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Flat Wheel Cafe 2nd Quarter 2012 Locked

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Posted by AgentKid on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 10:16 PM

Evening folks. CW, the Grilled Chicken sounds good, followed by the Death by Chocolate Ice Cream.

Kind of a poor day here weather wise. Off and on heavy rain and thundershowers. The thundershowers created a problem at the airport which was a new one to me. There were continuous waves of thunderheads rolling through and while not all were creating showers, there was extensive lightning. They closed the airport for much of the day because they didn't want the ground crews outside working on the planes during the lightning strikes. I hadn't heard of that problem before. They called it a Red Flag closure, I think.

This problem wasn't going to be cleared up until tomorrow so many passengers tried to book hotel rooms overnight, which was proving to be impossible as The Calgary International Petroleum Show is here for the week. Which reminded me of a funny story from back in the '70's.

Passes are handed out to anyone with a pulse who is employed in the oil business, so they get the chance to go down there and be bombarded by salesmen of every description. Me, and another fellow in the department I happened to be talking to at the moment, were each handed a pass on the first day of the event. So we said what the heck, we will meet up there after supper. This show is in a huge indoor venue with many booths from many companies and outside the building is a huge area with multi-millions of dollars of petroleum extraction equipment.

We got down there and said to heck with the indoor displays, let's just look at all the machinery. An excellent time was had by all, as they say, and we told one of the bosses about it the next day. She (a rarity at that time, in that industry) said, "Wait a minute, for you guys, looking at that machinery is like anybody else going down to see a car show! That doesn't count as work, that was entertainment!"

I don't know who said what to who, but later in the week another boss brought me another pass and said I should go back down that afternoon and look at the indoor displays, in particular, sellers of office equipment. So, with my suit on, I went back down and checked things out. In the end, one of those vendors did get his money's worth for paying for that pass, as the company did end up coming back to see us, and make a sale.

I don't think I will ever see a mention of that show without thinking of that boss's quote.

Fortunately, this new rain didn't create any local RR news.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by cherokee woman on Thursday, June 14, 2012 6:38 AM

Good Thursday morning everyone.   It's a little bit cool and breezy outside this morning, with a temp of 61 degrees.  Sun is shining, and we're to get up to about 86 degrees for a high this afternoon.  Less humid, though, so we should have a pretty good day for outdoor activities.

Coffee, juices and other morning beverages are fresh and ready to go.  And breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast, chunks of pineapple, cantaloupe, watermelon, and other melons, kiwi and papaya are on the serving station. 

Everyone take care, have a good day, & see you all later.


Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by Stourbridge Lion on Thursday, June 14, 2012 8:50 AM

Good Morning Railfans!

It's 59F heading up into the high 80's today with the potential for thunderstorms heading back into the area in the next couple of days.  Rain YES, Lightning / Winds NO!

FIRE NEWS:  As of yesterday there are now 1,000 Fire Fighters on the lines with most making their heroic stand on the eastern edge to save as many homes as they can and keep this beast from getting into the city itself.  They have gotten a 10% containment in the NE corner where this fire has burned up into an old fire so they caught a break where they can start and hold a line along the eastern edge.  The North, West, and South edges are burning out of control.

Here is another video that has taken by folks that live in the area...

watch?v=57P 79WqA4Q

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Posted by cherokee woman on Thursday, June 14, 2012 12:26 PM

Darren, an amazing video!  Kind of  makes me want to go through our videos, and find the movie, Always, with Holly Hunter, John Goodman, and  Richard Dreyfus, on the forest firefighters. 

Not sure what our current temp is, but I did manage to get my walk in this morning.  Kind of cheated on the way back home, though:  found a bus ticket, so waited a couple of minutes for the wb Oak St. bus, and hopped on it.  Made it home by 12:20. 

Happy Birthday wishes going out to:  Mat Kohnen and to Sarah Warner!!  Hope both of you have a fantastic day, and may all your wishes come true, both of you! Happy B-Day Happy B-Day Happy B-Day Happy B-Day Happy B-Day Happy B-DayCakeCakeAnd,

For our lunch/dinner and dinner/supper today, here is our menu:

1.  Cold cut sandwiches with garden salad and your choice of fries or potato chips

2.  And, one of Sarah's favorite dishes:  chicken & dumplings

Desserts:

1.  Chocolate birthday cake w/chocolate icing

2.  Yellow birthday cake w/white icing

Plenty of ice cream to go with the birthday cakes, too!!

Everyone have a great afternoon, take care, keep cool and see you all later.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by AgentKid on Thursday, June 14, 2012 4:35 PM

Happy Birthday to everyone.

It is a better day here than the guessers were calling for, fingers crossed. 61° and partly cloudy now. Yesterday's weather didn't seem to cause any newsworthy disruptions to local RR operations.

