I haven’t done one of these in two years- SAY WHAT?! And since I was recently nominated by a couple of people, I figured it was about time. Thanks so much to the lovely Keira @Headphones and Hyperbole– who talks a lot about music and books- what could be better? And thank you to the awesome Rachael @Dogearedpages– whose enthusiasm comes through in her wonderful book blog 😀 Definitely worth checking both of them out!
Rules
- Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to their blogging site.
- Answer the questions.
- Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.
- Notify the nominees about it by commenting on one of their blog posts.
- List the rules + display the sunshine blogger award logo on your site or on your post.
Keira’s questions…
1. You have been arrested. What is the crime you are most worried about being falsely accused of?
Gosh- what a question! I’d hate to be falsely accused of anything- but I figure going down for a murder I didn’t commit would be pretty awful… especially since I don’t have the brains of Andy Dufresne to get myself out of that situation.
2. What is your favourite type of chocolate? (Can you tell that it’s Easter…)
Oh man I love ALL THE CHOCOLATE- but if you really want the way to my heart, you’ll get there with a Ferrero Rocher
3. Highlighting or underlining?
Probably underlining cos I get lazy/don’t colour code things properly… but that doesn’t usually stop me trying.
4. What is your favourite fantasy creature?
Dragons!
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
(Oh boy, you’re going to wish you never asked…)
Hypercorrection. Every time someone uses a reflexive pronoun incorrectly, I wince. Every time I see an Oxford comma, I die a little inside. In fact, I was reminded of this recently when #OxfordComma was trending on twitter and *a lot* of philistines *ahem* misinformed souls were using examples that weren’t just grammatically incorrect, they also created the very problems they sought to avoid. Observe this sentence without hypercorrection:
“Highlights of Peter Ustinov’s global tour include encounters with Nelson Mandela, an 800 year old demigod and a dildo collector.”
And now with hypercorrection:
“Highlights of Peter Ustinov’s global tour include encounters with Nelson Mandela, an 800 year old demigod, and a dildo collector.”
This actually *creates a subordinate clause*- meaning you have now unequivocally called Nelson an 800 year old demigod- meaning this has obscured rather than clarified the intended meaning (and the same is true for the much touted dedication example). Ironically, there was no confusion in the sentence before BECAUSE THE RULE OF NOT PUTTING EXTRA COMMAS IN LISTS ALREADY WORKS!! This entire rule was invented for people who don’t know how to read properly to begin with… and makes a mockery of people with basic literacy! *slow clap for stupidity ruling the day*
(see, bet you regret asking 😉 )
6. Do you prefer sparkling water or still water?
Still water- I *hate* sparkling water cos it makes me thirsty- what is the point in water that makes you thirsty?!
7. Are you the type of person to make decisions with your head or your heart?
I’m the kind of person/monkey to make decisions with my heart and then second guess them until I end up more or less making them with my head 😉
8. What do you do when you are stuck on something and need an epiphany?
I work on something else or just write in circles until I come up with something.
9. What is your happy place?
Bed, surrounded by books 😉 Then I can be *anywhere*…

10. Do you have any strange or unexplainable fears, and if so what?
*Coughs awkwardly* yup- I’m mortally afraid of doctors…
11. Where would you least like to go on holiday and why? (Real life, or fictional).
Westeros wouldn’t exactly be the best place for a holiday, would it? I mean, you’d be strolling along in King’s Landing, when HOLY SHIT WAS THAT A DRAGON WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE…
Or you’d be chilling out in Winterfell when OH MY OLD GODS AND THE NEW- IS THAT AN ICE ZOMBIE- ARYA COME SAVE ME!
Or you’d take a nice boat trip to Essos when WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THAT PERSON’S FACE? Oh, it’s called Greyscale, IT’S HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS? WHY AM I NOT COMFORTED BY THAT?
You get the idea. It would be a very stressful place to go on vacation.
Rachael’s questions…
- What’s your favourite lesser known book or series and why?
All That Still Matters at All is by a Hungarian poet, which doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves in the English speaking world.
- Describe the best food you’ve ever read about in a book.
That has to be one of those delectable scenes from Harry Potter:
“He had never seen so many things he liked to eat on one table: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and, for some strange reason, peppermint humbugs.”
- Would you rather be a character in a whimsical magical tale or an epic space opera?
Whimsical magical tale- far less drama, a lot more peculiarities.
- If you could change something about your favourite book, what would you change?
Well, nothing, or it wouldn’t be my favourite book 😉 The thing is, one of my favourites is the Idiot by Dostoevsky and is largely thought to be a bit of a flop… but I somehow ended up loving it, imperfections and all, so I wouldn’t change a thing. I might like a Smaug spinoff from the Hobbit though 😉
- Why did you start blogging?
