Friday, September 30, 2011
Film Pitch: "In the Ring with Irene"
This story is about a man living through a storm. This script dives into Drake Fillmore's personal life leading up to the most traumatic experience of his day: Tropical Storm Irene. This film starts with the simple routines of an everyday artist struggling to make ends met. As news of a powerful storm heading his way, he does little to prepare for oncoming disaster. Symbolically, this film studies human emotion and will power during disasters and analyzes mans' intent to fight nature (internally and externally). Highlights of this film deal with experiences during the peak of Irene as his home is torn apart piece by piece and destroys what he holds most dear. It also looks into the psychology of his family who lived through the storm with him (room to add a death of a close loved one in the wrath of Irene). Out of this storm, Drake learns new humility for nature and the raw power of natural disasters, which changes him as an artist and a family man. Feature length: 82 minutes.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Lecture Comments: "The Pitch"
Much of what I discussed in Lecture Comments: "Presentation" apply to these comments as well.
It was interesting to hear about crazes like the colored rubber bands and The Lance Armstrong Foundation. It goes to show that simple ideas can have huge impacts. There is no need to over complicate things in an already complicated world.
I enjoyed the video link to thefuntheory.com and how innovation can begin with just making things fun. It opens up the doors to thinking creatively yet simply. If everything we do in life could translate to fun then a lot of mental disorders would diminish.
"Everything we have discussed about writing applies to a pitch and proposal.
You have thought long and hard about your voice –what you might have to say.
The proposal is the first practical application of your abstract ideas and arguments.
What do you want to do?"
I have noticed a real transition from the first four weeks to now. I imagined this to be a writing class with a traditional sense about writing. I never knew how involved and interlaced writing is with the world. Like art, it is in everything we do. I wish I knew this before I started this class, at least it might have been slightly easier for me to interpret what I wanted to propose, pitch and present.
I never imagined a connection between writing about natural disasters and the business-like ideas of a pitch and proposal. I wanted to tell a story. Maybe I wanted to write a script, after all I have been through it may just make a good movie. I am not a great salesperson. I dropped out of business school in the late nineties. I struggled with microeconomics. Maybe if I focus on that story, there will be a proposal I have not thought of or a pitch to a film producer. It seems it could be as simple as telling that story that no one else has been through like I have. Is it valuable?
It was interesting to hear about crazes like the colored rubber bands and The Lance Armstrong Foundation. It goes to show that simple ideas can have huge impacts. There is no need to over complicate things in an already complicated world.
I enjoyed the video link to thefuntheory.com and how innovation can begin with just making things fun. It opens up the doors to thinking creatively yet simply. If everything we do in life could translate to fun then a lot of mental disorders would diminish.
"Everything we have discussed about writing applies to a pitch and proposal.
You have thought long and hard about your voice –what you might have to say.
The proposal is the first practical application of your abstract ideas and arguments.
What do you want to do?"
I have noticed a real transition from the first four weeks to now. I imagined this to be a writing class with a traditional sense about writing. I never knew how involved and interlaced writing is with the world. Like art, it is in everything we do. I wish I knew this before I started this class, at least it might have been slightly easier for me to interpret what I wanted to propose, pitch and present.
I never imagined a connection between writing about natural disasters and the business-like ideas of a pitch and proposal. I wanted to tell a story. Maybe I wanted to write a script, after all I have been through it may just make a good movie. I am not a great salesperson. I dropped out of business school in the late nineties. I struggled with microeconomics. Maybe if I focus on that story, there will be a proposal I have not thought of or a pitch to a film producer. It seems it could be as simple as telling that story that no one else has been through like I have. Is it valuable?
Lecture Comments: "Presentation"
A pitch always came across to me as a business proposition. In my eyes it loses its literary value somehow and becomes something only a business person can convey. Then again, in persuading, we are using descriptive language to draw someones attention. In that case, presentation and pitch are nothing more than selling a story or an idea, a presentation.
This is true, all communications, conversation and writing is a pitch. We are all out in this world to pitch ourselves - what we like, what we do, and who we are. We are nothing more than walking commodities, purchasable items, and idea holders with price tags. We all wander around this Earth searching for our "worth". We all wonder what our value is. Communication plays a big part in finding that - it helps us place value in how we express ourselves. If there was no expression or communication I doubt we would have even evolved as a species. On the topic of embarrassment, lets just say we all fear it and will do anything to avoid it. Nothing screams 'worthless' more than someone looking like an idiot.
"Marketing depends on our insecurity, but it is also a form of insecurity. If I am content with myself, then I need fewer products or lessons to improve myself or make me feel successful. On the other side of the equation, if I believe in my product or information, I don’t have to hype it; I just have to share it."
I agree that marketing depends on our insecurity, look at all the products and services designed to mask our true self - altering us into beautiful gods/goddesses. Is beauty really meant to hide the natural ugliness that comes from each other judging or placing value on each other all the time? Everything in life must have its place and we all search for beauty over ugliness, perfection over chaos, and love over hate. These ideas often reverse, leaving us at a ladder rung lower in our expectations. Being content is having expectations met, or at least dealt with in some way, leaving us with no further need or want for more products or services.
Sharing a product or service is fine, but it really is a humble way of marketing ourselves. Deep down we all want to be noticed for who we are. We all want to be loved and appreciated. We all essentially want to be valued.
"Which makes one wonder if this insecurity and well, silliness, hasn’t spilled over into our sociology. Our idea of communication has become a business presentation – a sales pitch. We treat most instances of sharing knowledge like something we have to win at all costs. Our lack of embarrassment depends on it."
This is true, all communications, conversation and writing is a pitch. We are all out in this world to pitch ourselves - what we like, what we do, and who we are. We are nothing more than walking commodities, purchasable items, and idea holders with price tags. We all wander around this Earth searching for our "worth". We all wonder what our value is. Communication plays a big part in finding that - it helps us place value in how we express ourselves. If there was no expression or communication I doubt we would have even evolved as a species. On the topic of embarrassment, lets just say we all fear it and will do anything to avoid it. Nothing screams 'worthless' more than someone looking like an idiot.
"Marketing depends on our insecurity, but it is also a form of insecurity. If I am content with myself, then I need fewer products or lessons to improve myself or make me feel successful. On the other side of the equation, if I believe in my product or information, I don’t have to hype it; I just have to share it."
