Ok, so tomorrow is trash-to-the-curb day which is the officeal start to the other side of the week but I've had a hard week so far and I really need it to harry up and get all weekend-ish.
Monday right off the bat I got hit with an issue whee I thought I did the right thing but someone else thought otherwise and came at me with both guns up and loaded. All I could do is state my case to the boss and see if there would be a hard impact. I count my blessings that I have superiors who believe me. The problem and the way it got flipped around still train wrecked me.
Tuesday's drama... an employee wanted to transfer and two different departments loved her and she accepted a job then decided she wanted the other and by mid day I wasn't sure what was going on. I had her current boss, the boss she took the job and turned down and the other boss all calling me and all of us wondering what on earth was going on.
Wacky stuff I tell you!
Remember me telling you I went down to my parents to paint their house? Well, somehow I got into what I think were those chiggers and now I have these very itchy bites. It has been a mental contest to keep from scratching. I still have to do a lot more painting but this time I'll have my legs coated in insect repellent.
I have to admit I haven't rode my bike in about a week. Now that sad but it's been about 100 degrees everyday and there is a cut off for me. Weather models show the heat wave breaking and the temps only getting to 91 this weekend.
I have a mentor guy at work I sometimes call on when things get totally out of tune. Today he told me something that really stuck. He said , "Geo, the more influence your carry, the bigger the target you wear." I just thought about that for a moment and smiled. Back to the first part of my post. Yes someone was acting as I was their target. The way my mentor, who will always remain a shadow in the background at his wishes, told me that I have a lot of influence in this life and that some people will target me. He told me to look at how I have helped the hospital, to look at how I am loved by the departments I recruit for and to look at how I can say what I think in a meeting of upper management and it's actually considered. He continued on to say look at how you are being asked to serve on boards now. He pointed out how one day when we walked down the hall together I called coworkers by name, even housekeeping, and asked something specific about their day. I told him I was just being myself. It's not something I trying to do to get ahead in life or be somebody. He said, And that's exactly what I mean. By you being yourself and people enjoying being around you makes you a huge target. But the more influence you carry, the bigger the target you will wear." I was honestly floored by him saying that to me. You mean because I'm just being plain ole me, someone doesn't like that? Come on, how retarded is that? Serious!
Ok let's change gears here... I had a CI mapping on Monday and a hearing test. The hearing aid ear had dropped 10dbs over the year and that bummed me but the CI was rocking it's happy little electrodes off. Jordan talked me into trying "S" which makes a different type sound than what I have programmed which is "P", I think. Something tells me I have it all wrong but stay with me here. Ok, when I got the CI activated there are two different types of ways that you can get sound. One is all the electrodes fire at once which is what I use and at times it came seem harsh when the volume is up. Now the other is more like a wave where the electrodes fire more like a wave. We had turned that on in the clinic but I had never listened with it for an extended amount of time. We kept my program 1 and 2 the same but changed my music program to this "S" program. I used it all afternoon and really changed my mind and liked it. It's a more gentle sort of sound coming in. It's really hard to describe. Jordan said a lot more CI users like that than what I normally have programmed. Well, I'll be... I'm becoming like the rest of them! HA! I know what you're thinking... well if I turned off the music program how do I hear music now. Well, it's like I do most of the time and that's through my hearing aid. I just can't run the IPOD and the hearing aid with direct connect at the same time now.
Well I think I'm going to go dive on the bed and read a book for a bit and fall asleep!
Life is good.... even if you are a target! Be a target!!!
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Thanks DWonn
DWonn is an Ironman... a local guy.. big heart, big smile, everyone loves him.
So why am I thanking him? Because he is a great POSITIVE influence.
He had a little trouble on his last Ironman and I read where someone made a comment something like, "All that training and then this happens. Got to be disappointed." You know what his answer was? "Not at all. I got in great shape and trained with some outstanding people and made a lot of new friends" Ok, it's not a quote but it is the idea and it was something like that. He says, and this is a quote, "All rides are good!"
There is one other piece I picked up from him. He was training and once sent out an email about, "I will not be drafting today. It's an all effort ride." I've used that the passed two Saturday's now. Oh trust me I draft with the best of them and why not but if you are going to train then it needs to be you either doing the pulling for the group or grabbing a solo ride. David has me thinking different these days.
