I see I'm back to my usual ways. I completely forgot about my promise to post at least once a week until I woke up this morning and realized I missed last week.
So, while deciding what to talk about today, I started thinking about the Golden Globes. I saw the show last night with my family and enjoyed it a lot - mostly due to Ricky Gervais. But it reminded me of a lot of movies I'm looking forward to seeing this year, and was wondering if any of you had seen them and were willing to give me your opinions.
My List
Daybreakers - starring Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill
How to Train Your Dragon - starring Gerard Butler and Craig Ferguson
Shrek 4 Ever Afrer - starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, etc...
Karate Kid - starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith
Despicable Me - starring Steve Carell, Russell Brand and Will Arnett
Inception - starring Leonardo DiCaprio
Charlie St. Cloud - starring Zac Efron and Amanda Crew
Easy A - starring Amanda Bynes and Penn Badgley
Life As We Know It - starring Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl
My Soul To Take - starring Max Thieriot
Red - starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman
Tangled - starring Kristin Chenoweth
The King's Speech - starring Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush, etc...
Black Swan - starring Natalie Portman
Narnia 3 - starring Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes
The Tourist - starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie
Rango - starring Johnny Depp, Bill Nighy, etc...
Pirates of the Caribbean 4 - Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush
Scream 4 - starring Neve Cambell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox
Temple Grandin - starring Claire Danes and David Stathairn
So, if you're lucky enough to have seen some of these movies, please comment and give me your reviews. And, when I finally get around to watching them, I'll post mine. =)
I have to get ready for work now, so I'll cut this short. Love y'all!
-Lizzy
Monday, January 17, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Updates & What Happened to ME Time?
It's the last day of the first week of the new year (try saying that ten times fast) so I figured I should do this post if I wanted to stay on track with my new schedule.
First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Hopefully this year will be better than last year - for you and me!
Now that that's over with, you may notice I've made some changes to Shades of Lizzy, as I promised. At the bottom of the page are some nifty new tickers courtesy of the TickeyFactory. They're counting down how much I have to write, read and blog this year. Speaking of blogging, I've estimated that one post a week will equal 53 posts (please correct me if I'm wrong. My math is terrible.), so you should be getting 53 posts, unless I choose to do Blog Every Day in April/August.
Another, unexpected update was the design of the blog. I didn't really want to change the blue and black design, but the black background wasn't working with the tickers so ... oh, well. I may be getting a new banner to match soon, but as I'm short on time, I have no idea when that will be.
Which brings me to part two of this blog. My time. The schedule I said I'd be making? Pretty much non-existent. Work has been crazy, I'm considering quiting, next week (or the week after?) is going to be even crazier because we're taking on more jobs, and I haven't been sleeping well. However, since I have tonight and most of the weekend off, you can expect me to be catching up on some stuff, like my writing and role-playing.
So, that's that. Just wanted to do a quick post to keep you all up-to-date. =)
Have a fun weekend. <3
-Lizzy
First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Hopefully this year will be better than last year - for you and me!
Now that that's over with, you may notice I've made some changes to Shades of Lizzy, as I promised. At the bottom of the page are some nifty new tickers courtesy of the TickeyFactory. They're counting down how much I have to write, read and blog this year. Speaking of blogging, I've estimated that one post a week will equal 53 posts (please correct me if I'm wrong. My math is terrible.), so you should be getting 53 posts, unless I choose to do Blog Every Day in April/August.
Another, unexpected update was the design of the blog. I didn't really want to change the blue and black design, but the black background wasn't working with the tickers so ... oh, well. I may be getting a new banner to match soon, but as I'm short on time, I have no idea when that will be.
Which brings me to part two of this blog. My time. The schedule I said I'd be making? Pretty much non-existent. Work has been crazy, I'm considering quiting, next week (or the week after?) is going to be even crazier because we're taking on more jobs, and I haven't been sleeping well. However, since I have tonight and most of the weekend off, you can expect me to be catching up on some stuff, like my writing and role-playing.
