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Jake LaCaze
North Richland Hills, TX
Independent Landman, Self-Employed
jakelacaze.com
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Brett Kunsch I'm compiling a list of the top 10 films for entrepreneurs. Citizen Kane, Social Network, Jerry Maguire, The Aviator, Ghostbusters (!) are making the cut so far. What else would you add to the list? Thanks ahead of time!!

50 weeks ago from Web Startups, Upstarts!, Business Development, Film and Entrepreneurs3 more

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JRandom42: Here's one you forgot:

Boiler Room

MoreHere's one you forgot:

Boiler Room

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181984/

And while it's not a movie, it's still relates to enterprenuers pretty well

Burn Rate by Michael Wolff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burn_Rate_(book)
http://tinyurl.com/3t4ts7r


14 weeks ago
Peter Weyant: Have to add an Ann Rand movie, either the recent Atlas Shrugged or the classic Fountainhead.
12 weeks ago

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Chris Williams: Jake,

I like the post, I always like to remember that just because something takes a long time and may be hard that that somehow means it's ...MoreJake,

I like the post, I always like to remember that just because something takes a long time and may be hard that that somehow means it's important and/or productive. This just reminded me to keep that in mind! Thanks!

Chris
90 weeks ago
Jake LaCaze: I'm glad you enjoyed the post, Chris. Sometimes we all need a little help keeping things in perspective.
90 weeks ago
 
TOP IDEA: Jake LaCaze A Piece of Advice — Don’t Take Too Much Advice - http://www.brazencareerist/2010/05/31/a-piece-of-advice-don-t-take-too-m...

88 weeks ago

 
Jamie Nacht Farrell I'm always told I should have a "vision" for myself. Yet, I never have and it's led me to success - both professionally and personally. Is it necessary to have a "vision" of what you want in life? If so, does that vision have to include business and personal? And for women, is that "vision" harder to achieve based on the stereotypical 'role' of the mother in a household??? Interested in comments / especially from those who have achieved this; http://bit.ly/dovcmj

77 weeks ago from Consultants R US, Young Professional Women (YPW), Entrepreneurs, Creating a Life You Love and Ask Penelope Trunk!3 more

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Lindsay Browning: I have my vision board and it includes all elements of my vision in life-family, home, career etc. I have it where I can see it and that continues ...MoreI have my vision board and it includes all elements of my vision in life-family, home, career etc. I have it where I can see it and that continues to be my vision and motivation. You've got to work at it, but when you know what you want it makes it easier to achieve. Abundance is everything!
76 weeks ago
Elizabeth Marling: When you say you don't have a vision for yourself, can you clarify what you are referring to? Do you mean a picture of how you want your life to ...MoreWhen you say you don't have a vision for yourself, can you clarify what you are referring to? Do you mean a picture of how you want your life to be? I'm not sure I understand what you are describing, but I'm intrigued.
76 weeks ago
 
Edward Antrobus Can anyone recommend a good free webhost for my wordpress blog. I'm not to the point yet where I can afford paid hosting, but my current host has an uptime of about 60%

33 weeks ago

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Edward Antrobus: I ultimately went with the $9.99 one-time-fee "premium" package on my host because they have standard 99%+ uptime on the paid server. $10 I could ...MoreI ultimately went with the $9.99 one-time-fee "premium" package on my host because they have standard 99%+ uptime on the paid server. $10 I could swing. And so far, I haven't experienced any of the downtime I saw daily on the free server.
32 weeks ago
Megan Atkinson: Awesome, Edward! I ended up going with BlueHost recently.
32 weeks ago
 
TOP IDEA: Mike Ambassador Bruny I guess I have to own up to it; I can write. I've been fighting it because I thought I wasn't any good at it (back in college). The other day I went to an event, did a recap (with my flair), sent it in and now a corporate entity wants me to blog for them. Ambassador Bruny, officially a blogger? Moral of the story: Let go of your old story and own your greatness....anyone need anything written :)

