Sunday, 17 May 2015
Micro Sleep
So I woke up s'morning at about a quarter past seven, thought "No, too early to get up" and lay there. I was thinking gord nose what and next time I looked at my watch it said 7.35 then at 7.37 thinking "I will get up at 8 as normal". Next time I looked at my watch it said 8.15, I must have micro slept the last half an hour
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Haven't Made This For Ages
So for dinner tonight I asked Ed "Roast veg or pasta?" and he replied "Pasta" so I got stuck into chopping veg and grating cheese etc and even tho I haven't made it for ages it was reasonably lovely.
AND I have got half the veg I chopped in the freezer now so it will be even easier next time
Ache
And I feel a bit wonky s'morning but no bruises from my fall over last night.
I think, on reflection, that GGtGG had to rearrange the room and pick up my wheelchair etc but I was more than capable of picking myself off the floor, which I wouldn't have expected myself to be able to do, so perhaps I am less fscked than I give myself credit for
Friday, 15 May 2015
Making Friends
And we are off to't pub tonight to meet up with my beautiful neighbour and her hubby who have lived here about 2 weeks longer than I have. We met them last week and she said "Next Friday" so go about making friends locally etc etc
......jeroo
And we are off in a bit to my one class at t'gym each week. Wish me luck.....
And to some extent it was inspirational. I did say to Sam how much I don't like the class but.... and she said "But you can see how much good it is doing you", how right was she. She did also comment on how my right arm is no longer going into the holding baby position when I am doing some exercises which it used to. She also told me how I inspired one chap to come and keep exercising. He had had a stroke and thought he had got as well as he could so was gonna leave class, one day he saw me walking in and said "He used to be wheelchair bound" and realised that there is hope for us all
Aard......
So we went to Aardvark s'morning, had to pay to park but..... So we went into Aardvark, did my usual shopping and then, when we were ½ way to the till I thought "No, pasta too" so we bought some pasta, some veg and some organic tomato and chilli sauce so next week we have another meal that is properly cooked (OK, not made from scratch but better than the frozen thingies I have been serving). So next week, I cook pizza one night, roast veg another, scrambled eggs another, then the pasta and nonsense a fourth night so a minority of frozen food, only 3 night
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Gymming
So after a brew s'morning we headed over to gym. I did some lifty weights and astonished myself that I can now just do one of the arm exercises, I really used to struggle with my right arm but now it is so much more equal. Then I had about half a session on the bike because I was trying too hard and exhausted myself. On the way home I walked up the stairs in't gym to make up for it. Down in lift, up stairs and back down in lift to head home
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
More Shopping
So after my nap we went shopping, looking for a bigger washing up bowl, one big enough to actually take a plate flat. We found the tape, measured the sink and the old bowl. First of all we tried Wilko's but they were all as small as my existing bowl. So then we headed to The Range and after some looking found one that was 1cm bigger than the sink. But Alex said "It's tall enough to be out of the sink" and when we bought it and brought it home it is. And the plate fits in it flat
Another Busy Morning
So first of all me and Alex headed out to buy a screen protector for my phone. First of all we went to the recommended shop, they had loads of protectors but not one for the A5. So then we headed market-wards as it was market day and in the end found another shop, she thought she had none but then found one. Because I was being charming she cleaned off my screen and fitted it, which was nice.
Then we nipped to the 'wimming pool and did my usual exercises and lengths. It was too busy to swim breadths so I couldn't try swimming on my front but.......
Tuesday, 12 May 2015
My New Phone
Does this work then? 😑
Well it does work but you can't see the smiley I put at the end of the line, but it is proving itself capable of everything. Samsung A5 it's called
Lordy. I have stopped playing around with it long enough to go on my PC for a play. I seem able to type pretty well, even tho it doesn't have buttons which I am very glad about
Timmyday
Good lord, so I am having a Timmyday today. So s'morning we went to gym, on 2 machines for half an hour, then we nipped to the O2 shop and hummed and hawed then decided to get a Samsung A5 phone. Then we came home, ate lunch and every minute since before I finished we have been getting stuck into phone. I am still confused etc but Timmy said "Just play with it" so....
