....this is looking pretty good.
Not much to see right now but the names involved is making it shine pretty brightly on my radar.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
good things come to those who wait...?
...you wake up late on a lazy sunday afternoon.
the sun is drawing a plane of light across your bedroom wall and you lay there watching the specks of glittering dust, dance in the gentle breeze that whistles along with the trees' whispers outside.
time passes and you have had a shower whistling that song that was just playing on the radio. you've brushed your teeth while thinking of that girl you haven't seen for two months. you get downstairs feeling a little bit hungry and so venture to the fridge where upon opening, you spy a nice fresh packet of bacon. turning around you see the familiar baked beans wrapping on the loaf of bread and the thought of a lovely bacon and egg sandwich comes into your mind.
you turn on the cooker and place the brand new frying pan on top of the heat with a little oil. tearing open the packet, you savour the fresh cold smell of raw bacon before gently lifting and placing strip after strip of pink and white onto the now hot frying pan. the sizzle splatters little drops of oil on your hand and you singe a few hairs on your fingers but the smell more than makes up for it.
as the bacon nears being cooked, you prepare a sheet of kitchen towel to dry off the bacon. you reach into the fridge again for an egg which you crack open and drop onto the bacon fat left in the pan.
while the egg is cooking, you take out two slices of bread and apply too much butter for your own good but who cares; it's sunday.
you place the strips of bacon on top on the bread and add the bacon before placing the final piece of bread on top.
finding a nice clean plate you take your lovingly prepared sandwich into the living room. you take a sip from your tea as you switch on the telly. after sitting down you pick up the sandwich and take a nice big bite, relishing the feel of the yolk spilling into your mouth, the rush of saltiness from the bacon as well as the drizzle of melted butter.
after taking the bite you chew, nice big actions, taking care to enjoy every taste and texture in your mouth. when it is done, you swallow, prepare yourself for another bite and pick up the sandwich to look for a suitable secondary atack point.
that's when you see the little trace of green and blue specs in the fold of the crust.....
the sun is drawing a plane of light across your bedroom wall and you lay there watching the specks of glittering dust, dance in the gentle breeze that whistles along with the trees' whispers outside.
time passes and you have had a shower whistling that song that was just playing on the radio. you've brushed your teeth while thinking of that girl you haven't seen for two months. you get downstairs feeling a little bit hungry and so venture to the fridge where upon opening, you spy a nice fresh packet of bacon. turning around you see the familiar baked beans wrapping on the loaf of bread and the thought of a lovely bacon and egg sandwich comes into your mind.
you turn on the cooker and place the brand new frying pan on top of the heat with a little oil. tearing open the packet, you savour the fresh cold smell of raw bacon before gently lifting and placing strip after strip of pink and white onto the now hot frying pan. the sizzle splatters little drops of oil on your hand and you singe a few hairs on your fingers but the smell more than makes up for it.
as the bacon nears being cooked, you prepare a sheet of kitchen towel to dry off the bacon. you reach into the fridge again for an egg which you crack open and drop onto the bacon fat left in the pan.
while the egg is cooking, you take out two slices of bread and apply too much butter for your own good but who cares; it's sunday.
you place the strips of bacon on top on the bread and add the bacon before placing the final piece of bread on top.
finding a nice clean plate you take your lovingly prepared sandwich into the living room. you take a sip from your tea as you switch on the telly. after sitting down you pick up the sandwich and take a nice big bite, relishing the feel of the yolk spilling into your mouth, the rush of saltiness from the bacon as well as the drizzle of melted butter.
after taking the bite you chew, nice big actions, taking care to enjoy every taste and texture in your mouth. when it is done, you swallow, prepare yourself for another bite and pick up the sandwich to look for a suitable secondary atack point.
that's when you see the little trace of green and blue specs in the fold of the crust.....
Thursday, August 24, 2006
what ever happened to......? Part 1
Scampi Fries.
A staple of the old Swimming Pool/Sports Centre vending maching, holder of the sacred position next to the extra crunchy Bacon Fries (the one that was pretending to be a more upmarket Frazzles), Whatever Happend To You?
I used to love these things; small and crispy and full of tangy lemony sour to counter the strange fishy saltiness. The bright yellow/orange simulated breadcrumb exterior was always a little peculiar and in no way resembled a real fried scampi but ahhh.... you were delicious all the same.
