Anyway, I said that I would share the pics so here they are. Thanks for looking!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Newest puppet
Here's one of the latest puppets that I made today. Yes, he's still naked and his body is hollow (no foam shell added yet). I did him as a muppet style puppet, with the entrance from the bottom, and only half body (legless). He is one of several the I'm making in order to sell, but this one's made from felt material whereas the others are going to be full body and made from fleece. I had some extra time so I just decided to hand sew this one today instead of using the machine (sometimes that can be quite relaxing).
Anyway, I said that I would share the pics so here they are. Thanks for looking!
Anyway, I said that I would share the pics so here they are. Thanks for looking!
Eddie's hair update
Here are the updated pics of Eddie's new hair, which looks much better than the previous wig.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Say hello to Eddie
I finally finished with the last details and have Eddie painted and everything's working the way that it should be. I do plan on getting another wig for him, though, as this one just isn't cutting it, even though I have. The wig just wasn't shaped correctly for use the way that I want it to look, but it will have to do for now.
So thanks for looking, everyone, and thanks for asking to see the pics of his progress. If anyone wants him to appear for any party, be sure to drop me an email.
So thanks for looking, everyone, and thanks for asking to see the pics of his progress. If anyone wants him to appear for any party, be sure to drop me an email.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
I make my own friends
So this is just an update, as requested by a couple of my friends, to show the progress of my latest "construction" project, in which I made a friend whose name is Eddie.
The base of the head is a urethane cast from a sculpture, and the pics are showing the almost finished product with some of the sculpting medium still a bit wet and unsanded before the final painting is done.
The piece of paper that is sticking out from under the chin is actually just to hold the jaw in place while the epoxy sets up inside, as I have not installed any of the spring mechanisms for the mechanics yet. And, if you haven't already guessed, this is the head for a ventriloquist figure.
Here is another view from the side with the trapdoor not yet installed in the back.
And now for some of the internal mechanics that I constructed in order to hold it all in place.
And finally, the realistic eyes (what usually creeps people out about ventriloquist figures) as well as a closer view of the mouth (which I have already painted).
The base of the head is a urethane cast from a sculpture, and the pics are showing the almost finished product with some of the sculpting medium still a bit wet and unsanded before the final painting is done.
The piece of paper that is sticking out from under the chin is actually just to hold the jaw in place while the epoxy sets up inside, as I have not installed any of the spring mechanisms for the mechanics yet. And, if you haven't already guessed, this is the head for a ventriloquist figure.Here is another view from the side with the trapdoor not yet installed in the back.
And now for some of the internal mechanics that I constructed in order to hold it all in place.
And finally, the realistic eyes (what usually creeps people out about ventriloquist figures) as well as a closer view of the mouth (which I have already painted).
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
More sad news
Literally, just a few short hours after my last post, I was told that my grandmother had passed away. She had been battling strokes and heart attacks for the past several years and her health had been steadily declining. She would have been 93 years old this May and I will miss her beyond what words can explain.
I fail to understand this strange concept that I have had with her death since I was a child. I never really knew how I would be able to face it once it actually happened, and well, here I am, and it has happened. She was indeed a second mother to me and even called me son.
I used to wake up as a child having had nightmares of her dying and would make my mom call her when we were living in California, just to make sure that she was okay. It always seemed to be a constant fear and preoccupation with me that I would lose her somehow, and I'm not really sure why I even felt that way because her and my mother were the two people that were always by my side no matter what happened in my life.
When my ex-wife Adrienne and I were still together, her grandmother in Texas died. I had just barely even known her, but I remember driving down the interstate and thinking about how she must feel, and how I would feel if that were my grandmother, and the sense of loss, and I started to cry at the mere thought of such a loss. Now it has finally happened, and the tears seem as though they will never stop, even after all of these years of "practice" for the time when the real thing would come.
Every time a patient that I would take care of in the nursing home would die, I would always think to myself how she was a grandmother to someone, or a mother, and how she should be treated as such, as someone's mother. Essentially that is what Buddhism teaches, to consider everyone and everything that lives as having once been your mother, and to treat them with that respect.
