10 Myths About the Midwest Debunked:

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Stereotypes have developed over the years regarding people from different regions of the country. The Midwest is no exception. Generally, midwesterners have been typified as honest, hardworking and neighborly.The more negative perception though has been one of brawny tan farm boys that are gullible, uneducated and uncultured. We’d like to clear-up some of the misconceptions out there about the people of the midwest.

1. Myth-Primarily Lutheran or Baptist Reality: Roman Catholicism is the predominant denomination in the Midwest states. Even Minnesota, so well-known for its many Lutherans, has a strong Catholic population. Jewish synagogues and Muslim mosques will be also be found in all the Midwest cities.

2. Myth-Rural Reality: Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Columbus. All these cities are in the Midwest, along with several others. Although the states of the Midwest are also known for their farms and forests, they are not without their large urban centers as well. There are plenty of city-dwellers in the Midwest.

3. Myth-Lack of ethnic diversity Reality: The northern states of this region have a large Native American population; manyAfrican-Americans migrated from the south to the industrial cities of the Midwest following the civil war era; over 40% of the Hmong population in the U.S. live in the Midwest states; in 2006 Minnesota ranked 5th in the nation regarding immigrants from Africa, many of them from Somalia.

4. Myth-They talk funny Reality: The movie Fargo has strongly influenced this perception with the strong emphasis on the scandinavian and slavic traits that can be found in Minnesotan speech. Is that true? Ya betcha, don’t ya know? The accent in the rest of the Midwest, however, does not have those traits and has become the standard for the nation when it comes to national broadcasters and others in the media

5. Myth-Not a vacation destination Reality: Many of Hollywood’s big stars vacation in the Midwest. It’s the home of the Great Lakes, unique in themselves. Minnesota’s Mall of America has become a big tourist draw in addition to its 10,000 lakes. South Dakota draws many to their scenic Badlands and the Mount Rushmore National Monument. All over the Midwest you will find cave tours, unique communities and festivals, and always, that wonderful Midwest hospitality.

6. Myth-Politically conservative Reality: A good portion of Midwest states have been dominated by the Democratic Party and a more liberal political bent. Vice President Hubert Humphrey being one of the highly noted Midwestern politicians to date.

7. Myth-Uncultured Reality: Minnesota has long been known for its strong support of the arts community, home of the Walker Arts Center and the Guthrie Theater. Iowa City is known as a center for the literary arts. Motown South came out of Detroit, the electrified blues from Chicago and Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

8. Myth-Uneducated Reality: The Chicago is home to at least two Nobel Prize winners in physics as well as the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. People from all over the world attend the Universities of Iowa and Minnesota because of their reputations in the medical field.

9. Myth: Gullible Reality: Neighborly, friendly, trusting and, of course, ‘Minnesota nice’ all fit the description of many Midwestern folk but they aren’t all goody-two shoes. Al Capone, Baby Face Nelson, John Dillinger, John Wayne Gacy are names of a few men from the Midwest that you wouldn’t want to try and hood-wink.

10. Myth-Unusual holidays Reality: Four inches of ice on the lakes of Minnesota (contrary to what is portrayed in some films) does not constitute a state wide shutdown to celebrate ice fishing. Although it may also seem like it to some, the opening day of deer hunting is not an officially recognized holiday in the Midwest.

Hopefully you’ve learned some new things about the Midwest in this article and corrected any misperceptions you might have had. The main thing you should take away from this article is that there is a lot of variety and diversity scattered across the Heartland of America. Kansas and Wisconsin both are known for farming but one looks nothing like the other. And what you find in Nebraska will be very different from what you’ll find in Michigan. The best way to learn the truth about the Midwest 

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San Jose Movers Beware of Theft during Move Process:

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This the season. Thieves are looking for homes to hit.  There are times when your home is more vulnerable to theft. Watsonville Movers Moving & Storage wants our San Jose movers to be on the lookout and protect their homes throughout their move process.

