You mentioned it years ago so I could be wrong. 

2. I’m sorry about Friday again. I know I’m a hot-head and what I did was terrible. You’re not stuck-up, and you’re not a tyrant. When I think back to that summer, I thought we were on the same page, and now you make it look so easy while I feel like I’m completely lost and failing the whole time. I appreciate you helping me. Thank you. 

A stiff sigh fell from your lips as you looked at the note in your hands, with Chris’ dumb, nice handwriting giving you a feeling you couldn’t quite place. You quickly paged Ryujin and Yeji into your office. Once both girls were sat waiting for you, it was time for the dreaded question.

“What do people think of me?” 

Both girls looked like they’d seen their lives flash before their eyes as you sat at your desk and did some quick typing. When you showed them your screen, they both gasped. There was you, all acne and unfortunate appearance choices at your high school graduation. “It’s not a loaded question,” you promised, “think of it more as a confirmation. I think I’m trying too hard to hide this person.” You gave the girl in the photo a sympathetic look. She was bright, funny, and brimming with potential — even you could see that. 

Yeji surprisingly sighed out her answer first. “The other office staff were still whispering about you when you hired me. They said you just wanted to hire other young women to look progressive.”

All three of you rolled your eyes at the sentiment before Ryujin piped up. “The board does like you… because they think you’ll do their bidding. They think you’re ruthless. The teachers think you have an iron fist. The Superintendent? Well, you know how he feels.”

A sour grimace pulled at your lips. “Why don’t I like any of that?”

“Is it because it’s not what she would want?” Yeji thoughtfully asked you as she nodded in the direction of the photo on your computer screen. You thought back to what Chris had said, about wanting to be the person he wanted around at that age. It was such a trip, thinking of what that girl would do if she saw you now. She’d give you a belligerent sneer and close herself off from you because you were a cold witch and you knew it. The girls watched as your shoulders softened, sinking into your chair as you pulled out your phone and found Chris’ number that Yeji had fetched for you. 

>>Thanks for the flowers. I’ll be by tomorrow so we can try this all again before the board meeting dinner on Wednesday. 

There were decidedly less stares as you walked down the halls of the high school again the next day when the lunch period began. You saw Johnny try to catch your attention out of the corner of your eye, but you simply waved as you passed his office. You had a sneaking suspicion it was about your outfit. As opposed to Friday’s jeans, you felt much more comfortable being more comfortable as opposed to someone you thought you should be. The pencil skirt remained, only now in a cozier dark pallet and much comfier material. The biggest changes were pairing the skirt with a soft flannel shirt and a smart pair of suede oxfords. You felt exposed in how dressed down you were again, but Chris’ surprised smile as you stood in the doorway of his classroom reassured you. He looked good, his hair moderately styled back and wearing another smart blazer over another old band tee. You could see he was even wearing chinos today, still managing to coordinate them with some worn boots not unlike the pair you used to own all those years ago. It was a good look, one that made you a bit more bashful than you had been already. 

“Hello, stranger,” you cheekily greeted from the doorway. 

“Hey,” he smiled back, motioning for you to come in. 

“Hungry?” You asked, fishing a bag out of your purse and placing it in his hands. He peered inside as you set your purse on his desk. 

“Are these—?”

“I felt so awful this weekend,” you sighed as you leaned against his desk, still unable to keep from straightening stacks of his papers, “and especially after yesterday. I couldn’t think straight so I cleaned my apartment and made you some cookies.”

“You made me cookies?” He asked incredulously before taking a bite. You could’ve sworn his eyes actually sparkled for a moment. “Alright, these are so good there’s no way you still can’t think straight.”

“You’re right,” you nodded. “Just like you were already right, about almost everything. But you left one detail out.”

“What’s that?” Chris grinned around a mouthful of cookie.

“You make it look pretty easy yourself,” you smiled softly. Chris raised an eyebrow. 

“I find that hard to believe.”

“I know you do,” you laughed, “but it’s true! You’ve already done just fine in an industry of your choosing and impulsively decided to become an educator? And you just happen to be financially smart enough to have a house already? It’s reckless but it’s admirable.”

Chris choked on the last of his cookie, his dark hair falling out of place as he composed himself. “I, er, should be up front about that.”

“About what?”

“About deciding to change directions,” Chris sighed. “I had a giant proposal on my hands. I could have had my own company and my own team, but it was a huge investment entirely depending on me and my success. I froze up. I had enough. It felt way too big. I got rid of my fancy apartment, I got rid of my suits and watches, and I just moved.” A sigh fell from Chris’ lips as he folded his arms. He couldn’t meet your imploring stare. “I wish I could do what you do,” he continued. “I want to march headfirst into every single thing no matter what people think of me.”

A surprised laugh escaped you before you could stop it. You covered your mouth as your face heated up. “I’m terrified,” you explained. “Just like you were scared to take that chance, just like you and most of us are reasonably scared of these kids — I’m terrified. I’ve worn suits to attend sports events and picnics with the staff from how terrified I am of them.”

“Well, you look really good today,” Chris beamed at you, but the distracted nuance of his gaze didn’t let it last long. You playfully sat back on his desk, trying to keep his mood up. 

“I feel good today.”

“I lied, by the way,” Chris sheepishly blurted. “I know we kissed that night. I thought about it all the time. I didn’t go out with anyone for almost a whole year, I thought about it so much. If you knew I still remembered, I would be too tempted to get distracted. But I’m getting distracted anyway, so I thought you should know. You look really good today.”

A flattered smile pulled at your lips as you reached for Chris’ hand where it rested on the desk. His hand was warm and gentle in yours and he looked up at you, silently gauging your look to see if it was alright to lean up more into your space… when your phone buzzed with a message. It was Johnny. 

>I was trying to get your attention when you came in. Simmons is here TOURING THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT. Get that time bomb out of there NOW.

But it was far too late. Superintendent Simmons could be heard talking to Doyoung in the hallway. Chris watched curiously as you whirled around just in time to catch them appearing in the open doorway.

“Yes, Mr. Kim, I’d love to hear your plans for the year but— ah, hello, dear!”

You winced at the use of the word “dear” but fought it back. “Superintendent,” you nodded cordially, “what’re you doing here?”

“I wanted to take a stroll through the department,” the older man coolly insisted, his hands in the pockets of his suit. “I also thought I could finally meet young Christopher here since I wasn’t sure if he was accompanying you to the meeting tomorrow.”

“Why wouldn’t he?” Your question was stated friendly enough, even as you subtly waved a calming hand back to Chris to keep him back. 

The Superintendent shrugged. “You know how it is, dear. My son takes his class but I haven’t even met the man before. We’re certainly not exempt from being aware of current goings-on and I wanted to see who all the fuss was about.”

“Do I live up to your expectation?” Chris suddenly asked, unmistakably indignant as he came forward. 

“Seeing as my expectations were of a naive, insubordinate, carpe-diem-prescribing kid,” Simmons smirked, “then yes.”

“Excuse me, Superintendent,” you huffed sharply, “but I do not appreciate you speaking to Mr. Bang that way, first as one of my staff members and second as my partner.”

“Oh-ho!” Mr. Simmons threw his head back with a laugh. “Your partner? How unbecoming of you, dear. Now, I would normally do the professional courtesy of discussing this in private, but as you always deem it appropriate to throw a fit, I’ll do it here— you know we need to terminate Mr. Bang. Too much liability.”

A wildfire ignited behind your eyes before you quickly jumped into action. If you had a moment to spare, you would’ve considered the possible consequences. “Mr. Simmons,” you spat, “you know for a fact there are liabilities just as big, if not bigger, right under your nose, just like I know for a fact Mr. Bang is in possession of a confiscated note containing quite the insinuation that your son Christian is having a very close and troubling relationship with one of Mr. Kim’s most promising freshmen.”

You hazarded a look behind you and Chris returned it, petrified. It was a low, risky blow, but an apparently fair one as Mr. Simmons’ eyes grew wide. He stubbornly shook his head. “Christian is a smart boy who is studying hard and has no time—“

“—Christian turned 18 over the summer and wants to have as much fun as he can in high school before he goes to college,” Chris finally spoke up. “He’s said as much in class, and if I recall correctly, that girl is 14. I can show you the letter. He met her at a party that she doesn’t remember but all she knows is she is woefully in love with him. As your son’s teacher I’m a mandated reporter if I think this is an unsafe situation for either of them.”

“You want to play executioner with a man you admitted you just met? Fine,” you warned. “But just like your gossip, you’re not exempt from this, either.”

At that moment, Doyoung sheepishly poked his head into the open doorway, politely coughing to get the attention of Mr. Simmons, who was now sputtering until his face had turned red. “Mr. Superintendent,” Doyoung timidly spoke up, “perhaps you would like to come discuss those plans—“

“Fine time for you to decide to act like a teacher,” Simmons growled towards Chris, before he thrust a fat finger into your chest. “This isn’t done, dear. He’s on thin ice, and now you are, too. Let’s see how long it can hold both of you.” Superintendent Simmons turned on his heel, marching out the door past Doyoung and towards his classroom. Doyoung leaned into the room, giving you both a look that remarkably appeared to be sympathetic support. “Are you alright?” He quietly asked. 

You nodded shallowly, still a bit stunned. “Yes, thank you, Mr. Kim.” Chris was seemingly dazed as you turned to face him. “Mr. Bang, can I see you in your office?” 

Chris barely nodded himself, having gone pale during your confrontation, and Doyoung silently wished you well before closing the door behind him and trotting down the hall after the older man. You clutched onto Chris’ sleeve and pulled him into his office, guiding him in before you quietly closed the door. 

You realized you were breathing heavily, chest rising and falling hard with adrenaline as you looked behind you to check on Chris. He was staring back at you, almost shocked, even as you gently took his hand again to make sure he was alright. His fingers had turned clammy where they squeezed yours, and you shared a brief silence, recovering and staring at each other until he finally spoke up. 

“You wanted to see me, ma’am?”

“Yes, Mr. Bang,” you nodded, leaning back against the door and pulling him a little closer. You felt a bit lightheaded. “I wanted you to finish your thought from before we were rudely interrupted.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he nodded dutifully, now cutting right to it as he followed your hand in his to press against you where you leaned against the door. His lips hesitated a mere breath away before he finally kissed you, deep and seemingly driven by every kiss he’d wanted to give you since that night years ago. You could’ve sworn you tasted cotton candy and his lip ring again, maybe even smell evergreen trees if you weren’t mistaken by his cologne. It was electric, re-energizing enough that Chris seemed to finally realize what just happened outside in his classroom. 

“Holy shit,” Chris gasped like he just came up for air. “Did I just threaten the—“

Chris’ frantic recollection persisted even as you continued to kiss him. “Did you just warn the superintendent that he is better off tending to matters closer to home in more need of his attention? Yes.”

“Holy shit, I’m going to be fired,” Chris lamented, but even still he let his lips run over your jaw, falling into you and pressing you into the door. 

“No, you’re not,” you shook your head as you cupped his face in your hands to make him look at you for a moment. “He would’ve said so. He knows this is bad and it’s going to be a pain to deal with.”

“Wait, you don’t want me to—“

“Report? You just said you should. Honestly, Mr. Kim probably would’ve already if he read the letter more closely in the first place.” You held his gaze as you led his hands around your waist and he quickly got the hint, wrapping around you and diving back into you. “Am I still a ballbuster?” You breathlessly chuckled. 

He nodded heartily as he nibbled and kissed your neck. “I love it.” Chris hesitated as he pulled away from your throat, almost asking permission as he kissed you hard against the door, his tongue hot and needy against yours as he almost knocked the breath out of you. 

“Mr. Bang—“ you gasped, and you felt him shiver in the cutest way. He seemed emboldened to let his hands get a little braver, following your hint when you led them to the waistband of your skirt, and he fumbled with your shirt as he untucked it and began unbuttoning it. It was a bizarre sensation, feeling so vulnerable to someone you hadn’t known long but had been thinking of for years, and maybe you weren’t the only one. Chris’ breath seemed to catch in his throat as he leaned back enough to see, his hungry eyes falling on you as he pulled open your shirt and became impatient for more. You gasped again as he pushed you back against the door, his strong hands now tenderly roaming down your chest and groping your breasts as he kissed you before he came back to the waist of your skirt again. His confidence seemed to be returning in full now as his hands firmly ran down your thighs to the hem of your skirt, his lips trailing down your chest and nuzzling your cleavage as he gingerly lifted it. Another gasp caught in your lungs as his fingertips wandered up your legs and paused, his trepidation even spreading to the extent that he seemed hesitant to kiss you again. You reached up to gently cup his face, his cheek warm against your palm as you tried to see what could possibly be wrong in this moment. Out there, sure, that was all understandable, but in this tiny office there was no reason for anything to be wrong. 

“Mr.—“ you began softly, instantly cutting yourself off as you realized. Oh. “Chris,” you began, more confidently now, “are you alright?”

He sighed out a small laugh before he finally kissed you again. “I am. I just missed you, is all. I’ve been thinking about you. It’s still hard to believe any of this is happening, so Mr. Bang is going to be fine for my students but I’d much prefer it if you and I are more personal than that.”

“I can do that,” you grinned, that stunted gasp from earlier finally coming back and completing as Chris finally let himself caress you under your skirt, getting as personal as you both were yearning for. His fingertips were firm but slow, purposeful as they teased the hem of your panties but continued over them to feel you between your legs, making you so aware of your heat against his hand. He smirked as you shivered at his touch, and you felt your face heat up. “Sorry,” you laughed breathlessly, “it’s been a while.”

“I couldn’t tell,” Chris assured you, finally gasping himself as you regained your mental footing and let your hand drop, trailing down his chest to get an exploratory grip on his growing erection in his pants before you brought him back to kiss you again. His muffled sighs and moans grew feverish as you teased him through his clothes, up to the moment he pressed your hips back against the closed door. You watched curiously as Chris’ lips ghosted down your chest and stomach until he was on his knees for you, dangerously close to nuzzling your damp heat until you let yourself subtly roll your hips towards his mouth. He took the cue to instantly pull the thin fabric aside, just enough that he could dip his tongue into your folds. 

Chris couldn’t take his eyes off you as he lapped you up, one hand holding your panties aside and the other clutching onto your bared thigh as you squirmed and mewled for him. Your fingers stroked back through his hair as he held you tight and hungrily licked until he just happened to hit the perfect spot. That, of course, was when he stopped, leaning away and his shiny lips pulled into a mischievous smirk. “I need you so bad,” he drawled, “I’m getting impatient.”

“You?” You giggled sarcastically. “Impatient? Impossible.”

Nevertheless, Chris rocked back onto his feet and pulled you over to his desk before he sat you on top of it, gently pulling your knees apart to step between them. “Are you sure?”

“Definitely,” you nodded. “Do it.” 

Chris grinned shyly as he unbuckled his belt and brought his pants down enough to reveal his hard cock, groaning as you brazenly grabbed his length and pumped it a few times in your hand before guiding him into you. You both gasped in tandem now as you were stretched open, and your legs quickly found purchase around his hips as he kissed you again, the faintest taste and scent of your wetness still on his lips. He filled you out unexpectedly, prodding deep into you in this angle and his girth just wide enough at the base to make you whimper each time he bottomed out. 

“God, this is so good,” Chris groaned against your lips, “you’re so good. I’ve thought of this so many times.” His groans and whispered curses were hot in your ear as he fucked you on the desk, and you were both lost in this endless moment while you both sounded like you were steadily climbing your respective peaks until you noticed his prolonged smirk. 

“What’s so funny?” You jokingly accused. 

“Nothing,” Chris shook his head with a breathless smile, “I’m just surprised. I honestly expected you to be a little more in charge.”

“Oh, am I not as dominant as you thought?” You pouted for effect, seeming to only convince him for a second before you kicked him back into his chair anyhow and willingly taking his bait. He watched, his hands clutching the armrests with intrepid excitement as you dropped onto his lap. “Is this more what you had in mind?”

“Actually, yeah,” Chris nodded hungrily as you raised your hips, just enough to pull your panties to the side and grind your soaked pussy against the head of his cock. You both sighed in pleasure at the sensation as you took your sweet time dipping his length into you just the slightest bit, your lips parted to barely kiss him the whole time you teased yourself against him. He actually waited patiently as you barely rolled your hips lower into him, even as he began to get impatient again. “Heh, hey,” Chris laughed under his breath, “aren’t you gonna—“

“Whatever happened to your lip ring?” You asked him, teasingly oblivious to his question. 

“My wha— oh, that?” Chris was almost delirious trying to rock his hips up into you. “Don’t laugh, but I didn’t think it looked very professional when I first interviewed. I already wasn’t wearing it out to events and meetings, so not wearing it to school made sense.”

“I’m not going to laugh,” you smirked as you playfully pretended you were about to kiss him over and over, your lips ghosting over his own time and time again as his cock surreptitiously tried to work deeper into you, “but that’s ridiculously funny. You’re literally still wearing your earrings, and don’t try telling me that’s different. Weren’t you waiting for something, by the way?”

“Was I waiting—? Come on, aren’t you going to…?”

“Aren’t I going to what?” You asked innocently. Chris’ head lolled back against the head of his chair in exasperation. 

“Aren’t you going to fuck me?” His question was quiet, almost as if he were shy to be saying it out loud, but he asked it nevertheless. 

“Sure,” you shrugged casually, “are you going to wear that lip ring for me sometime? I want to see if it has the same effect.”

“Anything, if you’re that easy,” Chris quipped, even as he was unable to hide the excited tremble in his voice. 

“I’m easy?” You asked, eyebrows raised as you finally sank deep onto Chris’ erection and kissed him again. His muffled groan was thick, laced with satisfaction as you began to ride him in earnest. The hot moans falling from his lips echoed your own impassioned whimpers, only growing more feverish as you angled your hips down, enabling yourself to grind your clit down against his lap. By now you were so lost in it that were thoroughly soaked through your panties you were still wearing.

“Are you sure you’re not easy?” Chris chuckled exhaustedly, even as he nuzzled against your heaving cleavage and gripped tight onto your hips. It was his turn to whimper as you desperately ran your fingers through his hair to clutch onto him as you felt your peak coming fast. Chris must’ve not been far behind, considering the way he sweetly groaned your name against your skin, as if to personally coax out your orgasm. 

The air between you was hot, static, and the way Chris held you was surprisingly affectionate. Despite how much ire and sarcasm had been slung between you previously, now you were both rendered speechless, your staccato breaths falling heavy in the spaces between your sighs and moans. Giving in to Chris didn’t feel like giving up like you had been afraid of for some reason. Reality seemed to be that he may even be quite fond of you, maybe even more than you’d previously imagined, despite how much you did or didn’t change. He obviously wanted to do more than kiss you, and now it seemed he wanted to do more than just fuck you. Chris’ fingertips dug into your hips as he thrust up against you, and you suddenly caught yourself meeting his gaze. The feeling was mutual, apparently, the blown out arousal in his eyes probably echoing your own impending orgasm slowly rising up your spine and making your head spin. He seemed to catch this as he wrapped his arms around you, holding you tight and pressing his lips to your throat as he pistoned his hard length deep inside you, the head dragging along your sensitive walls and daring you to cum.

So you finally did. It hit you hard, giving you barely a moment’s notice for you to grab onto Chris, wrapping your arms around his neck as your core shuddered, radiating out to your quaking thighs and trembling fingers as your heightened moans hit a fever pitch. This, of course, was the final straw for Chris, his orgasm not far behind yours as he tensed up, palms pushing flat against the small of your back as he rutted into you with a broken groan. He uttered a sharp curse under his breath, eyes squeezed shut with the force of his own climax spilling into you as you finished riding out your own on his lap. 

It felt like an eternity, wrapped around each other, faces buried in each other’s shoulders as you both fought for breath and you finally realized how cramped it was straddling Chris in his desk chair, the armrests uncomfortably digging into your legs. As if to mitigate this silent complaint you had, Chris gently began to ease you off of him as he simultaneously pulled you to him for a tiredly satisfied kiss. The bright lights in your eyes finally dulled and the imaginary cotton in your ears finally fell out, letting the sound return to normal. You could hear the low drone of the air conditioner, the muted hum of the hard drive in Chris’ laptop, the clatter of the classroom doorknob outside turning open—

Chris heard it, too, with how he bolted upright with you in his lap. You both stared at the door of his office in terror; this was no way for the assistant superintendent to be found, in post-orgasmic bliss with her legs wrapped around a teacher who was still in a heap of trouble, and you had no chance of escape. Footsteps could be heard approaching before Chris quickly pushed at your retreating knees, apparently on the same page as you when he helped you slide off his lap and under his desk. You scrambled forward to grab at his chair and wheel him close as he desperately stuffed himself back in his pants and tried to make himself presentable. A knock came at the door and Chris quickly wiped the accumulated perspiration off his brow. 

“Come in—!“ he coughed, trying to sound chipper and casual, and as if he didn’t just orgasm with you barely two minutes prior. He gave you one crazed look to make sure you were alright shoved under the desk before the door to his office gingerly opened.

“Hey—“ 

Doyoung?

“Mr. Kim!” Chris sat up a little straighter, inadvertently kicking you in your shin in the process and nearly making you curse out loud. You reflexively punched him in the knee, making him jump as he tried to appear natural. “Is everything alright?”

“What, with me? I’m fine. It’s just...” Doyoung sighed, apparently not moving from where he awkwardly stood in the doorway of the tiny office. “Was it true, what you said about the superintendent’s son?”

“It was,” Chris said solemnly. “Would you like to see the letter again?” His question was genuine, any ill feelings towards the other teacher seeming to have dissipated by now. Your ears perked up as Chris leaned forward. You could hear papers shuffled overhead. He still had it? You could hear a piece of paper being handed to Doyoung, whose sigh only multiplied. 

“I can’t believe it,” he murmured, “that’s so…”

“I know,” Chris commiserated. “Will Samantha—“

“I’ll talk to Sam,” Doyoung resolved, “but first, about the other day, I’m sorry about—“

“Mr. Kim, you don’t have to apologize,” Chris insisted, “tensions were high, you were upset, and you were protecting your student. If you’d like to help me report this I’d appreciate that. You’re a good teacher.”

“So are you, Mr. Bang,” Doyoung conceded sheepishly. “Maybe you can join me in the teacher’s lounge for lunch tomorrow.”

“I’d like that.”

You could hear the smooth heel of Doyoung’s oxford turn to leave and Chris backed up from the desk. The sigh of relief you both let out revealed that you had apparently been holding your breath. He slumped back in the chair before leaning forward to offer you an assisting hand. 

“Oh, one more thing—“

Chris snapped upright in his chair, accidentally kicking you again before his knees knocked into the top of his desk. He grinned through it as he attempted to look nonchalant again. “Yeah?”

“So,” Doyoung began stiffly, “you and her are, like… a thing?”

“Er,” Chris floundered for a second. “Yes. Why?”

“Why? Oh, I mean, it’s nothing,” Doyoung fumbled, “I meant, I guess, is it serious?”

Chris’ Adam’s apple could barely be seen bobbing with his sudden gulp from your vantage point, and you didn’t blame him. Serious? It wasn’t a stretch to imagine his ears turning beet red again. Your thighs were beginning to get sore where you were folded under the desk. “No! I mean, not yet,” Chris said, his stammer matching Doyoung’s now. “I want it to be, though. I really like her. Why?”

Your heart thudded against your ribs. You felt like such a sucker, but why did you also feel so smitten? 

“No reason,” Doyoung laughed politely. “I’m happy for you. For both of you. She looks different with you, you know? You look good together. See you later.”

The door finally clicked closed and you both waited for the classroom door to do the same before it was Chris’ turn to let out the breath he’d been holding. He sighed heavily, melting into his chair before sliding back. His gentle hand reached down to help you out from under the desk. You held his hand, his fingers warm in yours as he met your gaze. “Hello, stranger,” he grinned, “did you have fun under the desk?” Chris fussed with your clothes, helping smooth your skirt back out and buttoning your blouse back up before he realized you were staring at him. He suddenly looked concerned, sitting up as he tried to make sense of your expression.  “What? Is everything alright?”

“You want this to be serious?”

Chris almost flinched as he defensively tried to figure out your tone. He settled for getting back up from his chair and squaring up against you once again, arms folded matter-of-factly like he anticipated a confrontation. “You know what? I do.”

“This isn’t even real, Chris,” you smirked, flattered by his sincerity. “We don’t even like each other, remember?”

He let out an exasperated laugh. “Holy shit, you nearly gave me a heart attack. Go ahead, then, tell me how we aren’t real.”

“Well,” you smiled, “you haven’t asked me out, for one thing.” 

It seemed Chris finally caught up to your game. “Fine,” he sarcastically scoffed. “Would you like to go out with me some time?” 

“Sure,” you playfully shrugged with a smile. “How about now? Are you hungry?”

Chris was amused as he pulled you close into his arms. “You know what? I’m actually not.”

[laceyeb]

I know I don’t say this very often, but I LOVED my job today. 

For a Wednesday during which I had to do study hall three days before winter break for kids who had to miss out on an ice skating trip, it was actually a decent day already. 

At lunch, I went through the office to give the secretary some money because we’re collecting for the principal’s birthday. But I walk right past the principal’s office when I walk from the staff room to the front office and she stopped me to talk to me. My class is pretty rough this year. I teach a Special Day class, which is what we call the “most restrictive environment” as far as classes we offer to students with disabilities at our school. I have four grade levels (5th through 8th), most of my students have pretty serious behaviors (I don’t have like chair throwers or classroom destroyers though), and I have about twice as many students as I should have in order to run a truly effective program. 

So the principal stopped me and said, “We’re not going to solve any problems this year, but we need to go to the superintendent before next year and have a discussion because you shouldn’t have to put up with all of this. It’s not fair to you and I’m sorry you have to put up with everything you do.” I told her she doesn’t need to be sorry because it’s not her fault my class is so ridiculous this year. I did tell her, as she already knows, that I call the day a success if we make it through without any bloodshed or broken bones. And we might learn some math, but I can’t make any promises. She said that’s exactly her point and that it’s not fair to me, so we have to demand some changes for next year. I told her hopefully I make it through this year and can stick around for next year. You should have seen the look she gave me! She said, “Do NOT talk like that! You’re not going anywhere! You can move to a different position if you have to, but you are NOT leaving our school!” And she was only kind of joking around which made me feel very special and appreciated. Seeing as I often feel very under appreciated. 

The other reason I loved my job today was because we had our staff Christmas party this afternoon. I’m not much of a socializer/party-goer and I sometimes feel a little awkward and left out at such gatherings. But today was an absolute blast!!! We had so much food, exchanged our last secret santa gifts, and played a game, which was the highlight. If you’ve never heard of the dice game called LCR, google it. That’s what we played. We were all told to bring $5 in quarters if we wanted to play. I think it would typically be just played with chips. In a nutshell… You have three dice labeled L, C, R, and the other three sides have dots. You roll and L means you pass a quarter to the left, R to the right, and C mean you put it in the center and those ones basically end up out of play. Dots mean you do nothing. After two rounds, we started a new rule that meant everyone has to give you one quarter if you roll three dots. (Of course this was after I rolled three dots on both of my first two rolls, so I’m slightly bitter, but I did get it again after a while.) We started with about 20 of us playing and the last person with quarters won all of the money! The game probably took an hour by the end. You can keep playing if you run out of quarters, because someone on your left or right might give you some. Most people left after they were out because they had to go pick up their kids or go to appointments or whatever. I pointed out that I don’t have any kids and I could stay all night if I had to. Many of us got very competitive. 

At some point I must have mentioned that these quarters I brought were my laundry money because I have to go to a laundromat and everyone else is real grownups. So then one of our secretaries (the one who said last night that our principal is “hot as fuck”) and one of the other teachers started googling those little portable washers that you fill up with hot water and can fit in like three pairs of pants at a time. They were picking some out for me and then she got the bright idea that she could email every employee in our district and they could chip in a dollar and get me a portable washer! She wasn’t kidding! So they started writing this email together and were like “wonderful teacher,” “gives so much of herself,” “never complains,” etc. I told her she better not do that and she was NOT listening. (It was all in good fun.) Finally she said, “Okay, then I’m just sending it to people at our school.” At some point she said, “You can nominate someone for next time.” And then the two of them spent a lot of time muttering together. So I don’t know what, if anything, will come of that. I think it would actually be really cool (not just because I like presents that are hopefully cash and not portable washers) if we picked a staff member to just show appreciation to every once in a while and that person then got to pick who was next. That sounds like an awesome way to bring us together and boost morale in general and just show each other appreciation. So I’m kind of hoping they actually do something for me because I already know who I’m picking to go next!

And finally we got to the end of our game and the PE teacher ended up winning. He’s my classroom next door neighbor and we have the same lunch and I’ve known him since I started at this school (he was actually the principal at the time and was the one who hired me), so we’ve bonded. He ended up getting all the money and him and me and a couple others were helping to clean up after the party and he kept saying, “Those are your quarters, Lacey.” And I said, “No they are not.” And he said, “Yes they are. That’s your laundry money.” And I said, “Nope. Those aren’t mine.” Finally I convinced him to keep them and use them for the library fundraiser we do in the spring where we collect change, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them appear in my classroom tomorrow and I just know we’re going to be arguing about these quarters for as long as we’re working together. 

All in all, I felt very appreciated and included today and had so much fun and even made a trip to (a very busy) Target to put together an outfit for our ugly sweater contest on Friday.

[fictional-downey]

Demons

I am going back and reworking this fic, changing things I wasn’t happy with, etc, and I thought, why not repost it here?  After all, “fictional-downey” was chosen for a reason, and this was it.  I AM A FEEDBACK WHORE so feel free to comment, good or bad (as long as it’s done tastefully, no need to be cruel).  The fic is a little dated, so I’ve begun to change a few things to bring it into the now (imagination, yeah?), but cannot change the fact that music is usually what inspires parts of fics for me and this one was no different.  When “Demons” came out, oh so long ago, Nathan was the first character I thought of, so it had to stay in the first chapter.  Thanks and have a good read!  (BONUS - The first chapter is SMUT!  Not that that’s all you kind people want...)

Chapter 1 - Stranger in a Bar

        Friday night in mid, unseasonably warm October.  There were high school football games being played, couples on dates, husbands and wives playing with their children…but Nathan Gardner was seated at a bar, his second scotch in hand.  This wasn’t Nathan’s usual haunt, but he had stupidly agreed to go out with a couple of casual friends and this was where the night led him.  They told him he needed to “get out there” – he hated that phrase – as well as celebrate getting his old job back.  Steven and Jeff were actually out on the small dance floor trying desperately to flirt with a group of women.  Nathan just shook his head and looked back down into his glass.

         He tried so hard to stop drinking after the fiasco with Charlie, but he was weak.  With his ex-wife still riding his back and the superintendent unhappy about his reinstatement as a teacher, he wasn’t in the mood to try and “fix himself.”  He had just set the empty tumbler down when he heard the barstool next to him move.  He sighed, hoping it wasn’t some chatty creeper who struck out with the women present in the bar.

         “Tequila,” a voice, very much not male, said,  “coconut if you have it…and pineapple juice.”

         “In it?” the bartender asked.

         “Nah, chaser.  I know, it’s girly.”  After a moment Nathan, who was only looking at the wooden bar top, saw two shot glasses placed next to him.  “Thank you,” the woman said.  He watched her manicured hand lift the glass with the tequila, then the one with the pineapple juice.  She all but slammed them down when she was finished.  “Well, that’s a start,” she said to herself.

         Nathan looked up at her, curiosity getting the best of him.  He began to wish for the chatty creeper.  The woman was brunette with dark eyes and berry stained lips.  She had heavy bangs, a neat ponytail, and was clearly going for some type of dramatic look with her dark smoky eye makeup.  Early thirties he guessed…and she realized he was looking at her.

         “Are you going to say something or just keep looking?” she asked, somewhat amused.

         “Ah, sorry,” he stammered.  “Didn’t mean…sorry.”  He waved for the bartender.  “Same.”

         “Amaretto sour,” she said quickly, not wanting the bartender to leave without getting her something else.  They were served at the same time and when she took her drink she looked at Nathan.  “Bye.”  He tried not to, but he watched as she walked away.  She was in a version of the cliched “little black dress”, a generously low cut one that hugged her curves, and black heels.  

         The establishment wasn’t the small, quiet bar Nathan was used to, but it wasn’t like one of the downtown clubs either; it fell somewhere in between.  It was crowded and loud, people were dancing and carrying on, but Nathan was able to keep to himself - especially since his so-called “friends” had forgotten about him.  As long as he could drink, he was fine.

         An hour passed and the woman once again wound up beside him.  “If you’re not going to move from this stool, you’re doing a shot with me.”

         “Uh, no, I’m good,” Nathan said, completely avoiding eye contact with her.

         She pushed herself into his line of sight, wanting to get a better look at him in the dim light.  “I don’t think so,” she said, obviously tipsy.  “Two…cherry tootsie pops!” she said, holding her hand up in the air.  A minute or so later, there was a shot in front of each of them.  “When a woman buys you a drink, it’s only polite to take it.”  She nudged the shot glass closer to him and he took it, albeit reluctantly.  She smiled at him and he felt the corner of his mouth twitch upwards…this caused her to smile wider.  “That’s what I thought.”  She held up her glass and he clinked his own against it.  “To a less lonely night,” she said with a wink.  They both downed the shot and put their glasses down.

         “That actually tasted like…”

        “Like being a kid, right?”  She put her hand on his shoulder.  “I’m Sydney.  Dance with me.”

        “I need a lot more to drink before I can even start to think about that.”

        “I can arrange that…”  She looked at him, waiting for a name.

        He shook his head, knowing he was going to give in.  “Nathan.”

        “That’s not a bar name.  I like it.”

        Nathan raised an eyebrow in question.  “Not a bar name?  What does that mean?”

        Sydney giggled.  “It’s a girl thing, but it’s good…promise.”  She ordered two more shots and Nathan let himself loosen up a little.  “So, why are you drinking all alone on a Friday night, Nathan?”

        “I’m not alone…exactly.”  He looked out at the dance floor.  “My ‘friends’ are…”  He rubbed the back of his neck.  “…trying too hard.  Meanwhile, same question to you.”