Thanks David... I appreciate you!
I got in a 42 miler today and it was a good ride! I rode the river then out to the farmlands and tried to get lost so I would have to ride until I found my way back. It's a way to make myself ride more miles. Crazy, I know! I didn't stop until I got back around the bike rental shop. It was a continuous effort ride until that. After I stopped for a moment I started heading back to the car at the soccer fields in Burns Park but suddenly I turned and found myself climbing Ft Roots. It wasn't a fast climb or my best by any means but it was a good climb after the farmlands.
By the time I got back to the car it was around 10 and man oh man were there a LOT of people on the trail. Lots of bikes...lots! I waved and said howdy to folks along the way. It's funny how when my friends put on helmets and shades they all look alike.
The rest of the day was spent out in the heat working on my house. My grass is growing! We cut that tree down in the front and the wave petunias have gone insane... growing everywhere and really looking nice. I go over to the lock and dam and get unwashed river sand and pour it lightly in my yard and the grass loves it! Free sand! But don't get it for your kids sandbox like I did years and years ago. It's so fine that you never get it all off the kiddos.
Got a couple of new tunes added to my training Ipod play list... Green Grass and High Tides by the Outlaws. I loved this song in high school and it's still a great tune.
Life is good,,, hey it's the weekend!
So why am I thanking him? Because he is a great POSITIVE influence.
He had a little trouble on his last Ironman and I read where someone made a comment something like, "All that training and then this happens. Got to be disappointed." You know what his answer was? "Not at all. I got in great shape and trained with some outstanding people and made a lot of new friends" Ok, it's not a quote but it is the idea and it was something like that. He says, and this is a quote, "All rides are good!"
There is one other piece I picked up from him. He was training and once sent out an email about, "I will not be drafting today. It's an all effort ride." I've used that the passed two Saturday's now. Oh trust me I draft with the best of them and why not but if you are going to train then it needs to be you either doing the pulling for the group or grabbing a solo ride. David has me thinking different these days.
Thanks David... I appreciate you!
I got in a 42 miler today and it was a good ride! I rode the river then out to the farmlands and tried to get lost so I would have to ride until I found my way back. It's a way to make myself ride more miles. Crazy, I know! I didn't stop until I got back around the bike rental shop. It was a continuous effort ride until that. After I stopped for a moment I started heading back to the car at the soccer fields in Burns Park but suddenly I turned and found myself climbing Ft Roots. It wasn't a fast climb or my best by any means but it was a good climb after the farmlands.
By the time I got back to the car it was around 10 and man oh man were there a LOT of people on the trail. Lots of bikes...lots! I waved and said howdy to folks along the way. It's funny how when my friends put on helmets and shades they all look alike.
The rest of the day was spent out in the heat working on my house. My grass is growing! We cut that tree down in the front and the wave petunias have gone insane... growing everywhere and really looking nice. I go over to the lock and dam and get unwashed river sand and pour it lightly in my yard and the grass loves it! Free sand! But don't get it for your kids sandbox like I did years and years ago. It's so fine that you never get it all off the kiddos.
Got a couple of new tunes added to my training Ipod play list... Green Grass and High Tides by the Outlaws. I loved this song in high school and it's still a great tune.
Life is good,,, hey it's the weekend!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Great ride
Just a quick hit... It's Friday!!
Had a great ride after work yesterday. I got over to the sub then headed over and ended up with FGSG group. I really had planned to work on hills as a solo but decided at the last minute to ride on over to their start point. Got to see several of the old school. It was great to see JBar back out there and staying with the fast group even after being off the bike for a few. Jen Shaw was there as well as her fast as lightening husband Chris. Jen leaves today for RAGBAI (not sure if I said that right). It's called "rag-by". It's the big multi day ride across Iowa. It's also a big fundraiser for Liverstrong.
I sat on the back of the group (as usual...ha!) and even wasn't the last one up Ft Roots. After we came down the fast group has already circled the parking lot and was heading out. I broke off at that point and headed back to the car... so I thought. I ended up riding back to Ft Roots to climb some more. I can really tell the difference when I ride with the Ipod going. I really climb better with the music distraction... then the battery died. Bummer! All I could hear after that was my heavy breathing... sounded like an prank phone call.