I happened to get down by the Bow River yesterday. It is high and really full of silt and debris, but the person I was with said it was actually down a bit. We will just have to hope our luck holds out.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by Stourbridge Lion on Thursday, June 14, 2012 10:25 PM

Evening Railfans...

FIRE NEWS:  The monster is now over 52,000 acres and at least 118 structures lost.  The crews were able to get a 15-20% containment but the fire crowned over the top of HWY 14 and the Poudre River so tonight the evacuation of 80 more homes had to be order  as the fire tonight is racing up a gulch towards the Glacier View Meadows neighborhood..  This is on the northern front.  There are now 1,300 Fire Fights on the lines.

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Posted by cherokee woman on Friday, June 15, 2012 6:30 AM

Good Friday morning all.  Beautiful morning, sun's shining, humidity is still low, and won't feel too bad when we reach 90 degrees this afternoon. 

Darren, will continue to keep all the firefighters in my thoughts and prayers, as they continue the good fight.  They may only have 15 to 20% containment now, but, hey, that's better than 0 containment.

Coffee, juices and other morning beverages are fresh and ready to go:  everyone from hot tea (or iced tea) to Gatorade.  On the serving station this morning:  bacon, eggs, toast, doughnuts, danish, muffins, bagels and bear claws.

Still working on my VBS pictures.  Got them downloaded, but taking me some time to run them through Picasa (I've never used Picasa before), before printing them out. 

Everyone have a beautiful, blessed morning, take care and see you all this afternoon.


Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Friday, June 15, 2012 7:27 AM

Good Morning

Hope everything is well with you all.

The last little while I had been battling bone cancer ...finished the chemo/radiation treatments and am going in on Monday to see what went on...I do feel a little better...

Today is getting things picked up day here...we are starting the week of heat haze and humidity as well so it is going to be interesting to see how much I will be getting done outdoors....WhistlingMischief

Have a good day all!!Big Smile

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by switch7frg on Friday, June 15, 2012 10:43 AM

Embarrassed    Darren,  well the powers that be have sent the big DC-10 fire bomber to Mesa Az. instead . There is a 1000acre fire going in Young Az. However  NO railroads or  trains  have been damaged here yet.    The fire in Crown King is history. The firemen have saved the  long closed railroad ROW  in the fire line. ~~~ now the big threat is  from floods  if it ever rains here in this high desert.  One calimity after another. Has any one got some good news??? 

                                                                  Cannonball

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

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Posted by Modelcar on Friday, June 15, 2012 2:39 PM

Cannonball....

I believe I recently did see that DC 10 {or one of them}, and my quick look at it, it seemed a bit different.  The horizonal parts of the tail structure seemed to be constructed in a "V" shape...

I wonder If I actually did see what I thought was a DC 10, and if so, whether it might have been modified for fire fighting duty......?

I don't remember the passenger version having a tail structure like that, but then, it's been a while since I've seen one of those in passenger service.

Quentin

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Posted by Mookie on Friday, June 15, 2012 3:02 PM

blownout cylinder

The last little while I had been battling bone cancer ...finished the chemo/radiation treatments and am going in on Monday to see what went on...I do feel a little better...

Today is getting things picked up day here...we are starting the week of heat haze and humidity as well so it is going to be interesting to see how much I will be getting done outdoors....WhistlingMischief

Have a good day all!!Big Smile

I have a close friend that is just starting treatment for something just like yours.  From what I hear, it is amazing how they can treat cancer today!  Wish you the best!

We are going to do the 3H's also.  I always thought Canada was cooler than Nebraska....Question

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by bubbajustin on Friday, June 15, 2012 3:06 PM

Hello all! Justin here.

 

Just wanted to poke my head in here and check in. Have been railfanning quite heavily lately, and haven't had time to stop in! I can post a link to my flickr account if you want so you can view my photos. 

 

Have a safe day all!

-Justin

The road to to success is always under construction. _____________________________________________________________________________ When the going gets tough, the tough use duct tape.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, June 15, 2012 4:15 PM

back home from our trip to cincinnati.Matt had a great birthday.Happy birthday to Sarah.Cw thanks for supper.

stay safe

joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by cherokee woman on Friday, June 15, 2012 5:25 PM

Hope you get a good report, when you go back Monday!  Will be praying for you, and also hope you continue to do well.

Joe, glad to know you all had a good time in Cincy.  Also glad that Matt enjoyed his birthday!  Guess Sarah did as well, although she had to work the railroad yesterday. 

Our Friday Fish Fry, with all the regular types of fish and regular menu of side dishes and desserts is now under way and on the serving station.

I believe I heard on the news that, so far, we have reached 89 degrees for our official high out at the airport (Louisville International).  That was about an hour ago, when I heard that report.

