hello everyone.
I saw the cutest thing today before my 900am class. This guy (looked 12 years old) is talking to this girl (out of his league) and it is obvious he is trying to ask her out. Ok, so the young man is describing this awesome party he'd been to the night before (Sunday night at a college, some folks party, even on a school night) anyway, the girl says, "I was at a big party last night too." The nervous little guy then says "It was at Apartment number....uhhh.....uhhh....79." Poor guy, the girl says back..."I was there too," I don't remember seeing you there" OUCH!!!!!
Being rejected by a girl is.......well, it just sucks. It's humiliating and so uncomfortable.....yuck. I asked this girl to dance with me once. I was living in Myrtle Beach at the time shortly after graduating. She looks at me, and says..."how old are you, how did you get in here." I was 19 at the $&$##*# time. female dog.
Did anyone see in the paper where Steve "Toby" Mckenzie had his name taken off of a building at UT-Knoxville. Yeah, he didn't make due with a $2 million dollar pledge....he didn't pay, so they whacked his name off the building, like I brush off lent. This is a deal to me because of being a Clevelander. Toby went to school with my mother and they even dated once or twice. SOOOO.....the first thing I see when I get off Amnicola Hwy every morning is "The McKenzie Arena." I will be real sad to see it torn down (Mckenzie has filed for bankruptcy..$151 million) That's just ugly.
I'm about to retire from Facebook. I think I have been active on it for 6 weeks or so, and it's just too much. Facebook and MySpace are not supposed to be ways that we actually communicate with each other. Does anyone speak face to face anymore? Personally, I send far too many text messages and care too much about updating my "status." It's not for me.
My grandmother got herself at big fat flat screen and I could not be more proud of anyone. This lady..my nana...lives so...not simple, but....inexcessive, than anyone I have known. Im so glad she treated herself at 84. She deserves so much more. Great lady, loved by so many.
This piss-poor economy strikes again...a friend of mine just lost her job.....she was "phased out." What the hell does that mean??? It's been 6 days since the Oath of Office enacted and the clock is ticking!!!
Oh...got the Emmamonster's 2nd report card of the year. And I quote.."Emma is really way ahead right now." "She is patient enough to go back and look at her work." "I look forward continuing the year with Emma" YEAH!!!! MY KID ROCKS!!!! THANKS DEBBIE & BONNIE!!!!
listening to "Since Ive been lovin you", by Zeppelin.....genius, man, genius.
take it easy,
Clayyyyyyyyyy
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Let's talk politics...
Wow, what an intense day Tuesday was? I had people from both sides of the aisle up in my grill. Either by phone call, email, or Facebook, I was in a debate/argument with several people. I can only ascertain that some look at me as a liberal democrat, and some folks think I'm a conservative republican.
Truth is, right now, Im neither. I am a free agent. Yeah, I grew up supporting the Republican party through and through. I still am against all this spending going on. I want lower taxes. I favor the 2nd Amendment, and want a strong military...those things make conservative. I am also pro-choice, for gay marriage, against the death penalty, and pro-environment. These traits are liberal...or for the democratic party. Now, understanding how I feel, where should I be placed. My guess, right in the middle.
All that being said, I'm currently riding in the backseat of Obama's bandwagon. Why? Well, there really isn't any other choice. Whether I like it or not, he's in charge for the next 4 years. I want to be able to hope that he does well. If Obama does well, then you would think the economy comes back, the number is troops in Iraq decreases (Notice I did not say pull out of Iraq completely), and maybe their is some real health care reform happening. As a matter of a fact, either side should concede that these things are all great considering the shape we are in now.
I was watching history, but observing something more on Tuesday. I was in the UTC University Center where I had grabbed lunch. I don't go to class until 1215pm on Tuesday, so I'm watching Yo-Yo Ma play the Cello right before the Oath was bumbled, and suddenly it hits me. The entire cafeteria was packed three deep in order to watch two 19" TV's. I was taken aback that these kids were so interested. Myself, I keep up with politics, but figured there was much else interest among those I have classes with. Boy, was I wrong. I dunno, maybe I have a sense for the dramatic, but I really felt like Tuesday was a day that I won't ever forget.
ciao!
