Is anyone else ready to rip their hair out this week? No, I don't mean trichitillomania-style, I mean week-before-spring-break-STRESS style! Nothing looks good right now, but the fact is we Cornellians only have a matter of hours before the mayhem begins! Rejoice!
Okay, even though my SMUT contributions this semester are on somewhat of a hiatus, I really fucking love to blog, so I ain't gonna stop!
Some News:
State-Run Pharmacies in Sweden to Sell Sex Toys
Why Some Are Pushing for March Vasectomies
Oh, did anyone else end up standing incredulously in front of the second-to-newest Cosmopolitan magazine last month? "You and Your Va-Jay-Jay"? Since when did crappy (not to mention ridiculous-sounding) nicknames from all the "i've never seen my vagina" women become proper for magazines? Oh, that's right...when has Cosmo ever been a legitimate, un-sexist, honest guide for women? Yeah.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Very Exciting--the "Sexies"
This has been a long time coming: the first ever Sex Positive Journalism Awards (the "Sexies") have arrived!
The Sexies Website
Individuals can submit either single articles or a series of articles to the Sexies (judges include Dan Savage and Liza Featherstone) under a variety of categories. Unfortunately, SMUT writers will not be elegible to submit for this year (the deadline is March 2008, but the article(s) are to have been published in 2007), but it will be great to keep this in mind in the future. I'm anxious to see if we'll have access to the articles by this year's winners at a later point as well.
Thank you to Joanna Winter for this great link via the SMUT facebook group!
The Sexies Website
Individuals can submit either single articles or a series of articles to the Sexies (judges include Dan Savage and Liza Featherstone) under a variety of categories. Unfortunately, SMUT writers will not be elegible to submit for this year (the deadline is March 2008, but the article(s) are to have been published in 2007), but it will be great to keep this in mind in the future. I'm anxious to see if we'll have access to the articles by this year's winners at a later point as well.
Thank you to Joanna Winter for this great link via the SMUT facebook group!
Erotica 2007
Here I am posting again, I feel like the Smut Blog has been a little neglected recently, but fuck it Ivy Leaguers don't have time for sex are just so busy during finals!! But remember kids, masturbation is perhaps the BEST way to be sex-positive, and it relieves lots of stress.
Anyway, this is an article about Erotica 2007, the world's "biggest sex fair" in London that has been going on for a few years. I don't think we have anything comparable in this country, but we do have some interesting stuff too (e.g. Folsom Street Fair--"Leather Week" in San Francisco).
Does anyone else know of kinky fairs/regular events around this country?
Anyway, this is an article about Erotica 2007, the world's "biggest sex fair" in London that has been going on for a few years. I don't think we have anything comparable in this country, but we do have some interesting stuff too (e.g. Folsom Street Fair--"Leather Week" in San Francisco).
Does anyone else know of kinky fairs/regular events around this country?
Erotica 2007 read more!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Penis Publicity
This may not interest anybody, but since I have an almost absurb fascination with the dangly parts, I thought I'd blog. In a nutshell, this article details the "Uncircumcision" debate--or, basically "foreskin restoration." I think Kitsch wrote some article on it in the last issue, but here's MORE info for your edification!!
I like that people (especially men) are talking about this, ONE because I think it's fascinating that this can actually work, and TWO, because it calls into question how we have come to think of "THE COCK" in society (i.e. what it should look like, etc).
So, here it is: PEEN!
I like that people (especially men) are talking about this, ONE because I think it's fascinating that this can actually work, and TWO, because it calls into question how we have come to think of "THE COCK" in society (i.e. what it should look like, etc).
So, here it is: PEEN!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Savage Love Podcast/ Other Recommendations
Many of you have been getting the "Dan Savage education" for years via Savage Love, but has anyone checked out his podcast? It was started a little over a year ago, and what happens is that listeners call in, record messages (and, if they so choose, leave their phone numbers in case Dan wants to call them back), and then Dan addresses the issues in a weekly podcast.
It's even more entertaining to hear him in person, and his blunt approach translates really well over the podcast: in short, it's hilarious! And I learn something new everytime I listen.
