I’m reading a thoroughly interesting book right now: Riding The Bus With My Sister: A True Life Journey by Rachel Simon. It chronicles the adventures of a creative writing professor as she joins her mentally retarded sister on her daily cruises on the city buses for a year.
There’s a blurb on the cover by Rosie O’Donnell, “An amazing book…it touched my soul”, which I didn’t realize was there till after I’d bought it.
I was happily going through the early chapters of the book last night after dinner. The TV was on. Hallmark was showing “Tuesdays with Morrie” and I was alternating between that and the book. Concidentally, I looked up during on intermission and found that I was looking at a trailer with Rosie O’Donnell in it. But first I saw Andie McDowell and I was thinking, “Hey! Rosie O’Donnell! What a coincidence. She’s got a blurb on the cover of this book.”
And then I thought, “Hey, how come Rosie O’Donnell looks like she’s playing a mentally retarded woman? And is Andie McDowell playing her sister?”
As the scenes pan through, I realize, Damn! This looks like it’s mirroring the book I’m reading! There’s Jesse, Beth’s equally retarded boyfriend, and buses…
Huh?
Wow! They made a movie of the book?
The end titles flash and confirm it.
Riding The Bus With My Sister, premieres on Hallmark on Oct 2.
Talk about coincidences.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Bat eyes
I decided to take a little more time today to whisk on a coat of mascara before I headed out to work. Normally that would take about 2 mins max as I wipe on first the primer and then the mascara onto right and left lashes.
Today, I poked the mascara wand into my left eye. And ended up with bat eyes.
I started tearing like crazy and tried wiping off the smudges on my lids with my fingertips. Then I whipped out the tissue to absorb the tears welling up and threatening to flow till kingdom come.
I contemplated bringing out my Ponds cold cream to get rid of the waterproof coating altogether, but on surveying the damage (a few dark brown spots on my upper lid that could be disguised with a little more Bobbi Brown shadow) decided that it would take up too much time. Instead, I swiped on another light coating of the waterproof gunk and proceeded down the stairs and out the door.
My left eye was ticking and there were still some remnant tears but heck it, I'm not going to be late for work because of some stoopid war paint. I hardly dump on the stuff on my lashes, and the day I decide to be a bit more meticulous, I poke my eye. No, and this hasn't happened to me before. I'm not THAT much of a klutz.
Swearing never to waste needless time and agony over mascara again (and of course, to be more careful next time), I say goodbye to the kitties and get in the car.
Today, I poked the mascara wand into my left eye. And ended up with bat eyes.
I started tearing like crazy and tried wiping off the smudges on my lids with my fingertips. Then I whipped out the tissue to absorb the tears welling up and threatening to flow till kingdom come.
I contemplated bringing out my Ponds cold cream to get rid of the waterproof coating altogether, but on surveying the damage (a few dark brown spots on my upper lid that could be disguised with a little more Bobbi Brown shadow) decided that it would take up too much time. Instead, I swiped on another light coating of the waterproof gunk and proceeded down the stairs and out the door.
My left eye was ticking and there were still some remnant tears but heck it, I'm not going to be late for work because of some stoopid war paint. I hardly dump on the stuff on my lashes, and the day I decide to be a bit more meticulous, I poke my eye. No, and this hasn't happened to me before. I'm not THAT much of a klutz.
Swearing never to waste needless time and agony over mascara again (and of course, to be more careful next time), I say goodbye to the kitties and get in the car.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The Tech Guy
I was supposed to go dancing on Friday. In fact, I WAS going dancing on Friday. At a stop light at Dataran Merdeka, I reached behind my seat for the box in which I kept all my shoes, including my dancing shoes.
Horror of horrors: my hand groped empty air. I'd left my box in the office when the car was taken in for a check.
So much for dancing. No heels, no jazz shoes; only my platform flip flops. I can hardly do a spin in those. So with much wailing, I drove over to Carmen's where Rizal was hanging out with his new buddies.
I felt quite conspicuous; everyone there was in their work attire (after office hanging out place, Carmen's is) and I was dressed in minimal halter neck and dancing pants with a low waist. I felt about as home as a square peg on a board of round holes all snugly fit with round pegs. Rizal came to get me at the door (I was intimidated by all the work clothes) and I trudged in behind him with my weather-beaten Mambo flip-flops. Promptly plonked myself into an armchair next to him and proceeded to zone out after the preliminary intros were made (my mind was still reeling from the shock of not being able to go dancing).
