I spoke to one of my friends in the African-American community leadership on Friday morning. They are actively recruiting additional bloggers for Avenging Archangel.
Stay tuned, as 2.0 is pending.
Showing posts with label Blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogs. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Suspension Or 2.0
As some of you may know (but most probably don't), I've been hired by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). Given the conflicts of interest that would present as a blogger, I'm either going to take the blog to suspension or unveil Avenging Archangel 2.0. My conflicts as a HRT employee:
1. Obvious on mass transit writing.
2. Legally, HRT is a corporation held one-seventh by each member city. To blog on local politics would be talking about my employer.
3. HRT has a seat on the TPO.
My duties will begin with light rail launch in the morning, which is why I set this to autopost Thursday evening.
2.0 would be for me to fade into the background, chipping in a post where I can, while giving the front seat to my best friends in the African-American community leadership. I e-mailed them over the weekend, seeking at least two additional posters. (A single poster would always be compared and contrasted with me.) This established platform would continue to advocate for an inclusive Virginia Beach, having a given readership base to build on. I'm not holding my breath on it, as I made similar recruitment pitches in the wake of each of Andrew Jackson's campaigns for the Virginia Beach City Council.
I've been hired to be a Data Collector at HRT, doing manual passenger counts on The Tide. Under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, manual counts are mandated during the first year of revenue service. (In addition, there are automated systems just inside the train doors.) Everyone at HRT is cognisant of the fact that there has been much speculation about how many will ride The Tide. Having completed my training, let me make it clear to everyone: given the methodology and redundancies in the system, it would be virtually impossible to fudge The Tide ridership numbers. The FTA will be watching, and - given the history of the project - will certainly check it anything appears off.
There have been talks between HRT executives and I over the past few months about me possibly joining the team. They began recruiting me once they learned that my previous place of employment was probably going to close. As HRT needed to add dependable additional staff for light rail launch, it was fairly obvious where to put me. In the interim, I put one project for this blog on ice: a political satire series. On the 13th of each month, I was going to chronicle the Really Evil Taxpayers Against Rational Decisions (RETARD). In fact, in my desk I have a scratch sheet with topics for nine installments of the RETARDs.
It's been a fun run. I had been considering blogging for months, but was finally pushed when no one covered a citizens meeting held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. My one failure was never attracting additional posters, as I never intended to do this all alone indefinitely. While the number of hits on this site has been relatively low, the point is who reads this blog. I've had a virtual who's who cite it back to me. It's been a niche blog, providing information and insights you can't find anywhere else on the Internet.
For we grassroots inclusionists, both status quoers and the extremist VBTA present serious problems. Those of the status quo are usually more subtle. However, I hope others continue to speak out loudly about what the VBTA's sinister agenda really means for Virginia Beach.
Finally, I'd be remiss not to invite you to come ride light rail on launch weekend - and to become repeat customers. Given that the lion's share of my initial duties will be onboard the trains themselves, part of my training had me out riding The Tide. It has the Wow Factor. The bulk of my fellow Data Collectors aren't mass transit advocates, but simply people looking for good work. However, when we rode as part of our training, they were pulling out their smartphones to take video and photos of the run. They were moved.
It may not be over for me, with either a limited role under 2.0 or coming back full bore here later. (Remember that my initial position with HRT sunsets after one year.) In the meantime, I hope I get interest from others to launch 2.0. Regardless, I plan to keep this blog up, allowing it to serve as an archive of past events. Nakemiin.
1. Obvious on mass transit writing.
2. Legally, HRT is a corporation held one-seventh by each member city. To blog on local politics would be talking about my employer.
3. HRT has a seat on the TPO.
My duties will begin with light rail launch in the morning, which is why I set this to autopost Thursday evening.
2.0 would be for me to fade into the background, chipping in a post where I can, while giving the front seat to my best friends in the African-American community leadership. I e-mailed them over the weekend, seeking at least two additional posters. (A single poster would always be compared and contrasted with me.) This established platform would continue to advocate for an inclusive Virginia Beach, having a given readership base to build on. I'm not holding my breath on it, as I made similar recruitment pitches in the wake of each of Andrew Jackson's campaigns for the Virginia Beach City Council.