Some of the issues I've heard about recently on the podcast include:
-What causes "morning wood"
-How to accomodate the prep and mess in a case of the ever-famed "pie throwing fetish"
-When it might be appropriate for an HIV-pos individual to tell partners he's met online about his status
-How to tip/treat a sex worker
-How one caller could rekindle a very important anal kink in his life, which was marred when he elected to have sex with a man (although he's straight), so he could experience "real" penile penetration, and not one from toys
-How to tell a someone they're a bad kisser (by using "I" statements, apparently...)
-How to rid oneself of "ass hair"
Seriously, it's great. I know you all think I'm a podcast nut, but I'm still new to it. Some of the other big sex-related podcasts that might interest you (although I have not listened to all of these):
Sex is Fun
RopeCast
Polyamory Weekly
Swingercast
I have not yet looked into specifically GLBT podcasts much yet, but I did hear a clip from Feast of Fools on which Erin Davies was featured, and it was humorous and interesting.
It's even more entertaining to hear him in person, and his blunt approach translates really well over the podcast: in short, it's hilarious! And I learn something new everytime I listen.
Some of the issues I've heard about recently on the podcast include:
-What causes "morning wood"
-How to accomodate the prep and mess in a case of the ever-famed "pie throwing fetish"
-When it might be appropriate for an HIV-pos individual to tell partners he's met online about his status
-How to tip/treat a sex worker
-How one caller could rekindle a very important anal kink in his life, which was marred when he elected to have sex with a man (although he's straight), so he could experience "real" penile penetration, and not one from toys
-How to tell a someone they're a bad kisser (by using "I" statements, apparently...)
-How to rid oneself of "ass hair"
Seriously, it's great. I know you all think I'm a podcast nut, but I'm still new to it. Some of the other big sex-related podcasts that might interest you (although I have not listened to all of these):
Sex is Fun
RopeCast
Polyamory Weekly
Swingercast
I have not yet looked into specifically GLBT podcasts much yet, but I did hear a clip from Feast of Fools on which Erin Davies was featured, and it was humorous and interesting.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
GayWheels
Maybe some of you have seen this, but gaywheels.com, is a site that lists all the "GLBT friendly" car manufacturers. The criteria? The manufacturer "must offer domestic-partner benefits to their GLBT employees, no matter where they live or work in the US."
The cool thing is that the "friendly" list beats the "unfriendly" list by more than a few companies.
The cool thing is that the "friendly" list beats the "unfriendly" list by more than a few companies.
@%$&*!#!
Sweet lord, I just got done with a FANTASTIC, 2-HOUR phone interview with Erin Davies, owner of the Fagbug.
This woman is a personal hero, so it was truly an honor to talk to her. I have a much fuller picture now of how she started her activism (both her journey around the country and her documentary, which is now in the editing process).
I'm so excited to write this story--it's something I've been following for almost six months now (when it all started), and the chance to share it with others through SMUT is something I'm really looking forward to.
If you have not already done so, please go to the Fagbug site and learn more! On it is a slide show recently put up that hits upon the main points of Fagbug, with lots of great pictures. Her blog is also very interesting, and details nearly all of her trip.
www.fagbug.com
Nothing would please me more than to bring Erin to Cornell in the spring (with her Fagbug) to talk to us. I am going to get into contact with groups who I think would be interested on campus (including the WRC and all the groups under Haven) and propose the idea, but I also don't think it would be hard to raise the money if these groups did not have enough!
This woman is a personal hero, so it was truly an honor to talk to her. I have a much fuller picture now of how she started her activism (both her journey around the country and her documentary, which is now in the editing process).
I'm so excited to write this story--it's something I've been following for almost six months now (when it all started), and the chance to share it with others through SMUT is something I'm really looking forward to.
If you have not already done so, please go to the Fagbug site and learn more! On it is a slide show recently put up that hits upon the main points of Fagbug, with lots of great pictures. Her blog is also very interesting, and details nearly all of her trip.
www.fagbug.com
Nothing would please me more than to bring Erin to Cornell in the spring (with her Fagbug) to talk to us. I am going to get into contact with groups who I think would be interested on campus (including the WRC and all the groups under Haven) and propose the idea, but I also don't think it would be hard to raise the money if these groups did not have enough!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Exciting News!
