Less Alcohol - JULY 2020 - One Day at a Time
Replies
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@forestdweller1 great idea...
Happy Birthday @RubyRed427 !! I'll be singing to YOU as I wash my hands today.3 -
@forestdweller1 great idea...
Happy Birthday @RubyRed427 !! I'll be singing to YOU as I wash my hands today.
Very witty : - )
Happy Birthday sung twice right?
Yes, Happy Birthday @RubyRed427 !!3 -
Hi. I am Dawn. Turning 60 in September.
I live in SE BC, Canada.
I started on this thread November 28.18 - at that time I was having drinks every day. That first AF day was very hard! I vowed to have 1AF day per week to start, then progressed to 2AF days per week etc.
My goal now (that is working for me) is 16-20 AF days per month. I have been keeping within that since last October. I am comfortable and happy with that goal. If I exceed that, then great.
I have never ever been able to exceed 3 drinks or I throw up. Moderation is thrust upon me.
Wednesday July 01 - AF - Happy Canada Day.
Thursday July 02 - AF - Super long day at work. I kept thinking about having drinks tonight if I could ever get through the day. I used the delay tactic when I finally did arrive home so hungry and tired. I'm sure tomorrow will be better for having abstained.
Friday July 03 - AF - Scheduled Mojitos with a gf tomorrow after garage Sale-ing and the farmer's market. Would have liked to have a couple today after being up a ladder painting in the hot sun, but saving it up.
Saturday July 04 - Mojitos and stuff.
Sunday July 05 - AF - Felt like having drinks though.
Monday July 06 - AF - I might have drinks at band practice tomorrow, we'll see.
Tuesday July 07 - AF - I was going to have drinks if the guys were drinking beer at practice, but they drank water today, my super water : - )
Wednesday July 08 - 3 drinks. I have been trying to not have drinks unless I am happy and celebrating, or on a nice sunny day when I have spent many hours working in my yard. Now that I am back to working long stupid days my will power just went out the window. I didn't get home until 10pm and hadn't eaten since the morning. I was hungry, tired, stressed. The first sip of a drink felt really nice.
Thursday July 09 - AF - Another late night getting home, I didn't finish dinner until 11:30. I worked for Foster Grant today, and they require us to wear masks and gloves when servicing stores. Not comfortable. I peeled the mask and gloves off outside the store into a garbage bin, really thinking about having a drink when I got home. I could too easily slip back into daily drinks after work, I will have to work at not doing that.
Friday July 10 - AF - I have a friend in town staying with another friend. I was invited for drinks on the outdoor deck. They are not heavy drinkers, but drinkers nonetheless. I wanted to at least get my 2AF days in a row. I am getting together with them tomorrow afternoon. I may have drinks. I avoided going tonight because I can't always resist when others are drinking around me and getting giggly.
Rolling total: 8AF days out of 10 days.5 -
Hi everyone,
I would like to join this club and be accountable each evening to someone else bar myself who I can always talke myself around.
I also hate what the booze has done to my body over the years - its gone completely soft. If soft is a word for all over cellulite on arms and legs and a stone on top.
I'm not sure of the first day, so I am not making huge commitments that will see me fail and then I leave. I know myself too well. However, cutting down is the aim and AF is the goal. I hope weight-loss comes with it too.
Thanks for having me. (In advance)
L7 -
@RubyRed427 : Happy Birthday! And thanks for your wonderfully inspiring posts!
@LDemi333 : yes come join the club and welcome! - many benefits will come and you will be surprised- cellulite is melting over here because I've gotten rid of most inflammatory beverages and foods, not to mention balancing hormones.
@shorepine : news last night is to be ready for a statewide 2-4 week stay-at-home order. I have a feeling it will be announced soon. About schools, Phoenix district (K-12 I think) already said they won't open till October. If the governor doesn't shut down our state border, I think we're toast. Just my opinion and I'm usually an optimist.
0 days/10 days...I'm too much on a roll with my diet and making progress that I don't want to slow progress, so no planned drinking this weekend....
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Omgosh...I read yesterday, but forgot to post.