After a few minutes, Rizal decided to take me around Carmen's and introduce me to his circle. We didn't get very far. The first woman he introduced me to had a rather loud and animated response.
Rizal: Shirin, meet my wife, Poh Ling.
Shirin: (Looks taken aback) Oh, hi Poh Ling. Rizal, you sure ah, she's your wife.
Rizal: Yes, she's my wife.
Shirin: No-lah, come on! How can she be your wife? Come on, she can't be your wife!
She looks at me and asks, "You're his wife? Are you sure? You're ont pulling my leg?"
All this while I'm just laughing my head off at her reaction. She looked so incredulous.
Shirin: Rizal, come on lah! How can she be your wife? She looks so hip and happening!
Hahah, and I'm just soaking it in, guffawing and gloating.
Rizal: What, so you thought my wife's this tudung-wearing, stay at home, obedient woman?
By this time, we'd moved along and Shirin was pulling a couple of her friends over, asking, "Eh, do you think this is Rizal's wife?"
A couple of his friends who had met me before confirmed this, but she still remained incredulous and disbelieving.
Shirin: Rizal, I really can't believe this is your wife lah! You're so ...(at this point she makes a square with her fingers) ...square!
One of the guys pipes up and says, "Yah, it's his hair".
And then Shirin adds, "You must go to Peekaboo. They're the only ones who can do my hair."
The guys all add their acknowledgement and approval of Peekaboo.
"But I DO go to Peekaboo!!" protests Rizal.
"You must tell Sean to give you a new look," I add.
By this time, we're talking about other stuff and how the bunch of them want to learn Mandarin (they're all Malay) and I'm sorta trying to huddle behind Rizal when they ask, "Do you speak Mandarin?". Sheesh, such a banana.
I've been digressing. I was supposed to talk about the Tech Guy...
Anyway, we stayed on for a bit later. Quite a bit later. Towards the end, I catch 8TV's infamous Tech Guy, Gary. I've wondered to Rizal many times if Gary spoke in real life the way he does on TV. Geeky, sort of a Chinese accent, but quite adorably.
Apparently, he does.
The story is, his actually isn't Gary. Gary is just a stage name. However, since appearing on 8TV as Gary, people would come up to him and ask if he was Gary the Tech Guy. It got to the point where people were calling him Gary so he just changed his name to Gary.
I was introduced to the Tech Guy as we were heading to the entrance and getting read to leave. He really does look much better in real life than on TV. Of course, I had to blurt out and tell him that I was thrilled to see him and that, wow! he really talks the same in real life as on TV. And that I always wondered if he did. And then I asked him about his brother. To which he replied, "He's more than my brother."
And then I had mental visions popping in my head. More than his brother? His mentor? His partner? His twin? His ???...
Before I could blurt out something stupid, I was saved. "He's actually a reknowned DJ in the club circuit," says Gary. He then tells me his brother spins internationally as well and plays often at Zouk. For the life of me I can't remember what name he goes by. I know he told me, I just can't remember. My mind had to expand a vast amount of energy incorporating the image of Gary's geeky brother to the image of a suave, hip and happening DJ. "Wow!" I say. "That's amazing."
Do not judge a book by its cover flashes in my head as we head towards the door.
And so my evening out ends as we head home. It was an eventful one, albeit minus the dancing. Quite illuminating, I'd say. All in all, an interesting end to the workday week.
Horror of horrors: my hand groped empty air. I'd left my box in the office when the car was taken in for a check.
So much for dancing. No heels, no jazz shoes; only my platform flip flops. I can hardly do a spin in those. So with much wailing, I drove over to Carmen's where Rizal was hanging out with his new buddies.
I felt quite conspicuous; everyone there was in their work attire (after office hanging out place, Carmen's is) and I was dressed in minimal halter neck and dancing pants with a low waist. I felt about as home as a square peg on a board of round holes all snugly fit with round pegs. Rizal came to get me at the door (I was intimidated by all the work clothes) and I trudged in behind him with my weather-beaten Mambo flip-flops. Promptly plonked myself into an armchair next to him and proceeded to zone out after the preliminary intros were made (my mind was still reeling from the shock of not being able to go dancing).