Tonight I have set up a phone interview with Erin Davies, owner of the Fagbug, to write about her story as our first feature for the SMUT pilot issue!
To find out more about the Fagbug and Erin's mission, go here
Best of all is that Erin drives the Fagbug to college campuses to speak and spread the word about homophobia and intolerance. Think if how great it would be if we could bring her to Cornell! I'm not sure what the budgets for the WRC and HAVEN are, but it might be a good idea to propose her visit to them.
Check it out
To find out more about the Fagbug and Erin's mission, go here
Best of all is that Erin drives the Fagbug to college campuses to speak and spread the word about homophobia and intolerance. Think if how great it would be if we could bring her to Cornell! I'm not sure what the budgets for the WRC and HAVEN are, but it might be a good idea to propose her visit to them.
Check it out
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Quote of the Day
Oh man, this is why I love Dan Savage:
"Everybody feels a bit ridiculous after sex...even if they're not washing spunk out of their Batman costume."
<3
Also, find cool barbie boobie jewelry (and much more!) here. The way the artist plays with Barbie's idealized body in her art is fascinating and disturbing at the same time.
"Everybody feels a bit ridiculous after sex...even if they're not washing spunk out of their Batman costume."
<3
Also, find cool barbie boobie jewelry (and much more!) here. The way the artist plays with Barbie's idealized body in her art is fascinating and disturbing at the same time.
The New Crew
Yep, that's right, SMUT has finally collected a team of editors. Hooray! Congratulations to you all, you are SO awesome and we are incredibly excited to be working with you. Here they are:
News- Alex Tsantes
Opinion- Claire Barbour
Health- Margaret Kasschau
Arts and Entertainment- Drea Kutick
Creative/Art- Joshua Kaufman
Layout/Copy- Jade Wu
Look them up on facebook! Send them adorable notes about how much you love them! And most of all, please, PLEASE volunteer to be on their writing staff. Our editors cannot go it alone--they need YOUR help to construct a well-fleshed and shiny section.
We have given all our editors access to the blog, so look for their updates. Alex has already jumped the gun, so take a look at her post below and talk back. SMUT is all about dialogue--we want to hear from you!
Oh, and PS: Happy Halloween!!
News- Alex Tsantes
Opinion- Claire Barbour
Health- Margaret Kasschau
Arts and Entertainment- Drea Kutick
Creative/Art- Joshua Kaufman
Layout/Copy- Jade Wu
Look them up on facebook! Send them adorable notes about how much you love them! And most of all, please, PLEASE volunteer to be on their writing staff. Our editors cannot go it alone--they need YOUR help to construct a well-fleshed and shiny section.
We have given all our editors access to the blog, so look for their updates. Alex has already jumped the gun, so take a look at her post below and talk back. SMUT is all about dialogue--we want to hear from you!
Oh, and PS: Happy Halloween!!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Lock 'N Load
Woohoo! This Sunday evening I found myself in the company of eight (if I can count) wonderful Cornellians, and we are ready to go! If you are reading this as a fellow editor, I am very excited to get to know all of you better over the next few weeks (and months...). If you are just a curious blog-stalker, I would strongly suggest that you contribute to SMUT! We have a great core group of people already, and, as Drea put tonight, everyone experiences sex in some sense, so the more perspectives we get, the better!
Just to start some "sexy" dialogue, I am going to throw out a random topic for comments:
The "Adult Book Store" across from the Green Street side of the Commons: been inside? like it? good/bad selection? do you think they are sex-positive?
Tell me what you think. And once the dialogue gets started, I'll put in my input too
=^-^=
Just to start some "sexy" dialogue, I am going to throw out a random topic for comments:
The "Adult Book Store" across from the Green Street side of the Commons: been inside? like it? good/bad selection? do you think they are sex-positive?
Tell me what you think. And once the dialogue gets started, I'll put in my input too
=^-^=
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Monday Info Meeting Recap
I've been sending this email out to everyone who missed the meeting, but I figure I might as well post it here, so everyone can enjoy it. How lovely.
