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Friday, July 18th, 2008
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9:47 pm - Swim Team
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My girl swam in her first swim meet tonight! She rocked even though she finished last in both her races. It was a huge snafu because she got put in the 12 & under group and was swimming against older girls. She discovered the problem early and was given the option to swim 8 & under or do relays as well as her events in 12 & under (no clue why 8 & under don't do relays). Then someone was missing in her relay, so it got scratched anyway. She got very confused by the whole thing and broke down a bit, but we got there super early, so she had plenty of time to pull herself together. I just can't say how proud I am of her. She really seems to like it, too. Much more than soccer, which I'm coaching this fall (eek!) But maybe, just maybe, swimming will be her thing.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Thursday, July 17th, 2008
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12:20 pm - Treat Me Like a Queen
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That's the polish shade I chose for my pedicure today. Need I say more?
current mood:  chipper
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(comment on this)
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| Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008
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3:07 pm - I'm a Dreamy Idealist - This is not a surprise!
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I saw this on Julie Anne's page. She is a Harmony-Seeking Idealist. I'm wondering what several of you out there in blogland are!
Dreamy Idealist (DI)  
Dreamy Idealists are very cautious and therefore often appear shy and reserved to others. They share their rich emotional life and their passionate convictions with very few people. But one would be very much mistaken to judge them to be cool and reserved. They have a pronounced inner system of values and clear, honourable principles for which they are willing to sacrifice a great deal. Joan of Arc or Sir Galahad would have been good examples of this personality type. Dreamy Idealists are always at great pains to improve the world. They can be very considerate towards others and do a lot to support them and stand up for them. They are interested in their fellow beings, attentive and generous towards them. Once their enthusiasm for an issue or person is aroused, they can become tireless fighters.
For Dreamy Idealists, practical things are not really so important. They only busy themselves with mundane everyday demands when absolutely necessary. They tend to live according to the motto “the genius controls the chaos” - which is normally the case so that they often have a very successful academic career. They are less interested in details; they prefer to look at something as a whole. This means that they still have a good overview even when things start to become hectic. However, as a result, it can occasionally happen that Dreamy Idealists overlook something important. As they are very peace-loving, they tend not to openly show their dissatisfaction or annoyance but to bottle it up. Assertiveness is not one of their strong points; they hate conflicts and competition. Dreamy Idealists prefer to motivate others with their amicable and enthusiastic nature. Whoever has them as superior will never have to complain about not being given enough praise.
As at work, Dreamy Idealists are helpful and loyal friends and partners, persons of integrity. Obligations are absolutely sacred to them. The feelings of others are important to them and they love making other people happy. They are satisfied with just a small circle of friends; their need for social contact is not very marked as they also need a lot of time to themselves. Superfluous small talk is not their thing. If one wishes to be friends with them or have a relationship with them, one would have to share their world of thought and be willing to participate in profound discussions. If you manage that you will be rewarded with an exceptionally intensive, rich partnership. Due to their high demands on themselves and others, this personality type tends however to sometimes overload the relationship with romantic and idealistic ideas to such an extent that the partner feels overtaxed or inferior. Dreamy Idealists do not fall in love head over heels but when they do fall in love they want this to be a great, eternal love.
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| Thursday, June 12th, 2008
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9:37 pm - 12 Things About Me and a few other things
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You know how sometimes people on your friend's list post about stuff going on in their life, and all of a sudden you think "Wait a minute? Since when are they working THERE? Since when are they dating HIM/HER? since when???" And then you wonder how you could have missed all that seemingly pretty standard information, but somehow you feel too ashamed to ask for clarification because it seems like info you *should* already know? It happens to all of us sometimes.
Please copy mine below, erase my answers putting yours in their place then post it in your journal! Please elaborate on the questions that would benefit from elaboration! One word answers seldom help anyone out. :)
1. First Name: Kathleen
2. Age: 46
3. Location: Seattle, WA
4. Occupation: Mom, PEPS leader (until July), classroom volunteer, P.E.O. member
5. Partner: Jay, married 5/11/96
6. Kids: 1 girl, J aged 8.5 and 1 boys, M aged 5.5
7. Brothers/Sisters: 2 sisters, both younger
8. Pets: nope, I'm allergic to cats and don't want the hassle of a dog
9. List the 3-5 biggest things going on in your life:
1. School ends in 5 days and I'm not ready to get the summer started. It's probably due to the cold gray weather we've had for the past three weeks.
2. Girl Scout day camp the first week of July. I'll be a unit leader for a group of 10 or so girls starting 2nd grade in the fall.