After a few minutes, Rizal decided to take me around Carmen's and introduce me to his circle. We didn't get very far. The first woman he introduced me to had a rather loud and animated response.
Rizal: Shirin, meet my wife, Poh Ling.
Shirin: (Looks taken aback) Oh, hi Poh Ling. Rizal, you sure ah, she's your wife.
Rizal: Yes, she's my wife.
Shirin: No-lah, come on! How can she be your wife? Come on, she can't be your wife!
She looks at me and asks, "You're his wife? Are you sure? You're ont pulling my leg?"
All this while I'm just laughing my head off at her reaction. She looked so incredulous.
Shirin: Rizal, come on lah! How can she be your wife? She looks so hip and happening!
Hahah, and I'm just soaking it in, guffawing and gloating.
Rizal: What, so you thought my wife's this tudung-wearing, stay at home, obedient woman?
By this time, we'd moved along and Shirin was pulling a couple of her friends over, asking, "Eh, do you think this is Rizal's wife?"
A couple of his friends who had met me before confirmed this, but she still remained incredulous and disbelieving.
Shirin: Rizal, I really can't believe this is your wife lah! You're so ...(at this point she makes a square with her fingers) ...square!
One of the guys pipes up and says, "Yah, it's his hair".
And then Shirin adds, "You must go to Peekaboo. They're the only ones who can do my hair."
The guys all add their acknowledgement and approval of Peekaboo.
"But I DO go to Peekaboo!!" protests Rizal.
"You must tell Sean to give you a new look," I add.
By this time, we're talking about other stuff and how the bunch of them want to learn Mandarin (they're all Malay) and I'm sorta trying to huddle behind Rizal when they ask, "Do you speak Mandarin?". Sheesh, such a banana.
I've been digressing. I was supposed to talk about the Tech Guy...
Anyway, we stayed on for a bit later. Quite a bit later. Towards the end, I catch 8TV's infamous Tech Guy, Gary. I've wondered to Rizal many times if Gary spoke in real life the way he does on TV. Geeky, sort of a Chinese accent, but quite adorably.
Apparently, he does.
The story is, his actually isn't Gary. Gary is just a stage name. However, since appearing on 8TV as Gary, people would come up to him and ask if he was Gary the Tech Guy. It got to the point where people were calling him Gary so he just changed his name to Gary.
I was introduced to the Tech Guy as we were heading to the entrance and getting read to leave. He really does look much better in real life than on TV. Of course, I had to blurt out and tell him that I was thrilled to see him and that, wow! he really talks the same in real life as on TV. And that I always wondered if he did. And then I asked him about his brother. To which he replied, "He's more than my brother."
And then I had mental visions popping in my head. More than his brother? His mentor? His partner? His twin? His ???...
Before I could blurt out something stupid, I was saved. "He's actually a reknowned DJ in the club circuit," says Gary. He then tells me his brother spins internationally as well and plays often at Zouk. For the life of me I can't remember what name he goes by. I know he told me, I just can't remember. My mind had to expand a vast amount of energy incorporating the image of Gary's geeky brother to the image of a suave, hip and happening DJ. "Wow!" I say. "That's amazing."
Do not judge a book by its cover flashes in my head as we head towards the door.
And so my evening out ends as we head home. It was an eventful one, albeit minus the dancing. Quite illuminating, I'd say. All in all, an interesting end to the workday week.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Feline Fiend
I'm a feline fiend. What else would be the reason for me to purchase the magazine shown here? And the worst part was, someone had randomly discarded it at one of the bestseller shelves at Kino, I happened to pass by, was piqued and decided to buy it without even unwrapping it.Maybe I'm just a shopping fiend. See, must buy.
It is an interesting find though. I must say, now I've got some idea of what to do with the kitty litter pans that sit under my brand new hallway mirror: I know how to make them "blend in" in with the rest of the furnishings...
I won't divulge now. But it's a cool idea :)
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Too Smart
I'm now totally convinced my kitties are too smart for their own good.
Two nights ago I placed a light metal box behind my bathroom sliding door to block the furballs from sliding it open. I think the box was too light; it didn't have an effect on them trying to open the door. They still got it open.