Monday, 11 May 2015
Paint
Then we nipped to B&Q to buy a small tin of (very) expensive "painting metal" paint to do the door numbers and a tin of emulsion to paint around where that goes and over the door etc etc
Physio
Then after lunch Sarah Davies the physio came to see me and did balance tests etc, my berg balance etc
GorgeousGertrude (SexySuzanna?)
So LusciousLinda came and did my feet s'morning. She has been all over since 7 o'clock this morning, I can't imagine having my toenails cut so early but I suppose some people have it dun in't morning before going to work for the day
Bladder
So I went to bed at about 12.summat last night and stayed in bed until 8 am s'morning, no loo visits. I did need a pee when I woke up s'morning, I went to the loo, started, carried on, and carried on...... and carried on some more. It was an enormous pee. But it hadn't leaked out at all last night or owt
Sunday, 10 May 2015
More Reasons
And because my timetable for tomorrow is full of Georgeous Gertrude (or Luscious Linda) coming to cut my toennails we headed for Morrisons. And bought bugger all as my salad is ready to harvest here.
But the electricity seems to be properly fixed s'afternoon, it's working
Power Cut(s)
And I got up s'morning, said to GGtGG "What's that beeping noise?" he said "The router?" and then we discovered that the light wouldn't come on to help us look, it wasn't working either, no lights, ah we've had a power cut. He was boiling a kettle on't cooker while I went to the fridge to take out my cereal, when I opened the fridge the light in there was working, power had come back on, everything was working again
Then half way thru my muesli it went off again
And half way thru my coffee it came back on
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Roasted Veg
And we had the usual Sat dinner of roasted veg tonight with 2 differences. I put most of the veg on to roast for three quarters of an hour but added 1 red pepper (chopped in 4) and a floret of broccoli 20 mins before I took it out and it was extra delicious
And I did all the chopping for cooking with my right hand
Hot Water
And it occurs to me, in the bath, that any time of day or night I just have to turn the hot tap on and it comes.
Any house that I lived in with my parents or later alone or with a partner, in any/every house you needed to light the fire or turn the immersion on.See these modern systems...
In Town
So we nipped to Carmarthen to buy some printer paper for "them", so then I said 'Push me around town' so we explored from one end of town to the other
On the way around town I met one of the wannabe singer/guitarists from..... Folk Club. She stopped to speak to us and did comment that when she first met me, a year or 3 ago that my speech wasn't as clear then, whereas nowadays it is as good as most peoples. Which was good to hear, because the people I speak to most are "my staff" who have practised listening to me so they can't really say if it is clearer or not. So not only was it good to meet someone that beautiful, but she made me feel happier about my speechAnd while heading around town we called into Nomads shop where I wish my brother hadn't bought me so many clothes (from Belfast), when they wear out I will have to replace them from here. And I knew the woman who was working there which felt a bit strange
Not that I can shut up nowadays, practicing you see...
Friday, 8 May 2015
Pub
So we went to my local pub tonight. When we got in there was one other person playing the fruit machine. Within 3 minutes of arriving a coachload of chaps looking for food arrived followed again by 5 or 6 locals who came round and chatted with us. Noted was my neighbour from half way up the street (no. 40) who I was flirting with as her husband had fallen asleep on the sofa, they had been to another pub first
Friday Fun
So then we went to the usual Friday ritual of going to proper class in gym, with Sam.
It does my head in as I am so much better but still struggling with what would have seemed like minor inconveniences this time last year, but they are still big struggles
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Moishe's Do
Then tonight we headed out to see Moishe's do, to fund raise for her trip to Canada. Basically there was an ongoing auction of various goods and services that had been donated but I was way too tight fisted to be involved in the hundreds of quids being raised. Between times there were various muso's and entertainers who were also well worth it.
I sat next to Julia who was there with Freya and also saw Stuart and loadsa folk that I don't know as well but have met before.The beautiful woman who was due to work for me but couldn't fit it in was there too
Waste Energy
So GGtGG and I were talking and I said "Wot?" he said "Have you never heard of..." and I said "No"
Talk about wasting energy etc
X-word
And as me and my chap got stuck into the crossword together today, I had done about 50% of it before he arrived and we finished the complete crossword s'morning.
They call this one "quick", it is much too difficult for us normal chaps.....
