Let me offer my apologies for being so crap at blogging. I find twitter much quicker for putting my thoughts down on and being frank 2009 has been such a terrible year for me that I couldn’t be bothered to chart all the miserable things that have happened to me.
Anyhoo, on a lighter note, what has been good this year? Well, in June I finally got to see the live version of War of the Worlds. I know I’m a complete geek but it was awesome and also slightly worrying that I knew every single word to every single song. The O2 is an awesome venue and even though we were about 300 floors up, we could see everything really clearly. In August, I went to see Oliver at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and discovered that it was designed for people who were 5 foot tall. I left with me legs numb and my mum feeling remorseful after thinking she was treating me. The show was great, but it’s hard to appreciate anything when you’re in pain. Finally last month I went to see La Cage aux Folles with John Barrowman. I know he is a major cheese, but he was excellent in the show and I really enjoyed it. Shame that two days later I was involved in a car crash and my beloved Reggie was written off ;-(
I’ve also published two novels – Two Become One and Winner Takes it All. I also wrote three, The True Tale of Jezebel Cole, Glittering Prize and My Funny Valentine, my latest one which I think will be called something different when I publish. As normal, sales of my books are pretty dismal, but I have a band of loyal readers and it’s a hobby I really enjoy and who knows, maybe one day someone famous will pick up my book in a second hand shop and rush to their agent, demanding this fabulous writer is contacted immediately.
I am looking back at the predictions I made at the end of 2008 and am going to see what was right and what was wrong (let’s face it, probably all of it).
Music – I see a return to disco. People’s lives are going to be miserable enough. I think uplifting music is going to be required – Umm, not entirely misguided. Electronic stuff like Lady Gaga, Little Boots, La Roux etc have become huge this year, all pretty poppy, all pretty disco-y!
Television – the death knell of reality TV. There have been too many scandals and allegations of fixing for it to survive much longer – well Big Brother died the death, people were bored with I’m a Celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing look pretty much on their last legs.
Late entry - Sean Pertwee to be named new Doctor Who – er no. It was Matt Smith (who? You ask)
Books – the rise of self published authors. I’m not just saying that because I am one but publishers are just taking on rubbish celebrities to ‘write’ novels and aren’t investing money in anyone with actual talent. The world is now the oyster for writers to create their own work and I think it’s going to flourish. – Yeah dream on, same old shit, same old Katie Price!
There is no point in making predictions for next year but I can guarantee that there is no way it can be anyway as shocking, celebrity death ridden, and controversial as this one.
Finally, my End of Year Awards* (using the same categories as last year)
TV SHOW OF THE YEAR – Miranda – yes it’s cheesy, it’s too 70’s, it’s all about Miranda but I loved this programme so much. It took me back to my childhood and made me laugh and there’s something about an overly tall, clumsy, largely built, unlucky in love, thirty something woman that resonates with me and I don’t know why!
Runner up : Ashes to Ashes and Torchwood – Children of Men.
HERO OF THE YEAR – Dannii Minogue – has picked herself up from being Kylie’s Sister and Cheryl Cole’s co-star and emerged in her own right. And most of all, proving that us ladies pushing 40 can take on whipper snappers in their 20’s and come out looking fabber!
Runner up : Miranda Hart.
FILM OF THE YEAR – Fish Tank. It’s the only film I saw this year that I clearly remember. That’s how shitty 2009 has been for movies.
Runner up : 2012 for sheer ridiculousnessD
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR – Victoria Wood’s Midlife Christmas. I love Victoria Wood, but this just wasn’t funny. Too many people, just like every other sketch show that just rehashes BBC programmes. Made me reach for youtube and all the clips of Acorn Antiques.
Runner up : Liverpool’s performance in the premiership this season. Robbie William's comeback.
HYPOCRITE OF THE YEAR – MPs. They lecture us on tightening our belts and making do with the worst economic crisis in modern times and then get away with spending tax payers money on dirty films and second homes.
Runner up : Michael Parkinson.
MOST RIDICULOUS SOAP OPERA STORY OF THE YEAR – Yep, it’s Eastenders again and Darren Miller being exposed as the father of Heather’s baby. Ugh, wrong on so many levels.