Honestly? To rant about Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. I really didn’t like that book and no one wanted to hear me vent about it (anymore) in real life 😉
- What is your most controversial bookish opinion?
Well, I was just reminded recently that I really don’t like Handmaid’s Tale… That thought’s not gonna win me any friends 😉
- Personal library or public library?
Tough question! I mean, there are more books in a public library, but I guess I end up more attached to the ones in my personal collection.
- What is your favourite thing about yourself?
Posable thumbs- useful for turning pages in books 😉 (also self-deprecating humour 😉 )
- What book character would you name a pet after? (and what kind of animal is the pet?)
Ooh hard question! I don’t have a pet, so you’re going to be in for some wish fulfilment. I love literary names for cats: Lila Bard, Kaz Brekker, Raskolnikov… Today though I feel more like a dog person and think Paddington would be a fun name! Also, I can’t take credit for this one, cos was in Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, but Winnie the Poodle is the best fictional dog name ever! (let’s be real though, if I ever was lucky enough to get an actual dog, I’d call it something silly like Mr Snuggles Fluff Monster the Third… poor imaginary future pooch 😉 )
10. Where would you go if you could go anywhere within driving distance (like 5 hours max) right now?
Hmm right now I think I fancy going to Cornwall, cos I’ve not been in a while and the last series of Poldark is doing a wonderful job of selling the place (I’m really impressionable 😉 )
11. Who is your book boyfriend (or girlfriend)?
Gonna go with an oldie but a goodie (sorta): Victor Vale!
My questions:
- Where’s the best place you’ve ever been on holiday?
- Do you have any favourite fictional (or non fictional) libraries?
- What’s your guiltiest pleasure read?
- What’s your most unpopular bookish opinion?
- Do you have a bookish pet peeve?
- What book character gets on your last nerve?
- If you could wear any item of clothing from a book- what would it be? (magical or not)
- Who would you rather kiss/marry/kill when the choices are Lord Voldemort, Sauron and Iago? (meanest question ever, I know 😉 )
- Who’s the best bookish baddie you’ve read about lately?
- Would you rather be the villain in a story or the hero? Why?
- Do you have any exciting upcoming reading plans?
Tagging: Sam @Rivermoose Reads, Zezee, Journey into Books, Hammock of Books, Sophie Li, Laleh Chini, Crystal @Lost in Storyland, The Crooked Pen, Crazy Cat Lady, Fadwa @Word Wonders and the Reader’s Bay
And that’s all for now! What fictional place would you least like to go on holiday? And what bookish names would you/have you called your pet? Let me know in the comments!
My grammar is so bad. I’m sure people puke all the time when they read my unedited work…which is why I try to submit my writing to my wife before posting.
I don’t even know what “hand-made in tails” is…which explains why my friend count is down…
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Well I’ve realised recently that I can actually forgive bad grammar or mistakes (especially used more casually, like on the internet) but what really irks me is when people think their grammar is amazing and go around dictating rules to others. That’s what hypercorrection is- it’s when people overcompensate and make up new rules/apply rules incorrectly in order to appear smart.
hehe!
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Grammar Nazis…LOOKOUT!!!
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Congrats on the awards! You deserve them! 😊😊 Lol, and you are so right Westeros would be an awful place to visit, well…maybe not if you were able to claim a dragon as your own? I guess that would make it a lovely place to visit? Then again….maybe not….😅😅😅😊
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Thank you! hehe I know right?! Well, that’s a good point… but as we now know, even that won’t protect you… so maybe not?! 😉
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Lol, yeah…let’s keep it at not. Probably the best idea😂😂
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You don’t like The Handmaid’s Tale? Yay, I was beginning to worry it was just me! I couldn’t make it through more than a few pages before I wanted to throw the book, and was intensely glad I didn’t subscribe to the streaming service that’s perpetuating this garbage! ha!
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Yeah, I was actually scared to mention that, cos it’s so beloved… especially on the blogosphere (though I’ve seen a few people about who also don’t like it over the years). And I know a few people IRL who don’t like it. I’ve not seen (nor do I have any intention of watching) the tv adaptation. I have to bite my tongue everyone calls it a masterpiece (or worse, compares it to 1984)
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I have no intention of watching the series, either, and it’s actually lowered my opinion of the main actress. The premise is so ridiculous, I couldn’t even pretend to give it a grade of mediocre. 😛
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The premise is definitely ridiculous (sadly, people think it’s actually realistic? which I don’t get).