There have been unfortunate news stories around the country of thieves pulling vans up to homes with sold signs and clearing them out when the owners are not at home. Neighbors will not notice that something is off unless they are informed. To an uninformed neighbor, it might just look like your moving out day but could actually be a thief getting away with the contents of your home. Protect yourself. Once your home sells, please inform your neighbors of your move date. Give them your cell phone number so that if they notice anything suspicious ahead of that date, they can contact you and let you know what is going on.

Another vulnerable time for your home is if you have to move out before it sells or after it sells but before settlement day.  Even if you have taken all of your personal belongings with you, thieves may target your empty house for appliances, fixtures and even copper piping. Again, having at least 1 or 2 neighbors who can keep an eye on your property can make all the difference in protecting your property from theft and vandalism. If you have home security, continuing paying for monitoring until closing.  It is also a good idea to contact your local police department as well so that when they do their regular rounds in your neighborhood, they can keep an extra eye on your property.

If you are having construction done on the home after you move out to prepare it for sale or as a contingency of sale, make sure your neighbors are informed about when contractors will be there and the companies they represent. They can always give you a call if they are not sure about someone who is “working” in your home.

Watsonville Movers Moving & Storage wants our San Jose movers informed and protected from theft during the move process. Chances are you will have nothing to worry about and that is what we hope for you. Be safe and be proactive against theft. Good luck throughout your move and remember we are here for all of your moving and storage needs. 

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Region Moving Companies Know That the Secret of Success Is Relocation:

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Region moving organizations are encountering a surge in clients because of the current financial subsidence. While using the cash on discovering another home or flat may appear unrestrained when such a variety of individuals are unemployed, it may be the initial move towards achievement and monetary security. In case you're stuck without a vocation, low pay, or just eager and finding that your current home is making you glad, it may be time to roll out a huge improvement and gather your packs.

Presumably the best motivation to pack your life up is an absence of choices in your current city. Maybe the business you spend significant time in is encountering a downturn or there are an excess of excessively qualified experts vying for the same set number of occupations. For some individuals, it isn't discovering a vocation that is the issue. It's being stuck in a deadlock position with low wages and few profits. In case you're found going no place in an organization and feel like you have more to offer, you may discover better open doors somewhere else. When you've settled on the choice, do a bit of exploration before you begin moving. Nearby organizations in a neighboring state or town may not be improving much. Take a couple of days to investigate, search for vocation notices, and get a feel for the environment. You would prefer not to abandon everything just to wind up in a more terrible position.

On the off chance that you simply need to spare a bit of money, downsizing houses or flat rentals can roll out a noteworthy improvement in the well-being of your wallet. Region moving organizations are seeing more individuals making little hops. As opposed to going clear crosswise over town they might simply look at the marginally more modest loft over the street or a couple of avenues over. Thumping a couple of hundred dollars off your rent every month in return for some square crawls is an incredible approach to spare without trading off excessively. It's a pattern that is expanding itself past private property too. Entrepreneurs are finding that another, littler space can help the business of their organizations. local moving has never been so engaging.

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Moving in Baltimore, Maryland’s Weather:

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As we all know weather can be very unpredictable and unexpected.  No matter how much you plan ahead and keep track of the weather you never know when a storm may pop up.  Make sure you check with the moving company to see what their policy is on bad weather.  Find out if they are still able to move items in rain/snow and find out if they are able to protect your items while doing so.  If you are uncomfortable about moving in horrible Baltimore weather make, sure you call the company in enough time to get rescheduled for another day.

If it begins to snow on the day of your move call the company, make sure they are still operating their trucks and what policy they have in place in the event of having to pull the trucks off the road.  Most moving companies in Baltimore, Maryland work closely with the Department of Transportation and get updates on weather conditions.

Moving day is stressful enough and if you throw bad weather into the mix it can be a recipe for disaster.  Make sure that you take every precaution to stay safe.

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Move Across the Pond to London or Stay Put in NYC:

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When you have two great cities like London and NYC, it’s hard to ever really pick one over the other. How can you pick between centuries of culture and a place of brilliant innovation, a city where old and new coexist and one where people are always looking for the next big thing? Well, we are going to try and in the process figure out which one is the best place to live. After all, if you are going to decide whether you should move across the pond to London or stay put in New York City, you might as well get the best of the best.