As time passed, you stopped appearing my regular newsagents and after a while, even the vending machines were missing your presence. Luckily for us, Sainsbury's had their own brand version that were lighter (not as hard) and in bigger bags so that while they weren't as lemony as you, the larger serving made up for it. Alas, over time, these too disappeared...
A few years pass and my sister alerts me of a sighting of a similar product in Marks and Spencers. My heart began to flutter as I made a special trip just to see for myself. Upon arrival, I was welcomed by a single half shelf full of scampi flavoured fried maize snacks but just like before, these too eventually disappeared from the shelves.
So, have you seen this snack?
I know that chances are, pubs still stock these alongside the Bacon Fries and Pork Scratchings and peanuts but I still miss them from my daily life......
A staple of the old Swimming Pool/Sports Centre vending maching, holder of the sacred position next to the extra crunchy Bacon Fries (the one that was pretending to be a more upmarket Frazzles), Whatever Happend To You?I used to love these things; small and crispy and full of tangy lemony sour to counter the strange fishy saltiness. The bright yellow/orange simulated breadcrumb exterior was always a little peculiar and in no way resembled a real fried scampi but ahhh.... you were delicious all the same.
As time passed, you stopped appearing my regular newsagents and after a while, even the vending machines were missing your presence. Luckily for us, Sainsbury's had their own brand version that were lighter (not as hard) and in bigger bags so that while they weren't as lemony as you, the larger serving made up for it. Alas, over time, these too disappeared...
A few years pass and my sister alerts me of a sighting of a similar product in Marks and Spencers. My heart began to flutter as I made a special trip just to see for myself. Upon arrival, I was welcomed by a single half shelf full of scampi flavoured fried maize snacks but just like before, these too eventually disappeared from the shelves.
So, have you seen this snack?
I know that chances are, pubs still stock these alongside the Bacon Fries and Pork Scratchings and peanuts but I still miss them from my daily life......
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
firsts #1
Do you remember your firsts?
Let's start with the obvious ones.
First girl I had a crush on.
Her name was/is Stephanie Marshall and she was in the same class as me. Ok, that was probably going to be blindingly obvious to you lot. The slightly icky bit is that I should now admit to this being when I was in primary school and probably not much older than maybe 8 years old. I can't really be sure but it can't be older than 8 because she moved from the area a couple of years before I went to secondary school and I did that the last year before 1st year of secondary.
I know.... 8 years old = ewww.
what can I say?
Ok, in all fairness, it was anything really; just one of those things. Admittedly, I do remember grabbing her arse on one occasion whilst going up the stairs but as far as I can remember, that's the only thing that ever happened because of this crush.
Strangely enough, my first "sexual" encounter was also in primary school with a girl whose name I think (I can't remember now...) was/is Rita. We were sitting on the floor at story time (now that's a memory and a half!) and I'm not entirely sure how this all came about but the next thing I knew, she had her hand down my pants. Can't remember much apart from me having my hand down her pants in response. The slightly strange bit is that every now and then I still see her around in the local twon centre.....
Another Primary School First is that of being sick. That is, the earliest memory I have of being physically sick was when I was in Primary School. I can even remember the most likely cause as this leqad to my vomit being wellm distinct; it was bright green. If I was being more precise, it was the bright green that you get from food colouring. How did I get to ingest green food colouring? It was in my sister's home/school made peppermint creme sweets.
The first time I was sick, it was as I was walking into the classroom. Instead of walking in the usual line, I made a detour around the first table but I hadn't made it half way around when all of a sudden, *sloop* writing book on the table was covered in presh P vomit.....
Thinking back now, I don't recall this vomit being green so I might've mistakenly blamed my sister for my ailment.
What I do remember though, is that when i got home again, she gave me one of her peppermint creme sweets which, after having quickly eaten it as kids tend to, lead to me pouring forth that bright green vomit.
Let's start with the obvious ones.
First girl I had a crush on.
Her name was/is Stephanie Marshall and she was in the same class as me. Ok, that was probably going to be blindingly obvious to you lot. The slightly icky bit is that I should now admit to this being when I was in primary school and probably not much older than maybe 8 years old. I can't really be sure but it can't be older than 8 because she moved from the area a couple of years before I went to secondary school and I did that the last year before 1st year of secondary.