It was very difficult for me to not let this be an emotional upset tonight when I was at the center doing my ngondro practice, and after having discussed it with my mom earlier, I also honestly do not think that I can bear to attend her funeral. My grief is such that I think I would not be able to contain myself or to handle my emotions and would just be more of an upset to all those around me if I were to attend. I know that this would in no way be a disrespect to her, as she knew that I loved her like a second mother and will miss her all the rest of the days of my life.
I fail to understand this strange concept that I have had with her death since I was a child. I never really knew how I would be able to face it once it actually happened, and well, here I am, and it has happened. She was indeed a second mother to me and even called me son.
I used to wake up as a child having had nightmares of her dying and would make my mom call her when we were living in California, just to make sure that she was okay. It always seemed to be a constant fear and preoccupation with me that I would lose her somehow, and I'm not really sure why I even felt that way because her and my mother were the two people that were always by my side no matter what happened in my life.
When my ex-wife Adrienne and I were still together, her grandmother in Texas died. I had just barely even known her, but I remember driving down the interstate and thinking about how she must feel, and how I would feel if that were my grandmother, and the sense of loss, and I started to cry at the mere thought of such a loss. Now it has finally happened, and the tears seem as though they will never stop, even after all of these years of "practice" for the time when the real thing would come.
Every time a patient that I would take care of in the nursing home would die, I would always think to myself how she was a grandmother to someone, or a mother, and how she should be treated as such, as someone's mother. Essentially that is what Buddhism teaches, to consider everyone and everything that lives as having once been your mother, and to treat them with that respect.
It was very difficult for me to not let this be an emotional upset tonight when I was at the center doing my ngondro practice, and after having discussed it with my mom earlier, I also honestly do not think that I can bear to attend her funeral. My grief is such that I think I would not be able to contain myself or to handle my emotions and would just be more of an upset to all those around me if I were to attend. I know that this would in no way be a disrespect to her, as she knew that I loved her like a second mother and will miss her all the rest of the days of my life.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Treasure hunting, updates, etc.
So it has been a little while since my last post, mainly because I've been rather busy with classes and such. I finally have a bit of a break because some of my classes are hybrids and that requires a little more self-teaching than actual classroom time.
I went to Indiana for a few days a couple of weeks ago in order to visit. My uncle had just recently passed away and we (my brother and I) checked out the property that we own up there that my uncle had been living on. My aunt had also just been put on hospice because she has been battling cancer for the last couple of years.
My brother and I had the chance to go check out some of the places around there that we used to go to and such, as well as our old property from before we moved to Florida many years ago. For the most part everything looks a lot as how it did when we moved away in 1989. The Midwest never seems to change very much, unlike where I live in Florida where there seems to be either a new shopping center or subdivision on an almost weekly basis going up somewhere close.
Now that the weather has been getting a little bit cooler I've been able to go out and do more outdoor type things. I've been using my metal detector and in just a few short trips to the local parks lately have found over $20 in clad coins, a silver dime from an old home site that burnt down a few years ago near where I live, wheat pennies, a Civil War bullet, lots of trash, a high velocity rifle bullet from a local playground, and numerous other little things. I also took my metal detector with me on our Indiana trip but didn't really find too much of interest besides a lot of coins. I wanted to search around the area on our property up there that my uncle was living on because I knew that I would find some interesting things there, but didn't do it for very long because the ground was like chopping through rock in most places. Also, my older cousin was there and I wanted to visit with him for a bit; he was the one who initially interested me in metal detecting when I was a kid and he always has his detector with him.
I plan on going through that property a little more thoroughly the next time I get there. The problem is that the property is rather large and it will take some time to go over it all. I don't remember what the exact acreage is, but I know that it took my brother and I nearly half an hour to walk from the front of the property to the back and return again. Since it's old farmland, though, I'm sure that there should be some interesting things that lay in wait under the soil, plus my nucle was notorious for burying jars of money, so who knows.
That should about wrap things up for now. It's getting late and I should be at least attempting to try sleeping so that I can have a full day tomorrow. Thanks for all who continue to read and subscribe to my ramblings.
I went to Indiana for a few days a couple of weeks ago in order to visit. My uncle had just recently passed away and we (my brother and I) checked out the property that we own up there that my uncle had been living on. My aunt had also just been put on hospice because she has been battling cancer for the last couple of years.
