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07-24-2015, 01:55 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Name: Norm and Ginny
Trailer: Scamp 16
Florida
Posts: 7,517
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Change and the New
Certainly society is always confronted by change, though I suspect it has never been at a higher rate than it is now. I suspect the next few decades will be even more dramatic. Think about robots replacing all those employees seeking $15 at McDonalds.
I’ve always considered myself lucky because I like change. Another characteristic suggested by your ‘inner assurance’ is disregard for failure or maybe better, 'confidence in success'.
To often I’ve seen fear of failure stop many a good idea.
Though taking off on the road may seem frightful because it’s leaving your norm. Though it is a significant change for many, in a sense it’s in at least a small measure of escape from change. It’s you or maybe the two of you proceeding down the road, escaping to a more basic way of living in a smaller space, with less surrounding formerly ‘necessary for life items’, with fewer dependent human activities, reducing the set of items and people who are dependent on you is freeing, freeing of time. consideration and thought.
In a sense the change of the road, is a ‘freeing’.
When I was putting together a staff, luring people to a start up company, part of the pitch was the fact that in life there are only a few really good opportunities. Most people often don’t recognize the opportunity so they can’t even make an appropriate decision. What they see is the change that’s required and it’s risk. See the opportunity, recognize the change, and make a conscious choice. Real growth opportunities are rare. Change can be the positive difference.
Ginny and I smile as we travel about, like kids with a secret. This week I got a list of potential activities from NL’s Tourist bureau for the NL Caravan. I just sit here reading through the list, thinking of the opportunity. What changes will these new adventures bring to us, new information, foods and friends.
Robert, Thank you for making me think about change. It’s so much a part of us, I don’t give it enough thought.
930
__________________
Norm and Ginny
2014 Honda Odyssey
1991 Scamp 16
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07-24-2015, 02:02 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,018
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We are all different, yet we all have one thing in common: we all have a terminal condition (a body that will quit functioning someday). Like you said, Norm, older folks deal with death more easily than younger folks because the former have seen more of it and have thought more about it.
But I've noticed that we all tend to live our lives with a feeling of 'forever'. It's hard for us to picture ourselves simply ceasing to exist. I think this is because there's really a part of us that testifies to our brains that the real essence of us does not stop existing. Happily, I have an all-time bestselling book that says we never cease to exist but simply transition to another dimension of life.
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07-24-2015, 02:10 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Name: Robert
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Past Tents" 2018 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB SuperCrew
Arkansas
Posts: 1,298
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Last night I re-read an old classic Sci-Fi novel, one of the Dune books. In it, the protagonist was a creature who had lived for thousands of years and was also a prescient being, with absolute knowledge of what would happen next. The mere mortals around him thought his life would be amazing, being able to predict every little thing that could possibly happen with absolute precision. He however saw it a tragedy and a torture - nothing new, nothing that surprised him, his whole life mapped out, predictable and utterly boring. He craved change and surprise.
Norm, I think your life on the road gives you those kind of opportunities constantly, and I think your embracing of those changes is the reason you smile!
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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07-24-2015, 03:04 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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Perhaps I am strange, but I have been keenly aware of the limited resource of time. It came into clear focus when my first child was born. "My replacement unit is in" was my tag line for weeks.
Having kids was no cake walk. I was a single parent of 9 month old twins, and a three year old. At three weeks old, both of the twins got RSV, and were on life support for a week each. Later, one of the twins was diagnosed with "Failure to thrive", when she would not transition to solids. She did not gain any weight for two months. She had a 5 person team to try to get her to eat. She had a social worker, nutritionist, psychologist, and two more that I can't remember, (it was 18 years ago). None of them were any help. No organic issues, just real stubborn. The solution was to make it fun. Dad does a funny song and dance, big smile, fill with food, repeat. Hard to do when all you want to do is cry. This was the most stressful time of my life, also the most rewarding. "I" ceased to exist. It was only the kids and their needs.