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I *absolutely* do not see how anyone could imagine it being realistic. Anyone with a reasonable amount of understanding of history and human behavior, at any rate. (And I’m not even sure if I’m sorry if that sounds offensive to anybody…) 😛
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Quote: “I’m the kind of person/monkey to make decisions with my heart and then second guess them until I end up more or less making them with my head 😉”
LOL, smart answer!
I see your point about the Oxford comma. I’m not a big fan either, though SOMETIMES it may come in handy…
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hehehe thanks!
Glad you see my point 😉
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Even don’t want about fictional places where I don’t want to go when there are so many real places to stay away of; North Korea, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Venezuela, most African countries, … To resume; all the territories where the original inhabitants are fleeing from or at least want to escape from. And pet naming is my wife’s prerogative. She gives them names like Gordo, Pipa, Meatloaf, etc…
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Well that’s very true- can’t see myself vacationing to most of those any time soon. hehe those are fun!
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Ahh these are such fun questions! I’m not *too* fussy with grammar but certain things do get on my nerves – especially you’re/your!!
& Congrats on the awards 🙂
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I do hear you to be fair- I used to be harsher about all grammar- but now I’m more fussed by hypercorrection in grammar (basically when people think correct grammar is wrong, so make up new rules) Thank you!
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Dragons! Oh yes, we have a few of those in Wales. Like on every public building and vehicle.
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hehe I love the welsh dragon!
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Congrats on being nominated! You are hilarious! 😀 Your rant on the comma made me laugh! As well as your comment on sparkling water! YES! I agree with you, why drink water that is going to make you thirsty, and not satisfied! 😂
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Thank you! hehe I’m glad! And *phew*- frankly I’m relieved to not be the only one, because everyone always disagrees with me on that!
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Really?! That’s interesting! Who would have thought?!
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You are too funny! Your example about the commas had me giggling, and I can feel the terror that would be a Westeros vacation! Agree with your favorite thing about yourself – definitely a lucky person with both posable thumbs AND awesome humor!
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hehehe funnily enough that was a real life example someone took out of a newspaper (and “corrected” badly) and put on twitter- I just knew I had to use that example 😉 hehe I knew right! haha thank you!
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You had me standing up and cheering with number 5! Thankyou for showing how and oxford comma creates more problems than it supposedly, EXTREMELY supposedly, solves…
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Ahh I know- it drives me crazy that people think it helps (that was actually the short version of my rant, cos in my notebook I wrote down every *terrible* example that I saw! Not one of the people celebrating this ill-conceived monstrosity had found an example where a sentence was improved by the Oxford Comma- every single one made less sense than before!)
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It’s almost like people don’t understand the rules of grammar or something 😉
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hehehe but that can’t be true can it? 😉
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That example of hypercorrection was pretty funny hahah It is indeed unfortunate that it creates such sentences! Besides that.. Hourray for dragons!! 😀
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hehe thanks! Yes!
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Congratulations ❤️
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Thank you!
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🌷
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I also looove All The ChocolateTM, the Harry Potter food, and dragons! And that bed looks amazing! Thanks for the tag ❤
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I know right?! You’re welcome! ❤
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Yay you did it! I love all the pet name ideas ❤️
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Thank you again! And so glad you thought so! ❤
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Super fun! And great visuals! Especially love the macaque nurse. And I don’t think a fear of doctors is necessarily irrational.
I have to admit, in the Oxford comma example, the first version of the sentence left me confused about whether Peter Ustinov met with three different people, or whether Nelson Mandella was in fact also an 800-year-old demigod and dildo collector. I thought it was ambiguous. I suppose context would have made it clear(er). Part of my doubt was caused by the fact that Mandella’s name was spelled with two Ls, which could mean he isn’t the Nelson Mandela I’m thinking of but a dildo-fancying demigod with a similar name. (Honestly never thought I would type a sentence like that.)
I tend to use way too many commas in drafting, even in sentences where they’re technically OK, as in sentences that have actual relative clauses. So much of my revisions consist of deleting commas and/or redundant phrases. And semicolons.
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Thank you! hehe well it’s less rational than my other fear (of heights- which I’ve improved on anyway).
Personally I think that it makes sense as long as you’re aware of the actual rule about lists (though to be fair, it’s a strange sentence to begin with). hehheheeh!! (yeah nor did I- I just saw the sentence someone used as an example and copied it).
Fair enough!
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OMG, I totally agree about the sparkling water. It drives me nuts!!
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I know right?!
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Great post, thank you so much for the tag. Dragons all the way and that would be an amazing bed. I’d love to be part of a whimsical magical tale 💜
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Thank you! And your welcome! Me too ❤
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Both of my cats are bookish! They’re named after Lily Evans and Grace Brisbane (from Maggie Stiefvater). We have a black lab, and I desperately tried to name him Padfoot, but alas, no one would listen to me.