I know.... 8 years old = ewww.
what can I say?
Ok, in all fairness, it was anything really; just one of those things. Admittedly, I do remember grabbing her arse on one occasion whilst going up the stairs but as far as I can remember, that's the only thing that ever happened because of this crush.
Strangely enough, my first "sexual" encounter was also in primary school with a girl whose name I think (I can't remember now...) was/is Rita. We were sitting on the floor at story time (now that's a memory and a half!) and I'm not entirely sure how this all came about but the next thing I knew, she had her hand down my pants. Can't remember much apart from me having my hand down her pants in response. The slightly strange bit is that every now and then I still see her around in the local twon centre.....
Another Primary School First is that of being sick. That is, the earliest memory I have of being physically sick was when I was in Primary School. I can even remember the most likely cause as this leqad to my vomit being wellm distinct; it was bright green. If I was being more precise, it was the bright green that you get from food colouring. How did I get to ingest green food colouring? It was in my sister's home/school made peppermint creme sweets.
The first time I was sick, it was as I was walking into the classroom. Instead of walking in the usual line, I made a detour around the first table but I hadn't made it half way around when all of a sudden, *sloop* writing book on the table was covered in presh P vomit.....
Thinking back now, I don't recall this vomit being green so I might've mistakenly blamed my sister for my ailment.
What I do remember though, is that when i got home again, she gave me one of her peppermint creme sweets which, after having quickly eaten it as kids tend to, lead to me pouring forth that bright green vomit.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
reasons to be cheerful......
....or not, as the case may be.
I'm in the process of researching for a new car and have thus far, narrowed it down to five main choices and maybe one or two other not so keen on but reliable options.
First up is one of my favourite cars of the past and one that is now well within my smallish budget:
The Fiat Coupe.
At the moment, prices for this little beauty is hovering at around the £3000 for a decent example going up to £4500 for the best ones around. It seats four properly and has a decent enough boot and is more than fast enough for my needs (0-60 in less than 6.5 secs!) and looks absolutely stunning. Big problem though is the insurance on the bugger. So far quotes have been in the £1000-1500 mark which is more than I would like to pay.... Another big problem is that I am more than aware of the Fiat issue, that being the likelyhood of pieces falling off at regular intervals. I'm also aware that a front wheel drive car with 220ish BHP at the wheels is more than likely to eat up a few tyres in between services and I'm going to ignore the thirst factor of a rev happy turbo engine.
Next up we have my number two Coupe choice:
The Ford Puma.
Another stunning looking coupe but ultimately not as versatile as the bigger Fiat (back seats are just about more useful as those in a TT) but that's clearly offset by the cheaper running, servicing and general maintanence costs. Insurance is a healthy bit cheaper but not by much and still around the £1000 mark for the 1.7. It's also possibly a bit girly for my liking but a sensible choice of colour remedies that to a degree and as much as I don't like it, Black is probably the colour of choice for this (unless I can find someone who specified the performance blue option).
Then we head into the hatchback selection starting with an italian:
Alfa Romeo 147
I have to admit, I know that this is possibly the least sensible option here as it is without doubt the most fragile car, even compared to the Fiat. I'm told by those in the know, that most problems would've sorted themselves out by now so I'm kinda relieved but still slightly skeptical. The model of choice right now would be the 2.0 Lusso. It sounds wonderfully burbly at 4000rpm and while it's not as fast as belive it or not, either of the two above, it looks and feels special enough for me not to care. But alas, insurance is similar to the Fiat and so are annual costs. That's what happens when you go Italian.....
Safe option number 1:
Ford Focus
Not that exciting I know but the one I've been eyeing up is the ST170 model that has a respectable 170ish BHP and usually comes fully loaded with the most useful stuff such as A/C, heated windscreen etc etc so it makes it actually more worth it than the other options. Again, insurance for this sits at around £1000 for me but again, like the Puma, this is offset by cheaper day to day costs. It is also more useful as a car being more spacious inside while being slightly smaller and lighter than the Alfa. It is also faster than the Alfa and most people aren't aware of just how fast it is (0-60 in around 8 secs). Right now though, I'm put off by it's well, being rather common and Naeem has one, altough his is the pleb base 1.4 but still....