My brother and I had the chance to go check out some of the places around there that we used to go to and such, as well as our old property from before we moved to Florida many years ago. For the most part everything looks a lot as how it did when we moved away in 1989. The Midwest never seems to change very much, unlike where I live in Florida where there seems to be either a new shopping center or subdivision on an almost weekly basis going up somewhere close.
Now that the weather has been getting a little bit cooler I've been able to go out and do more outdoor type things. I've been using my metal detector and in just a few short trips to the local parks lately have found over $20 in clad coins, a silver dime from an old home site that burnt down a few years ago near where I live, wheat pennies, a Civil War bullet, lots of trash, a high velocity rifle bullet from a local playground, and numerous other little things. I also took my metal detector with me on our Indiana trip but didn't really find too much of interest besides a lot of coins. I wanted to search around the area on our property up there that my uncle was living on because I knew that I would find some interesting things there, but didn't do it for very long because the ground was like chopping through rock in most places. Also, my older cousin was there and I wanted to visit with him for a bit; he was the one who initially interested me in metal detecting when I was a kid and he always has his detector with him.
I plan on going through that property a little more thoroughly the next time I get there. The problem is that the property is rather large and it will take some time to go over it all. I don't remember what the exact acreage is, but I know that it took my brother and I nearly half an hour to walk from the front of the property to the back and return again. Since it's old farmland, though, I'm sure that there should be some interesting things that lay in wait under the soil, plus my nucle was notorious for burying jars of money, so who knows.
That should about wrap things up for now. It's getting late and I should be at least attempting to try sleeping so that I can have a full day tomorrow. Thanks for all who continue to read and subscribe to my ramblings.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Spindle Obsession
I'll get the pics up soon, but I just finished (all except for the wood finishing) putting together my Puschca style drop spindle. This is the spindle type that is used in Peru and can be seen on this YouTube video below, which was filmed in the Village of Quenqo, 45 km outside of Cusco, Peru.
It does not appear that they have a hook attached at the end, but I will, nevertheless, add one to mine, as it seems to help a bit with these heavier bottom whorl spindles that I'm so fond of.
I usually use a heavier bottome whorl, and have not problem getting either fine or bulky handspun from it.
It does not appear that they have a hook attached at the end, but I will, nevertheless, add one to mine, as it seems to help a bit with these heavier bottom whorl spindles that I'm so fond of.
I usually use a heavier bottome whorl, and have not problem getting either fine or bulky handspun from it.
Monday, August 27, 2007
How I made my Mother Marion kick spindle
I've had some people ask about this spindle and how I made it, so I will post my method of creating this unique supported spindle. Enjoy, and give me feedback about your progress!
I'm working on plans for the Marion, but it's really pretty straightforward. I bought what is called a "bun foot" that is available in the table legs section in the local home improvement stores (Loewe's, Home Depot). Then I took some scrap wood and attached them as seen in the photos with the largest and heaviest piece being the horizontal base. Now is the room for creativity part, because I've seen several different variations in design here...
Through the vertical stabilization piece, I drilled a hole approximately at a 45 degree angle. I also drilled a corresponding hole in the base for supporting the end of the spindle, and also added a smaller piece of scrap wood at the end of that board just for more stabilization of the spindle's end.
I then sharpened a 3/8" wood dowel for the insert into the base's hole, and slightly sharpened the other end as well (since I have a hook attached at that end, it should be flat enough for the 1/2" brass cup hook to screw into without splitting the end of the dowel). I also pre-drilled the end of the dowel for the cup hook to screw into using a SMALL hobby drill that looks similar to a pen that I bought at Radio Shack (I use this for drilling holes in PC board when making electronics as well).
I also make sure that at any point where the boards are joined, I use Gorilla Glue in addition to screws (which also has Gorilla Glue in the screw holes, but don't use TOO much as this is a very expanding glue that turns to a hard foam-like consistency).
Now all you have to do is insert the dowel through the upper hole and slide it into the bun foot (after you remove the screw that is already in the foot when you buy it, as well as drilling a 3/8" hold through that bun foot). Put a small amount of glue into the bun foot before sliding the dowel through. Also, although not in my picture, I bought some bamboo coasters from Wal-Mart and removed the stuck on cork cover, drilled a hole in the coaster, slid it over the dowel to prevent the yarn from getting in the hole. Attach the cup hook (with a tiny amount of glue on the threads) and you're done.