Runner up : Anything that happens in Emmerdale – again!
MOST ANNOYING TV SHOW – The Alan Titchmarsh Show. This is the Daily Mail in televisual form.
Runner up : Big Brother MOST UNDERTATED SHOWBIZ PERSON IN THE WORLD – Matt Bellamy. I know Muse are huge and greatly loved, but come on, he’s a musical genius and should be president of the whole world.
Runner up : Graham in Coronation Street – he is a comic genius.
YES I’M BORED WITH YOU NOW – Katie and Peter. They’ve had their 15 minutes, please go away now. I’m sick of seeing you on the cover of every magazine and reading the ins and outs of every bit of their sordid marriage.
Runner up : David Tennant (although after tomorrow, I’m guessing we won’t see as much of him).
I’m off the crack open the champers now. Stick two fingers up to this horrid horrid year and hope the new decade brings happiness for us all.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
*If Piers Morgan can do it, why can’t I?
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
Belated Happy New Year!
Sorry sorry sorry for the delay in getting my new blog put up but since Christmas Eve I have been battling the most horrible flu that went away and came back and I honestly thought at one point it was going to kill me. Added to this I've also been amending Two Become One and preparing for my (failed) driving test.
Excuses over and time to get down to business. The first draft of the finished Two Become One is almost complete and I'll soon be seeing it in print for the first time. For those of you not familiar with the story it tells the tale of twin sisters Toni and Farrah who are separated shortly after birth; one grows up to become a supermodel who marries a billionaire publisher who becomes Mayor of London. Toni's beauty, flair for fashion and her loving and giving nature ensure that she becomes a Princess Di type character who is adored by millions. Farrah is equally beautiful but she is also spoilt, selfish and rebellious. As a teenager she embarks on an affair with a much older man - a senior policeman, who dumps her and thus giving her a ferocious hatred of the law. She ends up marrying a gangster and becomes rich by running several lap dancing clubs. The two women don't know of the others existence until Toni is diagnosed with terminal cancer and her mother reveals the truth about her identity. Her final wish is to find Farrah. Do they meet and if so, will Farrah be able to cope with being the newly found sister of 'Saint Antonia' as well as getting her revenge on the man who killed her husband?
It's been a fun novel to write and I'm hoping people enjoy reading it. My next one later this year will be the sequel to Summerset so it's all go.
I've also decided to adapt Summerset for film or TV. I'm currently looking for a screenwriter who's willing to work for nothing but will get a co credit.If anyone's interested, drop me a line.
2008 was a great year for establishing myself as a writer but 2009 will be the year I have to prove myself and I'm excited about what opportunities it might bring.
Ciao for now
Karen
Excuses over and time to get down to business. The first draft of the finished Two Become One is almost complete and I'll soon be seeing it in print for the first time. For those of you not familiar with the story it tells the tale of twin sisters Toni and Farrah who are separated shortly after birth; one grows up to become a supermodel who marries a billionaire publisher who becomes Mayor of London. Toni's beauty, flair for fashion and her loving and giving nature ensure that she becomes a Princess Di type character who is adored by millions. Farrah is equally beautiful but she is also spoilt, selfish and rebellious. As a teenager she embarks on an affair with a much older man - a senior policeman, who dumps her and thus giving her a ferocious hatred of the law. She ends up marrying a gangster and becomes rich by running several lap dancing clubs. The two women don't know of the others existence until Toni is diagnosed with terminal cancer and her mother reveals the truth about her identity. Her final wish is to find Farrah. Do they meet and if so, will Farrah be able to cope with being the newly found sister of 'Saint Antonia' as well as getting her revenge on the man who killed her husband?
It's been a fun novel to write and I'm hoping people enjoy reading it. My next one later this year will be the sequel to Summerset so it's all go.
I've also decided to adapt Summerset for film or TV. I'm currently looking for a screenwriter who's willing to work for nothing but will get a co credit.If anyone's interested, drop me a line.
2008 was a great year for establishing myself as a writer but 2009 will be the year I have to prove myself and I'm excited about what opportunities it might bring.