@RubyRed427 I hope your birthday was lovey, you deserve it. 🎉
Welcome @LDemi333. It is very eye opening to see how quickly more than your desired booze intake, train wrecks our bodies. BUT in 12 short weeks you can have some of that back. Glad to have you with us.
Yes remember this everyone:
**It takes about 12 weeks to get into shape.
It only takes 2 weeks to fall out of shape.
Not fair odds.
July 9 & 10 AF
8-AF out of 10 days for July 😎
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Happy Birthday @RubyRed427!!! Have a fab day, 7:31 am in Vegas another 24 💖6
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@RubyRed427 Hope your birthday was smashing (I think my British friends here are rubbing off on me and I LIKE it
)...but smashing without getting smashed. I too have bawled my eyes out many times before people that have no idea what's wrong (and neither do I). Alcohol can take one to very dark places. Hope you were bright (lit, but not lit with alcohol, lol). I'm realizing we have a lot of euphemisms for getting drunk. I'm trying to work "pissed" in here, but there's really no positive connotation with that word. 
I'm so sorry and sad about the Covid situation. I'm getting so fed up with stupid people. My tolerance is at an all time low, and part of me thinks...be compassionate for those who are ignorant--somehow this blatant disregard for decency and respect and facts and science and responsibility and caring is stemming from fear and insecurity. But the other part (which I don't let out very often) says the world would be a better place without them. There. I said it.7 -
0 drinks/11 days...busy weekend working on our travertine floor project in our master bedroom....180 tiles, all 16x16, super heavy, and each one very unique. My job is to decide the pattern and placement. I love it. It's like a big puzzle really so I enjoy it, but damn those tiles are super heavy....
I have to say I am enjoying our Netflix nights at home but need to find to find a new series to get hooked on....6 -
forestdweller1 wrote: »Happy Birthday @RubyRed427 !! I'll be singing to YOU as I wash my hands today.
So sad that the virus is affecting so many of our [not so little] community here. May the best outcomes happen for all.
Good morning! You're cute- singing HB song while washing your hands. Thanks!
I was the sober one Friday night. My friends consumed...
5 Long Island ice teas
4 vodkas with a splash of soda
4 glasses of wine or more???
And that was between the three of them!!
I was happy to be sober and controlled. Last year on my birthday evening with friends, I ended up the evening crying hysterically and telling my two friends exactly what I think of them. **It was like Festivus, sadly.
This year, I woke up with no regrets. Phew!
Have a happy day!9 -
@FeelinFooFoo I saw GOD with Morgan F. too. It was good.
I will try Dark. xo4 -
@mainelylisa Thanks for your kind words! You're witty! 4
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Thank you everyone for birthday messages! I love the feel of sober but also know to stay vigilant. I like to romanticize me drinking.Sadly, I have gone past the happy drunk phase. I am now a mean drunk and a hysterical drunk. Sure, not every time... but it's too much of a risk. I admire you all for your goals. Like I said, I have no problem if you drink and moderate, I just can't.
I have found lots of extra free time when I am not drinking. So, now I have turned to arts and crafts. And I love to paint. I also signed up with a personal trainer 3x a week. I plan on spending my 50s improving myself as much as I can.
Last year when I got divorced, my husband pointed out that our marriage broke down 100% because of me. He took no responsibility. I pointed out the breakdown of our marriage I think was 60/40 (me being 60) HE refused to accept that.
My point is we all are working towards being a better human. I have no problem identifying my negative traits and trying to be better. Anyway, not sure why I told you all that about my divorce. I am a million times happier this year!
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Happy mid-summer to all the "Less Alcohol, More Dogs (and cats)" people! What have I been up to? When adult daughter and SIL call to say, "Hey Dad, remember the idea you had about us vacation-renting our lake house since we can't cross the border to use it? We like it! But we're going to need your help." I recommend you do the following: 1) claim "phone static" 2) hang-up 3) change your names 4) leave the country.
Beginning a week ago Friday, through the long weekend, and up until last Thursday, DH and I were consumed with sorting, packing, lifting, organizing, staging, repairing and cleaning (along w/ their excellent house cleaner) the kid's home. It had never been rented so a TON of personal items lived there. It also had not been deep-cleaned in over a year. We fell into bed exhausted every night. And it's taken two more days for us to get back to some semblance of 'normal'.
