Dorit Chrysler has been dubbed a superior wizard of the theremin. An Austrian-born, New York-based composer, producer, and singer Chrysler is the co-founder of the New York Theremin Society and founder of the first school for theremin.  As much as the theremin is a tool in Chrysler’s electronic instrument arsenal she's also one of the most visible thereminists spreading the gospel of this mysterious sounding instrument which is basically played by massaging thin air. Her music has been described by Ann Magnuson in Paper Magazin, “Imagine if Marianne Faithfull and Nikola Tesla had a love child with Jane Birkin as the nanny and Bjork as the wayward Girl Scout Leader!”  Arte TV calls Dorit “Theremin Goddess” Wall Street Journal  “A futuristic Lotte Lenya“   DoritChrysler.comhttps://www.facebook.com/doritchryslerofficial/ https://www.instagram.com/doritchrysler/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=WKmMRtuLfCc&list=UU2FnHcTW8yYhKX8WGQcKEsA&index=1 Resources Dorit mentions: New York Theremin Society - https://www.nythereminsociety.org/ Dorit at CERN Hadron Collider for 100th anniversary https://www.moogmusic.com/media/electric-storm-100-years-theremin The Theremin 100 - https://www.nythereminsociety.org/theremin-100-4 THEREMIN GOES BROADWAY I am happy to have contributed theremin for “FallingInLoveWithMr.Dellamort” a “mysterious new audio musical” by Jack Feldstein and Paul Doust with a tony-nominated cast -  released on Broadway Records and making a splash on Playbill https://www.playbill.com/article/falling-in-love-with-mr-dellamort-recording-with-james-monroe-iglehart-courtney-reed-telly-leung-released-july-23?fbclid=IwAR32wprk1L2NDb66_Lr0oz4BcDnhAVpE2Nqlx5-mQkg10AVCx2Hr1wZ0dkA In the podcast I used snippets from The Dark Shadows theme by Bob Cobert, Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys, and Clara Rockmore performing The Swan. ********************* Please fill out a 5-question survey at lizsumner.com/survey. Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Remarks I’ve been fascinated by the theremin since 1966 when I used to watch Dark Shadows every day after school. Then of course the iconic sound of the instrument in Good Vibrations took the theremin out of the scary movie realm and into popular music. In 1993 we saw Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey in the theater and I learned more about the instrument’s origin as the first electronic instrument invented in 1920. That’s also where I learned of the amazing Clara Rockmore, Theremin’s first virtuoso performer.  The idea of shaping sound in thin air with your hands intrigues me so much. I’ve never been patient enough to learn an instrument but I’m drawn to weirdness of a theremin.  My guest, Dorit Chrysler, is a virtuoso herself and a teacher. She’s been playing for 20 years, and warns us that the theremin is difficult to learn. A lot of people start then give up. In our conversation Dorit describes her teaching approach and how to avoid some of the pitfalls that frustrate people so that they lose interest. I kicked myself a few years when I missed an opportunity to take a class with her locally.. I learned about it too late. I sincerely hope I’ll get another chance. Here’s the interview. Full transcript available at ialwayswantedto.net