So, that's that. Just wanted to do a quick post to keep you all up-to-date. =)
Have a fun weekend. <3
-Lizzy
Friday, December 31, 2010
Goodbye 2010
Last year around this time, I did a blog post talking about all the good and bad things that happened in 2009, and how I was going to make 2010 an even better year. Over the past couple of weeks, I've been thinking a lot about that post, and how much things have changed in a year, for better and for worse, and how I can do better in 2011.
First off, let's talk a little bit about things that have gotten better since last year. Some of you map remember that my parents got back together in April after a six-month separation. Obviously, that's the best news I've gotten all year. Also, I kinda got a job. Something that slightly ruined the way I spend my time, but allowed me to buy gifts for my parents.
I had another fabulous vacation, with much thanks to the new Wii. And there's a chance I may be going to either California or Florida sometime in the next two years. I've made progress in researching my family tree. Oh! And I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 1, and it's definitely the best movie yet.
My goal to write more than ever before certainly paid off. While I'm not sure if I reached 300,000 words like I wanted, I did do pretty awesome. More than six fanfics complete, another successful NaNoWriMo year, a failed but still lengthy movie script for Screnzy, and lots more started projects. My hope at reading more, however, didn't pay off.
Back in September, I was given seventeen books for my twentieth birthday (titles below). So far I've read nine of them, and am about half way through of the the six books I got for Christmas (titles below). Even if I miraculously finish that one by midnight, I'll have only read 14 new books this year. My goal was 50, so it's a bit of a let down, but I'm pleased with how much I did read.
Of course, with the good comes the bad. I had to give up a cat at the beginning of the year. Some people who I called my friends showed their true colors. And I did some things I'm not proud of, too. But, like last year, the good outweighs the bad.
So, here's what I'm planning for next year:
-I will read 50 books that I have never read before, write book reviews for each of them, and participate in at least five book challenges.
-I will write at least 300,000 words, keep a track of all words written, and continue to update my WriYe account with this number.
-I will participate and win both Screnzy in April and NaNoWriMo in November.
-Using a combination of my new Wii Fit and John Green's Fitness for Nerds routine (http://dft.ba/-johnfit) I will lose enough weight that I'll feel comfortable in a one-piece swimsuit by vacation time.
-I will keep a detailed schedule and check it every day so that I don't forget to do my household work, or neglect my friends.
-Using the webcam that I'll (hopefully) be getting around Valentine's day, I'll make a video for the Project for Awesome in December to raise awareness about Lupus.
-I will finish writing and editing Ghosts of Autumn.
-I will not be as angry this year. I will forgive myself more. I will let go of the little things. I will build my self-esteem up to where it needs to be.
-Lastly, I will update my blog at least once a week, so I'm not rushed to write an end-of-year post seven hours to midnight on New Year's Eve. ;)
It's a rather long list of promises, I know, but I really want to do this. Each thing is something I need to do to better myself, and better my life. I thought by 2010 I'd be somewhere completely different that where I am in my life. I have only myself to blame for that.
To make it easier to follow along with my progress through the year, without having to read through all my posts, I'll be changing the blog's layout a little bit. It's hard to explain right now, but you'll see soon.
If you're still reading this, then I have to ask you a favor. Post your New Year's resolutions below. You can do it anonymously or sign it. If you don't do the whole resolution thing, just tell me something you wish would happen to change in 2011. If you'll be keeping a blog next year with updates on your resolution list, link me to it. I don't want to do this alone.
---
Before I go, I just wanted to do a little bragging about how awesome my parents are, and how well they know me. Without me putting the majority of these book titles on my birthday/Christmas lists, they got me:
John Green's-
Looking for Alaska
An Abundance of Katherines
Paper Towns
Maureen Johnson's-
Suite Scarlett
Scarlett Fever
Girl at Sea
13 Little Blue Envelopes
The Key to the Golden Firebird
The Bermudez Triangle
Garth Nix's-
Sabriel
Lirael
Abhorsen
Rick Riordan's-
PJO: The Lightning Thief
PJO: Sea of Monsters
PJO: Titan's Curse
PJO: Battle of the Labyrinth
PJO: The Last Olympian
HoO: The Lost Hero
James Patterson's-
Witch & Wizard
Margaret Peterson Haddix's-
SC: Among the Hidden
SC: Among the Impostors
SC: Among the Betrayed
SC: Among the Barons
Amazing, aren't they? =D
I'll stop rambling and go work on that schedule now. I hope everyone has a great night. Be safe, and have a Happy New Year!!!