Truth is, right now, Im neither. I am a free agent. Yeah, I grew up supporting the Republican party through and through. I still am against all this spending going on. I want lower taxes. I favor the 2nd Amendment, and want a strong military...those things make conservative. I am also pro-choice, for gay marriage, against the death penalty, and pro-environment. These traits are liberal...or for the democratic party. Now, understanding how I feel, where should I be placed. My guess, right in the middle.
All that being said, I'm currently riding in the backseat of Obama's bandwagon. Why? Well, there really isn't any other choice. Whether I like it or not, he's in charge for the next 4 years. I want to be able to hope that he does well. If Obama does well, then you would think the economy comes back, the number is troops in Iraq decreases (Notice I did not say pull out of Iraq completely), and maybe their is some real health care reform happening. As a matter of a fact, either side should concede that these things are all great considering the shape we are in now.
I was watching history, but observing something more on Tuesday. I was in the UTC University Center where I had grabbed lunch. I don't go to class until 1215pm on Tuesday, so I'm watching Yo-Yo Ma play the Cello right before the Oath was bumbled, and suddenly it hits me. The entire cafeteria was packed three deep in order to watch two 19" TV's. I was taken aback that these kids were so interested. Myself, I keep up with politics, but figured there was much else interest among those I have classes with. Boy, was I wrong. I dunno, maybe I have a sense for the dramatic, but I really felt like Tuesday was a day that I won't ever forget.
ciao!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
BCS+$$$$= BS
I wrote this article on the BCS a while back and it doesn't make all the points, but it is topical and some any sportsfans should have an opinion on this topic.
My Argument: Why the Bowl Championship Series that represents college football, should be changed or abolished.
All fans of college football would agree that it has become silly to have a debate on who is number one. There is not one other sport that cannot clearly define it champion. The basis of sportsmanlike competition is that there is a winner and a loser. In other words, a first and a second is required for the competition to end.
Controversy on “who’s number one?” in college football has been a problem since it’s enception in 1889. Many schools claim victories and championships, but many times another team can make the same points as to why they are the best. The best example of this….is to use by beloved Tide as an example
We (bama fans and the University) claim 12 national championships, but the official NCAA record book says we have 6. The University of Tennessee claims 6 National Championships, but like Alabama, has had their number decreased to 2. The point is that there needs to be a playoff to finally determine who is the last team standing.
Playoffs exist in every other known sport played in the US, as well as professional leagues like the NFL or the NBA. These playoffs generate tons of dough to television networks and the Super Bowl is the biggest event in sports each year. No offense to the World Series, or the NBA Finals, but it is simply a fact that the highest rated event (yes, including American Idol and 24) is far and away the Super Bowl.
One supporter of such a playoff is President Elect Barack Obama. Obama has not just used his support of a playoff as a way to be popular with us college football nuts, but has said in several formal interviews that a playoff is the way to go. According to an ABC News interview conducted by Jake Tapper shortly after the season ended on January 6th with Florida beating Oklahoma for the BCS Championship, Obama was asked by Mr. Tapper…”So, who is number one?” Obama’s response was, “That’s why we need a playoff.”
Despite his politics and my own political views either for or against, I believe the President Elect to be a sports fan. Like many others he is frustrated and unsatisfied that a champion cannot be crowned without controversy and second guessing. I am hoping that the folks that stand in the way of such a playoff understand that they are now not only ignoring me and my fellow fans, but the opinion of the soon-to-be Commander in Chief.
It's never too soon to predict to put out a Top 10 for next year. For the record, I predicted Florida would win this year, but by beating USC. Move over Nostradamus.
1- Florida (Tebow will be back, enough said right there, but FU will actually have its entire defense back to boot) Big stretch I know.