3. I'm leading a PEPS group.
4. I'm trying to grow blueberries this year.
10) Where and for what did you go to school for? I graduated from Boston University with a BA in Electrical Engineering. True story.
11) Parents? Yes. Living in Southern CA. Dad's the Exalted Ruler of his Elks lodge. Mom's in a Sweet Adeline chorus. They say they're far too busy for retirees.
12) Who are some of your closest friends?: Jay, Julie, Teresa, Julie Anne. Hopefully they think of me the same way.
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Also:
I am hoping: that it warms up soon.
I wish: I would stop procrastinating and get things done. Also, that I weren't so bad at keeping in touch with friends.
I love: reading, knitting, dancing.
I need: some me time.
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| Thursday, June 5th, 2008
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7:44 pm - The List
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| Monday, June 2nd, 2008
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7:59 am - The Gemstone Test
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Another silly little quiz, but it's a quick one and a fun way to start the day!
Your Gemstone Says...
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You exude wealth and class. (Even if you're short on funds.)
You carry yourself well, and you have perfect manners.
You never seem desperate or trashy. You are admired for your sense of style.
You treat others well. In fact, many people aspire to be like you.
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| Thursday, April 24th, 2008
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3:09 pm - Which Jane Austen Heroine are You?
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I'm getting ready to enter a real post, with real pictures, knitting projects and other fun things.
In the meantime, since I'm a big Jane Austen fan and recently finished watching the series on Masterpiece Classics, I did another internet survey. I hope you'll try it and let me know who you are!
Take the Quiz here!
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Thursday, April 17th, 2008
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5:20 pm
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What Your Front Door Says
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You are bold, brave, and easily excited.
You are passionate about what you believe.
And you're never afraid to tell people exactly what you think.
You're picky and particular. It's sometimes hard to meet your standards.
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| Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
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9:44 pm - Yet Another Meme
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Thanks a lot, 74Tiger.
The rules:
A. The rules are posted at the beginning
B. Answer the questions about yourself
C. Tag 5 people, let them know in a comment on their blogs that they have been tagged.
What were you doing 10 yrs ago?
Unpacking our stuff after moving from downtown into our house.
Snacks I enjoy:
1. ice cream
2. fresh fruit
3. dark chocolate
4. crackers and cheese
5. almonds or pecans
Five things on my to-do list today: (tomorrow's, actually)
1. clean the house
2. host the first meeting of a PEPS group I'm facilitating
3. planning final details for my daughter's teacher's baby shower
4. finalize details for my parents' visit this weekend
5. take my son swimming
Things I would do if I became a billionaire:
1. put away enough $$ to pay cover long-term retirment
2. finance my husband's guitar-building studio
3. put away the money to fund my kids' college and grad school educations
4. donate to charities that support health care and education for kids
5. travel the world with my kids
3 bad habits:
1. snacking instead of eating a healthy lunch
2. procrastinating and then getting stressed out because I am overwhelmed
3. getting stressed in response to my husband's stress
5 places I have lived:
1. Connecticut
2. New Hampshire
3. Boston
4. Rhode Island
5. Seattle
Jobs I have had:
1. sales rep
2. technical support specialist
3. trainer
4. instructional designer
5. stay at home mom
Things many people don’t know about me:
1. I worry. A lot.
2. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
3. I try to protect the people I care about from things I think will upset them.
4. I'm incredibly patient with people, except for those I'm closest to - like my kids and husband.
Jewells I'm tagging you.
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| Saturday, April 12th, 2008
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9:30 am - Home again, and off again
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The trip Cincinnati turned out to be quite nice. Perhaps it was the novelty of traveling alone, or the fact that I made good progress on my first sock, or having family waiting for my arrival in OH. I stayed in a hotel suite with my parents, sister and 8-year-old niece. Since they arrived the day before and I had a nasty cold and the beds were full-size, I ended up on the couch. It wasn't a pullout. So sleep wasn't part of the trip. I made up for it when I got home. My cousin's wedding was lovely and it reminded me of a larger version of mine - some of the same music for the ceremony, same era old estate-like venue for the reception, cocktail-style rather than sit-down dinner. I had an early flight the next day, so we left early and then I was at the airport by 7am (that was 4am to me!) My flight actually arrived in Seattle 30 min early - when does that ever happen? and the family had checked ahead and were there to greet me. J2 spotted me from the other side of baggage claim and sprinted across to greet me with a hug that almost knocked me over! Enjoyed a full day home by napping as J2 went off to cooking class and J & M went to the library and then the pool. M was very excited to show his daddy how well he can swim, now. J made dinner and I forced myself to stay up to watch the 2nd half of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility on PBS. I do love Jane! Early nights Mon and Wed, and a late night due to my PEO meeting, and the cold is mostly gone.