68 weeks ago

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Jake LaCaze: "Let go of your old story and own your greatness." Great advice. When someone told me a couple of years ago that I was likable and sociable ...More"Let go of your old story and own your greatness." Great advice. When someone told me a couple of years ago that I was likable and sociable person, I initially didn't believe her because I was too busy thinking about how socially awkward I was in high school. I had to accept that I had changed and that someone else can see me for who I am, not who I used to be.
33 weeks ago
Tiffany Aviles: This was quite sometime ago but I was very inspired by this thought & happy realization for you. Thanks for sharing and congratulations, even ...MoreThis was quite sometime ago but I was very inspired by this thought & happy realization for you. Thanks for sharing and congratulations, even if it is extremely late & you're moving on to other great moments :)
33 weeks ago
 
Jake LaCaze joined the group Green and Environmental industries

33 weeks ago

 
Megan Atkinson Over half the energy industry is expected to retire in 5-10 years. http://wp.me/p1kAA3-8n How do we prepare for and combat the impending brain drain of institutional knowledge my aged industry currently holds? Employers are not talking about this as much as they should. I need your ideas! Brainstorm with me and my readers?

35 weeks ago

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Megan Atkinson: @JRandom - so just because there is a chance that someone won't care, we should not raise awareness? In my mind, if there is a chance half your ...More@JRandom - so just because there is a chance that someone won't care, we should not raise awareness? In my mind, if there is a chance half your participants care and will do something - that's a heck of a lot more productive than doing nothing which results in zero chance of anyone caring.
34 weeks ago
JRandom42: Most of these senior engineers have "been there, done that." They've seen this "awareness raising" for over the past 25 years. Same thing, ...MoreMost of these senior engineers have "been there, done that." They've seen this "awareness raising" for over the past 25 years. Same thing, different sound.

For the most part, the company is forcing them out to cut costs, so the company is essentially forcing them to train their replacements. Not a great venue for cooperation and patience in learning.

The attitude is mainly, "I'm here and ready to teach and answer questions. If the new engineer sthink that all that I've built over the past few decades is just crap, and wants to start all over because everything is different now, nothing I say is going to change their minds. They'll learn that the laws of physics don't change, and the gotchas that we had to work around will still be there.If they're that gung-ho on doing it their way, they're still going to have to solve (insert ugly technical problem here), and it took us over 2 years to do so. If they don't want to learn from the errors and solutions we came up with, not my problem. The company is getting rid of me sooner rather than laters. When the WSJ headline comes out "Energy Giant's modernization delayed again due to technical problems" comes, it won't matter to me, because I learned from Enron, and have diversified my 401k away from company stock."
34 weeks ago
 
Jamie Nacht Farrell People always ask, "what can I do to stand out in an interview?" and having interviewed 1000s - I believe there is only ONE thing that sets people apart and it's not something you can FAKE; PASSION / Hunger sets people apart. It's something a good manager can sense in their gut. Passion drives everything else; persistence, ambition, tenacity, etc. Can you guys think of anything else that helps one stand apart???? Do you believe passion is the biggest factor in success? http://bit.ly/f6Dxj4

46 weeks ago from Ask Penelope Trunk!, Creating a Life You Love, The Career Hot Seat!, Entrepreneurs and Business Development3 more

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j morgan: Jamie you hit the nail on the head. Passion is the only thing that sets people apart from real enthusiasm to "looking for work". And the winners ...MoreJamie you hit the nail on the head. Passion is the only thing that sets people apart from real enthusiasm to "looking for work". And the winners in this world have passion and you can see that and identify it. BRAVO. Well done. The faster someone lets you know their passion the less BS you have to deal with the faster you will find a terrific candidate to work for your company.

Passion is the only thing that is worthy to the interviewer or ee. Wake up and smell the coffee people. Get real.
44 weeks ago
Cooper: I tend to agree with Cheryl.