Love, Lizzy<3
First off, let's talk a little bit about things that have gotten better since last year. Some of you map remember that my parents got back together in April after a six-month separation. Obviously, that's the best news I've gotten all year. Also, I kinda got a job. Something that slightly ruined the way I spend my time, but allowed me to buy gifts for my parents.
I had another fabulous vacation, with much thanks to the new Wii. And there's a chance I may be going to either California or Florida sometime in the next two years. I've made progress in researching my family tree. Oh! And I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 1, and it's definitely the best movie yet.
My goal to write more than ever before certainly paid off. While I'm not sure if I reached 300,000 words like I wanted, I did do pretty awesome. More than six fanfics complete, another successful NaNoWriMo year, a failed but still lengthy movie script for Screnzy, and lots more started projects. My hope at reading more, however, didn't pay off.
Back in September, I was given seventeen books for my twentieth birthday (titles below). So far I've read nine of them, and am about half way through of the the six books I got for Christmas (titles below). Even if I miraculously finish that one by midnight, I'll have only read 14 new books this year. My goal was 50, so it's a bit of a let down, but I'm pleased with how much I did read.
Of course, with the good comes the bad. I had to give up a cat at the beginning of the year. Some people who I called my friends showed their true colors. And I did some things I'm not proud of, too. But, like last year, the good outweighs the bad.
So, here's what I'm planning for next year:
-I will read 50 books that I have never read before, write book reviews for each of them, and participate in at least five book challenges.
-I will write at least 300,000 words, keep a track of all words written, and continue to update my WriYe account with this number.
-I will participate and win both Screnzy in April and NaNoWriMo in November.
-Using a combination of my new Wii Fit and John Green's Fitness for Nerds routine (http://dft.ba/-johnfit) I will lose enough weight that I'll feel comfortable in a one-piece swimsuit by vacation time.
-I will keep a detailed schedule and check it every day so that I don't forget to do my household work, or neglect my friends.
-Using the webcam that I'll (hopefully) be getting around Valentine's day, I'll make a video for the Project for Awesome in December to raise awareness about Lupus.
-I will finish writing and editing Ghosts of Autumn.
-I will not be as angry this year. I will forgive myself more. I will let go of the little things. I will build my self-esteem up to where it needs to be.
-Lastly, I will update my blog at least once a week, so I'm not rushed to write an end-of-year post seven hours to midnight on New Year's Eve. ;)
It's a rather long list of promises, I know, but I really want to do this. Each thing is something I need to do to better myself, and better my life. I thought by 2010 I'd be somewhere completely different that where I am in my life. I have only myself to blame for that.
To make it easier to follow along with my progress through the year, without having to read through all my posts, I'll be changing the blog's layout a little bit. It's hard to explain right now, but you'll see soon.
If you're still reading this, then I have to ask you a favor. Post your New Year's resolutions below. You can do it anonymously or sign it. If you don't do the whole resolution thing, just tell me something you wish would happen to change in 2011. If you'll be keeping a blog next year with updates on your resolution list, link me to it. I don't want to do this alone.
---
Before I go, I just wanted to do a little bragging about how awesome my parents are, and how well they know me. Without me putting the majority of these book titles on my birthday/Christmas lists, they got me:
John Green's-
Looking for Alaska
An Abundance of Katherines
Paper Towns
Maureen Johnson's-
Suite Scarlett
Scarlett Fever
Girl at Sea
13 Little Blue Envelopes
The Key to the Golden Firebird
The Bermudez Triangle
Garth Nix's-
Sabriel
Lirael
Abhorsen
Rick Riordan's-
PJO: The Lightning Thief
PJO: Sea of Monsters
PJO: Titan's Curse
PJO: Battle of the Labyrinth
PJO: The Last Olympian
HoO: The Lost Hero
James Patterson's-
Witch & Wizard
Margaret Peterson Haddix's-
SC: Among the Hidden
SC: Among the Impostors
SC: Among the Betrayed
SC: Among the Barons
Amazing, aren't they? =D
I'll stop rambling and go work on that schedule now. I hope everyone has a great night. Be safe, and have a Happy New Year!!!
