Re: Cheerfulness

1

Whoo-hoo! Congratulations to Dr. Oops, and best of luck, fingers crossed, for you.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:41 AM
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Good luck and congrats to the Breath sisters.


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:43 AM
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3

She was working there as a fellow? "Transplant program" is a euphemism, isn't it?


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:43 AM
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As is 'fellow'. And 'purchases'.

Oh, what the hell. What I really meant is that it looks as if she's going to get out on appeal.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:44 AM
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Good luck!


Posted by: I don't pay | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:46 AM
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But seriously, anyone needs a new pancreas, Dr. Oops can hook you up.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:47 AM
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I thought she was hired full-time by the kidney-ice tub people.

Hey, am I correct that Dr. O is in Pittsburgh? Will you be coming out to celebrate? Can I suggest a meet-up? Maybe Weiner can stop in on his way from Lubbock to Vermont....


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:47 AM
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8

Might could happen this summer sometime -- I'll post if I'm going to be out there.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:51 AM
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9

Dr. Oops is at U/P/M/C?


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:53 AM
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Hooray for the Sisters Breath!

A transplant doctor is *really* someone you don't want to be named "oops."


Posted by: rob helpy-chalk | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:54 AM
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11

This isn't the Friday puzzle, people.


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:55 AM
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12

Great for Dr. Oops, and good luck to you, LB.


Posted by: SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:56 AM
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13

Yeah, I googleproofed 9 because she's pretty unambiguously identified by city and specialty. But that's the hospital.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:57 AM
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Good things all around! Congrats to Dr. Oops, and best of luck to our own Lizard.


Posted by: mrh | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 11:57 AM
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15

Wait a minute. If LB gets a job in which she is happy and productive, what will that do to her blogging?


Posted by: Jackmormon | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:00 PM
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I was wondering that myself.


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:01 PM
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Heh. My best guess, if I were suddenly professionally contented and productive, would be just about as much blogging, but a drastic drop in commenting. I'm sure no one's noticed, but I leave about half the entire volume of comments on this site.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:03 PM
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15. Absolutely we must keep LB bored at work, and just frustrated and angry enough to have excellent snark. Happiness and fufillment will lead to bad blogging. Example: Lileks.


Posted by: Tassled Loafered Leech | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:03 PM
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Yay for LB and Dr. Oops! I am emanating good vibes of the flaky variety in both your directions.

A transplant doctor is *really* someone you don't want to be named "oops."

Beats the heck out of "Dr. Spoo."


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:04 PM
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20

Actually, that's Spoor'd. She got the nickname after a bloodhound successfully trailed her home from a Shakespeare production she was doing lights for.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:06 PM
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21

Hey, congrats. That's a great center, too -- one of the two or three best in the country. Obviously in celebration she should buy twenty or thirty copies of my book and hand it out to her colleagues and friends.


Posted by: Kieran | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:11 PM
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22

Congratulations and fingers crossed. Not that it's supremely important, but just curious: will federal agency pay the Breath family mortgage? Or will N & S be sold off to make up the difference?

(Because surely you're too smart to have been stuck in a miserable biglaw job all this time for other than financial consideration...)


Posted by: Brock Landers | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:11 PM
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But seriously, anyone needs a new pancreas, Dr. Oops can hook you up

Well, not exactly "need," but looking at media images of pancreases, I'm not really happy with the one I've got....


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:12 PM
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22: Actually, the house is paid off, but the monthly payments on S & N might be too steep....


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:14 PM
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Congrats to both of you! Fingers crossed!


Posted by: Becks | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:14 PM
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22: Finances will be snugger, but still workable. Newt and Sally are pulling their weight by attending school, so that full-day child care is no longer necessary. But sale or licensing remains an option.

21: Yes, I've been meaning to buy her a copy. Actually, I'm online, I'm going to do that now.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:15 PM
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Actually, I'm online, I'm going to do that now.

This is excellent, because he was joking, but is now going to feel like a dirty huckster. Capitalism is tricky like that.


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:16 PM
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Actually, that's Spoor'd.

(Dr.) Droops would be an even better name for a transplant doc. "Oh, your new pancreas is sagging right now, sure, but elasticity will return with time and exercise."


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:18 PM
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Hmm, as long as we're goading the Breaths into purchases, perhaps Dr. Oops would like a house designed...?


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:20 PM
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Well, sucks to be Kieran then, because the book is in the mail. (I had actually formed the plan to send it as a congratulatory present, but hadn't yet remembered it while seated at the computer).


