By now, you're all familiar with the way that I review movies. It's not really reviewing so much as sharing my unfiltered thoughts here on my blog.
Yesterday, the world of YA fiction got a bit of a surprise in the form of Life and Death, also known as Gender-Bent Twilight.
Then my sister explained to me that it was, in fact, STEPHENIE MEYER who came up with that.
And just like that, I knew that I was going to read it. Not because I think Stephenie Meyer is all that great a writer (she's really not) or because I'm a Twihard (I enjoy the books, but not obsessively like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games). No. I knew I was going to read the book out of pure, unadulterated, shameless curiosity.
And that's what I did.
After I finished the book (yes, I read it in one day… yes, I'm a freakishly fast reader), I debated whether or not I was going to review it on my blog. As I fell asleep, I was sort of thinking, "Nah… Not really worth my time. Besides, dozens of other bloggers will be doing the exact same thing." But then, scrolling through GoodReads this morning, I saw that most readers were simply wailing and bemoaning the book's existence. So I thought, "Oh, what the heck?" and here I am.
I need to preface this once again by saying, yes, I read the original Twilight saga and yes, I kind of love it. I thought it was a fun story with magic and great escapism. It's the kind of book that, while the writing not be great, you leave the world feeling like you belonged there and the characters in that world feel like old friends. It's exactly how books you love are supposed to make you feel.
That being said, Life and Death was not nearly as magical an experience as Twilight. Maybe because I'm ten years older now. Maybe because I went in thinking a male version of Bella was going to be hilarious. I don't know. But here are my thoughts. Enjoy.
Obvious that Smeyer is making the effort to make this inner monologue a bit more typical of a teenage boy, but he still sounds awfully wishy-washy.
Beau's description makes him sound like an Emo-Kid and even though he doesn't say this at ALL, for some reason I'm imagining him with greasy hair and bad acne. That's just the vibe his personality gives off. No way is he going to attract the hottest vampire girl in school.
Why aren't Renee and Charlie gender-bent? Why couldn't Police Chief Charlotte Swan welcome her son home after her flaky husband Raymond left her and married Pro-Softball player Felicia? It could have worked, people. Come on.
All these gender-bent guys are acting WAY too much like girls. Forgive me, I'm not meaning to perpetuate heteronormative stereotypes or anything, but really. It wasn't that long ago that I was in high school. Guys don't talk like that.
Somehow, the gender-bent girls work. I can see a bunch of new girls flocking to the new boy in school. Although, once they figure out how much of a bummer Beau is, they'll probably flock right back.
Okay WHERE did Smeyer come up with the new names for the Cullens? These names are ridiculous. Royal? Archie? I'm having a really hard time remembering who is supposed to be who (although since this is supposedly an entirely separate work, I guess I'm not supposed to).
Also, I'm very disappointed that neither Jasper nor James nor Jacob was renamed Jackie.
Speaking of Jacob/Julie, there's definitely not going to be a Renesmee or Ronaldo or whatever weird, gender-bent name might have been bestowed on the human/vampire spawn. So I'm guessing she ends up alone.
I don't know why, but I actually really like Edythe. I think she seems kind of kickass. That being said, I can't imagine her falling for Beau who has the personality of a wet wash cloth. Seriously, I'm usually pretty big on the, "Why do these fictional heroines always go for the brooding bad boy? Why can't they go for the sweet, nice, normal boy next door?" But Beau, again, is just… Blegh.
Wow, this book is exactly like Twlilight but with gender-bent characters.
I'm not buying the whole every girl in town is into cars. One? Sure. But come on, Smeyer, if you're going to gender-bend them, make them kind of believable. Not one of my girl friends is into cars. My guy friends? Yeah. Like, all of them.
Also Don't make Royal drive around in Rosalee's super girly car and then give Eleanor Emmett's off-roader. Seriously. I know you're trying to make a point that Bella isn't a damsel in distress or whatever, but you didn't even try to actually gender-bend them. You just changed the names and the pronouns.
Okay, I finally realized why, as a female reader, Beau is unappealing to me. Other than the fact that he's Bella Swan in boxer shorts. It's because he has such low self-esteem. His whole inner-monologue (like Bella's) is, "Oh, how could this gorgeous girl ever love me? Oh, she's a goddess and I'm just a mere mortal. Oh, I'm so dull and normal." As a woman, I have to come out and say it: That is NOT an attractive quality. Humility is great. We all love a guy who's modest. But for the love of God, please have some sense of pride. Don't base your entire self-worth on the woman you're dating. For one thing, that puts way too much pressure on us. For another thing, if you don't think you're all that great, then why should we? I like a guy who sees me as a person, who's comfortable around me. I've dated guys who put me on a pedestal before. It's awful. It's completely dehumanizing and unrealistic. I just… Grrrrr, Beau. Grrrrrrrr.
But still, I really like Edythe. Somehow, Female Edward works.
Okay… Instead of "dazzling" Beau says she's "disarming with dimples" or something? Okay. Maybe it's actually a good thing that Smeyer didn't change all that much because that's just excruciatingly awkward.
"A part of her saw me as food." Stop. Please, Beau. Just stop.
I seriously just can't with this piggy-back riding scene. This is so awkward. OMG.
I'm trying really hard to picture Beau as someone more appealing, like Matthew Gray Gubler (who is actually my Michael Sinclair), but it's just not working. I'm still seeing him as this gangly kid who wears stupid t-shirts and has oily hair and zits. I really think it's the personality.
I wonder what gender-bent Cemetery Tours would be like? Not that I actually have time to write it. I have way too many other stories that I want to work on first!
I actually really like Carine and Earnest. They're super sweet and somehow, they work. The rest of the Cullens? Not so much. Except maybe Royal. I can totally see this snobbish, scary, super full of himself blond vampire. Kind of picturing him as Malfoy's older brother.
I had no idea Joss was a girl's name. I'm over here reading this and thinking Joss Whedon.
Should have been Jackie. I'd love to read about evil vampire Jackie trying to take Beau out.
Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Woah. Wait. This isn't like just like Twilight.
Okay, this alternate ending is somehow making the hours I just spent reading Beau drivel worth it.
Well, sort of. Smeyer just somehow managed to cram all three of the rest of the series into about four chapters.
Beau and Edythe are talking about marriage? Ew. I'm sorry. They're so young. I can't see them married. Just no.
Although, I guess Edythe is 109. She definitely makes me feel like less of a cougar for liking a guy who's three years younger than me.
Still, if I was Beau, I'd be totally miffed at how all this turned out. Sorry.
Interesting. Okay. Well. I read it.
And there you have it folks. For me, the original will always be better. Fans of Twilight, though, I am eager to find out what y'all thought of the *new* Bella and Edward.
It's here! After more than a year, After Death is finally available in Paperback AND Kindle!
I'm so excited for the ghostly misadventures of Michael, Luke, and Kate to continue. I hope you all enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them!
I want to take a little bit of time, however, to celebrate a few OTHER books being released today: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, Life and Death by Stephenie Meyer, and of course, the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
The fact that my book came out on the same day as all of these ladies is, quite frankly, a huge fangirl honor for me. JK Rowling is Queen, as everyone knows, and I don't know a single person whose lives she hasn't touched with her magical world. Stephenie Meyer, yeah, okay, it's kind of fun to make fun of Twilight. But I've got to be honest. I still love it. I love the story. It's just pure fun and fantasy, you know? Very escapist, and I do love to escape.
Then, finally, there's Rainbow Rowell. I fell in love with her writing after reading the story of my life, Fangirl. I'm serious. I've never read a book that so keenly described what it feels like to love a book and, frankly, to be apprehensive of the world outside. Oh my Heavens, do I love Fangirl.
As if I didn't already love Rainbow Rowell enough for bringing that story to life, I then got to meet her last May. She is incredible, basically everything I want to be as an author and as a person. When I found out that her new book, Carry On, inspired by the book series in Fangirl, was being released the same day as mine, I was thrilled. And yes, I've already run out and bought my own copy.
Yes, I bought Life and Death too. I wanted to buy the new Harry Potter, but let's face it, as an Indie Author, I barely have two dimes to rub together. I really shouldn't have bought these two books, but I can't help it. I have to support the authors and stories that I love. And, yeah, okay, I really need to feed my addiction to YA literature. Most importantly, though, these books serve as a reminder of why I do what I do and why I put so much time and effort into my books. I want this world of words to be my world, too.
Happy Bookday, everyone! Go read your favorite book! Or, if you're feeling adventurous, go pick up something new!
May I recommend a ghost story?