2- Texas (Like Florida, they return an All-American QB and plenty of talent everywhere)
3- Oklahoma (This ranking would slide if Sam Bradford declares for the draft which he has not at this point, but OU gave Florida all they wanted and is one of the few teams around that can match SEC speed)
4- Ohio State (Terrelle Pryor will be much better and playing in the Big Ten leads to a soft schedule)
5- USC (They are just going to reload, but they will lose most likely 5-6 players that will go in the first 3 rounds of the NFL draft..that is tough to replace)
6- Florida State (Wild Card Pick here....FSU finished strong at 9-4, and have all that talent coming back..plus the ACC is weak)
7- Alabama (Defensively, look out. Bama will deploy the best front 7 in college football thanks to Mt. Cody and fellow All American linebacker Rolando McClain, but you don't replace 3 offensive linemen and a senior QB without some blowback)
8- Virginia Tech (That game against Bama on Sept 5th in the Georgia Dome will probably set the tone for each team, look what happened with Clemson this past fall. Seriously, 18 starters return from the ACC Champion. Also, they are tougher than nails)
9- LSU (If they find themselves a consistent QB, then the sky is the limit. There is just too much talent for LSU to duplicate the poor season they just had)
10- The Field.....there are several teams I could put here...Ole Miss, Penn State, Boise State, Utah...and so on....so there is my very early Top "9" for 2009.
Can't wait till its starts all over again. Roll Tide Roll!!
My Argument: Why the Bowl Championship Series that represents college football, should be changed or abolished.
All fans of college football would agree that it has become silly to have a debate on who is number one. There is not one other sport that cannot clearly define it champion. The basis of sportsmanlike competition is that there is a winner and a loser. In other words, a first and a second is required for the competition to end.
Controversy on “who’s number one?” in college football has been a problem since it’s enception in 1889. Many schools claim victories and championships, but many times another team can make the same points as to why they are the best. The best example of this….is to use by beloved Tide as an example
We (bama fans and the University) claim 12 national championships, but the official NCAA record book says we have 6. The University of Tennessee claims 6 National Championships, but like Alabama, has had their number decreased to 2. The point is that there needs to be a playoff to finally determine who is the last team standing.
Playoffs exist in every other known sport played in the US, as well as professional leagues like the NFL or the NBA. These playoffs generate tons of dough to television networks and the Super Bowl is the biggest event in sports each year. No offense to the World Series, or the NBA Finals, but it is simply a fact that the highest rated event (yes, including American Idol and 24) is far and away the Super Bowl.
One supporter of such a playoff is President Elect Barack Obama. Obama has not just used his support of a playoff as a way to be popular with us college football nuts, but has said in several formal interviews that a playoff is the way to go. According to an ABC News interview conducted by Jake Tapper shortly after the season ended on January 6th with Florida beating Oklahoma for the BCS Championship, Obama was asked by Mr. Tapper…”So, who is number one?” Obama’s response was, “That’s why we need a playoff.”
Despite his politics and my own political views either for or against, I believe the President Elect to be a sports fan. Like many others he is frustrated and unsatisfied that a champion cannot be crowned without controversy and second guessing. I am hoping that the folks that stand in the way of such a playoff understand that they are now not only ignoring me and my fellow fans, but the opinion of the soon-to-be Commander in Chief.
It's never too soon to predict to put out a Top 10 for next year. For the record, I predicted Florida would win this year, but by beating USC. Move over Nostradamus.
1- Florida (Tebow will be back, enough said right there, but FU will actually have its entire defense back to boot) Big stretch I know.
2- Texas (Like Florida, they return an All-American QB and plenty of talent everywhere)
3- Oklahoma (This ranking would slide if Sam Bradford declares for the draft which he has not at this point, but OU gave Florida all they wanted and is one of the few teams around that can match SEC speed)
4- Ohio State (Terrelle Pryor will be much better and playing in the Big Ten leads to a soft schedule)
5- USC (They are just going to reload, but they will lose most likely 5-6 players that will go in the first 3 rounds of the NFL draft..that is tough to replace)
6- Florida State (Wild Card Pick here....FSU finished strong at 9-4, and have all that talent coming back..plus the ACC is weak)
7- Alabama (Defensively, look out. Bama will deploy the best front 7 in college football thanks to Mt. Cody and fellow All American linebacker Rolando McClain, but you don't replace 3 offensive linemen and a senior QB without some blowback)
8- Virginia Tech (That game against Bama on Sept 5th in the Georgia Dome will probably set the tone for each team, look what happened with Clemson this past fall. Seriously, 18 starters return from the ACC Champion. Also, they are tougher than nails)
9- LSU (If they find themselves a consistent QB, then the sky is the limit. There is just too much talent for LSU to duplicate the poor season they just had)
10- The Field.....there are several teams I could put here...Ole Miss, Penn State, Boise State, Utah...and so on....so there is my very early Top "9" for 2009.