Ciao for now
Karen
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Goodbye 2008 – thank goodness it’s over.
Is anyone actually going to miss 2008? I don’t know anybody who actually had a nice year and unfortunately a lot of people are entering 2009 not knowing what the year is going to bring. For me personally I am entering the new year as a published author and a car owner, two things I didn’t really think I would be this time last year. I do actually feel as though I’ve achieved a lot in 2008 but it’s been exhausting and to top it all my NYE is going to be spent recovering from the flu and a migraine.
So, enough of the doom and gloom, I thought I’d do a totally irreverent review of the year. All are my own personal opinions and I’m sure a lot of people will disagree.
The Karen Mason Awards for……
MY GOD PLEASE GET OFF MY TELLY – Myleene Klass; Does this woman ever say no to anything? Last Choir Standing, Saturday Night Divas or whatever it was called, Miss Naked Beauty, those irritating Marks and Spencers adverts, Loose Women, Newsnight, The Worlds Strongest Man, Animal Cops Houston (okay I might have made a few of those up). She is everywhere and it doesn’t help that she’s so bloody smug and annoying – ugghhhgh!
Runner up : Take That
TV SHOW OF THE YEAR – Ashes to Ashes; Anyone familiar with this blog knows of my love for this programme. Yes it was implausible, yes Gene Hunt’s been castrated somewhat and yes even my beloved Keeley Hawes (yes there is a bit of a girl crush going on there) was irritating in parts, but A2A was fun and colourful, had a fantastic soundtrack and filled me with memories of when I was an innocent 10 year old and my little world consisted of school, Jackie magazine and listening to the Top 40 every Sunday evening.
Runner up : Come Dine with Me & The Wire
HERO OF THE YEAR – Cesar Millan (the Dog Whisperer); I wish I could control my dog by just going ‘shshh’ and dazzling her with my brilliant white teeth.
Runner up : Barack Obama
FILM OF THE YEAR – The Dark Knight; yes totally predictable but this was a stunningly fantastic film and it’s rare for me to watch something and not want it to end and but that was now I felt first time I saw this.
Runner up : Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR – The Quantum of Solace; Casino Royale was such a fantastic film that Quantum had a lot to live up to. Unfortunately it didn’t and was barely any more entertaining that any of the other hum drum Bond films which normally happen at the end of someone’s tenure and given that it’s only Daniel Craig’s second outing, that’s pretty worrying.
Runner up : Remake of Survivors
HYPOCRITE OF THE YEAR – Jordan aka Katie Price; the woman who sells stories every time one of her children falls over and grazes their knee has the cheek to criticise Jade Goody for publicising her cancer plight which has actually increased awareness of cervical cancer.
Runner up : No one matches the vileness of Jordan.
MOST RIDICULOUS SOAP OPERA STORY OF THE YEAR (possibly the century) – Lauren Branning running over her father Max in Eastenders. The child is 14, has never had a driving lesson and normally wouldn’t say boo to a goose but had the nerve to drive a car in a straight line, run her father over, drive off, park the car, come home and let her mother take the rap – purleasse!
Runner up : Anything that happens in Emmerdale
MOST ANNOYING TV SHOW – Deal or No Deal; I’m sorry but all that whooping and walking round and telling people they love them is so schmaltzy it makes my ears and eyes bleed. There’s something terribly staged about the whole thing and it’s turned what was a good idea into something completely irritating.
Runner up : Big Brother (sorry Ange)
MOST UNDERTATED SHOWBIZ PERSON IN THE WORLD (aka you stole my act award) -Alison Goldfrapp. All I’m saying is that I’m sure if AG started buying Marmite flavour crisps in Iceland, suddenly you’d see Kylie and Madonna buying them too.
Runner up : Simon Cowell (yes I’m talking to you Craig Foxtrot Tango and Jason Gardner)
YES I’M BORED WITH YOU NOW – Fern Britton; When she was fat she was funny and happy and amusing. When she first lost weight you rooted for her, then we found out she was cheating and we were intrigued. Now it’s just boring. She looks old and haggard and fed up. Move on. I’m sure there are celebs out there doing worse things.