Sorry you weren’t able to attend the info meeting Monday! Here are the basics of what we covered:
SMUT magazine is all about sex-positivity. We firmly believe that sex touches almost every facet of our lives, and it’s about time the Cornell campus as a whole starts talking about it in an educated, positive, and FUN manner! We have all kinds of resources, but no matter how many packets of lube and condoms we hand out on Ho Plaza, there’s not going to be any change in overall attitudes unless we start talking about sex issues explicitly. We want to be fun, but also informative—and we want our content to reflect this. We want to range from steamy erotica (and erotic drawings/pictures) to sober issues of sexual health and news, silly comics to academic discourse (for example, an essay on the role of Marie Antoinette as pornographic object in the French Revolution, is an idea we’ve actually received), and everything in-between.
SMUT magazine is a fledgling publication—this will be our first issue, and we’re pretty green. What this means is, if you can breathe, if you have any sort of talent, we need your help! There are TONS of ways to get involved right now: we need staff writers (people who are willing to write more than one article, and to work with us up through the publishing phase), people to help with advertising and the business/financial side of things, people to help with layout and art, and people to help us with making our really neat ideas for our internet presence become a reality. We want to have a fun section, so if you or someone you know draws comics, or feels like writing a silly Cosmo-esque quiz (“Do you have a penis and not know it??”), or something else sex-related and amusing, we’d LOVE to accept that as well. We will also be accepting writing/art/etc. submissions from the community at large, so don’t feel like you have to make a huge time commitment. Anything you feel up to will make us happy.
In addition to all of this, we are currently accepting applications for editorship: if you’re interested in becoming the editor of a section (news, health, opinion, literature/art, layout, copyeditors, etc) please email us and let us know! We will send you a short application, and arrange a short, fun, informal interview with you very soon after.
Thank you so much for expressing interest in SMUT! We hope you’re as excited about this as we are. As soon as (possibly before) we hire our editorial board, we’re going to send out a call for submissions, so get ready! Also, if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to email us. We check our inbox like maybe 20 million times a day, and we’d love to address your concerns.
Sorry you weren’t able to attend the info meeting Monday! Here are the basics of what we covered:
SMUT magazine is all about sex-positivity. We firmly believe that sex touches almost every facet of our lives, and it’s about time the Cornell campus as a whole starts talking about it in an educated, positive, and FUN manner! We have all kinds of resources, but no matter how many packets of lube and condoms we hand out on Ho Plaza, there’s not going to be any change in overall attitudes unless we start talking about sex issues explicitly. We want to be fun, but also informative—and we want our content to reflect this. We want to range from steamy erotica (and erotic drawings/pictures) to sober issues of sexual health and news, silly comics to academic discourse (for example, an essay on the role of Marie Antoinette as pornographic object in the French Revolution, is an idea we’ve actually received), and everything in-between.
SMUT magazine is a fledgling publication—this will be our first issue, and we’re pretty green. What this means is, if you can breathe, if you have any sort of talent, we need your help! There are TONS of ways to get involved right now: we need staff writers (people who are willing to write more than one article, and to work with us up through the publishing phase), people to help with advertising and the business/financial side of things, people to help with layout and art, and people to help us with making our really neat ideas for our internet presence become a reality. We want to have a fun section, so if you or someone you know draws comics, or feels like writing a silly Cosmo-esque quiz (“Do you have a penis and not know it??”), or something else sex-related and amusing, we’d LOVE to accept that as well. We will also be accepting writing/art/etc. submissions from the community at large, so don’t feel like you have to make a huge time commitment. Anything you feel up to will make us happy.
In addition to all of this, we are currently accepting applications for editorship: if you’re interested in becoming the editor of a section (news, health, opinion, literature/art, layout, copyeditors, etc) please email us and let us know! We will send you a short application, and arrange a short, fun, informal interview with you very soon after.
Thank you so much for expressing interest in SMUT! We hope you’re as excited about this as we are. As soon as (possibly before) we hire our editorial board, we’re going to send out a call for submissions, so get ready! Also, if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to email us. We check our inbox like maybe 20 million times a day, and we’d love to address your concerns.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Info Meeting Today! (plus extraneous bloggage)
Yeah, I like the extraneous bloggage.