As Greater Victoria barrels towards 10 cm of snow and 90 km/h wind gusts this evening, concerns rise for those left without shelter in the region.
Thanks to an initiative by the Greater Victoria Extreme Weather Protocol, BC Housing, Our Place Society, District of Juan De Fuca, and the CRD, a new shelter has been opened in Sooke.
"In the event that we have an extreme weather alert for the GV region, the JDF Emergency Shelter will be activated tier one of the Greater Victoria Extreme Weather Response Plan and in operation at #3-7450 Butler Rd (the CRD building off Otter Point Rd)," reads a statement from the VEWP.
According to Jen Wilde, Regional Coordinator of the VEWP, the shelter can house 12 extra individuals and will be in operation from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m.
People seeking shelter should gather at the Sooke Crisis and Referral Centre at 6596 Sooke Rd for 7pm as a muster point for transport up to the shelter.
The VEWP program is activated based on several criteria, including snowfall, wind, and rainfall warnings, as well as whenever temperatures reach below 0°C.
This new extreme weather shelter is the fourth to be activated, along with those at the Our Place Society, Salvation Army, and Rock Bay Landing and taken together, the four shelters provide 92 extra beds or mats.
If these spaces fill up, Wilde says two other shelters can be opened up to provide 30 more spaces.
Up to 10 cm of snow is expected to fall over Vancouver Island this evening, accompanied by 90 km/h wind gusts according to Environment Canada.


text:
CITY OF WEST LINN CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE FILE NO. AP-19-02
CITY OF WEST LINN CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE FILE NO. AP-19-02 The West Linn City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 8, 2019, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 22500 Salamo Road, West Linn. The public hearing will be on a proposal approved by the Planning Commission on February 11, 2019 for a Conditional Use Permit, Class II Design Review, and two Class II Variances for the redevelopment of an existing church into a private school serving pre-school through 8th Grade at 19915 Old River Drive (File # CUP-18-01/DR-18-04/VAR-18-02/VAR-18-03). At its meeting on February 19, 2019, the City Council moved to approve a review of the unanimously approved decision. Council requested a review of this decision pursuant to Community Development Code Chapter 99.240 through 99.300. The review of the Planning Commission decision will consider Condition of Approval 2 (Engineering Standards) contained in the Final Decision and Order signed February 11, 2019. An appeal or review is de novo hearing and not limited to the stated grounds for review and all relevant issues may be considered. All evidence presented to the lower approval authority shall be considered and given equal weight as evidence presented on appeal. The Criteria applicable to the Conditional Use Permit, Class II Design Review, and Class II Variances (required parking and required loading area ) approved by the Planning Commission and under review by City Council are in Chapters 11, 41, 42, 44, 46, 48, 54, 55, 60, 75, 92, 96, and 99 of the Community Development Code (CDC). The approval authority may affirm, reverse, or modify the February 11, 2019 decision that is subject of this appeal or review. The notice of appeal or review and complete application for AP-19-02 is available for inspection at no cost at City Hall or via the City of West Linn's website https://westlinnoregon.gov/planning/19915-old-river-drive-marylhurst-school-city-council-call-planning-commission-approval. Printed copies of these documents may be obtained at City Hall for a minimal charge per page. At least 10 days prior to the hearing, a copy of the staff report will be available for inspection at no cost or copies can be obtained for a minimal charge per page. For further information, please contact Darren Wyss, Associate Planner, at City Hall, 22500 Salamo Road, West Linn, OR 97068, 503-742-6064 or dwyss@westlinnoregon.gov. Anyone wishing to present written testimony on the issue under review may do so prior to, or at the public hearing. At the public hearing, the City Council will receive a staff presentation and then invite both oral and written testimony from the public. The City Council may continue the public hearing to another meeting to obtain additional information, leave the record open, or close the public hearing and take action on the review as provided by CDC 99.290. Failure to raise an issue in person or in writing at some point prior to the close of the hearing, or failure to provide sufficient specificity to afford the decision maker an opportunity to respond to the issue, precludes an appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) based on that issue. Publish March 28, 2019.	WLT100196
Owner: CITY OF WEST LINN
City: WEST LINN