Yes I am riding early tomorrow. I'm thinking from the house down North Hills then River Trail then the back way buy Camp Robinson to the house. Everyone will be riding early tomorrow due to the heat.
Life is good... even in the heat.
Had a great ride after work yesterday. I got over to the sub then headed over and ended up with FGSG group. I really had planned to work on hills as a solo but decided at the last minute to ride on over to their start point. Got to see several of the old school. It was great to see JBar back out there and staying with the fast group even after being off the bike for a few. Jen Shaw was there as well as her fast as lightening husband Chris. Jen leaves today for RAGBAI (not sure if I said that right). It's called "rag-by". It's the big multi day ride across Iowa. It's also a big fundraiser for Liverstrong.
I sat on the back of the group (as usual...ha!) and even wasn't the last one up Ft Roots. After we came down the fast group has already circled the parking lot and was heading out. I broke off at that point and headed back to the car... so I thought. I ended up riding back to Ft Roots to climb some more. I can really tell the difference when I ride with the Ipod going. I really climb better with the music distraction... then the battery died. Bummer! All I could hear after that was my heavy breathing... sounded like an prank phone call.
Yes I am riding early tomorrow. I'm thinking from the house down North Hills then River Trail then the back way buy Camp Robinson to the house. Everyone will be riding early tomorrow due to the heat.
Life is good... even in the heat.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Workin' for the weekend!
Workin' for the weekend! Love that song... still!
There are several rides up for grabs for the weekend! There is Miss Vick's Century which is a fun ride through the country. It's also a great mix of folks. Starts Saturday morning at 7 over at Willow Park.
There is a dandy 60 miler heading out from the sub about 7. These folks are building up for the ride over in Texas (Hotter than Hell 100 in August). Been there done that and almost dies out in the middle of no where! It was record high temps that year and was 100 degrees by 11 that morning.
Sunday has the Lolli-POP. This is one of the funnest rides around! Everyones best pal Robb heads up this puppy and you get to climb a mountain. Since it's on Sunday and it's my month to do media at church services I have to pass. Bummer! I could use the training so bad. It's also a "no drop" ride so that means you aren't left out along some country road all hot and sweating while the bears and panthers and wolves stalk you. The end of the ride goes into a lake. Oh but let me tell you about the end of the ride... you turn off of the smooth road on to this grainy paved road. It's just enough to mess with you mentally but the road seems to go on forever! Many of us have had "Come to Jesus" moments there at the end. Yes, it's crazy insane. But then Robb has this great saying... The faster you pedal the sooner the pain stops.
I ordered a CD for the land downunder. It's a great band called Compliments of Gus. They aren't on ITunes yet but said they should be there in about a month. Ok, guess what the price of a CD is when the currency changes from US dollars to AUS? 24.95!!! Yikes. Makes me miss my 9.99 ITune CD downloads. But hey, they are a new band and I enjoy the tunes. I had actually heard them while listening to Rodney Olsen on Sonshine 95 over in AUS. He played the tune and they have it set up where you can click on the band that is playing or had just played and get website info and such. I emailed o the contact us link and within minutes I got a reply. Holy smokes... it was one of the band. He even sent me "Your Eyes" tune with his email. Thanks Jared!
Terri is at convention this week and Em is babysitting so I'm meeting Tyler over at his office and we're going to see Wanted and then grab some food afterwards. Nice to have an adult son to do stuff like this with. Since he is a video motion graphics pro he will probably talk all the way through the flick telling me how they did all the effects. HA!
We got one of those hot afternoon thunder storms that kicked the lights out in several downtown areas this afternoon. It's going to feel like the Amazon when I leave in a moment.
Life is good...even when you can't figure out what ride to do!
There are several rides up for grabs for the weekend! There is Miss Vick's Century which is a fun ride through the country. It's also a great mix of folks. Starts Saturday morning at 7 over at Willow Park.
There is a dandy 60 miler heading out from the sub about 7. These folks are building up for the ride over in Texas (Hotter than Hell 100 in August). Been there done that and almost dies out in the middle of no where! It was record high temps that year and was 100 degrees by 11 that morning.