Lastly, I am always tempted by something German and something more new.
Audi A3 Sportback
Not that exciting, not that fast, not even that spacious but it's one hell of an expensive car. It's the newest and would probaly clean out my current savings but it's an Audi and more or less brand new so I'd have virtually no worries with it. The other cars I'm looking at are now reacing the 5-6 year old mark and in the case of the Fiat and Alfa, nearing a recommended cam belt change. With the Fiat, it'd also need an engine top end rebuild as well because of the turbo and that's if I'm lucky. The Fords are relatively trouble free but at taht age, things start to loosen up and from my experience, gearbox/cluth problems start to show at this age. Realistically, I'd be betetr off getting an older model A3 (i.e Golf in disguise) or even a Golf V5 but they're pretty lifeless compared to the Alfa and the Fiat.
What to do eh?
I'd love to say sod it to these sort of cars and go for my classic Lotus Elan but I know taht would be a whole new kettle of trouble so transport it has to be for now. Head or heart? Those that know me would know that for the most part I am a head person. Those that know me betetr would also know that I am not one who hasn't ever done anything from the heart.....
If I'm being honest, right now, the Italian cars are the most tempting, followed very closely by the Puma. At the end of the day though, Insurance costs is going to make this decision for me, with versitility being the secondary judge.
Let the hunt begin.
I'm in the process of researching for a new car and have thus far, narrowed it down to five main choices and maybe one or two other not so keen on but reliable options.
First up is one of my favourite cars of the past and one that is now well within my smallish budget:
The Fiat Coupe.
At the moment, prices for this little beauty is hovering at around the £3000 for a decent example going up to £4500 for the best ones around. It seats four properly and has a decent enough boot and is more than fast enough for my needs (0-60 in less than 6.5 secs!) and looks absolutely stunning. Big problem though is the insurance on the bugger. So far quotes have been in the £1000-1500 mark which is more than I would like to pay.... Another big problem is that I am more than aware of the Fiat issue, that being the likelyhood of pieces falling off at regular intervals. I'm also aware that a front wheel drive car with 220ish BHP at the wheels is more than likely to eat up a few tyres in between services and I'm going to ignore the thirst factor of a rev happy turbo engine.Next up we have my number two Coupe choice:
The Ford Puma.
Another stunning looking coupe but ultimately not as versatile as the bigger Fiat (back seats are just about more useful as those in a TT) but that's clearly offset by the cheaper running, servicing and general maintanence costs. Insurance is a healthy bit cheaper but not by much and still around the £1000 mark for the 1.7. It's also possibly a bit girly for my liking but a sensible choice of colour remedies that to a degree and as much as I don't like it, Black is probably the colour of choice for this (unless I can find someone who specified the performance blue option).Then we head into the hatchback selection starting with an italian:
Alfa Romeo 147
I have to admit, I know that this is possibly the least sensible option here as it is without doubt the most fragile car, even compared to the Fiat. I'm told by those in the know, that most problems would've sorted themselves out by now so I'm kinda relieved but still slightly skeptical. The model of choice right now would be the 2.0 Lusso. It sounds wonderfully burbly at 4000rpm and while it's not as fast as belive it or not, either of the two above, it looks and feels special enough for me not to care. But alas, insurance is similar to the Fiat and so are annual costs. That's what happens when you go Italian.....Safe option number 1:
Ford Focus
Not that exciting I know but the one I've been eyeing up is the ST170 model that has a respectable 170ish BHP and usually comes fully loaded with the most useful stuff such as A/C, heated windscreen etc etc so it makes it actually more worth it than the other options. Again, insurance for this sits at around £1000 for me but again, like the Puma, this is offset by cheaper day to day costs. It is also more useful as a car being more spacious inside while being slightly smaller and lighter than the Alfa. It is also faster than the Alfa and most people aren't aware of just how fast it is (0-60 in around 8 secs). Right now though, I'm put off by it's well, being rather common and Naeem has one, altough his is the pleb base 1.4 but still....Lastly, I am always tempted by something German and something more new.