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


CanCog has been serving the animal health community since 2002, specializing in laboratory based trials of efficacy and safety. CanCog is now able to offer clinical trial services as well and can quickly enroll clients for a variety of targets. Under CanCog's oversight, veterinarians who enrol their clients in a clinical trial can be confident that their concerns for the welfare of their patients, and the maintenance of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship, will be understood and addressed.
Trial planning, design, conduct, monitoring, recording, analysis and reporting.
Capability of running either GCP or non-GCP trials.
In-house studies on colony animals and field trials.
Clients can choose either turn-key management or selected services.
Protocol development and literature reviews.
Professional consultants available on a contractual basis for all aspects of trials.
Leadership and coordination of all aspects of a trial.
Contracting of diagnostics and analyses for haematology, biochemistry, microbiology, parasitology, gross pathology, histopathology, serology, endocrinology, tissue and feed sample analyses or other requested tests.
Regular sponsor communication and interaction.
Professional and rigorous monitoring and data collection.
Professional report writing and document formatting for regulatory submission.
Are you interested in joining our network of veterinary practices conducting clinical trials in companion animals?


Oculofacial plastics is a specialized form of surgery that focuses on aesthetic and reconstructive aspects of the face, eyelids, the brow, orbital bones, tear duct system, and nose. There are only 500 worldwide physicians that specialize in this field. The main organizing body for oculofacial plastic surgery is the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, which credentials only a handful of fellowship training programs. About 20 surgeons are trained each year in this field. These surgeons are meticulously trained in aesthetic and reconstructive facial surgery during their 2 year fellowships.
What types of conditions do oculofacial plastic surgeons treat?
Oculofacial plastic surgeons perform eyelid procedures such as repair of droopy eyelids, repair of orbital and facial bone fractures, repair of blocked tear ducts, removal of tumors around the eye and on the face, and rejuvenation procedures such as eyelid lifts, brow lifts, facelifts, liposuction, eyelash transplants, nasal reshaping, and laser resurfacing. They also perform minimally invasive procedures such as Botox® and fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, Radiesse, Sculptra, Elevess, Evolence).
Some people will experience lower eyelids that are turning outward or inward. This may occur due to aging, stretched tissues, or scarring from previous injuries or surgeries. Correction of these problems involve skin and tendon repositioning (canthoplasty, canthopexy, retractor reinsertion, lid shortening, lid rotation), and in rare cases, the placement of a skin, cartilage, or mucosal graft.
Watery eyes or tearing can have multiple causes which include dry eyes, irritation, and blockage of the tear duct. To improve this condition, the underlying cause must be addressed. This can be as simple as the application of artificial tear drops, or can be complicated as in tear duct blockage repair. Surgery of the tear duct may involve a tear duct bypass procedure (dacryocystorhinostomy) or the placement of a glass bypass tube (Jones Tube) from the inner corner of the eyelids to the inside of the nose (conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy).
The eyelids may be damaged or partially removed as a result of trauma or skin tumor removal. Reconstruction is performed by using nearby skin and tissues from the patient's own body (tarsal flap, Hewes procedure, Tenzel flap, etc). Eyelid "borrowing procedures" may be used (i.e. Hughes procedure or Cutler-Beard procedure), using portions of the patient's own normal eyelids. Two-stage procedures are sometimes utilized, completing the reconstruction in more than one step. The result is often very natural and aesthetically pleasing.
Traumatic injuries can cause breaks in the bones of the face, the nose, and around the eyes. These are identified with x-rays or CT scans. In many cases, mini-plates, implants, and/or titanium microscrews may be used to re-align shifted bones and restore a normal appearance.
Benign and malignant tumors may occur within the bony orbit surrounding the eye or on the eyelids and skin around the eyes. Treatment may entail biopsy of the lesion and tumor removal or other tumor therapies. Reconstruction may be necessary to restore the original function of the structures involved.
Thyroid disease can affect the eyes and the surrounding structures. Common thyroid eye problems include bulging eyes (exophthalmos), lifted upper eyelids (eyelid retraction), double vision (diplopia), and severe dryness. A variety of treatment options exist ranging from artificial tear drops to oral medications and surgery of the eyelids and orbit. The aggressiveness of the treatment reflects the severity of the disease.
The eyelids may spasm or twitch uncontrollably in patients for unknown cause. This is termed "essential blepharospasm". Treatment requires denervation of the orbicularis oculi muscle that acts to close the eyes. Chemodenervation is the most common therapy, which used botulinum toxin to relax the muscles in spasm.
Lines and wrinkles that form as a result of frowning, sun damage, and aging can be treated with minimally-invasive procedures. Botox® and fillers are exceptionally effective at wrinkle reduction when performed by an oculofacial expert. Newer techniques include GFX™ or Relaxed Expressions™, a radiofrequency device that silences nerves that cause muscles to frown in precise areas. Laser resurfacing, intense pulsed light, photodynamic therapy, and radiofrequency skin tightening all work to rejuvenate the face with great accuracy. Each of these treatments works in different ways to target fine and deep lines, brown spots, red spots, large pores, and skin textural changes. A consultation with an oculofacial plastic surgeon will help in selecting the appropriate treatment modality.
Laser liposuction reduces areas of fat that do not disappear with diet and exercise. The laser has been proven to minimize the downtime after the procedure by coagulating blood vessels and reducing bruising. After melting fat with the laser, a small tube is used to gently suction the fat cells. The neck and jowls respond well to laser liposuction, among other areas.
With age, the neck and facial muscles become lax, and the fat compartments of the face deflate, leading to a weary appearance. A long-term solution is a lower face and neck lift (rhytidectomy and platysmaplasty) which elevates the muscles of the face (SMAS) and redrapes the skin in a more desired position.


text:
La battaglia di Cuma del 474 a.C. fu uno scontro navale combattuto a Cuma tra la flotta siceliota siracusana, guidata da Ierone I di Siracusa, e quella etrusca. Con questa vittoria i sicelioti posero fine all'espansione etrusca nell'Italia ellenica e assestarono un duro colpo all'influenza politica che essi esercitavano in Italia continentale. Della situazione che si creò approfittarono i Romani, i Sanniti e i Galli.