Can't wait till its starts all over again. Roll Tide Roll!!
Monday, January 5, 2009
it's like having your breath knocked out of you........
For those that have never been physically jarred to the point of losing your breath, let me describe the sensation.....you panic. The fact that your diaphram has been rebooted and air is not entering your body is not the awful part....it's that you panic and think for a split second that you won't get your breath back. I think giving my kid back to her mom is similiar.
I dunno. The fact is that the Emmamonster lives with her mother and her family in Charleston, SC. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is 420 miles from my doorstep to Emma's home. That's a long ways. It's ok, I made that call to move away, and her mom is a kick ass mother. I sleep easy knowing that my angel is sleeping on a soft bed under a roof with those that care for her. It helps take the sting out.....but I still lose my appetite the day before I take her back...and that day as well.
No one should feel sorry for me...not at all. I get the privilege to be with Emma nearly 1/3 of the time..including the entire summer. We have a ball and do so much.
I guess I'm just being whiny. I got up this morning and went back to class. It was an overcast day, a little chilly and windy. I found myself detached in each class. Professors are giving out their rules and the syllabus, but I was not paying attention. I've found myself in a daze today, really. I think that as Emma gets older, I am becoming more depressed when she goes away. I think it's because her personality has sprouted wings and she talks to me.
Routine....in a day or two, my level of enthusiasm will climb...that dark cloud will lift. I'll be back to smart assing my away around.....I have to admit, a distraction would be nice, but just like all the other divorced parents I know, I gotta do what I gotta do. 420 miles.....
By request of my little Emmamonster....she wanted me to write my next blog on our dogs....and I cheated to write this junk... for those that want to hear about Willie and Lola....and all their poop, it's coming.
Cheers to everyone, for I will have a beer tonight.
Clay
I dunno. The fact is that the Emmamonster lives with her mother and her family in Charleston, SC. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is 420 miles from my doorstep to Emma's home. That's a long ways. It's ok, I made that call to move away, and her mom is a kick ass mother. I sleep easy knowing that my angel is sleeping on a soft bed under a roof with those that care for her. It helps take the sting out.....but I still lose my appetite the day before I take her back...and that day as well.
No one should feel sorry for me...not at all. I get the privilege to be with Emma nearly 1/3 of the time..including the entire summer. We have a ball and do so much.
I guess I'm just being whiny. I got up this morning and went back to class. It was an overcast day, a little chilly and windy. I found myself detached in each class. Professors are giving out their rules and the syllabus, but I was not paying attention. I've found myself in a daze today, really. I think that as Emma gets older, I am becoming more depressed when she goes away. I think it's because her personality has sprouted wings and she talks to me.
Routine....in a day or two, my level of enthusiasm will climb...that dark cloud will lift. I'll be back to smart assing my away around.....I have to admit, a distraction would be nice, but just like all the other divorced parents I know, I gotta do what I gotta do. 420 miles.....
By request of my little Emmamonster....she wanted me to write my next blog on our dogs....and I cheated to write this junk... for those that want to hear about Willie and Lola....and all their poop, it's coming.
Cheers to everyone, for I will have a beer tonight.
Clay
Friday, January 2, 2009
Leslie gets called out....a "Rockin" New Year's Eve....and BFF's for everyone!!!
This one could run a little long........
First things first. This has been an amazing Holiday Season. Santa hooked this brother up with everything he wanted. Let's see:
- No screwups, no trips to jail, no drunken blackouts, everyone is healthy, Atlanta traffic was decent, and my Nana was feeling better.
- Good Report from my back surgeon
- Spent two days with my sister and brother in law in which we did nothing but reinvent the words, Sloth and Gluttony
-Got a sweet scarf and my 34th pullover (a sweet North Carolina one that was lined). Also, I was given more two books that I can't wait to dig into.
-Have gotten to spend some really good time with Emma. I mean...just Daddy. It's the best.
- Found out I have lost 14 pounds due to eating soymeat so, again, who knew???
Now, there were some newsworthy events over the last few days of 2008...let's start with one of my oldest and dearest friends....Leslie Marie Leach Davis. Lester and I have not seen or spoken to one another since my mother's funeral in 2002. Yes, Leslie andI dated, went together, or whatever it was termed in 1988, for a nanosecond in the 8th grade. After, what Im sure was a brutal break up, we ended up being good friends all the way through HS. She was always there with something positive to say, and gave good counsel. I digress.....