I Always Wanted To

Play A Theremin

 Scott Ruston is a Research Professor with Arizona State University’s Global Security Initiative, a university-wide interdisciplinary hub for researching complex challenges in the global security arena. He directs the Center on Narrative, Disinformation & Strategic Influence, leading research teams that combine humanities, social science and computer science in order to better understand manipulations of the information environment and develop technologies to identify malign influence activities. Also a member of ASU’s Center for Strategic Communication, Professor Ruston’s research focuses on the socio-cultural dimensions of the information domain. He has applied his expertise in narrative theory and media studies to a variety of counter violent extremism and counter violent extremist ideology research contexts, including: analysis of extremist narratives; strategies for counter or alternative narratives; and the neurobiology of narrative comprehension. He is co-author of Narrative Landmines: Rumors, Islamist Extremism and the Struggle for Strategic Influence (Rutgers University Press, 2012), as well as articles on strategic communication, extremist videos and the narrative potential of new media technologies.  He has presented widely on topics intersecting disinformation and propaganda, media, narrative/counter-narrative and terrorism to military, academic and non-governmental organization audiences.  Current research projects focus on analysis of propaganda and information operations in so-called Gray Zone operations, as well as narrative-based interventions influencing attitude, belief and behavior in organizational culture. Narrative Disinformation and Strategic Influence section of the ASU Global Security Initiative website ********************* I want to get to know you better. Please fill out a 5-question survey at lizsumner.com/survey.  Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Remarks You hear the expression a lot about “controlling the narrative.” For me I hear it mostly on fictional tv shows, where some character has to make sure that reporters tell the story about that character in a way that’s most advantageous to him. He and his handlers frame any details in such a way that the character is presented as a good guy or has been unjustly accused. I didn’t really think about the mechanics of it all until my conversation with this week’s guest, Scott Ruston. I invited Scott on the podcast because there is so much controversy in what he calls our information environment. I wanted to understand how others can believe what seems to me to be so patently false. What has gotten us to this place and what can we do about it. Scott Ruston is an expert in the field of narrative disinformation, and teaches and researches it at the university level. As such, our conversation gets pretty theoretical and cerebral. One of many things I admired in his explanation is how neutral he stays as he describes what’s going on. The rhetorical devices are used by all sides, and thoughtful people from all points of view can learn from him without feeling judged. My hope is that you will take away a new awareness of the the techniques at work and what you can do to counter them.  Full transcript available at ialwayswantedto.net 

Spot Disinformation

Madonna Boclair Hanna  had a successful career in the fashion industry at the corporate level. She retired  as an award winning fashion marketing educator. Presently,  is a motivational speaker, freelance writer,  actress, amateur competitive athlete and she presently writes a monthly article for the Senior Scene publication chronicling her journey to the 2022 National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Madonna was selected as the January 2020 National Senior Games Association Athlete of the Month. Follow Madonna’s progress on Facebook @madonnabhanna or Instagram@madonnafitfastandfabulous. Website: Dropkickthedrama.com. You may contact Madonna for speaking engagements at contactmadonna@dropkickthedrama.com Article about Madonna and her coach Video of Madonna's recent wins at the Washington State Senior Games is available at ialwayswantedto.net ********************* I want to get to know you better. Please fill out a 5-question survey at lizsumner.com/survey.  Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Opening Remarks My guest, Madonna Hanna, is a perfect example of why I created this podcast. She felt a desire to do something at a very young age and even though many years passed she never let go of the dream. Now some of us who have put things off until later in life off have to make some adjustments.  I’m not going to be a ballerina at this point but I could take a dance class. We can get a version of what we always wanted but maybe not the exact thing we imagined when we were small. That’s not the case with Madonna, and she has the medals to prove it. She didn’t let injury stop her, or the death of her beloved coach. She is serious about sprinting but you can tell from our laughter that she is enjoying her life. There are some problems early on with her microphone. I apologize, and hope you agree that her spirit and her stories make it not that noticeable. For all of us who watch the Olympics and imagine being a champion athlete, I hope you enjoy this interview. Full transcript available at https://ialwayswantedto.net

Be A Competitive Athlete (Starting At Age 57)