Sounds like a lot, but it really only takes a few minutes to put it all together, especially if all that you have to buy is the bun foot and dowel. I've also seen Marion's with rubber wheels, much like what's on a push lawn mower (visit your local county landfill for all the free wheels and parts that you can imagine). Personally, I just spin barefoot, so the wood is just fine for me so long as you've not varnished and finished it to a great slippery shine. Mine seems to spin for an adequately long time, but there are versions that have ball bearings in the hole where the dowel rests on the base in order to make it spin longer, but that's your call. Also, using some sewing machine or spinning wheel oil in this hole makes it go a little easier, as well as making sure that the hole itself (both of them, actually) are larger than the dowel. I just drilled them open a little more than the dowel without going to the next largest size drill bit (move the drill around a little when drilling).
So, in all, there you have the non-illustrated version of how to make a Mother Marion kick spindle!
I'm working on plans for the Marion, but it's really pretty straightforward. I bought what is called a "bun foot" that is available in the table legs section in the local home improvement stores (Loewe's, Home Depot). Then I took some scrap wood and attached them as seen in the photos with the largest and heaviest piece being the horizontal base. Now is the room for creativity part, because I've seen several different variations in design here...
Through the vertical stabilization piece, I drilled a hole approximately at a 45 degree angle. I also drilled a corresponding hole in the base for supporting the end of the spindle, and also added a smaller piece of scrap wood at the end of that board just for more stabilization of the spindle's end.
I then sharpened a 3/8" wood dowel for the insert into the base's hole, and slightly sharpened the other end as well (since I have a hook attached at that end, it should be flat enough for the 1/2" brass cup hook to screw into without splitting the end of the dowel). I also pre-drilled the end of the dowel for the cup hook to screw into using a SMALL hobby drill that looks similar to a pen that I bought at Radio Shack (I use this for drilling holes in PC board when making electronics as well).
I also make sure that at any point where the boards are joined, I use Gorilla Glue in addition to screws (which also has Gorilla Glue in the screw holes, but don't use TOO much as this is a very expanding glue that turns to a hard foam-like consistency).
Now all you have to do is insert the dowel through the upper hole and slide it into the bun foot (after you remove the screw that is already in the foot when you buy it, as well as drilling a 3/8" hold through that bun foot). Put a small amount of glue into the bun foot before sliding the dowel through. Also, although not in my picture, I bought some bamboo coasters from Wal-Mart and removed the stuck on cork cover, drilled a hole in the coaster, slid it over the dowel to prevent the yarn from getting in the hole. Attach the cup hook (with a tiny amount of glue on the threads) and you're done.
Sounds like a lot, but it really only takes a few minutes to put it all together, especially if all that you have to buy is the bun foot and dowel. I've also seen Marion's with rubber wheels, much like what's on a push lawn mower (visit your local county landfill for all the free wheels and parts that you can imagine). Personally, I just spin barefoot, so the wood is just fine for me so long as you've not varnished and finished it to a great slippery shine. Mine seems to spin for an adequately long time, but there are versions that have ball bearings in the hole where the dowel rests on the base in order to make it spin longer, but that's your call. Also, using some sewing machine or spinning wheel oil in this hole makes it go a little easier, as well as making sure that the hole itself (both of them, actually) are larger than the dowel. I just drilled them open a little more than the dowel without going to the next largest size drill bit (move the drill around a little when drilling).
So, in all, there you have the non-illustrated version of how to make a Mother Marion kick spindle!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Bird rescue today
I went outside a little while ago and there was a Wood Thrush running around outside my door on the ground. That in itself is not too unusual, but this one didn't fly away after I got within a foot of it, so I walked up to it and (after it running around for a minute) picked it up.
It is a young adult, but fearing that the dogs may decide it was their toy, or that it may have a broken wing, I decided to get it and help it out for a while.
We have many songbirds that nest on our property ranging from several varieties of woodpecker and cardinals, to wrens and many other animals besides birds. And seeing as how I was practically raised in a zoo (my mom has always raised exotics animals and rescues ranging from lions and cougars to monkeys and coatimundies) I have a natural affection for all things wild.