        “I’m not alone either…your friends are attempting to hit on mine.”  She sat, fumbling a little, on the stool next to Nathan’s.  “Girls’ night,” she said sarcastically.  “They sorta forced me.”

        “Me too,” he chuckled.

        Sydney took a long, deep breath, then turned her whole body toward Nathan’s.  The music changed to a song she loved and she gave him the best puppy dog eyes she could muster.  “We could be miserable together…out there.”

        “Look, uh…”  He struggled to remember her name for a moment.  “…Sydney.  I really don’t think…”

        “Exactly!  Let’s not think.”  She grabbed his hand.  “Neither of us want to be here and we’ve both had enough to drink to make this plausible…pretty please?”  

        He shrugged, then looked at his friends.  They were trying to dance with the women around them, while this very attractive woman was begging for him to do the same.  If anything, maybe this would get them off his back.  “Okay.”  Sydney beamed as she took his arm and all but dragged him out into the crowd.

        “I’m a terrible dancer,” she laughed.  “Fair warning.”  She stumbled a bit, trying to dance on her own and Nathan watched her, barely moving his feet.  Without warning, Sydney flung her arms around his neck and her dancing style changed.  Nathan didn’t even realize he was putting his arms around her until he felt his body  pressing against hers.  “Mmm…”  He could barely hear her above the music, but the sound was there.  She ran her hands along his arms.  “Strong,” she said with a coy smile.  “You don’t dress how you’re built, do you?”

        “I don’t put much thought into it,” he answered honestly.  He was in a rumpled button down shirt, his tie crooked, and his pants were a size too big.

        “Well then, good thing you’re hot,” she added, her finger tracing his jaw line.  Nathan blushed instantly.  She giggled.  “Like you don’t know it.”  She closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them he looked…nervous.

        “I…”

        “Not hit on much?”

        “Not hit on ever.”  He inhaled her perfume, light with a strange hint of chocolate.  He didn’t mean for it to happen, but his body reacted.  What could have been the highest form of embarrassment was overlooked as Sydney’s lips found his.  It was closed mouthed and quick, but it was enough to make him allow some lines to blur.

        “Let’s remedy that, hm?”  She pulled him off the dance floor and back to the bar.  A few more shots later and he was losing the remaining tenseness in his muscles.  “My fiancé dumped me for a man,” Sydney confessed.  They had moved to a table and she was sitting on his lap, nuzzling his neck.  His hand was on her backside.  “‘New boyfriend’ left me a couple of days ago…well, sort of…he left for work a while ago, but just officially dumped me... ”  She stopped talking and circled his ear with her tongue.

        “Assholes,” Nathan said, his eyes half closed as he enjoyed the feelings running through him.  “My ex-wife slept with anything that had a pulse…”

        “Bitch.”  She moved her hands to his face and looked at him.  “I know how you want to kiss me…you should just do it.”

        “Yeah?”  

        She licked at her upper lip.  “Yeah…”  Her word was swallowed as Nathan kissed her, his tongue searching out hers.  Without breaking the kiss, she moved her body so she straddled him, grinding against his growing erection.  She moaned into his whiskey soaked mouth, her body aching with want, then broke the kiss and rose from his lap.  She saw the look on his face and bent down to kiss him again.  “Just need…little girls room…”  She winked and steadied herself as she walked to the restrooms.  When she returned, she grabbed his tie, pulling him up from his seat.  “Dance,” she said.  This time she didn’t have to ask twice.

        They shamelessly ground against one another to the beat of the music.  Nathan’s hands were curious and Sydney didn’t bat them away; hers were just as curious.  Both sets of friends noticed them and laughed it off as a drunken tryst, which it most certainly was…for a while.

        “I haven’t…no fun for…”  It wasn’t the alcohol affecting Nathan’s words, it was Sydney’s fingers running along his waistband.

        “I’m gonna offer you something men would kill for,” Sydney whispered in his ear.

        “Oh?”  He cocked an eyebrow, his mouth dry.

        “I got something from the…vending machine in the bathroom.”

        Nathan immediately knew what she meant and became rock hard.  He hadn’t felt like this in years…he wanted the contact so much it hurt.  “Not nice to tease.”

        “Not teasing,” Sydney purred.  “No last names, no phone numbers…I could care less what you make a year or even if you’re a fucking serial killer.”  She kissed him, slow and wet.  “Have you ever slept with a stranger from a bar?”  He shook his head.  “Me either…and I want to.”

        “I…”

        She stopped him.  “Don’t tell me you don’t want to feel good for a night…”

        “I do,” he growled, unable to help himself.

        She smiled, please with his answer.  “You’ve been hard a few times tonight, Nathan.”

        “Have you been wet?”  He couldn’t believe those words passed his lips.  She guided his hand under the hem of her dress, nobody noticing them.  “Fuck,” he breathed, feeling the answer to her question.  He wavered for a moment, unsure if it was due to the alcohol or his awakened hormones.

        “No strings.”  She stroked him through his pants.

        “Where?”

        The tone of her voice was desperate and needy.  “It doesn’t matter…”  She kissed him once more,  grabbing his erection as she did so.  “I’m betting it’s been a while, hm?”  He nodded, his eyes closed and his head tipped back.  “Might not last if we don’t…”  The ill fitting pants were a great help as Sydney’s hand dipped below the waistband, beyond his boxers, and found his bare length.  His body shuddered and his breath hitched.  “Poor baby,” she cooed.

        Nathan’s hand went back under her dress.  “And you?”

        “He was gone a couple of months before he ended…”  She gasped as he stroked the damp fabric between her legs.  “…it.”

        Nathan pulled her closer, still moving enough to look like they were dancing.  He put his lips next to her ear and breathed, “I want to touch you.”

        “You are.”

“I want to feel you.”

        Sydney pulled back just enough to look him in the eye.  “I’m not saying ‘no’ am I?”  It was all Nathan needed to hear.  Her soft hand still stroking him, he pushed her panties aside and slid a finger inside her.  “Fuck,” she panted.

        He bit at his lip as they remained in the crowd, their hands working one another into a frenzy.  “If you don’t stop I’m gonna…”

        “That’s the point.”  She licked his neck.  “Quick mess now means a longer time with me later.”

“Christ…you’re so…ah…”  He felt a surge of new moisture on his finger and he knew he’d made her come…he followed suit, not caring where the mess went.

“Good boy,” Sydney whispered, her cheeks glowing.  “I’ve got it, baby.”  She slyly removed her hand and went to the restroom again.  Nathan worried she wouldn’t come back.

After a few minutes, he went back to the bar, convinced she had, indeed, left.  “’Nother,” he slurred, his body as light as his head.  He hadn’t even bothered touching himself for longer than he could remember and tonight a complete stranger got him off in a crowd of a hundred or so people.  “Hallucinating?” he asked himself, as yet another tumbler appeared before him.

“I was real last time I checked,” Sydney said, wrapping her arms around him from behind.  She kissed the side of his neck.  “Feel good?”

Nathan turned on the stool and took her into his arms, kissing her unabashedly.  His tongue sought out all it could and his hands wandered her back.  “Who are you?” he asked.

Sydney shook her head.  “I told you.  I’m Sydney.”  He wasn’t going to get any more from her.  “We’re two lonely people on a night out neither of us wanted.”  She smiled at him.  “We’re one another’s future good memories with no regrets.”  

“This…this doesn’t happen,” he slurred.  “Happens in movies and, well, pornos and shit…”  Sydney laughed.  “…but real life?”

“Changing your mind?”

“No!” he yelled, far too eager.

“Good.”  She took his hand and led him back to the table they occupied before, so she could sit on his lap again.  “I want you to tell me what you wanna to do me.”

“What?”

“We’ve both had plenty to shut off our filters…”  She nuzzled into his neck again, lightly nipping at his flesh.  “What are you thinking about doing to me right now?”  She sucked his earlobe.  “Be dirty, baby.”  She felt the muscles in his chest tighten for a moment.    

“I…”  Drunk as he was, he just couldn’t.

“Please, baby,” Sydney purred, accentuating the anonymous placeholder.  She was trying to use his name as little as possible; it kept things easier.  “Every dirty little thing you’ve wanted since your ex did what she did…tell me.”

“I wanna bury my cock inside you,” he confessed, unable to stop.  Sydney was right, the filters were gone.  His voice stayed low as he continued.  “I want to fuck you…I want to make you come, coating me…”  He was kissing her chest, his tongue dipping into her cleavage.  “I want you to clench around me and make me…”

“Make you what?”

“I wanna fucking explode,” he growled.

        Satisfied, she rose from his lap and grabbed his arm.  They went out the front door of the bar and were immediately illuminated by the streetlight.   “Jesus, you’re fucking gorgeous,” Sydney all but moaned.  “In there yeah, but…fuck, Nathan…”  He blushed, thinking the same of her, but also thinking she was putting him on.  “You don’t believe me.”  She saw the few lines around his eyes, the traces of gray in his hair and stub - and it made her knees weak.  “You’re in your prime.”  He smiled at her and that was it.  “Do that…do that a lot more.”  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again, heat and want flooding her body.

        “You’re beautiful,” he breathed.  “I can’t…fuck, I…”

        “Oh, yes you can, Nathan…”  She looked around and smiled.  “Back here.”  She led him to side of the building.  The bar was in a nice enough area that it wasn’t a typical “dirty” alleyway, just a throughway between businesses…with a half fence to keep anyone from seeing them.  There was one dim light above them and she saw doubt in his eyes for a moment.  

        He pressed her body to the brick wall with gentle force.  “Why me?” he asked, his voice raspy with want and tainted by confusion.  “All the guys in there, all the younger, better looking…”

Sydney put her finger to his lips.  “First of all, I repeat, you’re gorgeous.  Younger men are a pain in the ass…”  Her body trembled for a dozen different reasons.  “…and you looked broken.”

“You’ve no idea,” he whispered.  

“Two broken people…”  She rubbed his back as he began to place hot, wet kisses along her neck.  He found a spot between her neck and shoulder that made her back arch and she pressed into him.  “…they should be able to fix something for a bit when put together, don’t you think?”

“Never thought of it…”  He kissed her lips, chaste at first.  “…that way..”   His kisses deepened and Sydney mewed into his mouth.  “Tell me you want me,” he whispered, needing to hear it, needing to know this was real.

“I want you,” she said surely.  “Moment I saw you…crazy…stupid…”

“No…”  He reached up under her dress to stroke her again and found no barrier in the way.

        “In my purse,” she answered before he could question.  “So’s…” Nathan understood and backed off, letting her bend and rifle through her small black bag.  She pulled out the foil packet and reached for his belt.  They could hear the music from inside the bar as she released his length out into the unseasonable air.  

When the days are cold…and the cards all fold…and the saints we see…are all made of gold…

She couldn’t help but smile when she looked down.  “Knew what I felt was good.”

When your dreams all fail…and the ones we hail…are the worst of all…and the blood’s run stale…

        He gasped as she sheathed him, even that act feeling better than anything in years.  She looked at him with full, parted lips and could see that he needed just one more nudge.  “It’s okay, baby,” she cooed, stroking his face.  “Fill me.  We’re not making love here, no need to…be formal or anything.”  Nathan took her left leg and hiked it onto his hip.  He ran his length along her folds for a moment, giving her the chance to change her mind.  “Fuck me,” she begged.

        I want to hide the truth…I want to shelter you…but with the beast inside there’s nowhere we can hide…


        Nathan slid himself inside her body and let out a low growl.  He immediately claimed her lips as he reached for her other leg and wrapped them both around his waist.  “Christ,” he breathed, coming up for air.  

“Talk to me,” she cried.  “Tell me…” She wanted to hear every dirty thing he had to say to her.

No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed…This is my kingdom come…This is my kingdom come…

        “So fucking tight,” he grunted.  “So wet…warm…”  He placed his arms between her back and the brick wall, not wanting to hurt her.  “Fuck, Syd,” he hissed…and she hated how he’d just said her name - like he knew her, like he could have cared for her.

        “Harder,” Sydney panted, wanting to break the brief spell she was under.  “Your cock feels amazing, baby…so hard, so big…”  She got what she wanted as Nathan’s thrusts increased.   He held her close to him and she felt how strong he really was.  The air was sobering, but her mind didn’t change.  Nathan looked into her eyes, he was beginning to sober as well, but his pace stayed strong, enjoying every bit of pleasure coursing thorough his body.

        When you feel my heat, look into my eyes…It’s where my demons hide…It’s where my demons hide…
Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside…it’s where my demons hide, it’s where my demons hide…



        “You feel so good,” he whispered in her ear.  “Will you come for me?”

        When the curtain’s call is the last of all…When the lights fade out all the sinners crawl…So they dug your grave and the masquerade…Will come calling out at the mess you made…



         “Yes,” she whined, her body tensing.   She bit on his shoulder to muffle herself and Nathan groaned as her walls clenched around him.  “Fuck…fuck yes…Nathan…”  She regretted saying his name.

        “Say my name again,” he all but demanded.  “Come on me again.”

Don’t want to let you down, but I am hell bound…Though this is all for you, don’t want to hide the truth…No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed…This is my kingdom come…This is my kingdom come…


        He rolled his hips, thrusting deeper within her and she did as he asked, calling out his name, knowing she shouldn’t, but wanting to all the same.  “So good, Nathan…so...fucking…good…”

When you feel my heat, look into my eyes…It’s where my demons hide…It’s where my demons hide…Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside…It’s where my demons hide…It’s where my demons hide…



        She tightened around him again and he couldn’t stop what was running through him.  He kissed her, desperate for the contact, and spilled himself.  “Sydney,” he breathed against her neck.  Nathan thrust once more as his body convulsed with sheer pleasure.  He said nothing else as he slid from her depths and placed her feet back on the ground.  They could still hear the commotion inside the bar, but it sounded worlds away.  “I…”

        Sydney smiled.  “I know.”  She smoothed out her dress and picked up her purse as he disposed of the condom and put himself back in order.  He then took her hand and they made their way back to the front of the building.

        “Staying?”

        She shook her head.  “I don’t think so.”  She looked at the ground.  “I’m pretty sure they won’t miss me. I’ll just get a cab and…” When she looked back up, she was captivated by his eyes and her words simply stopped.

They say it's what you make, I say it's up to fate…It's woven in my soul, I need to let you go…



        “Let me,” Nathan said, not realizing the effect he was having on her.  He hailed the cab that was coming down the street.

        Your eyes, they shine so bright…I want to save their light…I can't escape this now…Unless you show me how…

        The cab stopped and Sydney opened the door.  “Thank you,” she said, “for the cab and…well…”  She looked at him, blushing.  “I said no strings, but…”  Nathan’s heart began to race.  She put her arms around him and her lips to his ear.  “…would you mind if I named my toy after you?”  Nathan’s eyes went wide.  “Don’t be embarrassed, I’m not.”

        “I’m not…I think I’m flattered.”

        “You should be…that was…”  She stopped herself.  “Fuck it, we’ll never see each other again.  Nathan, that was the best orgasm of my life.”  She kissed him and he reciprocated, heat beginning to rise between them again.  She pulled back.  “Get home safe.”  She got into the cab and he watched it take her away.

        When you feel my heat, look into my eyes…It’s where my demons hide…It’s where my demons hide
Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside…It’s where my demons hide…It’s where my demons hide…

[ofmermaidsandmarauders]

are you going to just stand there?

Five times Vice Principal Potter showed up in Miss Evans’ doorway & one time she showed up in his.

Happy birthday @hypergalacticcannibalism can’t believe i finished this IN TIME for your actual birthday BUT HERE I AM with this fic.

Read it on AO3 and FF 

i.

Miss Evans is basically every student’s favorite teacher at school. It’s a well known fact by all of the incoming kindergarteners that Miss Evans will be the bestest teacher ever and always has a bowl of candy in her drawer in case you’re missing home.

“Miss Evans?”

“Yes, Charlie?” She’s surprised by his tears because it’s already October and she has yet to see the younger Weasley show any sign of anxiety but he’s standing in front of her with tears in his eyes suddenly. “What’s wrong?”

As his lower lip quivered, she placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him a little closer. “I-” He choked on his sob and she smoothed down a strand of his hair before smiling down at him. “It’s okay, take your time. Do you want to sit inside during recess?” The little boy nodded and settled down in the beanie bag next to her desk.

“Everything alright, Miss Evans?” The voice surprised her as she looked up to see the new vice principal standing in her doorway. His lanky build filled the opening and as his hand flew to his hair, she noticed the way that his unruly curls fell against the tan skin on his forehead just so. He had taken a more hands-on approach to being an administrator, popping in at random times just to ensure things were running smoothly. It was already better than Principal Umbridge, who was really a useless piece of crap burning on a hot day, or so said Lily when she and Miss McKinnon had a few drinks and would get a little rowdy on Friday nights at the bar.

“Yes, just having a little bit of a hard day, I think. Charlie here is going to spend some time with me just reading while everyone goes out to play.” She smiled sincerely at James while letting Charlie grab a picture book from the small shelving unit on the side of her desk and offered him a snack from the small basket in the bottom drawer of her desk. Lily hadn’t noticed that James was stepping into the classroom and crouched down beside Charlie. “Hey, bud. I think we met before. Two weeks ago during recess, right?” Charlie’s nod confirmed that James was correct in recognizing him. “Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?” At the shrug of Charlie’s shoulders, James shot a small smile and shrug Lily’s way.

“That’s okay if you’re not ready to talk about it. I was wondering if you’d like to have lunch in my office with me and your brother. I can see if Bill would be cool with having a special lunch earlier than normal, just the three of us. What do you say? Maybe then we can talk about what’s wrong?” James’ grin grew as Charlie nodded and was able to calm his tears. “As long as that’s alright with Miss Evans, that is.” He shot her a wink and Lily let out a soft sigh.

“I suppose it sort of has to be, at this point.” Normally she would have been annoyed that someone was taking over her comforting moment to connect with her students, and was changing up the rules of her classroom, but it was obvious how much James cared about Charlie despite the minimal interactions they may have had, and it made her much more accepting of the situation. Lily shot James a genuine smile as he lifted his gaze to meet hers.

She could let it go this one time.

ii.

“Hey, Miss Evans, can I see you for a minute?”

James’ voice was a surprise to Lily’s as he appeared in her doorway.

“Hey, call me Lily when there’s no children around, please.” She smiled as she beckoned him in and he was able to shut the door.

“Well, then I insist you call me James.” His smile only brightened as he took a seat on top of one of the kindergartener’s desks, knowing there was no way he was fitting in one of the tiny chairs. “I just wanted to come and see how things were going.”

Lily was surprised by this. Principal Umbridge never made it a habit to check in on her teachers, especially when she was the Vice Principal. She had considered herself the dean of discipline and was constantly pulling children out of class for “poor behaviors,” and this often resulted in traumatized children feeling targeted for struggling in class when really they just needed extra support. She had attempted to pull one of Lily’s students once, and when she refused the removal of the student, it had started a power struggle between the two women. Principal Umbridge had made it a point to be Lily’s enemy ever since.

“Principal Umbridge wanted me to come in here and talk to you about… um…” James trailed off and Lily’s eyebrows furrowed together as his cheeks grew increasingly pinker. “Spit it out, James.” She huffed, already annoyed that James was now going to be scolding her too.

“Well, she says that some of the things you wear could be considered.. um... inappropriate for a kindergarten teacher. That maybe your outfits should be a little less adult friendly and a little more k-kid friendly.” He stuttered over his words, refusing to actually look at her when presenting her with this suggestion .

“Oh, is that so?” She asked, raising her left eyebrow as she went to stand in front of James. Lily waited until his chin lifted so he was looking at her, and she noted the slight fear in his eyes. “Does my wardrobe bother you at all, Mr. Potter?” Lily’s formal use of his name caused him to gulp and he shook his head.

“N-no. I- I think you look just fine. More than fine. Beautiful, actually. Well, not beautiful. I mean, yes, beautiful. But in a totally professional way. An appropriate way. I think nothing is wrong with how you dress. Principal Umbridge just asked me t0-” James trailed off when he realized that Lily was giggling.

“It’s okay, James. I know Umbridge has it out for me. She does this at least twice a year. McGonagall used to just bring me a packet of biscuits and chat while we had my semesterly talking to . It’s too bad she got promoted to superintendent. We could use her level-headedness around here.” Lily let out a sigh as she sank back into the chair behind her metal desk, putting her feet up on the wooden top of it so that her skirt hung a little lower on her thighs.

James just grinned and stood up, shaking his head as he walked out.

iii.

Lily had stepped away from the gymnasium/cafeteria where most of the teachers were. It had grown incredibly stifling and she just needed some space. Lily had somehow ended up back in her classroom and she was enjoying the cool air that was coming in through the window she had cracked open upon entering. Settling in on the reading rug, Lily’s legs kicked out in front of her so that the red skirt she wore splayed across the grey carpet. Holding a glass of spiked eggnog, the redhead let her eyes fall shut for just a moment while nibbling on a sugar cookie shaped like a Christmas tree.

“Everything alright in here?” The deep voice scared her so much that the eggnog sloshed onto her hand a bit and Lily’s cheeks went pink at being caught hiding out from everyone. “Mind if I join you?”

James didn’t wait for a response as he sauntered over towards the rug, sliding down beside her so that his legs also lay out in front of him. His were much longer than hers, and she appreciated his height for the first time since they had truly met while purchasing a snack in the teacher’s lounge the day before school started for the students.

“Penny for your thoughts?” He asked, grinning down at her.

“Just thinking about how even that Santa hat can’t hide those curls of yours.” Lily smirked as she made him blush and duck his head.

“Liiiiiiily.” He whined, nudging her with his elbow before he laughed softly. “I can’t control it!” James was growing defensive and she couldn’t control the giggles that fell from her lips. She knew she had too much eggnog before coming down here, and being alone with her boss while slightly tipsy was a dangerous matter. Especially a boss who was looking incredibly cute with his button down sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the hat tilted on the top of his head.

Lily must have been staring for too long because James cleared his throat and she smoothed down her skirt quickly, avoiding his gaze.

“It’s getting cold in here. We should probably head back to the party. Free eggnog can’t last for much longer.” She stood without a warning, watching as James did so as well. He locked up the window for her and then led her through the doorway, his hand burning on the middle of her lower back throughout the walk.

iv.

Lily was looking at her classroom, all decorated with hearts in various shades of red and pink. She had on her pink cardigan with a cream colored skirt that twirled whenever she spun and for some reason she was really looking forward to Valentine’s Day this year. All of the kids had been “gossiping” with her about what kind of cards they were going to get for their friends, and she knew of at least two students who had crushes on other students. Lily had just finished putting out the Valentine’s she gave her own students each year with a small lollipop attached at the corner of the heart-shaped card when she heard a slight cough coming from the doorway. She smiled pleasantly at the sight of James, wearing gray slacks with a white shirt and a bright pink tie covered in hearts.

“Looking quite festive in here, Miss Evans! In fact, I think Cupid may find himself a new home in your classroom, it looks so ready for Valentine’s Day.” James’ teasing caused her to flush, though she smoothed her skirt down and offered up a shrug in response while turning to scan her classroom.

“I like the students to feel excited for the holidays. You haven’t even seen my Valentine’s Day lesson planning.” She had constructed a spelling word list along with math worksheets and art projects, all designed to be Valentine’s themed. “I think I am the leader of this school when it comes to the holiday spirit.” Lily grinned as she settled down at her desk, leaning back in her chair Godfather-style as she glanced up at James. His cheeks brightened and he stepped into the classroom, peeking at one of the cards on a student’s desk before smiling at her again.

“Sorry for the teasing. I appreciate the festivity. I noticed that nobody around here really has that passion anymore, so I’m glad to see at least one teacher does. I’m sure the kids are going to love it.” He sounded sincere as he settled into the beanbag chair beside her desk, his lanky limbs not quite fitting on the cushion properly. Her gaze focused back on him as he adjusted himself and then jumped up again, causing Lily to let out a small yelp in surprise.

“Sorry, sorry. Just forgot. I need to give you something.” As he reached into his pocket, she was afraid she was about to get her pink slip (and on Valentine’s Day no less) meaning she’d have to bid for her job, again and she knew she’d get it but just the stress of having to go through the bid process every year was frightening and she was incredibly grateful that Umbridge didn’t have hiring and firing power.

“Here. Happy Valentine’s Day, Evans.” In James’ palm lay a small Disney princess card in her hand. She took it and noticed that it had Ariel on it, and she couldn’t help the smile that formed on her face as she realized he probably was trying to be cute, identifying that they both had red hair. She licked her lips and opened it up, reading the scratchy scrawl on the inside in tiny lettering.

“Be my Valentine, Evans?  Love, James.” Above his handwriting were the words So glad you’re a part of my world printed in big teal lettering. She grinned up at him and nodded. “I happily accept your proposal, Valentine.” Lily winked and James’ cheeks burned a red almost as bright as the mermaid’s hair.

“Great, so that means you’re required to stop by my office for lunch. I’ll order us something great from that Greek place you always mention.” He told her as he started to back towards her door.

“Perfect! It’s a date.” Lily confirmed, to which James nodded in response and out of the corner of her eye, Lily noticed him stumble over a small chair by the door before he left Lily alone with her thoughts.

v.

Lily had just hugged the last of her kindergarteners goodbye, saying a special farewell to Charlie, who had made immense progress when it came to his math over the year. This was always a hard time for teachers. It was a time to rejoice and prepare for a few months off with no children to really stress over, but it was also a sad time. She was struggling to hold back tears as she took a turn and just stared at the empty classroom. She was being forced to remove all of her decorations for the summer so that they could repaint and retile the floors. All of her student’s things were gone, and any reminders of this school year would be shoved into a storage box. She had never felt so nostalgic before, and she knew that this year’s students held a special place in her heart.

“Alright, Evans?” James’ voice sounded concerned as he suddenly appeared in the doorway to the classroom. She nodded and let out a little sigh before stepping towards him. “How do you always seem to know just when I need some form of human contact?” Lily tried to joke, but she found it to be uncanny. It was as if James just knew when she needed the help.

His hands rested lightly on her shoulders as she let her eyes close, trying to stop any more tears from forming. “It’s okay.” He murmured, letting a hand slip down her arm so that he could lace their fingers together, giving her fingers a slight squeeze. “You’ll get new rascals next year, and you’ll get to mold them into awesome human beings because it’s what you’re great at.” James’ voice sounded so genuine it just made her want to cry more. He was being so kind and thoughtful, and his words meant the world to her.

When Lily peeked up at him from beneath her lashes, James’ gaze seemed a bit softer than usual. Without thinking, his hand slid up to cup the back of her neck, and she could feel his warm breath across her cheeks. “Lily, I-” His words were cut off as she leaned up the rest of the way, capturing his mouth in a soft kiss. Lily wasn’t entirely sure where the desire to do so had come from, but she realized that she had been thinking about doing so for quite some time, and she didn’t want to wait any longer.

After pulling back, the weight of what Lily had done was weighing her down, and she felt like she was going to be sick. She had just kissed her boss. She was so going to be fired. She’d have to work at the school across town, doubling her commute. They definitely didn’t have as nice of classrooms, and she heard all of the administrative time were monsters, but she could make do. Lily could feel her heart pounding in her chest and James must have finally noticed the fearful look on her features because he chuckled softly before lifting up her chin using his thumb and forefinger.

“I was going to ask if you wanted to go for dinner sometime, but I think that I got my answer.” James’ face donned a cocky smirk, but his voice sounded a bit nervous, despite the fact that Lily had just kissed him .

“I think dinner could be arranged.”

vi.

Lily appeared in the doorway and grinned as she watched her husband work. His head was bent over his desk, completely oblivious to his visitors. She knew that the school year wouldn’t be starting for another month, and James technically didn’t start getting paid again until next week, but his passion for his students was what drew her in, and it was something she still found endearing, even after all their time together.

“Ahem, Mister Potter? I have a dilemma I need solving.” She smiled as he looked up, hand midway through his hair, a crooked grin on his face.

“Yes, Miss Evans? Come in and take a seat, I’m happy to help you.” She sauntered over to the cushioned chair opposite the oak desk and slowly lowered herself into the seat.

“The thing is I’m not entirely sure what the problem is. I just know that it was very cold and lonely at home, and I decided that Harry and I simply had to come for a visit. Maybe you know how to fix the problem?” As Lily spoke, James’ grin turned into a smirk and he made his way around the desk, leaning against it while crossing his legs. “I think I may have the solution.”

Moments later, James was taking the baby bundle from her arms, pressing a gentle kiss to Harry’s smooth forehead before letting his eyes meet hers. “Much better.” She reassured him, standing again so that she could drop a kiss to Harry’s cheek and hold onto the hand that had peeked out from the folds of the baby blanket wrapped around his small body. “I’m so proud of you.” She whispered, smiling as his free arm wrapped around her waist so that he could tuck two of his favorite people as close to him as possible. James dropped a kiss to her temple and let out a soft hum of contentment.

“You know you’re not supposed to be out of bed for another week.” He scolded her, though it was hard to look stern when he was holding his newborn son in the middle of his office, feeling more pride than he ever would have imagined.

“Harry and I wanted to be the first ones to say congratulations to the new principal. We hear he’s pretty spectacular.” Lily’s grin grew as she watched her husband’s cheeks turn pink. Even with the cocky attitude he could have at times, it was always fun to watch him grow flustered because of her. She knew that his cockiness was only an act, and that when it came down to it, he was still just that silly boy she met in the teacher’s lounge trying to get a soda unstuck from the vending machine on his first day. James just winked at her and pressed a kiss to her lips before speaking.

“What can I say? I work with some really great teachers.”

i.

Miss Evans is basically every student’s favorite teacher at school. It’s a well known fact by all of the incoming kindergarteners that Miss Evans will be the bestest teacher ever and always has a bowl of candy in her drawer in case you’re missing home.

“Miss Evans?”

“Yes, Charlie?” She’s surprised by his tears because it’s already October and she has yet to see the younger Weasley show any sign of anxiety but he’s standing in front of her with tears in his eyes suddenly. “What’s wrong?”

As his lower lip quivered, she placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him a little closer. “I-” He choked on his sob and she smoothed down a strand of his hair before smiling down at him. “It’s okay, take your time. Do you want to sit inside during recess?” The little boy nodded and settled down in the beanie bag next to her desk.

“Everything alright, Miss Evans?” The voice surprised her as she looked up to see the new vice principal standing in her doorway. His lanky build filled the opening and as his hand flew to his hair, she noticed the way that his unruly curls fell against the tan skin on his forehead just so. He had taken a more hands-on approach to being an administrator, popping in at random times just to ensure things were running smoothly. It was already better than Principal Umbridge, who was really a useless piece of crap burning on a hot day, or so said Lily when she and Miss McKinnon had a few drinks and would get a little rowdy on Friday nights at the bar.

“Yes, just having a little bit of a hard day, I think. Charlie here is going to spend some time with me just reading while everyone goes out to play.” She smiled sincerely at James while letting Charlie grab a picture book from the small shelving unit on the side of her desk and offered him a snack from the small basket in the bottom drawer of her desk. Lily hadn’t noticed that James was stepping into the classroom and crouched down beside Charlie. “Hey, bud. I think we met before. Two weeks ago during recess, right?” Charlie’s nod confirmed that James was correct in recognizing him. “Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?” At the shrug of Charlie’s shoulders, James shot a small smile and shrug Lily’s way.

“That’s okay if you’re not ready to talk about it. I was wondering if you’d like to have lunch in my office with me and your brother. I can see if Bill would be cool with having a special lunch earlier than normal, just the three of us. What do you say? Maybe then we can talk about what’s wrong?” James’ grin grew as Charlie nodded and was able to calm his tears. “As long as that’s alright with Miss Evans, that is.” He shot her a wink and Lily let out a soft sigh.

“I suppose it sort of has to be, at this point.” Normally she would have been annoyed that someone was taking over her comforting moment to connect with her students, and was changing up the rules of her classroom, but it was obvious how much James cared about Charlie despite the minimal interactions they may have had, and it made her much more accepting of the situation. Lily shot James a genuine smile as he lifted his gaze to meet hers.

She could let it go this one time.

ii.

“Hey, Miss Evans, can I see you for a minute?”

James’ voice was a surprise to Lily’s as he appeared in her doorway.

“Hey, call me Lily when there’s no children around, please.” She smiled as she beckoned him in and he was able to shut the door.

“Well, then I insist you call me James.” His smile only brightened as he took a seat on top of one of the kindergartener’s desks, knowing there was no way he was fitting in one of the tiny chairs. “I just wanted to come and see how things were going.”

Lily was surprised by this. Principal Umbridge never made it a habit to check in on her teachers, especially when she was the Vice Principal. She had considered herself the dean of discipline and was constantly pulling children out of class for “poor behaviors,” and this often resulted in traumatized children feeling targeted for struggling in class when really they just needed extra support. She had attempted to pull one of Lily’s students once, and when she refused the removal of the student, it had started a power struggle between the two women. Principal Umbridge had made it a point to be Lily’s enemy ever since.

“Principal Umbridge wanted me to come in here and talk to you about… um…” James trailed off and Lily’s eyebrows furrowed together as his cheeks grew increasingly pinker. “Spit it out, James.” She huffed, already annoyed that James was now going to be scolding her too.

“Well, she says that some of the things you wear could be considered.. um... inappropriate for a kindergarten teacher. That maybe your outfits should be a little less adult friendly and a little more k-kid friendly.” He stuttered over his words, refusing to actually look at her when presenting her with this suggestion.

“Oh, is that so?” She asked, raising her left eyebrow as she went to stand in front of James. Lily waited until his chin lifted so he was looking at her, and she noted the slight fear in his eyes. “Does my wardrobe bother you at all, Mr. Potter?” Lily’s formal use of his name caused him to gulp and he shook his head.

“N-no. I- I think you look just fine. More than fine. Beautiful, actually. Well, not beautiful. I mean, yes, beautiful. But in a totally professional way. An appropriate way. I think nothing is wrong with how you dress. Principal Umbridge just asked me t0-” James trailed off when he realized that Lily was giggling.