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Oh my goodness those are perfect!! Ohhh Padfoot would’ve been the perfect name!!!!
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Fictional place I don’t want to go… I don’t have particular in mind.. Right now, I’m reading Vox and I surely don’t want be in world where I’m prisoner in my own country, have word counter on my wrist and many other restrictions.
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Ahh that sounds terrifying!
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Congrats on the nomination! I loved reading your answers! Ferrero Rocher chocolates are the best! And the little bit where you talked about using your heart and then second guessing, is so relatable!! I also love what you mentioned about the Oxford Comma. Haha! Great post! ❤
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Thank you! They are!! haha so glad you agree! And thanks! ❤
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Congrats! These things are always so fun. I’d definitely go on vacation in Westeros, though. I mean, it beats the Upside Down , though I definitely wouldn’t go when winter is there! 😁
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Thanks! hehehe fair enough 😉
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Thanks for tagging me for this award!! 😀
So… 🙂 I disagree with you on the Oxford comma. I really think it helps. To me, the first sentence you posted there describes Mandela as an 800-year-old demigod who is also a dildo collector. However, I see your point too for when the Oxford comma is used.
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You’re welcome! 🙂
hehe well we’ll have to agree to disagree there.
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Lol! no prob.
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Hey Orang-utan Librarian!
Thank you for the tag (and the grammar lesson hahaha……. I had to google Oxford comma XD) Loved your answers. Victor Vale is definitely boyfriend material! I also love chocolate and hate sparkling water (it tastes funky to me!) Such a great idea to name pets after literary characters 🙂
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You’re welcome! hahaha! Thank you! He really is!! And I’m glad you agree there (and especially that I’m not the only one when it comes to sparkling water!) And it was a cool question!
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Congrats
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Thank you!
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Most welcome
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Regarding #5 if that’s the case then why use a comma at all? I’m not great at grammar, I admit, and I know I tend to over punctuate and probably also format things wrong, but I tend to think language as a fluid thing and rules…change? I think I used to be much more of a stickler about things like this too, it was a peeve of mine also, but now days I just go with the flow. After they added a new meaning to ‘literally’ I realized that language is weird. Especially English which is already super weird because of all the mixing of things over the centuries. I don’t think I’ll ever understand it and it’s my only language! 😀
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Okay so I can understand the part about language being fluid… except that in the case of the Oxford Comma (and a lot of hypercorrection) it actually confuses things more. Commas are supposed to break up a sentence in a logical way and if they’re just shoved in wherever, the sentence won’t make much sense. So the reason we don’t put commas before “and” in a list, is because it would create a subordinate clause (which is the same as putting something in brackets or adding hyphens- if it helps the sentence above has the same meaning as if it was written like this: Highlights of Peter Ustinov’s global tour include encounters with Nelson Mandela- an 800 year old demigod- and a dildo collector). I do agree about being less of a stickler in general- except in cases where people have invented a rule in order to simplify a perceived problem that didn’t exist (the Oxford comma didn’t evolve naturally with language- it was invented by one academic who thought it was a good idea/seems to have just made a grammatical error in his book tbh). I do agree that language is weird- but I also see that as more of an argument for relaxing rules, rather than adding ones that don’t make sense. I think ultimately language is supposed to clarify meaning and communicate effectively- which is partly why I’m still passionate about this 😉
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I mean, that all makes sense, yes, I agree. I still enjoy an Oxford comma though? Maybe it’s the look of the sentence more than anything, it’s just aesthetically pleasing? 😀
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hehehe well we’ll have to agree to disagree there, since I don’t find it aesthetically pleasing, but can’t argue if you do!
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Many congratulations on the award! And what fun!! 😄 Totally agree on Westeros being somewhat unhealthy for a holiday trip – and here’s another place I wouldn’t recommend: a Borg cubus. 😉
Yay! Dragons!! They’re the best, aren’t they? And I looove learning about Winnie the Poodle! 😂 Hilarious!
I can’t claim any knowledge about English grammar (and I’m truly sorry for all the mistakes I’m making!) but I’m just the same when it comes to German grammar! 😄
Ferero Rocher is awesome! So love it! 😄
Have a super-lovely summer and weekend! ❤
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Thank you! 😀 ❤ hehehe glad you agree!
Oh haven't heard of that one!
They are!
haha I know right?!?
hehe no worries!
Me too!! 😀 😀
Thank you- you too!! ❤
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Oh my gosh, being falsely accused of murder is my actual worst nightmare. Ferrero Rochers are some of the best chocolates out there & I also hate sparkling water! I totally thought Winnie the Poodle from Josh & Hazel was the best name ever, too!
So fun reading your answers, thanks for sharing with us. ❤
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