In knitting news, besides the sock progress, I'm almost done with the Baby Hemlock for J2's teacher. Just a quarter of the bindoff, followed by some serious blocking! With luck it'll be ready for the party/shower in J2's classroom on Friday. If not, teacher's last day before maternity leave is a couple of weeks off, so it's possible I'll be able to get it to her before the baby arrives. But, no knitting will happen today as I'm going to see the Dalai Lama. I feel bad that I'm not taking the whole family, but the ticket came my way unexpectedly and I just jumped on it. Hopefully, I'll come back more serene and compassionate and my family will reap the benefits that way. As long as I can deal with the other 55 thousand people they're expecting. Wish me luck.
current mood: cheerful
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| Friday, April 4th, 2008
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8:07 am - A Weekend Off
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I'm headed off to beautiful(?) downtown Cincinnati for a family wedding. The kids and their dad are staying home, so it'll be an unusual weekend off for me. Most of it will be spent on board a plane, but what the heck - alone time is just that and this being the end of J's spring break, I'm ready. If the knitting makes it through security, I may even have a completed sock to show for it. Have a great weekend.
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| Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
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9:41 pm
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This is my son's preschool teacher.
He was also my daughter's teacher four years ago. I cannot express how sick and sad and angry and betrayed I feel.
current mood:  numb
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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| Thursday, March 6th, 2008
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11:21 pm - Four Things
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Four Things
Four Places I've Been on vacation:
1. Mexico
2. Kauai, Hawaii
3. Spain
4. Disney Land
Four of my favorite foods:
1. sushi
2. ice cream
3. homemade soup
4. roasted pork & potatoes
Four places I would rather be right now:
1. in bed (it's 11:23pm)
2. Paris
3. at a rock concert
4. getting a massage
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. swim teacher
2. ballet/creative movement teacher
3. data analyst
4. marketing analyst
Four movies I watch over and over:
I don't usually watch movies more than once, that I can remember. Here are four I may have seen more than once or I'd see again
1. any Harry Potter
2. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
3. Kiki's Delivery Service
4. Brokeback Mountain
Four places I have lived:
1. Cheshire, CT
2. Exeter, NH
3. Boston, MA
4. Seattle, WA
Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Lost
2. Heroes
3. Private Practice
4. Grey's Anatomy
Four Friends I think will respond:
no one reads this blog, so I don't think anyone will respond. Maybe I should do more than these stupid memes.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
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1:53 pm - Meme - 7 Random Things
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I sort of got tagged with this by CrazyKnittingLady and since I haven't updated in about 50 bazillion weeks, why not.
1. Today's my birthday.
2. I'm currently into knitting hats from this book, but everything I make seems to be too small or too big.
3. Before I was a knitter, I read. A lot. Almost exclusively novels. Now I read less often but, still mostly novels.
4. I have become quite interested in reading about sustainability as related to food and the major agri-businesses. Right now it's Eat Here. I haven't read Omnivore's Dilemma, yet, but it's on my shelf and I really want to read In Defense of Food: an Eater's Manifesto.
5. I want to plant a vegetable garden, but my back yard is almost entirely shade and previous attempts at container gardens has been semi-successful. I suppose it helps to remember to water the plants.
6. I have to start thinking about going back to work when my boy heads off to Kindergarten next fall. I don't want to. I'm interested in yoga/pilates, but am still recovering from an injury. And besides, I don't think they pay well. My husband wants me to sell my handmade knitwear, but I'm not a very fast knitter.
7. I can't remember how to add links, so this post is going to look like h*#l.
74tiger, I'm tagging you, since you're probably the only one who reads this. Anyone else out there who's reading? Consider yourself tagged, too.
current mood:  calm
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Saturday, October 20th, 2007
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3:52 pm - Because 74Tiger Said So...
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* For your prize, I will send you a gift.
* It might be something I've made, or something cool from my hidden stash of fabulousity (um, yeah). It might be music, or a gadget, or a toy, or a rubber duck, or a book I think you might enjoy. A love letter, a useful object, or something else that is awesome or maybe just taking up room in my house.
* Whatever it is, I promise I will get it to you in 365 days of your posted comment or less, and I will need your snail mail.
* The only thing you need to do to receive your gift is PARTICIPATE.
* Be one of the first three journalers to reply to this, and post this very same thing in your journal, and YOU are the lucky giftee.
