Sometime back in March I ran a half marathon around Reading. Start and finish were at the Majeski stadium which meant we had an amazing finish line: in the stadium itself. After nearly 13.1 miles pounding the pavements, a wave at the girls and Mr S as well as a sprint finish over the line provided the perfect boost and backdrop for a sprint finish.
My time? 2hrs 8 mins. A full five minutes slower than my last half marathon: Windsor in 2003 in 2hrs 3 mins.
Reading was great fun, being in the city (sorry, town) centre and round the houses you get loads of spectators cheering you on. Additionally, you get the spectacle of the fancy dress runners as well. Highlights included a chap in a Mankini, a comedy camel and assorted superheroes. Actually, the Mankini wearer overtook me in the first mile (to many cheers from the crowd) and thankfully that was the last I saw of him.
I've come to the conclusion that I prefer trail running, my training tends to be a combination of tarmac and trails and the off-road running is so much easier on the feet over long distances.
I'm definitely going to do Reading half marathon again. I've signed up to do a small half marathon at the end of October. Aim is to do it in less than 2 hours.
I've not done much running since the half marathon. Instead I've been doing a combination of circuits (Courtesy of Jillian Michaels), yoga (Courtesy of Tara Stiles), cross-training (courtesy of our cross trainer) and weights/ circuits based exercise (courtesy of my gym).
This Sunday saw my first run since the half marathon - just over six miles in an hour so pleased with that. Just need to keep it up now.
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Sunrise on a run
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Thursday, May 05, 2011
The Ayes AV it?
I was working from home yesterday. All in all a productive day (of course). Thursday sees the polls opening for local elections and a referendum on the voting system so Wednesday saw me spending some time reading up on the various options.
I say various options: there's yes to AV. Or no to AV. Two options.
I suspect that the turn-out for the elections will be low. I also suspect that the Nays will have it. The populist media seems anti-AV and has modelled all sorts of "if we had AV" scenarios designed to pander to their audiences' worst fears.
A lot of the material I read yesterday was leading me to think "yes" but the arguments seem to boil down to the simple premise that FPTP is just "not fair". Not fair is a statement made, usually by children, when they can't get something or do something they want but they don't quite know why they should be able to do this.
I think what I don't follow is why someone's second choice vote should carry the same weight as someone else's first choice vote. I think I could understand AV if the second choices counted as half a vote, third choices a third of the vote and so on. Clearly, this would be more complex and cumbersome to administer so the desire to keep things simple will always prevail.
The current system is criticised because parties can be elected to a majority of the seats with a minority of the votes. This leads to voter disenfranchisement and political complacency. The concept of MPs representing a constituency seems outmoded, the world has changed significantly (beyond recognition?) in the last 200 years.
Perhaps the system needs reform. I'm just not sure that AV is the answer.
If the question on the ballot paper asked whether I wanted FPTP to stay, I would say no. Instead, the question will be whether I want AV to be introduced. I don't know that I do.
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I say various options: there's yes to AV. Or no to AV. Two options.
I suspect that the turn-out for the elections will be low. I also suspect that the Nays will have it. The populist media seems anti-AV and has modelled all sorts of "if we had AV" scenarios designed to pander to their audiences' worst fears.
A lot of the material I read yesterday was leading me to think "yes" but the arguments seem to boil down to the simple premise that FPTP is just "not fair". Not fair is a statement made, usually by children, when they can't get something or do something they want but they don't quite know why they should be able to do this.
I think what I don't follow is why someone's second choice vote should carry the same weight as someone else's first choice vote. I think I could understand AV if the second choices counted as half a vote, third choices a third of the vote and so on. Clearly, this would be more complex and cumbersome to administer so the desire to keep things simple will always prevail.
The current system is criticised because parties can be elected to a majority of the seats with a minority of the votes. This leads to voter disenfranchisement and political complacency. The concept of MPs representing a constituency seems outmoded, the world has changed significantly (beyond recognition?) in the last 200 years.
Perhaps the system needs reform. I'm just not sure that AV is the answer.
If the question on the ballot paper asked whether I wanted FPTP to stay, I would say no. Instead, the question will be whether I want AV to be introduced. I don't know that I do.
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Tuesday 3rd May
Despite having the day off work, there are no photos for today. Boo was at school until 4:15 so Pip and I had planned a full day of meet-ups and catch-ups.
Our plan to take the mog to the vet was thwarted by his plan to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. This gave us more time to get to the play barn so we decided to cycle. Carrying pip is easy but I'm sure the locks I bought weigh as much as her.