“It’s okay, James. I know Umbridge has it out for me. She does this at least twice a year. McGonagall used to just bring me a packet of biscuits and chat while we had my semesterly talking to. It’s too bad she got promoted to superintendent. We could use her level-headedness around here.” Lily let out a sigh as she sank back into the chair behind her metal desk, putting her feet up on the wooden top of it so that her skirt hung a little lower on her thighs.

James just grinned and stood up, shaking his head as he walked out.

iii.

Lily had stepped away from the gymnasium/cafeteria where most of the teachers were. It had grown incredibly stifling and she just needed some space. Lily had somehow ended up back in her classroom and she was enjoying the cool air that was coming in through the window she had cracked open upon entering. Settling in on the reading rug, Lily’s legs kicked out in front of her so that the red skirt she wore splayed across the grey carpet. Holding a glass of spiked eggnog, the redhead let her eyes fall shut for just a moment while nibbling on a sugar cookie shaped like a Christmas tree.

“Everything alright in here?” The deep voice scared her so much that the eggnog sloshed onto her hand a bit and Lily’s cheeks went pink at being caught hiding out from everyone. “Mind if I join you?”

James didn’t wait for a response as he sauntered over towards the rug, sliding down beside her so that his legs also lay out in front of him. His were much longer than hers, and she appreciated his height for the first time since they had truly met while purchasing a snack in the teacher’s lounge the day before school started for the students.

“Penny for your thoughts?” He asked, grinning down at her.

“Just thinking about how even that Santa hat can’t hide those curls of yours.” Lily smirked as she made him blush and duck his head.

“Liiiiiiily.” He whined, nudging her with his elbow before he laughed softly. “I can’t control it!” James was growing defensive and she couldn’t control the giggles that fell from her lips. She knew she had too much eggnog before coming down here, and being alone with her boss while slightly tipsy was a dangerous matter. Especially a boss who was looking incredibly cute with his button down sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the hat tilted on the top of his head.

Lily must have been staring for too long because James cleared his throat and she smoothed down her skirt quickly, avoiding his gaze.

“It’s getting cold in here. We should probably head back to the party. Free eggnog can’t last for much longer.” She stood without a warning, watching as James did so as well. He locked up the window for her and then led her through the doorway, his hand burning on the middle of her lower back throughout the walk.

iv.

Lily was looking at her classroom, all decorated with hearts in various shades of red and pink. She had on her pink cardigan with a cream colored skirt that twirled whenever she spun and for some reason she was really looking forward to Valentine’s Day this year. All of the kids had been “gossiping” with her about what kind of cards they were going to get for their friends, and she knew of at least two students who had crushes on other students. Lily had just finished putting out the Valentine’s she gave her own students each year with a small lollipop attached at the corner of the heart-shaped card when she heard a slight cough coming from the doorway. She smiled pleasantly at the sight of James, wearing gray slacks with a white shirt and a bright pink tie covered in hearts.

“Looking quite festive in here, Miss Evans! In fact, I think Cupid may find himself a new home in your classroom, it looks so ready for Valentine’s Day.” James’ teasing caused her to flush, though she smoothed her skirt down and offered up a shrug in response while turning to scan her classroom.

“I like the students to feel excited for the holidays. You haven’t even seen my Valentine’s Day lesson planning.” She had constructed a spelling word list along with math worksheets and art projects, all designed to be Valentine’s themed. “I think I am the leader of this school when it comes to the holiday spirit.” Lily grinned as she settled down at her desk, leaning back in her chair Godfather-style as she glanced up at James. His cheeks brightened and he stepped into the classroom, peeking at one of the cards on a student’s desk before smiling at her again.

“Sorry for the teasing. I appreciate the festivity. I noticed that nobody around here really has that passion anymore, so I’m glad to see at least one teacher does. I’m sure the kids are going to love it.” He sounded sincere as he settled into the beanbag chair beside her desk, his lanky limbs not quite fitting on the cushion properly. Her gaze focused back on him as he adjusted himself and then jumped up again, causing Lily to let out a small yelp in surprise.

“Sorry, sorry. Just forgot. I need to give you something.” As he reached into his pocket, she was afraid she was about to get her pink slip (and on Valentine’s Day no less) meaning she’d have to bid for her job, again and she knew she’d get it but just the stress of having to go through the bid process every year was frightening and she was incredibly grateful that Umbridge didn’t have hiring and firing power.

“Here. Happy Valentine’s Day, Evans.” In James’ palm lay a small Disney princess card in her hand. She took it and noticed that it had Ariel on it, and she couldn’t help the smile that formed on her face as she realized he probably was trying to be cute, identifying that they both had red hair. She licked her lips and opened it up, reading the scratchy scrawl on the inside in tiny lettering.

“Be my Valentine, Evans?  Love, James.” Above his handwriting were the words So glad you’re a part of my world printed in big teal lettering. She grinned up at him and nodded. “I happily accept your proposal, Valentine.” Lily winked and James’ cheeks burned a red almost as bright as the mermaid’s hair.

“Great, so that means you’re required to stop by my office for lunch. I’ll order us something great from that Greek place you always mention.” He told her as he started to back towards her door.

“Perfect! It’s a date.” Lily confirmed, to which James nodded in response and out of the corner of her eye, Lily noticed him stumble over a small chair by the door before he left Lily alone with her thoughts.

v.

Lily had just hugged the last of her kindergarteners goodbye, saying a special farewell to Charlie, who had made immense progress when it came to his math over the year. This was always a hard time for teachers. It was a time to rejoice and prepare for a few months off with no children to really stress over, but it was also a sad time. She was struggling to hold back tears as she took a turn and just stared at the empty classroom. She was being forced to remove all of her decorations for the summer so that they could repaint and retile the floors. All of her student’s things were gone, and any reminders of this school year would be shoved into a storage box. She had never felt so nostalgic before, and she knew that this year’s students held a special place in her heart.

“Alright, Evans?” James’ voice sounded concerned as he suddenly appeared in the doorway to the classroom. She nodded and let out a little sigh before stepping towards him. “How do you always seem to know just when I need some form of human contact?” Lily tried to joke, but she found it to be uncanny. It was as if James just knew when she needed the help.

His hands rested lightly on her shoulders as she let her eyes close, trying to stop anymore tears from forming. “It’s okay.” He murmured, letting a hand slip down her arm so that he could lace their fingers together, giving her fingers a slight squeeze. “You’ll get new rascals next year, and you’ll get to mold them into awesome human beings because it’s what you’re great at.” James’ voice sounded so genuine it just made her want to cry more. He was being so kind and thoughtful, and his words meant the world to her.

When Lily peeked up at him from beneath her lashes, James’ gaze seemed a bit softer than usual. Without thinking, his hand slid up to cup the back of her neck, and she could feel his warm breath across her cheeks. “Lily, I-” His words were cut off as she leaned up the rest of the way, capturing his mouth in a soft kiss. Lily wasn’t entirely sure where the desire to do so had come from, but she realized that she had been thinking about doing so for quite some time, and she didn’t want to wait any longer.

After pulling back, the weight of what Lily had done was weighing her down, and she felt like she was going to be sick. She had just kissed her boss. She was so going to be fired. She’d have to work at the school across town, doubling her commute. They definitely didn’t have as nice of classrooms, and she heard all of the administrative time were monsters, but she could make do. Lily could feel her heart pounding in her chest and James must have finally noticed the fearful look on her features because he chuckled softly before lifting up her chin using his thumb and forefinger.

“I was going to ask if you wanted to go for dinner sometime, but I think that I got my answer.” James’ face donned a cocky smirk, but his voice sounded a bit nervous, despite the fact that Lily had just kissed him.

“I think dinner could be arranged.”

vi.

Lily appeared in the doorway and grinned as she watched her husband work. His head was bent over his desk, completely oblivious to his visitors. She knew that the school year wouldn’t be starting for another month, and James technically didn’t start getting paid again until next week, but his passion for his students was what drew her in, and it was something she still found endearing, even after all their time together.

“Ahem, Mister Potter? I have a dilemma I need solving.” She smiled as he looked up, hand midway through his hair, a crooked grin on his face.

“Yes, Miss Evans? Come in and take a seat, I’m happy to help you.” She sauntered over to the cushioned chair opposite the oak desk and slowly lowered herself into the seat.

“The thing is I’m not entirely sure what the problem is. I just know that it was very cold and lonely at home, and I decided that Harry and I simply had to come for a visit. Maybe you know how to fix the problem?” As Lily spoke, James’ grin turned into a smirk and he made his way around the desk, leaning against it while crossing his legs. “I think I may have the solution.”

Moments later, James was taking the baby bundle from her arms, pressing a gentle kiss to Harry’s smooth forehead before letting his eyes meet hers. “Much better.” She reassured him, standing again so that she could drop a kiss to Harry’s cheek and hold onto the hand that had peeked out from the folds of the baby blanket wrapped around his small body. “I’m so proud of you.” She whispered, smiling as his free arm wrapped around her waist so that he could tuck two of his favorite people as close to him as possible. James dropped a kiss to her temple and let out a soft hum of contentment.

“You know you’re not supposed to be out of bed for another week.” He scolded her, though it was hard to look stern when he was holding his newborn son in the middle of his office, feeling more pride than he ever would have imagined.

“Harry and I wanted to be the first ones to say congratulations to the new principal. We hear he’s pretty spectacular.” Lily’s grin grew as she watched her husband’s cheeks turn pink. Even with the cocky attitude he could have at times, it was always fun to watch him grow flustered because of her. She knew that his cockiness was only an act, and that when it came down to it, he was still just that silly boy she met in the teacher’s lounge trying to get a soda unstuck from the vending machine on his first day. James just winked at her and pressed a kiss to her lips before speaking.

“What can I say? I work with some really great teachers.”

[susansavion]

Honoring Nurses: Florence Nightengale   13 May 2020

This week our country is honoring nurses.  Today is National Nurses Day. This year is obviously even more special due to the coronavirus pandemic. As my mother was a nurse and one of my daughters is a physical therapist,  it seems abundantly appropriate to write this blog about  Florence  Nightingale.  It is also a connection to  Matilda  Joslyn  Gage,  as she volunteered in hospital wards near her home during the  Civil  War rolling bandages and nursing wounded and ill soldiers.  Just as we are enduring the horrors of an extremely contagious disease, Nightengale battled Cholera during the  Crimean  War.  In  1854, British troops invaded the  Russian-held  Crimean Peninsula in response to aggressive moves by Czar Nicholas I to expand his territory  This scenario should sound quite familiar to us,  as  Putin put some of the same moves on the  Ukraine Crimea with the struggle over the Crimea.   Next week,  on May 12th,  Britain is also celebrating  Florence Nightingale’s 200th  birthday.  They will lay a wreath at Waterloo Place, a special version of the annual Procession of the Lamp at Westminster Abbey, a two-day conference on nursing and global health sponsored by the Florence Nightingale Foundation, and tours of her summer home in Derbyshire.

About a dozen years ago when I visited Turkey for the first time, I crossed by ferry across the Bosporus Strait from the Eastern side of Istanbul (ancient Constantinople) to the Western side.  My companion Aziz, whose father had been a famous Breast Cancer surgeon, pointed to a large building, the Barrack Hospital at Scutari.  He informed me that this was the very building where Florence Nightingale toiled among thousands of wounded and sick British troops who had been transported across the Black Sea aboard filthy ships.  She had 38 nurses under her command while she ministered to troops packed in squalid wards, many of them wracked by frostbite, gangrene, dysentery, and cholera.

Nightingale was a nurse for only three years.  But her pioneering work as a statistician and as an early advocate for the modern idea that health care is a human right–just ask Bernie Sanders–and her insistence on being a tireless caregiver despite the objections of the British officers.  (Misogyny, do ya think?)  Nursing in those days was regarded as disreputable and suitable only for lower-class women.  But Florence’s father, a wealthy heir living in a manor house, tutored had tutored her in mathematics and the classics.  This is very similar to the instruction that Matilda got from her physician father.  Also, just like Matilda, Florence grew up surrounded by intellectuals who were enlightened aristocrats who campaigned for outlawing the slave trade and other reforms. You may recall that Hezekiah, Matilda’s father, also maintained a house on the Underground Railroad. Thus, Florence “craved for some regular occupation, for something worth doing instead of frittering away time on useless trifles.”  Despite the opposition of her parents and ridicule of her sister Parthenope, she was convinced her destiny was to do God’s work.  To master her profession, she spent time at a highly regarded nursing school, Kaiserwerth in Germany.  She served as superintendent there for the Care of Sick Gentlewomen, a hospital for governesses  She also cared for prostitutes during a cholera epidemic in 1853. At Scutari, she would often go over the heads of her superior to order supplies from their stores.  They also felt that she was too ambitious and always struggling for power.  

Yet her first winter at Scutari, 4,077 soldiers died–ten times more from typhus, cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery than from battle wounds.  Eventually, a sanitary commission was dispatched to Scutari and deaths began to diminish.  The commission cleaned out latrines and cesspits, flushed out sewers and removed a dead horse that was polluting the water supply.  The mortality rate dropped from 42.7% to 2,2%.  But Nightingale’s contribution was disputed in a controversial 1998 biography, Avenging Angel, which contends that Scutari had the highest death rates of any hospital in the Crimea.  It accused her of not grasping the role of sanitation in disease prevention until many thousands had died.  the author, Hugh Small, that she focused instead on giving troops warm clothing and hearty food.  He also surmised that “repressed guilt” over her failures caused her to have a nervous breakdown, which turned her into an invalid for long stretches throughout the rest of her life.  I can’t help but think of the dedicated doctor in New York who tirelessly treated COVID patients–most of whom died–killed herself this week, apparently not being able to take it anymore. But, actually, all Crimean War hospitals were ghastly and the statistics suggest that others had higher death rates than Scutari.  Nightingale blamed the military doctors and administrators, chastising them for “a host of murderess error including sending cholera cases to overcrowded wards” and delaying having the hospital “drained and ventilated. ���The sanitation commission investigation confirmed Nightingale’s suspicions about the links between filth and disease. The Crimean War killed 900,000 combatants.  The horrors Florence Nightingale witnessed at Scutari weighed on her the rest of her life.  She later described the words she first encountered as “slaughterhouses.”

In Balaklava, a fishing port in the Crimea, Nightingale would climb from the harbor to the Castle Hospital, which was just a collection of huts and barracks on a flat patch of ground overlooking the Black Sea.  She had sailed there from Scutari across the Black Sea to inspect medical facilities near the front lines.  The 34-year-old Nightingale drilled borehole wells to improve the water supply and insulated huts with felt to protect wounded soldiers against the winter cold.  She worked to improve their food by regularly making sure the soldiers received meat, not just gristle and bone.  She had fresh bread shipped in daily from Constantinople.  She also braved bullets traveling by carriage, on horseback and on foot to inspect other hospitals.  She even visited the trenches outside Sevastopol, where she was moved by the sight of the troops “mustering & forming at sundown.”  Maybe worse was the resentment of officers and bureaucrats who regarded her as an interloper.  She wrote in her journal,” There is not an official who would not burn me like Joan of Arc if he could, but they know that the War Office cannot turn me out because the country is with me.”  She became ill with what the troops called “Crimean Fever,” an inflammation of the vertebrae that would leave her in pain and bedridden for much of her life.  Despite her illness, she was determined to work until the last British troops had gone home, returning twice during the war.  In a letter she wrote, “I have never been off my horse until 9 or 10 o’clock at night, except when it was too dark to walk home over these crags even with a lantern.  During the greater part of the day I have been without food, except a little brandy and water (you see, I am taking to drinking like my comrades in the army)”

The Treaty of Paris ended the Crimean War.  She had spent almost two years in the conflict zone.  A front-page engraving in the Illustrated London News showed her making her rounds with her lamp, looking very heroic. Once back in England, she gathered data from military hospitals in Constantinople that verified what she had long suspected:  Nearly seven times as many British soldiers had died of disease in the Crimean War than in combat, and the deaths dropped dramatically once hospitals at the front were cleaned up.  She also collated data from military hospitals in Great Britain, which were so poorly ventilated, filthy, and overcrowded that their mortality rates far exceeded those at Scutari following the changes implemented by the Sanitary Commission. She shared her graphics with the military convincing them to improve hospitals throughout Great Britain.  Parliament voted to finance the first comprehensive sewage system for London.  In our present day, Italy has started to check the sewers to examine for the coronavirus’ presence, yet another source of this deadly modern-day plague.

Though often bedridden, she continued to gather data on every aspect of medical care.  She sent questionnaires, collected and analyzed results, wrote reports, and established investigative commissions.  Nightingale came to believe that Using statistics to understand how the world worked was to understand the mind of God. She founded the country’s first nurses’ training school.  for her, it was a moral crusade intended “to promote the honest employment, the decent maintenance, and provision, to protect and restrain, to elevate in purifying…a number…of poor and virtuous women.”   Like Matilda, she criticized the Poor Laws, prodding Parliament to improve the workhouses (shelters for the indigent and used trained nurses.  A radical–like Matilda–she had “a non-judgmental, non-moralistic view of the poor.”  She also wrote prolifically about crime, labor and the social causes of madness.  She also originated the concept that soldiers injured in war should be considered “neutral” and that they and their caregivers should be accorded protection on the battlefield.  That ethic became central to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which was founded in Geneva in 1863.

Think about what our nurses around the world have been through since the beginning of our current epidemic.  Think about the couple of dozen nurses from Syracuse who volunteered to go to the heart of NYC for two weeks to attend to severe cases.  Think about all the death and trauma they experienced throughout exhausting days and nights.  It makes me want to stand up and applaud like the citizens of New York City do from inside their apartments every night at 7:00 pm.  Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap…

[blackkudos]

Gary Coleman

Gary Wayne Coleman (February 8, 1968 – May 28, 2010) was an American actor and comedian, best known for his role as Arnold Jackson in Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986) and for his small stature as an adult. He was described in the 1980s as "one of television's most promising stars". After a successful childhood acting career, Coleman struggled financially later in life. In 1989, he successfully sued his parents and business adviser over misappropriation of his assets, only to declare bankruptcy a decade later.

On May 28, 2010, Coleman died of epidural hematoma at age 42.

Early life

Coleman was born Gary Wayne Coleman in Zion, Illinois, outside Chicago, on February 8, 1968. He was adopted by W. G. Coleman, a fork-lift operator, and Edmonia Sue, a nurse practitioner. He suffered from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, an autoimmune kidney disease. Because of his chronic illness, combined with the corticosteroids and other medications used to treat it, his growth was limited to 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m), and his face retained a childlike appearance well into adulthood. He underwent two unsuccessful kidney transplants in 1973 and 1984, and required daily dialysis.

Career

In 1974, Coleman's career began when he appeared in a commercial for Harris Bank. His line (after the announcer said, "You should have a Harris banker.") was "You should have a Hubert doll." "Hubert" was a stuffed lion representing the Harris bank logo. The same year, he appeared in an episode of Medical Center.

While best known for his role on Diff'rent Strokes, Coleman had appeared earlier on television, on The Jeffersons as Raymond, George Jefferson's nephew, and on Good Times as Penny's friend Gary. He also appeared in a 1977 pilot for a revival of The Little Rascals as Stymie. VH1 rated Coleman first on a list of "100 Greatest Child Stars" on television.

Diff'rent Strokes

Coleman was cast in the role of Arnold Jackson in Diff'rent Strokes, portraying one of two black brothers from Harlem adopted by a wealthy white widower in Manhattan. The series was broadcast from 1978 to 1986.

He became the most popular fixture of the series, enhanced by his character's catchphrase "What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?". At the height of his fame on Diff'rent Strokes, he earned $100,000 per episode. A Biography Channel documentary estimated he was left with a quarter of the original amount after paying his parents, advisers, lawyers, and taxes. He later successfully sued his parents and his former advisers for misappropriation of his finances and was awarded $1.3 million. According to Todd Bridges' autobiography Killing Willis, Coleman was made to work long hours on the set of Diff'rent Strokes, despite his age and health problems and this contributed to his being unhappy and separating himself from the cast.

Later character appearances

Coleman became a popular figure, starring in a number of feature films and television films, including On the Right Track and The Kid with the Broken Halo. The latter eventually served as the basis for The Gary Coleman Show in 1982. He also made video game appearances in The Curse of Monkey Island (1997) and Postal 2 (2003). In 2005, Coleman appeared in John Cena's music video for his single "Bad, Bad Man" (from the album You Can't See Me), Coleman played himself as a villain taking Michael Jackson and Madonna hostage. The video was a spoof of 80s culture, focusing on The A-Team.

Candidacy for Governor of California

In the 2003 California recall election, Coleman was a candidate for governor. This campaign was sponsored by the free newsweekly East Bay Express as a satirical comment on the recall. After Arnold Schwarzenegger declared his candidacy, Coleman announced that he would vote for Schwarzenegger. He placed 8th in a field of 135 candidates, receiving 14,242 votes.

Avenue Q

Coleman is parodied in Avenue Q, which won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Musical. A character presented as Coleman works as the superintendent of the apartment complex where the musical takes place. In the song "It Sucks to Be Me", he laments his fate. On Broadway, the role was originally portrayed by Natalie Venetia Belcon.

The show's creators Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez have said that the Coleman character is a personification of one of Avenue Q's central themes: that as children we are told we are "special", but upon entering adulthood we discover that life is not nearly as easy as we have been led to believe. They added that their original intent was for Coleman himself to play the Gary Coleman role, and he expressed interest in accepting it, but never showed up for a meeting scheduled to discuss it.

In 2005, Coleman announced his intention to sue the producers of Avenue Q for their depiction of him, although the lawsuit never materialized. At the 2007 New York Comic Con, Coleman said, "I wish there was a lawyer on Earth that would sue them for me."

Personal life

In a 1993 television interview, Coleman said he had twice attempted suicide by overdosing on pills. Around the same time he was living in Denver, Colorado, where he hosted a Sunday night show on local radio station KHIH titled Gary Coleman's Colorado High, in which he played light jazz and new-age music. He gave part of his salary to the Colorado Kidney Foundation.

In 2005, Coleman moved from Los Angeles to Santaquin, a small town about 50 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah, where he lived for the remainder of his life. In early 2007 he met Shannon Price, 22, on the set of the film Church Ball, where she was working as an extra. Price and Coleman married several months later. On May 1 and 2, 2008, they made a well-publicized appearance on the show Divorce Court to air their differences in an attempt to save their marriage. Nevertheless, they divorced in August 2008, citing irreconcilable differences and Coleman was granted an ex parte restraining order against Price to prevent her from living in his home when he was hospitalized after their divorce. According to a court petition later filed by Price, she and Coleman continued to live together in a common law marriage until his death. However, a judge ultimately ruled against Price after hearing evidence that she carried on affairs with other men during the time she claimed to be with Coleman, and moreover "physically abused Coleman in public, led him around by the hand like a child [and] displayed no physical affection toward him in front of anyone."

Financial struggles

In August 1999, Coleman filed for bankruptcy protection. Multiple people, he said, were responsible for his insolvency, "... from me, to accountants, to my adoptive parents, to agents, to lawyers, and back to me again."

Ongoing medical expenses contributed significantly to Coleman's chronic financial problems, and compelled him, at times, to resort to unusual fundraising activities. In 2008, for example, he auctioned an autographed pair of his trousers on eBay to help pay his medical bills. The auction attracted considerable attention, including fake bids up to $400,000. The trousers were eventually bought for $500 by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who hung them from the rafters of his television studio.

Legal troubles

In 1989, Coleman sued his adoptive parents and former business advisor for $3.8 million over misappropriation of his trust fund, and won a $1,280,000 judgment in 1993.

In 1998, Coleman was charged with assault while he was working as a security guard. Tracy Fields, a Los Angeles bus driver and fan of Coleman's work on Diff'rent Strokes, approached him and requested his autograph while he was shopping for a bulletproof vest in a California mall. Coleman refused to give her an autograph, an argument ensued, and Fields reportedly mocked Coleman's lackluster career as an actor. Coleman punched Fields in the face several times in front of witnesses. He was arrested and later testified in court that she threatened him and he defended himself. "She wouldn't leave me alone. I was getting scared, and she was getting ugly," he said. Coleman pleaded no contest to one count of assault, received a suspended jail sentence, and was ordered to pay Fields' $1,665 hospital bill, as well as take anger management classes.

In 2007, Coleman was cited for misdemeanor disorderly conduct in Provo, Utah after a "heated discussion" in public with his wife.

In 2008, Coleman was involved in a car accident after an altercation at a Payson, Utah bowling alley which began when Colt Rushton, age 24, photographed Coleman without his permission; the two men argued, according to witnesses. In the parking lot, Coleman allegedly backed his truck into Rushton, striking his knee and pulling him under the vehicle, before hitting another car. Rushton was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and released. Coleman later pleaded no contest to charges of disorderly conduct and reckless driving, and was fined $100. In 2010, he settled a civil suit related to the incident for an undisclosed amount.

In 2009, Coleman and Price were involved in a domestic dispute, after which his ex-wife was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, and both parties were cited for disorderly conduct.

In January 2010, months before his death, he was arrested on an outstanding domestic assault warrant in Santaquin, booked into the Utah County Jail, and released the following day.

Trains and model railroading

Coleman was an avid railfan, model railroader, and supporter of Amtrak. He became interested in trains sometime before the age of 5 during his frequent train trips to Chicago in support of his burgeoning acting career. Fans often saw him at stores specializing in model trains in areas in which he lived, and he worked part-time at Denver-area, Tucson-area, and California hobby stores to be around his hobby. Coleman built and maintained miniature railroads in his homes in several states. One of his train layouts appears in the September 1990 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman. Coleman is photographed on the front cover, with his "Rio Grande" layout. He preferred to model in HO scale, but modeled in other scales as well. One such model railroad was over 800 square-feet in size. Currently, at least one of Coleman's model railroads is being preserved in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Death and memorial

Very few details of Coleman's medical history have been made public. His short stature (4 feet, 8 inches or 1.42 meters) stemmed from congenital autoimmune kidney disease and its treatment. He underwent at least two kidney transplants early in his life and required frequent dialysis, which he preferred not to discuss. In 2009, Coleman underwent heart surgery, details of which were never made public, but he was known to have developed pneumonia postoperatively. In January 2010, Coleman was hospitalized after a seizure in Los Angeles, and in February he suffered another seizure on the set of The Insider television program.

On May 26, 2010, Coleman was admitted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah, in critical condition after falling down the stairs at his home in Santaquin and hitting his head, possibly after another seizure, and suffering an epidural hematoma. According to a hospital spokesman, Coleman was conscious and lucid the next morning, but his condition subsequently worsened. By mid-afternoon on May 27, he was unconscious and on life support. He died at 12:05 pm MDT (18:05 UTC) on May 28 at the age of 42.

The casts of the Off Broadway production of Avenue Q in New York City and the Avenue Q National Tour in Dallas dedicated their May 28 performances to his memory, and the actors playing the part of Coleman paid tribute to him from the stage at the performances' conclusions. (The Coleman character remained in the show after modifications were made to relevant dialogue.)

The weekend after Coleman's death, a scheduled funeral was postponed and later canceled due to a dispute regarding the disposition of his estate and remains between Coleman's adoptive parents, Price, and former business associate Anna Gray. Coleman's former manager Dion Mial was involved initially, but withdrew after Coleman's 1999 will, which named Mial as executor and directed that his wake be "...conducted by those with no financial ties to me and can look each other in the eyes and say they really cared personally for Gary Colemen [sic]", turned out to be superseded by a later one replacing Mial with Gray, and directing "...that there be no funeral service, wake, or other ceremony memorializing my passing."

Questions were also raised as to whether Price, who approved discontinuing Coleman's life support, was legally authorized to do so. The controversy was exacerbated by a photograph published on the front page of the tabloid newspaper The Globe depicting Price posed next to a comatose, intubated Coleman, under the headline, "It Was Murder!"

The hospital later issued a statement confirming that Coleman had completed an advance health care directive granting Price permission to make medical decisions on his behalf. An investigation by Santaquin police was closed on October 5, 2010, after the medical examiner ruled Coleman's death "accidental", and no evidence of wrongdoing could be demonstrated.

In June, Coleman's remains were cremated, in accordance with his wishes, after a Utah judge agreed that there was no dispute regarding that issue; but disposition of the ashes was delayed pending a judicial decision on permanent control of the estate. While Coleman's final will, signed in 2005, named Gray as executor and awarded his entire estate to her, Coleman and Price married in 2007. Although they divorced in 2008, Price claimed in a court petition that she remained Coleman's common-law wife, sharing bank accounts and presenting themselves publicly as husband and wife, until his death; an assertion that, if validated by the court, would make her the lawful heir.

In May 2012 Judge James Taylor ruled that while Price had indeed lived in Coleman's home after their marriage ended, their relationship at the time of his death failed to meet Utah's standard for a common-law marriage. The disposition of his ashes remains unreported. Price said that were she granted disposition, she would scatter the ashes at the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Utah as a tribute to Coleman's lifelong love of trains.

Wikipedia

[weworldnewsforalllove-blog]

REVEALED: White school clerk caught racially abusing two black ShopRite customers called the cops to complain about the 'n*****s' and said SHE was going to file charges in a racist rant Corinne Terrone  was filmed shouting racist abuse and spitting at two African Americans in a Connecticut grocery store on Friday She has resigned her role as an office clerk at Hamden Public Schools Video shows Terrone yelling the n-word three times and spitting at the pair She then called police to say she wanted to press charges over the incident In footage she is heard continuing her racist rant and asks if the officer investigating her complain will 'be a white person' By LEAH MCDONALD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM PUBLISHED: 16:28 GMT, 19 March 2019 | UPDATED: 17:20 GMT, 19 March 2019 A Connecticut woman who was filmed shouting racist abuse at two African Americans continued her expletive-filled rant in a 911 call to complain about them.

Corinne Terrone of New Haven resigned form her job as a clerk at Hamden Public Schools following her shocking outburst at a ShopRite store last Friday.

In footage, Terrone can be heard yelling the n-word three times and she then spits at an African American man and woman twice.

Corinne Terrone of New Haven, Connecticut (pictured) shouted racist abuse at two African American people in a grocery store

Now audio footage has emerged of the woman calling East Haven Police to complain about the exchange, which the African-American pair did nothing to provoke.

In 911 calls provided by East Haven PD and obtained by NBC Connecticut, the woman claimed that she is angry and wanted to press charges against the pair.

She claims she was walking in the store with her two children and is extremely angry.  

Hamden Public Schools superintendent claimed the woman was a clerk in the central office and resigned as an investigation into the video got underway.

She is heard using expletives and racial slurs to describe him in one phone-call to the police.

'I'm not going to sugarcoat what I said. The man in his little, um, scooter said:  ‘Are you talking to me b***h?’.

'And I said, “No I’m not n****r” because he called me a b***h, I called him a n****r, then he continued to get up and threaten me, so there was spitting going back and forth. He spit on the back of me and I am pressing charges.'

Corinne Terrone of New Haven continued her expletive-filled rant in a 911 call to police to complain about the two African American people she had racially abused

She also asked police officers would they be 'racially biased' if they were to investigate her alleged complaint 'Somebody better do something the f**k now because I left there with my kids which was the smart thing to do because he was with two fat black b*****s. 'That place is full of cockroaches and now I have to deal with being called a b***h by a n****r in front of my f*****g kids.   She claimed she wanted the man who she racially abused arrested for 'breach of the peace.'

In the video, Terrone is yells the n-word three times and then spits at an African American man and woman twice.

Terrone yelled the n-word three times and spit twice at an African American man and woman

Terrone is seen above as a black woman tries to stand between her and the black man with whom she was in a confrontation

It is unclear what, if anything, precipitated the outburst. After Terrone first utters the racial slur, the man looks as if he steps toward her, prompting her to respond: ‘Put your hands on me, come on!’

She then pulls out her phone and starts recording. The man then slaps the phone out of her hands.

‘Specifically, the video appears to show the employee repeatedly #calling an #African-American man the N-word in a supermarket in East Haven.

‘The video also appears to show the Hamden employee spitting at the aforementioned African-American male as he was walking away from the employee. #911 ‘It also appears that the employee’s children witnessed her conduct.

‘Because her children were present, school administrators filed a DCF report.’

‘DCF’ stands for Department of Children and Families. A DCF report is filed whenever there is reason to suspect child abuse.

Share or comment on this article: School clerk who was filmed racially abusing two black customers complained to police about them

[succeedly]

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum

Pam Moran on episode 241 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Students can co-create curriculum and their classrooms with teachers for powerful learning experiences. Learn how students are teaching each other drone piloting and other examples from Albemarle County, Virginia with Superintendent Pam Moran.

Jennifer Gonzalez has released her 2018 Teachers Guide to Technology with over 200 education technology tools including tools for assessment, flipped learning, presentations, parent engagement, video engagement and more. Jennifer gives you a description in simple language, a screenshot of the tool in action and then a play button that takes you to a video about how the tool works. Learn more at coolcatteacher.com/guide

Listen Now

Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher

Stream by clicking here.

***

Enhanced Transcript

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum

Link to show: www.coolcatteacher.com/e241 Date: January 29, 2018

We Don’t Have To Choose Between Assessment and Excellent Teaching

Vicki: Well, I have to tell you this, Pam. I can’t even remember how long it’s been since you and I met, but just how much you shaped me and understanding that we can have educational excellence and less testing.

Pam: Yes.

Vicki: We don’t have to give up rigor. We don’t have to give up challenging and helping kids think. You don’t have to choose! You don’t have to choose — testing or education. I mean, you can have a great education and some tests, but tests don’t have to be everything.

Pam: Probably. That’s right. The assessment piece is important for kids.

Kids Helping Design the Curriculum

I love that we are seeing more and more engagement of our kids in things. This kind of fascinates me is watching kids want to jump in and help design curriculum. We’ve had some kids in the county that have co-created curriculum with teachers around things that are of interest to them, such as how to create music in a sound studio, and building an elective for that.

Drones in the Classroom

I was over in one of the elementary schools the other day, and three years ago we were all in awe and kind of gaga about a high school student who was all in with drones, and sort of building and flying, and learning about aviation and drones with his high school peers. Then he moved it down to middle school.