Sunday has the Lolli-POP. This is one of the funnest rides around! Everyones best pal Robb heads up this puppy and you get to climb a mountain. Since it's on Sunday and it's my month to do media at church services I have to pass. Bummer! I could use the training so bad. It's also a "no drop" ride so that means you aren't left out along some country road all hot and sweating while the bears and panthers and wolves stalk you. The end of the ride goes into a lake. Oh but let me tell you about the end of the ride... you turn off of the smooth road on to this grainy paved road. It's just enough to mess with you mentally but the road seems to go on forever! Many of us have had "Come to Jesus" moments there at the end. Yes, it's crazy insane. But then Robb has this great saying... The faster you pedal the sooner the pain stops.
I ordered a CD for the land downunder. It's a great band called Compliments of Gus. They aren't on ITunes yet but said they should be there in about a month. Ok, guess what the price of a CD is when the currency changes from US dollars to AUS? 24.95!!! Yikes. Makes me miss my 9.99 ITune CD downloads. But hey, they are a new band and I enjoy the tunes. I had actually heard them while listening to Rodney Olsen on Sonshine 95 over in AUS. He played the tune and they have it set up where you can click on the band that is playing or had just played and get website info and such. I emailed o the contact us link and within minutes I got a reply. Holy smokes... it was one of the band. He even sent me "Your Eyes" tune with his email. Thanks Jared!
Terri is at convention this week and Em is babysitting so I'm meeting Tyler over at his office and we're going to see Wanted and then grab some food afterwards. Nice to have an adult son to do stuff like this with. Since he is a video motion graphics pro he will probably talk all the way through the flick telling me how they did all the effects. HA!
We got one of those hot afternoon thunder storms that kicked the lights out in several downtown areas this afternoon. It's going to feel like the Amazon when I leave in a moment.
Life is good...even when you can't figure out what ride to do!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Kaki King and CI's
Finally music to my ears! It's Kaki King! I get it with my CI!!!!
I came in and Terri had August Rush DVD playing and the music was awesome through my CI. I kept turning it up more and more and it was clear! This was the first time I had seen August Rush and it's an awesome movie. So far music just hasn't been a strong point with my CI. But tonight it was right on. I was listening and thinking to myself am I really hearing it this clear? I turned down my hearing aid and just enjoyed the movie and music with CI only. I came back to the laptop and listened to several sample cuts and ended up downloading the whole Kaki King CD called Dreaming of Revenge. So far it's awesome! I have always been a fan of guitar and this really made me believe the CI can handle music.
Got in a late afternoon ride on the river yesterday and Edgefest, a music festival named after a radio station was an hour out for starting. This is a head bangers ball. A mass of black t-shirts and mascara. The kids are alright.
I spent the afternoon with my house church at River City cooking hot dogs for the low income and some homeless folks in that area. Since it was a cloudy and sprinkle sort of afternoon there was a lighter crowd. Still good though.
I bought an IPOD for the family to use yesterday but guess what, the plug is a tad different than my hearing aid jack. It goes in and I can here music but it doesn't have that connecting click that you normally feel. Working with the CI fine. Got to make a play list for my flight next week.
Saw the list of hospital folks going to Disney Institute next Sunday. Wow! I'm way out of my league here! VP's, Directors and docs. Can you say n.e.t.w.o.r.k.???? HA!
Life is good!
Geo.
I came in and Terri had August Rush DVD playing and the music was awesome through my CI. I kept turning it up more and more and it was clear! This was the first time I had seen August Rush and it's an awesome movie. So far music just hasn't been a strong point with my CI. But tonight it was right on. I was listening and thinking to myself am I really hearing it this clear? I turned down my hearing aid and just enjoyed the movie and music with CI only. I came back to the laptop and listened to several sample cuts and ended up downloading the whole Kaki King CD called Dreaming of Revenge. So far it's awesome! I have always been a fan of guitar and this really made me believe the CI can handle music.
Got in a late afternoon ride on the river yesterday and Edgefest, a music festival named after a radio station was an hour out for starting. This is a head bangers ball. A mass of black t-shirts and mascara. The kids are alright.
I spent the afternoon with my house church at River City cooking hot dogs for the low income and some homeless folks in that area. Since it was a cloudy and sprinkle sort of afternoon there was a lighter crowd. Still good though.