I try to take every opportunity to experience something new, even if new does not mean pleasant. We are actually quite long lived creatures, but no mater how long, it won't last forever. Unfamiliar ground make us more alert and aware. Maybe even more alive. I am happiest when I am lost.
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07-24-2015, 03:06 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Name: Norm and Ginny
Trailer: Scamp 16
Florida
Posts: 7,517
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Npt Religion, moderators (humor)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Magee
We are all different, yet we all have one thing in common: we all have a terminal condition (a body that will quit functioning someday). Like you said, Norm, older folks deal with death more easily than younger folks because the former have seen more of it and have thought more about it.
But I've noticed that we all tend to live our lives with a feeling of 'forever'. It's hard for us to picture ourselves simply ceasing to exist. I think this is because there's really a part of us that testifies to our brains that the real essence of us does not stop existing. Happily, I have a an all-time bestselling book that also says we never cease to exist but simply transition to another dimension of life.
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I certainly have the forever wish but am well aware that is not the case. I am not a believer in after life, but should it come I'd take it. The whole concept is too self-derived and provides too much value to the human state. On the other hand most people I know are believers and that's OK.
My attitude assumes life is limited in length and my joy is here. As a result I'm trying to have as much fun as possible. This is not to suggests it's just about me, I believe in a responsibility to work, serve and build. That part of my life is done, now it's fun on the road serving Ginny (made Salmon Chowder tonight).
As I would say we always feel blessed (don't read too much into it). We've spent 15 years on the road. We hope for 10 more road years.... then we'll see... he writes with a smile.
Hope to meet one of these days Mike....
Ecclesiastes 22. So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?
__________________
Norm and Ginny
2014 Honda Odyssey
1991 Scamp 16
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07-24-2015, 03:13 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Name: Norm and Ginny
Trailer: Scamp 16
Florida
Posts: 7,517
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Tilston
Perhaps I am strange, but I have been keenly aware of the limited resource of time. It came into clear focus when my first child was born. "My replacement unit is in" was my tag line for weeks.
Having kids was no cake walk. I was a single parent of 9 month old twins, and a three year old. At three weeks old, both of the twins got RSV, and were on life support for a week each. Later, one of the twins was diagnosed with "Failure to thrive", when she would not transition to solids. She did not gain any weight for two months. She had a 5 person team to try to get her to eat. She had a social worker, nutritionist, psychologist, and two more that I can't remember, (it was 18 years ago). None of them were any help. No organic issues, just real stubborn. The solution was to make it fun. Dad does a funny song and dance, big smile, fill with food, repeat. Hard to do when all you want to do is cry. This was the most stressful time of my life, also the most rewarding. "I" ceased to exist. It was only the kids and their needs.
I try to take every opportunity to experience something new, even if new does not mean pleasant. We are actually quite long lived creatures, but no mater how long, it won't last forever. Unfamiliar ground make us more alert and aware. Maybe even more alive. I am happiest when I am lost.
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Dave, Very impressive job, congratulations. I had to look up RSV, something new to learn everyday.
The unfamiliar to me is the stimulation I need to make everyday an adventure.
You've earned the right to be lost....
__________________
Norm and Ginny
2014 Honda Odyssey
1991 Scamp 16
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07-24-2015, 03:14 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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Gotta agree with you Norm. I too have a hard time believing in eternity. Especially when my understanding of the universe is that it ends in an ever accelerating expansion of a vacuum. Stephen Hawking says even black holes evaporate, (Hawking radiation). Why should the concept of I last longer then the universe? Am "I" really that important?
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07-24-2015, 03:27 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Name: Norm and Ginny
Trailer: Scamp 16
Florida
Posts: 7,517
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Love Yellowstone but....
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan
Norm, I think your life on the road gives you those kind of opportunities constantly, and I think your embracing of those changes is the reason you smile!