He’s actually been back, He’s taking a gap year. He actually ran for school board. He’s now going back and teaching some middle schoolers aviation, as kind of a volunteer teacher. But I was in an elementary school, and two teachers in this multiage space that we have, had decided that rather than spending the money that they had already spent on supplies this year — they said, “We have plenty of supplies, markers and this and that,” — they decided to buy a drone for the class.

Vicki: Ohhhh!

Pam: Teacher. Amazingly said, “See these two kids over here? Those are the drone pilots. And their job is to teach all the other kids how to fly this drone.”

So I’m talking to these two kids, and they want to take me outside and show me how they’re able to fly this drone. They show me. They have developed their own little curriculum, and their assessment for learning to use the drone. And they have a place where kids can sign up for class with them, five at a time.

Vicki: Wow.

Pam: This other little kid comes over and says, “Hey, can I go outside? I want to see what you’re doing.”

I said to the two kids, “Well, I thought that you were the two that really…”

And they said, “No, he’s had his private lesson. He’s good.”

So the three of them take me out. But I’m thinking to myself about, “How did kids become — because of the tools and because of teachers who empower them to be a part of the process of teaching and learning — see themselves as helping to co-create curriculum, assessments?

Student-Led Conferencing

Some of our most amazing feedback I get from parents are in some of our schools that have really embraced student-led conferencing, where the parents come in, and the kids are literally — they have developed their portfolios — and they’re taking the parents through their learning work for the recent period of time. The kids are doing that. The teachers are kind of observing, and they’re there in support, but they’re not the show. The kids are the show.

Student Portfolios with SeeSaw

Today I was in a school that’s using Seesaw. The kids pick things that they want to share with their parents. This little girl showed me some math work that she had done, and they’d snapshot it and were sending it to the parent. She’d written underneath it, “Mom, I did this myself!”

Vicki: Ohhhh!

Pam: And I’m thinking that as kids become more empowered to see themselves not just as learners, but also as teachers in the process, that what we’re going to see is an incredibly different kind of commitment to what it means to be a learner when you own it, and you have a sense of agency that’s not agency by proxy where you’re relying on somebody else to give you agency, but it’s happening because you own your own agency.

A Next Generation Shift

So I think that’s kind of cool. I have a saying, “That’s something that I would be foreshadowing as a next generation shift”. I’d love to see that as something that we really support up teachers to develop. One of the things that I think that, Vicki, that teachers have to do, which I know that you do, and I see the work that you’ve done with kids — and that is, you have to give up control as the adult.

Vicki: Oh, yeah.

Pam: And shift that sense of power from the adult to the student as a learner, in order to get that sort of a deep commitment. For kids to actually see that learning is something that’s important for the sake of learning, not just because they’re doing it for somebody else’s purpose or benefit. So, you know, I’m kind of excited about that.

Vicki: I love this whole idea of a student-led — not learning, but student-led teaching.

Pam: Yes! Isn’t that cool? And you know, I see that all over with what I call — it’s almost like a pop-up mentality. Sometimes I’ll walk in, and I discover a teacher that I wasn’t even aware of in the system — because we’ve got, you know, over 1200 teachers in Albemarle.

And I’ll run into somebody that is maybe newer on the scene. Like a young guy that is in one of our high schools who is a career-switcher. He’s probably like 30-something. I think somebody told me he was actually involved in a brewery before he became a teacher…

Vicki: (laughs)

Pam: … which I think is probably not a bad thing.

Vicki: No.

Student Bee Keepers

Pam: But his kids… he teaches an environmental course. His kids and he, they decided that they wanted to put in beehives. The next thing I know, we’ve got beehives going in, in this school. The kids are using it as both science as well as entrepreneurship. I’m over there, and these kids are teaching me. They put me in the white suit. They open up the hives. They’re showing me everything.

And they’re putting arduino-powered probes in there so that they can really monitor some things that would be data inputs that they’re going to take a look at. What happens over the year in terms of temperatures inside the hives What are some of the other variables that are important for them to take a look at? And you know, the next thing I know, they’re in front of the school board giving the school board pints of honey that they’ve already been able to pull out of their hives, which was kind of remarkable.

So you know, I think those kids become not just learners in a classroom, where they’re moving through standards, heading toward a test, but they’re becoming a part of the learning process — both as teacher and as learner. And that — you know, there are adults who are going to them now and saying, “Hey, I want you to tell me about this. I want to learn about this. What can I do if I want to put hives in, myself?” So, you know, it’s kind of cool to see, just, you know, what happens when you just let go of the control.

Vicki: Yeah.

Pam: Let the kids work. Their interest and their enthusiastic curiosities kind of take us and push us down the stream, versus us trying to pull them behind them down the stream. So it’s kind of cool!

Stay Tuned next week for the final episode in the series.

Contact us about the show: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/contact/

Transcribed by Kymberli Mulford kymberlimulford@gmail.com

Pam Moran – Bio as submitted

Dr. Pamela R. Moran has served as the Superintendent of Albemarle County Public Schools since January 2006. She oversees a division with an annual operating budget of $180.5 million; a self-sustaining budget of $19.2 million and a five-year capital budget of $86.9 million. The division includes more than 1,200 teachers educating 13,700 students in 25 schools.

During Dr. Moran’s tenure, Albemarle County Public Schools has become one of the top performing school divisions for students in the state with an on-time graduation rate of 95 percent. Two out of every three high school seniors graduate with an Advanced Studies Diploma, 30 percent higher than the state average for all school divisions. In 2014, Albemarle County students had the second highest SAT scores among 133 school divisions in Virginia in critical reading and the third highest SAT scores for writing and math.

In 2015, a national survey organization ranked Albemarle County Public Schools in the top five of all school divisions in Virginia and among the top two percent of all school divisions in the county.

Among the school division’s flagship programs are its Learning Commons, AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) and M-Cubed. Both the Learning Commons and M-Cubed have received the National School Board Association’s Magna Award, given annually to the school division in the nation with the most innovative and effective program. The school division is the only one in the history of the Magna Award to twice receive the association’s highest performance honor. The school’s Learning Commons, which is a multi-disciplined, technology-infused learning center, has attracted visits by MIT, Harvard, the Universities of Virginia and North Carolina and from the Smithsonian Museum and the New York Hall of Science. M-Cubed is a program that supports black middle school males in year-round advanced math studies to improve their high school academic performance. The division’s Jack Jouett Middle School is in the top three percent of all schools in the world for the success of its AVID college and career readiness program.

A key component of the division’s project-based instructional model is its maker curriculum, which has been the subject of presentations by division educators around the country, including at the White House. In 2015, in partnership with two other school divisions and the University of Virginia, Albemarle County Public Schools was one of three public school divisions in the nation to receive an Investing in Innovation demonstration grant. The $3.4 million federal grant is being used to develop advanced manufacturing and engineering programs in division middle schools and is in addition to a $20,000 state planning grant to develop a “school-of-the-future” model.

The division has three centers of excellence. Students in the Math, Engineering and Science Academy earn an average of $24,000 per student in academic scholarships; the Health and Medical Sciences Academy became a Governor’s Regional Health Academy in 2013 and in 2015, a new Environmental Studies Academy began operations.

The division also is home to one of the first CoderDojo Academies in a public school division in the country, teaching computer coding and science skills to students. Other notable new programs include a high school Arts & Letters Pathwayand a summer Fine Arts Academy.

Dr. Moran is a leading advocate of an educational model that prepares students for “success in their century, not mine.” She emphasizes the value of student-led research, project-based learning and contemporary learning spaces that promote collaboration, creativity, analytical problem-solving, critical thinking, and communications competencies among all students.

A past gubernatorial appointee to the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia, Dr. Moran was selected by her peers across the Commonwealth as Virginia’s 2016 Superintendent of the Year. She subsequently was one of four statewide superintendents of the year to be selected as a finalist for 2016 National Superintendent of the Year.

In 2016, Dr. Moran was selected to serve on the Aspen Institute’s National Commission on Social, Emotional and Academic Development.

She is a member of the MakerEdorg advisory committee and has delivered several TED Talks on the impact of creating a contemporary learning environment for students, one shaped around a student-centered project-based instructional model. Under her guidance, Albemarle County Public Schools was selected in 2015 for membership in the League of Innovative Schools., a nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress to accelerate innovation in education.

Dr. Moran has appeared on the cover of Education Week’s Digital Directions magazine as a “National Mover and Shaker” for her advocacy of a curricular digital integration model, which will be featured in an upcoming profile by Edutopia. She also was selected by eSchool Media as one of its national Tech-Savvy Superintendents of the Year and under her leadership, the school division received the Virginia Governor’s Tech Innovation Award.

Dr. Moran is a past President of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, Women Educational Leaders of Virginia and the Virginia Association of Science Supervisors. She holds leadership positions with the regional Chamber of Commerce, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Public Education Fund, and the University of Virginia-Public Schools Educational Partnership.

Dr. Moran’s career in public education began as a high school science teacher. She subsequently served as a central office science coordinator and staff developer, elementary school principal, director of instruction, assistant superintendent for instruction, and adjunct instructor in educational leadership for the University of Virginia’s Curry School and the School of Continuing Education. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Furman University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia. Dr. Moran also is an alumnus of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Executive Educators Leadership Institute.

https://spacesforlearning.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/the-phygitals-have-arrived%e2%80%8a-%e2%80%8aa-generation-for-this-century/

  View story at Medium.com

Blog: spacesforlearning.wordpress.com

Twitter: @pammoran

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post Kids Co-Creating Curriculum appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum published first on https://getnewcourse.tumblr.com/

[growthvue]

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum

Pam Moran on episode 241 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Students can co-create curriculum and their classrooms with teachers for powerful learning experiences. Learn how students are teaching each other drone piloting and other examples from Albemarle County, Virginia with Superintendent Pam Moran.

Jennifer Gonzalez has released her 2018 Teachers Guide to Technology with over 200 education technology tools including tools for assessment, flipped learning, presentations, parent engagement, video engagement and more. Jennifer gives you a description in simple language, a screenshot of the tool in action and then a play button that takes you to a video about how the tool works. Learn more at coolcatteacher.com/guide

Listen Now

Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher

Stream by clicking here.

***

Enhanced Transcript

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum

Link to show: www.coolcatteacher.com/e241 Date: January 29, 2018

We Don’t Have To Choose Between Assessment and Excellent Teaching

Vicki: Well, I have to tell you this, Pam. I can’t even remember how long it’s been since you and I met, but just how much you shaped me and understanding that we can have educational excellence and less testing.

Pam: Yes.

Vicki: We don’t have to give up rigor. We don’t have to give up challenging and helping kids think. You don’t have to choose! You don’t have to choose — testing or education. I mean, you can have a great education and some tests, but tests don’t have to be everything.

Pam: Probably. That’s right. The assessment piece is important for kids.

Kids Helping Design the Curriculum

I love that we are seeing more and more engagement of our kids in things. This kind of fascinates me is watching kids want to jump in and help design curriculum. We’ve had some kids in the county that have co-created curriculum with teachers around things that are of interest to them, such as how to create music in a sound studio, and building an elective for that.

Drones in the Classroom

I was over in one of the elementary schools the other day, and three years ago we were all in awe and kind of gaga about a high school student who was all in with drones, and sort of building and flying, and learning about aviation and drones with his high school peers. Then he moved it down to middle school.

He’s actually been back, He’s taking a gap year. He actually ran for school board. He’s now going back and teaching some middle schoolers aviation, as kind of a volunteer teacher. But I was in an elementary school, and two teachers in this multiage space that we have, had decided that rather than spending the money that they had already spent on supplies this year — they said, “We have plenty of supplies, markers and this and that,” — they decided to buy a drone for the class.

Vicki: Ohhhh!

Pam: Teacher. Amazingly said, “See these two kids over here? Those are the drone pilots. And their job is to teach all the other kids how to fly this drone.”

So I’m talking to these two kids, and they want to take me outside and show me how they’re able to fly this drone. They show me. They have developed their own little curriculum, and their assessment for learning to use the drone. And they have a place where kids can sign up for class with them, five at a time.

Vicki: Wow.

Pam: This other little kid comes over and says, “Hey, can I go outside? I want to see what you’re doing.”

I said to the two kids, “Well, I thought that you were the two that really…”

And they said, “No, he’s had his private lesson. He’s good.”

So the three of them take me out. But I’m thinking to myself about, “How did kids become — because of the tools and because of teachers who empower them to be a part of the process of teaching and learning — see themselves as helping to co-create curriculum, assessments?

Student-Led Conferencing

Some of our most amazing feedback I get from parents are in some of our schools that have really embraced student-led conferencing, where the parents come in, and the kids are literally — they have developed their portfolios — and they’re taking the parents through their learning work for the recent period of time. The kids are doing that. The teachers are kind of observing, and they’re there in support, but they’re not the show. The kids are the show.

Student Portfolios with SeeSaw

Today I was in a school that’s using Seesaw. The kids pick things that they want to share with their parents. This little girl showed me some math work that she had done, and they’d snapshot it and were sending it to the parent. She’d written underneath it, “Mom, I did this myself!”

Vicki: Ohhhh!

Pam: And I’m thinking that as kids become more empowered to see themselves not just as learners, but also as teachers in the process, that what we’re going to see is an incredibly different kind of commitment to what it means to be a learner when you own it, and you have a sense of agency that’s not agency by proxy where you’re relying on somebody else to give you agency, but it’s happening because you own your own agency.

A Next Generation Shift

So I think that’s kind of cool. I have a saying, “That’s something that I would be foreshadowing as a next generation shift”. I’d love to see that as something that we really support up teachers to develop. One of the things that I think that, Vicki, that teachers have to do, which I know that you do, and I see the work that you’ve done with kids — and that is, you have to give up control as the adult.

Vicki: Oh, yeah.

Pam: And shift that sense of power from the adult to the student as a learner, in order to get that sort of a deep commitment. For kids to actually see that learning is something that’s important for the sake of learning, not just because they’re doing it for somebody else’s purpose or benefit. So, you know, I’m kind of excited about that.

Vicki: I love this whole idea of a student-led — not learning, but student-led teaching.

Pam: Yes! Isn’t that cool? And you know, I see that all over with what I call — it’s almost like a pop-up mentality. Sometimes I’ll walk in, and I discover a teacher that I wasn’t even aware of in the system — because we’ve got, you know, over 1200 teachers in Albemarle.

And I’ll run into somebody that is maybe newer on the scene. Like a young guy that is in one of our high schools who is a career-switcher. He’s probably like 30-something. I think somebody told me he was actually involved in a brewery before he became a teacher…

Vicki: (laughs)

Pam: … which I think is probably not a bad thing.

Vicki: No.

Student Bee Keepers

Pam: But his kids… he teaches an environmental course. His kids and he, they decided that they wanted to put in beehives. The next thing I know, we’ve got beehives going in, in this school. The kids are using it as both science as well as entrepreneurship. I’m over there, and these kids are teaching me. They put me in the white suit. They open up the hives. They’re showing me everything.

And they’re putting arduino-powered probes in there so that they can really monitor some things that would be data inputs that they’re going to take a look at. What happens over the year in terms of temperatures inside the hives What are some of the other variables that are important for them to take a look at? And you know, the next thing I know, they’re in front of the school board giving the school board pints of honey that they’ve already been able to pull out of their hives, which was kind of remarkable.

So you know, I think those kids become not just learners in a classroom, where they’re moving through standards, heading toward a test, but they’re becoming a part of the learning process — both as teacher and as learner. And that — you know, there are adults who are going to them now and saying, “Hey, I want you to tell me about this. I want to learn about this. What can I do if I want to put hives in, myself?” So, you know, it’s kind of cool to see, just, you know, what happens when you just let go of the control.

Vicki: Yeah.

Pam: Let the kids work. Their interest and their enthusiastic curiosities kind of take us and push us down the stream, versus us trying to pull them behind them down the stream. So it’s kind of cool!

Stay Tuned next week for the final episode in the series.

Contact us about the show: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/contact/

Transcribed by Kymberli Mulford kymberlimulford@gmail.com

Pam Moran – Bio as submitted

Dr. Pamela R. Moran has served as the Superintendent of Albemarle County Public Schools since January 2006. She oversees a division with an annual operating budget of $180.5 million; a self-sustaining budget of $19.2 million and a five-year capital budget of $86.9 million. The division includes more than 1,200 teachers educating 13,700 students in 25 schools.

During Dr. Moran’s tenure, Albemarle County Public Schools has become one of the top performing school divisions for students in the state with an on-time graduation rate of 95 percent. Two out of every three high school seniors graduate with an Advanced Studies Diploma, 30 percent higher than the state average for all school divisions. In 2014, Albemarle County students had the second highest SAT scores among 133 school divisions in Virginia in critical reading and the third highest SAT scores for writing and math.

In 2015, a national survey organization ranked Albemarle County Public Schools in the top five of all school divisions in Virginia and among the top two percent of all school divisions in the county.

Among the school division’s flagship programs are its Learning Commons, AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) and M-Cubed. Both the Learning Commons and M-Cubed have received the National School Board Association’s Magna Award, given annually to the school division in the nation with the most innovative and effective program. The school division is the only one in the history of the Magna Award to twice receive the association’s highest performance honor. The school’s Learning Commons, which is a multi-disciplined, technology-infused learning center, has attracted visits by MIT, Harvard, the Universities of Virginia and North Carolina and from the Smithsonian Museum and the New York Hall of Science. M-Cubed is a program that supports black middle school males in year-round advanced math studies to improve their high school academic performance. The division’s Jack Jouett Middle School is in the top three percent of all schools in the world for the success of its AVID college and career readiness program.

A key component of the division’s project-based instructional model is its maker curriculum, which has been the subject of presentations by division educators around the country, including at the White House. In 2015, in partnership with two other school divisions and the University of Virginia, Albemarle County Public Schools was one of three public school divisions in the nation to receive an Investing in Innovation demonstration grant. The $3.4 million federal grant is being used to develop advanced manufacturing and engineering programs in division middle schools and is in addition to a $20,000 state planning grant to develop a “school-of-the-future” model.

The division has three centers of excellence. Students in the Math, Engineering and Science Academy earn an average of $24,000 per student in academic scholarships; the Health and Medical Sciences Academy became a Governor’s Regional Health Academy in 2013 and in 2015, a new Environmental Studies Academy began operations.

The division also is home to one of the first CoderDojo Academies in a public school division in the country, teaching computer coding and science skills to students. Other notable new programs include a high school Arts & Letters Pathwayand a summer Fine Arts Academy.

Dr. Moran is a leading advocate of an educational model that prepares students for “success in their century, not mine.” She emphasizes the value of student-led research, project-based learning and contemporary learning spaces that promote collaboration, creativity, analytical problem-solving, critical thinking, and communications competencies among all students.

A past gubernatorial appointee to the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia, Dr. Moran was selected by her peers across the Commonwealth as Virginia’s 2016 Superintendent of the Year. She subsequently was one of four statewide superintendents of the year to be selected as a finalist for 2016 National Superintendent of the Year.

In 2016, Dr. Moran was selected to serve on the Aspen Institute’s National Commission on Social, Emotional and Academic Development.

She is a member of the MakerEdorg advisory committee and has delivered several TED Talks on the impact of creating a contemporary learning environment for students, one shaped around a student-centered project-based instructional model. Under her guidance, Albemarle County Public Schools was selected in 2015 for membership in the League of Innovative Schools., a nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress to accelerate innovation in education.

Dr. Moran has appeared on the cover of Education Week’s Digital Directions magazine as a “National Mover and Shaker” for her advocacy of a curricular digital integration model, which will be featured in an upcoming profile by Edutopia. She also was selected by eSchool Media as one of its national Tech-Savvy Superintendents of the Year and under her leadership, the school division received the Virginia Governor’s Tech Innovation Award.

Dr. Moran is a past President of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, Women Educational Leaders of Virginia and the Virginia Association of Science Supervisors. She holds leadership positions with the regional Chamber of Commerce, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Public Education Fund, and the University of Virginia-Public Schools Educational Partnership.

Dr. Moran’s career in public education began as a high school science teacher. She subsequently served as a central office science coordinator and staff developer, elementary school principal, director of instruction, assistant superintendent for instruction, and adjunct instructor in educational leadership for the University of Virginia’s Curry School and the School of Continuing Education. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Furman University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia. Dr. Moran also is an alumnus of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Executive Educators Leadership Institute.

https://spacesforlearning.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/the-phygitals-have-arrived%e2%80%8a-%e2%80%8aa-generation-for-this-century/

  View story at Medium.com

Blog: spacesforlearning.wordpress.com

Twitter: @pammoran

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post Kids Co-Creating Curriculum appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum published first on https://getnewdlbusiness.tumblr.com/

[ralph31ortiz]

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum

Pam Moran on episode 241 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Students can co-create curriculum and their classrooms with teachers for powerful learning experiences. Learn how students are teaching each other drone piloting and other examples from Albemarle County, Virginia with Superintendent Pam Moran.

Jennifer Gonzalez has released her 2018 Teachers Guide to Technology with over 200 education technology tools including tools for assessment, flipped learning, presentations, parent engagement, video engagement and more. Jennifer gives you a description in simple language, a screenshot of the tool in action and then a play button that takes you to a video about how the tool works. Learn more at coolcatteacher.com/guide

Listen Now

Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher

Stream by clicking here.

***

Enhanced Transcript

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum

Link to show: www.coolcatteacher.com/e241 Date: January 29, 2018

We Don’t Have To Choose Between Assessment and Excellent Teaching

Vicki: Well, I have to tell you this, Pam. I can’t even remember how long it’s been since you and I met, but just how much you shaped me and understanding that we can have educational excellence and less testing.

Pam: Yes.

Vicki: We don’t have to give up rigor. We don’t have to give up challenging and helping kids think. You don’t have to choose! You don’t have to choose — testing or education. I mean, you can have a great education and some tests, but tests don’t have to be everything.

Pam: Probably. That’s right. The assessment piece is important for kids.

Kids Helping Design the Curriculum

I love that we are seeing more and more engagement of our kids in things. This kind of fascinates me is watching kids want to jump in and help design curriculum. We’ve had some kids in the county that have co-created curriculum with teachers around things that are of interest to them, such as how to create music in a sound studio, and building an elective for that.

Drones in the Classroom

I was over in one of the elementary schools the other day, and three years ago we were all in awe and kind of gaga about a high school student who was all in with drones, and sort of building and flying, and learning about aviation and drones with his high school peers. Then he moved it down to middle school.

He’s actually been back, He’s taking a gap year. He actually ran for school board. He’s now going back and teaching some middle schoolers aviation, as kind of a volunteer teacher. But I was in an elementary school, and two teachers in this multiage space that we have, had decided that rather than spending the money that they had already spent on supplies this year — they said, “We have plenty of supplies, markers and this and that,” — they decided to buy a drone for the class.

Vicki: Ohhhh!

Pam: Teacher. Amazingly said, “See these two kids over here? Those are the drone pilots. And their job is to teach all the other kids how to fly this drone.”

So I’m talking to these two kids, and they want to take me outside and show me how they’re able to fly this drone. They show me. They have developed their own little curriculum, and their assessment for learning to use the drone. And they have a place where kids can sign up for class with them, five at a time.

Vicki: Wow.

Pam: This other little kid comes over and says, “Hey, can I go outside? I want to see what you’re doing.”

I said to the two kids, “Well, I thought that you were the two that really…”

And they said, “No, he’s had his private lesson. He’s good.”

So the three of them take me out. But I’m thinking to myself about, “How did kids become — because of the tools and because of teachers who empower them to be a part of the process of teaching and learning — see themselves as helping to co-create curriculum, assessments?

Student-Led Conferencing

Some of our most amazing feedback I get from parents are in some of our schools that have really embraced student-led conferencing, where the parents come in, and the kids are literally — they have developed their portfolios — and they’re taking the parents through their learning work for the recent period of time. The kids are doing that. The teachers are kind of observing, and they’re there in support, but they’re not the show. The kids are the show.

Student Portfolios with SeeSaw

Today I was in a school that’s using Seesaw. The kids pick things that they want to share with their parents. This little girl showed me some math work that she had done, and they’d snapshot it and were sending it to the parent. She’d written underneath it, “Mom, I did this myself!”

Vicki: Ohhhh!

Pam: And I’m thinking that as kids become more empowered to see themselves not just as learners, but also as teachers in the process, that what we’re going to see is an incredibly different kind of commitment to what it means to be a learner when you own it, and you have a sense of agency that’s not agency by proxy where you’re relying on somebody else to give you agency, but it’s happening because you own your own agency.

A Next Generation Shift

So I think that’s kind of cool. I have a saying, “That’s something that I would be foreshadowing as a next generation shift”. I’d love to see that as something that we really support up teachers to develop. One of the things that I think that, Vicki, that teachers have to do, which I know that you do, and I see the work that you’ve done with kids — and that is, you have to give up control as the adult.

Vicki: Oh, yeah.

Pam: And shift that sense of power from the adult to the student as a learner, in order to get that sort of a deep commitment. For kids to actually see that learning is something that’s important for the sake of learning, not just because they’re doing it for somebody else’s purpose or benefit. So, you know, I’m kind of excited about that.

Vicki: I love this whole idea of a student-led — not learning, but student-led teaching.

Pam: Yes! Isn’t that cool? And you know, I see that all over with what I call — it’s almost like a pop-up mentality. Sometimes I’ll walk in, and I discover a teacher that I wasn’t even aware of in the system — because we’ve got, you know, over 1200 teachers in Albemarle.

And I’ll run into somebody that is maybe newer on the scene. Like a young guy that is in one of our high schools who is a career-switcher. He’s probably like 30-something. I think somebody told me he was actually involved in a brewery before he became a teacher…

Vicki: (laughs)

Pam: … which I think is probably not a bad thing.

Vicki: No.

Student Bee Keepers

Pam: But his kids… he teaches an environmental course. His kids and he, they decided that they wanted to put in beehives. The next thing I know, we’ve got beehives going in, in this school. The kids are using it as both science as well as entrepreneurship. I’m over there, and these kids are teaching me. They put me in the white suit. They open up the hives. They’re showing me everything.

And they’re putting arduino-powered probes in there so that they can really monitor some things that would be data inputs that they’re going to take a look at. What happens over the year in terms of temperatures inside the hives What are some of the other variables that are important for them to take a look at? And you know, the next thing I know, they’re in front of the school board giving the school board pints of honey that they’ve already been able to pull out of their hives, which was kind of remarkable.

So you know, I think those kids become not just learners in a classroom, where they’re moving through standards, heading toward a test, but they’re becoming a part of the learning process — both as teacher and as learner. And that — you know, there are adults who are going to them now and saying, “Hey, I want you to tell me about this. I want to learn about this. What can I do if I want to put hives in, myself?” So, you know, it’s kind of cool to see, just, you know, what happens when you just let go of the control.

Vicki: Yeah.

Pam: Let the kids work. Their interest and their enthusiastic curiosities kind of take us and push us down the stream, versus us trying to pull them behind them down the stream. So it’s kind of cool!

Stay Tuned next week for the final episode in the series.

Contact us about the show: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/contact/

Transcribed by Kymberli Mulford kymberlimulford@gmail.com

Pam Moran – Bio as submitted

Dr. Pamela R. Moran has served as the Superintendent of Albemarle County Public Schools since January 2006. She oversees a division with an annual operating budget of $180.5 million; a self-sustaining budget of $19.2 million and a five-year capital budget of $86.9 million. The division includes more than 1,200 teachers educating 13,700 students in 25 schools.

During Dr. Moran’s tenure, Albemarle County Public Schools has become one of the top performing school divisions for students in the state with an on-time graduation rate of 95 percent. Two out of every three high school seniors graduate with an Advanced Studies Diploma, 30 percent higher than the state average for all school divisions. In 2014, Albemarle County students had the second highest SAT scores among 133 school divisions in Virginia in critical reading and the third highest SAT scores for writing and math.

In 2015, a national survey organization ranked Albemarle County Public Schools in the top five of all school divisions in Virginia and among the top two percent of all school divisions in the county.

Among the school division’s flagship programs are its Learning Commons, AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) and M-Cubed. Both the Learning Commons and M-Cubed have received the National School Board Association’s Magna Award, given annually to the school division in the nation with the most innovative and effective program. The school division is the only one in the history of the Magna Award to twice receive the association’s highest performance honor. The school’s Learning Commons, which is a multi-disciplined, technology-infused learning center, has attracted visits by MIT, Harvard, the Universities of Virginia and North Carolina and from the Smithsonian Museum and the New York Hall of Science. M-Cubed is a program that supports black middle school males in year-round advanced math studies to improve their high school academic performance. The division’s Jack Jouett Middle School is in the top three percent of all schools in the world for the success of its AVID college and career readiness program.

A key component of the division’s project-based instructional model is its maker curriculum, which has been the subject of presentations by division educators around the country, including at the White House. In 2015, in partnership with two other school divisions and the University of Virginia, Albemarle County Public Schools was one of three public school divisions in the nation to receive an Investing in Innovation demonstration grant. The $3.4 million federal grant is being used to develop advanced manufacturing and engineering programs in division middle schools and is in addition to a $20,000 state planning grant to develop a “school-of-the-future” model.

The division has three centers of excellence. Students in the Math, Engineering and Science Academy earn an average of $24,000 per student in academic scholarships; the Health and Medical Sciences Academy became a Governor’s Regional Health Academy in 2013 and in 2015, a new Environmental Studies Academy began operations.

The division also is home to one of the first CoderDojo Academies in a public school division in the country, teaching computer coding and science skills to students. Other notable new programs include a high school Arts & Letters Pathwayand a summer Fine Arts Academy.

Dr. Moran is a leading advocate of an educational model that prepares students for “success in their century, not mine.” She emphasizes the value of student-led research, project-based learning and contemporary learning spaces that promote collaboration, creativity, analytical problem-solving, critical thinking, and communications competencies among all students.

A past gubernatorial appointee to the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia, Dr. Moran was selected by her peers across the Commonwealth as Virginia’s 2016 Superintendent of the Year. She subsequently was one of four statewide superintendents of the year to be selected as a finalist for 2016 National Superintendent of the Year.

In 2016, Dr. Moran was selected to serve on the Aspen Institute’s National Commission on Social, Emotional and Academic Development.

She is a member of the MakerEdorg advisory committee and has delivered several TED Talks on the impact of creating a contemporary learning environment for students, one shaped around a student-centered project-based instructional model. Under her guidance, Albemarle County Public Schools was selected in 2015 for membership in the League of Innovative Schools., a nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress to accelerate innovation in education.

Dr. Moran has appeared on the cover of Education Week’s Digital Directions magazine as a “National Mover and Shaker” for her advocacy of a curricular digital integration model, which will be featured in an upcoming profile by Edutopia. She also was selected by eSchool Media as one of its national Tech-Savvy Superintendents of the Year and under her leadership, the school division received the Virginia Governor’s Tech Innovation Award.

Dr. Moran is a past President of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, Women Educational Leaders of Virginia and the Virginia Association of Science Supervisors. She holds leadership positions with the regional Chamber of Commerce, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Public Education Fund, and the University of Virginia-Public Schools Educational Partnership.

Dr. Moran’s career in public education began as a high school science teacher. She subsequently served as a central office science coordinator and staff developer, elementary school principal, director of instruction, assistant superintendent for instruction, and adjunct instructor in educational leadership for the University of Virginia’s Curry School and the School of Continuing Education. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Furman University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia. Dr. Moran also is an alumnus of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Executive Educators Leadership Institute.

https://spacesforlearning.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/the-phygitals-have-arrived%e2%80%8a-%e2%80%8aa-generation-for-this-century/

  View story at Medium.com

Blog: spacesforlearning.wordpress.com

Twitter: @pammoran

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post Kids Co-Creating Curriculum appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

from Cool Cat Teacher BlogCool Cat Teacher Blog http://www.coolcatteacher.com/e241/

[aira26soonas]

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum

Pam Moran on episode 241 of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Students can co-create curriculum and their classrooms with teachers for powerful learning experiences. Learn how students are teaching each other drone piloting and other examples from Albemarle County, Virginia with Superintendent Pam Moran.

Jennifer Gonzalez has released her 2018 Teachers Guide to Technology with over 200 education technology tools including tools for assessment, flipped learning, presentations, parent engagement, video engagement and more. Jennifer gives you a description in simple language, a screenshot of the tool in action and then a play button that takes you to a video about how the tool works. Learn more at coolcatteacher.com/guide

Listen Now

Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher

Stream by clicking here.

***

Enhanced Transcript

Kids Co-Creating Curriculum

Link to show: www.coolcatteacher.com/e241 Date: January 29, 2018

We Don’t Have To Choose Between Assessment and Excellent Teaching

Vicki: Well, I have to tell you this, Pam. I can’t even remember how long it’s been since you and I met, but just how much you shaped me and understanding that we can have educational excellence and less testing.

Pam: Yes.

Vicki: We don’t have to give up rigor. We don’t have to give up challenging and helping kids think. You don’t have to choose! You don’t have to choose — testing or education. I mean, you can have a great education and some tests, but tests don’t have to be everything.

Pam: Probably. That’s right. The assessment piece is important for kids.

Kids Helping Design the Curriculum

I love that we are seeing more and more engagement of our kids in things. This kind of fascinates me is watching kids want to jump in and help design curriculum. We’ve had some kids in the county that have co-created curriculum with teachers around things that are of interest to them, such as how to create music in a sound studio, and building an elective for that.

Drones in the Classroom

I was over in one of the elementary schools the other day, and three years ago we were all in awe and kind of gaga about a high school student who was all in with drones, and sort of building and flying, and learning about aviation and drones with his high school peers. Then he moved it down to middle school.

He’s actually been back, He’s taking a gap year. He actually ran for school board. He’s now going back and teaching some middle schoolers aviation, as kind of a volunteer teacher. But I was in an elementary school, and two teachers in this multiage space that we have, had decided that rather than spending the money that they had already spent on supplies this year — they said, “We have plenty of supplies, markers and this and that,” — they decided to buy a drone for the class.