I agree that marketing depends on our insecurity, look at all the products and services designed to mask our true self - altering us into beautiful gods/goddesses. Is beauty really meant to hide the natural ugliness that comes from each other judging or placing value on each other all the time? Everything in life must have its place and we all search for beauty over ugliness, perfection over chaos, and love over hate. These ideas often reverse, leaving us at a ladder rung lower in our expectations. Being content is having expectations met, or at least dealt with in some way, leaving us with no further need or want for more products or services.
Sharing a product or service is fine, but it really is a humble way of marketing ourselves. Deep down we all want to be noticed for who we are. We all want to be loved and appreciated. We all essentially want to be valued.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Elevator Pitch: Comprehensive Storm Services
Hello, my name is Drake and I am here to tell you about Cover-All Storm Services. We are a complete, full-service organization specializing in helping victims during natural disasters. We offer a multitude of post disaster services from shelter and laundry to food and generators. We have a variety of trailers designed for refrigeration, freezing, HVAC, as well as mobile offices and command centers. We have a network built to contact FEMA, insurance agencies, police and fire departments and several other contract groups dedicated to helping you rebuild after a disaster. We provide transportation too and from work for those who lose their vehicles. We operate via movable and stationary base camps. Our goal is to ensure you get through a disaster, providing you with the necessities to get back to normal as soon as possible.
Elevator Pitch: Pressure Sensitive Hurricane Windows
Hello, my name is Drake and I would like to introduce you to the latest technology in hurricane proof windows. The product is called Safe-T-View, the newest and most advanced in window & shutter technology. These state-of-the-art windows are pressure sensitive, measuring wind and water pressure into a control panel installed into the side of your home. Once these windows detect a certain amount of wind or water-pressure (settings can be altered by the home-owner), it activates metal shutters to cover the outside of the windows. These shutters are made from stainless steel and can withstand 5,000 lbs. per sq. inch of pressure/impact. The computer also engages metal bars within the frame of the window to extend, giving extra security to your window frame. This product also has a manual override that allows the home-owner to hand crank the shutters and bars into place during loss of electric power. Safe-T-View windows are made with triple layered laminated glass with waterproof seams and impact resistant glass. Our windows have passed a series of tests including the "Miami-Dade County Hurricane Impact Test", making them the strongest and most reliable storm windows on the market.
Proposal
Since the start of this class I knew I wanted to write about Tropical Storm Irene. Having lived through its effects first hand opened my eyes to what a storm like Irene can do to people and their livelihood. Not only do storms and disasters like this one cause extreme damage to property, they cause a tremendous amount of psychological damage to the people who live through them. In focusing in on Irene's effects in CT, particularly coastal towns like East Haven and Branford, I hope to create a unique online presence that tells the story of Irene. I hope to unearth information and statistics to reveal that Tropical Storm Irene was one of the most devastating storms to ever hit CT.
Through the use of specific keyword phrases I hope to optimize search ability to my blog. The content people will find in searching for me or my pseudonym will be related to hurricanes and tropical storm stats and stories specifically in CT. I also wish to extend promotional invitations to my blog using social media pages like Google+, Facebook and Twitter. It is important that people in CT find a local voice like mine to reveal how Irene impacted the state.
I plan to continue to tell my story about my experiences with Irene, using my voice as first hand evidence of the tremendous power of nature. Using some photography in unison with words I hope to vividly convey a unique message about how natural disasters change peoples lives.
Through the use of specific keyword phrases I hope to optimize search ability to my blog. The content people will find in searching for me or my pseudonym will be related to hurricanes and tropical storm stats and stories specifically in CT. I also wish to extend promotional invitations to my blog using social media pages like Google+, Facebook and Twitter. It is important that people in CT find a local voice like mine to reveal how Irene impacted the state.
I plan to continue to tell my story about my experiences with Irene, using my voice as first hand evidence of the tremendous power of nature. Using some photography in unison with words I hope to vividly convey a unique message about how natural disasters change peoples lives.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Lecture Comment: "Rewriting"
Kill Your Darlings. Disconnect all connections. Unlearn what you have learned. Believe in the Unbelievable.
Coming to this point I've had certain preconceptions. I have seen things for what they are and forgotten about what they aren't. Writing never quite came across my mind as it has in the last 4 weeks. I am moved, shocked, curious and somewhat comforted by what possibilities lie ahead of me. The decisions have become a little clearer, the concepts a little bolder.
Rewriting is rebuilding. Original thoughts seem to carry a weight, a first impulse or truth to them. Starting from scratch is a scary thing - what will come of it? How can all that thinking that went into what I was saying suddenly up and vanish. It did not vanish. It is still here in my head. It itches the back of my mind, and as I attempt to scratch it, it is just out of reach. Stretching further I finally reach it and the unreachable is reached. Wait a second, it's itching again. I am not satisfied. It is always changing, bending and stretching.
Knowing it is all disposable has its merit and disinclination. What is the point of struggling to get an argument out, or an idea across if it will just be tossed in the gutter with the rest of them? What am I really trying to accomplish? Can I safely throw it all away and come out clean on the other side?
"Considering everything you’ve practiced and discussed, rewrite your online presence and come up with a few concrete steps towards its realization. What is your persona now? Define it again in just a few sentences. Pitch it. Reimagine it. Create a new pseudonym. Create a new blog title. Or keep the old one because it is perfect and tell me that."
This quote got me thinking about where we started as opposed to where we are now. I may start over but I already have a pretty clear idea. This blog is about the storm I experienced (Irene) and everything it symbolizes. Storm=Life; therefore I am 'weathering the storm'. It just took a real big one to get me thinking outside the box (house). Everyone has a storm they must face, a disaster in their lives. It was the 'power' of that storm that set me outside of my regular self while I stood in shock at its potential. My thought process has changed. I began relying on basic survival thought processes amidst the chaos. Despite all the panic, confusion, and feelings of helplessness I found a focus - my existence, my place and purpose (at least for now) here on Earth. My place and purpose you ask? To be determined...
I hope to find all the connections with life that this storm reminded me of. What I take for granted, what I expect from myself and others. Living through this disaster helped me learn more about the reasons behind it as well as what type of person I am. I learned something about the community in which I live, the people I share it with and the support I have received.
"This is a class. It is not you. You can have many voices. Your niche is only a part of you. Like writing a first draft, the only goal here is that you learn something before you are done."