I bought an IPOD for the family to use yesterday but guess what, the plug is a tad different than my hearing aid jack. It goes in and I can here music but it doesn't have that connecting click that you normally feel. Working with the CI fine. Got to make a play list for my flight next week.
Saw the list of hospital folks going to Disney Institute next Sunday. Wow! I'm way out of my league here! VP's, Directors and docs. Can you say n.e.t.w.o.r.k.???? HA!
Life is good!
Geo.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Cochlear Implant stuff
Brrr weee it's cold outside! In the summer we have heat then we have the humidity which makes the heat worse. Today we have cold then it's a wet cold from the thunderstorms that came through last night and it's a wet cold tonight!
We just got in for a banquet honoring the PTA presidents and volunteers. Our school district smoked the awards! Every other award given was to "Sylvan Hills". Terri won Volunteer of the Year! WAY TO GO TERRI! She works so hard for that school.
Ok, the CI stuff. The music is still not where it should be. ITune music through the laptop just doesn't cut it. I'm planning to return the jack to get a different one. It's lose and I have to get it just right but it shorts and it's going to bite my computer. I just use my Unitron cord to my hearing aid. If you are considering a hearing, Unitron is the way to go. Love those things! If it's a CI you are after, consider Advanced Bionics.
Saturday night Dan was at the building working on the sound system for the auditorium at church while I loaded and ran through the visuals. He installed a different sound board and needed some sound to come through so I rolled over a countdown that had music in the background. I was blown away how crisp the sound was and I was only receiving it through the CI. The speakers are Frazier. Unbelievable!!!! I hope I can find some of these someday. I had crank it up and down really soft. I was in awe! It was the first time I had heard sound through a electronic format that clear!
I turn off my hearing aid and listen just through the CI on the way to and from work so I will say the radio is getting better. I try and listen to stations where I don't know the songs so I can work on listening better. To me when you know what the words and the tune is then it's sort of cheating because you already know. With songs you don't know, it's a learn a new song lesson.
I did have a mapping the other day. I pushed a few more mid tones. I seemed to have freaked out my Audio (Jordan) because I love the program where both mics are on because I hear in surround sound. They advise to have the CI set at the 12 o'clock setting and I usually have mine at 8 or 9 o'clock. 12 was too loud. So now it's set for my 9 o'clock to be the 12 o'clock. They say it's to be able to turn it down. Ok CI guys, what do y'all do when something is too loud... yep, me too... we reach up and push the magnet off and no sound. (Jordan and Krista are rolling their eyes right now... money is on that one!) HA!
They did give me a test in the booth with the sentences. Aced that puppy! 100% Then she gave me one with one syllable words and wind noise. Hated it and bombed! She told me beforehand that it would be hard and it was. Sort of driving with the windows down. Ticked me off to no end but then she explained that she had to make it really hard so when I come back in 3 months we can see how that has improved.
To me it's so hard to believe that it continues to get better. Better than this? Cricket!!!
There are so many times a day that I am still blown away by this Advanced Bionics product. One of the favorite sounds is a walk in the rain and listening to the rain hitting the umbrella. It's a magic sound. And anything with a high pitch I love! I've missed those sounds for over 5 years and it's so nice to hear them again. Still in awe over being able to hearing birds while riding at bike at 18 mph.
Oh yeah, speaking of bikes, actually helmets, does any of my CI blog readers have any suggestions on how to keep the mag in place with a helmet? Does that toupee tape really work? I'm good to go when I wear a cap or toboggan but if I wear just the helmet it's a pain. I heard it go off the other day while riding and when I finally stopped the thing was hanging on the chin strap. Gee whiz, I could have lost it then would have had to retrace 7 miles.
Well, I've bored you enough tonight....
Life is soooo good!!
We just got in for a banquet honoring the PTA presidents and volunteers. Our school district smoked the awards! Every other award given was to "Sylvan Hills". Terri won Volunteer of the Year! WAY TO GO TERRI! She works so hard for that school.
Ok, the CI stuff. The music is still not where it should be. ITune music through the laptop just doesn't cut it. I'm planning to return the jack to get a different one. It's lose and I have to get it just right but it shorts and it's going to bite my computer. I just use my Unitron cord to my hearing aid. If you are considering a hearing, Unitron is the way to go. Love those things! If it's a CI you are after, consider Advanced Bionics.