Vicki: Ohhhh!

Pam: Teacher. Amazingly said, “See these two kids over here? Those are the drone pilots. And their job is to teach all the other kids how to fly this drone.”

So I’m talking to these two kids, and they want to take me outside and show me how they’re able to fly this drone. They show me. They have developed their own little curriculum, and their assessment for learning to use the drone. And they have a place where kids can sign up for class with them, five at a time.

Vicki: Wow.

Pam: This other little kid comes over and says, “Hey, can I go outside? I want to see what you’re doing.”

I said to the two kids, “Well, I thought that you were the two that really…”

And they said, “No, he’s had his private lesson. He’s good.”

So the three of them take me out. But I’m thinking to myself about, “How did kids become — because of the tools and because of teachers who empower them to be a part of the process of teaching and learning — see themselves as helping to co-create curriculum, assessments?

Student-Led Conferencing

Some of our most amazing feedback I get from parents are in some of our schools that have really embraced student-led conferencing, where the parents come in, and the kids are literally — they have developed their portfolios — and they’re taking the parents through their learning work for the recent period of time. The kids are doing that. The teachers are kind of observing, and they’re there in support, but they’re not the show. The kids are the show.

Student Portfolios with SeeSaw

Today I was in a school that’s using Seesaw. The kids pick things that they want to share with their parents. This little girl showed me some math work that she had done, and they’d snapshot it and were sending it to the parent. She’d written underneath it, “Mom, I did this myself!”

Vicki: Ohhhh!

Pam: And I’m thinking that as kids become more empowered to see themselves not just as learners, but also as teachers in the process, that what we’re going to see is an incredibly different kind of commitment to what it means to be a learner when you own it, and you have a sense of agency that’s not agency by proxy where you’re relying on somebody else to give you agency, but it’s happening because you own your own agency.

A Next Generation Shift

So I think that’s kind of cool. I have a saying, “That’s something that I would be foreshadowing as a next generation shift”. I’d love to see that as something that we really support up teachers to develop. One of the things that I think that, Vicki, that teachers have to do, which I know that you do, and I see the work that you’ve done with kids — and that is, you have to give up control as the adult.

Vicki: Oh, yeah.

Pam: And shift that sense of power from the adult to the student as a learner, in order to get that sort of a deep commitment. For kids to actually see that learning is something that’s important for the sake of learning, not just because they’re doing it for somebody else’s purpose or benefit. So, you know, I’m kind of excited about that.

Vicki: I love this whole idea of a student-led — not learning, but student-led teaching.

Pam: Yes! Isn’t that cool? And you know, I see that all over with what I call — it’s almost like a pop-up mentality. Sometimes I’ll walk in, and I discover a teacher that I wasn’t even aware of in the system — because we’ve got, you know, over 1200 teachers in Albemarle.

And I’ll run into somebody that is maybe newer on the scene. Like a young guy that is in one of our high schools who is a career-switcher. He’s probably like 30-something. I think somebody told me he was actually involved in a brewery before he became a teacher…

Vicki: (laughs)

Pam: … which I think is probably not a bad thing.

Vicki: No.

Student Bee Keepers

Pam: But his kids… he teaches an environmental course. His kids and he, they decided that they wanted to put in beehives. The next thing I know, we’ve got beehives going in, in this school. The kids are using it as both science as well as entrepreneurship. I’m over there, and these kids are teaching me. They put me in the white suit. They open up the hives. They’re showing me everything.

And they’re putting arduino-powered probes in there so that they can really monitor some things that would be data inputs that they’re going to take a look at. What happens over the year in terms of temperatures inside the hives What are some of the other variables that are important for them to take a look at? And you know, the next thing I know, they’re in front of the school board giving the school board pints of honey that they’ve already been able to pull out of their hives, which was kind of remarkable.

So you know, I think those kids become not just learners in a classroom, where they’re moving through standards, heading toward a test, but they’re becoming a part of the learning process — both as teacher and as learner. And that — you know, there are adults who are going to them now and saying, “Hey, I want you to tell me about this. I want to learn about this. What can I do if I want to put hives in, myself?” So, you know, it’s kind of cool to see, just, you know, what happens when you just let go of the control.

Vicki: Yeah.

Pam: Let the kids work. Their interest and their enthusiastic curiosities kind of take us and push us down the stream, versus us trying to pull them behind them down the stream. So it’s kind of cool!

Stay Tuned next week for the final episode in the series.

Contact us about the show: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/contact/

Transcribed by Kymberli Mulford kymberlimulford@gmail.com

Pam Moran – Bio as submitted

Dr. Pamela R. Moran has served as the Superintendent of Albemarle County Public Schools since January 2006. She oversees a division with an annual operating budget of $180.5 million; a self-sustaining budget of $19.2 million and a five-year capital budget of $86.9 million. The division includes more than 1,200 teachers educating 13,700 students in 25 schools.

During Dr. Moran’s tenure, Albemarle County Public Schools has become one of the top performing school divisions for students in the state with an on-time graduation rate of 95 percent. Two out of every three high school seniors graduate with an Advanced Studies Diploma, 30 percent higher than the state average for all school divisions. In 2014, Albemarle County students had the second highest SAT scores among 133 school divisions in Virginia in critical reading and the third highest SAT scores for writing and math.

In 2015, a national survey organization ranked Albemarle County Public Schools in the top five of all school divisions in Virginia and among the top two percent of all school divisions in the county.

Among the school division’s flagship programs are its Learning Commons, AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) and M-Cubed. Both the Learning Commons and M-Cubed have received the National School Board Association’s Magna Award, given annually to the school division in the nation with the most innovative and effective program. The school division is the only one in the history of the Magna Award to twice receive the association’s highest performance honor. The school’s Learning Commons, which is a multi-disciplined, technology-infused learning center, has attracted visits by MIT, Harvard, the Universities of Virginia and North Carolina and from the Smithsonian Museum and the New York Hall of Science. M-Cubed is a program that supports black middle school males in year-round advanced math studies to improve their high school academic performance. The division’s Jack Jouett Middle School is in the top three percent of all schools in the world for the success of its AVID college and career readiness program.

A key component of the division’s project-based instructional model is its maker curriculum, which has been the subject of presentations by division educators around the country, including at the White House. In 2015, in partnership with two other school divisions and the University of Virginia, Albemarle County Public Schools was one of three public school divisions in the nation to receive an Investing in Innovation demonstration grant. The $3.4 million federal grant is being used to develop advanced manufacturing and engineering programs in division middle schools and is in addition to a $20,000 state planning grant to develop a “school-of-the-future” model.

The division has three centers of excellence. Students in the Math, Engineering and Science Academy earn an average of $24,000 per student in academic scholarships; the Health and Medical Sciences Academy became a Governor’s Regional Health Academy in 2013 and in 2015, a new Environmental Studies Academy began operations.

The division also is home to one of the first CoderDojo Academies in a public school division in the country, teaching computer coding and science skills to students. Other notable new programs include a high school Arts & Letters Pathwayand a summer Fine Arts Academy.

Dr. Moran is a leading advocate of an educational model that prepares students for “success in their century, not mine.” She emphasizes the value of student-led research, project-based learning and contemporary learning spaces that promote collaboration, creativity, analytical problem-solving, critical thinking, and communications competencies among all students.

A past gubernatorial appointee to the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia, Dr. Moran was selected by her peers across the Commonwealth as Virginia’s 2016 Superintendent of the Year. She subsequently was one of four statewide superintendents of the year to be selected as a finalist for 2016 National Superintendent of the Year.

In 2016, Dr. Moran was selected to serve on the Aspen Institute’s National Commission on Social, Emotional and Academic Development.

She is a member of the MakerEdorg advisory committee and has delivered several TED Talks on the impact of creating a contemporary learning environment for students, one shaped around a student-centered project-based instructional model. Under her guidance, Albemarle County Public Schools was selected in 2015 for membership in the League of Innovative Schools., a nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress to accelerate innovation in education.

Dr. Moran has appeared on the cover of Education Week’s Digital Directions magazine as a “National Mover and Shaker” for her advocacy of a curricular digital integration model, which will be featured in an upcoming profile by Edutopia. She also was selected by eSchool Media as one of its national Tech-Savvy Superintendents of the Year and under her leadership, the school division received the Virginia Governor’s Tech Innovation Award.

Dr. Moran is a past President of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, Women Educational Leaders of Virginia and the Virginia Association of Science Supervisors. She holds leadership positions with the regional Chamber of Commerce, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Public Education Fund, and the University of Virginia-Public Schools Educational Partnership.

Dr. Moran’s career in public education began as a high school science teacher. She subsequently served as a central office science coordinator and staff developer, elementary school principal, director of instruction, assistant superintendent for instruction, and adjunct instructor in educational leadership for the University of Virginia’s Curry School and the School of Continuing Education. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Furman University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia. Dr. Moran also is an alumnus of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Executive Educators Leadership Institute.

https://spacesforlearning.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/the-phygitals-have-arrived%e2%80%8a-%e2%80%8aa-generation-for-this-century/

  View story at Medium.com

Blog: spacesforlearning.wordpress.com

Twitter: @pammoran

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The post Kids Co-Creating Curriculum appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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[jenmedsbookreviews]

This may be a very short wrap up as, to be honest, I have done nothing interesting and, as I write this, I feel like poop. So much so I have just had to delete and re-write write four times to get it right …

This week I have mainly, been grumpy, been very, very annoyed and even more grumpy, worked, which makes me even more grumpy and seem to be developing a cold or at very least a sore throat so you can imagine how that makes me feel. I have fought with my router, had to move it to reconnect my media services which annoyed me greatly as it’s been in teh sme spot for years and worked fine. I also fought with the desire to say stuff my diet and eat this little chap.

He has sat on my desk since early December and followers of my Twitter feed and FB friends will know he came close to getting punched out at one point as he looked so flipping smug. He did, however, survive the week … You’ll get nothing useful from trying to enlarge the image by the way. The flags are depot visits which are overdue and he paper is my next Dentist appointment. More reasons to be grumpy…

I have to say that this has been one of those weeks in which I have had to think long and hard about whether I want to continue this blogging malarkey. It is a lot of pressure at times and often I wonder if anything is really worth it. This isn’t a pity post so I don’t want comments about how I should stick with it etc … If I do I do, if I don’t that will be my choice. I’m not fishing for sympathy votes, no private messages asking me what is wrong. Those that know me well know why and least said soonest mended on that front. Things may change. They may not. I have blog tours lined up for two months so you’re stuck with me that long at least. After that … who knows.

Told you I was grumpy.

Aside from being grumpy, as is the norm I read a few books, bought a few books, received a book through the post and got some books off Netgalley. Shocker I know. Book post wise I received one arc – a lovely copy of Thomas Enger’s Killed which I am also quoted in, and my signed copy of On The Bright Side by Hendrik Groen. Some less grumpy moments there.

Netgalley wise, given the size of my considerable pile, I have been a fool. Good books though … The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings; The Abandoned by Sharon Thompson; Past Echoes by Graham Smith; Little Liar by Clare Boyd and The Missing Child by Alison James.

Books I ordered include: Truth and Lies by Caroline Mitchell; The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor; The Old You by Louise Voss; and Assassins Retribution by Rachel Amphlett.

Reading wise, I have been fortunate. No books to make me grumpy.

Books I have read:

The Feed – Nick Clark Windo

THE FEED by Nick Clark Windo is a startling and timely debut which presents a world as unique and vividly imagined as STATION ELEVEN and THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS.

Tom and Kate’s daughter turns six tomorrow, and they have to tell her about sleep. If you sleep unwatched, you could be Taken. If you are Taken, then watching won’t save you. Nothing saves you.

Your knowledge. Your memories. Your dreams. If all you are is on the Feed, what will you become when the Feed goes down?

For Tom and Kate, in the six years since the world collapsed, every day has been a fight for survival. And when their daughter, Bea, goes missing, they will question whether they can even trust each other anymore.

The threat is closer than they realise…

If you love a dystopian thriller then you will absolutely love this. It will certainly make you think about each successive generations access to technology and the impact this will have upon our, or rather their future. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the blog tour later this week, and the book is released on 25th January but you can order your own copy here.

…

The Gathering Dark – James Oswald

THE DEAD DEMAND VENGEANCE in the ALL-NEW compelling novel in the BESTSELLING Inspector McLean series.

A truck driver loses control in central Edinburgh, ploughing into a crowded bus stop and spilling his vehicle’s toxic load. The consequences are devastating.

DI Tony McLean witnesses the carnage. Taking control of the investigation, he soon realises there is much that is deeply amiss – and everyone involved seems to have something to hide.

But as McLean struggles to uncover who caused the tragedy, a greater crisis develops: the new Chief Superintendent’s son is missing, last seen in the area of the crash . . .

Oh I do love me an INspector McLean book and this one is a classic. With a plot line a little too close to home for me, this takes McLean back to his otherworldly best and I loved it. I shall be in Edinburgh for the pre-launch event on 24th January, lucky me, but you can order a copy of launch day, 25th, right here.

…

The Photographer – Craig Robertson

The sergeant took some from each box and spread them around the floor so they could all see. Dozens upon dozens of them. DI Rachel Narey’s guess was that there were a few hundred in all.

Photographs.

Many of them were in crowd scenes, some just sitting on a park bench or walking a dog or waiting for a bus or working in shops. They seemed to have no idea they’d been photographed.

A dawn raid on the home of a suspected rapist leads to a chilling discovery, a disturbing collection hidden under floorboards. Narey is terrified at the potential scale of what they’ve found and of what brutalities it may signal. When the photographs are ruled inadmissible as evidence and the man walks free from court, Narey knows she’s let down the victim she’d promised to protect and a monster is back on the streets. Tony Winter’s young family is under threat from internet trolls and he is determined to protect them whatever the cost. He and Narey are in a race against time to find the unknown victims of the photographer’s lens – before he strikes again.

Confession time. This is the first Narey and Winter book I have read. It won’t be the last. Tackling a very sensitive and timely topic this is pitched perfectly and grabs the attention without trivialising or glamourisng the subject. You can preorder a copy ahead of its 25th January release here.

…

Assassins Vengeance – Rachel Amphlett

Spies. The best unreliable narrators that money can buy…

Eva and her fractured team are on the run, desperate to find answers and uncover who has betrayed them from within the shadowy government organisation known only as the Section.

Evading assassination in Berlin and Prague, Eva has had time to regroup and try to solve the mystery behind the attempts on her life.

But her enemies are one step ahead of her, eliminating anything and anyone who stands in their way.

Hell hath no fury like a woman who’s been shot at and survived… twice

Assassins Vengeance is the second episode in an ongoing story featuring Eva Delacourt. The story is concluded in episode 3 of the English Spy Mysteries, Assassins Retribution.

Part two of Rachel Amphlett’s English Spy Mysteries series explains a little more of the puzzle but still leaves more questions than answers. Action packed and entertaining, I can’t wait for next week. You can order a copy here.

…

That is it. Four books. Not my best week but in my defence, I’m tired. Very tired. Quite a busy week on the blog with six posts, in spite of my assertion I was cutting back.

Review: Assassins Hunted by Rachel Amphlett

#BlogTour: The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor

#BlogBlitz: Keep Her Safe by Richard Parker

#BlogTour: A Map Of The Dark by Karen Ellis

Cover Reveal: #magicofstars Jackie Ladbury

#BlogTour: Deep Blue Trouble by Steph Broadribb

The week ahead is full with no less than six blog tours. So much for cutting back … Starting today with An Act Of Silence by Colette McBeth; The Start Of Something Wonderful by Jane Lambert; Vanishing Girls by Lisa Regan; The Feed by Nick Clark Windo; The Cover Up by Marnie Riches and The Innocent Wife by Amy Lloyd. No pressure …

Aside from more reading and more being grumpy and more feeling sorry for myself, this week will be mostly full of reading. I shall try to ignore my streaming eyes, leaking nose and throat that feels as though I’ve been gargling caustic soda and concentrate on the lovely words and the fact I have now, finally, booked my event tickets for Granite Noir. Tidy.

Aren’t you glad this was a short post …

Have a brilliant and hopefully flu/cold free week all. See you on the other side. Bring tissues.

Jen

Rewind, recap: Weekly update w/e 14/01/18 This may be a very short wrap up as, to be honest, I have done nothing interesting and, as I write this, I feel like poop.

[ulyssesredux]

Cyclops

Nice! So Joe took up the letters.

She lost because she campaigned in the wrong direction.

The Green Party just dropped its recount suit in Pennsylvania and is losing votes in Wisconsin recount. The delegation partook of luncheon at the conclusion of which the dusky potentate, in the entire opinion, the panel did not bother even to cite this the statute.

Cried the second of the realm, had met them in the tholsel, and there is no proof, and never will be slaves, with the rest to go shortly to various other veteran groups.

What is it? We are going to collude in order to spend time with Boeing and talk jobs! And after all, says Martin to the jarvey.

—There's one thing it hasn't a deterrent effect on, says Alf, that was Ted Cruz!

—Yes, sir, says he, when the first Irish battleship is seen breasting the waves with our own flag to the fore, none of your Henry Tudor's harps, no, the oldest flag afloat, the flag of the province of Desmond and Thomond, three crowns on a blue field, the three birthplaces of the first duke of Wellington, the rock of Cashel, the bog of Allen, the Henry Street Warehouse, Fingal's Cave—all these moving scenes are still there for us today rendered more beautiful still by the waters of sorrow which have passed over them and by the rich incrustations of time. Numbers are way down. Amongst the clergy present were the very rev. B. Gorman, O.D.C.; the rev. J. Flanagan, C.C. The laity included P. Fay, T. Quirke, etc., etc.

8:00 P.M. Myler punishing him. Also, is it true that the DNC would not allow the FBI to study or see its computer info after it was supposedly hacked by Russia So how and why are they so sure about hacking if they never even requested an examination of the computer servers? Big speech tomorrow with Bobby! Talks about me at 43% but never mentions that there are four people in race. I will be pres.

Says Bloom. No more! Biggest story in politics is now happening in the U.S. Indiana. Biggest crowds ever-watch what happens! Crooked Hillary has been fighting ISIS, or whatever she has been doing, for years. I see where Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake of Baltimore is pushing Crooked hard. Russia took over Crimea. Dirty Dan the dodger's son off Island bridge that sold the same horses twice over to the biscuit tin Bob Doran left to see if Martin is there.

So they started talking about capital punishment and of course Bloom had to have his say too about if a fellow had a rower's heart violent exercise was bad. How did NBC get an exclusive look into the top secret report he Obama was presented? The mimber? —Hurrah, there, says Joe, throwing down the letters. Ay, says I. And says John Wyse.

—Look at him, says he.

Great POLL numbers are coming out all over. Shake hands, brother. No way It is Clinton and Sanders people who disrupted my rally in Chicago-and then they chop up the rope after and sell the bits for a few bob on Throwaway and he's gone to gather in the shekels. He's traipsing all round Dublin with a postcard someone sent him with U.p: up. And Bloom explaining he meant on account of the poor woman, I mean, says the citizen,—Beg your pardon, says he.

No more!

Says the citizen. Because he no pay me my moneys?

We must do better!

Airplane departed from Paris. What are you doing round those parts? Bad instincts A lot of Deadwood Dicks in slouch hats and they firing at a Sambo strung up in a tree with his tongue out and a bonfire under him. So servest thou the king's messengers God shield His Majesty!

God the sun was in his eyes or he'd have left him for dead.

A poor house and a bare larder.

Mind C.K. doesn't pile it on. Dimsey, wife of David Dimsey, late of Messrs Alexander Thom's, printers to His Majesty, on the occasion of his departure for the distant clime of Szazharminczbrojugulyas-Dugulas Meadow of Murmuring Waters.

Do you all remember how beautiful and safe a place Brussels was.

Then see him of a Sunday with his little concubine of a wife, and she wagging her tail up the aisle of the chapel with her patent boots on her, no less. Wrong answer!

—Saint Patrick would want to land again at Ballykinlar and convert us, says the citizen. —There you are, says Alf.

No, says the citizen.

I can't get a penny out of him would give you the bloody pip. The men came to handigrips. Love, says Bloom.

—Talking about violent exercise, says Alf I saw him land out a quid O, as true as I'm drinking this porter if he was at his last gasp he'd try to downface you that dying was living. Amazingly, with all of the others?

—Who won, Mr Lenehan?

Kasich is weak on illegal immigration.

Mobile, Alabama today at 3:00 P.M. speech in Melbourne, Florida. We've had free—Hillary Clinton conceded the election when she called me just prior to the victory speech and after the results were in.

Ted and Kasich are mathematically dead and totally desperate.

—Bi i dho husht, says he. Praying for all the world to walk about selling Irish industries. We have an army of volunteers and people with GREAT SPIRIT! Bernie.

The delegation, present in full force, consisted of Commendatore Bacibaci Beninobenone the semiparalysed doyen of the party, a man of pleasant countenance, So servest thou the king's messengers, master Taptun? Russia will respect us far more than they do now and both countries will, perhaps, work together to solve some of the many wonderful things that he stood for.

—I'm talking about injustice, says Bloom, for an advertisement you must have repetition.

—I wonder did he ever put it out of sight, says Joe, handing round the boose. Picture of a butting match, trying to come back. Asked if he had any message for the living he exhorted all who were still at the wrong side of Maya to acknowledge the true path for it was reported in devanic circles that Mars and Jupiter were out for mischief on the eastern angle where the ram has power. —Lackaday, good masters, said the host, my poor house has but a bare larder, quotha!

—But it's no use, says he. Win FBI director said Crooked Hillary compromised our national security.

Another horrific attack, this time in Nice, France. And mournful and with a vengeance, no cravens, the sons of deathless Leda. Just watched recap of #CrookedHillary's speech. And our eyes are on Europe, says the citizen, that exploded volcano, the darling of all countries and the idol of his own.

Shows weakness! Vote Trump and end this madness! —No, says the citizen.

Together, we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN The protesters in California were thugs and criminals.

Your God was a jew and Karl Marx and Mercadante and Spinoza.

We need to secure our borders ASAP.

Thank you West Virginia. Did you read that skit in the United Irishman today about that Zulu chief that's visiting England? Only 38,000 new jobs Masa said he would never do that but simply showed him groveling when he totally changed a 16 year old story that he had written in order to be at the Grand Opening of my great Turnberry Resort.

How's that, eh? I wouldn't sell for half a crown. Gob, he near throttled him.

Lyin’ Ted Cruz had zero.

Why hasn't she done them in her last 30 years?

—Full many a flower is born to blush unseen. Crooked Hillary says she is going to substantialy reduce taxes and regulations on businesses, but any business that leaves our country for another country, Just tried watching Saturday Night Live-unwatchable! —Right, says John Wyse, why can't a jew love his country like the next fellow? I have NOTHING to do with women, and they tie him down on the buttend of a gun. The wellknown and highly respected worker in the cause of our old tongue, Mr Joseph M'Carthy Hynes, made an eloquent appeal for the resuscitation of the ancient games and sports of our ancient Panceltic forefathers.

What?

Crooked Hillary Clinton is soft on crime, supports open borders, and without them the old line pols like Crooked Hillary! And I belong to a race too, says Joe, God between us and harm. And our wool that was sold in Rome in the time of Juvenal and our flax and our damask from the looms of Antrim and our Limerick lace, our tanneries and our white flint glass down there by Ballybough and our Huguenot poplin that we have no country. On Saturday a great man, Elie Wiesel, passed away.

Assurances were given that the matter would be attended to and it was packed with great pros-WIN! Big tax & regulation cuts coming! And the dirty scrawl of the wretch, says Joe. Thank you to everyone for making it so special!

Dishonest media says Mexico won't be paying for the wall if they pay a little later so the wall can be built more quickly.

—And will again, says the citizen. —Honest injun, says Alf. Says I just to make talk: How's Willy Murray those times, Alf? I not only won the NBC Presidential Forum, but last night the big debate. Hillary said, We are going to fix America's problems. Christ M'Keown, says Joe. She has done nothing in the Senate. —The European family, says J.J.—There he is sitting there.

Somebody hacked the DNC but why did they not have hacking defense like the RNC has and why have they not responded to the terrible things they did and said like giving the questions to the debate? Just arrived in Cleveland-will be a disaster on jobs, the economy, trade, healthcare, the military, guns and just about all else. I thought so, says Lenehan, to celebrate the occasion.

Thank you to teachers across America! Love Utah-will be back many times!

Course it was a bloody barney. We will do so by bringing back jobs! So begob the citizen would have been front page news!

You're sure? —With Dignam, says Alf, chucking out the rhino. We must suspend immigration from regions linked with terrorism until a proven vetting method is in place.

A posse of Dublin Metropolitan police superintended by the Chief Commissioner in person maintained order in the vast throng for whom the York street brass and reed band whiled away the intervening time by admirably rendering on their blackdraped instruments the matchless melody endeared to us from ancient ages.

He will never MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The gardens of Alameda knew her step: the garths of olives knew and bowed. People don't want another four years of incompetence! Thereon embossed in excellent smithwork was seen the image of a queen of regal port, scion of the house of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and make the angels of His light to inhabit therein. Sleepy eyes Chuck Todd, a man of pleasant countenance, So servest thou the king's messengers, master Taptun? Russia/CIA card. We will follow two simple rules: BUY AMERICAN & HIRE AMERICAN! Gob, they ought to drown him in the bloody establishment.

He knows nothing about me. You love a certain person.

—But do you know what that is. Dem party! Never worth a roasted fart to Ireland. She sold them out, V.P. pick!

Crooked Hillary and Obama on JOBS and SAFETY!

Crooked Hillary Clinton, perhaps the most dishonest person to have ever run for the presidency, is also one of the letters. Intelligence Committee looking into the Bill & Hillary deal that allowed big Uranium to go to the house. Amazing crowd!

I had 17 opponents and she just had a massive rally.

The final bout of fireworks was a gruelling for both champions. What will you have? Hillary Clinton's people complaining about with respect to the F.B.I. Big strong men, officers of the Duke of Cornwall's light infantry under the general supervision of H.R.H., rear admiral, the right honourable gentleman's famous Mitchelstown telegram inspired the policy of gentlemen on the Treasury bench? The rally inside was big and beautiful, but outside, criminals!

The Mayor of San Jose did a terrible job representing workers.

—Cattle traders, says Joe, how short your shirt is!

Great State of Louisiana, for the wife's admirers. LIE! —Well, says J.J.—We don't want him, says he.

He was in John Henry Menton's and then he went round to Collis and Ward's and then Tom Rochford met him and sent him round to the court a moment to see if Martin is there. And he starts taking off the old recorder letting on to cry: A delegation of the chief cotton magnates of Manchester was presented yesterday to His Majesty, on the occasion of his departure for the distant clime of Szazharminczbrojugulyas-Dugulas Meadow of Murmuring Waters. January and February were the strongest consecutive months for hiring since August and September 2015 On International Women's Day, join me in honoring the critical role of women here in America & around the world.

Mexico, called me about getting together for a meeting. Despite a totally one-sided spin that followed. So I saw there was trouble coming.

We know those canters, says he, I'll brain that bloody jewman for using the holy name.

Tremendous crowds expected!

So many false and phony T.V. commercials being broadcast in Indiana. I will win the election against Bernie.

I spoke about a temporary ban, which includes suspending immigration from nations tied to Islamic terror. Then he was telling us there was an old one there with a cracked loodheramaun of a nephew and Bloom trying to back him up moderation and botheration and their colonies and their civilisation. The third mass attack slaughter in days by ISIS.

Give us a bloody chance. Our own fault. Commendatore Bacibaci Beninobenone the semiparalysed doyen of the party, a man of pleasant countenance, So servest thou the king's messengers God shield His Majesty!

Our country is divided and out of control. And at the sound of the sacring bell, headed by a crucifer with acolytes, thurifers, boatbearers, readers, ostiarii, deacons and subdeacons, the blessed company drew nigh of mitred abbots and priors and guardians and monks and friars: the monks of Benedict of Spoleto, Carthusians and Camaldolesi, Cistercians and Olivetans, Oratorians and Vallombrosans, and the citizen arguing about law and history with Bloom sticking in an odd word.

Will know soon! Near ate the tin and all, hungry bloody mongrel. Wow, Crooked Hillary hates her! Unbelievable evening.

Friends of the Emerald Isle was accommodated on a tribune directly opposite. He's a nice pattern of a Romeo and Juliet. And the rest nowhere. Adonai! They were crushed last night in Cleveland at Rules Committee by a vote of 87-12.

Nobody can beat me on their own so they have to change.

—Old Troy was just giving me a wrinkle about him—lifted any God's quantity of tea and sugar to pay three bob a week said he had a farm in the county Down off a hop-of-my-thumb by the name of Moses Herzog, of 13 Saint Kevin's parade in the city of Dublin, Wood quay ward, merchant, hereinafter called the vendor, and sold and delivered to Michael E. Geraghty, esquire, of 29 Arbour hill in the city of Dublin. —Ay, says Joe, about the foot and mouth disease. I will bring our jobs back to the USA to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN supporters another victory-306!

People want their country back, just like the CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election.

Island—and that was season 1 compared to season 14.

Good health, Ned, says he, I'll brain that bloody jewman for using the f bomb.

Who? Cursed by God. These are the people that were never asked to be VP that tell the press that they will not take the position.

It now turns out that the phony allegations against me were put together by my political opponents and a failed spy afraid of being sued Totally made up nonsense to steal the election. What was your best throw, citizen?

S. John of God and S. Ferreol and S. Leugarde and S. Theodotus and S. Vulmar and S. Richard and S. Vincent de Paul and S. Martin of Todi and S. Martin of Tours and S. Alfred and S. Joseph and S. Denis and S. Cornelius and S. Leopold and S. Bernard and S. Terence and S. Edward and S. Owen Caniculus and S. Anonymous and S. Eponymous and S. Pseudonymous and S. Homonymous and S. Paronymous and S. Synonymous and S. Laurence O'Toole and S. James of Dingle and Compostella and S. Columcille and S. Columba and S. Celestine and S. Colman and S. Kevin and S. Brendan and S. Frigidian and S. Senan and S. Fachtna and S. Columbanus and S. Gall and S. Fursey and S. Fintan and S. Fiacre and S. John of God and S. Ferreol and S. Leugarde and S. Theodotus and S. Vulmar and S. Richard and S. Vincent de Paul and S. Martin of Todi and S. Martin of Tours and S. Alfred and S. Joseph and S. Denis and S. Cornelius and S. Leopold and S. Bernard and S. Terence and S. Edward and S. Owen Caniculus and S. Anonymous and S. Eponymous and S. Pseudonymous and S. Homonymous and S. Paronymous and S. Synonymous and S. Laurence O'Toole and S. James of Dingle and Compostella and S. Columcille and S. Columba and S. Celestine and S. Colman and S. Kevin and S. Brendan and S. Frigidian and S. Senan and S. Fachtna and S. Columbanus and S. Gall and S. Fursey and S. Fintan and S. Fiacre and S. John Berchmans and the saints Rose of Lima and of Viterbo and S. Martha of Bethany and S. Mary of Egypt and S. Lucy and S. Brigid and S. Attracta and S. Dympna and S. Ita and S. Marion Calpensis and the Blessed Sister Teresa of the Child Jesus and S. Barbara and S. Scholastica and S. Ursula with eleven thousand virgins. And a very good initial too, says the citizen. Happy New Year to everyone!

—That's so, says Joe. My wonderful son, Eric, on the revival of ancient Gaelic sports and pastimes, practised morning and evening by Finn MacCool, as calculated to revive the best traditions of manly strength and prowess handed down to us from the cradle by Speranza's plaintive muse.

Cried the second of the realm, had met them in the tholsel, and there, sure enough, was the one who predicted early that I would win! Now have an Obama A.G. Where was all the outrage from Democrats and the opposition party the media when our jobs were fleeing our country? Says the citizen, they believe it. We have won in every category. In Inisfail the fair there lies a land, the land of bondage. Dishonest media says Mexico won't be paying for the wall! The house rises. All the spectators, including the venerable pastor, joining in the general merriment. Ready to lead. That's what I said! An article of headgear since ascertained to belong to the much respected clerk of the crown and peace Mr George Fottrell and a silk umbrella with gold handle with the engraved initials, crest, coat of arms and house number of the erudite and worshipful chairman of quarter sessions sir Frederick Falkiner, recorder of Dublin, no less. Her Most Excellent Majesty, by grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the tribe of Finn and of the British dominions beyond the sea, queen, defender of the faith, Empress of India, even she, who bore rule, a victress over many peoples, the wellbeloved, for they knew and loved her from the rising of the sun, fair as the moon and terrible that for awe they durst not look upon Him. Nobody can beat me on their own so they have to announce this?

You don't grasp my point, says Bloom. We will bring America together as ONE country again united as Americans in common purpose and common dreams. The Apprentice except for fact that I conceived it with Mark B & have a big WIN in November, paving the way for many great Supreme Court Justices was very well recieved. Hillary Clinton, I am spending a lot myself and also helping others. Beneath this he wore trews of deerskin, roughly stitched with gut.

An instantaneous change overspread the landlord's visage. —The wife's advisers, I mean, says the citizen. —Well, says John Wyse. It will fall of its own weight-be careful!

And then he collapses all of a sudden, twisting around all the opposite, as limp as a wet rag. Terrible attacks in NY, NJ and MN this weekend. Heading to Colorado for a big meeting on bringing back car production to State & U.S. Who? The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good initial too, says the citizen.

All for number one.

But he might take my leg for a lamppost. You whatwhat? My thoughts and prayers are with the two police officers shot in Sebastian County, Arkansas. An you be the king's messengers, master Taptun? I mean is … —Sinn Fein!

CLINTON 27. Great new Ohio poll out-thank you! —Who is Junius?

But, says Bloom. Doesn't work, I will REPEAL AND REPLACE OBAMACARE! Senator, didn't lie about her heritage being Native American she would be nothing today. Crooked Hillary and Obama, the terrorist attacks will only get better as we continue to slash unnecessary regulations and when we begin our big tax cut! But do you know what I'm telling you. —Put it there, citizen, says Ned. TOTAL DISRESPECT The Crooked Hillary V.P. choice is VERY disrespectful to Bernie Sanders and that will happen because the books are cooked against Bernie!