This may just be a class, but it is part of me. It is part of my journey on the road I travel - a link in the chain of my life. I wish to take out what I put in, and of course, learn something in the process.
Again Robert- thanks for a great lecture, it has the gears shifting...
Coming to this point I've had certain preconceptions. I have seen things for what they are and forgotten about what they aren't. Writing never quite came across my mind as it has in the last 4 weeks. I am moved, shocked, curious and somewhat comforted by what possibilities lie ahead of me. The decisions have become a little clearer, the concepts a little bolder.
Rewriting is rebuilding. Original thoughts seem to carry a weight, a first impulse or truth to them. Starting from scratch is a scary thing - what will come of it? How can all that thinking that went into what I was saying suddenly up and vanish. It did not vanish. It is still here in my head. It itches the back of my mind, and as I attempt to scratch it, it is just out of reach. Stretching further I finally reach it and the unreachable is reached. Wait a second, it's itching again. I am not satisfied. It is always changing, bending and stretching.
Knowing it is all disposable has its merit and disinclination. What is the point of struggling to get an argument out, or an idea across if it will just be tossed in the gutter with the rest of them? What am I really trying to accomplish? Can I safely throw it all away and come out clean on the other side?
"Considering everything you’ve practiced and discussed, rewrite your online presence and come up with a few concrete steps towards its realization. What is your persona now? Define it again in just a few sentences. Pitch it. Reimagine it. Create a new pseudonym. Create a new blog title. Or keep the old one because it is perfect and tell me that."
This quote got me thinking about where we started as opposed to where we are now. I may start over but I already have a pretty clear idea. This blog is about the storm I experienced (Irene) and everything it symbolizes. Storm=Life; therefore I am 'weathering the storm'. It just took a real big one to get me thinking outside the box (house). Everyone has a storm they must face, a disaster in their lives. It was the 'power' of that storm that set me outside of my regular self while I stood in shock at its potential. My thought process has changed. I began relying on basic survival thought processes amidst the chaos. Despite all the panic, confusion, and feelings of helplessness I found a focus - my existence, my place and purpose (at least for now) here on Earth. My place and purpose you ask? To be determined...
I hope to find all the connections with life that this storm reminded me of. What I take for granted, what I expect from myself and others. Living through this disaster helped me learn more about the reasons behind it as well as what type of person I am. I learned something about the community in which I live, the people I share it with and the support I have received.
"This is a class. It is not you. You can have many voices. Your niche is only a part of you. Like writing a first draft, the only goal here is that you learn something before you are done."
This may just be a class, but it is part of me. It is part of my journey on the road I travel - a link in the chain of my life. I wish to take out what I put in, and of course, learn something in the process.
Again Robert- thanks for a great lecture, it has the gears shifting...
Lecture Comment: "The Search"
I enjoyed the information about Shepard Fairey. Some of my friends from high school started a band when we were juniors called Avatar and they had a bunch of stickers made. Those stickers ended up almost everywhere they went - on street lights, car bumpers, on walls of shops, guitar cases, and bar bathrooms just to mention a few. Some of these stickers can still be found in downtown New Haven, CT. They were never caught for 'branding' themselves in this adhesive form, but the stories behind it still resignate when we get together. The band no longer plays together but the memories from those days will never die.
Those sticker provoked questions from viewers. Who is Avatar? Where do they play? What sort of band are they? Are they even a band? For a couple high school kids just wanting to jam, they did not ask themselves the deeper questions that came along with branding, they were just having fun. Sure there was a promotional aspect involved, or even hopes to become famous or recognized through the 'placement' of those stickers. It is in this want and need for individuals to be recognized that art and communications is created. People want to be remembered. People want to be famous. How do we get there? I guess the sticker can be a start.
Then there is the SEO. Optimization is still a new concept to me but I am beginning to see it's importance. Original thought into wording, meta descriptions, and tags play a good part in standing out or even above the competition. I would rather be found through specific searches than broad searches; this way I know people were looking for me and my product rather than just choosing from the 'top of the list'. I have found in searching Google that not all the best information I need is in the top 3 slots, but being within the first couple pages is important. No one wants to search more than 3 pages of results, and in most cases may not go beyond the first. In this cases priority is very important.
"The best thing you can hope to be in the future is that better argument."
I agree and disagree with this quote. I happen to know some people who are very agreeable and present little to no arguements. One of them happens to be a lawyer. I myself am baffled by this. Maybe it is because he has to present better arguments at his job - and when we socialize he is the opposite. I also have a friend who is very argumentative and always seeks to be right. Between the two of them I find myself, balancing in the middle, of most arguments. Perspective can always throw any stance into its own category, leaving little room for argeement or resolution of an argument. If someone, no matter what they know about a topic, chooses to see things the way they want, does that make them worse at arguing? Does having an opinion make you right or wrong? Is it the unique voice that matters the most rather than how we argue?
Those sticker provoked questions from viewers. Who is Avatar? Where do they play? What sort of band are they? Are they even a band? For a couple high school kids just wanting to jam, they did not ask themselves the deeper questions that came along with branding, they were just having fun. Sure there was a promotional aspect involved, or even hopes to become famous or recognized through the 'placement' of those stickers. It is in this want and need for individuals to be recognized that art and communications is created. People want to be remembered. People want to be famous. How do we get there? I guess the sticker can be a start.
Then there is the SEO. Optimization is still a new concept to me but I am beginning to see it's importance. Original thought into wording, meta descriptions, and tags play a good part in standing out or even above the competition. I would rather be found through specific searches than broad searches; this way I know people were looking for me and my product rather than just choosing from the 'top of the list'. I have found in searching Google that not all the best information I need is in the top 3 slots, but being within the first couple pages is important. No one wants to search more than 3 pages of results, and in most cases may not go beyond the first. In this cases priority is very important.
"The best thing you can hope to be in the future is that better argument."
I agree and disagree with this quote. I happen to know some people who are very agreeable and present little to no arguements. One of them happens to be a lawyer. I myself am baffled by this. Maybe it is because he has to present better arguments at his job - and when we socialize he is the opposite. I also have a friend who is very argumentative and always seeks to be right. Between the two of them I find myself, balancing in the middle, of most arguments. Perspective can always throw any stance into its own category, leaving little room for argeement or resolution of an argument. If someone, no matter what they know about a topic, chooses to see things the way they want, does that make them worse at arguing? Does having an opinion make you right or wrong? Is it the unique voice that matters the most rather than how we argue?