I personally have seen some fairly incompetent, yet very passionate people. Passion is overrated. It has become the ...MoreI tend to agree with Cheryl.

I personally have seen some fairly incompetent, yet very passionate people. Passion is overrated. It has become the buzz word, and I'm sorry i don't really buy it. I think that one must have innumerable other qualities in order for passion to count. When all those other qualities are in place, starting with a stellar work ethic and a core knowledge base and applicable experience, then yes passion will make a difference. Your best writers are not always the most passionate, but are usually the ones who are most organized and have the stellar work ethic, and I believe you will find this in most professions, even among the creatives.
44 weeks ago
 
La Donna Lokey What do you think about video interviewing? Do you think it's a good idea, or do you think it increases the likelihood of discrimination? A colleague pointed out that it's no different than face to face meetings where discrimination is also possible. Do you agree? Some say it's where we're all headed . . .

45 weeks ago from Breaking Into Banking, Career Changers, Career Rocketeer, Ask Penelope Trunk! and We're Hiring3 more

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Keisha Michelle Gregory: I believe that being in a timed format such as a video interview, would help candidates prepare themselves more professional such as their 5 ...MoreI believe that being in a timed format such as a video interview, would help candidates prepare themselves more professional such as their 5 minute elevator speech when meeting someone for the first time such as a recruiter/hiring manager. It would also help better prepare us and teach us patience. Within this time frame, if it would not be enough time for me to ask questions then I may have a problem.
45 weeks ago
La Donna Lokey: @Joseph I'm not aware of any companies who would post the interviews on the internet. My understanding is that the interview could be recorded and ...More@Joseph I'm not aware of any companies who would post the interviews on the internet. My understanding is that the interview could be recorded and saved in an applicant tracking system along with your resume and application, but all of this would be private property of the company.

@Keisha As a candidate, I might be concerned that the shelf life of a bad interview would linger a lot longer than if it was just an interview you attended in person. Does that concern you? (Alternately, a good interview would also last indefinitely!)
45 weeks ago
 
Noel Rozny How do you get psyched up for a job interview? Do you listen to a certain playlist, talk to yourself in the mirror, or have a certain outfit you wear? What you do and how you think beforehand can impact your interview performance (http://j.mp/egb8G6) so how do you prepare?

46 weeks ago from myFootpath

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Jake LaCaze: I have to echo what Vickie Elmer said. In the past, I worried about my weaknesses and made it impossible for me to get the job. Now, I remind ...MoreI have to echo what Vickie Elmer said. In the past, I worried about my weaknesses and made it impossible for me to get the job. Now, I remind myself of why I am awesome and why these people would want to hire me. It puts everything else into motion.
45 weeks ago
Noel Rozny: @Vickie and @Jake--thanks! More great tips!
45 weeks ago
 
Jessica Silverstein Give me your worst! What was your worse resume mistake? What is the worst 1 you have ever seen on an applicant's resume? No names please.

50 weeks ago from Brazen Careerists on Twitter, Career Rocketeer, Alternative Legal Careers, Resume Feedback and Young Professional Women (YPW)3 more

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Harriet May: Hey everyone, I was thinking this would make a great series for my blog MoreHey everyone, I was thinking this would make a great series for my blog www.resumemascara.com. I haven't updated the site in awhile and I want to kick start it back with a series of blog posts, perhaps every Monday. I was thinking Resume Horror Stories: What Not to Do. If anyone wants to write up their experiences in a post you can email it to me at harri.may@gmail.com. Whether it's something you did or something you came across as a hiring manager. No names please if it isn't you!
46 weeks ago
Jake LaCaze: I put the wrong phone number on my resume. Luckily, I still got the gig. ;)
45 weeks ago
 
Mehnaz Thawer Do you read books more than once? It's really difficult for me to read something again, unless it's really really good.