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One of the amazing aspects of the road is the surprises, places that you've never heard of that lurk in your mind almost continuously, that call you back. I see this in many travelers.
Also, they sometimes lead to 'to new places', for example Yellowstone was wonderful but now I want to visit all the 7 other 'Yellowstone' hotspot locations that stretch across Idaho into Nevada, places of earlier eruptions..
I've read Dune... I like Sci-Fi.
966
__________________
Norm and Ginny
2014 Honda Odyssey
1991 Scamp 16
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07-24-2015, 03:35 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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Norm, gotta ask. What is the number above you signature for?
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07-24-2015, 03:37 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Name: Norm and Ginny
Trailer: Scamp 16
Florida
Posts: 7,517
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From David: "I too have a hard time believing in eternity."
I may believe in eternity (at least a long long long time), but not in a personal sense. The whole thought of it is interesting. I certainly respect those that believe.
One nice aspect of long range travel, no work, no repetitive family activity, no life routine, no 'day' or 'date' importance is the freedom to think, wonder and learn. This is a real road benefit. You have the chance to become more aware and more conscious.
__________________
Norm and Ginny
2014 Honda Odyssey
1991 Scamp 16
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07-24-2015, 03:48 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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I don't mean to be weird, but if the universe continues to expand at an accelerating rate, this expansion will eventually, (long long long time) start to produce relativistic consequences. Time, and space are likely to become undefined.
I have a long, and highly speculative, theory on the subject. I won't bore you with it. It tends to make more sense when alcohol is involved anyway. Oh, I am a riot around the camp fire.
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07-24-2015, 03:58 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Name: Robert
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Past Tents" 2018 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB SuperCrew
Arkansas
Posts: 1,298
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David, I've found there are many things that make better sense with alcohol - at least I thought they did at the time.
Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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07-24-2015, 04:11 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Name: Dave W
Trailer: Trillium 4500 - 1976, 1978, 1979, 1300 - 1977, and a 1973
Alberta
Posts: 6,926
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From "The Way" By Fastball. A song which is apropos to this discussion:
They drank up the wine
And they got to talking
They now had more important things to say
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07-24-2015, 06:51 PM
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#34
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Tilston
Norm, gotta ask. What is the number above you signature for?
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Zip code, I am guessing.
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07-26-2015, 09:31 AM
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#36
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Senior Member
Name: Norm and Ginny
Trailer: Scamp 16
Florida
Posts: 7,517
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A Fan
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkyVasquez
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I'm certainly a fan of Kurzwail. I watched the video and am watching the follow on video.
Could I be happy as a constructed human? Am I my brain and no more? Will wandering in a virtual world be as stimulating as traveling as we do? I see that they now have virtual sex.....
In my trailer I know where I'm going and am comfortable in the smallness of it all. The future, so rapidly approaching, so stunningly different, a future not retreat-able, a future that makes today so comfortable.
Everyone has a window in time. Some are born in better windows than others. One of my uncles spent 5 prime years hopping from Pacific island to Pacific island fighting in WWII. He served well, he sacrificed for all, fortunately not the ultimate sacrifice but 5 years of your 20's of death knocking... There are windows that are better than others.
I relate this because I feel I've been in a good window. I tripped into RVing, of being awaken to the new and inspiring every day.
Yesterday we went to a birthday party for two friends turning 70. We sat next to a retired couple who could absolutely not imagine our lives. They retired to a 4000 square foot house in a gated community with 81 holes of golf. I told her their bathroom was bigger than our trailer..it definitely was.
Ginny was glowing, bubbly and friendly as ever. The husband was so often looking at her joy. The subject of beds came up and we mentioned the Scamp's bed. His wife mentioned their king bed and how their two dogs sleep in their bed with them, one a pit bull. The husband rolled his eyes flipped his hands back. through his arms up like a dog sleeping on his back, and just said. almost sadly, yes two dogs sleep in our bed.