Irene's Aftermath: Part 1
Cosey Beach, East Haven CT
Tropical Storm Irene left her mark alright. In coastal towns such as East Haven, CT, it is evident this storm meant business. Should Irene have been down-graded to a tropical storm? From the looks of it, I would say it was more of a Category 1 Hurricane.
Tropical Storm Irene left her mark alright. In coastal towns such as East Haven, CT, it is evident this storm meant business. Should Irene have been down-graded to a tropical storm? From the looks of it, I would say it was more of a Category 1 Hurricane.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Drake Fillmore recently began work for Christopher Dobbins at C.E.D. Design as an animation specialist.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
How To Prepare for a Hurricane
There are some simple things you can do to prepare for a hurricane and none of them include running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. The last thing you want to do is panic. Here are some guidelines of preparedness that will keep things running smoothly during a storm and the days that follow.
1. Plan on not having any power. One of the most important things you will need is light sources. Have two or three flashlights on-hand with plenty of batteries. I recommend a headlamp, it is extremely useful during power outages, mainly by freeing up your hands for other things. Another light source is candles. Make sure you have at least one in every room you will be living in during the storm and the days following it. Keep matches and lighters in a safe, dry place.
2. Have a plentiful supply of bottled water. If you live on well water it could be weeks before you can use you water again. I recommend having gallon jugs as well as smaller, refillable bottles.
3. When it comes to a food supply, buy only non-perishable canned and dry goods. Your fridge is not going to work so don't fill it before a storm. That goes for your freezer too. Some good non-perishable foods are: any kind of canned food or juice, bread, crackers, peanut butter, nuts and dried fruits, potato chips, pretzels, and dried meats (jerky). If you are going to be cooking perishable food I recommend having a cooler that can be filled with ice and plenty of zip-lock bags and tupperware. Make sure you have plenty of propane or charcoal for your grill, most all cooking can be done on it.
4. Keep a first aid kit fully stocked and easy to access. A basic first aid kit should have band aids, adhesive bandages, tape, gauze, scissors, anti-burn ointment, Tylenol or aspirin, a thermometer, tweezers, and some antibiotic ointment. It is also good to keep plenty of towels and blankets available and in close proximity with you first aid kits.
5. Have a plan in case you need to leave your home. You never know when you will need to evacuate so it is good to have a bag or suitcase ready to go. Pack enough clothing and personal provisions for a few days. Contact your local shelters for information regarding evacuation. Fill you gas tank and any other canisters with extra fuel. Keep a profusion of cash on-hand (smaller bills if possible), many businesses that are open may not be able to run their credit card machines.
6. If you live near the water you will most likely experience flooding. If anything important is stored in your basement it is good to move them to an elevated area to prevent water damage. If you have a sump-pump, make sure it is functioning properly. Park your car in a elevated area away from possible flood zones. If you live in a wooded area, take precautionary action to minimize damage from falling trees. If possible, board or tape you windows and secure any areas of your home that may be damaged by high wind, loose debris and water.
7. Your mobile phone will be an important resource during and after a storm. Keep it fully charged and make sure you have a car charger for it (it may be the only way to charge your phone for several days).
8. Have your favorite books and board/card games ready! Your TV and computer won't be functioning so get ready to entertain yourself the old fashion way.
9. If you are completely power dependent, plan on purchasing a generator. Generators can come in handy for running your lights and fridge, or if you plan on hosting any kind of 'hurricane party'. They are also good to have just in case you need to run any power equipment during post-storm clean-up.
10. Be ready to lend a helping hand. Some people may have it much worse than you and everyone can use a little help during times of disaster. Do what you can to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
One of the worst things you can do is under estimate an oncoming hurricane. Be ready to weather the storm many days ahead of time, don't wait until the last minute. If you can, document the storm and any damage with photographs. This will help you insurance company assess the damage and get you back up and running as soon as possible. Once again, don't panic. Stay calm and think before you act. Most of all - stay safe.
1. Plan on not having any power. One of the most important things you will need is light sources. Have two or three flashlights on-hand with plenty of batteries. I recommend a headlamp, it is extremely useful during power outages, mainly by freeing up your hands for other things. Another light source is candles. Make sure you have at least one in every room you will be living in during the storm and the days following it. Keep matches and lighters in a safe, dry place.
2. Have a plentiful supply of bottled water. If you live on well water it could be weeks before you can use you water again. I recommend having gallon jugs as well as smaller, refillable bottles.
3. When it comes to a food supply, buy only non-perishable canned and dry goods. Your fridge is not going to work so don't fill it before a storm. That goes for your freezer too. Some good non-perishable foods are: any kind of canned food or juice, bread, crackers, peanut butter, nuts and dried fruits, potato chips, pretzels, and dried meats (jerky). If you are going to be cooking perishable food I recommend having a cooler that can be filled with ice and plenty of zip-lock bags and tupperware. Make sure you have plenty of propane or charcoal for your grill, most all cooking can be done on it.
4. Keep a first aid kit fully stocked and easy to access. A basic first aid kit should have band aids, adhesive bandages, tape, gauze, scissors, anti-burn ointment, Tylenol or aspirin, a thermometer, tweezers, and some antibiotic ointment. It is also good to keep plenty of towels and blankets available and in close proximity with you first aid kits.
5. Have a plan in case you need to leave your home. You never know when you will need to evacuate so it is good to have a bag or suitcase ready to go. Pack enough clothing and personal provisions for a few days. Contact your local shelters for information regarding evacuation. Fill you gas tank and any other canisters with extra fuel. Keep a profusion of cash on-hand (smaller bills if possible), many businesses that are open may not be able to run their credit card machines.
6. If you live near the water you will most likely experience flooding. If anything important is stored in your basement it is good to move them to an elevated area to prevent water damage. If you have a sump-pump, make sure it is functioning properly. Park your car in a elevated area away from possible flood zones. If you live in a wooded area, take precautionary action to minimize damage from falling trees. If possible, board or tape you windows and secure any areas of your home that may be damaged by high wind, loose debris and water.
7. Your mobile phone will be an important resource during and after a storm. Keep it fully charged and make sure you have a car charger for it (it may be the only way to charge your phone for several days).