Everyone have a good evening, take care and keep cool.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Friday, June 15, 2012 7:25 PM

Mookie

 

 blownout cylinder:

 

The last little while I had been battling bone cancer ...finished the chemo/radiation treatments and am going in on Monday to see what went on...I do feel a little better...

Today is getting things picked up day here...we are starting the week of heat haze and humidity as well so it is going to be interesting to see how much I will be getting done outdoors....WhistlingMischief

Have a good day all!!Big Smile

 

I have a close friend that is just starting treatment for something just like yours.  From what I hear, it is amazing how they can treat cancer today!  Wish you the best!

 

We are going to do the 3H's also.  I always thought Canada was cooler than Nebraska....Question

Thanks on the well wishes..I ended the session for this week..doc appointment on Monday to see what came of it...

As for the 3H stuff we are supposedly part of the area called 'Continental Humid". It can be cooler in some years..other years...uuummm...not so much...Dead

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good Evening

Welp, got the stuff picked up and I didst ride my bike down to Springbank Park and beyond a bit...and I actually managed to get up enough energy to continue getting a few things done on the layout...

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by AgentKid on Friday, June 15, 2012 8:11 PM

Good evening everyone.

It has been a very nice day here. Still 61° and sunny. After I said how nice it was here yesterday, we did end up having one quick thundershower. It went from sunny to cloudy, one loud clap of thunder, a rain shower, and back to sunny in about 25 minutes. Airport officials are saying that the closure of the airport for five straight hours due to lightning strikes, that I mentioned on Wednesday, was in fact the longest closure of its' type in the Calgary Airport's history. There have been longer closures for blizzards.

I do have one local RR news/human interest story today. Descendants of W.C. Van Horne's family have donated the "last spike" of the CPR to a museum:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/education/Horne+family+donates+silver+last+spike+national+museum/6784602/story.html

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by Modelcar on Friday, June 15, 2012 8:36 PM

Well Bruce....quite a difference between your description of recent weather than ours here in central Indiana...

Right now, it's 82 plus, and we had 91 plus this afternoon.  And we're working ourselves into some 90 plus days upcoming here...

Rain....Boy, we really need it here.....Good I cut my yard at 3" this time of the year, as even with it this height, it's getting so dry and we're sure needing some of the wet stuff....Pretty days with blue sky and sunshine, but that promotes it to get even drier.  I just was thinking of the differences in our two places within the hour.

Quentin

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Posted by Modelcar on Friday, June 15, 2012 8:41 PM

blownout cylinder....

I hope you find the latest treatment has produced positive results.

Quentin

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Posted by Modelcar on Friday, June 15, 2012 8:47 PM

Our CSX double east / west double main has sure been busy this early evening.  It's about 2 mi. south of us and we can hear the traffic via the {horns}, especially while sitting on our patio.

So many, I wondered if there may have been a blockage some place effecting the traffic...

I noted we've had several {4 or 5} units come out of our Progress Rail Plant {EMD}, here in Muncie with various Heritage paint work.

Quentin

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Posted by AgentKid on Friday, June 15, 2012 9:13 PM

Modelcar

I just was thinking of the differences in our two places within the hour.

I didn't see the story, I only heard it second hand, but apparently as of yesterday, we have already exceeded our normal average June rainfall. It seems to me a fair amount of that came in thundershowers, so I'm not sure how much of that got a chance to soak into the ground before running off.

That has always been a problem for our farmers. With our soils, the key to a bumper crop is one inch of rain over a 24 hour period, once every two weeks, from seeding until two weeks before harvest. That'll keep the railways hopping.

Bruce

 

So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.

"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere"  CP Rail Public Timetable

"O. S. Irricana"

. . . __ . ______

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Posted by switch7frg on Friday, June 15, 2012 10:57 PM

Quentin; I am sure there has been some mods made . That big under carriage had  an effect on the flight dynamics .  The plane used to be in passenger service.    When old age set in and retired  , it was the most airworthy. Then  the conversion  began to fire service. It can spread a path of retardant 100 yards wide  for a mile. To see a bird of that size and weight do a tight turn is fantastic.  Long may it fly.  No trains were harmed or railroad  roadbeds.

                                               Cannonball

Y6bs evergreen in my mind

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, June 16, 2012 5:35 AM

goood morning

Breakfast is ready.Juice and coffee are ready.Going to be a triple H day today.Going to catch up on laundry and other chores.Going to go see our friends Garden scale layout.He opens up his yard every fathers day weekend.happy fathers day to all the Dads and Grand Dads and if we have any great grand Dads.

stay safe

joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by cherokee woman on Saturday, June 16, 2012 6:24 AM

Good Saturday morning all.  72 degrees here in Louisville this morning.  Going up into the low 90s this afternoon, around 4 p.m., when I'll be leaving to go to a get together with former high school students.  Not exactly a reunion, just a bunch of us getting together, from any of our school's graduating classes.  So our pizza fest menu may start around 3, 3:30 this afternoon. 