My guest, Mark Radel,  describes himself this way: I have always been around music.  I sang in the church choir, school choirs, acted in musicals in high school, was into music but never took up an instrument.  After my wife and I moved to Seattle my commute was 30 minutes and I was bored driving back and forth each day.  I thought about what I could do and saw a book named "harmonica playing for dummies", with it came a cheap C major harp and a cassette.  So each daly as I drove to and from work I practiced playing.  When we moved back to Bellingham, WA, I got serious and started playing with others.  Now I can sheepishly say I am a musician. Artists Mark mentions that he listens to: Kevin Moore, Taj Mahal Eric Clapton, Tracy Chapman, Jerry Portnoy, and Harry Manx. ********************* I want to get to know you better. Please fill out a 5-question survey at lizsumner.com/survey.  Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Opening Remarks Today’s guest is a dear friend that I’ve known half my life. Before we moved away many years ago Mark was a fan of our music, my husband Michael’s and mine-- that’s that Cohen music I mention later on. Mark would often come see us perform, but he never played.  It is such a pleasure in this interview to hear about his transformation as a harp player and acceptance of himself as a musician. This is what is possible when we try something we’ve always wanted to do. The story of Mark’s journey is exactly what I was thinking about when I started this podcast. One of the things that’s most interesting about Mark’s process is that he started with improvisation. He didn’t learn melodies or how to read music, but instead he plays by ear and instinctively. I think that’s unusual and kind of courageous. Plus he is fortunate to have good friends to play with and challenge him. And I miss them all very much. I should mention that during our conversation I use some shorthand and don’t explain everything because we know each other so well. Also during the interview Mark is fiddling with his harmonicas and you can hear them rattling a bit. It was a joy to reconnect with my friend and I look forward to joining in on one of the music nights he mentions in the near future. Full transcript available at https://ialwayswantedto.net

Play the Harmonica

 JILL HEINERTH is an underwater explorer, writer, photographer, speaker, and filmmaker. A pioneer of technical rebreather diving, she has led expeditions into icebergs in Antarctica, volcanic lava tubes, and submerged caves worldwide. Jill is the first Explorer-in-Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Her memoir, INTO THE PLANET, has been lauded by the Wall Street Journal, Oprah Magazine, and the New York Times. Her children’s book THE AQUANAUT is a Blue Ribbon Selection for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Jill is a Fellow of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, Underwater Academy of Arts and Sciences, Women Divers Hall of Fame and the Explorers Club, which awarded her with the William Beebe Award for ocean exploration.   Contact: www.IntoThePlanet.com   Into the Planet, My Life as a Cave Diver is available through booksellers and Amazon, worldwide.   ********************* I want to get to know you better. Please fill out a 5-question survey at lizsumner.com/survey.  Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Opening Remarks  Hi everyone, and welcome. One of the things I find fascinating as I interview people is the variety of things that attract us, how different are the subjects we want to learn, and the environments we want to explore. And how what scares one person makes another one come alive. Jill Heinerth and I both love the water. We’d both jump on a flight to outer space if the opportunity presented itself. But Jill has trained to be a world class underwater explorer and boldly goes where no human has ever ventured. She faces her fear regularly and has taken away a lesson that I wholeheartedly agree with-- that stepping into the darkness might feel scary but it’s also exciting. If you focus on that and take small manageable steps you can come up with some amazing results. One of my favorite parts of my conversation with Jill is how she learned to say no. Once in awhile she finds herself in a situation where her professional judgment tells her this is unsafe. Even though she’s close to the prize or others want her to go on, she knows it’s too dangerous and draws the line.  For most of us our decisions aren’t quite as much a matter of life and death. But from time to time we all need to resist social pressure and respect our our personal boundaries. Sometimes saying no is as courageous as diving into the unknown I encourage you to visit the links in the show notes and see some of Jill’s videos. Her descriptions are excellent but the images take you to a whole new world. Here’s the interview. (Full transcript at https://ialwayswantedto.net) 