After Work Pint vs Happy HourDear Americans, here’s how drinks work here. We go for a couple of pints after work, then have our tea (tea means dinner, tea as in the drink is consumed throughout the day anyway) and then go out for more drinks. Happy hour? More like happy all night long with cheap drinks and great company. On that note, we can drink outside. In the park, in the street, anywhere we want. And it’s great! London

Football vs BasketballFootball is simply in our blood. And not just in England. The whole world celebrated the World Cup recently, who celebrated the last FIBA Cup? Actually, who even knows what FIBA stands for? However, we have to admit that basketball requires some major skills and it does look pretty impressive. Plus basketball fans seem a bit less aggressive than ours. You win this one. NYC

HipstersNYC, that’s all on you. You started it and it spread all over the world. In any case, they are in both cities and nothing can be done about it. You just have to pick which kind of hipsters you prefer and learn to live with them. You can find them easily around the coffee shops in Shoreditch and Brooklyn, talking about how they found the place before it was popular. This one’s a TIE.

CultureHere in London we love our exhibitions. With 173 museums and 857 galleries over New York’s 131 and 721, we are clearly in the lead. You guys may have the Met, the MoMA, and the Natural History Museum but we have the National Gallery, the Tate and the British Museum, which has exhibits from all over the world. Plus they are all free for the public. Quantity and quality achieved. The point is ours. London

2-1 It seems that London wins this one. As we say on our side of the pond, if you are tired of London you are tired of life.

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Packing & Moving the Dining Room Guide:

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We have prepared so far different guides for packing and moving the different rooms of your home like the kitchen and we will continue with our guide on packing and moving the dining room. All the items in a dining room are important – whether these are fragile things, wooden furniture, expensive art, etc. they should have your attention for the right move. Planning how to pack a dining room is not difficult but still protecting best all of your belongings during your move should be your priority.

How to Pack a Dining Room

Let your movers know what you have for moving. If you want them to be able to plan your dining room relocation well, you should inform them in advance which items will be packed and shipped and what other services you will use (crating, storage, car moving, etc.) Prepare the building as well – if you live in an apartment, you may need to reserve an elevator for the moving crew. Arrange this with the building manager. If you live in a house, make sure that the way to it is clear so that the moving truck can reach it. In case that your house can be reached only via a road that is too narrow for a moving truck to pass, let the movers know in advance so they can take care of another way to take your dining room items to your new home.

Curtains and Draperies


Knowing how to pack your dining room is important in order to safely transport all of the items in it.
Curtains and draperies are easy to pack – fold them lengthwise and place them in boxes. A useful thing to do would be to use empty drawers and cupboards to pack them. Other soft and unbreakable items like napkins and table cloth can also be packed in the same way. For info and advice on how to pack fragile items we have a different article you can look at.

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Packing a Dining Room Table

When moving a dining room table, try to dismantle it, if possible. For all the small parts like screws, bolts and nuts, take a small, plastic bag and collect them there. After that tape the bag to the table so those little items won’t get lost. Don’t use tape directly on wood though as it could damage it. Make sure your table is clean and dry first. If you want to add extra protection for the corners, use corner protectors from moving supply stores or just ordinary cardboard. Wrap the table in moving pads and tape them well to secure them. If the top of the table is glass, use moving pads and then bubble wrap, and remember to secure well every layer of packing so the packing that you make is stable. Wrap the legs of the table, leaves and wooden table tops in furniture pads, towels or linen. The only disadvantage here is that after the move you will have to wash them, if you want to use them again, or you can use old clothes and throw them away after the relocation. This is how to wrap a dining room table for moving. Don’t use newspaper, because it may leave ink on the surface it comes into contact with.