L'evento fu di fondamentale rilievo per i siracusani, tanto da permettere ad alcuni di accostarla per importanza a quella di Salamina.

Successivamente nel 415 a.C. gli Etruschi appoggiarono la fallimentare spedizione ateniese in Sicilia contro Siracusa: ciò contribuì ulteriormente al loro declino e alla loro fine.

Mentre con questa vittoria, e con le altre contro Atene e Cartagine, i sicelioti di Siracusa prendevano sempre più potere nel Mediterraneo.

Cronista della battaglia fu il poeta Pindaro che assistette agli scontri a bordo di un'imbarcazione siracusana.

A seguito dell'importante vittoria Ierone fece offerta presso il santuario di Zeus a Olimpia di alcuni elmi, di essi oggi ne esistono tre: due presso il Museo di Olimpia, denominati elmo B e C, ed uno al British Museum, denominato elmo A. Sugli elmi, uno corinzio (elmo B) e due etruschi (elmo A e C), vi è un'iscrizione dedicatoria, in tre varianti. Quella sull'elmo B, riportata in figura, recita: ΗΙΑRΟΝ Ο ΔΕΙΝΟΜΕΝΕΟΣ / ΚΑΙ ΤΟΙ ΣΙRΑΚΟΣΙΟΙ / ΤΟΙ ΔΙ ΤYRRΑΝON ΑΠΟ ΚΥΜΑΣ (Ierone figlio di Dinomene e i Siracusani a Zeus (dedicarono questa spoglia) tirrenica da Cuma).

Note

Voci correlate
Cuma

Altri progetti

Cuma
Cuma
Guerre di Siracusa
Cuma

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Please read the following testimonials to hear what our clients have to say about LaPointe Construction.
LaPointe Construction, LLC gets 15 stars out of this 1 to 5 star survey. This team is nothing short of excellent. Attention to detail on every aspect, quality products and tools used. Professional, friendly and just good people on the staff. These pro's are refreshing to watch work, they are skilled and unmatched in a lost art of wood-work and carpentry. There is nothing they can't do. AND THEY'RE NEAT!!! We are so impressed with the projects completed thus far and can not wait to have them back to make the remainder of our home have the 'LaPointe Touch'. My wife and I highly recommend these skilled craftsmen for your next home beautification project. Thank you Jim, Karl and Roman - great men incredible craftsmen!
Jim was asked to design and build a "surround" for our 100+ year old fireplace. We wanted the finished product to reflect our Arts and Craft architecture. Jim presented a sketch and we jointly made minor modifications. Jim executed the work, using his 19th century millwork equipment, and exceeded our expectations. The surround is absolutely gorgeous and we couldn't be happier!!! The work was completed on schedule and we'll be inviting Jim and his crew back for other improvements.
When we decided to have our house painted we chose to partner with LaPointe Construction, and we are so happy we did. The house turned out better than we could have imagined and the whole process was so collaborative. From color scheme decisions to stained glass design Jim was genuinely invested in our home from the beginning and it shows in the results. His team is fabulous and they are all masters of their craft. They took the standard task of painting our cottage to the next level by creating a true work of art - we could not be happier!
Jim has done several jobs at my home and I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of home renovation and repair!! His dedication and skill are by far superior to any contractor I've used in the past.
Whenever friends and acquaintances mention that they are in need of home repair work of any kind, I always emphatically recommend LaPointe Construction. Jim is honest, hard working, and passionate about what he does. He brings an old-world style work ethic, pride and sensibility to his jobs, and unlike so many contractors who race through jobs at the expense of attention to detail, Jim always takes the extra time needed to do the job right.
I was raised by a carpenter in a family of tradespeople, and would say without hesitation that Jim is simply the finest carpenter I have ever known. A review of his portfolio, or a drive around our town to see his work first hand, will bear witness to this fact. Ultimately, here is all you need to know about Jim--many contractors were busy after hurricane Sandy fixing damaged roofs; Jim patched our roof during the hurricane!
Not all contractors are equal. Older/historic homes require different skill sets and a level of competence most run-of-the-mill contractors don't possess. Jim and his team have those skills, but more importantly, they are really interested in doing the job right, rather than just getting it done. Remember: you get what you pay for, and I'll always choose Jim over anyone else.
gallery of photos. We never look elsewhere. It's difficult to find someone who is reliable, trustworthy, and knows what they are doing. LaPointe construction fulfills this and more. You will not be disappointed-only delighted!
We recently hired LaPointe Construction for repairs to our house. I could not be happier with Jim LaPointe and his crew. They were detail-oriented, friendly and clean. I would highly recommend them.
Servicing Monmouth and Ocean Counties.


Booking for Desert Soul Adventures wide open!
As long as roads to Libya and Jordan remain shut, we keep entertaining you with each year wider and wider scope of sport activities in Tunisian Sahara.
Next winter, we're returning with our enduro success story which will see some new routes to satisfy our returning guests, as well as our own curiosity. We're also planning some special stages for the "advanced pilots" that will take us even deeper into the dunes in comparison with what we've been doing throughout the last years. Two departure dates are planned: the first one in the beginning of December, the second one at the end of January.
Cycling tour in November 2013 was a blast. Therefore, we're also planning two cycling departures for the next season: in November and in February.
Another news this year is that we started providing rallye assistances, currently carried out for two rallyes: the Tuareg Rallye - next edition will take place in March 2015 in Morocco, and the Breslau Rallye, starting in July in Poland and in September in Bulgaria. You can find more information on both rallyes in the left column following this link.
Where can you book any of the adventures or rallyes?Here.