8. Have your favorite books and board/card games ready! Your TV and computer won't be functioning so get ready to entertain yourself the old fashion way.
9. If you are completely power dependent, plan on purchasing a generator. Generators can come in handy for running your lights and fridge, or if you plan on hosting any kind of 'hurricane party'. They are also good to have just in case you need to run any power equipment during post-storm clean-up.
10. Be ready to lend a helping hand. Some people may have it much worse than you and everyone can use a little help during times of disaster. Do what you can to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
One of the worst things you can do is under estimate an oncoming hurricane. Be ready to weather the storm many days ahead of time, don't wait until the last minute. If you can, document the storm and any damage with photographs. This will help you insurance company assess the damage and get you back up and running as soon as possible. Once again, don't panic. Stay calm and think before you act. Most of all - stay safe.
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Value, or Devalue, of the Arts in Education
On the contrary to my inner-most beliefs, art is an important part of human life. Art and the arts can teach us to interpret the world and understand complex ideas. Art gives us something many other fields can't, a sense of self. Art can entertain us, enlighten us, broaden our understanding and create joy and happiness. It can evoke feelings. It can move us. It keeps us thinking and curious about the world in which we live.
Many argue that art is an important program to have in educational systems. They say that the arts empower students to express themselves and broaden their intellect, and that the arts constitutes an emotional value in society. Without art, society and culture would loose sense of themselves, and life would be boring, dull, and uninspiring. Maybe so, but let's look closer...
Many schools across America in the last several years have been forced to cut certain programs due to tighter budgets. Funding for art programs and classes have been the target. In CT alone, Gov. Dan Malloy is supporting statewide cuts which add up to $1.6 billion over two years. CT technical schools are looking at taking a hit. "They will lose $14.2 million next year and $15.6 in the following fiscal year, threatening art, music and sports programs as well as school social workers, administrators, adult programs and a proposed licensed practical nurse program."
Why are these program cut over others? I would say that art is not a necessary life skill. Art does not give us the basic tools kids need to operate in society. It is not crucial to learn about art (the arts). Art may increase our creativity and broaden our understanding but it is more important that kids learn to read, write and do arithmetic. Science and math take a much larger role in understanding the world and molding a better, smarter society.
In order to operate on a daily basis, art is unnecessary. It does not help me balance my checkbook or plan my day. It does not help me learn how to drive a car or operate machinery. It does not help me understand the Earth and outer space. All it does is wave itself in front of my face and tricks me into buying some product I don't need.
In struggling economic times, who could argue for the arts to stay funded, while math, science and English programs be cut? There is no real concrete learning in the arts, and there are certainly more fruitful careers to be had out of the science and mathematics industries. We want to create an educational system that builds strong scientific minds, minds that will help to evolve our species. There are so many secrets in science and math not yet revealed. We need to be exploring the universe, building spaceships and learning about time travel, not dancing, painting, singing and acting. Where has any of the arts really gotten us as a society? The arts were designed for nothing except to be forms of entertainment, and as a culture we love to be entertained. Anything to keep our minds off of real significant work and progress. You don't see many artists winning a Nobel Prize or developing cures for cancer. Not many artists can lead a country or command an army. Not many artists can create anything worth while for society.
Society needs more brain surgeons, lawyers, rocket scientist and financial gurus, not artists. Students do not really need the arts to be educated. Go ahead and cut the arts programs, they are a waste of money.
Sources: Mary E. O'Leary. "Malloy's revised state budget slashes arts, courts, technical schools". Published: Saturday, July 16, 2011. minutemannewscenter.com Accessed September 12, 2011.
Many argue that art is an important program to have in educational systems. They say that the arts empower students to express themselves and broaden their intellect, and that the arts constitutes an emotional value in society. Without art, society and culture would loose sense of themselves, and life would be boring, dull, and uninspiring. Maybe so, but let's look closer...
Many schools across America in the last several years have been forced to cut certain programs due to tighter budgets. Funding for art programs and classes have been the target. In CT alone, Gov. Dan Malloy is supporting statewide cuts which add up to $1.6 billion over two years. CT technical schools are looking at taking a hit. "They will lose $14.2 million next year and $15.6 in the following fiscal year, threatening art, music and sports programs as well as school social workers, administrators, adult programs and a proposed licensed practical nurse program."
Why are these program cut over others? I would say that art is not a necessary life skill. Art does not give us the basic tools kids need to operate in society. It is not crucial to learn about art (the arts). Art may increase our creativity and broaden our understanding but it is more important that kids learn to read, write and do arithmetic. Science and math take a much larger role in understanding the world and molding a better, smarter society.
In order to operate on a daily basis, art is unnecessary. It does not help me balance my checkbook or plan my day. It does not help me learn how to drive a car or operate machinery. It does not help me understand the Earth and outer space. All it does is wave itself in front of my face and tricks me into buying some product I don't need.
In struggling economic times, who could argue for the arts to stay funded, while math, science and English programs be cut? There is no real concrete learning in the arts, and there are certainly more fruitful careers to be had out of the science and mathematics industries. We want to create an educational system that builds strong scientific minds, minds that will help to evolve our species. There are so many secrets in science and math not yet revealed. We need to be exploring the universe, building spaceships and learning about time travel, not dancing, painting, singing and acting. Where has any of the arts really gotten us as a society? The arts were designed for nothing except to be forms of entertainment, and as a culture we love to be entertained. Anything to keep our minds off of real significant work and progress. You don't see many artists winning a Nobel Prize or developing cures for cancer. Not many artists can lead a country or command an army. Not many artists can create anything worth while for society.
Society needs more brain surgeons, lawyers, rocket scientist and financial gurus, not artists. Students do not really need the arts to be educated. Go ahead and cut the arts programs, they are a waste of money.
Sources: Mary E. O'Leary. "Malloy's revised state budget slashes arts, courts, technical schools". Published: Saturday, July 16, 2011. minutemannewscenter.com Accessed September 12, 2011.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Irene
I never fully imagined the raw power of mother nature. This realization came from having survived tropical storm Irene in 2011. It is very clear I could have perished in its wake. This story is what I lived through during one of the most devastating storms ever to slam the east coast of America.