How to Wrap a Dining Room Chair for Moving

If you can, dismantle the chair. Use furniture blankets of bubble wrap for the parts of the chair like legs. For any extensions like bars use bubble wrap. Remember to secure the packing of each item well with packing tape. Any small parts like bolts and screws should go in a plastic box and it should be taped to the chair they belong to. For any pillows that your chairs or couch may have, you can use boxes to stack them in.


Take special care of your wooden furniture for the move.
How to Move Your Dining Room

Remember that if you don’t have time to organize the relocation of your dining room or you don’t want to risk packing and moving the items yourself, you can always contact a professional moving company to do it instead of you. Hiring moving labor to do this job instead of you will save you time and risks for your items and for your health. Surely a moving crew with experience will pack your dining room much quicker and better than you. After you get a quote, ask the movers to come by your house or apartment for a visual estimate which is more precise. When the moving company representative comes, show the items you have for moving and discuss the details like packing, moving vehicle, storage, if you want, time for the whole moving, etc. Set a date and prepare for it. If you have items you won’t be moving, separate them on moving day, lock them in the bathroom or in one of the rooms in your home so movers won’t take it. Usually they are so quick that you may not notice when they have taken the empty boxes from the corridor or the bags with trash by the door to their truck

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23 Priceless Tips on Preparing Items for Storage:

Storage is a great option in many cases – when you have excessive things at home, if you are moving away temporarily, downsizing a home, etc. But before you get to organize your storage unit, you should know how to prepare your belongings for storing and how to pack them. Here we will give you 23 valuable tips on packing for storage that you will need in order to prepare and protect your household goods the best way possible. What are the best ideas that you could use for packing items for storage?

1. Get the packing materials for storage that you will need – packing paper, moving blankets, moving pads, strong cardboard boxes of various sizes and tools to dismantle appliances and furniture if needed. This should be your first task on your list when preparing for packing items for storage.
2. Using stackable boxes will help you more easily arrange them. For heavier items it is good to use smaller boxes which can hold up the weight in and which are easier to transfer. For lighter things like curtains you can use larger boxes. In your storage place heavier and stronger items first like refrigerator, dishwater and tools, lighter and unbreakable things like clothes on top.
3. Use special dishpack boxes for dishes and breakable items for better protection. Wrap every plate individually in at least one layer of packing paper and place it on an edge.
4. Glassware should also be packed individually. Wrap each glass, dish, cup, etc. in packing paper of bubble wrap.
5. When packing glassware and china always use a lot of cushioning at the bottom of the box and above the items. Be careful not to place heavy items on your fragile things even if everything is well packed and well protected. Best would be if you could stack the fragile things you have at the top of the storage unit.
6. It would be easier to move and store furniture and electronics if it is disassembled. That includes breaking down the bed frames. You can check out our guide on moving a queen bed if you need more information.
7. Mattresses should go into mattress bags or old mattress covers, if you keep any.
8. Use drawers, shelves and the like inside furniture to arrange more things. You can place on the bottom of wardrobes light things like pillows, clothes and soft toys. That way you can pack more things using the same space twice.
9. You can place small, fragile items in drawers as well, wrapped in towels. Larger fragile items could use crates.
10. A chest of drawers is also appropriate for small and light items like pictures, clothes, souvenirs, etc.
11. Use the tops of drawers, dressers, cupboards, etc. to store other items. Try to fill up the space as much as you can – after all, you are paying for it, so try to get the right size storage unit for your belongings. No need to pay for the empty space left inside.
12. If you wish to save on packing materials, you can use your own towels and blankets.
13. For furniture you can use blankets, moving pads and shrink wrap.
    