I've been hired to be a Data Collector at HRT, doing manual passenger counts on The Tide. Under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations, manual counts are mandated during the first year of revenue service. (In addition, there are automated systems just inside the train doors.) Everyone at HRT is cognisant of the fact that there has been much speculation about how many will ride The Tide. Having completed my training, let me make it clear to everyone: given the methodology and redundancies in the system, it would be virtually impossible to fudge The Tide ridership numbers. The FTA will be watching, and - given the history of the project - will certainly check it anything appears off.
There have been talks between HRT executives and I over the past few months about me possibly joining the team. They began recruiting me once they learned that my previous place of employment was probably going to close. As HRT needed to add dependable additional staff for light rail launch, it was fairly obvious where to put me. In the interim, I put one project for this blog on ice: a political satire series. On the 13th of each month, I was going to chronicle the Really Evil Taxpayers Against Rational Decisions (RETARD). In fact, in my desk I have a scratch sheet with topics for nine installments of the RETARDs.
It's been a fun run. I had been considering blogging for months, but was finally pushed when no one covered a citizens meeting held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. My one failure was never attracting additional posters, as I never intended to do this all alone indefinitely. While the number of hits on this site has been relatively low, the point is who reads this blog. I've had a virtual who's who cite it back to me. It's been a niche blog, providing information and insights you can't find anywhere else on the Internet.
For we grassroots inclusionists, both status quoers and the extremist VBTA present serious problems. Those of the status quo are usually more subtle. However, I hope others continue to speak out loudly about what the VBTA's sinister agenda really means for Virginia Beach.
Finally, I'd be remiss not to invite you to come ride light rail on launch weekend - and to become repeat customers. Given that the lion's share of my initial duties will be onboard the trains themselves, part of my training had me out riding The Tide. It has the Wow Factor. The bulk of my fellow Data Collectors aren't mass transit advocates, but simply people looking for good work. However, when we rode as part of our training, they were pulling out their smartphones to take video and photos of the run. They were moved.
It may not be over for me, with either a limited role under 2.0 or coming back full bore here later. (Remember that my initial position with HRT sunsets after one year.) In the meantime, I hope I get interest from others to launch 2.0. Regardless, I plan to keep this blog up, allowing it to serve as an archive of past events. Nakemiin.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Say What?
I was looking at the internal stats feature Blogger has for my blog. Since Blogger added it in May, 2009, the country producing the 5th largest number of views of my blog is...the Islamic Republic of Iran?
Go figure.
Go figure.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Post 1,010
I wanted to do this at Post 1,000, but I was busy with the City Council Retreat. (Post 1,000 was 2011 City Council Policy Agenda.) In marking hitting four figures in blog posts, I thought I'd give you something you can't see. Blogger can't display the number of posts by label to the public. Therefore, at this milestone I give you the Top 10:
1. Virginia Beach City Council - 426
2. HRT - 397
3. VBTA - 217
4. Virginia state government - 160
5. Hampton Roads - 156
6. Messnerism-Greenmunism - 139
7. RAC - 126
8. Polls - 108
9. Business - 102
10. Norfolk City Council - 72
A couple of them, and the numbers involved, surprised me.
I've tried to recruit additional posters for this blog on a couple occasions. Most recent was among those who had done work for Andrew Jackson's City Council campaign last year. I never intended to do this alone in the long run.
Despite taking the periodic nasty attack over the blog (inevitably, from VBTAers), the lion's share of feedback I get is positive. I'll try to keep it up.
1. Virginia Beach City Council - 426
2. HRT - 397
3. VBTA - 217
4. Virginia state government - 160
5. Hampton Roads - 156
6. Messnerism-Greenmunism - 139
7. RAC - 126
8. Polls - 108
9. Business - 102
10. Norfolk City Council - 72
A couple of them, and the numbers involved, surprised me.
I've tried to recruit additional posters for this blog on a couple occasions. Most recent was among those who had done work for Andrew Jackson's City Council campaign last year. I never intended to do this alone in the long run.