65 weeks ago from Book Shelf

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Kristen Creager: Fiction yes, nonfiction no. I've read Gone With The Wind probably 20 times...sad but true
49 weeks ago
Jennifer Liu: I've re-read books that are short and sweet like 'Le Petit Prince' and 'The Giving Tree' and 'the Alchemist'. All short, but profound. I agree ...MoreI've re-read books that are short and sweet like 'Le Petit Prince' and 'The Giving Tree' and 'the Alchemist'. All short, but profound. I agree with someone who mentioned spiritual books like the Bible.
48 weeks ago
 
Brett Kunsch Something I discussed with a friend recently (with no real outcome of course): Since so many of the successful people in this world are charismatic, we tried to answer this question --> Can charisma be learned?

49 weeks ago from Personal Branding

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JRandom42: @Kade, probably too late for me. Juat a little too set in my ways. And as I said, I deal more easily with software and cats, and the more I deal ...More@Kade, probably too late for me. Juat a little too set in my ways. And as I said, I deal more easily with software and cats, and the more I deal directly with people, the more I find that I am preferring dealing with software, a close group of friends and cats.

As for not going immediately to networking events, I've been going to them since they were called "trade shows."

Still prefer stapling my head to the floor with white-hot dull staples. It ends up being less painful.
49 weeks ago
Brett Kunsch: I've thoroughly enjoyed reading through this thread. Thank you all for engaging and wrestling with a question that has no conclusive answer. This ...MoreI've thoroughly enjoyed reading through this thread. Thank you all for engaging and wrestling with a question that has no conclusive answer. This community never ceases to inspire me to ask the big questions!
48 weeks ago
 
Trisha Bishop In December, I started my first blog of my brand: Environmentally Friendly and Business Savvy. However, it seems that I am having troubles getting traffic and I need to know why. I really love my brand because it is something I am passionate about and have endless interest in the topic, yet it does seem others are...Please advise on how I could receive more traffic. Also, I am not an experience writer...what is the best method or advice on creating really good content.

49 weeks ago from Wordpress Bloggers

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Ty Unglebower: Most of it is total luck, or paying people to take a look. But the advice given by Rebecca and Raquel is tops in regards to making you more likely ...MoreMost of it is total luck, or paying people to take a look. But the advice given by Rebecca and Raquel is tops in regards to making you more likely to be lucky. Also remember to post your entries here on Brazen as well. Especially to groups that are connected to what your entry is about. If you find no Brazen groups that match, start one.

Good content comes from practice, and reading A LOT of other stuff. Read all kinds of other blogs, books, articles. I wouldn't take Twitter too seriously when it comes to good writing, but if you use it, make sure you never abbreviate and always use your best grammar.

The same with sending text messages. Yes. always use full sentences with proper grammar even when you text. Your brain won't evolve into a writer's brain if it sees there are times you care about writing well, and times you do not.

You will naturally improve if you do this.
49 weeks ago
Trisha Bishop: Thanks for the pointers on areas I could improve in.
Jake- I appreciate the encouraging words.
Rebecca - Amazing ideas and you gave me insight ...MoreThanks for the pointers on areas I could improve in.
Jake- I appreciate the encouraging words.
Rebecca - Amazing ideas and you gave me insight on what I can do starting immediately (linking blog) and what I can do to improve (networking and become more in engaged in others' blogs).
Raquel - "If you want people to follow you... You need to know how to lead them" Your quote is the best! And as I mentioned the note to Raquel..I haven't really took the time to expand to networking.
Ty - Thanks for the idea on posting my entries on Brazen. I have never thought of that.
Well, looks like I have some work to do
49 weeks ago
 
Megan Atkinson I want to blog. I have a lot to say. I have NO idea where to start. I can't even seem to pick an area to focus on. Energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy tech, my own professional development journey, etc. I can't even brainstorm for 5 minutes without new tangents popping up. I've RSVPed to the upcoming NR event... but does anyone have any pointers to offer before then? I'd like to have a least a little vision developed before going into the event.