    In your storage, place the heaviest items at the bottom and the fragile ones - on top.
14. Appliances like a fridge or freezer should be stored clean and dry. Always leave the door slightly open to let air circulate and prevent mold. For other appliances the doors should be closed.
15. If you will be storing chairs as well, place them on one another, with the chair on top being positioned with its seat down so that it faces the seat of the other chair. Of course, use the small space in between the chair legs to put things as well.
16. It would be best if you could separate the legs of the table to save space. Wrap each leg in towels separately.
17. If you will be storing couches, place them on their ends to save from space.
18. For mirrors use crates or cardboard boxes in order to protect them. Smaller mirrors could be wrapped in pieces of cardboard – there is no need to use crates and if you do, they would be too expensive. Larger mirrors could go into crates though.
19. Wrap lamp shades with packing paper and place them inside each other.
20. For photo frames, use their original box or find a similar sized box to place them in.
21. Keep bolts and other hardware in a plastic bag and tape it to the item it belongs to – the bottom of the table, place it inside a shelf of the wardrobe, etc. This is one of the most useful tips for packing a storage unit which we can advice you.
22. Fill up every box entirely in order to prevent it from collapsing.
23. Label every box with its content and which room it belongs to on its top and on each of its sides. You can keep with you a list with the boxes and their content so that you know what you’ve locked up in storage.

What is Moving Company Liability?

Your move needs the best protection and guarantee for success. But what do you do? Using a moving company should not be on a random principle but the opposite – choose carefully your mover; it should be insured and fully licensed. And this is what this article will be about – how to recognize such a moving company and what is moving companies liability.

What is movers liability for damage?

Before we talk about the liability of movers, there is one thing that you must know – ask a lot of questions to the movers and ask for detailed answers. This is how you can take reasonable and logical decisions for your move that will be useful. You will read now some important information on what is the movers liability for damage, how can you get it and why do you need it.
The coverage that a moving company is obliged to provide is very little – only $0.60 per pound per item. This means that if you have an item that weights 30 pounds like an LED TV, then it means that you will get 30 pounds multiplied by $0.60 which is just $18 and not much at all. In other words, the liability of movers in this case is limited a lot and you get almost nothing in return in case of a damaged item. There are other options to provide your belongings with insurance and of course in all cases there is a certain limit, and there are also limitations and exceptions that apply, like for example if the damages are caused by using an auto, you may not be reimbursed. There could be differences in the coverages that you may be able to pay for extra, depending on the state that you are in, what you are paying to insure (home or business and what type of business), and depending on your own unique situation. Be clear of the general liability for moving companies you contact so that you know what you can get in case an item is damaged, broken or lost by the movers. But what does exactly moving companies liability cover and how can you get it?

What does moving company liability include?

What is the movers liability and what does it cover? Don't wonder around - read our article for more information.

You can usually find liability provided by moving companies covering injury and item damages, that we mentioned in the previous paragraph. The coverage that is provided for injury is usually related to injuries that took place at your home or operations that had to take place because of an injury at your home, irrelevant of who’s fault they are. The coverage could include painters, carpenters, plumbers, etc.; they could relate to moving to a house, apartment, or reconstructing one; when it comes to items, movers liability could cover trucks and vans, demolition, blasting, utility work, road construction, water and sewer lines, etc. Your goods are covered for a local and intrastate move but not only, you may also have a coverage in case of breakdown of moving related equipment that you own like dollies, pads, cartons, pallets, barrels, etc. It depends on the services that you will need from movers in order to determine what insurance will suit your relocation needs best.
Movers liability for damage is provided by them in the form of the obligatory by law coverage of only $0.60 per pound per item, while for other coverage, higher than this one, you should specifically ask the moving company. In some cases movers work with specific insurance providers that you can count on for extra safety of your belongings. If you want to know who they are, if they are not given on the mover’s website, talk to the company and ask them to explain it to you.

How do you get insurance?

Discuss with the moving company the liability that it can provide and what coverage you can pay for in order to ensure that your household belongings are as safe as possible during the relocation process. Of course, in the meantime make sure you do your bit, too, like protecting your furniture and ensuring you are aware of the vehicle shipping requirements before you sign the moving contract and pay for insurance.
Once you know you will be moving, get a cost estimate in order to be contacted by moving companies with price estimates. After that, while you are discussing the cost of the move, also ask what extra coverage you can provide for your belongings, besides the obligatory valuation. Here the movers will explain to you what sort of insurance you can get, how much it will cost you depending on your situation, and you can also choose a coverage for the extra insurance.
Whether or not you need insurance, besides the valuation you will get, is your own personal choice, but it is recommended to make sure your household items are protected, especially if you are moving out of state, or if you have more expensive, valuable items like heirloom, antiques, laptops, piano, etc.