Despite taking the periodic nasty attack over the blog (inevitably, from VBTAers), the lion's share of feedback I get is positive. I'll try to keep it up.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Worked Up For A Speech
D. J. Spiker of the blog Bearing Dirft posted a link to this Huffington Post video on his Facebook feed. I embed what may be one of the craziest political speeches you'll ever see.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Who Is The Real Threat?
You got to love the simple minds of members of the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA). For them, those in public life fit neatly into one of two boxes: those who parrot the VBTA line, or those who are corrupt "socialists".
On Monday afternoon, having some time to kill between stops, I slipped into Virginia Beach's Meyera Oberndorf Central Library and got in some Internet time on one of their computers. I found that they have this blog filtered...but you can view Virginia News Source.
That begs the obvious question: who is the real threat to the status quo, grassroots inclusionists or the tiny breakfast cult? (They hate the answer.)
On Monday afternoon, having some time to kill between stops, I slipped into Virginia Beach's Meyera Oberndorf Central Library and got in some Internet time on one of their computers. I found that they have this blog filtered...but you can view Virginia News Source.
That begs the obvious question: who is the real threat to the status quo, grassroots inclusionists or the tiny breakfast cult? (They hate the answer.)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
2nd HRT Bloggers Roundtable
Yesterday afternoon there was a 2nd Bloggers Roundtable with Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) President Phillip Shucet. Unfortunately, Vivian Paige and I were the only two bloggers who made it. Fortunately, Vivian taped it, which I embed below.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Blog's New Look
Blogger offered some new design options, so I played around with them to try to give this blog a more readable look. Hope you like it.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
TDCHR May 27, 2010
The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR), the governing board of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), held it's May meeting this afternoon.
The large order of business was adopting the FY 2011 Budget of $81 million. Speaking of Budgets, for FY 2010 HRT is $1.167 million under Budget with two months left in the fiscal year.
Norfolk's Starter Line is 84% complete, with spending currently $17 million under where HRT expected to be at this point. Much ado has been made about a grade crossing problem discovered late Monday. However, time and materials for correcting it will run no more than $81,000.
An order was placed with Gillig for ten more 30 foot hybrid buses and four more 40 foot low-floors. The 10 hybrids will be split evenly between Virginia Beach Base and the Peninsula Base. (Yes, Shadowrider, the Peninsula will get it's first permanent hybrids about a year from now.)
On June 9 the TDCHR's Executive Committee will meet to nominate candidates to serve as TDCHR Chairman and Vice Chairman for FY 2011.
Don't worry about a fuel price spike due to events in the Gulf Of Mexico: HRT has all it's fuel needs locked in by contract for the next 13 months. Currently HRT is paying about 49 cents a gallon below market price from contracting it's diesel fuel purchases.
Finally, the TDCHR approved the schedule of fare Public Hearings at it's July meeting in Norfolk and August in Hampton. Also, there will be evening public meetings at each location for those who can't make the 1:30 P.M. Public Hearings. The Operations & Oversight Committee recommended that all three fare scenarios ($1.50, $1.75, and $2) be advertised, but a vast majority of Commissioners wanted it clear that $2 is the preferred scenario.
The large order of business was adopting the FY 2011 Budget of $81 million. Speaking of Budgets, for FY 2010 HRT is $1.167 million under Budget with two months left in the fiscal year.
Norfolk's Starter Line is 84% complete, with spending currently $17 million under where HRT expected to be at this point. Much ado has been made about a grade crossing problem discovered late Monday. However, time and materials for correcting it will run no more than $81,000.
An order was placed with Gillig for ten more 30 foot hybrid buses and four more 40 foot low-floors. The 10 hybrids will be split evenly between Virginia Beach Base and the Peninsula Base. (Yes, Shadowrider, the Peninsula will get it's first permanent hybrids about a year from now.)
On June 9 the TDCHR's Executive Committee will meet to nominate candidates to serve as TDCHR Chairman and Vice Chairman for FY 2011.