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
'Wimming
So we are going off swimming in a bit before coming back and awaiting the wheelchair fixer chap who is gonna fit some don't tip over backwards bits to my new chair
Well that was strange, I was thinking my right foot/leg is better but I can't say how/why but then it occured to me, getting into the pool I was able to use my right leg to get me down the last long step getting in, then when I was getting out I was able to use it to do the opposite. For 12.summat years my right leg hasn't been that capable but today it isBut we just beat him here, he was 25 minutes early so I was still eating my lunch when he arrived, he fitted a tip the chair backwards up a kerb device instead of what I expected, but I am pleased anyway, it works and makes it easier to push me
Pooper Scooper
And first thing s'morning the phones stopped working, I thought "WTF ?" Then realisedd the internet was down too then a few minutes later it all started working much faster
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
New Router
And there has been a surprisingly large number of gadgets which won't work until I have enteres the password for the new router, eg printers, blog etc
Shopping AND gym
So we headed off to Wilko's (2nd time in 3 days, I know) and I walked in and carried my heavy basket with 6 mouthwashes, back to the till all by myself. No help was needed even tho I nearly cried out for some, loads
Then on the same trip out we went to gym, and walked in despite the wind now being so strong, and did my strength exercises
Monday, 4 May 2015
Nipped Out
Then 'bout dinner time we headed down to Farm Foods and bought some more oven chips and a few Cream Egg lollies
Hectic-ish
So in a few days we hopefully have the "switch on the uber-broadband" and the next day I am scheduled to get a new mobile phone
Dunno, I might keep this one, and pay a lot less as it is paid for. Just paranoid about being able to get everything that I use this phone for on my new phone
-tastic
So we (me and SP) headed to gym today. I said "No swimming, it's half term" but when we got there the pool looked empty but 4 under 8yo kids had passed us as I walked in so it might have been busy in 10 minutes. So I did 20 minutes on the bike and then 10 minutes on the rowing machine. SmallPaul was just astonished at how much better I am generally
It is frankly astonishing being able to use the rowing machine tho, I just couldn't a while ago
Actually Reading
So I have bought another book for my Kindle and, this is the third or fourth I have got in the last week or so and the difference is this one is actually readable, I am enjoying it. The previous ones lasted 5 or 6 pages before closing them, this one is excellent
Sunday, 3 May 2015
Bank Holiday Tomorrow
As it's a bank holiday tomorrow we had to nip to Morrison's s'morning, for an even smaller than usual shop. I needed rolls, naan bread, blueberries etc but I didn't need salad today, and by the looks of it I won't need it for a few weeks
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Friday, 1 May 2015
Garlic Pizza
So I made my usual Pizza's for tea tonight (and it was perhaps even lovelier than usual) and as is now usual I crushed some garlic to add. I thought I could taste it on most mouthfuls but for some reason on 1 mouthful I could definitely taste garlic. Dunno why, don't think it was too strong but for whatever reason 1 mouthful tasted well garlicky, I could definitely recognise the flavour
New Router
And it was posted thru the letter box while I was @ gym, so we read the instructions, it said "Connect" so we plugged it in and it wouldn't connect. So we've reconnected the existing router until Wednesday 6th when it will cease working.....
Aardvarking
And we are off in a bit to Aardvark.
But BT are supposed to be delivering my new router......
And we went off to Aardvark, did my usual loadsa shopping and the assistant actually gave me the money off that I deserve
And no BT man by the time we got back to find Timmy still working away here
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Freya Meeting Us
And Freya contacted me s'morning and said "Iechyd Da?" so I replied "See you there later..."
And it was as excellent as a..... There seemed to be folk playing tunes as opposed to nonsense so....
Early Lunch
And we had an early lunch today as we had to go to the dentist for a filling. It didn't hurt much but was an unpleasant experience
But she was well impressed with how much better my teeth look since I started using those Floss thingies and my mouthwash
Wednesday, 29 April 2015
Mynydd Cerrig
And we went out for a drive through places I used to live in, GGtGG said he could find Mynydd Cerrig (which I couldn't find last time, despite living there for ages) so we set off, thru there then across the valley past the Gardens
Can't Cope
And next few weeks are proving a bit mental. I get new super dooper faster broadband and fly to Belfast for my Dad's birthday. I have been too busy to get my head round it so far...
Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Hows He Doing?
And Timmy is currently here with Alex and they are doing a "How's he getting on?" kind of meeting, in Timmy's role as the team leader
Monday, 27 April 2015
A Present For You
So I have made myself summat for the election and I have put a zipped edition here to share
In Between Time
So in between me swimming and geekiness we phoned the airline, booked us on flights to and from Belfast for my Dad's birthday, and spoke to my mother who had been up to the hotel to view, was well impressed and booked us 3 nights there, in a disabled room, to be paid for when we leave
Uber Geek
Then today Timmy phoned BT and assisted me, enquiring about broadband. He hummed and ha'd and in the end they said that as my contract had ran out months ago and hadn't been renewed that I was currently paying far too much for my not very broadband. Basically on 6th May they are gonna switch my line to uber broadband and it is gonna cost less than it does ATM
4th Game
And it was the fourth game sitting at the breakfast table before I won it, s'morning
And Busy Day#174 now.....
Sunday, 26 April 2015
Wasted Sunday Afternoon
So we went out and drove around the place for a bit, had a push up the new shopping centre then went to Caffè Nero and had a brew
More Reasons
So we had to nip to Morrisons s'morning and got a small amount of food, but salad was the most urgent.
Having done that I cut some of the lettuce that I have grown in my trug and had those for lunch.
Which feels nice on so many levels
Saturday, 25 April 2015
Out For The 'Nooneraft
So we went out getting lost^Hexploring today and in the end we made it to Amroth, beyond St Clears and on the coast. We called into The Temple Bar where I had an orange juice and soda then headed home
Friday, 24 April 2015
No Right Hand
So I prepare my muesli night before and add blueberries and more milk with my right hand in't morning. But last night I put on some extra milk so I didn't have to do it s'morning with my right hand. Can't remember if I used my right or left hand last night as I have been extra concentrating and using my right hand in the mornings for a few days
Second Busy
So we have a second busy day today. First of all I go to Aardvark and do most of my weeks (according to Timmy too dear) shopping. Then I come back here and make a lunch to eat in the car on the way to my next appointment. Then we head to the major hospital in Swansea where they have my new wheelchair waiting for me, months after I ordered it
So we did my Aardvark* shopping, came back, put it away, made sum lunch to take to Swansea in half an hour and now I'm having a coffee instead of after lunch* I bought some blueberries in Aardvark too, they have obviously come back into season
And that was quick and easy. We arrived 15 minutes early, waited for 10 then were called in and in it seemed like no time I was given my new chair. It has some subtle differences, the velcro strap that I had to buy to fit my 'stick to the old chair is bolted on to this chair. The biggest difference is the tyres, they are now pump up air tyres like bicycle tyres
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Getting Ready
And s'morning I had to remove the plugs from my phone and my iPad which sit on chairs in the way in the dining room, usually "we" can fit round them but as a Team Meeting is going on today there will be too many seats sat on
So it's the start of the well busy 2 days, today we have a Team Meeting and tomorrow we have to head to the hospital in Swansea to get my new wheelchair, the one I have been waiting for for some months now
And when I was leaving the first part of the meeting I heard someone say "Shut that door" so I had to turn around, knock, and say to Denyse "Je t'adore"
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
I Am Getting Better
And I took a picture of myself pouring milk on my cereal s'morning because I can now do it with my right hand. It hurt, was difficult etc but I can do it at all, so it will be a little easier tomorrow etc etc
Oh What Fun We Had...
So we went to swimming pool at lunchtime today. It was nearly empty and I did 4 lengths and various exercises
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
That Place
That T place, so tonight I requested a visit to Tesco's to....... pick up some more sweet potato oven chips. So while I was there I thought I might as well pick up some Cream Egg Lollies but they had none, not one left. So Farmfoods for that then
Aberaeron
So today after lunch we headed out to Aberaeron (due north of Carmarthen, on the coast), as recommended by Alex and it was remarkable. Very beautiful countryside on the way there and a posh, flat town with wide pavements. (There were actually loads of those cripple scooters there) There was a tidal harbour right in town which was remarkable and a walk past that was the delicious ice cream shop that we called at. There was also a "Bigbelly solar compactor" waste bin there which impressed me on so many levels
And not needing a pee every 15 minutes still fills me with joy even tho it has become habit now.....