Be A Cave Diver

 My guest, Annie Handmer, is a final year PhD Candidate at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Science, in the School of History and Philosophy of Science. Her research traces the social history of Australian space science projects in order to better understand international and interdisciplinary cooperation, the social construction of achievement, and the nature of the military-industrial-academic complex in Australian space science. In addition, she is on the Advisory Council for the Space Industry Association of Australia, a member of the Space Generation Advisory Council ‘Ethics and Human Rights in Space’ Project Group, the Space Law Council of Australia and New Zealand, program consultant to the Australian Youth Aerospace Association ASTRA Committee, and is also the host and creator of the Space Junk Podcast. In Spring 2021 (southern hemisphere), Annie will be undertaking a residency at the Sydney Observatory.  Twitter / Instagram: @anniehandmer Space Junk Podcast: https://play.acast.com/s/space-junk-podcast/ Space Junk Video: https://www.youtube.com/c/spacejunkpodcast/   Space Ethics Library: https://spaceethicslibrary.wordpress.com/ ********************* I want to get to know you better. Please fill out a 5-question survey at lizsumner.com/survey.  Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* Opening Remarks  Hi Everyone, I’m so glad to have Annie Handmer as my guest on the podcast again. I love the way she sees the world and everything she thinks about. In this conversation Annie and I turned things around. Instead of looking backwards to what we always wanted, we ponder the question of what do you want to be when you grow up. What effect does that question have on kids when they hear it? And what’s really the point of asking when the jobs available will be completely different in 20 years. For example the work Annie does now was inconceivable when I was growing up. Annie actually teaches Space Law, she advises the United Nations on Space Ethics, and works for her state government predicting the future in order to come up with better policy.   Wow. If you haven’t yet listened to our previous conversation, do check out I Always Wanted to Go Into Outer Space from September 2020. She proposes some great alternatives to Space Tourism for those of us who are not billionaires. It’s not a prerequisite for this episode but it’s well worth a listen. In today’s conversation we talk about better questions to ask children than what do you want to be, and discuss how our differences influence our point of view.  Annie speaks on behalf of all millennials and I speak for all boomers and together we make sweeping generalizations that are absolutely sure to be true. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Here’s the interview. (Full transcript at https://ialwayswantedto.net)

Know What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

In this, my 50th episode, I talk about the upcoming season which begins Monday, September 13th.  Coming up on I Always Wanted To: Know What I Want To Be When I Grow Up Be A Cave Diver Learn to Play Harmonica Be A Competitive Athlete Spot Disinformation Play A Theremin --and more-- ********************* I want to get to know you better. Please fill out a 5-question survey at lizsumner.com/survey.  Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) ********************* TRANSCRIPT Liz: Hi everyone. I’m proud to say this is my 50th episode. I’ve been podcasting since May of 2018. In that time I’ve spoken with dozens of fascinating people and asked them questions about how they pursued their passions; how they put one foot in front of the other to dance or climb or play or learn. In all of my conversations my guests mention a point when they realize, “Wow, I got this. I’m doing what I set out to do, what I always dreamed of doing.” I don’t have to do things the way it’s always been done. I can experiment. I can step out of my comfort zone and it feels wonderful. In this upcoming series we’re going to explore some new territory-- like underwater caves. We’ll take another look at the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’ll ask an expert about how to spot Disinformation and a dear friend about learning to play blues harp. I’ll interview a medal-winning athlete who didn’t start running until she was 57. And learn about something I’ve personally always wanted to do, that is play a Theremin, from a world class virtuoso and teacher. My purpose in all of this is to bring you inspiring stories that remind you live your dreams. They are not out of reach. They are easier than you think to achieve. My dream is to make an impact with this podcast. It has been a joy to create and refine. If you listen to the early episodes please forgive the technical flaws. I’ve learned a lot since then and I hope it shows. If you’re just joining me now I hope you will check out the back catalog. There’s some great content there. Based on your feedback, I’m also striving to make myself more visible, or I guess present is more appropriate in this medium.  I’ll talk more about my impressions of the guests and what I take away from the conversations. As always, I’d love to hear what you think as well. Am I succeeding in my purpose of inspiring you? You tell me. Podcasting brings together many of my interests-- learning new things, talking to cool people, and of course tech geek stuff. I thoroughly enjoy the process and I do it for love. However, I am not averse to receiving support. Please feel free to show your appreciation at Patreon.com/alwayswanted. I hope you enjoy the new season of I Always Wanted To. I’m Liz Sumner, reminding you to be bold, and thanks for listening.  