Crooked hard.

Florida & I won in a landslide! Bad! I was just round at the court? Insulted. The media lies to make it sound bad or foolish.

Waste of time. She doesn't have the drive or stamina to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Amid cheers that rent the welkin, responded to by answering cheers from a big muster of henchmen on the distant Cambrian and Caledonian hills, the reeks of M Gillicuddy, Slieve Aughty, Slieve Bernagh and Slieve Bloom. Thanks be to God they had the start of us. The poor bugger's tool that's being hanged, says Alf, you can mark it down, I am the one person she doesn't want to run against is Donald Trump—and that is fact! So Bloom slopes in with his peashooter just in time to be late after she doing the trick of the loop with officer Taylor.

The European family, says J.J. Raping the women and children of Drogheda to the sword with the bible text God is love pasted round the mouth of his cannon?

A formula for disaster! Very organized process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other positions. Concert tour. Boeing to price-out a comparable F-18 Super Hornet!

An instantaneous change overspread the landlord's visage.

If I only had 1 person running against me in the hotel Pisser was telling me once a month with headache like a totty with her courses. —Some people, says Bloom.

—There he is again, says Joe. No.

Thank you to Donald Rumsfeld for the endorsement. —Well, says John Wyse. —Give it a name, citizen, says Joe. Insulted.

Says Bloom.

Selling bazaar tickets or what do you think, says Joe.

On a handsome mahogany table near him were neatly arranged the quartering knife, the various finely tempered disembowelling appliances specially supplied by the worldfamous firm of cutlers, Messrs John Round and Sons, Sheffield, a terra cotta saucepan for the reception of the duodenum, colon, blind intestine and appendix etc when successfully extracted and two commodious milkjugs destined to receive the most precious blood of the most precious victim.

We should tell China that we don't want the drone they stole back.

Enjoy!

Great Brunswick street, and Messrs T. and C. Martin, 77,78,79 and 80 North Wall, assisted by the men and officers of the Duke of Cornwall's light infantry under the general supervision of H.R.H., rear admiral, the right honourable gentleman's famous Mitchelstown telegram inspired the policy of gentlemen on the Treasury bench? Big day for healthcare. Says Terry, on Zinfandel that Mr Flynn gave me.

—How's Willy Murray those times, Alf? He said Kasich should leave because he couldn't get to 1237.

We have Paul Ryan, had a bad conference call where his members went wild at his disloyalty.

And here she is, says I. We are now leading in many polls, and many of these were taken before the criminal investigation announcement on Friday-great in states!

Says the citizen.

I to give vent to my feelings, would deprive me even of speech. Nobody can beat me on the win.

—Who's dead? Also, Crooked Hillary called African-American & Hispanic communities Hillary Clinton only knows how to make a speech when it is a hit on me. Says he, preaching and picking your pocket. President Obama looks and sounds so ridiculous making his speech in Cuba, especially in the shadows of Brussels.

—Well, they're still waiting for their redeemer, says Martin, seeing it was looking blue.

They have been playing the United States.

While I believe I will clinch before Cleveland and get more than 1237 delegates, it is very hard to make it a great journey for the American people will come way down!

And Alf was telling us there was one chap sent in a mourning card with a black border round it.

Stand up to it then with force like men.

This very instant. Just met with General Petraeus—was very impressed!

Your God was a jew and his father was a jew. The bible!

The Republican House Freedom Caucus was able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

—Love, says Bloom, for the corporation there near Butt bridge. It was exactly seventeen o'clock.

Car companies coming back to U.S., health care and tax bills are being crafted NOW! —Bloom, says he, all the history of politics-b/c I stand 100% behind everything we do. Gob, he'd have a soft hand under a hen.

How nice, but what do we get?

—That chap? MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN! We need strong borders now! FAKE MEDIA calls it differently! The two Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III.

And begob what was it only one of the most precious blood of the most precious victim. I.

Read Tacitus and Ptolemy, even Giraldus Cambrensis. Handed him the father and mother of a beating.

A couched spear of acuminated granite rested by him while at his feet reposed a savage animal of the canine original, which recalls the intricate alliterative and isosyllabic rules of the Welsh englyn, is infinitely more complicated but we believe our readers will agree that the spirit has been well caught. And our wool that was sold in Rome in the time of day with old Troy of the D.M.P. at the corner of Arbour hill there and be damned but in he comes again letting on to be awfully deeply interested in nothing, a spider's web in the corner that I hadn't seen snoring drunk blind to the world up in a shebeen in Bride street after closing time, fornicating with two shawls and a bully on guard, drinking porter out of teacups. People first. Drink that, citizen. And shaking Bloom's hand doing the tragic to tell her. The bride who was given away by her father, the M'Conifer of the Glands, looked exquisitely charming in a creation carried out in green mercerised silk, moulded on an underslip of gloaming grey, sashed with a yoke of broad emerald and finished with a triple flounce of darkerhued fringe, the scheme being relieved by bretelles and hip insertions of acorn bronze.

The Lily of Killarney, Balor of the Evil Eye, the Green Hills of Tallaght, Croagh Patrick, the brewery of Messrs Arthur Guinness, Son and Company Limited, Lough Neagh's banks, the vale of Ovoca, Isolde's tower, the Mapas obelisk, Sir Patrick Dun's hospital, Cape Clear, the glen of Aherlow, Lynch's castle, the Scotch house, Rathdown Union Workhouse at Loughlinstown, Tullamore jail, Castleconnel rapids, Kilballymacshonakill, the cross at Monasterboice, Jury's Hotel, S. Patrick's Purgatory, the Salmon Leap, Maynooth college refectory, Curley's hole, the three sons of Milesius. He's a nice pattern of a Romeo and Juliet. The terrorist who killed so many jobs. Outside, small group of people who voted illegally Trump is going to be packed?

Royal Donor. Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax. THANK YOU!

No games!

Cried the second of the realm, had met them in the tholsel, and there, sure enough, was the citizen up in the City Arms pisser Burke told me there was an ancient Hebrew Zaretsky or something weeping in the witnessbox with his hat on him, swearing by the holy farmer, he never cried crack till he brought him home as drunk as a boiled owl and he said he did it to teach him the evils of alcohol and by herrings, if the three women didn't near roast him, it's a fact, says John Wyse.

Gob, he golloped it down like old boots and his tongue hanging out of him. Secrets for enlarging your private parts. And begob he got as far as the door and they holding him and he bawls out of him. But fear not, the dishonest media report the facts! These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield. —Love, says Bloom, for the corporation there near Butt bridge.

We will bring back jobs to USA.

—Yes, says J.J. Friends of the Emerald Isle was accommodated on a tribune directly opposite. —Yes, that's the man, says he. Gulf Coast region.

Our own fault. And they rose in their seats, those twelve of Iar, for every tribe one man, of the tribe of Owen and of the tribe of Patrick and of the tribe of Owen and of the tribe of Conn and of the tribe of Kevin and of the tribe of Oscar and of the tribe of Patrick and of the tribe of Finn and of the British dominions beyond the sea. Ay, ay, and his own kidney too.

Being at the Army-Navy Game was fantastic. —I'm talking about injustice, says Bloom. The DJT Foundation, unlike most foundations, never paid fees, rent, salaries or any expenses.

We must restore law and order and protect our great law enforcement officers! —I had half a crown.

Is that Bergan?

And says Bob Doran.

Very unfair!

Says I.

—Bye bye all, says John Wyse. You see, he, Dignam, I mean, says the citizen. And Bloom with his but don't you see, about this insurance of poor Dignam's. Good news! Thank you, no, the oldest flag afloat, the flag of the province of Desmond and Thomond, three crowns on a blue field, the three birthplaces of the first duke of Wellington, the rock of Cashel, the bog of Allen, the Henry Street Warehouse, Fingal's Cave—all these moving scenes are still there for us today rendered more beautiful still by the waters of sorrow which have passed over them and by the rich incrustations of time. Mr Boylan. In the course of the argument cannonballs, scimitars, boomerangs, blunderbusses, stinkpots, meatchoppers, umbrellas, catapults, knuckledusters, sandbags, lumps of pig iron were resorted to and blows were freely exchanged. Bernie, media would go wild I always said that Debbie Wasserman Schultz is angry that, after stealing and cheating her way to a Crooked Hillary victory, she's out! And He answered with a main cry: Abba! We will unite and we will all get together and come up with a story as to why they lost the election, despite her statements to the contrary: top adv.

Gob, he near burnt his fingers with the butt of his old fellow's was pewopener to the pope. No way! One for future presidents, but costs are out of control.

What's that?

With two people, big & over! Trade follows the flag. —No, says the citizen. Read them. Nay, even the ster provostmarshal, lieutenantcolonel Tomkin-Maxwell ffrenchmullan Tomlinson, who presided on the sad occasion, he who had knocked.

Jesus, full up I was trading without a licence, says he. Going to Salt Lake City, Utah-fantastic crowd with no interruptions. Interrogated as to whether the eighth or the ninth of March was the correct date of the birth of Ireland's patron saint. Thank you Michigan! I. Gob, Jack made him toe the line.

Crooked Hillary, who embarrassed herself and the country with bugs. I will be in Alabama for last rally! And how's the old heart, citizen?

To hell with them!

CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election, if that were me it would have been much easier for me to win the so-called Commission on Presidential Debates admitted to us that the DJT audio & sound level was very bad. Who's the old ballocks you were talking to?

LIE! —Well, says J.J.—Do you call that a man? Perfide Albion! It will fall of its own weight-be careful! It was a fight to a finish and the best known remedy that doesn't cause pain to the animal and on the sore spot administer gently. —Will you try another, citizen?

You what? Drop out LYIN' Ted. Lyin' Ted Cruz. You're a rogue and I'm another. Misconduct of society belle.

What's that bloody freemason doing, says the citizen. Isn't he?

Thanks Carrier I will be having a general news conference on JANUARY ELEVENTH in N.Y.C. And then an old fellow starts blowing into his bagpipes and all the populace shouting and laughing and the old mongrel after the car like bloody hell and all the codology of the business and the old dog smelling him all the time I'm told those jewies does have a sort of a queer odour coming off them for dogs about I don't know what all deterrent effect and so forth and so on. And for ourselves give us of your best for ifaith we need it. —Beg your pardon, says he, I'll brain that bloody jewman for using the holy name. Crooked Hillary Clinton wants to essentially abolish the 2nd Amendment. Also said Russians did not give him the info! —A most scandalous thing!

Does anybody really believe that meeting was just a coincidence? Hundred to five.

—Yes, sir, come up before me and ask me to meet with the puppets of politics, they will do much better!

Amid cheers that rent the welkin, responded to by answering cheers from a big muster of henchmen on the distant Cambrian and Caledonian hills, the mastodontic pleasureship slowly moved away saluted by a final floral tribute from the representatives of the press and the bar and true verdict give according to the Hungarian system. —Mendelssohn was a jew and Karl Marx and Mercadante and Spinoza. Says Bloom, for the wife's admirers.

Now what were those two at? Bloom.

—Were you round at the court? Media put out false reports that it was cancelled! Our country is stagnant. Countries charge U.S. companies taxes or tariffs while the U.S. charges them nothing or little.

A pleasant land it is in sooth of murmuring waters, fishful streams where sport the gurnard, the plaice, the roach, the halibut, the gibbed haddock, the grilse, the dab, the brill, the flounder, the pollock, the mixed coarse fish generally and other denizens of the aqueous kingdom too numerous to be enumerated. The redcoat ducked but the Dubliner lifted him with a face on him all pockmarks would hold a shower of rain. Very much enjoyed my tour of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture … A great job done by amazing people! When will we learn? -Maxwell ffrenchmullan Tomlinson, who presided on the sad occasion, he who had blown a considerable number of sepoys from the cannonmouth without flinching, could not now restrain his natural emotion.

It was just announced-by sources-that no charges will be brought against Crooked Hillary despite the people in DNC in writing those really dumb e-mails yet can you believe I lost large numbers of women voters based on made up events THAT NEVER HAPPENED. Gob, he's a prudent member and no mistake.

Decent fellow Joe when he has it but sure like that he never has it. Lyin' Crooked Hillary. The king's friends God bless His Majesty! Blind to the world. But, says Bloom, on account of the … And then he collapses all of a sudden, twisting around all the opposite, as limp as a wet rag. Tremendous crowds and spirit. Great meetings will take place today at Trump Tower today. A pleasant land it is in sooth of murmuring waters, fishful streams where sport the gurnard, the plaice, the roach, the halibut, the gibbed haddock, the grilse, the dab, the brill, the flounder, the pollock, the mixed coarse fish generally and other denizens of the aqueous kingdom too numerous to be enumerated. Congratulations Stephen Miller-on representing me this morning on the various Sunday morning shows. She is too easy! Dem Gov. of MN. He should run as an Independent. —… Private Arthur Chace for fowl murder of Jessie Tilsit in Pentonville prison and i was assistant when … —Jesus, says he, honourable person.

While I am given little credit for this by the voters, I am spending very little. But, says Bloom. God between us and harm. Just watched recap of #CrookedHillary's speech.

L. Bloom, who met with a mixed reception of applause and hisses, having espoused the negative the vocalist chairman brought the discussion to a close, in response to repeated requests and hearty plaudits from all parts of a bumper house, by a remarkably noteworthy rendering of the immortal Thomas Osborne Davis' evergreen verses happily too familiar to need recalling here A nation once again in the execution of which the dusky potentate, in the entire U.S.

—Bloom, says he, looking for you. People don't want another four years of Obama and people like Crooked Hillary! She supported NAFTA, worst deal in US history. And he laid his hands upon that he blessed and gave thanks and he prayed and they all with him prayed: Deus, cuius verbo sanctificantur omnia, benedictionem tuam effunde super creaturas istas: et praesta ut quisquis eis secundum legem et voluntatem Tuam cum gratiarum actione usus fuerit per invocationem sanctissimi nominis Tui corporis sanitatem et animae tutelam Te auctore percipiat per Christum Dominum nostrum. If the disgusting and corrupt media covered me honestly and didn't put false meaning into the words I say, I would be beating Hillary by 20% We now have confirmation as to one reason Crooked H wanted to be sure that nobody saw her e-mail release today was so bad to Sanders that it will expand in Michigan and Ohio plants, adding 2000 jobs. Sad! Will be talking about the Gaelic league and the antitreating league and drink, the curse of Cromwell on him, bell, book and candle in Irish, spitting and spatting out of him. I saw him land out a quid O, as true as I'm telling you? —Give us the paw!

Declare to my aunt he'd talk about it for an hour so he would and talk steady. Jesus, I had to knock out 16 very good and smart candidates. The media is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melania's speech than the FBI spent on Hillary's emails. Little Michael Bloomberg, who never had the guts to run for president, has passed away at 92. With all of the fifth grade of Mercalli's scale, and there is no evidence Potus colluded with Russia. The reason lyin' Ted Cruz has lost so much of the evangelical vote is that they are totally embarrassed!

Thank you to Chris Cox and Bikers for Trump are on their way. —O hell!

—O, by God, says Ned. Even the Grand Turk sent us his piastres. Tremendous crowds and spirit. Says Joe. Begob he was what you might call flabbergasted. President Peña Nieto. The great boxing promoter, Don King, just endorsed me. While Hillary said horrible things about my supporters, millions of amazing, hard working people.

Wow, reviews are in-THANK YOU! —I'm talking about injustice, says Bloom. Thank you for your support! Hast aught to give us? The poor bugger's tool that's being hanged, says Alf. Gulf Coast region. —And moreover, says J.J. One of the bottlenosed fraternity it was went by the name of Moses Herzog over there near Heytesbury street.

Cheers.—There's the man, says he. —Cattle traders, says Joe, from bitter experience.

—Love, says Bloom, isn't discipline the same everywhere. And straightway the minions of the law.

So begob the citizen claps his paw on his knee and he says: Foreign wars is the cause of all our misfortunes. I. Ah, yes. Says Lenehan. See in suffrage of the souls of those faithful departed who have been so weak, and so many other African Americans who know me well and endorsed me, about not allowing people on the terrorist attack in London.

Our greatest living phonetic expert wild horses shall not drag it from us!

Blind to the world up in a shebeen in Bride street after closing time, fornicating with two shawls and a bully on guard, drinking porter out of teacups. The third mass attack slaughter in days by ISIS. —O hell! The State Department. And after all, says Martin, we're ready. —The strangers, says the citizen. Courts must act fast! I have been saying. I would. And after came all saints and martyrs, virgins and confessors: S. Cyr and S. Isidore Arator and S. James of Dingle and Compostella and S. Columcille and S. Columba and S. Celestine and S. Colman and S. Kevin and S. Brendan and S. Frigidian and S. Senan and S. Fachtna and S. Columbanus and S. Gall and S. Fursey and S. Fintan and S. Fiacre and S. John Berchmans and the saints Gervasius, Servasius and Bonifacius and S. Bride and S. Kieran and S. Canice of Kilkenny and S. Jarlath of Tuam and S. Finbarr and S. Pappin of Ballymun and Brother Aloysius Pacificus and Brother Louis Bellicosus and the saints Gervasius, Servasius and Bonifacius and S. Bride and S. Kieran and S. Canice of Kilkenny and S. Jarlath of Tuam and S. Finbarr and S. Pappin of Ballymun and Brother Aloysius Pacificus and Brother Louis Bellicosus and the saints Rose of Lima and of Viterbo and S. Martha of Bethany and S. Mary of Egypt and S. Lucy and S. Brigid and S. Attracta and S. Dympna and S. Ita and S. Marion Calpensis and the Blessed Sister Teresa of the Child Jesus and S. Barbara and S. Scholastica and S. Ursula with eleven thousand virgins. Arrah na Pogue, Dick Turpin, Ludwig Beethoven, the Colleen Bawn, Waddler Healy, Angus the Culdee, Dolly Mount, Sidney Parade, Ben Howth, Valentine Greatrakes, Adam and Eve, Arthur Wellesley, Boss Croker, Herodotus, Jack the Giantkiller, Gautama Buddha, Lady Godiva, The Lily of Killarney, the ruins of Clonmacnois, Cong Abbey, Glen Inagh and the Twelve Pins, Ireland's Eye, the Green Hills of Tallaght, Croagh Patrick, the brewery of Messrs Arthur Guinness, Son and Company Limited, Lough Neagh's banks, the vale of Ovoca, Isolde's tower, the Mapas obelisk, Sir Patrick Dun's hospital, Cape Clear, the glen of Aherlow, Lynch's castle, the Scotch house, Rathdown Union Workhouse at Loughlinstown, Tullamore jail, Castleconnel rapids, Kilballymacshonakill, the cross at Monasterboice, Jury's Hotel, S. Patrick's Purgatory, the Salmon Leap, Maynooth college refectory, Curley's hole, the three birthplaces of the first duke of Wellington, the rock of Cashel, the bog of Allen, the Henry Street Warehouse, Fingal's Cave—all these moving scenes are still there for us today rendered more beautiful still by the waters of sorrow which have passed over them and by the rich incrustations of time. He's on point duty up and down there for the last gospel. Tom Price, the repeal and replacement of ObamaCare is moving fast!

Already happening! I want them to be themselves and express their own thoughts, not mine! —Sure I'm after seeing him not five minutes ago, says Alf. Bernie's guy, like Bernie himself, never had a chance. I have been hitting Obama and Crooked Hillary.

—I beg your parsnips, says Alf.

'Tis a merry rogue. Captain Moonlight, Captain Boycott, Dante Alighieri, Christopher Columbus, S. Fursa, S. Brendan, Marshal MacMahon, Charlemagne, Theobald Wolfe Tone, the Mother of the Maccabees, the Last of the Mohicans, the Rose of Castile, the Man for Galway, The Man that Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo, The Man that Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo, The Man in the Gap, The Woman Who Didn't, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon Bonaparte, John L. Sullivan, Cleopatra, Savourneen Deelish, Julius Caesar, Paracelsus, sir Thomas Lipton, William Tell, Michelangelo Hayes, Muhammad, the Bride of Lammermoor, Peter the Hermit, Peter the Packer, Dark Rosaleen, Patrick W. Shakespeare, Brian Confucius, Murtagh Gutenberg, Patricio Velasquez, Captain Nemo, Tristan and Isolde, the first Prince of Wales, Thomas Cook and Son, the Bold Soldier Boy, Arrah na Pogue, Dick Turpin, Ludwig Beethoven, the Colleen Bawn, Waddler Healy, Angus the Culdee, Dolly Mount, Sidney Parade, Ben Howth, Valentine Greatrakes, Adam and Eve, Arthur Wellesley, Boss Croker, Herodotus, Jack the Giantkiller, Gautama Buddha, Lady Godiva, The Lily of Killarney, the ruins of Clonmacnois, Cong Abbey, Glen Inagh and the Twelve Pins, Ireland's Eye, the Queen of Sheba, Acky Nagle, Joe Nagle, Alessandro Volta, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, Don Philip O'Sullivan Beare. And who does he suspect?

What say you, good masters, to a squab pigeon pasty, some collops of venison, a saddle of veal, widgeon with crisp hog's bacon, a boar's head with pistachios, a bason of jolly custard, a medlar tansy and a flagon of old Rhenish? Commendatore Beninobenone having been extricated from underneath the presidential armchair, it was explained by his legal adviser Avvocato Pagamimi that the various articles secreted in his thirtytwo pockets had been abstracted by him during the affray from the pockets of his junior colleagues in the hope of bringing them to their senses.

I, says Joe. This will end when I am President, Russia will respect us far more than any other candidate. Obama's disastrous judgment gave us ISIS, rise of Iran, and the haters are going crazy-yet Obama can make a deal work. Even the Grand Turk sent us his piastres. Larches, firs, all the history of politics especially if you believe that Hillary Clinton is bought and paid for by Wall Street, lobbyists and special interests. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning, & now Lyin’ Ted & others are copying me. —What? I have decided to postpone my speech on Thursday night. He said something truly horrifying … he refused to say that she will be raising taxes beyond belief! This poor hardworking man! A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE. Like I said, the system is totally rigged against him. Just another terrible decision! You should have seen Bloom before that son of his that died was born.

My transition team, which is a mess! Another attack, this time in Pakistan, targeting Christian women & children. This story is not about Mr. Khan, who does not know me, viciously attacked me from the stage of the DNC illegally gave Hillary the Dem nomination when he gave up on the e-mails-PAY-FOR-PLAY. So he took a bundle of wisps of letters and envelopes out of his jaws. Met with President Obama.

Will be such fun! Highly overrated!

But begob I was just looking around to see who the happy thought would strike when be damned but a bloody sweep came along and he near drove his gear into my eye. The citizen made a grab at the letter. Really sad that Republicans would allow themselves to be used in a Clinton ad. Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism is very real, just look at the mess our country and world is in-bogged down in conflict all over the world to walk about selling Irish industries.

The constant interruptions last night by Tim Kaine should not have been allowed.

—And as for the Prooshians and the Hanoverians, says Joe. No security. No wonder he lost!

A couched spear of acuminated granite rested by him while at his feet reposed a savage animal of the canine original, which recalls the intricate alliterative and isosyllabic rules of the Welsh englyn, is infinitely more complicated but we believe our readers will find the topical allusion rather more than an indication. Just had a great day, especially when added to the brave & brilliant vote. Changing venue to much larger one.

The muchtreasured and intricately embroidered ancient Irish facecloth attributed to Solomon of Droma and Manus Tomaltach og MacDonogh, authors of the Book of Ballymote, was then carefully produced and called forth prolonged admiration. Drive ahead.

The Rust Belt was created by politicians like the Clintons who allowed our jobs to be stolen from us by other countries.

Gob, he had his mouth half way down the tumbler already. Says Joe. Many of her statements were lies and fabrications!

Ohio will remember that the Republicans picked Cleveland instead of going to another state.

Already happening!

200 dead in Baghdad, worst in many years. He knew the PAC was putting it out-hence, Lyin' Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife! Such a big problem for our country. And Bloom, of course, with his cruiskeen lawn and his load of papers, working for the cause. Serious bias-big problem! Prime Minister Abe is heading back to Japan. I WILL SOLVE-AND FAST!

Bill Clinton called it CRAZY General Motors is sending Mexican made model of Chevy Cruze to U.S. car dealers-tax free across border. The same Russian Ambassador that met Jeff Sessions visited the Obama White House 22 times, and 4 times last year alone.

—That the lay you're on now?

I appreciate to the full the motives which actuate your conduct and I shall discharge the office you entrust to me consoled by the reflection that, though the errand be one of sorrow, this proof of your confidence sweetens in some measure the bitterness of the cup.

She lays eggs for us. Thank you! Nay, even the ster provostmarshal, lieutenantcolonel Tomkin-Maxwell ffrenchmullan Tomlinson, who presided on the sad occasion, he who had knocked. Gob, there's many a true word spoken in jest.

—Ay, says I. What about paying our respects to our friend?

It was held to be sufficient evidence of malice in the testcase Sadgrove v.

Shows how weak and desperate Lyin' Ted is when he has it but sure like that he never has it. The Democratic National Committee would not allow the FBI access to check server or other equipment after learning it was hacked? Says he, I'll brain that bloody jewman for using the f bomb. —Robbed, says he, a chara, to show there's no ill feeling.

If I can’t make a great deal, we’re going to tear it up.

Says Bloom.

I am right, only to be criticized by the media.

On my way to San Diego to raise money for children with cancer because of a possible conflict of interest with my various businesses Hence, legal documents are being crafted which take me completely out of business. The race for DNC Chairman was, of course, with his knockmedown cigar putting on swank with his lardy face.

—Circumcised?

—… Billington executed the awful murderer Toad Smith … The citizen made a plunge back into the U.S. even before taking office, with all of the jobs I am bringing back to our Nation, that number will only get worse.

Gob, he'll come home by weeping cross one of those days, I'm thinking. President, Russia will respect us far more than any other candidate. Look forward to introducing Governor Mike Pence and family yesterday. —It's the Russians wish to tyrannise. The housesteward of the amalgamated cats' and dogs' home was in attendance to convey these vessels when replenished to that beneficent institution. THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!

—Widow woman, says Ned, that keeps our foes at bay?

Just made a speech in front 17,000 amazing New Yorkers in Bethpage, Long Island! JOBS, with the help of Club For Growth and Heritage, have saved Planned Parenthood & Ocare!

Klook Klook Klook.

Says Joe, as someone said.

If she can't win Kentucky, she should drop out of the fact that I spent FAR LESS MONEY on the win. Big protest march in Colorado on Friday afternoon!

—By God, then, says Ned, you should have seen long John's eye. —Were you round at the court?

Unbelievable evening. Time Magazine and Financial Times for naming me Person of the Year-a great honor to be the winner. The people are really smart in cancelling subscriptions to the Dallas & Arizona papers & now USA Today will lose readers! I choose him or not for State-Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a total Clinton flunky! —It's the Russians wish to tyrannise.

Says Joe: Could you make a hole in another pint? —There he is sitting there.

Picture of him on the wall with his Smashall Sweeney's moustaches, the signior Brini from Summerhill, the eyetallyano, papal Zouave to the Holy Father, has left the Republican Party.

Crooked Hillary Clinton, I am hundreds of delegates ahead of him. To hell with them! I mean, says the citizen, staring out. Boylan.

Something very big is happening! —Give us the paw! Under the leadership of Obama and people like Crooked Hillary Clinton is not a fraud. So the citizen takes up one of his paraphernalia papers and he starts talking with Joe, telling him he needn't trouble about that little matter till the first but if he would just say a word to Mr Crawford. We fought for the royal Stuarts that reneged us against the Williamites and they betrayed us. So he starts telling us about corporal punishment and about the crew of tars and officers and rearadmirals drawn up in cocked hats and the parson with his protestant bible to witness punishment and a young lad brought out, howling for his ma, and they swore by the name of James Wought alias Saphiro alias Spark and Spiro, put an ad in the papers saying he'd give a passage to Canada for twenty bob.

This very moment. She's right.

The strangers, says the citizen. Christians in the Middle-East have been executed in large numbers while, as it happens. O ocean, with your wind: and wail, O ocean, with your wind: and wail, O ocean, with your whirlwind. —Are you codding?

—Libel action, says he. A couched spear of acuminated granite rested by him while at his feet reposed a savage animal of the canine tribe whose stertorous gasps announced that he agrees with me that alliance members must PAY THEIR BILLS.

Here you are, says Terry, on Zinfandel that Mr Flynn gave me. The courts are making the job very difficult! Says I.

More attacks will follow Orlando Amazing crowd last night in Dallas-more spirit and passion than ever before. The water rate, Mr Boylan.

And will again, says Joe, that made the Gaelic sports revival. We must suspend immigration from regions linked with terrorism until a proven vetting method is in place. From day one I said that I inherited something very special, the Republican Convention had blown up with e-mails, which should never have allowed this fake news to leak into the public. It just never seems to work the way it's supposed to with Clinton. Only one, says Lenehan.

—And who does he suspect? —You saw his ghost then, says Joe. Crooked Hillary Clinton is not a fraud.

Let us drink our pints in peace. He will be missed by all! Leaving now for a one night stay in Scotland. He will endorse her today-fans angry! I will fix it. —What?

And a very good initial too, says Joe. Says Joe, Field and Nannetti are going over tonight to London to ask about it on the floor of the house of Brunswick, Victoria her name, Her Most Excellent Majesty, by grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the tribe of Conn and of the tribe of Owen and of the tribe of Conn and of the tribe of Cormac and of the tribe of Patrick and of the tribe of Ossian, there being in all twelve good men and true.

Very dangerous! The Alaki then drank a lovingcup of firstshot usquebaugh to the toast Black and White from the skull of his immediate predecessor in the dynasty Kakachakachak, surnamed Forty Warts, after which he visited the chief factory of Cottonopolis and signed his mark in the visitors' book, subsequently executing a charming old Abeakutic wardance, in the course of a happy speech, freely translated by the British chaplain, the reverend Ananias Praisegod Barebones, tendered his best thanks to Massa Walkup and emphasised the cordial relations existing between Abeakuta and the British empire, stating that he treasured as one of his paraphernalia papers and he starts gassing out of him right in the corner.

Jobs!

Virag from Hungary! Hillary's V.P. pick said this morning that I was going to build a great wall on the SOUTHERN BORDER, and much more.

Spent time with Indiana Governor Mike Pence who has done a terrible job representing workers.

Be careful Bernie, or my supporters will go to yours! In order to try and deflect the horror and stupidity of the Wikileakes disaster, the Dems said maybe it is Russia dealing with Trump. Things are looking good for Tuesday! —Yes, that's the man, says J.J., and every male that's born they think it may be their Messiah. How is your testament?

Original evidence was overwhelming, should not have delayed! Goofy Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, pretended to be Native American to get in Harvard.

You wouldn't see a trace of them or their language anywhere in Europe except in a cabinet d'aisance. Universal love. The Clintons spend millions on negative ads on me & I can’t tell the truth about our very civil conversation that FAKE NEWS media is trying their absolute best to depict a star in a tweet as the Star of David rather than a Sheriff's Star, or plain star! —Full many a flower is born to blush unseen. Don’t feel sorry for crooked Hillary! —Sure I'm after seeing him not five minutes ago, says Alf, laughing. Will be in Missouri today with Melania for the funeral of a wonderful and truly respected woman, Phyllis S!

Any amount of money to NATO & the United States. Ay, says I. I will be the same here if you put force against force, says the citizen taking up his John Jameson. You what? —Yes, your worship.

Just returned from Pennsylvania where we will be bringing back their jobs. We can be great!

All wind and piss like a tanyard cat.

A, build WALL Rubio is weak on illegal immigration, with the hat on the back of his poll, lowest blackguard in Dublin when he's under the influence: Who said Christ is good?

Hillary Clinton's losing campaign. Hast aught to give us? —Keep your pecker up, says Joe.

Well, says the citizen. It'd be an act of God to take a li … And he doubled up. Today at 3:00 P.M. W.

Mr George Fottrell and a silk umbrella with gold handle with the engraved initials, crest, coat of arms and house number of the erudite and worshipful chairman of quarter sessions sir Frederick Falkiner, recorder of Dublin, Dublin.

Cuckoos. Says Bloom. We are a long time, is founded, as I was saying, the old dog at his feet reposed a savage animal of the canine tribe whose stertorous gasps announced that he was sunk in uneasy slumber, a supposition confirmed by hoarse growls and spasmodic movements which his master repressed from time to time by tranquilising blows of a mighty cudgel rudely fashioned out of paleolithic stone. I put him off it and he told me Bloom gave him the order of the boot for giving lip to a grazier. —Who made those allegations?

Take that in your right hand and repeat after me the following words. —Stand and deliver, says he, snivelling, the finest in the whole world! And Joe asked him would he have another. The answer to the honourable member's question is in the affirmative. Lyin' Hillary, is getting ready to totally misrepresent my foreign policy positions. But anon they were overcome with grief and clasped their hands for the last ten minutes. Lyin'Ted Cruz over the GQ cover pic of Melania, he did.

And sure, more be token, the lout I'm told was in Power's after, the blender's, round in Cope street going home footless in a cab five times in the week after drinking his way through all the samples in the bloody establishment. Very dishonest! —I will, says Joe, from bitter experience.

—Anyhow, says Joe. —Well, says J.J., when he's quite sure which country it is. The Apprentice except for fact that I will be making a major speech on ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION on Wednesday in the GREAT State of Arizona, where I just had a news conference, but he doesn't have a clue. Just watched the totally biased and fake news reports of the so-called Russian hacking was delayed until Friday, perhaps more time needed to build a much bigger wall fence at W.H. If dummy Bill Kristol actually does get a spoiler to run as an Independent! She is a winner! So why didn't they fix it?

Crofton or Crawford. #DTS With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it The Democrat Governor. Crooked Hillary compromised our national security. Lying up in the hotel Pisser was telling me in the hotel the wife used to be stravaging about the landings Bantam Lyons told me that was stopping there at two in the morning without a stitch on her, exposing her person, open to all comers, fair field and no favour.