Our plans to pop over to see another friend were thwarted by her Guinea Pig's unplanned visit to the vet.
Boo enjoyed drama and was positively beaming when we picked her up, she wanted to introduce me to the teachers!
So a very nice break from my usual working routine and a welcome foray into the girls' weekly routine.
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Our plan to take the mog to the vet was thwarted by his plan to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. This gave us more time to get to the play barn so we decided to cycle. Carrying pip is easy but I'm sure the locks I bought weigh as much as her.
Our plans to pop over to see another friend were thwarted by her Guinea Pig's unplanned visit to the vet.
Boo enjoyed drama and was positively beaming when we picked her up, she wanted to introduce me to the teachers!
So a very nice break from my usual working routine and a welcome foray into the girls' weekly routine.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday 2nd May
Monday saw us packing up and travelling home. The sun was shining and the tide was out, leaving a long line of flotsam and jetsam above the usual high water mark.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Some more from the weekend
Sunday was very windy so we decided to head somewhere with indoor and outdoor activities. Having forgotten our national trust passes, we headed for a place called Woodlands Adventure Park - a popular destination for other families but big enough that it didn't feel crowded.
We spent most of the morning in the indoor play area - children under a metre tall had to be accompanied in the big play area, Mr S and I accompanied the girls without too much disappointment at having to run around a three story structure containing slides, ball pits and areas to run amok.
I did manage to sit down and continue "Devil May Care" which is Sebastian Faulks writing as Ian Fleming. I'm not a huge fan of the James Bond movies, having only ever seen Octopussy (as a bored 8 yr old on a family holiday to Dorset) and a more recent one at the cinema. The books however are an enjoyable romp through the same glitzy world of casinos, glamourous destinations, fast cars and villains with dastardly plots and a monologue to tell you about them, all in the name of international espionage.
Our plan to explore outside was scuppered by the rain so we continued with our indoor adventures until it was time to head back to our cottage for tea.
The wind was quite strong, so there were some quite spectacular waves, making for some good photo opportunities. I also managed to find the sepia setting on the camera.
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We spent most of the morning in the indoor play area - children under a metre tall had to be accompanied in the big play area, Mr S and I accompanied the girls without too much disappointment at having to run around a three story structure containing slides, ball pits and areas to run amok.
I did manage to sit down and continue "Devil May Care" which is Sebastian Faulks writing as Ian Fleming. I'm not a huge fan of the James Bond movies, having only ever seen Octopussy (as a bored 8 yr old on a family holiday to Dorset) and a more recent one at the cinema. The books however are an enjoyable romp through the same glitzy world of casinos, glamourous destinations, fast cars and villains with dastardly plots and a monologue to tell you about them, all in the name of international espionage.
Our plan to explore outside was scuppered by the rain so we continued with our indoor adventures until it was time to head back to our cottage for tea.
The wind was quite strong, so there were some quite spectacular waves, making for some good photo opportunities. I also managed to find the sepia setting on the camera.
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Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Bank Holiday celebrations
The weekend was a time for celebration. We spent the Saturday morning lounging in the cottage - girls helped me open my presents and cards and then we played on the wii. We started with DJ Hero and then moved onto Just Dance Junior - a lyrically anodyne version of Just Dance. As you can see, Mr S enjoyed himself.
Having worked up an appetite and with the rain easing, we strolled down to the local pub for lunch. Fish all round, with a burger for me. It was then time to head to the local cinema to see Rio. Very entertaining, the girls both enjoyed it, Pip was particularly taken with the dog's carnival costume: "that doggy's wearing pants!"
The weather had cleared enough for picnic on the beach in the evening.
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Having worked up an appetite and with the rain easing, we strolled down to the local pub for lunch. Fish all round, with a burger for me. It was then time to head to the local cinema to see Rio. Very entertaining, the girls both enjoyed it, Pip was particularly taken with the dog's carnival costume: "that doggy's wearing pants!"
The weather had cleared enough for picnic on the beach in the evening.
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A post a...
...day?
Having recently celebrated a birthday, I thought it time to try again with the blog a day, possible a photo a day, we will see. I will start with the 29th April.
We arrived in Devon late on evening of 28th and just about managed to find out holiday cottage with the help of some locals. On asking for directions they responded "oh that must be x's place!" you can't beat a bit o local knowledge.
While most of the world was transfixed on the Royal Wedding, we were getting our bearings in our home for the next few days. The cottage was in a perfect location, a pebble's throw from the beach and with the sound of waves crashing off the cliff-side.