K31.1 is a billable ICD code used to specify a diagnosis of adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. A 'billable code' is detailed enough to be used to specify a medical diagnosis.
Pyloric stenosis or pylorostenosis is narrowing (stenosis) of the opening from the stomach to the first part of the small intestine known as the duodenum, due to enlargement (hypertrophy) of the muscle surrounding this opening (the pylorus, meaning "gate"), which spasms when the stomach empties. This condition causes severe projectile non-bilious vomiting. It most often occurs in the first few months of life, when it may thus be more specifically labeled as infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. The thickened pylorus is felt classically as an olive-shaped mass in the middle upper part or right upper quadrant of the infant's abdomen. In pyloric stenosis, it is uncertain whether there is a true congenital anatomic narrowing or whether there is merely a functional hypertrophy of the pyloric sphincter muscle. This condition typically develops in male babies in the first 2 to 6 weeks of life.
Outline of stomach, showing its anatomical landmarks, including the pylorus.
The ICD-10-CM Alphabetical Index links the below-listed medical terms to the ICD code K31.1. Click on any term below to browse the alphabetical index.
This is the official exact match mapping between ICD9 and ICD10, as provided by the General Equivalency mapping crosswalk. This means that in all cases where the ICD9 code 537.0 was previously used, K31.1 is the appropriate modern ICD10 code.


text:
Pisano, Mark A. and Richard F. Callahan. "Regional Institutions for Transportation Sustainability and Economic Development: The Case of Southern California." Building a Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure for Long-Term Economic Growth. IGI Global, 2019. 72-92. Web. 20 Jan. 2020. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-7396-8.ch004
Pisano, M. A., & Callahan, R. F. (2019). Regional Institutions for Transportation Sustainability and Economic Development: The Case of Southern California. In O. Smirnova (Ed.), Building a Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure for Long-Term Economic Growth (pp. 72-92). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-7396-8.ch004
Pisano, Mark A. and Richard F. Callahan. "Regional Institutions for Transportation Sustainability and Economic Development: The Case of Southern California." In Building a Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure for Long-Term Economic Growth, ed. Olga V. Smirnova, 72-92 (2019), accessed January 20, 2020. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-7396-8.ch004
Advances in Public Policy and Administration
Regional Institutions for Transportation Sustainability and Economic Development: The Case of Southern California
Mark A. Pisano (University of Southern California, USA) and Richard F. Callahan (University of San Francisco, USA)
Source Title: Building a Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure for Long-Term Economic Growth
The lessons described in this chapter outline the mechanisms for cooperation through building new institutional designs for governance to build transportation construction projects. The scale of these projects included billions of federal, state, and local dollars invested in the 1970 through current day. Funding of transportation projects in Southern California during the period 1975 through 2010 addressed a range of challenges to economic growth. The chapter proceeds in four parts: one, a discussion of the environmental context; two, description of the institutional design for governance that developed; three, an overview of the projects developed and economic impact; four, applying the lessons learned to the emerging challenges of fiscal constraints, demographic change, and institutional re-design for transportation funding.
Lessons learned from past successes in funding transportation construction are increasingly valuable given the current state of crisis in infrastructure funding. For example, the issuance of tax-exempt municipal bonds fell by 10 percent in 2017 (London Financial Times, 2018). The state of the current crisis is sharply illustrated in the State of California where per capita expenditures for highway in 2010 are nearly 40 percent less than in 1970, while the vehicle miles traveled in the same time frame increased by nearly 90 percent (SCAG, 2008; 69).
California population, travel, and highway expenditure trends
Source: Southern California Association of Governments. 2008. Comprehensive Regional Plan. Los Angeles, CA: SCAG., Page 69.
The range of contemporary infrastructure and transportation challenges can be addressed by drawing on the strategic lessons learned to advance economic development from the region served by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Six million people called this region home in 1950, dispersed throughout the seven-county, multiple-centered region. The population grew to nearly 12 million residents by 1975, almost doubling into an urban form many called "sprawl." For those who lived in the region, it was region of multiple small town centers. Even in Los Angeles, the largest city, people identified with the section of the city where they lived. The population growth occurred after the dismantling of a regional "Red-Car" rail system that was removed to make way for freeway construction as part of the relentless dynamics of growth at any cost.
Rather than frame any specific infrastructure project solely as a transportation project, SCAG, as the formal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), linked transportation infrastructure to growing the regional economy. The story that unfolds is one of moving people and moving goods to move the economy. The Los Angeles regional case study demonstrates institutional design as the catalyst for infrastructure building (Callahan, 2007). This case shows the success in attracting federal, state, and local funding to improve and address the globalization of trade (Callahan, Pisano, and Lindor, 2010), improve air quality (Mazmanian, 2010), reduce the need for freeways (Edelman, 2000), and develop all aspects of a sustainable future for a Los Angeles region with "the famous traffic, air quality and sprawl problems" (Elkind, 2014, 5).
This chapter describes how this region altered its transportation, growth, and economic base, along with an environmental strategy, to mitigate the environmental challenges facing the region. The outcome has been a regional economy essential to the state of California as the 5th largest GNP in the world if ranked as a separate nation. One measure of the institutional success has an over 60 percent increase in the growth of personal income since 1972, despite the constraint of no increase in the amount of gas tax available for infrastructure building and the pressure of steady population growth coupled with doubling of the vehicle miles traveled (SCAG, 2008;78)
This chapter focuses on the years 1975 through 2010. In that timeframe, funding of transportation projects in Southern California addressed a range of challenges to economic growth. Researching the SCAG region through case study methodology provides an opportunity for in-depth explanation the "how" of an issue chosen because of national significance (Yin, 2009; 9). For governance research, case studies provide needed texture that derives from field research (Heinrich, Hill and Lynn, 2004; 13), with the opportunity to identify the significant intervening variables (George and Bennett, 2005; 20-21). The case study approach adds to a wide range of research "conducted following a neoclassical approach using various forms of aggregated production function" with inconsistent findings across varied time frames and geography (Chen and Haynes, 2015).
This chapter explores the infrastructure response to those challenges in the following four sections: one, a discussion of the historical context; two, a description of the institutional design for governance; three, an overview of the projects that addressed problems of economic development in the region; and four, a discussion of the future challenges.
Economic Development: The financial performance in a specified geographic region, affecting wages, housing, businesses, goods movement, including a range of metrics on individual and aggregate changes over time.
Cross-Sectoral: Involving two or more of the following sectors: the public, private, and nonprofit.
Governance: The exercise of public authority through public agencies and partners.
Fiscal Sustainability: The availability of budget and other financial resources over time.
Demographics: The study of populations and subpopulations over time.
Strategy: Aligning the internal operations of an organization or the design of institutions with the external demands and changes in the environment.
Institution Design: The rules in a society for governance of each of the public, private and nonprofit sectors, for the exercise of public authority, for the oversight of markets, for the organizational structures and partnerships initiating, overseeing, and implementing public policy.