Don't worry about a fuel price spike due to events in the Gulf Of Mexico: HRT has all it's fuel needs locked in by contract for the next 13 months. Currently HRT is paying about 49 cents a gallon below market price from contracting it's diesel fuel purchases.
Finally, the TDCHR approved the schedule of fare Public Hearings at it's July meeting in Norfolk and August in Hampton. Also, there will be evening public meetings at each location for those who can't make the 1:30 P.M. Public Hearings. The Operations & Oversight Committee recommended that all three fare scenarios ($1.50, $1.75, and $2) be advertised, but a vast majority of Commissioners wanted it clear that $2 is the preferred scenario.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Not Around Here!
Over the weekend the blog Jihad Watch launched an attack on the Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits. While I have found many of their posts quite interesting, as a devout Catholic I removed the link from my blog to theirs this morning.
While it may be within their right to free speech to make such ludicrous charges, it's certainly with my right to association not to promote such garbage.
While it may be within their right to free speech to make such ludicrous charges, it's certainly with my right to association not to promote such garbage.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Shucet Holds Initial Session With Bloggers
On Monday morning new Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) CEO Phil Shucet held a roundtable session with bloggers. 5 of the 6 invitees were able to attend: Vivian Paige, Brian Kirwin of Bearing Drift, Eileen Levandoski of VB Dems, Archie Whitehill of Sparkling Diversity, and myself. It is hoped to be the beginning of a series of such sessions. Two ideas for subsequent meetings were discussed later: after the General Assembly session, and in June (after the cities have passed their budgets).
I'd give you a writeup, but Vivian actually did video of it. For those listening, I asked two questions: the one on budget tracking and the one on the "culture of fear".
I'd give you a writeup, but Vivian actually did video of it. For those listening, I asked two questions: the one on budget tracking and the one on the "culture of fear".
Sunday, December 27, 2009
I'm Here Another Year
Last week I signed the final papers to keep my apartment another year. I now have it through January 31, 2011. Thus, this blog continues as is.
I still hope to add another grassroots inclusionist or two as posters. Maybe I'll meet someone on the 2010 City Council campaign trail.
I still hope to add another grassroots inclusionist or two as posters. Maybe I'll meet someone on the 2010 City Council campaign trail.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
More VBTA Light Rail Follies
I thought you'd want to join in on the laughs. There's fun at the Wally's World blog at Virginia News Source.
1. Wally Erb put up a post noting a run on land adjacent to Norfolk's planned Military Highway Station.
Uh...Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) Transportation Chairman Reid Greenmun has been running around telling everyone that Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) can't happen here due to the financial markets. Erb reports it is happening, nuking Greenmun's argument.
2. Erb unveiled the VBTA's Plan B: if you can't beat LRT at referendum, sue over the "inadequacy" of the SEIS.
One problem: neither the TDCHR, the City of Virginia Beach, nor HDR (the consultant) is legally liable for the content of Federal law and regulations. As long as we follow the rules, no basis for a suit.
On one level, I hope they do sue. After winning the countersuit for the delay caused by the frivolous original suit, we can place liens on the VBTA leaders' homes and sell them off to cover the increased cost.
3. Al Saferstein repeats his tired charge about a No Build Alternative. If Al knew a thing about NEPA policy, the first thing looked at in any EIS is the No Build Alternative. That's to make the case that there is a need to do something. So Saferstein lets it slip that he doesn't know a thing about what he's blathering about.
However, we should thank him for admitting VBTA Transportation policy is to do nothing.
1. Wally Erb put up a post noting a run on land adjacent to Norfolk's planned Military Highway Station.
Uh...Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) Transportation Chairman Reid Greenmun has been running around telling everyone that Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) can't happen here due to the financial markets. Erb reports it is happening, nuking Greenmun's argument.
2. Erb unveiled the VBTA's Plan B: if you can't beat LRT at referendum, sue over the "inadequacy" of the SEIS.
One problem: neither the TDCHR, the City of Virginia Beach, nor HDR (the consultant) is legally liable for the content of Federal law and regulations. As long as we follow the rules, no basis for a suit.