I have not exercised, recorded food intake (mostly junk at that), increased EtOH intake to daily 1-2 cans of Brut, and not checked-in here. I have REALLY missed this forum! And walking the dogs/exercising. I did like the daily Brut Bubbles though. What can you do? It's family, and it was DH's idea.
I am now going to go back and catch-up on 80-something posts.10 -
@Doxmum ...sounds exhausting !! but fruitful !! now time to concentrate on YOUR well-being.
skimmed the last part of your post too quickly... thought it said "now back to catch up on something 80 proof". Whew !!
back to trying to coax Cat out from under the recliner...first constant fireworks, now constant thunderstorms.
stir-fry for dinner, nothing worth opening a bottle of wine for. ..this is becoming a habit.10 -
@FeelinFooFoo those mock cocktails look so delish. Nice job!
Last night we went out to dinner. I ordered a virgin frozen drink. It was strawberry. The bartender was very proud of herself that I enjoyed it so much. Said she may start making mock cocktails her specialty. That made me smile.
Welcome back @docmum.
July 12
10 AF days
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Hi. I am Dawn. Turning 60 in September.
I live in SE BC, Canada.
I started on this thread November 28.18 - at that time I was having drinks every day. That first AF day was very hard! I vowed to have 1AF day per week to start, then progressed to 2AF days per week etc.
My goal now (that is working for me) is 16-20 AF days per month. I have been keeping within that since last October. I am comfortable and happy with that goal. If I exceed that, then great.
I have never ever been able to exceed 3 drinks or I throw up. Moderation is thrust upon me.
Wednesday July 01 - AF - Happy Canada Day.
Thursday July 02 - AF - Super long day at work. I kept thinking about having drinks tonight if I could ever get through the day. I used the delay tactic when I finally did arrive home so hungry and tired. I'm sure tomorrow will be better for having abstained.
Friday July 03 - AF - Scheduled Mojitos with a gf tomorrow after garage Sale-ing and the farmer's market. Would have liked to have a couple today after being up a ladder painting in the hot sun, but saving it up.
Saturday July 04 - Mojitos and stuff.
Sunday July 05 - AF - Felt like having drinks though.
Monday July 06 - AF - I might have drinks at band practice tomorrow, we'll see.
Tuesday July 07 - AF - I was going to have drinks if the guys were drinking beer at practice, but they drank water today, my super water : - )
Wednesday July 08 - 3 drinks. I have been trying to not have drinks unless I am happy and celebrating, or on a nice sunny day when I have spent many hours working in my yard. Now that I am back to working long stupid days my will power just went out the window. I didn't get home until 10pm and hadn't eaten since the morning. I was hungry, tired, stressed. The first sip of a drink felt really nice.
Thursday July 09 - AF - Another late night getting home, I didn't finish dinner until 11:30. I worked for Foster Grant today, and they require us to wear masks and gloves when servicing stores. Not comfortable. I peeled the mask and gloves off outside the store into a garbage bin, really thinking about having a drink when I got home. I could too easily slip back into daily drinks after work, I will have to work at not doing that.
Friday July 10 - AF - I have a friend in town staying with another friend. I was invited for drinks on the outdoor deck. They are not heavy drinkers, but drinkers nonetheless. I wanted to at least get my 2AF days in a row. I am getting together with them tomorrow afternoon. I may have drinks. I avoided going tonight because I can't always resist when others are drinking around me and getting giggly.
Saturday July 11 - A bunch of drinks in the hot sun on my friends patio.
Sunday July 12 - AF - Slept early and awoke early (4am). I didn't feel fantastic, but after lemon water and some coffee I went for a nice 2 hour hike and felt back to normal after that.
Rolling total: 9AF days out of 12 days.5 -
Hi everyone,
Rubyred - I hope you had a great birthday and Global hiker - great to know that cellulite can disappear on cutting back with the wine and calories. There are so many people who say "Oh I am a size 4 and I still have it." Grr. So thanks for being positive.
Yesterday was AF but I certainly did not sleep that well. I thought it would be long lovely sleep, but there you go.