Thanks to the miracle that is Facebook, or FB as I heard it the other night, Bonnie, Emmamonster, and I met Leslie and her cutie of a daughter, Cameron for lunch last Tuesday afternoon....Jenkins Deli, no less.
Now, I gotta be straight and admit that I was a little nervous. There were several factors in play....First, this would mark the first time Bonnie would meet an old flame (ex-wife excluded), and for some dumbass reason I was thinking lightsabres would come out, or there might be hair pulling...alas....Im an idiot. What did happen was remarkable. Emma and Cameron stared each other down for 4 minutes..and now I think Cameron will be a bridesmaid someday. Bonnie jumped into the my conversation with Leslie....and now Leslie will be a bridesmaid for Bonnie someday. I swear I was looking around like a boxer that just took too many to the noggin. Secondly, after lunch, the all new Brady Bunch was on the way to see a movie and children become a cross between a crack head and/or someone that just drank three Red Bull's and straight sugar. Ok, so Im buying extra butter and some popcorn, Bonnie informs me that we are going to Leslie and her husband Joe's house for New Years. Also, Emmamonster and Cameron have asked me if Emma can go play at Leslie and Joe's house......I want to point out here...that Leslie has never met my daughter or my lovely bride to be, and hasn't seen me in 6 years. Things are going fast and furiously. Ok...so now the tough part.......
I have no doubt that I will probably have to admonish, and be a bad guy in front of everyone because Emma acts like she's in the midst of a sugar rush when it comes to movie. So , Iknow Im going ot have to be a bad guy in front of everyone 12-15 times because, that is normally the way it goes with her when the lights go down. I'm hoping that Cameron will be more stable....she's Leslie's kid, so I think I'm safe. Ok....the lights have gone down and a preview is playing.......Get this, I can't even tell you if the kids are behaving because I'm in a three-way conversation that could be heard in an Airplane hangar. I'm breaking my own code!!!! Shut the hell up when the lights come down!!! What am I thinking???? Then a great moment in Clay history arrives with the force of blunt trauma to the face!!!
A woman is walking down our row. I catch a glimpse of her and am about to get up to let her by.......but she stops.....right next to Leslie. She leans down and says to Leslie in a nice, even, calm voice....."Are you going to talk this loud through the whole movie, because if you are, I'm going to have to move." Just seconds before Leslie's face was to turn to the shade of a deep Crimson mixed with......Scarlet, a guttoral laugh started to swell in my belly, for I know that I am about to crap my pants laughing.
I have known this girl for 21 years and as far as I know, she has NEVER,EVER,EVER gotten in trouble with anyone. Teachers had lottery's to have her grace there classes,and just got called out by a grandmother for talking in a movie. Folks, the funniness of our children being angels while we were acting like fools was truly priceless. The thing was....we all put our heads down like we'd been caught in the cookie jar and were embarassed half to death. Maybe, you just had to be there because I rarely laugh out loud (some sort of birth defect) but I giggled and almost choked up my entire chicken salad sandwich. Leslie handled it well though. She just looked at this lady like she was crazy and didn't say a word. It was good that the mild mannered teacher was sitting there. Bonnie and I probably would have said something stupid.
This is going to have to be two.....I haven't even gotten to picking Emma up from Cameron's 3 hours later. I had no idea that I was about to go into a time warp with old stories, high school annuals, lasagna, and blowing out my elbow playing tennis on Wii.
I will just close with the fact that it was the start of a great day.....and the beginning of something bigger.
Part two will probably be tomorrow....Bama plays the Utes in an little while and Ill be full of dip and beer by the time it's over.
Good night.
-
First things first. This has been an amazing Holiday Season. Santa hooked this brother up with everything he wanted. Let's see:
- No screwups, no trips to jail, no drunken blackouts, everyone is healthy, Atlanta traffic was decent, and my Nana was feeling better.
- Good Report from my back surgeon
- Spent two days with my sister and brother in law in which we did nothing but reinvent the words, Sloth and Gluttony
-Got a sweet scarf and my 34th pullover (a sweet North Carolina one that was lined). Also, I was given more two books that I can't wait to dig into.