After breakfast at the local cafe, we decided to explore the beach. While the tide was out, we enjoyed clambering over the rocks. Once the tide started to come back in we donned wetsuits and had a small splash around.
Mermaid of the sea?
The girls enjoyed exploring.
The view from our cottage. We have one or two photos like this...
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Having recently celebrated a birthday, I thought it time to try again with the blog a day, possible a photo a day, we will see. I will start with the 29th April.
We arrived in Devon late on evening of 28th and just about managed to find out holiday cottage with the help of some locals. On asking for directions they responded "oh that must be x's place!" you can't beat a bit o local knowledge.
While most of the world was transfixed on the Royal Wedding, we were getting our bearings in our home for the next few days. The cottage was in a perfect location, a pebble's throw from the beach and with the sound of waves crashing off the cliff-side.
After breakfast at the local cafe, we decided to explore the beach. While the tide was out, we enjoyed clambering over the rocks. Once the tide started to come back in we donned wetsuits and had a small splash around.
Mermaid of the sea?
The girls enjoyed exploring.
The view from our cottage. We have one or two photos like this...
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Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Experimental veg
We've also decided what to do with the fourth bed in the front. We had some carrot and radish seedlings and weren't sure where to put them. Problem solved! They've gone in the fourth bed.
Here's the carrot seedlings (and sunflowers) before planting out. It's a bit shady because of the Bay tree but we will see how they do.
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Here's the carrot seedlings (and sunflowers) before planting out. It's a bit shady because of the Bay tree but we will see how they do.
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Garden update
Thought it was time for an update on what we've been doing in the garden. Actually, what we've mostly been doing is enjoying barbecues with friends and breakfasting on the roof terrace. Most of what you will see are the fruits of our labour earlier in the year or, more likely, the fruits of previous owners labour.
Purple bearded iris. These were here when we moved in and have just started to flower this week. We have a lone iris in the back garden by the pond and a proliferation under the Bay tree in the front.
Bluebells are coming into their own this week as well.
Blueberries are looking promising. We've had a good crop the past few years so we will see how they do.
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Purple bearded iris. These were here when we moved in and have just started to flower this week. We have a lone iris in the back garden by the pond and a proliferation under the Bay tree in the front.
Bluebells are coming into their own this week as well.
Blueberries are looking promising. We've had a good crop the past few years so we will see how they do.
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Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Garden (March 27-3-2011)
This weekend saw our first foray into the garden. We first stocked up at the Garden Centre and fortified ourselves with lunch and tea.
Focus was on the front garden. This area is nicely laid out with four beds for herbs, a planter for mint, a bay tree and some flower beds (Peonies looking very promising again this year). However, the beds had been taken over by something lemony and very prolific. Having had them cleared last year, it was time to start planting.
This is one of the beds. On the left we have chives (some already there and some nearly planted garlic thyme). In the middle we have rosemary (a rather tired looking plant that was already there and a more vigorous plant which was liberated from a pot on Sunday afternoon). On the right (eclipsed by the rosemary) a fennel-type plant.
The next bed is being prepared by Mr S in this picture. Some mint is visible and after this picture was taken, two varieties of thyme were planted. There is also some sage in this bed but it's not visible.
After clearing the planter and marvelling over the resident worms, we planted two varieties of Mint. Apple mint...
English Lamb Mint. This one has "Sunday Roast" written all over it.
Finally, I moved some of the Muscari and (I think, Primrose, or a weed with yellow flowers). There's plenty of room in this planter so I might add some more mint varieties.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Focus was on the front garden. This area is nicely laid out with four beds for herbs, a planter for mint, a bay tree and some flower beds (Peonies looking very promising again this year). However, the beds had been taken over by something lemony and very prolific. Having had them cleared last year, it was time to start planting.
This is one of the beds. On the left we have chives (some already there and some nearly planted garlic thyme). In the middle we have rosemary (a rather tired looking plant that was already there and a more vigorous plant which was liberated from a pot on Sunday afternoon). On the right (eclipsed by the rosemary) a fennel-type plant.
The next bed is being prepared by Mr S in this picture. Some mint is visible and after this picture was taken, two varieties of thyme were planted. There is also some sage in this bed but it's not visible.
After clearing the planter and marvelling over the resident worms, we planted two varieties of Mint. Apple mint...
English Lamb Mint. This one has "Sunday Roast" written all over it.
Finally, I moved some of the Muscari and (I think, Primrose, or a weed with yellow flowers). There's plenty of room in this planter so I might add some more mint varieties.