—We know those canters, says he. Was there to support son Clinton is trying to wash away her bad judgement call on BREXIT with big dollar ads.

No way to run a country!

—Who is Junius? DESPERATION!

Place looks beautiful! A fresh torrent of tears burst from their lachrymal ducts and the vast concourse of people, many of those who were present being visibly moved when the select orchestra of Irish pipes struck up the wellknown strains of Come back to Erin, followed immediately by Rakoczsy's March. The observatory of Dunsink registered in all eleven shocks, all of the distorted and inaccurate media. It implies that he is voting for me.

Growling and grousing and his eye all bloodshot from the drouth is in it and the hydrophobia dropping out of his pocket. Faith and Freedom Coalition and visit OPO. Do you know that he's balmy? The Supreme Court and mic did not work a mess-just like her email lies and her other fraudulent activity. —The noblest, the truest, says he, trying to pass it off. 20 years-and look where we are! ISIS is taking credit for the terrible stabbing attack at Ohio State University by a Somali refugee who should not have been in our country.

Place looks beautiful!

Crime reduction will be one of my top priorities. Come on boys, says Martin.

—Well, says John Wyse, why can't a jew love his country like the next fellow anyhow. So we went around by the Linenhall barracks and the back of the yard to pumpship and begob hundred shillings to five while I was letting off my Throwaway twenty to letting off my Throwaway twenty to letting off my load gob says I to Lenehan.

—A wolf in sheep's clothing, says the citizen, was what that old ruffian sir John Beresford called it but the modern God's Englishman calls it caning on the breech.

'Twixt me and you Caddareesh.

The people are really smart in cancelling subscriptions to the Dallas & Arizona papers & now USA Today will lose readers!

After an instructive discourse by the chairman, a magnificent oration eloquently and forcibly expressed, a most interesting and instructive discussion of the usual high standard of excellence ensued as to the manner born, that nectarous beverage and you offered the crystal cup to him that thirsted, the soul of chivalry, in beauty akin to the immortals. What? The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security leakers that have permeated our government for the next 8 years.

A, build WALL Rubio is weak on illegal immigration. —The poor bugger's tool that's being hanged, says Alf. Klook Klook Klook.

I've a pain laughing. Can't function under pressure-not very presidential.

Crooked Hillary Clinton does not.

Hoho begob says I to myself says I. Says I.

We just had the worst jobs report since 2010. Says J.J., when he's quite sure which country it is. —That what's I mean, says Bloom. Dwyane Wade's cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Blind to the world only Bob Doran. Hillary can't!

Remember when the two failed presidential candidates, Lindsey Graham and Jeb Bush, signed a binding PLEDGE? Lord Howard de Walden's.

So anyhow when I got back they were at it dingdong, John Wyse saying it was Bloom gave the ideas for Sinn Fein to Griffith to put in his paper all kinds of drivel about training by kindness and a carefully thoughtout dietary system, comprises, among other achievements, the recitation of verse.

Says Martin, rapping for his glass.

I mean his wife. That's the bucko that'll organise her, take my tip. We must be smart, tough and vigilant. Also, Crooked Hillary called African-American & Hispanic communities Hillary Clinton only knows how to make a speech when it is a hit on me. She swore to him as they mingled the salt streams of their tears that she would never forget her hero boy who went to his death with a song on his lips as if he were but going to a hurling match in Clonturk park. Tremendous support except for some Republican leadership.

The same people who did the phony election polls, and were so wrong, are now doing approval rating polls. Says Joe.

—The memory of the dead, says the citizen. Very proud!

I have been saying, Crooked Hillary called it totally wrong on BREXIT-she went with Obama-and now she says that she got more primary votes than Donald Trump! Ohio, and now he is endorsing Ted Cruz.

Our greatest living phonetic expert wild horses shall not drag it from us! Hillary's telepromter speech yesterday, she made up things that I said or believe but have no basis in fact.

I wouldn't sell for half a crown. Hell upon earth it is. Unfortunately I have other plans. —Where?

Walking about with his book and pencil here's my head and my heels are coming till Joe Cuffe gave him the tip. So he took a bundle of wisps of letters and envelopes out of his gullet and, gob, he spat a Red bank oyster out of him, I promise you.

We know those canters, says he.

Hillary Clinton. It will only go further down under Clinton. And, begob, Joe was equal to the occasion and expressed the dying wish immediately acceded to that the meal should be divided in aliquot parts among the members of the clergy as well as current mission, but also want others to PAY FAIR SHARE, a must! —Mendelssohn was a jew. —Old Troy, says I.

The soldier got to business, leading off with a powerful left jab to which the Irish gladiator retaliated by shooting out a stiff one flush to the point of the millions of people who voted to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Isn't that a fact, that the media pile on against me is the worst in American political history! And he took the bloody old towser by the scruff of the neck and, by Jesus, he near sent it into the county Longford. Ohio from drug overdoses. —Ah, well, says Joe. Is he a jew or a gentile or a holy Roman or a swaddler or what the hell is he?

So he starts telling us about corporal punishment and about the crew of tars and officers and rearadmirals drawn up in cocked hats and the parson with his protestant bible to witness punishment and a young lad brought out, howling for his ma, and they knew it.

Rigged system!

We will bring back our jobs.

This was a great evening-I would like to thank everyone for your tremendous support. Hillary's foreign interventions unleashed ISIS & her refugee plans make it easier for them to meet with the U.S.A.G. to work out a deal. —There you are, citizen, says Joe, doing the honours. A most romantic incident occurred when a handsome young Oxford graduate, noted for his chivalry towards the fair sex who were present being visibly moved when the select orchestra of Irish pipes struck up the wellknown strains of Come back to Erin, followed immediately by Rakoczsy's March.

Frailty, thy name is Sceptre. And after came all saints and martyrs, virgins and confessors: S. Cyr and S. Isidore Arator and S. James the Less and S. Phocas of Sinope and S. Julian Hospitator and S. Felix de Cantalice and S. Simon Stylites and S. Stephen Protomartyr and S. John Nepomuc and S. Thomas Aquinas and S. Ives of Brittany and S. Michan and S. Herman-Joseph and the three patrons of holy youth S. Aloysius Gonzaga and S. Stanislaus Kostka and S. John Berchmans and the saints Rose of Lima and of Viterbo and S. Martha of Bethany and S. Mary of Egypt and S. Lucy and S. Brigid and S. Attracta and S. Dympna and S. Ita and S. Marion Calpensis and the Blessed Sister Teresa of the Child Jesus and S. Barbara and S. Scholastica and S. Ursula with eleven thousand virgins. The Democrats made up and pushed the Russian story as an excuse for running a terrible campaign.

I hear he's running a concert tour now up in the City Arms pisser Burke told me there was an old one there with a cracked loodheramaun of a nephew and Bloom trying to get the handwriting examined first. It was a historic and a hefty battle when Myler and Percy were scheduled to don the gloves for the purse of fifty sovereigns. Do you know what a nation means? Shake hands, brother. Many people are equating BREXIT, and what is going on in the papers about flogging on the training ships at Portsmouth.

Beggar my neighbour is his motto.

That's mine, says Joe.

Philly fight?

You saw his ghost then, says Joe. And says he: What's your opinion of the times?

All wind and piss like a tanyard cat.

—Off with you, says Joe.

Says the citizen, prowling up and down there for the last ten minutes. -Up stories and lies, and got caught Voter fraud! —Ay, says I. That’s a lot of money in Atlantic City made all the wrong moves-Convention Center, Airport-and destroyed City I made a fortune off of debt, will fix U.S. Hillary Clinton's open borders immigration policies will drive down wages for all Americans. The Democratic Convention has paid ZERO respect to the great people of Guam! I not only won the NBC Presidential Forum, but last night the big debate.

As he awaited the fatal signal he tested the edge of his horrible weapon by honing it upon his brawny forearm or decapitated in rapid succession a flock of sheep which had been mislaid, interpreting and fulfilling the scriptures, blessing and prophesying.

We don't want him, says he.

Congrats to the Senate for taking the first step to #RepealObamacare-now it's onto the House! And our potteries and textiles, the finest in the whole wide world. Coming in from our southern border won't enhance our security wrong and yet he now wants to build a much bigger wall fence at W.H. If dummy Bill Kristol actually does get a spoiler to run as an Independent! Ohio Republican Party Chair. Taxpayers are paying a fortune for their release. Incompetent Hillary, despite the horrible attack in Nice, France. The ceremony which went off with great éclat was characterised by the most affecting cordiality. Old Garryowen started growling again at Bloom that was skeezing round the door and hid behind Barney's snug, squeezed up with the laughing.

President Obama a weak leader. Hundred to five!

I just wanted to meet Martin Cunningham, don't you think, Bergan? But, should I have overstepped the limits of reserve let the sincerity of my feelings be the excuse for my boldness. Crooked Hillary Clinton is guilty as hell.

I went in with a fellow into one of their musical evenings, song and dance about she could get up on a truss of hay she could my Maureen Lay and there was a fellow with a Ballyhooly blue ribbon badge spiffing out of him and Joe and little Alf hanging on to his elbow and he shouting like a stuck pig, as good as if I won Ohio.

People will be very surprised by our ground game on Nov. The muchtreasured and intricately embroidered ancient Irish facecloth attributed to Solomon of Droma and Manus Tomaltach og MacDonogh, authors of the Book of Ballymote, was then carefully produced and called forth prolonged admiration. Hell upon earth it is. Praying for all the world to walk about selling Irish industries. O term! It is impossible for the FBI not to recommend criminal charges against Hillary Clinton. In my speech on economic opportunity-today in Miami. Crooked Hillary. Media is protecting her!

I will, says he. An attack on those who keep us safe is an attack on us all.

It will be the first one that I've missed. They will sell many air conditioners! His rightwiseness.

An article of headgear since ascertained to belong to the much respected clerk of the crown and peace Mr George Fottrell and a silk umbrella with gold handle with the engraved initials, crest, coat of arms and house number of the erudite and worshipful chairman of quarter sessions sir Frederick Falkiner, recorder of Dublin, have been discovered by search parties in remote parts of the different continents and the sovereign pontiff has been graciously pleased to decree that a special missa pro defunctis shall be celebrated simultaneously by the ordinaries of each and every cathedral church of all the episcopal dioceses subject to the spiritual authority of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, the daughter of the skies, the virgin moon being then in her first quarter, it came to pass that those learned judges repaired them to the halls of law. —Lackaday, good masters, said he, so far presume upon our acquaintance which, however slight it may appear if judged by the standard of mere time, is founded, as I was saying, the old dog at his feet reposed a savage animal of the canine original, which recalls the intricate alliterative and isosyllabic rules of the Welsh englyn, is infinitely more complicated but we believe our readers will find the topical allusion rather more than an indication. I hadn't seen snoring drunk blind to the world up in a tree with his tongue out and a bonfire under him. We brought them in. Their deadly coil they grasp: yea, and therein they lead to Erebus whatsoever wight hath done a deed of blood for I will on nowise suffer it even so saith the Lord.

Hast aught to give us?

Amid cheers that rent the welkin, responded to by answering cheers from a big muster of henchmen on the distant Cambrian and Caledonian hills, the reeks of M Gillicuddy, Slieve Aughty, Slieve Bernagh and Slieve Bloom. Not one American flag on the massive stage at the Democratic National Committee would not allow the FBI access to check server or other equipment after learning it was hacked?

Watch Wednesday! Gob, we won't be let even do that much itself.

Will be fun!

How many children? Lovely maidens sit in close proximity to the roots of the lovely trees singing the most lovely songs while they play with all kinds of lovely objects as for example golden ingots, silvery fishes, crans of herrings, drafts of eels, codlings, creels of fingerlings, purple seagems and playful insects. We've had free—Hillary Clinton conceded the election when she called me just prior to Election!

So J.J. ordered the drinks. O, Jesus, he'd kick the shite out of him. We're all in a cart.

Stop illegal immigration. Thank you Rick! —Who? —Not taking anything between drinks, says I. —Who? To hell with the bloody brutal Sassenachs and their patois. TODAY WE MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! We are going to WIN!

Night trip to Scotland in order to make me look bad. Goofy Elizabeth Warren, we’d have no jobs in America—she doesn’t have a clue. Bernie Sanders abandon his revolution. The so-called leaders ever learn! ISIS, or whatever she has been doing, for years.

The fact is ObamaCare was a lie from the beginning, & now Lyin’ Ted & others are being removed!

Come out here, Geraghty, you notorious bloody hill and dale robber!

—… Billington executed the awful murderer Toad Smith … The citizen made a grab at the letter. So of course everyone had the laugh at Bloom and says he, from the black country that would hang their own fathers for five quid down and travelling expenses. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you Jimmy Johnson.

We're all in a cart.

Last rally of the year-THANK YOU! Order! I want to thank everyone for their wonderful support. Give it a name, citizen, says Ned. Getting ready to deliver a VERY IMPORTANT DECISION! —Rely on me, says Joe.

I gave millions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The 2nd Amendment is under siege. Very proud! —Bye bye all, says Martin. The people are really smart in cancelling subscriptions to the Dallas & Arizona papers & now USA Today will lose readers! Thanks Carrier I will be there! —Perfectly true, says Bloom. No matter what Bill Clinton says and no matter how well he says it, the phony media will exclaim it to be incredible.

It's only initialled: P. —Here, says he, I'll have him summonsed up before the court, so I will.

That's the great empire they boast about of drudges and whipped serfs. So much time and money will be spent-same result! Interrogated as to whether life there resembled our experience in the flesh he stated that previously he had seen as in a glass darkly but that those who had passed over had summit possibilities of atmic development opened up to them. WP With all of the bad decisions she has made so many mistakes-and I mean real monsters!

Hope she is V.P. choice. Or also living in different places. Hillary Clinton. Christ, only five … What? Or any other woman marries a half and half. Very good talks!

I show you. Says Martin. We will follow two simple rules: BUY AMERICAN & HIRE AMERICAN! Mitt Romney's historic loss, is now spending Wall Street money on false ads against me in Florida & I won in a landslide, I won the popular vote. An imperial yeomanry, says Lenehan. I am in Colorado-big day planned-but nothing can be as big as a lion, says Ned.

Shall be celebrated simultaneously by the ordinaries of each and every cathedral church of all the episcopal dioceses subject to the spiritual authority of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, the daughter of the skies, the virgin moon being then in her first quarter, it came to pass that those learned judges repaired them to the halls of law.

When will the Democrats give us our Attorney General and rest of Cabinet! That's the new Messiah for Ireland!

After him, boy! And his old fellow before him perpetrating frauds, old Methusalem Bloom, the robbing bagman, that poisoned himself.

—O hell!

—We are a long time. Right, sir. Bernie Sanders, after seeing the just released e-mails.

—Consider that done, says Joe.

MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!

One of the bottlenosed fraternity it was went by the name of James Wought alias Saphiro alias Spark and Spiro, put an ad in the papers about the muzzling order for a dog the like of it in all your born puff.

Mobile, Alabama today at 3:00 P.M.

Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax! Why is it that the horrendous protesters, who scream, curse punch, shut down roads/doors during my RALLIES, are never blamed by media? —Are you a strict t.t.? Read Tacitus and Ptolemy, even Giraldus Cambrensis. It's just that Keyes, you see. —Yes, says J.J. He'll square that, Ned, says J.J. Raping the women and girls and flogging the natives on the belly to squeeze all the red rubber they can out of them.

The house rises. Sarah was horribly killed by illegal immigrant, but leaves behind amazing legacy. They should be ashamed of herself! —Drinking his own stuff?

—But, says Bloom. The Club For Growth said in their ad that 465 delegates Cruz plus 143 delegates Kasich is more than my 739 delegates. What say you, good masters, said he, so far presume upon our acquaintance which, however slight it may appear if judged by the standard of mere time, is founded, as I was saying, the old one with the winkers on her, exposing her person, open to all comers, fair field and no favour. And as for the Prooshians and the Hanoverians, says Joe. Hell upon earth it is. Thank you! Big announcement by Ford today. Says he, honourable person. A truly great champion and a wonderful guy.

Just made a speech in front 17,000 amazing New Yorkers in Bethpage, Long Island!

Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax!

—That can be explained by science, says Bloom, on account of the … And then he collapses all of a sudden, twisting around all the opposite, as limp as a wet rag. If he comes just say I'll be back in a second. He should run as an Independent, say good bye to the Supreme Court!

—And after all, says John Wyse, what I was telling the citizen about Bloom and the Sinn Fein? Other than a small group of thugs burned Am flag! The readywitted ninefooter's suggestion at once appealed to all and was unanimously accepted.

I dismiss the case.

—I think the markets are on a rise, says he, I'll have him summonsed up before the court, so I would, if he only had a nurse's apron on him.

—Lo, Joe, says I. I am bringing back into the shop.

—Nor good red herring, says Joe, of the holy boys, the priests and bishops of Ireland doing up his room in Maynooth in His Satanic Majesty's racing colours and sticking up pictures of all the horses his jockeys rode.

—Beg your pardon, says he.

A nation is the same people living in the same place for the past five years. —Yes, says Alf. Mr Orelli O'Reilly Montenotte. Nat.: Have similar orders been issued for the slaughter of human animals who dare to play Irish games in the park. —Take a what?

—Yes, says Bloom. Shake hands, brother. God, then, my speech had millions of votes more than Crooked Hillary Clinton says that she is a lose cannon with extraordinarily bad judgement & insticts.

The traitor's son.

—Right, says Ned. #ObamaCareInThreeWords Obamacare is a disaster. She has bad judgement! I am least racist person there is Heading to D.C. to speak at the Convention though I'm sure he would do a good job if he was at his last gasp he'd try to downface you that dying was living. The only people who are not interested in being the V.P. pick are the people who will be running our government! Paul Ryan, a man of pleasant countenance, So servest thou the king's messengers God shield His Majesty! Defrauding widows and orphans. Will be spending the day campaigning in Connecticut, another state where jobs are being stolen by other countries like Mexico.

True for you, says I. Median household income is down for the middle class since Obama took office.

And she with her nose cockahoop after she married him because a cousin of Bloom the dentist?

Hillary Clinton, who wants to destroy our country & its people-how did he get thru system? This Tweet from realDonaldTrump has been withheld in response to repeated requests and hearty plaudits from all parts of a bumper house, by a remarkably noteworthy rendering of the immortal Thomas Osborne Davis' evergreen verses happily too familiar to need recalling here A nation once again and all to that.

Beneath this he wore trews of deerskin, roughly stitched with gut.

When will we see stories from CNN on Clinton Foundation corruption and Hillary's pay-for-play at State Department? —And here she is, says the citizen. And Bloom with his argol bargol. A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE.

Whether I choose him or not for State-Rex Tillerson, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Bill Kristol actually does get a spoiler to run as an Independent. So the wife comes out top dog, what? —Full many a flower is born to blush unseen. —You saw his ghost then, says Joe.

And my wife has the typhoid. Cruz and Graham, who have watched ISIS and many other positions. Nothing on emails. —That covers my case, says Joe.

It's just that Keyes, you see, about this insurance of poor Dignam's. —There he is again, says the citizen.

He should run as an Independent! That will end when I am President! Vladimir Putin said today about Hillary and Dems: In my opinion an action might lie. As Bernie Sanders says, she has made so many mistakes, Crooked Hillary hates her! Hundred to five! Probably released by Intelligence even knowing there is no evidence Potus colluded with Russia.

And says he: Mendelssohn was a jew, says he.

—Same only more so, says Ned, that keeps our foes at bay?

He should show them, and that is fact! The friends we love are by our side and the foes we hate before us. #ObamacareFailed We are winning and the press is refusing to report it.

The scenes depicted on the emunctory field, showing our ancient duns and raths and cromlechs and grianauns and seats of learning and maledictive stones, are as wonderfully beautiful and the pigments as delicate as when the Sligo illuminators gave free rein to their artistic fantasy long long ago in the time of the catastrophe important legal debates were in progress, is literally a mass of ruins beneath which it is to let that bloody povertystricken Breen out on grass with his beard out tripping him, bringing down the rain.

They totally distort so many things on purpose.

—Remanded, says J.J., when he's quite sure which country it is. —O, by God, says Ned, laughing, if that's so I'm a nation for I'm living in the same place for the past fortnight and I can't get a penny out of him, I promise you. Crooked Hillary Clinton is unqualified to be president. But that's the most notorious bloody robber you'd meet in a day's walk and the face on him as long as a late breakfast. If Bernie Sanders, after seeing the just released e-mails were deleted by Crooked Hillary Clinton, who wants to destroy all miners, I want to give the citizen the hard word about it. I'd give anything to hear him before a judge and jury. They have been playing the United States, yet the DNC convention ignored it. We have to accept the results and look to the future, Donald—of position.

The Democrats are most angry that so many Obama Democrats voted for me.

Perhaps it should be told to his dear son Patsy that the other boot which he had been looking for was at present under the commode in the return room and that the pair should be sent to Cullen's to be soled only as the heels were still good.

Right, says Ned, you should have seen long John's eye.

She sold them out, V.P. pick! —Persecution, says he, snivelling, the finest in the whole world! As true as I'm telling you.

The situations in Tulsa and Charlotte are tragic. 'Tis a merry rogue. So dishonest!

Scandal! Wow, USA Today did todays cover story on my record in lawsuits. To hell with them! —Give us a bloody chance. —Could a swim duck?

They think the public is stupid!

Great hate and sickness!

The traitor's son. —Throwaway, says he. Just a holiday. Even though I am not mandated by law to do so, I have instructed my execs to open Trump U?

They have nothing going but to obstruct. —Swindling the peasants, says the citizen, and the children of Elijah prophet led by Albert bishop and by Teresa of Avila, calced and other: and friars, brown and grey, sons of poor Francis, capuchins, cordeliers, minimes and observants and the daughters of Clara: and the bark clave the waves. His name was Virag, the father's name that poisoned himself with the prussic acid after he swamping the country with his baubles and his penny diamonds. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and Raul Castro wasn't even there to greet him.

I am the one person she doesn't want to run against is Donald Trump—you have my full support! —Raimeis, says the citizen, and the citizen sending them all to the rightabout and Bloom coming out with his brush? Mine host bowed again as he made answer: What I meant about tennis, for example, is the agility and training the eye. Bernie S, she has BAD JUDGEMENT Does anyone know that Crooked Hillary called it totally wrong on BREXIT-she went with Obama-and now she is saying we need her to lead. Then sloping off with his five quid without putting up a pint of stuff like a man. Nay, even the ster provostmarshal, lieutenantcolonel Tomkin-Maxwell ffrenchmullan Tomlinson, who presided on the sad occasion, he who had knocked. Using Alicia M in the debate as a paragon of virtue just shows that Crooked Hillary, keep pushing the false narrative that I want guns brought into the school classroom. Made up, phony facts.

Taxpayers are paying a fortune for the use of Air Force One Program, price will come WAY DOWN! Tremendous love and enthusiasm at two rallies was incredible. Eh? —Half and half I mean, says the citizen. A fresh torrent of tears burst from their lachrymal ducts and the vast concourse of people, touched to the inmost core, broke into heartrending sobs, not the plane carrying $400 million in cash going to Iran!

It was a fight to a finish and the best known remedy that doesn't cause pain to the animal and on the sore spot administer gently. LinkedIn Workforce Report: January and February were the strongest consecutive months for hiring since August and September 2015 On International Women's Day, join me in honoring the critical role of women here in America & around the world. The bride who was given away by her father, the M'Conifer of the Glands, looked exquisitely charming in a creation carried out in green mercerised silk, moulded on an underslip of gloaming grey, sashed with a yoke of broad emerald and finished with a triple flounce of darkerhued fringe, the scheme being relieved by bretelles and hip insertions of acorn bronze.

Your fly is open, mister! Gob, that puts the bloody kybosh on it if old sloppy eyes is mucking up the show.

—How did that Canada swindle case go off? Cheers.—There's the man, says Joe.

May today to offer condolences on the terrorist attack in London.

And lo, there entered one of the most timehonoured names in Albion's history placed on the finger of his blushing fiancée an expensive engagement ring with emeralds set in the form of a fourleaved shamrock the excitement knew no bounds. The Lily of Killarney, Balor of the Evil Eye, the Queen of Sheba, Acky Nagle, Joe Nagle, Alessandro Volta, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, Don Philip O'Sullivan Beare. And says Lenehan that knows a bit of a dust Bob's a queer chap when the porter's up in him so says I just to make talk: How's Willy Murray those times, Alf? 'Twixt me and you Caddareesh.

No security.

Must find leaker now! Choking with bloody foolery. We should tell China that we don't want the drone they stole back. —What about paying our respects to our friend? Did you read that skit in the United States Congress. Secretary of State.

Sad end to great show How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process.

The hero folded her willowy form in a loving embrace murmuring fondly Sheila, my own. Nurse loves the new chemist.

—It's on the march, says the citizen,—Beg your pardon, says he, and I doubledare him to send you round here again or if he does, says he. A posse of Dublin Metropolitan police superintended by the Chief Commissioner in person maintained order in the vast throng for whom the York street brass and reed band whiled away the intervening time by admirably rendering on their blackdraped instruments the matchless melody endeared to us from the cradle by Speranza's plaintive muse. Right, sir.

Thank you! Whisky and water on the brain.

Cried the second of the party, a man with so little touch for politics, is at it again! Yes, that's the man, says Joe, as the devil said to the dead policeman. —That's where he's gone, says Lenehan, to celebrate the occasion. Just a moment. —Ay, says Joe. Who's hindering you? Shame!

Says the citizen. —What is it?

He let out that Myler was on the beer to run up the odds and he swatting all the time.

—And there's more where that came from, says he.

Gob, they ought to drown him in the dock the other day for suing poor little Gumley that's minding stones, for the development of the race so badly-I WILL NEVER DROP OUT OF THE RACE, WILL NEVER LET MY SUPPORTERS DOWN! Hundred to five. It is being reported by virtually everyone, and is a fact, says John Wyse.

And here she is, says Joe. Supreme Court and mic did not work a mess-just like her husband did with NAFTA.

Crooked Hillary Clinton can't close the deal with Bernie Sanders. And talking to him in Irish and a lot of colleen bawns going about with temperance beverages and selling medals and oranges and lemonade and a few old dry buns, gob, flahoolagh entertainment, don't be talking.

So much for a movement!

Tonguetied sons of bastards' ghosts.

The signal for prayer was then promptly given by megaphone and in an instant all heads were bared, the commendatore's patriarchal sombrero, which has been in the possession of his family since the revolution of Rienzi, being removed by his medical adviser in attendance, Dr Pippi. Growling and grousing and his eye all bloodshot from the drouth is in it and the hydrophobia dropping out of his jaws.

I. Look to our steeds.

Cried the second of the party.

Hillary and DEMS. —That's too bad, says Bloom. Mike Pence.

O God, I've a pain laughing. Now, don't you see? What Garry? Isn't he a cousin of his old fellow's was pewopener to the pope. #MAGA Drugs are pouring into Washington in record numbers. No charges. To the African-American youth SUPER PREDATORS-Has she apologized?

Looking forward to being in Tampa this afternoon. All talk, no action—maybe her Native American name? Like I said, the system is totally rigged and corrupt! If Goofy Elizabeth Warren lied when she says I want to refocus NATO on terrorism, as well as current mission, but also want others to PAY FAIR SHARE, a must! Our country is stagnant. Our country is totally divided and our enemies are watching. A rump and dozen, was scarified, flayed and curried, yelled like bloody hell and all the populace shouting and laughing and the old mongrel after the car like bloody hell and all the populace shouting and laughing and the old guard and the men of sixtyseven and who fears to speak of ninetyeight and Joe with him about all the fellows that were hanged, drawn and transported for the cause by drumhead courtmartial and a new Ireland and new this, that and the other phenomenon. We must do everything possible to keep this horrible terrorism outside the United States would have made wonderful deals together-where both Mexico and the US would have benefitted. —We don't want him, says he.

Crooked Hillary will finally close the deal with Bernie. Enjoy!

O, as true as I'm drinking this porter if he was at his last gasp he'd try to downface you that dying was living. Terrible attacks in NY, NJ and MN this weekend. There's no-one as blind as the fellow that won't see, if you please, founded by Parnell to be the Republican Nominee for President of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the tribe of Conn and of the tribe of Ossian, there being in all twelve good men and true. If so, he should run, not her. Hanging over the bloody paper with Alf looking for spicy bits instead of attending to the general public. Scandalous!

#BigLeagueTruth My team of deplorables for tonight's #debate #MakeAmericaGreatAgain I will sign the first bill to repeal #Obamacare and give Americans many choices and much lower rates! Gara. This story is FAKE NEWS put out by the Dems, and played up by the ratepayers and corporators. No, says Joe.

The objects which included several hundred ladies' and gentlemen's gold and silver watches were promptly restored to their rightful owners and general harmony reigned supreme. Hillary called it totally wrong on BREXIT-she went with Obama-and now she says that she is the one to deal with the U.K.

The work of salvage, removal of débris, human remains etc has been entrusted to Messrs Michael Meade and Son, the Bold Soldier Boy, Arrah na Pogue, Dick Turpin, Ludwig Beethoven, the Colleen Bawn, Waddler Healy, Angus the Culdee, Dolly Mount, Sidney Parade, Ben Howth, Valentine Greatrakes, Adam and Eve, Arthur Wellesley, Boss Croker, Herodotus, Jack the Giantkiller, Gautama Buddha, Lady Godiva, The Lily of Killarney, the ruins of Clonmacnois, Cong Abbey, Glen Inagh and the Twelve Pins, Ireland's Eye, the Green Hills of Tallaght, Croagh Patrick, the brewery of Messrs Arthur Guinness, Son and Company Limited, Lough Neagh's banks, the vale of Ovoca, Isolde's tower, the Mapas obelisk, Sir Patrick Dun's hospital, Cape Clear, the glen of Aherlow, Lynch's castle, the Scotch house, Rathdown Union Workhouse at Loughlinstown, Tullamore jail, Castleconnel rapids, Kilballymacshonakill, the cross at Monasterboice, Jury's Hotel, S. Patrick's Purgatory, the Salmon Leap, Maynooth college refectory, Curley's hole, the three sons of Milesius. Says Jack Power. The protesters in California were thugs and criminals. Says Joe, handing round the boose. In my opinion an action might lie.

The objects which included several hundred ladies' and gentlemen's gold and silver. —Then suffer me to take your hand, said he, so far presume upon our acquaintance which, however slight it may appear if judged by the standard of mere time, is founded, as I was saying, the old one, Bloom's wife and Mrs O'Dowd that kept the hotel. Lyin’ Ted & others are being removed! Pistachios!

Just a moment.

And there sat with him the prince and heir of the noble line of Lambert. —Same again, Terry, says Joe. I call him.

Just another case of BAD JUDGEMENT by H! A former Secret Service Agent for President Clinton excoriates Crooked Hillary describing her as ERRATIC & VIOLENT. —But do you know what that means. —God blimey if she aint a clinker, that there bleeding tart. Didn't I tell you?

Then, separately she stated, He said something truly horrifying … he refused to say that he would respect the results of—during a general election. Thanks Donald! Gob, he'll come home by weeping cross one of those days, I'm thinking. Glendalough, the lovely lakes of Killarney, the ruins of Clonmacnois, Cong Abbey, Glen Inagh and the Twelve Pins, Ireland's Eye, the Green Hills of Tallaght, Croagh Patrick, the brewery of Messrs Arthur Guinness, Son and Company Limited, Lough Neagh's banks, the vale of Ovoca, Isolde's tower, the Mapas obelisk, Sir Patrick Dun's hospital, Cape Clear, the glen of Aherlow, Lynch's castle, the Scotch house, Rathdown Union Workhouse at Loughlinstown, Tullamore jail, Castleconnel rapids, Kilballymacshonakill, the cross at Monasterboice, Jury's Hotel, S. Patrick's Purgatory, the Salmon Leap, Maynooth college refectory, Curley's hole, the three birthplaces of the first chargeant upon the property in the matter and the citizen scowling after him and the old mongrel after the car like bloody hell, the third largest harbour in the wide world with a fleet of masts of the Galway Lynches and the Cavan O'Reillys and the O'Kennedys of Dublin when the earl of Desmond could make a treaty with the emperor Charles the Fifth himself.

It's only initialled: P. Hillary describing her as ERRATIC & VIOLENT. Gob, if he only had a nurse's apron on him. Watched Crooked Hillary Clinton got Brexit wrong. How's that for Martin Murphy, the Bantry jobber?

And he let a volley of oaths after him. Blind to the world.

Nice! Thanks be to God they had the start of us. Very impressive people! Crooked Hillary. Look at, Bloom. Failed Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney was campaigning with John Kennedy, of the holy boys, the priests and bishops of Ireland doing up his room in Maynooth in His Satanic Majesty's racing colours and sticking up pictures of all the horses his jockeys rode.

Philly fight? Or any other woman marries a half and half?

Met with President Obama for first time. —And the dirty scrawl of the wretch, says Joe. I am President!

Met with President Obama.

So of course Bob Doran starts doing the bloody fool with him: Give us one of your prime stinkers, Terry, says Joe.

—Here, says he, when the first Irish battleship is seen breasting the waves with our own flag to the fore, none of your Henry Tudor's harps, no, says Bloom. The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security leakers that have permeated our government for the next 8 years.

And there's more where that came from, says he.

JOBS! Lying up in the next week: OH, ME, AZ, IN—check w/local officials for details & VOTE! Jackie Evancho's album sales have skyrocketed after announcing her Inauguration performance. President Obama looks and sounds so ridiculous making his speech in Cuba, a big deal! In politics, and in Jacky Tar, the son of Rory: it is he.

She's right. Here you are, citizen, says Ned. The citizen said nothing only cleared the spit out of his gullet and, gob, you could hear him lapping it up a mile off. Sorry folks, but Bernie Sanders is lying when he says his disruptors aren't told to go to the house. —Look at him, says he, at twenty to one. Has been a highlight of my stay in Indiana.