So we had our very first info meeting today! We didn't have huge turnout, but frankly I was surprised (and exited!) to see a couple people the three of us don't know personally. It means our advertising has worked, and our goal of avoiding social circle incest is closer to being achieved. Anyway, I think the meeting went really well, we have two potential editors with experience and interest, which is way sweet. Hopefully the meeting on monday will be slightly better attended. If you're on the fence, come hang out with us! It's nothing formal, just a chance for you to get to meet us in person, and for us to answer your questions. There are all kinds of opportunities to get involved here, so don't be shy.
ALSO check out the Sun today! We're featured (is it featured when you're mentioned in an article about something else? whatever, we're there) on the front page of the Eclipse insert. The article basically covered what Liana wrote about yesterday, but it was incredibly exciting to see SMUT getting plugged in the 100% mainstream Sun. Hopefully this will inspire even MORE buzz for us.
Also, via Feministing, Slate magazine has just put out a sex issue, with a bunch of interesting articles. If you've got some free time, definitely check a few of them out.
This article in particular brought up some interesting issues, especially the "Em & Lo" response about virginity. This is something I've been thinking about for a while, and I'm not really sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, sexual activity is sexual activity whether you're using your fingers, your tongue, a cucumber or a penis, and I don't understand how anyone can pretend otherwise. On the other hand, as the article says, a penis does carry some consequences the other three do not, which usually means you need to take some extra precautions. Does this mean the penis should get special treatment virginity-wise? Does it even matter? I mean, I mostly just think virginity is an outdated concept altogether. It seems to me we should see this more as a process of sexualization, of developing a sexuality, that lasts one's entire life. The moment of penis-in-vagina penetration assumes a heterosexual norm that is far from universal at this point--wouldn't it be better just to discard it altogether, in favor of something more sex-positive and inclusive?
So we had our very first info meeting today! We didn't have huge turnout, but frankly I was surprised (and exited!) to see a couple people the three of us don't know personally. It means our advertising has worked, and our goal of avoiding social circle incest is closer to being achieved. Anyway, I think the meeting went really well, we have two potential editors with experience and interest, which is way sweet. Hopefully the meeting on monday will be slightly better attended. If you're on the fence, come hang out with us! It's nothing formal, just a chance for you to get to meet us in person, and for us to answer your questions. There are all kinds of opportunities to get involved here, so don't be shy.
ALSO check out the Sun today! We're featured (is it featured when you're mentioned in an article about something else? whatever, we're there) on the front page of the Eclipse insert. The article basically covered what Liana wrote about yesterday, but it was incredibly exciting to see SMUT getting plugged in the 100% mainstream Sun. Hopefully this will inspire even MORE buzz for us.
Also, via Feministing, Slate magazine has just put out a sex issue, with a bunch of interesting articles. If you've got some free time, definitely check a few of them out.
This article in particular brought up some interesting issues, especially the "Em & Lo" response about virginity. This is something I've been thinking about for a while, and I'm not really sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, sexual activity is sexual activity whether you're using your fingers, your tongue, a cucumber or a penis, and I don't understand how anyone can pretend otherwise. On the other hand, as the article says, a penis does carry some consequences the other three do not, which usually means you need to take some extra precautions. Does this mean the penis should get special treatment virginity-wise? Does it even matter? I mean, I mostly just think virginity is an outdated concept altogether. It seems to me we should see this more as a process of sexualization, of developing a sexuality, that lasts one's entire life. The moment of penis-in-vagina penetration assumes a heterosexual norm that is far from universal at this point--wouldn't it be better just to discard it altogether, in favor of something more sex-positive and inclusive?
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Papa, we're gonna be FAMOUS!
I got a voicemail from a girl from the Daily Sun today; she'd gotten my number from SMUT's SAO page (which I have to update but can't because the fuckers never gave me a password :( ) and called me to get my [SMUT's] opinion on Trojan's "Sexual Health Report Card" of colleges and universities. I can't find a link to it directly to actually see the whole damn thing, but there are plenty of colleges on the net touting or whining about their scores. Cornell came in at #63 of 139. Not so hot, but I suppose it could be worse.