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(comment on this)
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| Wednesday, February 21st, 2007
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12:35 pm - Bookish
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The meme:
1. grab the nearest book.
2. open the book to page 23.
3. find the fifth sentence.
4. post the text of the next three sentences on your blog along with these instructions.
5. don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! i know you were thinking about it! just pick up whatever is closest.
Learn stretches for the various parts of the body, at first concentrating on the areas of greatest tension or tightness. On the next two pages is a guide to various muscles and body parts with reference to the page where each may be found in the book. Stretching Guide .......... 24.
Stretching; 20th Anniversary Revised Edition by Bob Anderson
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| Tuesday, November 28th, 2006
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12:36 pm - Let it Snow!
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It snowed Sunday and again yesterday. There's maybe two inches on the ground, but the kids are loving it. School was open yesterday, but things turned bitter cold and windy after the snow stopped last night, so there's no school today. Both kids are bundled up and outside now, but so far I've managed to stay in my PJs and robe. We're out of milk and need stuff for dinner and I didn't make my yoga class today, so a walk will do me good, but it's cold and I really hate the cold. It looks like the wind has died down and the sun is out, so maybe it won't be so bad after all. It's so rare that we ever get the white stuff, I may as well enjoy it!
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| Saturday, July 22nd, 2006
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10:06 pm - Knitting Help, please!!
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I've decided to make Lucinda Guy's Handsome Hound for DS's 4th birthay - it's exactly two weeks from today. Yikes! This will be my first experience knitting from a chart and I've got a question - there are several increases and the instructions say to knit into the front and back of the stitch to accomplish this. I've done this before, so I'm confident with this method. The question comes when the chart shows 6 increases at the end of a row. I'm really not sure how to do this short of an increase as described above and then casting on 5 new stitches. The increases are to make the head of the dog, so I don't think she wants me to increase evenly across the row or anything like that and I think she'd say that if that's what she wanted. Any ideas? Many thanks.
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| Wednesday, July 12th, 2006
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5:19 pm - Will this kid ever be potty trained?
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I've given up on getting M potty trained - again. This is at least the 4th time I've thrown up my hands and admitted failure. I'm rationalizing it with several theories that are starting to become my mantras - boys are usually later than girls, he won't go into kindergarten in diapers (will he and is it a big deal if he does?), he'll do it when he's ready, so what if I have to pay extra at preschool next year.
But still, I'm not sure if the kid is ever gonna get out of diapers (pull-ups, actually, the largest diaper size is too small for him). He stays dry all night and will pee in the potty before bed and often first thing in the morning, but he refuses to interrupt whatever he's doing to go. Whenever I suggest trying he balks, he whines, he cries and I often give in. I mean, I don't want to put undue pressure on him and I don't want to end up paying for therapy when he's older because I forced him when he wasn't ready.
Oddly enough, he's the one who's initiated most of our failed attempts - he decided he was going to stand up to pee, he's suddenly decided to wear "big boy underpants", and he's tried to be independent and clean up his own poopy diaper. That's not at all pretty - poop on the towels, chair and rug in the bathroom - Yuk! But, still it seems like he's trying.
He knows all the angles, too. I've tried to stay calm and matter-of-fact when accidents have happened, and when I don't - he comes out with things like "but mommy, that's how you learn". He won't feel any remorse about it, either. I've tried referring to the pull ups as diapers thinking he won't want to be treated like a baby, but he just corrects me (no, mama, their pull ups) or ignores me. I also try making him lie down to be changed, but he's just fine with that, too - probably easier than having to do it himself!
So, for now, we're both happy to have him stay in pull ups. I know several moms whose sons "just decided" and were trained in no time. I'm just gonna have to get over the fact that my 4-year old is still in diapers (I mean pull ups ;) )
current mood:  exhausted
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(3 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, July 8th, 2006
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9:51 am - Catching up
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So, it's been more than a month since I've updated and at that, it was just a silly list thingy. So maybe I'll just start with a list of the things I've been hoping to post. If you're interested in one of them let me know, otherwise I'll try and tick the items off the list...eventually.
So, in no particular order, things I've been meaning to post:
- Pictures of my recent knitting projects.
- My oft-mentioned needle-exchange program - I have tons of needles and it's silly for you to buy them if you can just borrow them from me. Now that I've purchased my Denise interchangeables, I've tons of circular needles gathering dust!
- A list of all the pattern books I own, also for borrowing purposes.
- Updates of my trips to: Mexico, Lake Chelan, camping at Dash Point.
- Funny kid stories.
- Potty training woes.
- The knitting projects I'd like to do after the two I'm in the middle of are completed.
current mood:  optimistic
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