53 weeks ago from Blogging Ideas

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Jake LaCaze: My advice would be just to start blogging. Don't tell all of your friends about it yet, just see what happens and what your naturally gravitate ...MoreMy advice would be just to start blogging. Don't tell all of your friends about it yet, just see what happens and what your naturally gravitate toward. It took me a while to find a style that I was comfortable with, but to be honest, I pretty much blog just because I can. ;)
53 weeks ago
Jake: I don't know a lot about blogging yet, but in general, I'd suggest you write most about what you are passionate about. That is attractive to read ...MoreI don't know a lot about blogging yet, but in general, I'd suggest you write most about what you are passionate about. That is attractive to read whether or not I agree with it. Just the fact that someone speaks their mind with passion is respectable and a joy to experience either way.
52 weeks ago
 
Andrew Lander I'm trying to optimize my (for profit) company's social media presence across Facebook and Twitter. Does anyone know which social media dashboard is best? I preferably need something that can give me solid analytics along with the standard ability to update accounts and pages. I'm leaning towards Hootsuite. but any other thoughts would be helpful.

53 weeks ago from Social Media Marketers

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Jim Armstrong: Hootsuite is great...but if you're looking for a toolset to optimize and manage your company's presence across social networks, Brand-youself.com ...MoreHootsuite is great...but if you're looking for a toolset to optimize and manage your company's presence across social networks, Brand-youself.com is an amazing way to build relevant and positive content around your company's name (via social networks). BY also offers free demos @ http://brand-yourself.com/features/business.

Hope this helps, I'm a huge fan of their product.

Best,

Jim
53 weeks ago
Jake LaCaze: I recently fell in love with Hootsuite. I can't speak for its analytics since I haven't dabbled at all, but I love its functionality because I can ...MoreI recently fell in love with Hootsuite. I can't speak for its analytics since I haven't dabbled at all, but I love its functionality because I can set up different tabs with multiple streams. And I also use Hootsuite for my iPhone because I can schedule tweets on there as well.
53 weeks ago
 
Ryan Paugh Can you be a good writer, but not be good at proofreading and editing? I like to think of myself as a good writer, but when it comes to the details of proofreading and editing I'm really bad.

56 weeks ago from Creative Writing and Professional Writers and Editors

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Ryan Paugh: This is all really good advice for me. Thanks. I think if I want to be a good writer I need to be focused on just getting my words down on paper ...MoreThis is all really good advice for me. Thanks. I think if I want to be a good writer I need to be focused on just getting my words down on paper and then worry about editing/proofreading later. Whether I'm doing the editing myself or passing it off to somebody who is better at it than I am. That's probably good advice for anyone who is trying to become a better writer.
56 weeks ago
Jake LaCaze: To me, "writing" is all about the content or the story. Save that grammar crap for the editors.
56 weeks ago
 
Ryan Paugh We did something really radical today and stopped featuring blog posts on the sidebar of Brazen. Instead, we're featuring trending discussion because all of the conversations you guys have is where the real value is for anybody trying to build their network. What do you think? Are you happy or sad? Anyone want to punch me in the neck? We want to know...

68 weeks ago from Blogging and Brazen Community Feedback

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Nathan Sorrell: Good job! This site is too much like a self-help book on infinite feedback. I want customers for my flooring business in the Denver Metropolitan ...MoreGood job! This site is too much like a self-help book on infinite feedback. I want customers for my flooring business in the Denver Metropolitan area! There, see how easy it is to state your business, and go on? So far, I haven't seen one single person in here who doesn't sound like a patient at a phychiatric clinic. For $60,000 a year I'll cut through the nonsense at your company like Genghis Khan raiding villages in China, if you want to hire me. Like what you hear? It's called "clarity", "sense of purpose", and "maturity", all of which seem to be lacking here. Just say what you mean, and mean what you say, that's all I ask.
59 weeks ago
Nathan Sorrell: Oops, I misspelled "Psychiatric", for a spelling Nazi like me that is a fate worse than death....:(
59 weeks ago
 
Ryan Paugh I read an article on Mashable that said 59% of employed Americans check their email over holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of that 59% a whopping 41% say that they're annoyed or frustrated that they received work-related emails. I get annoyed too, but isn't it our own fault for not setting better boundaries? It's not your company's responsibility to balance your life, it's your own responsibility.