Why Are The Birds Flying Drunk?
It's the berries, the boozy berries.
Wisconsin might be the state with the heaviest drinkers, but in Minnesota, even the birds are getting boozed. Here's the story.
According to the police in the city of Gilbert, the birds there are getting krunk on the fermented berries.
The department posted a message earlier warning citizens that there were several reports that came in saying the birds appeared to be "under the influence." According to onlookers the birds were flying into windows and cars and acting confused.
The birds are getting drunk on the fermented berries they've been eating. The berries fermented early because the frost came early and now the birds are drunk. Ahh!
A self-described "bird guy," Mathhew Dodder, from Palo Alto explained that since there's no such thing as a birdie breathalyzer, you have to watch their in flight behavior to see avian intoxication.
Dodder says that robins, cedar waxwings and thrushes are the bird species most likely to fly tipsy since they are the ones that eat the most berries.
The city is taken by drunk birds, take cover! No, but really. If you're in an area with shifty, drinking feathered friends, stick decals to windows and doors so they know they shouldn't fly through it. I mean, help a bird out if you can.
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text: run several commands and store std out to file

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Stuck for a last-minute Christmas present? Looking for that special gift for a loved one, or just fancy the ultimate trackday toy? Short of a winning lottery ticket or time travel capabilities, the present firmly on top of my list to Santa is a MotoGP bike.
Thankfully, there are two ART bikes and two PBMs up for grabs, and I was shocked when Stuart Bland (PBM's team coordinator) revealed the price. PBM want £60,000 for a bike, which is cheap when you consider the ARTs originally cost €600,000 a piece and come fully-loaded.
The Aprilia motors make 230bhp at the rear wheel (dyno graphs to prove) and feature the previously banned substances known as gear-driven cams. Being an open class, there are other tweaks to internals – in essence, it's the motor that was banned from WSB when Biaggi wheelied past everyone in top gear on his way to the championship. The motors themselves cost €100,000.
Also present and correct are Brembo McShiny-Shine Monoblocs with quick couplers and factory-supplied Öhlins suspension at either end, plus magnesium Marchesini wheels. Carbon discs are rolling on dry wheel set-up but there are safer steel options. PBM's carbon brake budget was £150k alone.
If 60 large is a little expensive, two PBM chassis kits and eight factory Aprilia engines are also up for grabs to create an über trick RSV4. There's a spares package and aftersales service available on top of the asking price.
Not surprisingly, the ART bikes have received plenty of interest from potential Latin customers, and there was a private collector eyeing on up as we left PBM HQ.