Things Not to Do When Moving:

Everyone is quick to tell you what you should do when moving, but it is rare to find helpful advice that tells you what not to do. There is a lot to take care of, so you can expect to feel a little overwhelmed, but if you can avoid some of the bigger mistakes you could save yourself from having a bit of a breakdown.
“Wing It”
If you are someone who likes to be spontaneous, and just take care of responsibilities as they come up you may think you can apply this laid back attitude to your move. Unfortunately, you will likely be kicking yourself later. There are too many details that go into a successful move. You need to have some sort of plan. Even if you have never created a list for anything in your life, this is the time to start.
Unplug the Fridge Moving Day
No one has probably mentioned that you need to unplug the fridge a day prior to give it time to defrost. This means you will need to get a cooler and ice, if you have food you plan on transporting to the new place.
Wait Until the Last Minute
If your buddies are trying to convince you to blow off packing again to go out by promising they’ll be able to help you get everything done in one day, you will likely find yourself alone the day before the move in a panic. Do not wait until the last minute, no matter how many people say they will help. “Things” tend to come up when the grunt work actually needs to get done.
Hiring Movers Based on an Estimate
You open the phonebook, call for an estimate, and feel like you hit the jackpot with the great price. Now your hard work is done, right? Wrong! An estimate is just that! It is typically a number to lure you in, and then it grows at an alarming rate with a ton of hidden costs. You need a moving quote, not an estimate, and it is a good idea to get more than one.
Telling Kids at the Last Minute
Can you imagine how you would have felt, if your parents told you that you were moving at the last minute? It is just not fair. Give kids time to be upset, and respect them enough to listen to how they are feeling. Make a list of everything they have to look forward to at the new place. If you have younger children you may even want to make it an adventure by creating a scrapbook.
Moving Everything
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when moving is to simply pack everything you have for the new place. There is little chance that you need everything you have. Now is the time to downsize even if you are moving into a bigger place. Before you just put everything in the trash though, you should consider donating anything that is in good and working condition. Many charitable organizations will pick your donations up.
Not Packing an Essentials Box
If you are scratching your head, and trying to figure out what an essentials box, you should be a little irritated with family and friends for not filling you in on this helpful tip. This box will have everything you absolutely need to get through the first 24 hours. This could include everything from toiletries to clothes for work the next day to dog food and treats. This way, you are not forced to go on a scavenger hunt through boxes to find everything you need.

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Relocating? Seek the solutions of Watsonville Moving Company:

Relocating to new homes/offices, new places or new countries can be quite challenging and


traumatic. It includes lot of planning, careful appearance, moving your pets and vehicles


safely, making travel reservations, unpacking at your new place, etc. Whether you are


moving your company to a new place or your family, the process can be quite complicated if


you don't have the right plan and the right people to help you create a sleek conversion from


one place to another. Watsonville moving companies have all the encounter and equipment


to help create your moving process sleek and straight forward.However, any wrong option of


a Watsonville moving companies can end up charging you more than just your cash.


Therefore, create an informed option when selecting moving companies for a sleek moving


encounter.Most moving companies provide a general support package such as appearance,


running and delivery. There are few companies who provide personalized solutions that are


quite convenient and inexpensive. Therefore, based on your requirement, discover a moving


Watsonville organization closer to your current place. This will save you lot of cash as well


as your efforts and effort. The most essential thing you should consider is plenty of efforts


and security factor.It is a matter of appearance and moving your personal valuables and


valuable resources, so choose a organization that assures safety and appropriate solutions.


Business or home moving; both includes appearance essential and sensitive items, so


question the appearance material the organization generally uses. Determine what


insurance policy they provide and read all their conditions before you hire Watsonville


Movers and the Shifting is a huge process and the moving experience should be sleek, safe


and fast as it may include sensitive things, live animals, vegetation, furnishings, important


documents, outfits, etc.

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