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Sunday, January 30, 2011
Jan 30th
View from the playroom on 30th January. This afternoon has been lovely and sunny but sunshine now all but disappeared. Heating and lights now on. Back to our mole-like existence until another sunny Sunday.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, January 10, 2011
Training diary
I have signed up to do a half marathon. March 20th. The last half marathon I completed was nearly eight years ago, I'll find my time and post it later.
Rather than trying to wing it, I've decided I need a training schedule and appointments in my calendar setting out my training schedule. There's a good mix between shorter but high intensity sessions combined with longer runs.
Saturday saw a perfect morning for my first long run: an hour and eight minutes, 6.73 miles. average pace of 10.11 minutes per mile. fastest pace 7.23 minutes per mile. A climb of 1129 feet - which I did twice.
Sunday saw 45mins on the cross trainer. The cross trainer works in km, I think I did 5-6 km, can't remember the exact stats.
Anyway, all off to a good start so far. Will try and keep this updated. My success rate would be much higher if I could get blogpress on the iPad to cooperate...
Rather than trying to wing it, I've decided I need a training schedule and appointments in my calendar setting out my training schedule. There's a good mix between shorter but high intensity sessions combined with longer runs.
Saturday saw a perfect morning for my first long run: an hour and eight minutes, 6.73 miles. average pace of 10.11 minutes per mile. fastest pace 7.23 minutes per mile. A climb of 1129 feet - which I did twice.
Sunday saw 45mins on the cross trainer. The cross trainer works in km, I think I did 5-6 km, can't remember the exact stats.
Anyway, all off to a good start so far. Will try and keep this updated. My success rate would be much higher if I could get blogpress on the iPad to cooperate...
Monday, January 03, 2011
2-1-11. The party day
Having posted a picture of the six cake on my Facebook page, I thought I'd share a picture of the preparations. Boo and Pip wanted to help decorate the cake. I was at a fairly delicate stage in the proceedings so I gave them a pack of icing. And some edible glitter.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
1-1-2011
Boo turned 6 this New Years Day. We celebrated with the traditional grannies and nannies party. Once the girls were tucked up in bed, we set to work getting organised for the birthday party for her and her friends which took place on 2nd. Stuffing of bears proved to be a great hit with the attendees.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
My very own project 365
Happy New Year. Let's see how long into 2011 this lasts. Many of my friends having started a project 365. One photo for every day. I started a similar project but posting a blog-post a day but it quickly faltered.
Anyway, first photo to kick this off is from the last day of 2010. Having been in the house for exactly a year and a half, we got the fire going and saw in the new year with champagne and a toasty fire. Here's to 2012
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Anyway, first photo to kick this off is from the last day of 2010. Having been in the house for exactly a year and a half, we got the fire going and saw in the new year with champagne and a toasty fire. Here's to 2012
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Monday, November 15, 2010
Commuting: an emotional experience
I spend rather a lot of my life on trains, perhaps too much time. While walking to the station this morning, I was thinking about how I should use this time, how much of my commute I ought to be spending on work-related mattes, how much time idly surfing and tweeting, how much time gaming (sounds so much more grand than "playing inane" games), how much time reading. This got me to thinking about my blog and what to post today. I thought I'd share with you some of the emotions that just the journey from front door to train door brings up.
On leaving the house, one worries that departure has been left too late and the train is going to be pulling away on arrival at the station. It's a balance between leaving too early and realising that a precious extra minute with the girls and Roary the Racing car could have been won.
After a brisk walk, navigation of the traffic lights is required. Careful assessment of the light sequences usually results in a gain but the brisk walk is maintained.
Many commuters like to adopt a special canter, the "I'm running for a train, but not actually running for it". I prefer brisk walk, I suspect that many of the cantering-types find it quite upsetting to be overtaken by someone apparently expending less effort than them and who they overtook only two minutes before.
The first two thirds of the journey are crucial, make or break time. A good pace here means there is no need for the panicked sprint and shoulder-barge into the doors as they beep their way shut. The most frustrating moment is when you approach the station and see the train pulling in, chances are the opportunity to make that train has been lost.
Today I arrived at the station, thought I only had a minute to catch the train, got ready to adopt the sprint start and then realised I actually had six minutes, time to catch my train and saunter across.
The train too decided to saunter as it was three minutes late. On hearing this, my relief that I hadn't missed it was replaced by ire that it was late. I now have six minutes to make my next connection. Time to prepare for my sprint start.