And I feel that there were some photos "views of the whole town" that were not taken as I was too busy walking to look around fully
Light
And I was up for a pee at a quarter to six s'morning and I didn't need to switch the light on, it was bright already
And I walked into the bathroom in my bare feet, walked up to the loo without holding on to anything, I am so much better @ walking since last year. Just generally I am astonished at my FES device, what a difference it is making. We phoned them yesterday and said "Can we have a new infoot sensor...." they said "First try this..... and....." and by the time Timmy had finished talking to them it was working again
Monday, 20 April 2015
Not Swimming
And as my timetable is a bit fscked about this week Timmy said "Gym, not swimming" today and we got stuck into the heart exercises, the rowing machine followed by the bike. Timmy thought that I was too tired so should stop after 15 mins on the bike but I carried on 'til the end. And then walked out of gym to the car, out of car back indoors
Sunday, 19 April 2015
Walkies
And I was able to walk on uneven surfaces, well wrinkly ones this weekend. I an getting so much generally better
Immediately Back Out
Then we got in home, put the washing on and then headed off to Morrisons to buy the weeks foor and a little milk, hopefully I will get the rest of the milk in Aardvark when I do my weeks shopping there tomorrow
Home Again (Jiggity, jig)
So we made it back s'morning.
For a start I managed the whole journey without a pee and it is still pale coloured....... So we left there to much positive noise, I had been trying to show off and many people commented on how much I was walking.Yesterday we drove into Hay On Wye, parked up in the free car park which is a bit out of town, I got out of the car and walked the whole way into town, narrow pavements in places, not smooth underfoot in places, SP was pushing my 'chair in front to clear the way but I didn't use it in the ¾ of an hour walk thru town to a cafe, OR the same distance walk back. Many people coming thghe other saw my situation and stepped down out of my way, I was impressed with the general level of courtesy
I knew many of the people there, got to know a few more and just generally felt welcomedAnd the loo in the bedroom in the hotel was even lower than this one here, there was no "Raise your loo" on it like here and I still managed to pee and pooh properly
Friday, 17 April 2015
So Much Better
Just walked from the living room to the kitchen, without my FES fitted and it is frankly astonoshing how much flatter my right foot is even without it being on, that device has done me so much good
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Ready To Go
So today I sat down and watched Timmy get ready my gear for SoS, he got all the clothes and listed all the bits SmallPaul needs to take tomorrow. We are setting off in the afternoon, I am partially excited and partially shitting myself, we no longer have any connection....
Washing Up Again
And as Timmy wasn't eating here tonight I took it on myself to do the washing up again, my plates etc from lunchtime and the tat from dinner
Gymtastic
So s'morning me and Timmy headed over to gym, no wheelchair was taken, we were having a gym session. As Sara had talked about improving my arms we got stuck in and did 3 full on arm type exercises. It is astonishing how much better I am at some of those, my right shoulder still hurts but it works nearly as well as the left. And every time I do a session like this it hurts a bit less, it is freer(1)
(1) Check it
Getting Ready
So today me and Timmy will take out all my "stuff" for taking away tomorrow, with the exception of my toothbrush etc, and lay it out in piles on the settee so thet SmallPaul can check it out and pack it away and know what I am taking etc then head away to Clyro Court, Herefordshire for the Ixion do tomorrow....
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Odd Shopping
Then we went out looking for some "quick charge" rechargeable batteries like the ones that are in my landline phones. In the 3rd place we looked he said "Of course, here....."
But they were roughly £1.50 per AAA battery, how much did I have to pay for the 8 batteries I was after/needed?