On one level, I hope they do sue. After winning the countersuit for the delay caused by the frivolous original suit, we can place liens on the VBTA leaders' homes and sell them off to cover the increased cost.
3. Al Saferstein repeats his tired charge about a No Build Alternative. If Al knew a thing about NEPA policy, the first thing looked at in any EIS is the No Build Alternative. That's to make the case that there is a need to do something. So Saferstein lets it slip that he doesn't know a thing about what he's blathering about.
However, we should thank him for admitting VBTA Transportation policy is to do nothing.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Virginia News Source = Pro Wrestling?
For those of you who don't read Virginia News Source (I do to help keep up on VBTA antics), last week columnist Pat Murphy abruptly resigned and his blog was pulled down. In a guest post at VBDems, he tells his story of what really happened. http://www.vbdems.org/diary/3056/why-pat-murphy-left-the-virginia-news-source
If true, the story is stunning. With Morris Rowe being an old reporter, I would have expected better. (Robert Dean is another story....) Read it and get a glimpse of the stage-managed antics that the Deaniac Empire is notorious for.
If true, the story is stunning. With Morris Rowe being an old reporter, I would have expected better. (Robert Dean is another story....) Read it and get a glimpse of the stage-managed antics that the Deaniac Empire is notorious for.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Jessica's Rants
Jessica Blaine, who has been a regular commenter on here, now has her own blog. Jessica's Rants is linked on the sidebar.
Yes, Jessica, the Red Sox suck.
Yes, Jessica, the Red Sox suck.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Featured In Today's V-P
My post two previous was (largely) reprinted in today's edition of The Virginian-Pravda. Since the blog name was printed, we might be getting some new readers. A quick introduction for any newbies.
The blog Avenging Archangel isn't meant to be everything; it's a niche blog. Here you'll find some things you won't anywhere else on the Internet. With write-ups from RAC, TDCHR, and TPO meetings, you can get news here you can't get elsewhere. I then toss in some personal opinions and fun stuff. In addition, I run polls to give the blog an interactive dimension.
I've done everything myself since the beginning. Last Fall I tried to recruit additional posters from among the volunteers on the Georgia Allen and Andrew Jackson campaigns for Virginia Beach City Council. No one joined, but the blog program does give me the ability to add additional posters in the future. My goal is to average a minimum one post every two days, a pace I'm well ahead of this month.
I'm a Republican who backed Mike Huckabee for President and Bob Marshall for U.S. Senate last year. Given my ties to the African-American community leadership, I'm a pro-inclusion urbanist on local and regional issues. I can drive status quoers and VBTAers nuts with the same post.
The blog Avenging Archangel isn't meant to be everything; it's a niche blog. Here you'll find some things you won't anywhere else on the Internet. With write-ups from RAC, TDCHR, and TPO meetings, you can get news here you can't get elsewhere. I then toss in some personal opinions and fun stuff. In addition, I run polls to give the blog an interactive dimension.
I've done everything myself since the beginning. Last Fall I tried to recruit additional posters from among the volunteers on the Georgia Allen and Andrew Jackson campaigns for Virginia Beach City Council. No one joined, but the blog program does give me the ability to add additional posters in the future. My goal is to average a minimum one post every two days, a pace I'm well ahead of this month.
I'm a Republican who backed Mike Huckabee for President and Bob Marshall for U.S. Senate last year. Given my ties to the African-American community leadership, I'm a pro-inclusion urbanist on local and regional issues. I can drive status quoers and VBTAers nuts with the same post.
Monday, March 30, 2009
No Ads Here
Blogger has now made it very easy to put ads on your blog and take in some cash.
I'm not going to. As those of you who read my Christmas' posts know, I'm not in this for money. Since Blogger is freeware, I have no costs in maintaining this blog. Therefore, I won't subject you to ads.
I'm not going to. As those of you who read my Christmas' posts know, I'm not in this for money. Since Blogger is freeware, I have no costs in maintaining this blog. Therefore, I won't subject you to ads.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Bob McDonnell Kicks Off Campaign
Yesterday Bob McDonnell kicked off his campaign for Governor. Also speaking at the Rally at Princess Anne High School were Randy Forbes and Bill Bolling. Bearing Drift has excellent coverage; however, as a Blogger for McDonnell, I'd be remiss not to put up a post on it.