Audi A3 Sportback
Not that exciting, not that fast, not even that spacious but it's one hell of an expensive car. It's the newest and would probaly clean out my current savings but it's an Audi and more or less brand new so I'd have virtually no worries with it. The other cars I'm looking at are now reacing the 5-6 year old mark and in the case of the Fiat and Alfa, nearing a recommended cam belt change. With the Fiat, it'd also need an engine top end rebuild as well because of the turbo and that's if I'm lucky. The Fords are relatively trouble free but at taht age, things start to loosen up and from my experience, gearbox/cluth problems start to show at this age. Realistically, I'd be betetr off getting an older model A3 (i.e Golf in disguise) or even a Golf V5 but they're pretty lifeless compared to the Alfa and the Fiat.What to do eh?
I'd love to say sod it to these sort of cars and go for my classic Lotus Elan but I know taht would be a whole new kettle of trouble so transport it has to be for now. Head or heart? Those that know me would know that for the most part I am a head person. Those that know me betetr would also know that I am not one who hasn't ever done anything from the heart.....
If I'm being honest, right now, the Italian cars are the most tempting, followed very closely by the Puma. At the end of the day though, Insurance costs is going to make this decision for me, with versitility being the secondary judge.
Let the hunt begin.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
profile my what?
...
Seriously now, what's all the fuss about the suggestion that selective profiling might be employed by security at airports? Let's see, so far, the terrorist actions that has thus far been carried out in this country have by and large been perpetrated by people of a particular faith, who also by and large are of a certain ethnic appearance and of a certain age.
Doesn't it make sense that a way to maybe prevent, discourage or at the very least, make it a little harder for them (the people with terrorist intentions) to do their thing is to well, stop and search people that might fit the profile.
God knows that if all of a sudden, a group of little chinese guys decided that it'd be a good idea to blow stuff up or poison people on trains, that the police start to stop and search little chinese people. Heck, I'd even offer myself up for regular strip searches if it happens but that might be down to something else entirely....
OK, I do see the reasoning behind some of the objections that are voiced but it is too simple to simply disregard it as unfair but at the same time, I can see it as being a short-sighted objection.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that every single young muslim male is going to be a terrorist but the fact is, the ones who are doing these things are typically young men, who also happen to be calling themselves muslims (whether or not they are true muslims is a totally different debate).
Going back to my earlier point, doesn't it then make sense it serves a purpose to stop and search potential threats?
Big picture anyone?
Seriously now, what's all the fuss about the suggestion that selective profiling might be employed by security at airports? Let's see, so far, the terrorist actions that has thus far been carried out in this country have by and large been perpetrated by people of a particular faith, who also by and large are of a certain ethnic appearance and of a certain age.
Doesn't it make sense that a way to maybe prevent, discourage or at the very least, make it a little harder for them (the people with terrorist intentions) to do their thing is to well, stop and search people that might fit the profile.
God knows that if all of a sudden, a group of little chinese guys decided that it'd be a good idea to blow stuff up or poison people on trains, that the police start to stop and search little chinese people. Heck, I'd even offer myself up for regular strip searches if it happens but that might be down to something else entirely....
OK, I do see the reasoning behind some of the objections that are voiced but it is too simple to simply disregard it as unfair but at the same time, I can see it as being a short-sighted objection.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that every single young muslim male is going to be a terrorist but the fact is, the ones who are doing these things are typically young men, who also happen to be calling themselves muslims (whether or not they are true muslims is a totally different debate).
Going back to my earlier point, doesn't it then make sense it serves a purpose to stop and search potential threats?
Big picture anyone?
Monday, August 14, 2006
more choices
...
with my impending registering as self-employed, my world of personal computing purchases is opening again. Self-employed status means that I can buy a new pc or laptop for my work purposes and save myself a useful bit of VAT and therein lies the dilema. Would a laptop or a desktop serve my work better?
Occasionally, I need to take my work with me to various places, be it when I'm at my aunt's place or even to the office to work "on-site", having my own machine with my own sample library, CAD blocks, photo references as well as my own entertainment would ultimately be useful. It'd also mean that there would be a free PC at the office for when-ever there is need for the office machines.
Then again, for the price of a laptop that would serve my needs, I can get myself a truly kick-ass desktop.
What makes more sense?
In an ideal world where money really is no problem, I'd get both: a brand spanking new Shuttle PC and a back-up secondary Laptop for all of my computing needs but alas, right now, I should only get one or the other.