-Have gotten to spend some really good time with Emma. I mean...just Daddy. It's the best.
- Found out I have lost 14 pounds due to eating soymeat so, again, who knew???
Now, there were some newsworthy events over the last few days of 2008...let's start with one of my oldest and dearest friends....Leslie Marie Leach Davis. Lester and I have not seen or spoken to one another since my mother's funeral in 2002. Yes, Leslie andI dated, went together, or whatever it was termed in 1988, for a nanosecond in the 8th grade. After, what Im sure was a brutal break up, we ended up being good friends all the way through HS. She was always there with something positive to say, and gave good counsel. I digress.....
Thanks to the miracle that is Facebook, or FB as I heard it the other night, Bonnie, Emmamonster, and I met Leslie and her cutie of a daughter, Cameron for lunch last Tuesday afternoon....Jenkins Deli, no less.
Now, I gotta be straight and admit that I was a little nervous. There were several factors in play....First, this would mark the first time Bonnie would meet an old flame (ex-wife excluded), and for some dumbass reason I was thinking lightsabres would come out, or there might be hair pulling...alas....Im an idiot. What did happen was remarkable. Emma and Cameron stared each other down for 4 minutes..and now I think Cameron will be a bridesmaid someday. Bonnie jumped into the my conversation with Leslie....and now Leslie will be a bridesmaid for Bonnie someday. I swear I was looking around like a boxer that just took too many to the noggin. Secondly, after lunch, the all new Brady Bunch was on the way to see a movie and children become a cross between a crack head and/or someone that just drank three Red Bull's and straight sugar. Ok, so Im buying extra butter and some popcorn, Bonnie informs me that we are going to Leslie and her husband Joe's house for New Years. Also, Emmamonster and Cameron have asked me if Emma can go play at Leslie and Joe's house......I want to point out here...that Leslie has never met my daughter or my lovely bride to be, and hasn't seen me in 6 years. Things are going fast and furiously. Ok...so now the tough part.......
I have no doubt that I will probably have to admonish, and be a bad guy in front of everyone because Emma acts like she's in the midst of a sugar rush when it comes to movie. So , Iknow Im going ot have to be a bad guy in front of everyone 12-15 times because, that is normally the way it goes with her when the lights go down. I'm hoping that Cameron will be more stable....she's Leslie's kid, so I think I'm safe. Ok....the lights have gone down and a preview is playing.......Get this, I can't even tell you if the kids are behaving because I'm in a three-way conversation that could be heard in an Airplane hangar. I'm breaking my own code!!!! Shut the hell up when the lights come down!!! What am I thinking???? Then a great moment in Clay history arrives with the force of blunt trauma to the face!!!
A woman is walking down our row. I catch a glimpse of her and am about to get up to let her by.......but she stops.....right next to Leslie. She leans down and says to Leslie in a nice, even, calm voice....."Are you going to talk this loud through the whole movie, because if you are, I'm going to have to move." Just seconds before Leslie's face was to turn to the shade of a deep Crimson mixed with......Scarlet, a guttoral laugh started to swell in my belly, for I know that I am about to crap my pants laughing.
I have known this girl for 21 years and as far as I know, she has NEVER,EVER,EVER gotten in trouble with anyone. Teachers had lottery's to have her grace there classes,and just got called out by a grandmother for talking in a movie. Folks, the funniness of our children being angels while we were acting like fools was truly priceless. The thing was....we all put our heads down like we'd been caught in the cookie jar and were embarassed half to death. Maybe, you just had to be there because I rarely laugh out loud (some sort of birth defect) but I giggled and almost choked up my entire chicken salad sandwich. Leslie handled it well though. She just looked at this lady like she was crazy and didn't say a word. It was good that the mild mannered teacher was sitting there. Bonnie and I probably would have said something stupid.
This is going to have to be two.....I haven't even gotten to picking Emma up from Cameron's 3 hours later. I had no idea that I was about to go into a time warp with old stories, high school annuals, lasagna, and blowing out my elbow playing tennis on Wii.
I will just close with the fact that it was the start of a great day.....and the beginning of something bigger.
Part two will probably be tomorrow....Bama plays the Utes in an little while and Ill be full of dip and beer by the time it's over.
Good night.
-
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