I ran into a few people I hadn't seen in awhile. Also, quite a few members of the Virginia Beach City Council were there: Glenn Davis, Rosemary Wilson, Louis Jones, Ron Villanueva, and John Uhrin.
The most intriguing sight of the day: someone wearing a "Huckabee/Palin 2012" t-shirt. (Where do I get one?)
Both Bolling and McDonnell gave great speeches. The focus of McDonnell's campaign is going to be jobs. That wins on two levels: it's especially hot button in this economy, and the Demonrats can never beat Republicans on jobs creation.
This campaign is Bob McDonnell's to lose. Fun fact: since 1977, the party holding the White House has lost the Virginia Governor's race.
I ran into a few people I hadn't seen in awhile. Also, quite a few members of the Virginia Beach City Council were there: Glenn Davis, Rosemary Wilson, Louis Jones, Ron Villanueva, and John Uhrin.
The most intriguing sight of the day: someone wearing a "Huckabee/Palin 2012" t-shirt. (Where do I get one?)
Both Bolling and McDonnell gave great speeches. The focus of McDonnell's campaign is going to be jobs. That wins on two levels: it's especially hot button in this economy, and the Demonrats can never beat Republicans on jobs creation.
This campaign is Bob McDonnell's to lose. Fun fact: since 1977, the party holding the White House has lost the Virginia Governor's race.
Friday, March 20, 2009
They're Laughing At Us In Seattle
Yesterday the Seattle Transit Blog ran a story Taking the Sounder To The Sounders FC. The Sounder is their commuter rail service; Sounders FC is their new Major League Soccer team. (If only we had major league sports in Hampton Roads....) The story is at http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/19/taking-sounder-to-the-sounders-fc/
Scroll down to the comment by Jessica at 21:03:45. Yes, she attacks bus Route 36 here in Virginia Beach. Furthermore, she's right. Virginia Beach is Virginia's largest city, and our bus service is joked about even in the Pacific Northwest.
The worst part: the 36 is one of our better routes. Ouch!
Scroll down to the comment by Jessica at 21:03:45. Yes, she attacks bus Route 36 here in Virginia Beach. Furthermore, she's right. Virginia Beach is Virginia's largest city, and our bus service is joked about even in the Pacific Northwest.
The worst part: the 36 is one of our better routes. Ouch!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Friday's Meltdown
On Friday, Bishop Willis' funeral procession caused major disruptions in bus service in South Hampton Roads, especially Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) failure to do adequate preplanning and enact countermeasures meant buses were off - if running at all - most of Friday afternoon. Michael Ragsdale covers the story on HR Transit Ideas http://blog.raggiesoft.com/?p=110
Michael and I came up with the route modifications in about ten minutes on the phone. If we could do it that quick, why didn't the professionals at HRT act? Kudos to trolley base for detouring their two impacted routes (Routes 25 and 27). However, Central Dispatch fiddled in their Hampton office while Southside operations went to meltdown. Excuse me, but an occasional announcement over the ACS doesn't make up for not getting people where they needed to be.
At my home stop I dealt with a young lady who had been waiting over a half hour before I arrived and told her what was going on. At Pembroke East I saw Operators improvising to try to get back on schedule. It was a mess, and HRT needs to do a full assessment to learn lessons for future occurrences.
Michael and I came up with the route modifications in about ten minutes on the phone. If we could do it that quick, why didn't the professionals at HRT act? Kudos to trolley base for detouring their two impacted routes (Routes 25 and 27). However, Central Dispatch fiddled in their Hampton office while Southside operations went to meltdown. Excuse me, but an occasional announcement over the ACS doesn't make up for not getting people where they needed to be.
At my home stop I dealt with a young lady who had been waiting over a half hour before I arrived and told her what was going on. At Pembroke East I saw Operators improvising to try to get back on schedule. It was a mess, and HRT needs to do a full assessment to learn lessons for future occurrences.
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