Runner up : Cheryl Cole & Gordon Ramsay
Finally, my predictions for 2009
Music – I see a return to disco. People’s lives are going to be miserable enough. I think uplifting music is going to be required. (I actually think Crying at the Discoteque by Alcazar should be made the National Anthem)
Television – the death knell of reality TV. There have been too many scandals and allegations of fixing for it to survive much longer. Late entry - Sean Pertwee to be named new Doctor Who.
Books – the rise of self published authors. I’m not just saying that because I am one but publishers are just taking on rubbish celebrities to ‘write’ novels and aren’t investing money in anyone with actual talent. The world is now the oyster for writers to create their own work and I think it’s going to flourish.
So there it is. Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2009 is peaceful and if not prosperous, perhaps it will give people the chance to reassess what is important in life.
Thanks to everyone who’s followed my blog and bought my books or borrowed my books or even said they’d read them and then just ignored me. At least people out there know my name now.
Remember Two Become One will be out soon – quick plug!
Ciao for now and Happy New Year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUUq0lVylgE&NR=1
So, enough of the doom and gloom, I thought I’d do a totally irreverent review of the year. All are my own personal opinions and I’m sure a lot of people will disagree.
The Karen Mason Awards for……
MY GOD PLEASE GET OFF MY TELLY – Myleene Klass; Does this woman ever say no to anything? Last Choir Standing, Saturday Night Divas or whatever it was called, Miss Naked Beauty, those irritating Marks and Spencers adverts, Loose Women, Newsnight, The Worlds Strongest Man, Animal Cops Houston (okay I might have made a few of those up). She is everywhere and it doesn’t help that she’s so bloody smug and annoying – ugghhhgh!
Runner up : Take That
TV SHOW OF THE YEAR – Ashes to Ashes; Anyone familiar with this blog knows of my love for this programme. Yes it was implausible, yes Gene Hunt’s been castrated somewhat and yes even my beloved Keeley Hawes (yes there is a bit of a girl crush going on there) was irritating in parts, but A2A was fun and colourful, had a fantastic soundtrack and filled me with memories of when I was an innocent 10 year old and my little world consisted of school, Jackie magazine and listening to the Top 40 every Sunday evening.
Runner up : Come Dine with Me & The Wire
HERO OF THE YEAR – Cesar Millan (the Dog Whisperer); I wish I could control my dog by just going ‘shshh’ and dazzling her with my brilliant white teeth.
Runner up : Barack Obama
FILM OF THE YEAR – The Dark Knight; yes totally predictable but this was a stunningly fantastic film and it’s rare for me to watch something and not want it to end and but that was now I felt first time I saw this.
Runner up : Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR – The Quantum of Solace; Casino Royale was such a fantastic film that Quantum had a lot to live up to. Unfortunately it didn’t and was barely any more entertaining that any of the other hum drum Bond films which normally happen at the end of someone’s tenure and given that it’s only Daniel Craig’s second outing, that’s pretty worrying.
Runner up : Remake of Survivors
HYPOCRITE OF THE YEAR – Jordan aka Katie Price; the woman who sells stories every time one of her children falls over and grazes their knee has the cheek to criticise Jade Goody for publicising her cancer plight which has actually increased awareness of cervical cancer.
Runner up : No one matches the vileness of Jordan.
MOST RIDICULOUS SOAP OPERA STORY OF THE YEAR (possibly the century) – Lauren Branning running over her father Max in Eastenders. The child is 14, has never had a driving lesson and normally wouldn’t say boo to a goose but had the nerve to drive a car in a straight line, run her father over, drive off, park the car, come home and let her mother take the rap – purleasse!
Runner up : Anything that happens in Emmerdale
MOST ANNOYING TV SHOW – Deal or No Deal; I’m sorry but all that whooping and walking round and telling people they love them is so schmaltzy it makes my ears and eyes bleed. There’s something terribly staged about the whole thing and it’s turned what was a good idea into something completely irritating.
Runner up : Big Brother (sorry Ange)
MOST UNDERTATED SHOWBIZ PERSON IN THE WORLD (aka you stole my act award) -Alison Goldfrapp. All I’m saying is that I’m sure if AG started buying Marmite flavour crisps in Iceland, suddenly you’d see Kylie and Madonna buying them too.