Find My Purpose

Liz Sumner tells the story of how I Always Wanted To podcast came to be, where she finds her guests, and shares her favorite podcast mentors. Juleyka Lantigua Williams of Podcasting Seriously https://www.podcastingseriously.com/ Twila Dang of Matriarch Digital Media https://www.matriarchdm.com/welcome-1 Arielle Nissenblatt of Squadcast https://squadcast.fm/ ********************* I want to get to know you better. Please fill out a 5-question survey at lizsumner.com/survey.  Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com) Please send your questions or comments to liz@lizsumner.com or dm me at https://www.instagram.com/lizsumner/

Go Behind The Scenes

Annie Peguero is a High-Performance Mindset Coach who helps female entrepreneurs integrate spiritual development into their business so they can make more money online.   She's a military spouse of a marine, a mom of girls, and an adoptee who went live on Facebook asking for help in finding her birth family.  Annie teaches the skill of adventuring with self-doubt, asking yourself better questions to reveal your inner badass so you can serve and shine from your highest level. Annie's 6-month group coaching program called SOL School [Sisters Over Limits] for Entrepreneurs blends spiritual and business development together in a sisterhood collective. She also has a month-to-month membership and a podcast called Adventures with Annie Peguero. Visit Annie's website to learn ways you can work with her https://www.anniepeguero.com/ ********************* I want to get to know you better. Please fill out a 5-question survey at lizsumner.com/survey.  Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life. (launchyourdreamlife.com)

Find My Birth Mother

Ethan Waldman is a tiny house author, speaker, and teacher. He built his own tiny house on wheels in 2012, and has been passionately helping future tiny house dwellers on their own journeys ever since. Ethan’s guide, Tiny House Decisions, has helped thousands of readers answer the big questions about tiny houses and plan each system in their future home. He’s also the creator and host of the Tiny House Lifestyle Podcast, a show that brings you weekly conversations with tiny house luminaries, builders, and DIYers. Ethan and his wife Ann live in their tiny house part-time in Northern Vermont. Lots more photos at https://www.thetinyhouse.net/professional-tiny-house-photos/ https://www.thetinyhouse.net/ More sites for plans: https://tinyhouseplans.com/ https://denoutdoors.com/ https://www.pinuphouses.com/ Please fill out a brief 5-question survey Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life.

Build A Tiny House

Smiti Nathan, PhD has been an archaeologist for 15+ years. Her current research focuses on ancient societies in Oman and Ethiopia. She works with interdisciplinary teams to uncover answers to questions like, “How did past societies use plants?”, “Where did people choose to live?”, and “What role did the environment play in past life?” In addition, she discusses her work, travels, and creative pursuits on the website, Habits of a Travelling Archaeologist: https://habitsofatravellingarchaeologist.com/ Twitter: @travellingarch Instagram: @travellingarchaeologist Places Smiti mentions: In Hungary, she worked in Vésztő, which is a town in Békés county. Beta Samati in Ethiopia: Akir al Shamoos in Oman: Smiti also mentions crowd-sourced archeology. Here's a link about that: https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2016/06/27/how-crowdsourced-archaeology-could-help-solve-the-mysteries-of-peru/ Please fill out a brief 5-question survey Let me know when you're done and I'll send you a coupon code for my online course, 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life.  