Or I could hang on for another few months and get more cash first.....
with my impending registering as self-employed, my world of personal computing purchases is opening again. Self-employed status means that I can buy a new pc or laptop for my work purposes and save myself a useful bit of VAT and therein lies the dilema. Would a laptop or a desktop serve my work better?
Occasionally, I need to take my work with me to various places, be it when I'm at my aunt's place or even to the office to work "on-site", having my own machine with my own sample library, CAD blocks, photo references as well as my own entertainment would ultimately be useful. It'd also mean that there would be a free PC at the office for when-ever there is need for the office machines.
Then again, for the price of a laptop that would serve my needs, I can get myself a truly kick-ass desktop.
What makes more sense?
In an ideal world where money really is no problem, I'd get both: a brand spanking new Shuttle PC and a back-up secondary Laptop for all of my computing needs but alas, right now, I should only get one or the other.
Or I could hang on for another few months and get more cash first.....
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
iam? ithink? imight? iwant?...
...ipod?
after much deliberation and the recent purchase of my lovely new camera
(which has already seen plenty of home made midget porn action)
the next thing on my buy list, apart from a fiat coupe or possible a 1967 lotus elan to play with, is possibly an ipod.
The dilema now is whether i spend £190ish on a 30GB ipod vid or £150ish for a 4GB nano.
50 smackers for 26 extra GB is not to be ignored.
The question is, what do i need more, something small or something big?
who knows?
after much deliberation and the recent purchase of my lovely new camera
(which has already seen plenty of home made midget porn action)
the next thing on my buy list, apart from a fiat coupe or possible a 1967 lotus elan to play with, is possibly an ipod.
The dilema now is whether i spend £190ish on a 30GB ipod vid or £150ish for a 4GB nano.
50 smackers for 26 extra GB is not to be ignored.
The question is, what do i need more, something small or something big?
who knows?
oh me, oh my.....
you might recall me mentionig the Scorsese remark of Infernal Affairs that was scheduled to for release sometime this year. Well, the trailer's out now....
Click Here
I have to say, it seems to be pretty close to the original but of course, with the Buddhist elements removed. Not entirely sure how this will affect the feel of the film as in the original, the Buddhist themes worked to underline the plot and a few select lines of known script described the events perfectly, particulary the things about cycles and reprisals.
Only thing is, without the Buddhist elements, it seems to me that it'll just be another action/thriller and I'm a little wary that the trailer already seems a bit too action packed. Nice casting though but I'm not that convinced either.
DiCaprio is ok I guess and Damon has that whole Subdued psycho thing down pat but Nicholson? I can't see him really being the nice guy (spoiler alert) that the character was in the prequels. It'd be good to see if the master that is Scorsese can match the flair of Andrew Lau. I know that it's going to be different but is it going to be better?
Still, it's nice to see that for a change, it is Hollywood copying/remaking a HK film, instead of the other way around. To be honest, I was a little surprised that no one had a go at trying to remark Andrew Lau's other milestone movie series: Young and Dangerous as I see that making an easier transition.
Anyway.
IF you still haven't seen Infernal Affairs, shame on you....
Click Here
I have to say, it seems to be pretty close to the original but of course, with the Buddhist elements removed. Not entirely sure how this will affect the feel of the film as in the original, the Buddhist themes worked to underline the plot and a few select lines of known script described the events perfectly, particulary the things about cycles and reprisals.
Only thing is, without the Buddhist elements, it seems to me that it'll just be another action/thriller and I'm a little wary that the trailer already seems a bit too action packed. Nice casting though but I'm not that convinced either.
DiCaprio is ok I guess and Damon has that whole Subdued psycho thing down pat but Nicholson? I can't see him really being the nice guy (spoiler alert) that the character was in the prequels. It'd be good to see if the master that is Scorsese can match the flair of Andrew Lau. I know that it's going to be different but is it going to be better?
Still, it's nice to see that for a change, it is Hollywood copying/remaking a HK film, instead of the other way around. To be honest, I was a little surprised that no one had a go at trying to remark Andrew Lau's other milestone movie series: Young and Dangerous as I see that making an easier transition.
Anyway.
IF you still haven't seen Infernal Affairs, shame on you....
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