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:21 PM
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31

Is the agency the Defense Department?

If so, CharlieCarp is probably real popular with them. He could give you a good reference.


Posted by: will | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:25 PM
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32

I read some thing by a guy who, after a fantastic night out on the town with a gorgeous, passionate Irish-American doctor from Manhattan, woke up in a bathtub full of ice, a long surgery scar, and note with nothing on it but a big happy face and the word "Oops"..


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:30 PM
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33

"with"


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:32 PM
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34

Many positive vibes will be sent your way, LB.


Posted by: Chopper | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:33 PM
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For those who (unlike JRoth and myself) aren't kept informed on these matters by a boosterish local press, Dr. Oops' employer is one of the world's leading research-oriented transplant programs. Definitely, congratulations.


Posted by: JWP | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:42 PM
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36

She is, indeed, the shit.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:43 PM
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37

Is Dr. Oops now required to donate to the anti-motorcycle helmet and anti-seat belt organizations now?


Posted by: will | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:44 PM
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38

Capitalism is tricky like that.

Actually this is one of the themes of the book.

It also contains a lot of useful dating advice for Iranians. Something for everyone, really.


Posted by: Kieran | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:46 PM
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39

37. Is that the one with Gary Busey as the spokesman?


Posted by: Tassled Loafered Leech | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:47 PM
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Why wouldn't you like to work there now? Are they expected to come under new management in a couple of weeks?


Posted by: washerdreyer | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:48 PM
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41

What about parenting suggestions, Kieran? Does it have those?


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:48 PM
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23 reminds me of one of Jean Kerr's quips: "I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas?"


Posted by: Witt | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:48 PM
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Transplant doctor? U/P/M/C? If I ever get a first-author paper published, a couple of those are going to be the third and fourth authors.


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:53 PM
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44

Something for everyone, really.

Not to mention the included DVD with Secrets of Erotic Massage.


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:54 PM
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45

Small weird little world it is. I'd ask what transplant docs have to do with h/er/pes viruses, but I probably wouldn't understand the answer.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:55 PM
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46

What about parenting suggestions, Kieran? Does it have those?

Sure. E.g., on p.30: "Precious Gifts: Katie Coolican's Story and Lizzy Gets a New Liver both lay out the process of organ and tissue donation for young children. Precious Gifts is aimed at four- to eight-year-olds. The publisher's description notes that the book will help 'children and adults understand the process of organ and tissue donation. The determination of brain death and its meaning is clearly portrayed...'"


Posted by: Kieran | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:56 PM
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47

You know, I was explaining donations and brain death to PK when we were in Atlanta, actually, although I don't remember why.


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:59 PM
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48

And recipies for cooking with organ meats! ("Braised sweetbreads, steak and kidney pie...")


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:59 PM
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. I'd ask what transplant docs have to do with h/er/pes viruses, but I probably wouldn't understand the answer.

Well, the docs work long hours, and end up seeing mostly one another, so if there's one infected doc....


Posted by: SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 12:59 PM
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50

Cat pictures?


Posted by: bitchphd | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:00 PM
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51

A pancreas seems like an even less exciting Christmas present than socks. But then I don't need a pancreas, if I did that would probably rearrange my priorities a bit.


Posted by: Clownaesthesiologist | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:00 PM
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32: Dr. Oops is like 6'2" and very athletic, right? I bet subduing donors is a big part of her work for the kidney people.


Posted by: rob helpy-chalk | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:05 PM
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53

Perhaps you're coming to my agency. We have lots of lawyers and you'd fit right in.


Posted by: jackie | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:09 PM
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54

That'd be funny, wouldn't it. If I end up getting the job, email me where you work, and we'll find out if it's the same.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:11 PM
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You are going to point them to the blog, right? As an example of the sort of work you're capable of.


Posted by: Brock Landers | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:15 PM
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Heh. Um, on the off chance that any potential hirers are reading this and have unmasked me, I do work quite hard when not miserable.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:17 PM
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Socks can be a good present, depending on the socks. How would you feel about a nice, long, striped pancreas?


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:19 PM
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58

Cat pictures?

The best I could do would be cat scans.


Posted by: Kieran | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:19 PM
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47: "If you don't stop doing that, I will kill you and let some little boy who knows how to behave use your liver."


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:23 PM
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I do work quite hard when not miserable

As a former co-worker I can vouch for this. Or, since she left us, I suppose that she is a brilliant and hard working lawyer even if miserable, when properly motivated.