I called the girl back and she had no specific questions but just told me to talk about what I think of the issue. If you know me (and many of you will very soon), telling me to "talk" is like opening a can of those giant sandworms from Beetlejuice, especially if it's about sex. I talked this poor girl's ear off for a solid ten minutes; about how I feel Cornell's administration and staff treat these things (A) vs how Cornell students as a whole treat these issues (C-).
I really believe progress starts and stops with us. The administration can give us free condoms and cash for starting awareness groups til its collective face turns blue, but it is OUR job to make it OUR concern; it is OUR job to turn these issues inward. Sex pervades our lives in every single way, yet we can't accept a package of free condoms and lube on Ho Plaza or openly discuss sexuality in a healthy manner. What's the deal, kids?
What I DID find out was that Trojan's experimental methods were pretty questionable; the writer told me that when she showed the Report Card to the staff at Gannett, they responded that they'd never heard of it and that they definitely were never contacted about a survey. How can you make a statement that partially concerns the way the administration and staff handle sexual health without talking to the administration and staff? Silly Trojan.
On the other side, they do have a pretty cool new campaign, evolve. The singing pigs kind of freak me out, as does the line in the song about relentlessly pursuing a woman after she turns you down; but Trojan, as perhaps the hippest and coolest condom distributor in the world, is doing a really awesome thing with this campaign.
That's enough out of me; I'm off to spam a meeting of one of the "elusive" sexual health awareness groups on campus with SMUT quarter cards.
We're gonna be in the Suuuuuuuun! I'd vomit but that girl was really cool. Look out for the article in tomorrow's issue (I think)!
I called the girl back and she had no specific questions but just told me to talk about what I think of the issue. If you know me (and many of you will very soon), telling me to "talk" is like opening a can of those giant sandworms from Beetlejuice, especially if it's about sex. I talked this poor girl's ear off for a solid ten minutes; about how I feel Cornell's administration and staff treat these things (A) vs how Cornell students as a whole treat these issues (C-).
I really believe progress starts and stops with us. The administration can give us free condoms and cash for starting awareness groups til its collective face turns blue, but it is OUR job to make it OUR concern; it is OUR job to turn these issues inward. Sex pervades our lives in every single way, yet we can't accept a package of free condoms and lube on Ho Plaza or openly discuss sexuality in a healthy manner. What's the deal, kids?
What I DID find out was that Trojan's experimental methods were pretty questionable; the writer told me that when she showed the Report Card to the staff at Gannett, they responded that they'd never heard of it and that they definitely were never contacted about a survey. How can you make a statement that partially concerns the way the administration and staff handle sexual health without talking to the administration and staff? Silly Trojan.
On the other side, they do have a pretty cool new campaign, evolve. The singing pigs kind of freak me out, as does the line in the song about relentlessly pursuing a woman after she turns you down; but Trojan, as perhaps the hippest and coolest condom distributor in the world, is doing a really awesome thing with this campaign.
That's enough out of me; I'm off to spam a meeting of one of the "elusive" sexual health awareness groups on campus with SMUT quarter cards.
We're gonna be in the Suuuuuuuun! I'd vomit but that girl was really cool. Look out for the article in tomorrow's issue (I think)!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Progress
This thing is really getting off its feet. Liana and I met last night, and came up with some hilariously adorable quartercards, so now we are all set to harass the hordes on Ho Plaza. My favorite goes like this: "LIKE FUCKIN'? ...so do we!" So keep an eye out for those, and come to the info meeting(s)!
Two identical information meetings:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 @ 4:30 PM
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1 @ 4:30 PM
ROCKEFELLER 102
Yess...also, a friend of mine just pointed out that I've been using "dude" and "sweet" in the same phrase (as in "Dude, that is so super sweet!"). I think I need to go purge myself...
In the meantime, this video should amuse you.
Two identical information meetings:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 @ 4:30 PM
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1 @ 4:30 PM
ROCKEFELLER 102
Yess...also, a friend of mine just pointed out that I've been using "dude" and "sweet" in the same phrase (as in "Dude, that is so super sweet!"). I think I need to go purge myself...
In the meantime, this video should amuse you.
Monday, September 24, 2007
IT'S ALIVE.
The facebook group is now public! That's right, folks, we've heard from SAFC , we have our startup and now we're going legit. SMUT magazine is ALIIIIVE.
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