Saturday 17th November, 3pm KO.
Tickets must be purchased from the away ticket office at Palmerston, not at the gate.
The ICT Supporters Travel Club are running a bus to this game, book through their Facebook page HERE or by texting your name to 07462218717. The Bus leaves from the Caley Social Club at 8:30am and from the Caledonian Stadium at 8:45am.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped secure over US $22 billion in investments from China during his trip to the country last month. The China trip was the most lucrative foreign trip of his first year as prime minister. Yet the deal was substantially less than the USD $46 billion China and Pakistan reached in April. Moreover, at least six of the total 26 business agreements Modi helped secure from China will go to Gujarat, Modi's home state. Another two agreements signed as a result of Modi's trip will also go to Gujarat.
Modi's foreign ventures have helped change the way businesspeople think about India, but after one year in office, many local observers are beginning to question the effectiveness of Modi's international marketing. Indeed, government sources quoted in the Indian media stress the 'diplomatic dividends' reaped from Modi's ventures, not the financial dividends.
Salesman-in-Chief for India or Gujarat?
The investments from China mark an important step forward for Modi's economic agenda and the bilateral relationship between China and India. However, the China-Pakistan trade deal creates a significantly larger amount of infrastructure in Pakistan, and includes more development projects designed to aid the general public. The China-Pakistan trade deal also provides Chinese investment for Gwadar port, giving China direct access to the Arabian Sea.
The business agreements secured as a result of Modi's trip to China primarily focus on industrial and energy development. However, the deals are weighted disproportionally in favor of interests in Gujarat.
At least eight projects resulting from Modi's trip to China are located in Gujarat. The China Association of Small & Medium Enterprise (CASME) has pledged to help the Gujarat state government create an industrial park, while the China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC) will help the Welspun group create an integrated steel project in Gujarat. China-based Golden Concord Holdings Ltd. (GCL) will help develop another industrial park within the Adani Group's Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Gujarat. The China Development Bank (CBD) will finance a power plant at the Mundra SEZ.
The Mundra Port and SEZ was deemed a sister port with the port of Guangzhou, as opposed to the nearby government-owned and operated Kundla port. Gujarat also secured a contract for a coal power plant near Mundra Port in the town of Nana Layja. Separately, the governments of India and China agreed to develop a National Institute of Skill Development in the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar metropolitan area.
Gujarat officials reported in the media that the CASME backed industrial park will receive USD $1.56 billion in financing. A day after Modi left China, these officials reported that China Small and Medium Enterprise Investment (CSMEI) pledged US $2.97 billion to the development of a smart city in Gujarat. Media reports state this smart city investment will go towards the GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance-Tec City) project near Gandhinagar.
Taken together, these two projects alone account for US $4.53 billion in investment for Gujarat – not including the other Chinese investments planned for Gujarat. Gujarat hosts only 4.99% of the total population of India, but will host a disproportionate share of the funding that resulted from Modi's visit to China.
Within a year of his inauguration, Modi made 20 foreign visits to 19 countries. His travel schedule included official state visits to Bhutan, Nepal, Japan, U.S., Myanmar, Australia, Fiji, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, France, Germany, Canada, China, Mongolia, South Korea and Bangladesh. He also visited Nepal once for the SAARC Summit, Brazil for the BRICS Summit Myanmar for the East Asia Summit, and Singapore for the State Funeral of Lee Kuan Yew.
Nevertheless, his recent state visit to China was the only foreign visit that solidified a significant investment plan for India. During his visit to Canada, Modi secured a US $350million deal for uranium, giving India a stable uranium supply to expand its nuclear energy operations. However, with exceptions for the China and Canada trips, Modi is yet to yield a substantive trade deal on his trips abroad.
There are a number of ways to analyze Modi's foreign policy strategy. Many observers maintain that Modi's foreign policy is primarily one of branding himself as someone who can rejuvenate an underperforming Indian economy. Others note that Modi has focused on building relations with foreign dignitaries and officials, attempting to improve India's relations with important developed countries such as the U.S., Germany and France.
Ultimately, Modi embarked on a world tour to promote a new vision of India. Although embracing and befriending other dignitaries is a start, beyond the China deal, where he still received less funding than Pakistan, he is yet to show much improvement. Indeed, much of the funding India received from China is being invested in his comparatively well-developed home-state of Gujarat.
Modi's rejuvenation of the 'Act East Policy' (formerly known as Look East Policy), as well as his support for the Neighborhood First Policy and Project Mausam, indicates that the he will be far more involved in foreign policy than his predecessors. Yet, these policies have yet to bear their teeth. When looking back on Modi's first year as prime minister, one can come to one of two conclusions. First, it is possible to say that Modi has planted seeds of diplomacy that are yet to come to fruition. The second is that Modi is not been as successful as the Indian media has lead us to believe.
Doing Business in India 2015 introduces the fundamentals of investing in India. This comprehensive guide is ideal for businesses looking to enter the Indian market, and companies who already have a presence and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes. We discuss a range of pertinent issues for foreign businesses, including India's most recent FDI caps and restrictions, the key taxes applicable to foreign companies, how to conduct a successful audit, and the procedures for obtaining an employment visa.
In this issue, we take a look at the bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that India currently has in place and highlight the deals that are still in negotiation. We analyze the country's double tax agreements, and conclude by discussing how foreign businesses can establish a presence in Singapore to access both the Indian and ASEAN markets.
Passage to India: Selling to India's Consumer Market In this issue, we outline India's import policies and procedures, as well as the essentials of engaging in direct and indirect export, acquiring an Indian company, selling to the government and establishing a local presence in the form of a liaison office, branch office, or wholly owned subsidiary. We conclude by taking a closer look at the strategic potential of joint ventures and the advantages they can provide companies at all stages of market entry and expansion.


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The Golden Shovel Poetry Writing Workshop
Presented by The Writers Place at The Pilgrim Center, Kansas City MO
The Golden Shovel, a poetry writing workshop, will be held from 11 AM to 2 PM, February 29, at the Pilgrim Center, 3807 Gilham Road. Session attendance is free. Reserve seats at thewritersplace.wildapricot.org/events.
The Writers Place, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the literary arts through community outreach, continues its Winter-Spring writing workshop series with The Golden Shovel, a poetry writing workshop. The session will be held from 11 AM to 2 PM, February 29, at the Pilgrim Center, 3807 Gilham Road. It explores a creative writing technique in which poets take a line from a favorite work and use each word to create a new poem, each line of the new work ending with a word from
The Writers Place, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the literary arts through community outreach, continues its Winter-Spring writing workshop series with The Golden Shovel, a poetry writing workshop. The session will be held from 11 AM to 2 PM, February 29, at the Pilgrim Center, 3807 Gilham Road. It explores a creative writing technique in which poets take a line from a favorite work and use each word to create a new poem, each line of the new work ending with a word from the admired poem.
Jermaine Thompson, who holds a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Missouri—Kansas City (UMKC), leads the session. Thompson, whose work has been published in a variety of venues including Memorious, Whale Road Review and Southern Indian Review, is a board member at The Writers Place. He teaches creative writing at UMKC and English at Pembroke Hill Upper School.
The Golden Shovel is the latest is a series of workshops planned by The Writers Place. Upcoming sessions delve into playwrighting and ekphrastic writing which is creative technique that expands on the meanings in vivid art imagery.
"Our workshop series is just one aspect of our community outreach," says Maryfrances Wagner, The Writers Place board vice president, "but it's one of the most interactive. Sessions like The Golden Shovel are part of a strategy to introduce Kansas City writers to creative techniques they wouldn't be exposed to elsewhere."
Session attendance is free, but donations to The Writers Place are welcomed. Reserve seats at thewritersplace.wildapricot.org/events.
The Pilgrim Center
3807 Gilham Road, Kansas City, MO 64111
CONNECT WITH The Writers Place