Posted by: Idealist | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:23 PM
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No, no, I was enjoying the bits where I was working hard.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:32 PM
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subduing donors

Yeah, Kieran, is there a chapter on the ethics of drugging people in bars and leaving them, shy a kidney, in bathtubs full of ice?


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:33 PM
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63

Congrats to LB and best of luck to Oops PhD.


Posted by: Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:40 PM
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64

Assuming the new gig comes through and requires a clearance or a background check you should totally list each and every one of us as references in the part where they ask you to explain/justify the last seven or ten or however many years of your life.

"I write for an Iranian website where everyone uses a fake name but some of them assure me they're from The Heartland."


Posted by: Robust McManlyPants | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:43 PM
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is there a chapter on the ethics of drugging people in bars and leaving them, shy a kidney, in bathtubs full of ice?

Petty, niggling IRB/Human Subjects issues meant the drugging-and-abduction field experiments were cut from the final writeup.


Posted by: Kieran | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:48 PM
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And that bit about killing sprees where I came out as a popular favorite? No need to dwell on it.


Posted by: LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:48 PM
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And that bit about killing sprees where I came out as a popular favorite? No need to dwell on it.

A real go-getter!


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:55 PM
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You weren't so much the odds-on favorite to actually go on the killing spree, but everyone agreed that you would be very methodical, efficient and polite should you decide to snap in a measured kind of way.

I think this could only speak well to future employers. If you snap, they know only the assholes will be shot and there will be minimal property damage.


Posted by: JAC | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 1:55 PM
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Lizardbreath's resume:

"Came first in a recent online survey regarding 'Most Likely to Go on Killing Spree.' Finished in front of Obsessive-Compulsive Iranian, Shoe-loving Mormon, Various lawyers, and PHds."


Posted by: will | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 2:00 PM
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Sorry about the indiscretion error. Seriously, that's an awesome place to be. And "boosterish local press" should be "after the medical center bought about 75% of the city, the paper began to praise it so they wouldn't be the U/P/M/C Post-Gazette." Lots of good places to live, too.

Yayyyyy breath sisters!


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 2:00 PM
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breath sisters

It's like blood brothers, but more accomodating of the squeamish.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 2:03 PM
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And hott.


Posted by: JRoth | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 2:06 PM
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73

My brother teaches at UIUC; and so somehow I am reading UPMC as "University of Pennsylvania, Minneapolis-Champaign."


Posted by: Clownaesthesiologist | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 2:09 PM
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you would be very methodical, efficient and polite should you decide to snap in a measured kind of way

I see Columbo coming back with one more question about the treadmill.


Posted by: I don't pay | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 2:09 PM
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My family likes to say that as you come over the Fort Pitt Bridge, you should be greeted by a sign that says "Welcome to Pittsburgh, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Un/versity of P/ttsburgh M/dical C/nter."


Posted by: redfoxtailshrub | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 2:10 PM
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Congrats LB and Oops PhD. Darn, that transplant still hurts ... especially when I sit down ... and the rejection ... Yikes !!


Posted by: swampcracker | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 2:10 PM
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77

Congratulations, Breath sisters!


Posted by: mcmc | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 2:20 PM
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78

75 gets it right. Some might quibble with Pittsburgh's strategy to have its four or five largest property-owners and employers be tax-exempt non-profit institutions, but I say that the comically low tax revenues and the annual threats to slash bus service before being bailed out by the PA government are worth it.


Posted by: Cryptic Ned | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 3:02 PM
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I can't read this thread without thinking of what Richard Florida had to say about the place.


Posted by: I don't pay | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 3:10 PM
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I hadn't read the Florida piece before, but it seems pretty much on the mark to me (including the more hopeful bits). That said, despite being an erstwhile and not very successful urban hipster, I moved to Pittsburgh because it seemed like a good place to raise a family. So far, it hasn't disappointed.


Posted by: JWP | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 3:25 PM
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The best I could do would be cat scans.

Will this do?


Posted by: ben w-lfs-n | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 3:40 PM
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That's ain't piglet !!


Posted by: swampcracker | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 3:45 PM
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Best of luck. You belong in the SG's office, LB, but if it takes a couple of stops before you finally realize it -- and a change of administrations -- we citizens will muddle through.


Posted by: CharleyCarp | Link to this comment | 03-19-07 9:17 PM
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80: That's because your kids have the schools all to themselves.


Posted by: Magpie | Link to this comment | 03-20-07 3:59 PM
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