Joe, thanks for coming in and taking care of breakfast this morning!  Sure do appreciate all the help you give around here.  And speaking of help, could someone watch for the Gatorade truck?  It's supposed to be in sometime today. 

Everyone have a good day, take care, and see you all later.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Saturday, June 16, 2012 7:17 AM

Good Morning

The start of sticky week is upon us..69F out there going to a high of 78F feeling like 89F today..we be sitting in AC comfort right now as the air is at 90% humidity...

Going to take things easy this weekend..no visits planned or any of that..just plain ol' relaxing...Geeked

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by cherokee woman on Saturday, June 16, 2012 1:46 PM

Barry, that sounds like a terrific plan for this afternoon.  Our current temp, according to home page on puter, is 85 degrees.  Feels quite a bit warmer than that, but at least we have a nice little breeze blowing.  Not sure of humidity levels, haven't heard any of that since early this morning.  We do have an air quality alert for today and probably for most of the next week.

Its a little bit early, but here is our Saturday Pizza Fest menu for the rest of the afternoon and tonight:

01.  Anchovie

02.  Canadian bacon

03.  Cheese

04.  Chicago style

05.  Goetta

06.  Ham & green pepper

07.  Hawaiian

08.  Italian sausage

09.  Pepperoni/mushroom

10.  Supreme

I have three extra large pizzas of each of the 10 above listed types, ready and on the warmer bar.  There's also at least that many of each type in the freezer, if you all need any more.

Dessert pizzas for tonight:

1.  Apple

2.  Blueberry (freshly picked this morning)

3.  Cherry

4.  Peach

Hope everyone is enjoying their day, have a very good evening and take care.  See you all in the morning.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by Modelcar on Saturday, June 16, 2012 8:38 PM

Yes, the sticky week has already started.  Our high this afternoon was 95.9 and with the "Indiana" stickyness.

And 10-4 Cannonball, on your response.  That much coverage of retardant is seemingly very worthwhile...That plane should be able to lift quite a few tons of water.

And I am reasonably sure...a fixed wing airplane must make a landing to be refilled.  I'd imagine the pilot of a huge helicopter {fire fighter}, really has to be on his toes when hovering just above the water surface to pump in a refill....Gaining weight rather quickly, he'd have to make sure it doesn't settle down into the water...!

Quentin

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, June 16, 2012 9:35 PM

MC - the Canadian planes and the PBY-based planes can scoop from a lake on the fly.  The opening scene in "Always" shows a PBY bearing down on a couple of fishermen...

The Sikorsky "Sky Crane" is in the video by the local citizen.  "Myth Busters" did a segment disproving the possibility that a SCUBA diver could be sucked up by the hose.  I'm sure some fish find their way in, though.

The smaller choppers often seen in use in CA have to land to be loaded.

The NY State Association of Fire Chiefs "Expo" is in the books for another year.  Plenty of displays, etc.  Anyone who leaves without their fill of fire apparatus, equipment, and memorabilia wasn't paying attention.  I attended plenty of educational sessions, too.  Some pretty good stuff from some high powered speakers.

Looks like the thunderbumpers over IL, IN, OH, and MI will visit us tomorrow.  Probably a good chance to get caught up inside...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
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There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, June 17, 2012 5:26 AM

Good Sunday morning all.  Larry, we now have a pretty good chance of rain showers/storms both this morning and mid/late afternoon.  And for once, we could really use some moisture.  Our high today is only supposed to make to about 88. 

Coffee, juices and other morning beverages are fresh and ready to go.  And breakfast is on the serving station, including cold leftover pizza.

I had a really good time last night.  Met some new friends, and got reacquainted with some old friends that haven't seen each other in over 40 years.  A good time was had by all, and believe me, there were several snapping pictures just about the entire night. 

Everyone have a very good morning, take care going to work, church, rail fanning, or whatever you have to do today.

And. . . Happy Father's Day to all you Dad, Granddads!!  May your day be a good one!!!!

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Sunday, June 17, 2012 6:50 AM

Good Morning all!

We be getting some monsoonal showers and a few thunderstorms thrown into the mix today..supposed to clear up in the late evening...may see upwards of 3" of the stuff ....

Going to be a slow day today as well...so I am going to do a fair bit of resting up here...

Hope those who are suffering from all the ding wildfires catch a break at some point..looks pretty nasty.

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, June 17, 2012 7:27 AM

good morning

Larry no rain here yet.Muggy this morning.off to G+G house.Cw thanks for supper for tonight.Back to work.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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