62 weeks ago from The Boss-Employee Relationship

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Ryan Paugh: Email can easily become "Insecurity Work" which is the devil as far as I am concerned. I don't typically take advice from the Four Hour Workweek, ...MoreEmail can easily become "Insecurity Work" which is the devil as far as I am concerned. I don't typically take advice from the Four Hour Workweek, but in this case I tend to agree that setting up a couple time each day where you check your email is a good thing. It's difficult for me to do that though because of the real-time nature of the community that I manage.
61 weeks ago
Aaron Evans: Absolutely Ryan! I think there are business cultures that rely so much on e-mail that it would be difficult to implement. Like I said, I was ...MoreAbsolutely Ryan! I think there are business cultures that rely so much on e-mail that it would be difficult to implement. Like I said, I was skeptical at first. I have been amazed though at the results.

E-mail had become a huge distraction for me, and many of the e-mails were not related to the task at hand. You know how it is: everyone elses request is "top priority", when in reality it is low priority many times.

Now that I have made it clear to my colleagues to notify me directly of a crisis instead of via e-mail, we can get things done.

Other people have adopted this strategy, and I believe that this will allow us to be more productive in the future. It is a work in progress, I will update with the results in a couple more months.

All the best,
Aaron
61 weeks ago
 
Annabel Candy Which blogs do you subscribe to by email and what is it about them that makes you want to make sure you don't miss a single post? Are there other blogs you follow on Twitter, Facebook or here instead of by email?

64 weeks ago from Brazen Bloggers

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Annabel Candy: Looks like I need to get to grips with my Google Reader!

Jason, maybe.
Cooper, you have it sorted!

Yay Nor and John. I've guest posted on ...MoreLooks like I need to get to grips with my Google Reader!

Jason, maybe.
Cooper, you have it sorted!

Yay Nor and John. I've guest posted on Copyblogger and Problogger. Must do it again, see if I can work my way into your inboxes:)Patheos sounds interesting.

Hi Jen, I get Chris G by email and favour email subscribers to my blog. But RSS readers and Twitter followers always get in first with comments. I'm aiming for a non-tech savvy bunch as well as techies so it makes sense I have almost equal subscribers RSS and email.

Mehnaz, ah, so that's what's causing my palpitations:)
64 weeks ago
Scott Asai: I start with the categories that interest me: leadership, career development & business. Then I find the ones that most people follow, have ...MoreI start with the categories that interest me: leadership, career development & business. Then I find the ones that most people follow, have great content and are visually appealing. I tend to bookmark them versus subscribe to them. I feel it's more about engaging in conversation, not just reading and absorbing.
64 weeks ago
 
Annabel Candy Which blogs do you subscribe to by email and what is it about them that makes you want to make sure you don't miss a single post? Are there other blogs you follow on Twitter, Facebook or here instead of by email?

65 weeks ago from Brazen Bloggers

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Jake LaCaze: I just sent a request to join the beta for Summify. Thanks for the tip, Stanley.
64 weeks ago
Stanley Lee: No problem. I even tried writing an article about it when I pitched to Lifehacker. May try again soon before applying it for Mashable.
64 weeks ago
 
Jake LaCaze joined the group Energy & Power

65 weeks ago

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Interests
Blogging, reading, football, social media, new marketing
Goals
  1. Establish myself in the energy industry.
Favorite Quote
"Safe is risky." -- Seth Godin

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