Having heard all the hype about Irene, I watched closely to what it had done to other states and felt that I was in no need to worry about its effects. By the time it would reach us in our section of Connecticut, nothing major would happen. After she swept through town, it became clear to me right away what this storm was capable of. I was ignorant to the devastating effects that was heading my way.
It was not until the morning of August 28th that I awoke to howling winds and an uneasy feeling in my gut. Irene had already shown her face in the wee hours of that Sunday morning and was building strength as the moments passed. Having lived on the waterfront for most of my life, I am aware of what even the smallest storms can do to a house that is 15 feet above Long Island Sound. That morning Irene was already pounding away at the seawall that separates my residence from the voracious breath of the storm. As each wave crashed, the house shook. With each splash the seawater began to smash the bay windows overlooking the Sound. The wind was screaming, and the grayness of the sky broke for no sun.
As the water began to splash in from the seams of the window sills, we mopped what water we could from the hardwood floors. My father, mother and I moved frantically about the great room, watching the ocean ascend. At high tide, which was not due until 11 am., we watched and waited, in our minds wishing for that time to come. It was only 10 am. I cracked a beer. There was nothing to do but hope for the best. The beer tasted like water and went down quickly. I began to pace. It was at this point that every minute of my life felt like hours. When will it be high tide? The water outside had breached the seawall and began streaming past the house toward the street. The flooding opposite the ocean side had reached significant levels. Our kayaks which were parked on the side of the house had begun to float away along with our trach cans and various other items from our outdoor shed. I decided to wade through the flooding to fetch the kayaks. I tied them to the front hedge and seriously considered evacuating. The kayaks seemed a good option at the time, but after suggesting the topic of leaving my father insisted on staying. Once I got back inside I noticed large pools beginning to form in our patio area by the water. The seawall seemed to not make much of a defense against the roaring ocean outside.
The tension in the room and the tide came in unison. Soon we were no longer watching this storm, we were engaged. Around 10:45 the top windows began to crack. The water continued to splash in from inconceivable crevices along the vertices of the smaller window panes. With the two bay windows still intact, we saw the smaller side windows begin to give way. With each wave that came upon us, the grey-blue blackness covered the entire window set in all directions, smothering the 10 ft high, 40 ft wide windows with water. Then the smaller windows beside the bay windows blew out. The towels we were using to mop the hardwood floors looked like tissues in a toilet bowl. We did not stop there. We closed the top part of the smaller windows hoping it would stop some of the water that continued to splash into the house. In a panic we stood, wavering, trying to decipher the next logical move. Then with haste we attempted to reset the smaller windows into their original hinges, thinking it would decrease the amount of water that was already streaming into the room. My father picked up a window pane (which was shattered from the impact of the previous wave) and held it into place in the sill. He cried out "Find a board, or something to put into the sill!" Seeing him holding a shattered window pane up against the swelling storm, I fel time stop. I could not move. ‘This is ridiculous’ I thought - a 68 year old man holding a shattered pane of glass against an oncoming disaster...madness! I demanded he let go of the glass, but he insisted to hold on. "I’ve got it", he said. I continued attempting to convince him to get away from the windows as the waves continued to smash through the gaps, drenching us with seawater. I insisted again we evacuate but my father would not budge.
What happened next was inconceivable. The large bay window I was standing next to was hit by a thunderous wave. In one swift motion the bay window exploded into the room under its impact. Hundreds of gallons of water rolled into the great room, pushing the furniture toward the back wall. My mother was standing in front of the oncoming water and furniture, with a look of terror on her face. Instinctively, she managed to turn and sit right into a chair that came spinning toward her, instinctively avoiding being crushed. "That’s it" I proclaimed. "There is nothing else we can do, lets go!" I grabbed my father’s hand and we scurried into the dining room away from the windows. We stood for a moment there watching the waves continue to engulf the great room, ripping away what was left of the window frames and glass. It was then I noticed the cut on my foot, even though I was wearing sandals, glass and debris was rushing through the water at our feet. We were forced to continue moving toward the back door, away from the oncoming water as it pushed it’s way through the dining room. It went all the way to the back door, which we opened to let the water flow through the first floor. Outside, the flooding had reached the top of our back door step, leaving us trapped in what seemed like a sinking ship.
"I cut my foot," I heard my father say. Looking down, I noticed his sandals were gone, revealing three bloody wounds on his left foot. I grabbed a towel for him to stand on and helped move him behind a small wall in the foyer, shielding him from the oncoming water.
"We’ll have to get you upstairs," I said. "Once this dies down a bit."
"I’ll be fine."
"Are you sure? Those cuts look pretty bad."
" Yeah, I’m OK."
Once the water stopped flowing past us we maneuvered our way around the tumbled furniture toward the stairs. I assisted my father up to the second floor while my mother found the first aid kit. We patched up our wounds and sat for some time in complete silence. The sound of the water coming into the great room downstairs echoed through the upstairs hallway. It was 12:39 p.m. Half way through a day that felt like an eternity.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
More About Me
First and foremost I am an artist. I am a very visual person. I consider most things in life to be forms of art, particularly within the act of everyday living. I tend to look at the world in a symbolic way but consider myself fairly simple and direct. I try not to let to much thinking get in the way but I do consider myself somewhat analytic.
I love music of all kinds - and am a huge Pink Floyd fan. Some favorites: Beatles, Led Zepplin, Beastie Boys, Keane, Ben Folds, Kings of Leon, Steely Dan, Muse, Metallica, Linkin Park and many others which would take probably days to list. Many of my friends are musicians and I have some talent towards piano, keyboards and drums, even though I do not play often. Music, like many forms of art, is somewhat therapeutic and I do not know what I would do without it. Sometimes all I need is a couple good songs to forget about the chaos of the world.
I grew up playing football, hockey, and golf. I also have been skiing most of my life; started when I was about 5 years old and try to go whenever possible. I also picked up snowboarding around the year 2000, though it was tough to learn. I also used to skateboard which made snowboarding a little easier. I play golf often during the spring, summer, and fall - and may even go after writing this. I shoot in the bogey/double bogey range which is not as good as I'd like, but I enjoy everything that golf entails. I play tennis at a local tennis club and usually play doubles. Tennis is my preferred form of exercise, I tried the gym but felt too much like a mouse on a wheel - not my scene. Being outdoors instead of on this computer always comes as a relief.