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John Fisher/Getty Images
College Basketball's New "Flop Rule" Attempts to Stop "Fakes and Pains"
By Caleb Hightower | December 5, 2022
If you consider yourself an avid college basketball watcher, you should be aware that flopping has been a massive issue in the sport for years. As far as the NCAA is concerned, flopping is defined as an "unsporting act that occurs when a player attempts to influence an official's judgment by creating an appearance that a foul has been committed when there has been incidental or no contact." Take jump shooting for example. It's fairly common for players to instantly fall to the floor after launching low-percentage jumpers.
Yes, it's true that shooters will experience lucky bounces occasionally, but about 90-95% of the time, they will be able to anticipate misses by following the trajectory of the ball. So, instead of staying upright and finishing the shooting process or even racing after the ball once it clanks off the rim, many try to fake their way into two-to-three easy points at the free-throw line. In other words, they believe their theatrics could help bail them out if they go the extra mile.
However, five months before the start of the 2022-23 season, the NCAA made a rule change that'll intrigue college basketball fans around the country.
College Basketball's New Flop Rule
Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
RELATED: NBA Changed Its Travel Rule, But It's Still Not Perfect
In the past, players who felt the need to flop would receive a warning after getting caught. On June 9, 2022, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel agreed to give referees the power to hand out Class B technical fouls to obnoxious floppers. Now, what happens when there is slight contact initiated by an undisciplined offensive/defensive player -- or contact that isn't incidental? Well, in that case "officials will be asked to judge whether the player's physical reaction to the contact with another player is consistent with what would have been expected, given the force of the contact. When the reaction is not consistent, the player is most likely exaggerating the nature of the contact in an attempt to gain an advantage, and flopping has occurred."
Alright, so if you're still a little lost, imagine you're witnessing a team scramble as the shot clock begins to trickle down. In a last-second desperation effort, that team's most skilled offensive player calls for the ball and attempts to take his defender off the dribble. After realizing that his defender beat him to his desired location on the court, the offensive player lightly extends his left arm to create some space for himself around the rim. In cartoonish fashion, the defender throws his head back and launches his body toward the baseline. His teammates then watch him slide across the floor for a few seconds before offering to bring him back onto his feet.
Was there enough contact to cause the defender to stumble during the play? Absolutely, but are you seriously telling me that the defender had no choice but to go flying in the opposite direction? Well, I certainly hope not because then you would be condoning flopping in order to gain a leg-up on the opposition. The same concept applies to ball-handlers who find themselves being hounded by hard-hedging big men. I comprehend that hip checks can be frustrating to endure at the top of the key, but unless they are undeniably egregious, you shouldn't have a problem making your next move on the perimeter. If you choose to give up on the play and relinquish the basketball while taking a seat on the hardwood, just know that a severe consequence will follow.
Essentially, referees want to ensure that players' body movements are natural when they get bumped or pushed in the half-court and/or transition. After all, you're competing in a basketball game, not putting on a show at your local theater. Once referees recognize that you're more interested in selling them on your performance than playing basketball the correct way, a technical foul will be tossed in your direction.
Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
RELATED: The 4 Worst College Basketball "Buy Game" Losses This Season, Ranked
I genuinely believe this new rule will send a loud message to players who are used to playing tricks on referees. If you make the decision to disrespect the game of basketball by flopping, you'll have to watch as your opponent steps to the charity stripe for one foul shot. If the rule sticks around for a while, it could even be beneficial to high school players who are masterful manipulators. At that level, you can act your way into fouls if your creative juices are intact, but the unnecessary clownery will result in an extreme wake-up call at the college ranks.
However, we do have to take a moment to discuss a notable con attached to the rule. As great as the 2022-23 flop rule is, in my opinion, I don't like the fact that referees can't stroll over to the monitor and confirm that their eyes didn't deceive them. When it's blatant (like it is most of the time), referees should feel confident about the call they made on the floor. When they're dealing with more of a "bang-bang" situation, there's always a chance that they could make a costly error. With potential flopping incidents being non-reviewable this year, you may see some blown calls every now and then.
Take a look at this clip from a Nov. 7 contest between Long Beach State and California Baptist.
With a little over seven minutes remaining in the first half, Long Beach State guard, Joel Murray, completed a dribble handoff at the free-throw line and tried to turn the corner. Unfortunately, he was stopped in his tracks before he could get a paint touch. Three-seconds later, Murray accidentally stepped on the foot of his defender and hit the deck with him simultaneously. Without hesitation, the referee whistled Murray for a flop and gave California Baptist one free-throw attempt on the other end. Luckily for the Beach, they were able to overcome this mini-travesty and pull-out a 79-64 road-victory over the Lancers.
For the sake of this exercise, though, let's pretend that Long Beach State and Cal Baptist were locked in a 78-78 tie with five seconds remaining when that call was made. There's no doubt that Beach fans would be irate after glancing at the replay on the Jumbotron (or watching it online), considering that Murray had no choice but to go down once the collision occurred. That's just a typical basketball play if you ask me, and I'm sure that the referee made that same observation after the game, but he didn't have the option of fixing his mistake at that moment. Without having the ability to bring timely reviews into the equation, there will be an unbelievable amount of pressure on referees to be perfect in crunch time (which simply isn't realistic under any circumstance).
All in all, I am in favor of the new flop rule in college basketball, but I also understand that it could ruin high-level games throughout the season. I suppose the NCAA is willing to take the risk to effectively remove flopping from the collegiate game. For the time being, all we can do is wait and see if this rule change proves to be a tremendous success or a colossal failure.
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The following Heavenly Valley Snow Report is updated every day to bring you the latest South Lake Tahoe snow conditions and Tahoe weather reports. As one of the largest and most popular ski resorts in South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Valley Ski Resort, is the perfect winter getaway. With 84 runs varying in difficulty you will find plenty of room to ski, and Heavenly is situated in such a great location near all the top Lake Tahoe casinos and restaurants.
At Tahoe's Best we strive to give you the best and most useful information possible, so you can make the most of your precious vacation time. Whether you want Lake Tahoe hotel promos or just need to find some helpful information about Tahoe, we have it all here. Below is the updated ski report for Heavenly ski resort. Be sure to check out the other Lake Tahoe Ski Reports to make sure you get the best snow conditions during your trip to Tahoe.


Save this Book to Read getting unstuck breaking your habitual patterns amp encountering naked reality audio cd pema chodron PDF eBook at our Online Library.
I think Pema Chodron is a wonderful teacher and she gives a lot of insight with these lectures. She teach's ways you work through the pain without avoidance, denial or repression. If you practice her approach, you will become much more accepting and kind towards yourself.


Love this outfit. The skirt is fabulous.
I appreciate the pic of the hair cuff! I always wear my hair in a ponytail and have a very important job interview coming up. I hate having my hair down. This definitely gives me some ideas!
I love this outfit! I'm on a pink + navy kick these days, so I'm definitely adding this to my inspiration file.
Pink with white and navy is a fav combo of mine. Looking fab! Did you try tucking in the shirt? I'm curious how much that would change the look.
Love this outfit. I am not a big fan of striped skirts on me, but I really like this look.
Love the color combination! Looks great!