Last night I placed a heavier plastic box behind the door to keep them from opening it. Again, I found the door slightly ajar this morning! What is it with the furballs and opening doors??!!!
Before I left for salsa class last night, I left some keropok out on the dining table. I had bought this from a sweet little old lady sitting outside RHB bank in Taman Tun. One of the packets was fish keropok. When I came home last night, I found all three packets on the floor. The tapioca and sweet potato keropok were untouched but the rascals had bitten through and torn the packet with the fish keropok!! The plastic bag was littered with pock marks and holes from their attempts and there was a big gash on the side of the bag where they'd managed to rip it apart. I didn't see any keropok bits left on the floor so I think they must have been happily munching on the keropok up till the time I came home.
Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh!!!
My keropok!!
While I transferred the remaining keropok to safety (don't let a good thing go to waste, I say) I dropped a few bits onto the floor and the boy was on them in a flash! Omigawd!!! Such an oinker!!!!
I think they must be totally stir crazy and total oinkers to tear up my bag of keropok and that they find such delight in trying to slide open my bathroom door.
Aiyoooh!!
Oh, and the girl loves to tear paper up into bits and pieces and leave the mess for me to clean up. I swear, the two furballs are worse than dogs!
I've gotta think of a way to stop them from opening the sliding door again tonite. Sheesh!
Two nights ago I placed a light metal box behind my bathroom sliding door to block the furballs from sliding it open. I think the box was too light; it didn't have an effect on them trying to open the door. They still got it open.
Last night I placed a heavier plastic box behind the door to keep them from opening it. Again, I found the door slightly ajar this morning! What is it with the furballs and opening doors??!!!
Before I left for salsa class last night, I left some keropok out on the dining table. I had bought this from a sweet little old lady sitting outside RHB bank in Taman Tun. One of the packets was fish keropok. When I came home last night, I found all three packets on the floor. The tapioca and sweet potato keropok were untouched but the rascals had bitten through and torn the packet with the fish keropok!! The plastic bag was littered with pock marks and holes from their attempts and there was a big gash on the side of the bag where they'd managed to rip it apart. I didn't see any keropok bits left on the floor so I think they must have been happily munching on the keropok up till the time I came home.
Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh!!!
My keropok!!
While I transferred the remaining keropok to safety (don't let a good thing go to waste, I say) I dropped a few bits onto the floor and the boy was on them in a flash! Omigawd!!! Such an oinker!!!!
I think they must be totally stir crazy and total oinkers to tear up my bag of keropok and that they find such delight in trying to slide open my bathroom door.
Aiyoooh!!
Oh, and the girl loves to tear paper up into bits and pieces and leave the mess for me to clean up. I swear, the two furballs are worse than dogs!
I've gotta think of a way to stop them from opening the sliding door again tonite. Sheesh!
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Survival
I was walking in SS2 today, intent on my destination.
A non-descript man, possibly in his 40s or 50s maybe, dressed in a blue t-shirt and jeans approached me with a packet of pens. I slowed my pace just a tiny bit but continued walking.
"Miss, please buy."
I gave the packet a passing glance and continued walking on.
"Miss, please help me. Miss, no one will give me a job," he says in a shaky voice.
By the time he'd finished his sentence I'd walked on and left him talking to the air. I was in a hurry and I had somewhere to go.
Right after he'd finished his sentence, a heavy weight of guilt presses on me. I turn back to look and he's just come out of a shop with his packet of pens.
The weight of guilt stays with me. I can't shake it and I realise my problems are so small compared to the problems of others.
I ask the one above to look over the man.
I tell myself if he's still around when I'm done with my appointment, I'll buy a packet of pens off him.
When I come out about an hour later, he's nowhere to be seen.
I could have made a small difference, but I gave up the chance.
A non-descript man, possibly in his 40s or 50s maybe, dressed in a blue t-shirt and jeans approached me with a packet of pens. I slowed my pace just a tiny bit but continued walking.
"Miss, please buy."
I gave the packet a passing glance and continued walking on.
"Miss, please help me. Miss, no one will give me a job," he says in a shaky voice.
By the time he'd finished his sentence I'd walked on and left him talking to the air. I was in a hurry and I had somewhere to go.