Love, Lizzy<3
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Travelling Blogger?
Hello lovely people.
I've had a wonderful ten hours, and I'm here to tell you all about it. =)
As you well know, yesterday I was all set on saving up to buy a webcam. And then for nine amazing hours, I thought I may actually have a chance at going to Infinitus 2010, the Harry Potter convention in Orlando, Florida this summer. Of course, I knew it was a long shot, what with the amount of money I'd have to save up to get a plane ticket, a hotel room, admission, not to mention worrying about getting a passport and other stuff for the trip.
I had planned on working my butt off for the next three months to be able to go, but I've since spoken to my mom and we've worked out a better plan.
For the next year - maybe more - I will be working hard to get in shape. It'll also give us time to save up for another trip for my mom and I. If all goes well, we'll be going to California in no more than two years. California. Now, while I really, really want to go to a Harry Potter convention, the main reason I wanted to go to Infinitus was to see Tippy so ... I think California's a nice trade-off, don't you? =D
Then I was back to where I started. Saving up to buy a webcam, maybe. And then I told my mom that I would disconnect my webcam after using it every time. Amazingly, she agreed! And that's also partly thanks to Tippy.
So, to recap, I'll be getting a webcam in about a month, and I'll be meeting my best friend in a year. Best day ever? Yesssss!!!
Now for the part of the blog where I for your help: I am so not tech-savvy. I need a webcam that is easy to install and use, and I guess video-editing software? I don't know if there's some program that comes pre-installed on computers for that or what. So if you own a webcam or know a lot about them, can you give me some advice? Price really isn't a big deal.
Ok, I'm gonna stop rambling now and try to get some sleep now, though I doubt I'll be able to get any right now. ^_^
Love y'all,
Lizzy<3
I've had a wonderful ten hours, and I'm here to tell you all about it. =)
As you well know, yesterday I was all set on saving up to buy a webcam. And then for nine amazing hours, I thought I may actually have a chance at going to Infinitus 2010, the Harry Potter convention in Orlando, Florida this summer. Of course, I knew it was a long shot, what with the amount of money I'd have to save up to get a plane ticket, a hotel room, admission, not to mention worrying about getting a passport and other stuff for the trip.
I had planned on working my butt off for the next three months to be able to go, but I've since spoken to my mom and we've worked out a better plan.
For the next year - maybe more - I will be working hard to get in shape. It'll also give us time to save up for another trip for my mom and I. If all goes well, we'll be going to California in no more than two years. California. Now, while I really, really want to go to a Harry Potter convention, the main reason I wanted to go to Infinitus was to see Tippy so ... I think California's a nice trade-off, don't you? =D
Then I was back to where I started. Saving up to buy a webcam, maybe. And then I told my mom that I would disconnect my webcam after using it every time. Amazingly, she agreed! And that's also partly thanks to Tippy.
So, to recap, I'll be getting a webcam in about a month, and I'll be meeting my best friend in a year. Best day ever? Yesssss!!!
Now for the part of the blog where I for your help: I am so not tech-savvy. I need a webcam that is easy to install and use, and I guess video-editing software? I don't know if there's some program that comes pre-installed on computers for that or what. So if you own a webcam or know a lot about them, can you give me some advice? Price really isn't a big deal.
Ok, I'm gonna stop rambling now and try to get some sleep now, though I doubt I'll be able to get any right now. ^_^
Love y'all,
Lizzy<3
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
My Dreams, Coming True
Ok, so as you may know, I've been kinda obsessed with getting a webcam or video recorder since mid-July when my best friend Tippy got one and started vlogging, and then I was introduced to the VlogBrothers and the 5 Awesome Girls and Alan Lustufka and Katie Campshure and ... now I can't go a day without visiting YouTube.
So of course I've been going on about this in real life as well. But I did get good (and more important) birthday presents, and my family didn't really give out presents last Christmas. Besides all that, my mom is sort of against webcams for safety reasons. I told her I could do the same things with a video camera - which she's wanted forever - but she's still undecided. So now that I'm getting my own money (well, my parents are paying me to clean the apartment while they work) and the desktop computer is now located in my bedroom, I asked my mom if I could get a webcam now.