There are times to live that are better than others, and there is living better than others. I choose the Scamp. I've done the 4,000 sq foot house, the Scamp is better.
As my dad would say "Life is short, make good choices".
One more thing, for those that don't mind me praising Ginny, she has such a feeling for people, she always works to make them feel good. I'm probably not religious because I live with an angel. Feeling good on a cold July day.
__________________
Norm and Ginny
2014 Honda Odyssey
1991 Scamp 16
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07-26-2015, 09:50 AM
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#37
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkyVasquez
My goal is enjoying life. We can't be angry and happy at the same time. I get up every morning grateful for everything and everyone in my life. I've learned to forgive others and to humble myself.
I enjoy using technology. I have various books on my kindle including a bible, use my iPad, and enjoy watching TV. Through Facebook I found several of my relatives and friends across the country that I hadn't talked to in 35 years.
I also know that happiness is a choice.
Marky
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EXACTLY!
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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07-26-2015, 10:50 AM
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#38
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Senior Member
Name: Wendy
Trailer: ‘14 Casita 17 SD
Florida
Posts: 141
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Norm says: "We were discussing a University study about Alzheimers where 9 of 10 people were cured by diet and life style change, nearly a miracle if you know the disease. Interestingly millions of people are taking prescription drugs that really do little in the battle against the disease."
That's news to me, but I believe it's true. Fortunately there is not yet a vested interest to "cure" Alzheimer's like there is with cancer. Like Alzheimer's, cancer can be prevented and often cured by diet and lifestyle changes, but the cancer industry makes so much money from bombarding cancer patients with "cutting, burning and poisoning" each victim that prevention research has all but been squelched. I was sick for years from eating the standard American diet and therefore was certain my depression, lethargy, anger, endless fog and self-pity were things over which I had no control (and doctors only encouraged that conclusion). Then I began, in desperation, to listen to my body. Now I eat very little and only those things that make me feel healthy, and I'm alive again. Being alive led me directly to wanting to be around less toxic people, places and things. In one month I walk away from all my possessions to live out my life in and via my Casita. Two weeks after that I will turn 69, which feels young now. Actually, it feels like NOW, now. I'm inspired by the story of the Buddhist monk who fell off a cliff, saw a flower growing through a crack in the sheer wall, and was delighted.
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07-26-2015, 02:55 PM
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#39
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Senior Member
Name: Norm and Ginny
Trailer: Scamp 16
Florida
Posts: 7,517
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Oops
Wendy,
There's a lot to eating properly. Of course we're not there but doing better.
As to the UCLA study and similar information on Alzheimers , we're interested because a family member has Alzheimers. This is not a medical recommendation, but Ginny started following suggestions of the UCLA Study.
As well, I may have written this somewhere else, but I am now fasting once a week and eating less on other days.
There are a lot of untold keys to a good life. Originally I wrote 'untold secrets', but they're not secrets, generally we don't know them and they are not taught.
Rving has provided the chance to step away and take a new look at our entire life.
It's funny for the last two days I've been writing about religion to a site member. Religion, nothing I think about anymore but I can see some, even significant benefits to those who feel 'guided'.
Every day there's much to consider, changes to make, new adventure, I love doing in our little Scamp. And thanks to the helping friends here.
__________________
Norm and Ginny
2014 Honda Odyssey
1991 Scamp 16
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07-26-2015, 06:29 PM
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#40
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Senior Member
Name: Ray
Trailer: 2017 Scamp 16 Deluxe
Missouri
Posts: 692
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Some might enjoy watching the "Forks Over Knives" video. It is available on NetFlix, Hulu+, some Best Buy stores, Amazon, and some local libraries.
The suggestion is that: if we watch what we put on our forks, we may never have to go "under the knife" and have cardiac bypass surgery.
It would be tough to do completely in today's society. At the very least, it seems like an interesting premise.
As always, YMMV.
Ray
Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV
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