Right after he'd finished his sentence, a heavy weight of guilt presses on me. I turn back to look and he's just come out of a shop with his packet of pens.
The weight of guilt stays with me. I can't shake it and I realise my problems are so small compared to the problems of others.
I ask the one above to look over the man.
I tell myself if he's still around when I'm done with my appointment, I'll buy a packet of pens off him.
When I come out about an hour later, he's nowhere to be seen.
I could have made a small difference, but I gave up the chance.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Smart Alecks
I spent the weekend hovering between sick and tired. Friday night I had the sniffles, actually a continuation of the sniffles that started in the morning. By the time Friday evening rolled around, I was dead tired from all the sneezing throughout the day.
Saturday evening I was scheduled to attend the studio party, however that had to be shelved because I felt a gnawing pain in my throat and a different kind of runny nose had started. Not my usual sinusy runny nose but a flooded, stuck-in-your-throat kind of cold. So I ended up retiring early while the hubby started his game with his buddies downstairs.
It was a fitful sleep. Not because of the raucous boys downstairs, but because of my smart aleck cats. I'm convinced that I need to do something about a) the kitties opening the bathroom door (it's a sliding glass panel door with no latch) or b) putting up a mosquito screen at the bathroom window. I was plagued by mossies for the most part of the night. I killed one sometime in my tossings and turnings (a blotch of dried blood on my pillow proved so) but I couldn't kill the other that was left around buzzing in my ear and plonking itself on my arms for a succulent meal of fresh blood.
Like I said, I'm convinced it was the kitties, namely Trixie, who nosed her way into sliding the bathroom door open and letting loose the mossies in my room because the same thing happened last night. I had a mossy-ridden sleep. And I woke up to find the bathroom door had slid open by half a foot and the two brown culprits staring (one guiltily, and the other startled) at me from the mat in front of the door.
My kitties are too smart.
Saturday evening I was scheduled to attend the studio party, however that had to be shelved because I felt a gnawing pain in my throat and a different kind of runny nose had started. Not my usual sinusy runny nose but a flooded, stuck-in-your-throat kind of cold. So I ended up retiring early while the hubby started his game with his buddies downstairs.
It was a fitful sleep. Not because of the raucous boys downstairs, but because of my smart aleck cats. I'm convinced that I need to do something about a) the kitties opening the bathroom door (it's a sliding glass panel door with no latch) or b) putting up a mosquito screen at the bathroom window. I was plagued by mossies for the most part of the night. I killed one sometime in my tossings and turnings (a blotch of dried blood on my pillow proved so) but I couldn't kill the other that was left around buzzing in my ear and plonking itself on my arms for a succulent meal of fresh blood.
Like I said, I'm convinced it was the kitties, namely Trixie, who nosed her way into sliding the bathroom door open and letting loose the mossies in my room because the same thing happened last night. I had a mossy-ridden sleep. And I woke up to find the bathroom door had slid open by half a foot and the two brown culprits staring (one guiltily, and the other startled) at me from the mat in front of the door.
My kitties are too smart.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Be Careful What You Wish For
I did wish that a few of the interview candidates would not show up. I must be more careful what I wish for.
We had 8 interview candidates lined up. Only 1 showed up.
What's with the people today? Set up and confirmed time but never show up. True, we are not the big boys and we're a small set up. We probably won't blacklist (but I do remember when people don't show up) but people should have the common decency to at least call the interviewer and inform them if they are not going to show up. I know I'd call up even though the company was small. Ijets! I hope those no-shows fail in their other interviews!
I remember when the no-shows first happened to me, I was quite bothered. Nowadays when interviews are set up, I've come to expect a 50-60% no-show rate. Today was the worst. It's just a waste of time when you've scheduled a full day and you're left with no shows. Think of all the other more productive things you could do. Customer visits, product updates, sales updates, etc.
I must be more careful with what I wish for. Maybe I should just start wishing for more money and more sales, hahah!!
We had 8 interview candidates lined up. Only 1 showed up.
What's with the people today? Set up and confirmed time but never show up. True, we are not the big boys and we're a small set up. We probably won't blacklist (but I do remember when people don't show up) but people should have the common decency to at least call the interviewer and inform them if they are not going to show up. I know I'd call up even though the company was small. Ijets! I hope those no-shows fail in their other interviews!