I am a very social person who likes company but does not mind being alone sometimes. I am the type of person who introduces themselves at a party rather than standing around waiting to be introduced. I love beer and wine and good food and enjoy cooking quite a bit. There is nothing like a nice glass of wine to go with a home cooked meal. Wine tastings - absolutely.
Thank God football season is right around the corner - GO JETS!!! Tried to watch some of the Stanley Cup but my team (Colorado Avalanche) did not make it very far.
I love to travel even though it can be expensive. Made a trip to Cape Cod a couple years back - that was a great time. We rented scooters and rode around the entire island of Martha's Vineyard. I am a New England kid at heart, despite the fact that CT can be a pain in the ass, it is my home and I love it. Vermont would be my second state of choice, with Colorado not far behind.
I am one of four kids(middle), with two brothers, one older, one younger, and one younger sister. I love my family and friends and I do not know what I would do without them.
In general, I take pride in what I do, but I like to relax as much as possible and not worry to much about my life and the world in which I live. I am a 'do, or do not' type of person, I have given up on trying. To me trying is just a thought about doing something, and nothing would ever get done if everyone was just trying.
I love music of all kinds - and am a huge Pink Floyd fan. Some favorites: Beatles, Led Zepplin, Beastie Boys, Keane, Ben Folds, Kings of Leon, Steely Dan, Muse, Metallica, Linkin Park and many others which would take probably days to list. Many of my friends are musicians and I have some talent towards piano, keyboards and drums, even though I do not play often. Music, like many forms of art, is somewhat therapeutic and I do not know what I would do without it. Sometimes all I need is a couple good songs to forget about the chaos of the world.
I grew up playing football, hockey, and golf. I also have been skiing most of my life; started when I was about 5 years old and try to go whenever possible. I also picked up snowboarding around the year 2000, though it was tough to learn. I also used to skateboard which made snowboarding a little easier. I play golf often during the spring, summer, and fall - and may even go after writing this. I shoot in the bogey/double bogey range which is not as good as I'd like, but I enjoy everything that golf entails. I play tennis at a local tennis club and usually play doubles. Tennis is my preferred form of exercise, I tried the gym but felt too much like a mouse on a wheel - not my scene. Being outdoors instead of on this computer always comes as a relief.
I am a very social person who likes company but does not mind being alone sometimes. I am the type of person who introduces themselves at a party rather than standing around waiting to be introduced. I love beer and wine and good food and enjoy cooking quite a bit. There is nothing like a nice glass of wine to go with a home cooked meal. Wine tastings - absolutely.
Thank God football season is right around the corner - GO JETS!!! Tried to watch some of the Stanley Cup but my team (Colorado Avalanche) did not make it very far.
I love to travel even though it can be expensive. Made a trip to Cape Cod a couple years back - that was a great time. We rented scooters and rode around the entire island of Martha's Vineyard. I am a New England kid at heart, despite the fact that CT can be a pain in the ass, it is my home and I love it. Vermont would be my second state of choice, with Colorado not far behind.
I am one of four kids(middle), with two brothers, one older, one younger, and one younger sister. I love my family and friends and I do not know what I would do without them.
In general, I take pride in what I do, but I like to relax as much as possible and not worry to much about my life and the world in which I live. I am a 'do, or do not' type of person, I have given up on trying. To me trying is just a thought about doing something, and nothing would ever get done if everyone was just trying.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Topic Choice
Before ICM506 began last Monday, I was unsure what topic to pick and how to approach it. It is difficult for me to choose something to write about, first of all because I consider myself more of a poet than a writer, and second because there is so much to choose from it can become daunting. Of all the topics out there how could one be so clear to choose? How could I pick a beat that did not come across as too much or too little? So the pondering began, and finally the events of tropical storm Irene hit me, literally.
I choose to cover the power of nature after having lived through this storm. It was more than anything I ever expected it to be, and knew it would be an excellent topic. Not only do I want to cover the details of my experience with this storm, but also how it changed me and made me look at the forces of mother nature. I believe after having endured these events makes me more than qualified to write about it and how other natural disasters impact the world.
Furthermore, I want to explore natural disasters and how they occur. There is a clear lesson to be learned from natural disasters which covers thinking about the earth in which we live, as well as how we use or abuse it. Covering this topic will include tropical storms, blizzards, avalanches, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, volcanoes and any other form of atmospheric events that occur. It also seems interesting to discuss how natural disasters change peoples' attitudes and behavior in an 'environmental' aspect. I will look into how natural disasters affect not only the earth and the living things upon it, but also the symbolic level of 'the storm'.
Personally I have lived through an earthquake, a hurricane, a tropical storm, a blizzard, a wildfire, two small avalanches and several floods. Even though some were more significant than others, each one affected me differently. It has become aware to me, especially after Irene, how impactful weather and natural disasters are. Natural disasters I have not experienced personally I learned about through the news, and witnessed from an outside perspective the power each one held. The difference between living through one and hearing about it is tremendous, and I hope to uncover those thoughts in exploring this topic. The next posting or two I will give a detailed account of my experiences in tropical storm Irene.
I choose to cover the power of nature after having lived through this storm. It was more than anything I ever expected it to be, and knew it would be an excellent topic. Not only do I want to cover the details of my experience with this storm, but also how it changed me and made me look at the forces of mother nature. I believe after having endured these events makes me more than qualified to write about it and how other natural disasters impact the world.
Furthermore, I want to explore natural disasters and how they occur. There is a clear lesson to be learned from natural disasters which covers thinking about the earth in which we live, as well as how we use or abuse it. Covering this topic will include tropical storms, blizzards, avalanches, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, volcanoes and any other form of atmospheric events that occur. It also seems interesting to discuss how natural disasters change peoples' attitudes and behavior in an 'environmental' aspect. I will look into how natural disasters affect not only the earth and the living things upon it, but also the symbolic level of 'the storm'.
Personally I have lived through an earthquake, a hurricane, a tropical storm, a blizzard, a wildfire, two small avalanches and several floods. Even though some were more significant than others, each one affected me differently. It has become aware to me, especially after Irene, how impactful weather and natural disasters are. Natural disasters I have not experienced personally I learned about through the news, and witnessed from an outside perspective the power each one held. The difference between living through one and hearing about it is tremendous, and I hope to uncover those thoughts in exploring this topic. The next posting or two I will give a detailed account of my experiences in tropical storm Irene.