Swimming
And we are off in a bit to the swimming pool where we are meeting up with Sara the physio for a session
And she was rather impressed. It is 4 months since she saw me and she was well impressed at how much progress I am making. So I swam 2 breadths with no float for her too. She advised me how to try to move my arms while swimming too
Afterwards in the changing room I parked my 'chair up, walked to the taps pushing an in shower chair and was able to clean myself while standing up, then I walked back pushing the assistant chair again. On my feet the whole way thru
Tuesday, 14 April 2015
They Arrived
And eventually my pin up thingies arrived. I bought them on Amazon, contacted the seller last week and said "Where r they?" and he said "They are coming from China" which I kind of object to on the grounds of support local businesses but I have done it. They arrived and I am relatively pleased with them but surely a Welsh carpenter could have made them for roughly the same cost
Urgent Pooh
So I got up s'morning, walked into the kitchen, took my medicine, took 2 steps towards the breakfast area then thought "Hang on...", turned around and then went to loo and had a 'pre breakfast pooh' which is reasonably unusual, usually my routine is breakfast, pooh, get on with the day.....
Monday, 13 April 2015
Hectic
And then we had a hectic, unpleasant trip to the swimming pool.
A) A chap had ignored the sign that sez "Don't leave your stuff in the changing room", left his stuff and kind of half outside locked the door on the big "2 person" changing room. So we had to go to another smaller, not as well equipped, room
B) Primary schools are still on holiday, so there were loads of little kids in the way
C) The disabled loo (Which I wanted to use after being polite enough to not pee in the pool) the light was broken, so GGtGG had to leave the door an inch open and stand in the way so no-one else could use it while I was in there so I could see
But I did it, swam some, did some exercises, showered in one of the open to the public "Don't take your pants off" showers (and had my cream put on in there) before drying and dressing in a much smaller room round then back
A) A chap had ignored the sign that sez "Don't leave your stuff in the changing room", left his stuff and kind of half outside locked the door on the big "2 person" changing room. So we had to go to another smaller, not as well equipped, room
B) Primary schools are still on holiday, so there were loads of little kids in the way
C) The disabled loo (Which I wanted to use after being polite enough to not pee in the pool) the light was broken, so GGtGG had to leave the door an inch open and stand in the way so no-one else could use it while I was in there so I could see
But I did it, swam some, did some exercises, showered in one of the open to the public "Don't take your pants off" showers (and had my cream put on in there) before drying and dressing in a much smaller room round then back
3 shops, 1 trip
So we nipped out to Morrison's s'morning. On the way we called into Wilko's to get some cleaning goods and into Farm Foods to get a couple of items on my list, they are cheaper there
Sunday, 12 April 2015
Friday Dinner
And we had my Friday dinner (na'an bread pizza) for dinner tonight as we were out on Friday with D&N, but instead of chips we had it with 2 cous cous & veg thingies that Nóra had bought
Get Rid
And s'morning D&N came round, drank tea and chatted a bit then they had to go off to airport
Nóra was a bit emotional, as she used to be so involved in my care and then hasn't seen me for 7 years and can't comment on how much better I am and how much better my circumstances are here and now
Saturday, 11 April 2015
Busy "Day Off"
Gorsh. So s'morning we met up with David & Nóra in town and went looking for benches. We couldn't find a nice one in either of the places we looked in Carmarthen (I know which one was best but still not that lovely) so then we decided to head off somewhere that hadn't been on he list. When D&N were waiting for me near M&S s'morning there had been a young chap running a stall selling various things, they enquired about benches and he directed then to his bosses company in Pembrey Industrial Estate. So after we went to M&S and bought some lunch type stuff we headed off to Pembrey. We got there, drove up the lane, thought "Where is it?", looked behing summat and went to look at the last option and there it was except it was closed. As he had told us to come along today they phoned him, he said "Sorry, at home for lunch, see you in 5" and showed up. I was impressed. He is very talented at working with wood and runs a small, successful business from what is effectively a large shed in the back of an industrial estate. I was double impressed reading some of the stuff about him, he is boss, his son D&N met s'morning is training to be a carpenter and all the rest of his staff are various less capable folk who have summat wrong but he is trying to help them
Anyway David bought a bench for me and arranged to pick it up from the chaps van in Carmarthen later, after nap and bath etc. So we did meet up later picked summat up, and we set off with the back seats folded down and D&N following in their car. Before they arrived Ed had taken it out of the boot and set it up
Anyway David bought a bench for me and arranged to pick it up from the chaps van in Carmarthen later, after nap and bath etc. So we did meet up later picked summat up, and we set off with the back seats folded down and D&N following in their car. Before they arrived Ed had taken it out of the boot and set it up
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