Runner up : Simon Cowell (yes I’m talking to you Craig Foxtrot Tango and Jason Gardner)
YES I’M BORED WITH YOU NOW – Fern Britton; When she was fat she was funny and happy and amusing. When she first lost weight you rooted for her, then we found out she was cheating and we were intrigued. Now it’s just boring. She looks old and haggard and fed up. Move on. I’m sure there are celebs out there doing worse things.
Runner up : Cheryl Cole & Gordon Ramsay
Finally, my predictions for 2009
Music – I see a return to disco. People’s lives are going to be miserable enough. I think uplifting music is going to be required. (I actually think Crying at the Discoteque by Alcazar should be made the National Anthem)
Television – the death knell of reality TV. There have been too many scandals and allegations of fixing for it to survive much longer. Late entry - Sean Pertwee to be named new Doctor Who.
Books – the rise of self published authors. I’m not just saying that because I am one but publishers are just taking on rubbish celebrities to ‘write’ novels and aren’t investing money in anyone with actual talent. The world is now the oyster for writers to create their own work and I think it’s going to flourish.
So there it is. Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2009 is peaceful and if not prosperous, perhaps it will give people the chance to reassess what is important in life.
Thanks to everyone who’s followed my blog and bought my books or borrowed my books or even said they’d read them and then just ignored me. At least people out there know my name now.
Remember Two Become One will be out soon – quick plug!
Ciao for now and Happy New Year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUUq0lVylgE&NR=1
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, let's hope it's a good one without any fear
Well here we are, it's almost Christmas and the end of another year.
2008 has been probably the most stressful year of my life. I've become a one woman publishing house; had terrible work worries and took (and failed) my driving test, have bought a car and am now looking forward to failing my test again in January next year.
This time last year I honestly didn't think people would be getting my novels as Christmas presents, but at the sale last week a couple of people bought my books as gifts for other people. It's a nice feeling to imagine someone unwrapping their present to find Summerset or Mad About the Boy in it. I've had a couple of negative comments about the books but that's to be expected. Just look on Amazon at the most popular books and you'll always find negative things written about them. If you're going to put yourself out there as any sort of artist you've got to expect criticism. Look at the whole x-factor thing, many people think Alexandra Burke's version of Hallelujah is the greatest thing since sliced bread but many others (me included) think Jeff Buckley's is the definitive version and therefore he's got to number 2. You can't please all the people all of the time as the old saying goes.
I'm already looking forward to 2009 and the release of Two Become One after Christmas. I'm also taking on my most ambitious project yet, a novel called Liverpool. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a complete plastic Scouser and in my opinion not enough books are written about the city. So far it's going to be an epic love story starting just before the first world war, which means I'm going to have to do a lot of research including a trip up to Liverpool to look in the libraries and museums. The book won't be out until 2010 as I've TBO and Winner Takes All coming out in 2009.
I can't say I'm sorry to see the back of this year and I'm wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful 2009.
If I can drag myself away from mountains of food and Christmas TV. I will be writing my end of year blog next week.
Merry Christmas
2008 has been probably the most stressful year of my life. I've become a one woman publishing house; had terrible work worries and took (and failed) my driving test, have bought a car and am now looking forward to failing my test again in January next year.
This time last year I honestly didn't think people would be getting my novels as Christmas presents, but at the sale last week a couple of people bought my books as gifts for other people. It's a nice feeling to imagine someone unwrapping their present to find Summerset or Mad About the Boy in it. I've had a couple of negative comments about the books but that's to be expected. Just look on Amazon at the most popular books and you'll always find negative things written about them. If you're going to put yourself out there as any sort of artist you've got to expect criticism. Look at the whole x-factor thing, many people think Alexandra Burke's version of Hallelujah is the greatest thing since sliced bread but many others (me included) think Jeff Buckley's is the definitive version and therefore he's got to number 2. You can't please all the people all of the time as the old saying goes.