Learning through the process. I really do not want to stop altogether, but I do want to be mindful and not start chatting non-stop in the evening like I tend to do after too many
glasses.
I have cut back in a different way that has worked for me. I have given up gin. I have given up boxed wine (cheap and no good for you). I rarely drink beer unless its sweltering and I can only think of twice in the last year.
So now its only one nemesis - white wine to regulate..............perhaps with a straw and ducktape!
Though FeelinFooFoo those mocktails looked superb!
What is the recipe?????????????
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@LDemi333 Thank you I'd say youre doing great. Tapering off the alcohol that doesn't serve you. AS for the white wine, I would suggest buying good quality wine so I agree no boxed wine. That way you might stave off a headache; I find certain wines dont give me that wine headache like others.
I was thinking for myself I can be a "nondrinker" but drink on special occasions if I see the need or feel like it.
As for sleep, I heard that it takes a few weeks of being Af for your sleep cycle to get back to normal. 5 -
5 drinks/12 days....said to myself, well it's almost mid-month, can't go anywhere, 115 degrees, let's go off the diet for the afternoon and drink wine, eat chocolate and popcorn. That's what I did. It was fun for a few hours now I have a headache...Only 19 days left ...think I can go rest of the month without wine...I will shoot for this.
@FeelinFooFoo, I will check out your movie recommendations tonight, thank you!6 -
FeelinFooFoo wrote: »I find that reminding myself of what I'm gaining, instead of what I'm giving up, very helpful.
Love this! I haven't been checking in lately as 2020 has raised yet another ugly sword on top of my family's (not my household) bout with COVID. Friday's news was hard to comprehend. Tragic death of our friend's 30 y.o son at a country road intersection with no stop signs on either direction on his way home to his bride of 15 months and 5 mo old son. Not sure how a parent or wife ever recovers from that, even with support from friends and extended family.
Myself? Minor social drinking, no binge-no hangovers and never drinking alone. I don't track AF days like some but prolly at 10 days AF of 13 so far this month. So different from the "excess every day me" that joined this group short of 3 months ago.
@feelingfoofoo Thank you for sharing your pina coloda mocktail. I cannot wait to try it. You mention that you missed the rum. Do you think adding rum extract might help? I don't want to mess with perfection if you think not!
@LDemi333 A late welcome to you! I need to start doing this again, but I read that "dry brushing" in a circular motion, helps with the cellulite. I feel it helped mine somewhat, plus removes dry skin so double-win! Tips are to start at your extremities and work in toward your heart. If I remember correctly it has to do with benefiting circulation, but I should probably refresh my memory on that!
@MissMay Love your "12 week to get in shape/2 weeks to fall out". That is so much the truth and it's hard to see it happening until it's too late!
@forestdweller1 It was too late for the 4th for us, but our dog groomer just started carrying a product that worked for Ping and her "any loud noise" anxiety during the latest "crashing storm" we had. She was totally calm. It was a chew made by Pet Relief. They also have oils that are supposed to act faster. While it is a CBD (hemp) product, Ping did not get the munchies!7 -
@forestdweller1 I had to chuckle when you mentioned dinner being nothing worth opening a bottle of wine for. I’ve been buying more expensive bottles ($15-20) so I actually enjoy each glass and I don’t open it just because it’s habit.
I picked up a selection of low-cal/carb IPA beers. I was looking for AF and didn’t even know this was a thing. I’ll keep you all posted on the ones I like. Tried one from Dogfish Brewing. Surprisingly good!5 -
Good morning all,
I forgot myself and had one of my Greek days yesterday, ended up cooking the quantity needed for a small nation and now its left-overs tonight coupled with freezing several boxes. I must remember that the kids have left home, I don't live in the village anymore and no yiayia is popping in to be fed on the excuse of a bowl of sugar.
I don't do this often but sometimes a 20 year habit simply takes over.
I had several white wines last night and as usual one goes into a bottle.
Not that I chattered as an unexpected documentary about decimation of the rain forest through the eyes of an orangutan. It was soul destroying. So sad, all for our consumption of palm oil. I was so glued to it I didn't realise how much I had and now I have a headache this morning.
So here we go again.