Saturday night Dan was at the building working on the sound system for the auditorium at church while I loaded and ran through the visuals. He installed a different sound board and needed some sound to come through so I rolled over a countdown that had music in the background. I was blown away how crisp the sound was and I was only receiving it through the CI. The speakers are Frazier. Unbelievable!!!! I hope I can find some of these someday. I had crank it up and down really soft. I was in awe! It was the first time I had heard sound through a electronic format that clear!
I turn off my hearing aid and listen just through the CI on the way to and from work so I will say the radio is getting better. I try and listen to stations where I don't know the songs so I can work on listening better. To me when you know what the words and the tune is then it's sort of cheating because you already know. With songs you don't know, it's a learn a new song lesson.
I did have a mapping the other day. I pushed a few more mid tones. I seemed to have freaked out my Audio (Jordan) because I love the program where both mics are on because I hear in surround sound. They advise to have the CI set at the 12 o'clock setting and I usually have mine at 8 or 9 o'clock. 12 was too loud. So now it's set for my 9 o'clock to be the 12 o'clock. They say it's to be able to turn it down. Ok CI guys, what do y'all do when something is too loud... yep, me too... we reach up and push the magnet off and no sound. (Jordan and Krista are rolling their eyes right now... money is on that one!) HA!
They did give me a test in the booth with the sentences. Aced that puppy! 100% Then she gave me one with one syllable words and wind noise. Hated it and bombed! She told me beforehand that it would be hard and it was. Sort of driving with the windows down. Ticked me off to no end but then she explained that she had to make it really hard so when I come back in 3 months we can see how that has improved.
To me it's so hard to believe that it continues to get better. Better than this? Cricket!!!
There are so many times a day that I am still blown away by this Advanced Bionics product. One of the favorite sounds is a walk in the rain and listening to the rain hitting the umbrella. It's a magic sound. And anything with a high pitch I love! I've missed those sounds for over 5 years and it's so nice to hear them again. Still in awe over being able to hearing birds while riding at bike at 18 mph.
Oh yeah, speaking of bikes, actually helmets, does any of my CI blog readers have any suggestions on how to keep the mag in place with a helmet? Does that toupee tape really work? I'm good to go when I wear a cap or toboggan but if I wear just the helmet it's a pain. I heard it go off the other day while riding and when I finally stopped the thing was hanging on the chin strap. Gee whiz, I could have lost it then would have had to retrace 7 miles.
Well, I've bored you enough tonight....
Life is soooo good!!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Day 3 -- Led Zeppelin
It was Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. Yep, that was the first song I've recognized on the radio. A good friend of mine is the morning DJ on the Point 94.1 (Classic Rock) and I knew he was talking after the song then it was cool how suddenly his laugh came processed in!
It rained but it was about 4 this morning so I missed the big sound but I did get to hear it a little this morning. Cars on wet pavement with water spray have a "reeeeeessse" sound.
While walking back into the office I kept hearing a do-it, do-it, do-it. What on earth??? It was water drops in the downspout on the corner of my office.
Oh and several cars starting their engines at the same time is weird. I could pick up on one car at pretty close range but hearing several at once and being no where near them is sweet!
I'm hearing all sorts of sounds far way that I have no clue what they are. I did figure out one was a printer at the other end of the building.
If someone walks down the hall and coughs it scars the hibby gibby's out of me. That sudden burst of sound s something else.
I'll try and update more tonight... lunch is over.
It rained but it was about 4 this morning so I missed the big sound but I did get to hear it a little this morning. Cars on wet pavement with water spray have a "reeeeeessse" sound.
While walking back into the office I kept hearing a do-it, do-it, do-it. What on earth??? It was water drops in the downspout on the corner of my office.
Oh and several cars starting their engines at the same time is weird. I could pick up on one car at pretty close range but hearing several at once and being no where near them is sweet!
I'm hearing all sorts of sounds far way that I have no clue what they are. I did figure out one was a printer at the other end of the building.
If someone walks down the hall and coughs it scars the hibby gibby's out of me. That sudden burst of sound s something else.
I'll try and update more tonight... lunch is over.
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