I'm already looking forward to 2009 and the release of Two Become One after Christmas. I'm also taking on my most ambitious project yet, a novel called Liverpool. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a complete plastic Scouser and in my opinion not enough books are written about the city. So far it's going to be an epic love story starting just before the first world war, which means I'm going to have to do a lot of research including a trip up to Liverpool to look in the libraries and museums. The book won't be out until 2010 as I've TBO and Winner Takes All coming out in 2009.
I can't say I'm sorry to see the back of this year and I'm wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful 2009.
If I can drag myself away from mountains of food and Christmas TV. I will be writing my end of year blog next week.
Merry Christmas
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Don't Stop Me Now
It’s almost the end of the year and I’m looking forward to 2009. This year has been a phenomenal one for me in that I’ve published three books, written several more and bought my first car (even though I actually failed my test). Finding true love would have been the icing on the cake but I guess I’ve got to accept I’m an old lady now and that the chances of finding my Mr Right are slipping away. Never mind.
I am waiting for the photographer of my chosen cover for Two Become One to contact me. I pretty pissed off because I love the photo I’ve chosen and it’s royalty free but I can’t use it without the owner’s permission. I contacted her two weeks ago and was supposed to receive a response within four days. Ho hum. I really don’t want to hunt around for another one.
I’ve decided to add a new page to my website dedicate to reviews. I’m being sent books by fellow authors and feel I might as well put their reviews on my site. I’ve just finished reading The Beatle Man by Scott Liddell and I’m about to finish the Armchair Bride by Mo Fanning now I’m reading Big Blubber by Bluebella and waiting for Kelly Moran’s books to arrive – phew! A whole new string to my bow.
I’ve also been thinking about dramatising Summerset next year. Several people who have read it have said to me that it would make a great movie and so when I’ve done Two Become One and before I start work on the others, I might transform Summerset into a TV drama. Put that Media Studies degree to good use.
I’ve also been toying with the idea of setting up my own imprint. The success of Mills & Boon makes me realise women like reading short, easily accessible romance stories. I’m not quite sure how I’m going to go about it or even if I will but it’s another thing in the pipeline. I’m determined to raise the profile of self-published authors in 2009 and not just me.
On a slightly different note, I’m loving Will Young’s new album Let It Go. I wonder if I should send him a copy of Mad About the Boy and let him know he was the inspiration for Bertie.
And lastly, I’ve just seen a bit of British Style Genius and Robert Elms was on it giving his opinion. That man is on every single ‘talking head’ programme on British TV. Does he actually do anything for a living? I still can’t believe Sade wrote ‘Your Love is King’ about him.
Ciao for now
I am waiting for the photographer of my chosen cover for Two Become One to contact me. I pretty pissed off because I love the photo I’ve chosen and it’s royalty free but I can’t use it without the owner’s permission. I contacted her two weeks ago and was supposed to receive a response within four days. Ho hum. I really don’t want to hunt around for another one.
I’ve decided to add a new page to my website dedicate to reviews. I’m being sent books by fellow authors and feel I might as well put their reviews on my site. I’ve just finished reading The Beatle Man by Scott Liddell and I’m about to finish the Armchair Bride by Mo Fanning now I’m reading Big Blubber by Bluebella and waiting for Kelly Moran’s books to arrive – phew! A whole new string to my bow.
I’ve also been thinking about dramatising Summerset next year. Several people who have read it have said to me that it would make a great movie and so when I’ve done Two Become One and before I start work on the others, I might transform Summerset into a TV drama. Put that Media Studies degree to good use.
I’ve also been toying with the idea of setting up my own imprint. The success of Mills & Boon makes me realise women like reading short, easily accessible romance stories. I’m not quite sure how I’m going to go about it or even if I will but it’s another thing in the pipeline. I’m determined to raise the profile of self-published authors in 2009 and not just me.
On a slightly different note, I’m loving Will Young’s new album Let It Go. I wonder if I should send him a copy of Mad About the Boy and let him know he was the inspiration for Bertie.
And lastly, I’ve just seen a bit of British Style Genius and Robert Elms was on it giving his opinion. That man is on every single ‘talking head’ programme on British TV. Does he actually do anything for a living? I still can’t believe Sade wrote ‘Your Love is King’ about him.
Ciao for now
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