Be An Archaeologist

 In 2014, Dr. Kristy Sumner coupled her passion for travel, history and the paranormal when she formed Soul Sisters Paranormal, an all-female team, made up of Sumner, her two sisters and two friends. As a team of 5 investigators, Soul Sisters Paranormal traveled to some of the most historic and, reportedly, haunted locations in the U.S. in an attempt to determine for themselves if spirit activity does exist and to highlight the rich history of each location. The team traveled to and investigated numerous US locations, including: the Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (WV), The Lizzie Borden House (MA), the Villisca Ax Murder House (IA), the St. Augustine Lighthouse (FL), Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary (TN) and many others. In 2020, Soul Sisters Paranormal moved to a two-investigator format, with only Kristy and her twin sister, Dr. Jenny Sumner, conducting the paranormal investigations. As a two-person team, they have investigated at the Attala County Jail (MS), the Old Southern Funeral Home (MS), the Grand Old Lady Hotel (NC), Hamilton County Jail (FL), and other locations. Prior to forming Soul Sister Paranormal, Kristy, who holds a PhD in Public Affairs with an emphasis on Criminal Justice, was a senior director for a Registered Traveler company focused on biometric clearances for the traveling public, she was a senior consultant for a biometric credentialing company, and she was a college professor at Metro State College of Denver and the University of Central Florida. Jenny, who also holds a PhD in Public Affairs, is currently a director at the University of Central Florida. https://www.soulsistersparanormal.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfRN9bYQ412yL_ysN2n6seA https://www.facebook.com/soulsistersparanormal ************** Though they share the same last name, Kristy and Liz are not related.

Visit A Haunted House

Jimmy Gownley is the New York Times Bestselling author of Amelia Rules! And the Dumbest Idea Ever. He has done work for Disney on properties such as Tangled, Zootopia and an upcoming Little Mermaid series. His new book 7 Good Reasons Not to Grow Up is out now from Scholastic.  https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Jimmy-Gownley/20799241   https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/jimmy-gownley/   Michael Cohen Co-writer/artist of Strange Attractors, a science fiction comic which ran for 17 issues 1993-1995. The editor and publisher of Mythography, a fantasy anthology which ran for 8 issues in 1995-1997. He contributed Empyrean Tales, an ongoing fantasy adventure. He was the editor of Forbidden Book from Renaissance Press, an anthology of short stories about magic, which ran for 2 issues in 2001-2002. He also did the cover art and wrote and drew several stories. He wrote and drew the Science Fiction comic The Washouts. He was the editor of the Amelia Rules comic from Renaissance Press 2000-2005. He has recently finished a 4 volume graphic novel called Tangled River, and is currently working on finishing his long incompleted fantasy graphic novel A Gathering of Spells. He has published a compilation of his early short science fiction and fantasy comics called Off the Map. TangledRiver.com MichaelCohenArt.com

Create A Graphic Novel

 Lindsay, now part-owner of Rimessa Roscioli and co-founder of the Roscioli Wine Club, came to Rome 5 years ago while studying wine in Santa Barbara with the Court of Master Sommeliers.  She recognized that studying wine was about being completely immersed in it, not merely reading from books.  Wine and vineyards became her compass as she traveled the major wine regions of Spain, France and Italy on a 10-week solo vacation - ultimately landing her at a mind awakening wine tasting at Rimessa Roscioli and changing the complete direction in life.   More than being a sommelier focused solely on wine, she creates an experience for guests which allows wine to be a weaver of travel, humans, stories, culture, history, art, philosophy, discussion and shared experience - all of which have become the foundations of the Roscioli Wine Club.   .... Connect: www.roscioliwineclub.com www.rimessaroscioli.com IG: @roscioliwineclub

Be A Sommelier

 Heather is a graduate of Environmental Biology from Antioch College and Antioch University Graduate School. She has dabbled in higher education administration, teaching from kindergarten through the graduate level, placing international college students in summer resort jobs, educational travel, and now moving recyclables. She describes herself as a mismatched girl who pets bees and is seeking timeless days. In Brazil, she was known as "mae de Willow" because no one could say the name Heather.  The Grand Adventure: A Year in Brazil (2011-2012) New blog about bike trip in NC begins May 2021

Live Abroad

A podcast for women who long to try something bold but need some encouragement. Liz Sumner interviews people who have gone after something they always wanted to try and succeeded. They didn't let age or fear or other limitations get in their way. We'll talk about how they got started, and give resources to people who might be considering something similar. Liz Sumner is a Life Coach living in Italy and author of the online course 8 Steps to Launch Your Dream Life available at LaunchYourDreamLife.com

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I Always Wanted To

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