Her answer was that we'd have a family discussion about it. Now, I really shouldn't be so worried. These things usually turn out to be in my favor. I'm not saying I'm spoiled, but ... well, maybe I am a little. ;) Anyway, my mom is really, really against this and thinks I'm going to get sick of the webcam and all that. I've brought this up to my dad before and he thought I just wanted it to make my blogging easier. Naturally I explained to him how I could never quit blogging completely. And there are things I would still do with my blogs that I couldn't do on camera, and vice versa.
My book blog, for example, would stay a blog. I may make mentions of what book I'm reading in a video like I do here, but that's as far as it'll go. "Shades of Lizzy" will continue on as a blog and a vlog, depending on my mood and time constraints. Sometimes I think it would be easier to talk to a camera than have to type everything. Also, I've had plans for videos since I was a kid. Harry Potter discussion things. And now that I've started watching YouTube, I'd like to be in a collab channel. Better yet, a while ago I found this project on the NerdFighters site for a Harry Potter-does-YouTube kinda collab thing that I definitely wanna restart and do a normal collab. Lastly, Tippy asked me back in December if I wanted to be a part of a podcast. I realize all I need to do that is a microphone, but why just get that when I can kill two birds with one stone?
So those are my ideas, and it's what I'm presenting to my parents. If you have any good ideas for things I should tell my parents, tell me. Or if you have ideas for what I should do with my blogs/webcam, tell me those too.
Love,
Lizzy ^_^
So of course I've been going on about this in real life as well. But I did get good (and more important) birthday presents, and my family didn't really give out presents last Christmas. Besides all that, my mom is sort of against webcams for safety reasons. I told her I could do the same things with a video camera - which she's wanted forever - but she's still undecided. So now that I'm getting my own money (well, my parents are paying me to clean the apartment while they work) and the desktop computer is now located in my bedroom, I asked my mom if I could get a webcam now.
Her answer was that we'd have a family discussion about it. Now, I really shouldn't be so worried. These things usually turn out to be in my favor. I'm not saying I'm spoiled, but ... well, maybe I am a little. ;) Anyway, my mom is really, really against this and thinks I'm going to get sick of the webcam and all that. I've brought this up to my dad before and he thought I just wanted it to make my blogging easier. Naturally I explained to him how I could never quit blogging completely. And there are things I would still do with my blogs that I couldn't do on camera, and vice versa.
My book blog, for example, would stay a blog. I may make mentions of what book I'm reading in a video like I do here, but that's as far as it'll go. "Shades of Lizzy" will continue on as a blog and a vlog, depending on my mood and time constraints. Sometimes I think it would be easier to talk to a camera than have to type everything. Also, I've had plans for videos since I was a kid. Harry Potter discussion things. And now that I've started watching YouTube, I'd like to be in a collab channel. Better yet, a while ago I found this project on the NerdFighters site for a Harry Potter-does-YouTube kinda collab thing that I definitely wanna restart and do a normal collab. Lastly, Tippy asked me back in December if I wanted to be a part of a podcast. I realize all I need to do that is a microphone, but why just get that when I can kill two birds with one stone?
So those are my ideas, and it's what I'm presenting to my parents. If you have any good ideas for things I should tell my parents, tell me. Or if you have ideas for what I should do with my blogs/webcam, tell me those too.
Love,
Lizzy ^_^
Monday, April 12, 2010
Mega Update
Hey, remember me?! I know, it's been a while. But I figured, what better time to start blogging again, then the month where EVERYONE is blogging every day?
Ok, so I'm not doing BEDA this month - maybe next year - but I am doing Screnzy, as I said I'd be doing months ago.
The screenplay of Ghosts of Autumn, the novel I wrote in November, is going quite well. I'm way ahead of schedule. My finishing/editing of the novel itself is not going so well. And I find myself wanting to write a Supernatural fanfic instead. I have yet to finish the Digimon fic I was working on through all of January even though I only have two chapters left in the whole thing. I should really get back to that. I have no idea about my current yearly word count.