So I shall help it out until it's back to health and then let it go again and hopefully all will be well.
It is a young adult, but fearing that the dogs may decide it was their toy, or that it may have a broken wing, I decided to get it and help it out for a while.
We have many songbirds that nest on our property ranging from several varieties of woodpecker and cardinals, to wrens and many other animals besides birds. And seeing as how I was practically raised in a zoo (my mom has always raised exotics animals and rescues ranging from lions and cougars to monkeys and coatimundies) I have a natural affection for all things wild.
So I shall help it out until it's back to health and then let it go again and hopefully all will be well.
Charkha, Marion, Spindle pics
Below you will find my promised pics of the Mother Marion kick spindle, my reversible top/bottom whorl drop spindle, my Spindolyn © reproduction, and my completed box charkha., all of which I handmade for my personal spinning use.
Enjoy, and be sure to comment!
Enjoy, and be sure to comment!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Some say sheep
I made this graphic and then it was pointed out to me that it could be taken as saying "Sheep Rock My World".
Gives a whole new meaning to fiber p*rn.
Gives a whole new meaning to fiber p*rn.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
a few of my drop spindles
Here are a couple of pics of my homemade drop spindles that I use for spinning wool.
In the first picture is my most used drop spindle, which is also reversible so that it can be used as either a top whirl or a bottom whirl. The whorl itself is square, so that it is notchless and spins nicely either for fine or bulky weights. It is a rather heavy spindle compared to some others that I've used, but the weight seems to help stabilize the spin a lot as well as spin for longer periods so that I get long single in a single spin.
The second pic is a few of the others that I use that are lighter (the reversible spindle is in this pic as well). Also are a few balls of wool that I spun with these, both single, plied, dyed, and natural wool. As of now the wood on them are unfinished, but that may change.
Again, sorry for the poor picture quality. Any questions, feel free to send me a message or to share your thoughts.
In the first picture is my most used drop spindle, which is also reversible so that it can be used as either a top whirl or a bottom whirl. The whorl itself is square, so that it is notchless and spins nicely either for fine or bulky weights. It is a rather heavy spindle compared to some others that I've used, but the weight seems to help stabilize the spin a lot as well as spin for longer periods so that I get long single in a single spin.
The second pic is a few of the others that I use that are lighter (the reversible spindle is in this pic as well). Also are a few balls of wool that I spun with these, both single, plied, dyed, and natural wool. As of now the wood on them are unfinished, but that may change.
Again, sorry for the poor picture quality. Any questions, feel free to send me a message or to share your thoughts.
Homemade Charkha spinning wheel
This is one of my latest projects. After looking around a while for some info on cotton spinning and finer fiber spinning, I decided on making a charkha. Here are some links for info on charkhas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_wheel
http://gossamerstrandsfiber.blogspot.com/2006/05/charkha-or-charka-spinning-wheel.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/charkha/
There are several different types of charkhas, a lot of them being sold as "book charkhas" in which they fit inside of a box and have a double wheel arrangement for the drive of the spindle. And then there is the upright, which is a little larger, and usually only uses a single pulley to drive wheel arrangement in order to turn the spindle. For convenience sake, I chose to construct the latter type.
My goal was (as it usually is) to make the wheel as inexpensively as possible, with as many salvaged parts that I could that were readily on hand. The spindle consists of a US #2 knitting needle, attached to a pulley that came from and old cassette player. That pulley is driven by the main wheel, which is made from two 7" diameter wood clock faces that were bought in a craft store. The two pieces were fitted face to face so that there was a groove for the drive belt to sit in. The spindle is held in place by tension from the pulley arrangement, so that I can simply remove the drive belt in order to remove the spindle and collect the spun yarn on a niddy noddy or another bobbin, etc., or I can leave it on the spindle and ply from it by using the old "knitting needle in a shoebox" method. Either way, it's very portable and spins some very fine yarn easily.
I will most likely change some of the features, such as the handle that is attached to a freely spinning one. And since I've just made it, I'm sure that some kinks will have to be worked out as for the tensioning and drive arrangements, etc.
Below are some pictures, and I apologize for the low quality of them.