Biosketch
Drake Fillmore was born and raised outside New Haven in Branford, CT. He attended Branford high school and spent two years at the University of New Hampshire studying business administration and English. He then moved to Ludlow, VT, where we became a ski instructor and did a lot of painting and illustration on the side. He then moved out to Fort Collins, CO where he enrolled at Colorado State University as an art student. He graduated in 2002 with BFA focusing on graphic design. He worked as a banquet bartender and server and ran security for the Mishawaka Ampitheater in the Poudre Canyon. It was in Colorado that his freelance business began and he took on clients doing print design solutions for local businesses. He also did an internship at Eagle Marketing in Fort Collins and worked part time as a graphic artist for Scene Magazine and Riff magazine.Some of his work was printed nation wide in Natural Home magazine and Parent magazine. After seven years in CO he moved back to Branford and worked at a local country club as a waiter and bartender. He then took a job at Shore Publishing in Madison, CT as a graphic artist, doing ad design and newspaper/magazine layout. He is still currently employed there and still runs his freelance business, specializing in logo and advertising design. Drake enjoys skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, tennis, racquetball, camping, cooking, chess, cards, video games, movies and reading. He is now enrolled at Quinnipiac University studying Interactive Communications. Drake is interested in becoming proficient with web design and interactive design techniques.
The (New) Search For Beauty
The Search For Beauty
What is real beauty? Where can we find it? In a world full of visual distractions, where can we reveal beauty?
Everyone will have their own take on what is beautiful. A summer sunset. A rose. A diamond engagement ring. Some find beauty in other people, places, or even memories. There are many mixed messages in society that can redefine the meaning or idea of beauty. One of those messages is advertising.
Advertising has always set the tone for what is beautiful. Your average magazine or newspaper ad is where you see perfectly chiseled female or male bodies in some insanely expensive outfit from a company whose logo you can recognize blind folded. We know people don't actually look like that, but deep down inside I think most of us would like to. Subliminally we are affected by these types of images in advertising and we even tend to buy products from those companies in order to adhere to ‘the look’. Millions of products are sold daily to style us into a look that is suitable to us. Billions of dollars are spent yearly on products and services used to enhance beauty. The make-up and clothing industries alone can bring a style-starving consumer to their knees. People everyday are trying to upgrade their ‘image’ or ‘look’ using countless products and accessories. Is beauty really found through these things? Can products from CK or Victoria's Secret really make you beautiful? Can that expensive car or house make you beautiful? Can money make you beautiful?
Questions like this have been asked throughout time and the search goes on. People, no matter where they’re from or how they were raised, are searching for some sort of beautiful thing – something to fill the gap in their lives which makes everything seem better.
For me, real beauty comes in many forms of perception through our senses, not just vision. Vision is the most dominant of senses and can be overestimated. Real beauty can encompass great experiences in our lives. It comes through a feeling, a sound, a touch, a taste, or a smell. It is in nature itself, in the trees, the distant, rolling meadows, or in the sparkle of the stars on a cool summer night. It's the melodic song of birds in the morning or the rippling of water down a woodland stream. It's the smell of steak on the grill, and the long awaited taste of it once it is cooked perfectly to your preference. It comes from other people; not particularly how the dress or how they look, but how they act and who they are as people. It is the comforting advice of a grandfather or close friend who would throw themselves in front of a bus for you. It comes from animals - that undying companionship of a dog, or the gracious purr of a cat at dinner time. It is the feeling one gets after a great job interview, and a phone call (or Facebook connection) from a long lost friend. It can be appreciated through art, music or a well written play or movie. It is that first kiss on a date. It is love; all of the feelings we experience with it, and all of our expectations, hopes, and dreams. It is the last goodbye to a dying family member, as well as the wonderous gaze of a newborn child.
Beauty can be hard to find. We struggle to find what we want, and may forget to stop and realize what we have. What does beauty mean to you? It is out there, can you find it?
Everyone will have their own take on what is beautiful. A summer sunset. A rose. A diamond engagement ring. Some find beauty in other people, places, or even memories. There are many mixed messages in society that can redefine the meaning or idea of beauty. One of those messages is advertising.
Advertising has always set the tone for what is beautiful. Your average magazine or newspaper ad is where you see perfectly chiseled female or male bodies in some insanely expensive outfit from a company whose logo you can recognize blind folded. We know people don't actually look like that, but deep down inside I think most of us would like to. Subliminally we are affected by these types of images in advertising and we even tend to buy products from those companies in order to adhere to ‘the look’. Millions of products are sold daily to style us into a look that is suitable to us. Billions of dollars are spent yearly on products and services used to enhance beauty. The make-up and clothing industries alone can bring a style-starving consumer to their knees. People everyday are trying to upgrade their ‘image’ or ‘look’ using countless products and accessories. Is beauty really found through these things? Can products from CK or Victoria's Secret really make you beautiful? Can that expensive car or house make you beautiful? Can money make you beautiful?
Questions like this have been asked throughout time and the search goes on. People, no matter where they’re from or how they were raised, are searching for some sort of beautiful thing – something to fill the gap in their lives which makes everything seem better.
For me, real beauty comes in many forms of perception through our senses, not just vision. Vision is the most dominant of senses and can be overestimated. Real beauty can encompass great experiences in our lives. It comes through a feeling, a sound, a touch, a taste, or a smell. It is in nature itself, in the trees, the distant, rolling meadows, or in the sparkle of the stars on a cool summer night. It's the melodic song of birds in the morning or the rippling of water down a woodland stream. It's the smell of steak on the grill, and the long awaited taste of it once it is cooked perfectly to your preference. It comes from other people; not particularly how the dress or how they look, but how they act and who they are as people. It is the comforting advice of a grandfather or close friend who would throw themselves in front of a bus for you. It comes from animals - that undying companionship of a dog, or the gracious purr of a cat at dinner time. It is the feeling one gets after a great job interview, and a phone call (or Facebook connection) from a long lost friend. It can be appreciated through art, music or a well written play or movie. It is that first kiss on a date. It is love; all of the feelings we experience with it, and all of our expectations, hopes, and dreams. It is the last goodbye to a dying family member, as well as the wonderous gaze of a newborn child.
Beauty can be hard to find. We struggle to find what we want, and may forget to stop and realize what we have. What does beauty mean to you? It is out there, can you find it?
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