As for the 6mo, 6no writing challenge, I'm through with it. I haven't been on the site since February, when I promised to try and revamp it and didn't. I know if I went on right now I could do all the work and it might restart it, but do I want to? Not really. I loved the idea of the challenge, but I'm just busy and tired.
If you follow me on Twitter, or we're friends on Facebook, you already know that my parents got back together just over a week ago. Yes, things are basically back to normal there. It's strange, I'll admit. These past six months have been depressing, but they've brought a lot of good things too, like my extreme writing and reading challenges.
Reading challenges... They were going well in Feb/March and then everything went down hill. I've been reading the same book for two/three weeks now. Ugh.
My role-playing has suffered. I'm still on Tainted Blood (and loving it) and I joined There Goes My Life - a site I've been keeping my eye on for over a year. I owe posts on both sites, but I just don't have the energy.
That seems to be a big problem lately. Energy. I'm tired all the time, stressed, over-worked... I'm putting too much pressure on myself again. I know it. I don't know how to get out of it though. I seem to have this thing where I think everyone is going to get mad at me if I take a week off role-playing or if I don't update my blogs regularly. So ... yeah.
I feel a little better getting this off my chest. Maybe I'll write again over the week. We'll see. Sorry for the depressing update.
Love,
Lizzy<3
Ok, so I'm not doing BEDA this month - maybe next year - but I am doing Screnzy, as I said I'd be doing months ago.
The screenplay of Ghosts of Autumn, the novel I wrote in November, is going quite well. I'm way ahead of schedule. My finishing/editing of the novel itself is not going so well. And I find myself wanting to write a Supernatural fanfic instead. I have yet to finish the Digimon fic I was working on through all of January even though I only have two chapters left in the whole thing. I should really get back to that. I have no idea about my current yearly word count.
As for the 6mo, 6no writing challenge, I'm through with it. I haven't been on the site since February, when I promised to try and revamp it and didn't. I know if I went on right now I could do all the work and it might restart it, but do I want to? Not really. I loved the idea of the challenge, but I'm just busy and tired.
If you follow me on Twitter, or we're friends on Facebook, you already know that my parents got back together just over a week ago. Yes, things are basically back to normal there. It's strange, I'll admit. These past six months have been depressing, but they've brought a lot of good things too, like my extreme writing and reading challenges.
Reading challenges... They were going well in Feb/March and then everything went down hill. I've been reading the same book for two/three weeks now. Ugh.
My role-playing has suffered. I'm still on Tainted Blood (and loving it) and I joined There Goes My Life - a site I've been keeping my eye on for over a year. I owe posts on both sites, but I just don't have the energy.
That seems to be a big problem lately. Energy. I'm tired all the time, stressed, over-worked... I'm putting too much pressure on myself again. I know it. I don't know how to get out of it though. I seem to have this thing where I think everyone is going to get mad at me if I take a week off role-playing or if I don't update my blogs regularly. So ... yeah.
I feel a little better getting this off my chest. Maybe I'll write again over the week. We'll see. Sorry for the depressing update.
Love,
Lizzy<3
Friday, February 5, 2010
Happy 1st Birthday!!!
Today marks the first birthday of Shades of Lizzy! Amazingly this is my longest-lasting blog, even though I kinda disappeared for a little while. Before this I had two, maybe three blogs that I could never get used to. I'm happy this one finally worked out.
On to other news. I haven't been able to write much in this past week. My little spare time (when I'm not unpacking) has been for compiling a list of books to get from the library and trying to catch up with friends. And the little I've been able to write hasn't been great.
There's a new blog post on Bookmarked - esbookmarked.blogspot.com
Life's a mess. What else is new? Somebody save me.
I know I had more to say when I started writing, but I suddenly don't feel like going on. Talk to you next week, I guess.
-Lizzy<3
On to other news. I haven't been able to write much in this past week. My little spare time (when I'm not unpacking) has been for compiling a list of books to get from the library and trying to catch up with friends. And the little I've been able to write hasn't been great.
There's a new blog post on Bookmarked - esbookmarked.blogspot.com
Life's a mess. What else is new? Somebody save me.
I know I had more to say when I started writing, but I suddenly don't feel like going on. Talk to you next week, I guess.
-Lizzy<3
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