I've also made a Mother Marion spinning wheel, which is a supported "kick wheel" that I will get some picks of up at a later time, perhaps. It spins quick as well, but is a bit of a workout to spin the wheel with the foot for long periods of time.
So let me know what you think, and if you have any suggestions of would like to share any of your experiences, feel free.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_wheel
http://gossamerstrandsfiber.blogspot.com/2006/05/charkha-or-charka-spinning-wheel.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/charkha/
There are several different types of charkhas, a lot of them being sold as "book charkhas" in which they fit inside of a box and have a double wheel arrangement for the drive of the spindle. And then there is the upright, which is a little larger, and usually only uses a single pulley to drive wheel arrangement in order to turn the spindle. For convenience sake, I chose to construct the latter type.
My goal was (as it usually is) to make the wheel as inexpensively as possible, with as many salvaged parts that I could that were readily on hand. The spindle consists of a US #2 knitting needle, attached to a pulley that came from and old cassette player. That pulley is driven by the main wheel, which is made from two 7" diameter wood clock faces that were bought in a craft store. The two pieces were fitted face to face so that there was a groove for the drive belt to sit in. The spindle is held in place by tension from the pulley arrangement, so that I can simply remove the drive belt in order to remove the spindle and collect the spun yarn on a niddy noddy or another bobbin, etc., or I can leave it on the spindle and ply from it by using the old "knitting needle in a shoebox" method. Either way, it's very portable and spins some very fine yarn easily.
I will most likely change some of the features, such as the handle that is attached to a freely spinning one. And since I've just made it, I'm sure that some kinks will have to be worked out as for the tensioning and drive arrangements, etc.
Below are some pictures, and I apologize for the low quality of them.
I've also made a Mother Marion spinning wheel, which is a supported "kick wheel" that I will get some picks of up at a later time, perhaps. It spins quick as well, but is a bit of a workout to spin the wheel with the foot for long periods of time.
So let me know what you think, and if you have any suggestions of would like to share any of your experiences, feel free.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Amplified listening device
This is a project that I did some time ago, but thought that I would post some info about this since I've had some questions asked. It is an amplified listening device similar to ones that are sold for a LOT more than what it took me to make. And, for anyone who knows me, I much rather dig something out of a dumpster or make it myself if it will save me money.
In the pictures below you will see the parabolic dish that focuses the sound to a condenser microphone. The microphone plugs into the odd little box that consists of an audio amplifier unit and and input/output jack (for the mic and headphones) as well as a volume control knob. I have the LM386 OP amplifier on the circuit board for producing the necessary amplification from the microphone, and it is also looped with the high-gain pins so as to produce a VERY amplified sound.
The parabolic dish is actually a recycled item from the dumpster and it originally was a feeder guard that fits over a hanging bird feeder in order to keep squirrels out of the seed box/feeder. I found the point at which the sound was amplified the most for the placement of the microphone, which is held in place by a hard wire that also serves the purpose of a handle along the side (as you can see in the last photo).
I made this for recording bird and animal sounds from the woods (and the local barred owls that make their home on our property). I had a Bionic Ear © super amplified system years ago that I used for similar purposes, as well as for recording EVP during paranormal research outings. I just couldn't see spending over $100 again for something that I could easily make.
In the pictures below you will see the parabolic dish that focuses the sound to a condenser microphone. The microphone plugs into the odd little box that consists of an audio amplifier unit and and input/output jack (for the mic and headphones) as well as a volume control knob. I have the LM386 OP amplifier on the circuit board for producing the necessary amplification from the microphone, and it is also looped with the high-gain pins so as to produce a VERY amplified sound.
The parabolic dish is actually a recycled item from the dumpster and it originally was a feeder guard that fits over a hanging bird feeder in order to keep squirrels out of the seed box/feeder. I found the point at which the sound was amplified the most for the placement of the microphone, which is held in place by a hard wire that also serves the purpose of a handle along the side (as you can see in the last photo).
I made this for recording bird and animal sounds from the woods (and the local barred owls that make their home on our property). I had a Bionic Ear © super amplified system years ago that I used for similar purposes, as well as for recording EVP during paranormal research outings. I just couldn't see spending over $100 again for something that I could easily make.
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