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On leaving the house, one worries that departure has been left too late and the train is going to be pulling away on arrival at the station. It's a balance between leaving too early and realising that a precious extra minute with the girls and Roary the Racing car could have been won.
After a brisk walk, navigation of the traffic lights is required. Careful assessment of the light sequences usually results in a gain but the brisk walk is maintained.
Many commuters like to adopt a special canter, the "I'm running for a train, but not actually running for it". I prefer brisk walk, I suspect that many of the cantering-types find it quite upsetting to be overtaken by someone apparently expending less effort than them and who they overtook only two minutes before.
The first two thirds of the journey are crucial, make or break time. A good pace here means there is no need for the panicked sprint and shoulder-barge into the doors as they beep their way shut. The most frustrating moment is when you approach the station and see the train pulling in, chances are the opportunity to make that train has been lost.
Today I arrived at the station, thought I only had a minute to catch the train, got ready to adopt the sprint start and then realised I actually had six minutes, time to catch my train and saunter across.
The train too decided to saunter as it was three minutes late. On hearing this, my relief that I hadn't missed it was replaced by ire that it was late. I now have six minutes to make my next connection. Time to prepare for my sprint start.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The egg gallery
If you're friends with me on facebook, you may have seen my occasional photo-posts from weekend cooking exploits. I'm minded to set up a little e-gallery of egg-based cooking. The first two eggshibits?
Titled: "punctuating the morning with breakfast"
AND:
"There's something fishy about today's breakfast"
Clearly, my gallery needs a name. All suggestions gratefully received. Prize to the winning suggestion.
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Titled: "punctuating the morning with breakfast"
AND:
"There's something fishy about today's breakfast"
Clearly, my gallery needs a name. All suggestions gratefully received. Prize to the winning suggestion.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The perils of shopping
Mr S is home alone with the girls this week. Provided you explain the mystery tubs in the freezer, he is fine. He even managed some shopping yesterday. I couldn't remember what we needed so I sent a fairly general list: lunch stuff for the girls, snacky stuff, fairy washing liquid.
I knew exactly which fairy washing liquid we needed but i had forgotten that Sainsburys contains an aisle of washing liquid so I should have been a little more specific. Mr S came home with three products, all of which we will need, none of which were the one I actually intended.
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I knew exactly which fairy washing liquid we needed but i had forgotten that Sainsburys contains an aisle of washing liquid so I should have been a little more specific. Mr S came home with three products, all of which we will need, none of which were the one I actually intended.
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Thursday, October 14, 2010
Pip's Birthday
Yesterday was Pip's birthday. We had a lovely afternoon with friends and grandparents over for tea and party games: pass the parcel, musical statues and so forth.
Pip was given a variety of presents - all v generous and v lovely. I'm hoping she doesn't go off Peppa Pig this year given the sheer quantity of Peppa Pig gifts she received, some of which were from us.
It did get me wondering however. Most of her gifts were plastic. There will come a time when she no longer plays with them and they may get stored in the loft or given away. Eventually they may find their way to landfill or just lost in the back of cupboards, bottom of cardboard boxes etc. Two examples of their little smily pinkness are shown below.
It made me wonder whether, in thousands of years' time, when all recollection of the children's cartoon is lost, archeologists will uncover so many plastic pigs that they will come to the conclusion that a little pink pig was venerated by so many and Peppa will be deified and worshipped forever more? Congregations will gather round muddy puddles and fall over laughing.
Idle musings I know. In the meantime we will enjoy watching Boo and Pip at play with them.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Pip was given a variety of presents - all v generous and v lovely. I'm hoping she doesn't go off Peppa Pig this year given the sheer quantity of Peppa Pig gifts she received, some of which were from us.
It did get me wondering however. Most of her gifts were plastic. There will come a time when she no longer plays with them and they may get stored in the loft or given away. Eventually they may find their way to landfill or just lost in the back of cupboards, bottom of cardboard boxes etc. Two examples of their little smily pinkness are shown below.
It made me wonder whether, in thousands of years' time, when all recollection of the children's cartoon is lost, archeologists will uncover so many plastic pigs that they will come to the conclusion that a little pink pig was venerated by so many and Peppa will be deified and worshipped forever more? Congregations will gather round muddy puddles and fall over laughing.
Idle musings I know. In the meantime we will enjoy watching Boo and Pip at play with them.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, October 11, 2010
Fail!
OK, so my post a day mission has failed so far. Will try and continue to maintain a regular presence in the blogosphere. Expect some musings on child benefit, tuition fees and public sector pensions in the coming week...
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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