Thanks for this platform for being able to be honest with myself and share.
Tesha - I am so sorry for your loss and the terrible news. I can't imagine how the young wife and son feel. That is tragic, they must have had so many plans. Probably happy plans for this weekend. We must all live life to the full every day even in these weird times.
Feeling FooFoo - Thanks for the recipe - the ingredients are on the list for the weekly shop.
Global hiker - hot, humid weather and the need for an ice cold drink just go together.
You have done so well so far. I put my chocolate in the fridge - it just all goes togeather.
Rubyred - it can take a couple of weeks until good sleep? I didn't realise this.
Samand - I have never tried an AF beer - I might buy one and see. Though beer is not my thing I can't get hold of AF wine.
I would love to be one of those elegant ladies who sip an excellent wine from a crystal glass and as she reclines in a very slim shift dress. That will be the day!
Everyone, have a nice day.9 -
Not going to count AF vs drinking days this month - essentially a fail. On the plus side there has been no binging, no hangovers, keeping it to one can of 10% Dark Horse Brut Bubbles (OK, maybe 2 cans).
@shorepine: WHEW!!! on the negative Covid tests.
@Tesha231: My condolences for your loss. What a tragedy. Not to mention the positive Covid tests. How is your family doing?
@dawnbgethealthy: I will track down that article link for you. Just read an op-ed by a surgeon about wearing masks. In a nutshell: Get over it. I will post that link as well. Or as my Infectious Disease RN colleague likes to say: "Mask it or Casket"
I'll end on that line
6 -
Hi. I am Dawn. Turning 60 in September.
I live in SE BC, Canada.
I started on this thread November 28.18 - at that time I was having drinks every day. That first AF day was very hard! I vowed to have 1AF day per week to start, then progressed to 2AF days per week etc.
My goal now (that is working for me) is 16-20 AF days per month. I have been keeping within that since last October. I am comfortable and happy with that goal. If I exceed that, then great.
I have never ever been able to exceed 3 drinks or I throw up. Moderation is thrust upon me.
Wednesday July 01 - AF - Happy Canada Day.
Thursday July 02 - AF - Super long day at work. I kept thinking about having drinks tonight if I could ever get through the day. I used the delay tactic when I finally did arrive home so hungry and tired. I'm sure tomorrow will be better for having abstained.
Friday July 03 - AF - Scheduled Mojitos with a gf tomorrow after garage Sale-ing and the farmer's market. Would have liked to have a couple today after being up a ladder painting in the hot sun, but saving it up.
Saturday July 04 - Mojitos and stuff.
Sunday July 05 - AF - Felt like having drinks though.
Monday July 06 - AF - I might have drinks at band practice tomorrow, we'll see.
Tuesday July 07 - AF - I was going to have drinks if the guys were drinking beer at practice, but they drank water today, my super water : - )
Wednesday July 08 - 3 drinks. I have been trying to not have drinks unless I am happy and celebrating, or on a nice sunny day when I have spent many hours working in my yard. Now that I am back to working long stupid days my will power just went out the window. I didn't get home until 10pm and hadn't eaten since the morning. I was hungry, tired, stressed. The first sip of a drink felt really nice.
Thursday July 09 - AF - Another late night getting home, I didn't finish dinner until 11:30. I worked for Foster Grant today, and they require us to wear masks and gloves when servicing stores. Not comfortable. I peeled the mask and gloves off outside the store into a garbage bin, really thinking about having a drink when I got home. I could too easily slip back into daily drinks after work, I will have to work at not doing that.
Friday July 10 - AF - I have a friend in town staying with another friend. I was invited for drinks on the outdoor deck. They are not heavy drinkers, but drinkers nonetheless. I wanted to at least get my 2AF days in a row. I am getting together with them tomorrow afternoon. I may have drinks. I avoided going tonight because I can't always resist when others are drinking around me and getting giggly.
Saturday July 11 - A bunch of drinks in the hot sun on my friends patio.
Sunday July 12 - AF - Slept early and awoke early (4am). I didn't feel fantastic, but after lemon water and some coffee I went for a nice 2 hour hike and felt back to normal after that.