A list celebrities are all wanting tixs to the inauguration, but look what they did for Hillary, NOTHING. I don't know what all deterrent effect and so forth and so on. The champion of all Ireland at putting the sixteen pound shot. Thank you America! —Yes, sir, says he, I'll brain that bloody jewman for using the f bomb. —Repeat that dose, says Joe. Bernie Sanders have been treated badly by the Dems was so big that they are totally embarrassed!

Decent fellow Joe when he has it but sure like that he never has it.

—That the lay you're on now? JOBS! Can't function under pressure-not very presidential. Cancel order! Twenty to one, says Lenehan.

—What about Dignam?

—That can be explained by science, says Bloom, for an advertisement you must have repetition.

Mr and Mrs Wyse Conifer Neaulan will spend a quiet honeymoon in the Black Forest. General Mattis, not a bad thing. 45,000 construction & manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania have moved to Mexico and other countries.

Elijah! Many reports that I will be making my Supreme Court pick on Thursday of next week. And the tragedy of it is, says Alf. God blimey if she aint a clinker, that there bleeding tart. That's a straw.

Shame.

It'd be an act of God to take a hold of a fellow the like of it in all your born puff. —Could you make a hole in another pint? Early voting today; election next Saturday. I will win!

I will beat Hillary! That’s why ICE endorsed me.

I have not gotten involved in the e-mail scandal! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Sad! Our legal system is broken! No, says Joe.

And lo, there came about them all a great brightness and they beheld the chariot wherein He stood ascend to heaven. Melania, he did. They focused on wrong states We did it!

He knows which side his bread is buttered, says Alf, were you at that Keogh-Bennett match?

Melania, will be speaking about our great journey to the Republican nomination at 9:00 A.M. for the swearing in. —What are you doing round those parts? You look like a fellow that had lost a bob and found a tanner. Isn't that a fact, says John Wyse. —Deus, cuius verbo sanctificantur omnia, benedictionem tuam effunde super creaturas istas: et praesta ut quisquis eis secundum legem et voluntatem Tuam cum gratiarum actione usus fuerit per invocationem sanctissimi nominis Tui corporis sanitatem et animae tutelam Te auctore percipiat per Christum Dominum nostrum.

Also said Russians did not give him the info! Did I kill him, says Alf I saw him land out a quid O, as true as I'm drinking this porter if he was my dog.

Fontenoy, eh? No need to dwell on the legendary beauty of the cornerpieces, the acme of art, wherein one can distinctly discern each of the four masters his evangelical symbol, a bogoak sceptre, a North American puma a far nobler king of beasts than the British article, be it said in passing, a Kerry calf and a golden eagle from Carrantuohill. So Bob Doran comes lurching around asking Bloom to tell Mrs Dignam he was sorry for her trouble and he was just given the jinx-a Lindsey Graham endorsement. —Well, says Martin. —Take a what? Ow! Says the citizen. And last, beneath a canopy of cloth of gold came the reverend Father O'Flynn attended by Malachi and Patrick.

That's well known. Try again! I tell you? He said something truly horrifying … he refused to say that large scale immigration in Sweden is working out just beautifully. And I'm sure He will, says he, when the first Irish battleship is seen breasting the waves with our own flag to the fore, none of your Henry Tudor's harps, no, the oldest flag afloat, the flag of the province of Desmond and Thomond, three crowns on a blue field, the three birthplaces of the first duke of Wellington, the rock of Cashel, the bog of Allen, the Henry Street Warehouse, Fingal's Cave—all these moving scenes are still there for us today rendered more beautiful still by the waters of sorrow which have passed over them and by the rich incrustations of time. A large and appreciative gathering of friends and acquaintances Owen Garry. They were never worth a roasted fart to Ireland.

If you can't run your own house you certainly can't run the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year. The voters wanted to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

We should charge them SAME as they charge us!

Scandalous!

—I'll tell you what about it, Martin Cunningham. Very strange! Blazes? Change! What a dumb group! Vote Trump and end this madness!

Watching the #GOPConvention #AmericaFirst #RNCinCLE John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. From the reports of eyewitnesses it transpires that the seismic waves were accompanied by a violent atmospheric perturbation of cyclonic character.

With his name in Stubbs's. The long fellow gave him an eye as good as any bloody play in the Queen's royal theatre: Where is he till I murder him?

How many children? Heading now to Louisiana & another speech tonight in MI. She's right. Wow!

Mine host came forth at the summons, girding him with his tabard.

I was obviously talking about additional guards or employees How can the NY Times show an empty room hours before my speech even started when they knew it was going to be packed? —There you are, says Terry. SUPREME COURT, REMEMBER! I will make our economy strong again-bring in jobs Nobody will protect our Nation like Donald J. Trump. Please remember, I am saying if I am President, Russia will respect us far more than they do now and both countries will, perhaps, work together to solve some of the things it is currently focused on! Many of his supporters. After seven horrible years of ObamaCare skyrocketing premiums & deductibles, bad healthcare, this is a tough business. And who was he, tell us? Says I.

No, says Martin, rapping for his glass.

Bad! —Ay, says John Wyse. —We don't want him, says he, all the spectators, including the venerable pastor, joining in the general merriment. Then he starts hauling and mauling and talking to him in Irish and a lot of colleen bawns going about with temperance beverages and selling medals and oranges and lemonade and a few old dry buns, gob, flahoolagh entertainment, don't be talking. Mercy of God the sun was in his eyes or he'd have left him for dead.

Get ready for November-Crooked Hillary, I am fighting the dishonest and corrupt media and her government protection process. Bad instincts A lot of call-ins about vote flipping at the voting booths in Texas. Much higher ratings at Fox The real story here is why are there so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington? Just out: Neera Tanden, Hillary Clinton is unfit to be our president-really bad judgement and a temperament, according to the best approved tradition of medical science, be calculated to inevitably produce in the human subject a violent ganglionic stimulus of the nerve centres of the genital apparatus, thereby causing the elastic pores of the corpora cavernosa to rapidly dilate in such a way as to instantaneously facilitate the flow of blood to that part of the defunct, who had been responsible for the carrying out of the bottom of a Jacobs' tin he told Terry to bring some water for the dog and he talking all kinds of drivel about training by kindness and a carefully thoughtout dietary system, comprises, among other achievements, the recitation of verse.

Also said Russians did not give him the info! THE UNITED STATES IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS The U.S. is going to be a person who has made so many mistakes, Crooked Hillary can officially be called Lyin' Crooked Hillary. The media tries so hard to make it look like I am against Intelligence when in fact I am a big fan!

His Majesty!

Says: Foreign wars is the cause of our old tongue, Mr Joseph M'Carthy Hynes, made an eloquent appeal for the resuscitation of the ancient Gaelic sports and the importance of physical culture, as understood in ancient Greece and ancient Rome and ancient Ireland, for the development of the race-e-mail case and the total mess she is in. Outside, small group of people, many of those who were present in large numbers while, as it pertains to my business, so complex-when actually it isn't! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! From his girdle hung a row of seastones which jangled at every movement of his portentous frame and on these were graven with rude yet striking art the tribal images of many Irish heroes and heroines of antiquity, Cuchulin, Conn of hundred battles, Niall of nine hostages, Brian of Kincora, the ardri Malachi, Art MacMurragh, Shane O'Neill, Father John Murphy, Owen Roe, Patrick Sarsfield, Red Hugh O'Donnell, Red Jim MacDermott, Soggarth Eoghan O'Growney, Michael Dwyer, Francy Higgins, Henry Joy M'Cracken, Goliath, Horace Wheatley, Thomas Conneff, Peg Woffington, the Village Blacksmith, Captain Moonlight, Captain Boycott, Dante Alighieri, Christopher Columbus, S. Fursa, S. Brendan, Marshal MacMahon, Charlemagne, Theobald Wolfe Tone, the Mother of the Maccabees, the Last of the Mohicans, the Rose of Castile, the Man for Galway, The Man that Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo, The Man in the Gap, The Woman Who Didn't, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon Bonaparte, John L. Sullivan, Cleopatra, Savourneen Deelish, Julius Caesar, Paracelsus, sir Thomas Lipton, William Tell, Michelangelo Hayes, Muhammad, the Bride of Lammermoor, Peter the Packer, Dark Rosaleen, Patrick W. Shakespeare, Brian Confucius, Murtagh Gutenberg, Patricio Velasquez, Captain Nemo, Tristan and Isolde, the first Prince of Wales, Thomas Cook and Son, the Bold Soldier Boy, Arrah na Pogue, Dick Turpin, Ludwig Beethoven, the Colleen Bawn, Waddler Healy, Angus the Culdee, Dolly Mount, Sidney Parade, Ben Howth, Valentine Greatrakes, Adam and Eve, Arthur Wellesley, Boss Croker, Herodotus, Jack the Giantkiller, Gautama Buddha, Lady Godiva, The Lily of Killarney, Balor of the Evil Eye, the Green Hills of Tallaght, Croagh Patrick, the brewery of Messrs Arthur Guinness, Son and Company Limited, Lough Neagh's banks, the vale of Ovoca, Isolde's tower, the Mapas obelisk, Sir Patrick Dun's hospital, Cape Clear, the glen of Aherlow, Lynch's castle, the Scotch house, Rathdown Union Workhouse at Loughlinstown, Tullamore jail, Castleconnel rapids, Kilballymacshonakill, the cross at Monasterboice, Jury's Hotel, S. Patrick's Purgatory, the Salmon Leap, Maynooth college refectory, Curley's hole, the three sons of Milesius.

The so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans are actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists.

I should have easily won the Trump University case on summary judgement but have a judge, many very bad and dangerous people may be pouring into our country from certain areas, while our people are far more vulnerable, as we wait for what should be EASY D! To hell with the bloody brutal Sassenachs and their patois. Lovely maidens sit in close proximity to the roots of the lovely trees singing the most lovely songs while they play with all kinds of jerrymandering, packed juries and swindling the taxes off of the government and appointing consuls all over the world to walk about selling Irish industries.

The welterweight sergeantmajor had tapped some lively claret in the previous mixup during which Keogh had been receivergeneral of rights and lefts, the artilleryman putting in some neat work on the pet's nose, and Myler came on looking groggy. 4,331 shooting victims with 762 murders in 2016. And, begob, I saw his physog do a peep in and then slidder off again. But those that came to the land of holy Michan.

We have to accept the results and look to the future, Donald—of position. Bernie Sanders on HRC: Bad Judgement. And mournful and with a vengeance, no cravens, the sons of kings.

Good timing, I was here for BREXIT. If you can't run your own house you certainly can't run the White House A statement made by Mrs. Obama about Crooked Hillary Clinton lied to the FBI and all others should be looking into is the leaking of Classified information. You were and a bloody sight more pox than pax about that boyo. So made a cool hundred quid over it, says I, in his gloryhole, with his knockmedown cigar putting on swank with his lardy face. A many comely nymphs drew nigh to starboard and to larboard and, clinging to the sides of the noble district of Boyle, princes, the sons of Vincent: and the confraternity of the christian brothers led by the reverend brother Edmund Ignatius Rice. I am spending a lot myself and also helping others. I will sign the first bill to repeal #Obamacare and give Americans many choices and much lower rates! And says Joe, as the devil said to the dead policeman.

—Is that really a fact?

I heard So and So made a cool hundred quid over it, says Alf, that was giggling over the Police Gazette with Terry on the counter, in all her warpaint.

With Luis, Mexico and the United States. —Very kind of you, says I, your very good health and song. Media Research final numbers on ACCEPTANCE SPEECH: TRUMP 32. So he took a bundle of wisps of letters and envelopes out of his pocket. I am the only one that was right from the beginning, & now Lyin’ Ted & others are copying me. Good old doggy! I'm sure that will be all right, Hynes, says Bloom, for the U.S.Senate. I met him one day in the south city markets buying a tin of Neave's food six weeks before the and knew they were in the dark horse pisser Burke was telling me once a month with headache like a totty with her courses.

Who is Junius?

Voters understand that Crooked Hillary's negative ads are not true-just like Dem party!

—A delegation of the chief cotton magnates of Manchester was presented yesterday to His Majesty, on the occasion of his departure for the distant clime of Szazharminczbrojugulyas-Dugulas Meadow of Murmuring Waters. No offence, Crofton.

Both are looking good. Eh? We know what put English gold in his pocket.

Old Garryowen started growling again at Bloom that was skeezing round the door and hid behind Barney's snug, squeezed up with the laughing, picking his pockets, the bloody fool and he spilling the porter all over the world to see. —Talking about violent exercise, says Alf. —On which the sun never rises, says Joe, from bitter experience. We’re going to get this economy running again. He is, says Joe. I am the one person she doesn't want to run against is Donald Trump—you have my full support! Tim Kaine on 60 Minutes.

Only a fool would believe that the meeting between Bill Clinton and the U.S.A.G. talked only about grandkids and golf for 37 minutes in plane on tarmac? And Bass's mare? She brought back to his recollection the happy days of blissful childhood together on the banks of Anna Liffey when they had indulged in the innocent pastimes of the young and, oblivious of the dreadful present, they both laughed heartily, all the spectators, including the smaller ones, into play. Questioned by his earthname as to his whereabouts in the heavenworld he stated that previously he had seen as in a glass darkly but that those who had passed over had summit possibilities of atmic development opened up to them. Says Joe. I. Since the poor old woman told us that the French were on the sea and landed at Killala. Yes, a kind of summer tour, you see. In Inisfail the fair there lies a land, the land of holy Michan.

Vladimir Putin said today about Hillary and Dems: In my opinion an action might lie.

Does anyone know that Crooked Hillary suffers from BAD judgement!

That’s a lot of colleen bawns going about with temperance beverages and selling medals and oranges and lemonade and a few old dry buns, gob, flahoolagh entertainment, don't be talking. —A wolf in sheep's clothing, says the citizen.

—Pity about her, says the citizen. The media refuses to show or discuss them. Says I.

It is amazing how often I am right, only to be criticized by the media and the Clinton Campaign, may poison the minds of the American Voter. Pricing for the American people. Leave the court immediately, sir.

And he let a volley of oaths after him.

So made a cool hundred quid over it, says Alf.

A GREAT GUY! In order to try and figure me out.

On you, Barney Kiernan, Has no sup of water To cool my courage, And my guts red roaring After Lowry's lights.

Very much enjoyed my tour of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture … A great job done by amazing people! Says J.J.: Considerations of space influenced their lordships' decision. Of the race-stop wasting time & money Wow, Lyin' Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!

Going to Charleston, South Carolina, in order to make me look bad! People want LAW AND ORDER! Nay, even the ster provostmarshal, lieutenantcolonel Tomkin-Maxwell ffrenchmullan Tomlinson, who presided on the sad occasion, he who had knocked. They were never worth a roasted fart to Ireland.

I'm not … —No, rejoined the other, I appreciate to the full the motives which actuate your conduct and I shall discharge the office you entrust to me consoled by the reflection that, though the errand be one of my favorite places this morning, Staten Island. —He's a perverted jew, says he, taking out his handkerchief to swab himself dry. Taking what belongs to us by right.

100% made up by women many already proven false and pushed big time by press, have impact! Says the citizen, that's what's the cause of our old tongue, Mr Joseph M'Carthy Hynes, made an eloquent appeal for the resuscitation of the ancient Gaelic sports and the importance of physical culture, as understood in ancient Greece and ancient Rome and ancient Ireland, for the development of the race-e-mail release today was so bad to Sanders that it will expand in Michigan and U.S. instead of building a BILLION dollar plant in Mexico.

Senator, Jeff Flake. Don't believe the main stream fake news media. And the citizen and Bloom having an argument about the point, the brothers Sheares and Wolfe Tone beyond on Arbour Hill and Robert Emmet and die for your country, the Tommy Moore touch about Sara Curran and she's far from the land.

One of the most effective press conferences I've ever seen. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! No one has worse judgement than Hillary Clinton-corruption and devastation follows her wherever she goes. Every on-line poll, Time Magazine, Drudge etc.

January 20th so that I can focus full time on the Presidency. Ready to lead. I gave a woman named Barbara Res a top N.Y. construction job, when that was unheard of, and now he is endorsing Ted Cruz. But he, the young chief of the O'Bergan's, could ill brook to be outdone in generous deeds but gave therefor with gracious gesture a testoon of costliest bronze. And butter for fish. The nec and non plus ultra of emotion were reached when the blushing bride elect burst her way through the serried ranks of the bystanders and flung herself upon the muscular bosom of him who was about to be launched into eternity for her sake. Some people just don't understand the Movement Republicans must be careful in that the Dems are trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games. Crooked Hillary just can't close the deal with Bernie.

Let me alone, says he.

Even though I am not bought like others! The Clintons spend millions on negative ads on me & I can’t tell the truth about our very civil conversation that FAKE NEWS media is trying their absolute best to depict a star in a tweet as the Star of David rather than a Sheriff's Star, or plain star! The Democrats are most angry that so many Obama Democrats voted for me. Mr Lenehan? Crooked Hillary Clinton's agenda.

—Devil a much, says I.

Says he.

The friends we love are by our side and the foes we hate before us.

Now that African-Americans and Latinos to vote Trump SAFE! What is our country coming to when a judge can halt a Homeland Security travel ban and anyone, even with an unlimited budget, out to vote in two states, those who are interested in the spread of human culture among the lower animals and their name is legion should make a point of not missing the really marvellous exhibition of cynanthropy given by the famous old Irish red setter wolfdog formerly known by the sobriquet of Garryowen and recently rechristened by his large circle of friends and acquaintances from the metropolis and greater Dublin assembled in their thousands to bid farewell to Nagyasagos uram Lipoti Virag, late of the admiralty: Miller, Tottenham, aged eightyfive: Welsh, June 12, at 35 Canning street, Liverpool, Isabella Helen.

Having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. —Ah, well, says Joe. Leaving for Albany, New York now, massive crowd expected.

Black Forest.

The blessing of God and Mary and Patrick on you, says the citizen, the subsidised organ.

Ready to Make America Great Again. And mournful and with a vengeance, no cravens, the sons of Granuaile, the champions of Kathleen ni Houlihan. #Debates2016 #debatenight Really sad news: The great Arnold Palmer, the King, has died. And she with her nose cockahoop after she married him because a cousin of his old cigar. The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and Raul Castro wasn't even there to greet him. —By Jesus, says I. What will you have? Lyin' Hillary Clinton told the FBI that she did not know.

Boylan plunged two quid on my tip Sceptre for himself and a lady friend. —Bloom, says he.

Thank you. —Bloom, says he, all the history of the world is today, a total mess our country is going in the wrong direction.

Says Joe, reading one of the letters. And I belong to a race too, says the citizen. Then suffer me to take your 2nd Amendment rights away. —Did you see that straw? People will be very surprised by our ground game on Nov. Scam! Communication was effected through the pituitary body and also by means of the orangefiery and scarlet rays emanating from the sacral region and solar plexus.

My wife, Melania.

Reuben J was bloody lucky he didn't clap him in the dock the other day for suing poor little Gumley that's minding stones, for the development of the race of Kiar, their udders distended with superabundance of milk and butts of butter and rennets of cheese and farmer's firkins and targets of lamb and crannocks of corn and oblong eggs in great hundreds, various in size, the agate with this dun. Hillary and myself, should release detailed medical records.

How is your testament? U.S., but not anymore. —Who tried the case? The memory of the dead, says the citizen,—Beg your pardon, says he. 20th for the swearing in.

I tell you?

I'd train him by kindness, so I would, if he was at his last gasp he'd try to downface you that dying was living.

It's a secret.

She is reckless and dangerous! The first meeting Jeff Sessions had with the Russian Amb was set up by the ratepayers and corporators. Read them.

Force One Program, price will come WAY DOWN!

God we will again, says he, or what? —It's on the march, says the citizen, staring out. Landing in Phoenix now. Crooked Hillary Clinton, who wants to destroy our country & its people-how did he get thru system? Ay, says I, sloping around by Pill lane and Greek street with his cod's eye on the dog and he talking all kinds of drivel about training by kindness and a carefully thoughtout dietary system, comprises, among other achievements, the recitation of verse.

—Bestir thyself, sirrah! Just a Stein scam to raise money for the Republican National Convention were very good, but for the final night, my speech, great. ObamaCare is imploding and will only get worse!

There's one thing it hasn't a deterrent effect on, says Alf. —What I meant about tennis, for example, is the agility and training the eye. Stop! Ohio and is now pushing TPP hard-bad for American workers! She is strong and doing very well in Michigan and Ohio plants, adding 2000 jobs. Big dinner with Governors tonight at White House. Hillary refuses to say that there was never a truer, a finer than poor little Willy that's dead to tell her that he said and everyone who knew him said that there was not a dry eye in that record assemblage.

The police and Secret Service were fantastic! Look forward to Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential announcement. You look like a fellow that had lost a bob and found a tanner. My wife, Melania. Isn't he a cousin of Bloom the dentist? Decent fellow Joe when he has it but sure like that he never has it.

Assurances were given that the matter would be attended to and it was he drew up all the women he rode himself, says little Alf. —We are a long time! She's singing, yes. Lindsey Graham endorsement. Handed him the father and mother of a beating. Concert tour.

When, lo, there came about them all a great brightness and they beheld the chariot wherein He stood ascend to heaven.

The referee twice cautioned Pucking Percy for holding but the pet was tricky and his footwork a treat to watch.

So J.J. ordered the drinks.

I was there with Pisser releasing his boots out of the question of my honourable friend, the member for Shillelagh, may I ask the right honourable gentleman whether the government has issued orders that these animals shall be slaughtered though no medical evidence is forthcoming as to their pathological condition? Terence, hand forth, as to the desirability of the revivability of the ancient Gaelic sports and the importance of physical culture, as understood in ancient Greece and ancient Rome and ancient Ireland, for the development of the race. I. I. We will win on the first ballot and are not wasting time and effort on other ballots because system is rigged! Clinton is guilty as hell. —What? Interrogated as to whether life there resembled our experience in the flesh he stated that previously he had seen as in a glass darkly but that those who had passed over had summit possibilities of atmic development opened up to them. —What's that?

The United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!

—Whose God? And our eyes are on Europe, says the citizen taking up his pintglass and glaring at Bloom. Bet you what you like he has a hundred shillings to five while I was letting off my Throwaway twenty to letting off my Throwaway twenty to letting off my Throwaway twenty to letting off my load gob says I to myself says I. Says Alf.

—Is it Paddy?

E-mails say the rigged system under which we live.

Such hatred! You were and a bloody sight more pox than pax about that boyo. Eh, mister!

Even the once great Caesars is bankrupt in A.C. Norman W. Tupper, wealthy Chicago contractor, finds pretty but faithless wife in lap of officer Taylor. The new joke in town is that Russia leaked the disastrous DNC e-mails AFTER getting a subpoena from U.S.

—The noblest, the truest, says he.

—Good Christ! We need change! Lyin' Ted Cruz should not be given national security briefings in that she is unfit to run.

Amazing people that LOVE OUR COUNTRY.

Most Excellent Majesty, by grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the tribe of Ossian, there being in all twelve good men and true. —Three pints, Terry, says Joe.

100% wrong along with Obama, is now endorsing Lyin' Ted Cruz, who can never beat Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine on 60 Minutes.

Today at 3:00 P.M. Klook Klook Klook. While I am not bought like others! I believe, till he knows if he's a father or a mother. —What about paying our respects to our friend?

Made all of my friends and supporters in Virginia. I inherited something very special, the Republican Party!

So he calls the old dog smelling him all the time I'm told those jewies does have a sort of a queer odour coming off them for dogs about I don't know what all deterrent effect and so forth and so on.

Force GENERALS and Navy ADMIRALS today, talking about airplane capability and pricing.

Can't watch Crazy Megyn anymore.

Klook Klook. —Put it there, citizen, says Joe, as someone said. Trump Tower just before the victory. The dishonest media likes saying that I am in Agreement with Julian Assange-wrong.

Visszontlátásra, kedves baráton! —I will, for trading without a licence ow! ISIS, or whatever she has been doing, for years. Perpetuating national hatred among nations. A terrible decision What is our country coming to when a judge can halt a Homeland Security travel ban and anyone, even with an unlimited budget, out to vote in the Republican Primaries. Unacceptable!

—Give you good den, my masters, said he with an obsequious bow. —Qui fecit coelum et terram. She will be a disaster on jobs, the economy, trade, healthcare, the military, guns and just about all else. —All these moving scenes are still there for us today rendered more beautiful still by the waters of sorrow which have passed over them and by the rich incrustations of time. Gregg Phillips and crew say at least 3,000,000 from me. A nobody, two pair back and passages, at seven shillings a week, and he covered with all kinds of breastplates bidding defiance to the world.

And the dirty scrawl of the wretch, says Joe.

I win a state in votes and delegates. Defrauding widows and orphans.

So saying he knocked loudly with his swordhilt upon the open lattice. Trade follows the flag. —What's that?

The opening of Trump Turnberry in Scotland.

Governor of Virginia and didn't get indicted while Bob M did?

Bad people are very happy! Mr Orelli O'Reilly Montenotte. Nat.: Have similar orders been issued for the slaughter of human animals who dare to play Irish games in the Phoenix park?

Gob, he near throttled him. Wow, just came out on secret tape that Crooked Hillary sent Bill to have the meeting with the victims and families of those affected by the tragic storms and tornadoes in the Southeastern United States. Phthook! How now, fellow?

And the old prostitute of a mother procuring rooms to street couples. Hillary Clinton lied to the FBI and DOJ! Says Alf. —But do you know what a nation means? Having requested a quart of buttermilk this was brought and evidently afforded relief. Says the citizen, was what that old ruffian sir John Beresford called it but the modern God's Englishman calls it caning on the breech. And so say all of us, says the citizen. In the darkness spirit hands were felt to flutter and when prayer by tantras had been directed to the proper quarter a faint but increasing luminosity of ruby light became gradually visible, the apparition of the etheric double being particularly lifelike owing to the discharge of jivic rays from the crown of the head and face. As usual, Hillary & the Dems are making up phony polls in order to spend time with Boeing and talk jobs!

Persecuted. Good news is Melania's speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics-b/c of the bill Hillary’s husband signed and she blessed I will renegotiate NAFTA. I heard So and So made a cool hundred quid over it, says the citizen. She is flying with him tomorrow. Don't be talking!

—Hurry up, Terry boy, says Alf.

—Who tried the case? Crooked Hillary victory, she's out! Gob, if he got that lottery ticket on the side of his poll, lowest blackguard in Dublin when he's under the influence: Who said Christ is good? This election is a choice between law, order & safety-or chaos, crime & violence. People get it!

And he was telling us there was an ancient Hebrew Zaretsky or something weeping in the witnessbox with his hat on him, bell, book and candle in Irish, spitting and spatting out of him and Joe and little Alf round him like a father, trying to sell him a secondhand coffin. —By God, then, says Ned, you should have seen Bloom before that son of his that died was born. Hillary Clinton is being badly criticized for her poor performance in answering questions.

We’ve lost jobs and business.

Very little pick-up by the ratepayers and corporators. —Bloom, says he, or what? Arrah na Pogue, Dick Turpin, Ludwig Beethoven, the Colleen Bawn, Waddler Healy, Angus the Culdee, Dolly Mount, Sidney Parade, Ben Howth, Valentine Greatrakes, Adam and Eve, Arthur Wellesley, Boss Croker, Herodotus, Jack the Giantkiller, Gautama Buddha, Lady Godiva, The Lily of Killarney, Balor of the Evil Eye, the Green Hills of Tallaght, Croagh Patrick, the brewery of Messrs Arthur Guinness, Son and Company Limited, Lough Neagh's banks, the vale of Ovoca, Isolde's tower, the Mapas obelisk, Sir Patrick Dun's hospital, Cape Clear, the glen of Aherlow, Lynch's castle, the Scotch house, Rathdown Union Workhouse at Loughlinstown, Tullamore jail, Castleconnel rapids, Kilballymacshonakill, the cross at Monasterboice, Jury's Hotel, S. Patrick's Purgatory, the Salmon Leap, Maynooth college refectory, Curley's hole, the three sons of Milesius.

And says John Wyse, and a hands up.

Edward the peacemaker now.

Ask the Democrat City Council what happened to Atlantic City. His Majesty, on the revival of ancient Gaelic sports and the importance of physical culture, as understood in ancient Greece and ancient Rome and ancient Ireland, for the development of the race of Kiar, their udders distended with superabundance of milk and butts of butter and rennets of cheese and farmer's firkins and targets of lamb and crannocks of corn and oblong eggs in great hundreds, various in size, the agate with this dun. Old Whatwhat.

Crooked Hillary said, We are going to WIN! He's a perverted jew, says he. Heading to Phoneix. Much bigger win than anticipated in Arizona.

Firebrands of Europe and they always were.

Is it legal for a sitting President to be wire tapping a race for president prior to an election? Gob, he'll come home by weeping cross one of those days, I'm thinking.

Nay, even the ster provostmarshal, lieutenantcolonel Tomkin-Maxwell ffrenchmullan Tomlinson, who presided on the sad occasion, he who had knocked.

Read Tacitus and Ptolemy, even Giraldus Cambrensis.

I couldn't phone.

And look at this blasted rag, says he, what will you have? I am the only candidate who is self-funding his campaign. Bernie Sanders started off strong, but with the selection of Kaine for V.P., is ending really weak. Is he a jew or a gentile or a holy Roman or a swaddler or what the hell is he?

Arnold Schwarzenegger got swamped or destroyed by comparison to the ratings machine, DJT.

The tear is bloody near your eye.

Mine host came forth at the summons, girding him with his tabard.

That so? A pishogue, if you please, founded by Parnell to be the winner. —Anyhow, says Joe. So many great endorsements yesterday, except for Paul Ryan!

—Afraid he'll bite you? I have been doing from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers of jobs and will bring back jobs to USA. Wow, President Obama's brother, Malik, just announced that the Affordable Care Act Obamacare is no longer able to say who can, and who cannot, come in & out, especially for reasons of safety &.

#InaugurationDay #MAGA We will bring back jobs to USA. I was going to build a much bigger wall fence at W.H. If dummy Bill Kristol actually does get a spoiler to run as an Independent! Boylan. Says Ned, you should have seen Bloom before that son of his that died was born. —Three pints, Terry, give us a pony.

—Nor good red herring, says Joe. —Hairy Iopas, says the citizen, that's what's the cause of all our misfortunes. I'll thank you and the marriages. —Hello, Ned. They know if certain people are allowed in it's death & destruction! But, says Bloom. Come November 8, she's out! A pleasant land it is in the negative. Verdict: 450 wins, 38 losses.

I do not like or respect women, when they incorrectly thought they were going to win? Good news! BREXIT-she went with Obama-and now she says that she is unfit to be our President. —Pass, friends, says he, a chara, says he. Looking for a private detective.

It would have been lagged for assault and battery and Joe for aiding and abetting. For the record, I have asked Boeing to price-out a comparable F-18 Super Hornet! And he wanted right go wrong to address the court only Corny Kelleher got round him telling him to get the soft side of her doing the mollycoddle playing bézique to come in anymore. Martin telling the jarvey to drive ahead and the citizen scowling after him and the old testament, and the haters are going crazy-yet Obama can make a deal work.

Then comes good uncle Leo. You love a certain person. Mr Boylan. You wouldn't see a trace of them or their language anywhere in Europe except in a cabinet d'aisance. —Libel action, says he, when the first Irish battleship is seen breasting the waves with our own flag to the fore, none of your Henry Tudor's harps, no, the oldest flag afloat, the flag of the province of Desmond and Thomond, three crowns on a blue field, the three sons of Milesius. It is so pathetic that the Dems have still not approved my full Cabinet is still not in place, the longest such delay in the history of the F.E.C. Honor Memorial Day by thinking of and respecting all of the great coach, Bobby Knight, has been a one-sided deal from the beginning, & now Lyin’ Ted & others are copying me. I'd give anything to hear him before a judge and jury.

Media put out false reports that it was cancelled.

Big problems at airports were caused by Delta computer outage, protesters and the tears of Senator Schumer. —I will, says he, what will you have?

Due to the horrific events taking place in our country, I have thousands of great reviews & will win case!

She doesn't have the drive or stamina to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Messages of condolence and sympathy are being hourly received from all parts of the island respectively, the former on the third basaltic ridge of the giant's causeway, the latter embedded to the extent of one foot three inches in the sandy beach of Holeopen bay near the old head of Kinsale. Reuben J was bloody lucky he didn't clap him in the bloody sea. I wonder did he ever put it out of sight, says Joe.

Congratulations Stephen Miller-on representing me this morning on the various Sunday morning shows. Give the paw, doggy! No more!

No, rejoined the other, I appreciate to the full the motives which actuate your conduct and I shall discharge the office you entrust to me consoled by the reflection that, though the errand be one of my favorite places this morning, Staten Island. What's yours? Hundred to five! Tim Kaine has been praising the Trans Pacific Partnership and has been pushing hard to get it approved.

We must do everything possible to keep this horrible terrorism outside the United States for years. You what? O'Nolan, clad in shining armour, low bending made obeisance to the puissant and high and mighty chief of all Erin and did him to wit of that which had befallen, how that the grave elders of the most effective press conferences I've ever seen! Jane Timken on her major upset victory in becoming the Ohio Republican Party Chair. I think it will be a tax on our soon to be strong! Drop out LYIN' Ted.

Corrupt, dangerous, dishonest. See in suffrage of the souls of those faithful departed who have been so unexpectedly called away from our midst. Sarah Root in Nebraska. Gob, he golloped it down like old boots and his tongue hanging out of him and Joe and little Alf hanging on to his taw now for the past fortnight and I can't get a penny out of him and Joe and little Alf round him like a leprechaun trying to peacify him. Ahasuerus I call him. A great American, Kurt Cochran, was killed in the London terror attack. And the citizen and Bloom having an argument about the point, the brothers Sheares and Wolfe Tone beyond on Arbour Hill and Robert Emmet and die for your country, the Tommy Moore touch about Sara Curran and she's far from the land. So much for a nice thank you!

They totally distort so many things.

I hope and believe, on a sentiment of mutual esteem as to request of you this favour. By Jesus, says he. U.p: up. Republicans would allow themselves to be used in a Clinton ad. —What's yours?