I remember when the no-shows first happened to me, I was quite bothered. Nowadays when interviews are set up, I've come to expect a 50-60% no-show rate. Today was the worst. It's just a waste of time when you've scheduled a full day and you're left with no shows. Think of all the other more productive things you could do. Customer visits, product updates, sales updates, etc.
I must be more careful with what I wish for. Maybe I should just start wishing for more money and more sales, hahah!!
Wearing Me Down
I have to keep reminding myself I'm not a young spritely thing anymore. I'm only a year after 30 but my body protests like a septuagenarian's. My knees ache, my back aches and most recently after a somewhat hectic two weeks resulting in lack of sleep, my nose is berserk and I feel like a useless sack of rotten potatoes. How much worse can it get? Actually a lot more but I shall not dwell on all the negatives that could crop up.
On the one hand, I have a lot of things to be thankful for (no major illnesses, my health other than the nose, knees and back is relatively fine). I'm not in the pinkest of financial health (or should i say blackest??) but at least I have no immediate wants or needs that I cannot not take care of.
On the other hand, I have to treat my knees and back with kid gloves. Just yesterday I resorted to buying a pair of jazz dance shoes just so can salsa without the heels (the heels are what caused the recurrence of knee problems, methinks). For the record, the jazz shoes are so comfy I may just chuck my salsa shoes into the cupboard and leave them in oblivion!
I also have to step up on my massage sessions to treat the back and shoulders. I'm reluctant to return to Aikido because I know I will somehow or other end up screwing up my falls and hurt something somewhere. Sigh, the possibilities are endless. To top it all off, today my nose is screwing up royally and has in its own mind to teach me a lesson to take better care of my body. If I move around too much, I start sneezing uncontrollably. Which results in my eyes welling up and overflowing with tears and puffing up into major LVs. Did I mention that I am conducting interviews today? And that my wish for some of the candidates not to turn up came true?
I have another 4 hours to go. Am eagerly awaiting the end of the day when I can head home and just crash into my bed. Who needs dinner when the body overules food in favour of sleep? This is how I know that I will never be able to participate in Discovery's Eco Challenge and any of those games where you need to be able to race on limited sleep and rest. I'd be the first one to be disqualified.
Such is life...
On the one hand, I have a lot of things to be thankful for (no major illnesses, my health other than the nose, knees and back is relatively fine). I'm not in the pinkest of financial health (or should i say blackest??) but at least I have no immediate wants or needs that I cannot not take care of.
On the other hand, I have to treat my knees and back with kid gloves. Just yesterday I resorted to buying a pair of jazz dance shoes just so can salsa without the heels (the heels are what caused the recurrence of knee problems, methinks). For the record, the jazz shoes are so comfy I may just chuck my salsa shoes into the cupboard and leave them in oblivion!
I also have to step up on my massage sessions to treat the back and shoulders. I'm reluctant to return to Aikido because I know I will somehow or other end up screwing up my falls and hurt something somewhere. Sigh, the possibilities are endless. To top it all off, today my nose is screwing up royally and has in its own mind to teach me a lesson to take better care of my body. If I move around too much, I start sneezing uncontrollably. Which results in my eyes welling up and overflowing with tears and puffing up into major LVs. Did I mention that I am conducting interviews today? And that my wish for some of the candidates not to turn up came true?
I have another 4 hours to go. Am eagerly awaiting the end of the day when I can head home and just crash into my bed. Who needs dinner when the body overules food in favour of sleep? This is how I know that I will never be able to participate in Discovery's Eco Challenge and any of those games where you need to be able to race on limited sleep and rest. I'd be the first one to be disqualified.
Such is life...
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Full Steam Ahead
It's been a hectic week and it looks like the pace is not slowing down even now. I had Japanese visitors down for work Tues till today. Tomorrow is interview day. So said because my entire day is crammed full with interviews. Holy fucking shit! How the hell am I supposed to cram 30 mins of interviews with candidates? One after another from 9.30am - 3.30pm? Looking at the schedule, I am hoping that a few of them will not turn up. It's bad but I'm exhausted just looking at the schedule? Trust my HR to cram as much as they can into the schedule. Oh well...
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