Monday July 13 - AF
Rolling total: 10AF days out of 13 days.5 -
Mocktails only make me want "real" drinks. Those are beautiful though!!
AF beer doesn't make me crave a real beer, I guess because I don't normally drink beer.
So I heard on the Provincial radio news early this morning that the Deer in Cranbrook BC (my town!) are following people, charging pets, children, and one ol' guy with a walker.
There was a viral video around Cranbrook a couple of years ago, a cat was stalking around a Deer's Fawn, and the Doe went and stomped a sleeping blind dog that wasn't near her Fawn : - (
I can't unsee it. They are aggressive. None of them have ever been in a forest, born on the streets here for generations.
Tourists love to see the Deer walking around town. Of course local gardeners despise them.6 -
@Tesha231 sorry to hear about the loss of that young man.
@dawnbgethealthy holy shitz that is not a safe situation with those deer that think they own the town. Is there no hunting regulations to get rid of them? Came home yesterday around 2:00 in the afternoon. A deer was standing right at my lily area, looked up and kept munching. So I kept driving, right onto and into my yard. Should have seen his face then.
@docmum however you want to drink less is totaly up to you. Not wanting to count the AF verses A days is not part of any rule for us.....oh yeah, we have no rules, only support. Do it your way.
As I have said in the past. Even if a person gets in here and only has one drink every couple of months, but feels they need to cut back, then so be it. It is all personal preference. 😊
I was a tad peeved off last week and this weekend. My husband is getting to relaxed and wanting to go out socializing every other night. The bad part is, he does not drive and I have to be dragged along to participate. He actually got very upset with me. Not being able to pound sense into his drinking brain at times is exhausting. We are still in a health crisis mode throughout the world I try to explain to him. Some days it is like being married to a toddler.
Rant over!
13th day of July:
11AF
2A
6 -
5 drinks/13 days...time to wake up and take charge of creating a good day for myself...starts with getting out the door to walk/run the hills and beat the morning rising sun.....there are actually a lot of people out in my neighborhood exercising at 5am. Sounds crazy but with gyms closed and the temps hitting 100 after 6am, it's what we have to do! Plus, we all wave and say good morning to each other. I may greet something like 30 or more people like this in a 1-2 hr span, so it's way to socialize Covid-style.
8 -
Finding solace in walking the past couple days--need to get up earlier for cooler weather like @globalhiker . Not even an urge to drink alcohol. The scale is responding favorably as well, until I get addicted to @feelingfoofoo mocktails anyway! Looking forward to getting the ingredients on my next visit to the store.
@Doxmum Half the infected family has recovered from COVID. My parents still have comparatively minor symptoms compared to my brother-in-law, but at least he tested negative for pneumonia with "only" a nasty cough instead. Thanks for asking. Here's a question for everyone...after you have recovered COVID, is there still a point to wearing a mask any longer?
@dawnbgethealthy Sounds like I should be grateful "my" deer were born in the forest and are content with just eating from my flower gardens. Sounds like @MissMay offered a good surprise defense for her lilly-eater. Made me lol. I woke up to a deer outside my window, in the cloak of darkness, eating one of my lillies. As she look arrogantly up at me (and not wanting to wake up the hubs by being too loud) I made a "click-click" noise like a gun being cocked. She high-tailed it away!
6 -
Hey everyone, been a few days since I've checked in. I'm still plugging away! I did enjoy some alcohol both Friday and Saturday, we went camping Sat night and I popped open a good bottle of pinot. I drank the whole thing. Maybe over the course of 4 hours, but still. I'm not proud of my lack of moderation to be honest.
tonight's challenge is that it is midweek and I really don't want to drink, but I have a friend coming over for dinner. Because social events are so far and few between, they are extremely triggering for me to drink alcohol at this point. I plan to not drink, I can do it.
July 1: shared a bottle of wine
July 2: AF
July 3: AF
July 4: a lot of wine at a friends house for the 4th
July 5: AF
July 6: 2 beers
July 7: AF
July 8: AF
July 9: AF
July 10: had 2 margaritas after work... thanks to my husband's bad influence, haha
July 11: bottle of wine on a camping trip
July 12: AF
July 13: AF
So far in July: 8/13 days AF6
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