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HahliLavender

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Blog Entries posted by HahliLavender

  1. HahliLavender
    Wow, my first topic post here in a long time! I want to apologize for constantly dropping of the face of BZP, only to pop up again every now and then. But that's been done before, and I suppose it's just the way it's going to be.


     

    Anyway, check out my latest post, though it's nothing special. Just a wallpaper.


     



     

    Source:
    Battle With Makuta (Wallpaper)

  2. HahliLavender
    This article contains major spoilers.
    For as long as I can remember, Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my favorite stories. When I was little, I used to watch the Disney animated adaption all the time. Then my sisters and I would reenact the movie, using a dollhouse as the White Rabbit's home for when we ate a Cheeze-it that makes you grow. And whenever we were at my aunt's house I watched the 1985 TV movie. Always knowing the slightly damaged tape would inevitably stop at the same place no matter what. (I still haven't seen the whole thing.) Then when the 1999 adaption came out, that became my favorite version of the story. So when this movie was announced, I was naturally real excited to see it. Especially with the Burton/Depp creative combo.

    So I've been anxiously awaiting this movie for a long time now. Almost a year, I suppose. And I finally had the chance to see it last week. (March 6th, to be precise.) The movie was not quite what I expected, but it was definitely enjoyable, and I liked it. However, there are a few elements about it that almost seemed to disappoint.

    First, a bit of a synopsis. This movie isn't actually an adaption of the book, but a sequel to them. Which I'm sure was in part to give the production team much more freedom than what would have been allowed had it been otherwise. It's been 13 years since Alice's first visit to Wonderland. She's 19 now, and Wonderland is just a barely remembered dream to her. She doesn't want a part in the high Victorian society that she's expected to be a part of. But while at a garden party, she finds out that she's going to be proposed to. By a guy she doesn't want to marry. And when she sees the white rabbit, she follows him down the rabbit hole once more to Wonderland. But Wonderland has changed since her last visit.

    The story is basically a growing up story. At the beginning, Alice is a little childish in the way she acts. Quietly rebelling against the ridiculousness of the Victorian high society she was born into. (Like not wearing a corset or stockings.) But when she returns to Wonderland, she's thrown into an adventure that she doesn't really want to be a part of. But not long after she arrives to Wonderland, she's shrunk and stretched, attacked by a bandersnatch, hunted by the Knave of Hearts, and stuffed into a teapot. As well as hearing everyone continue to argue as to wether or not she's the same Alice as before. The only one who's sure she's the same one is the Hatter. And they quickly become friends. (Again)

    So, now they can get on with the Frabjous Day! Or, the day Alice is destined to slay the Jabberwock to end the evil reign of the Red Queen. (aka Queen of Hearts) Yeah, the plot is basically Lewis Carroll's poem Jabberwocky, from Through the Looking Glass. Read it, and you pretty much know know how it ends.

    However, Alice is meant to slay the Jabberwock alone. And as both armies stand before each other, They just watch their champions battle it out. Until the Hatter jumps in to help Alice, and the Red Queen sends her army out against the White Queen's army.

    Now, about the characters. They're all great! And Burton, as well as the actors, have added much more character depth to their rolls than was seen in the book. And fortunately, Alice's character doesn't get lost among the other wacky personalities. But none of them stand out like the Mad Hatter. In this story, he's not just another wacko. (Even though he is the wackiest.) In fact, he's one of the most human characters. His madness is almost tragic at times. Which is probably why he's investigating things that begin with the letter M. (try mercury)

    The Cheshire cat is an interesting character. You never know what it is he's thinking behind that grin. He's a little selfish, but he'll help if you ask him to. (And he has a strange fascination with the Hatter's hat.)

    The Red Queen is just plain selfish and heartless. The closest you get to her is when the Knave asks her weather it's better to be loved or feared. Which she later decides it's better to be feared.

    The White Queen is the Red Queen's younger sister. However she wants to be everything her sister isn't. Good, kind, and nonviolent. She's real quirky but exaggeratedly graceful. An interesting combination that works well for her.

    Alice. At the beginning she's a little rebellious. And while in Wonderland, she learns to make decisions for herself. However, when she returns, brave and confident, she chooses to take an apprenticeship to someday take over her fathers old ship and trade business. Which was purchased by a family friend after her father's death. And the movie closes with her about to set off on a ship. (To what we assume is to China.) However I couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness at that.

    Now this movie is definitely a little feminist, even though some of the things people would call feminist I think are appropriate for the circumstances. But Alice "finding herself" and setting out into the world on her own, all by herself, with nothing but the confidence that she can see in herself just feels lonely to me. And it leaves me to wonder what happens next.

    Overall, It was an enjoyable movie. The movie looks wonderful, and the 3D really sucks you into it. I liked it. But the ending doesn't leave you with the feeling you know they're trying to give. And there's plenty of violence that might turn some people away. So, for a sequel to the books it's good, but the story could have been better. I guess there's still nothing like the original.

  3. HahliLavender
    I've been working on a team of Toa for a while now. Well, when I had time and was in the mood. I've finished two Toa, one of Air, one of Plasma. I say they're finished because I think they're awesome! Not only that, but they're quite durable and play friendly too! Kid tested, Air-Master approved!
     
    Air Toa - Front Back
    Plasma Toa - Front Back
     
    I may use the Air Toa for my self MoC.
     
    I have two more built, but I'm not too sure about them. One is stone (unless there's another element that's better suited for yellow), an the other is lightning. I like the Stone guy, but I think something needs to change. The Lightning girl, I just can't seem to get a balance of blue and white together that I like. And I don't have Hahli Mahri, so my blue pieces are a bit limited and that doesn't help. And most of Hahli Inika's pieces just seem to make it worse.
     
    Stone Toa - Front Back
    Lightning Toa - Front Back
     
    Maybe I should try an Inika torso on the Stone Toa.
     
    Anyway, I'd like to get some ideas and finish the team before I post it in BBC. Any thoughts?
  4. HahliLavender
    ...after seeing this.
     

     
    It's called a vole. It's kind of like a mouse, only smaller.
     
    My sister was cleaning up the front porch when she moved our dad's boots, and out jumped a vole which quickly ran into the corner! She screamed much like Spongebob in the episode "Graveyard Shift." It was actually pretty funny!
     
    I then went outside, got a stick and encouraged it into a bucket. It was so cute! Then I released it into the wild, under a bush across our street.
     
    So, that's the most eventful thing that's happened so far today. However, our grandparents will be visiting for a week or so for Christmas. We'll be celebrating it with them a little early this year, because they already have plans for Christmas day.
     
    That, and we're having tacos for dinner!
  5. HahliLavender
    I just watched TLR yesterday. It was a lot better than I expected, and plenty of fun to watch. Being animated by a different studio, there were a lot of differences, as can be expected because of that. The textures and most of the animation are definitely better. But I think the sequence when Mata Nui's body arises out of the ocean could have been a lot more dramatic... or something.
     
    I loved the voice acting! And the "extended ending" was interesting. A little corny, but it made me smile.
     
    Y'know, Tuma seems a lot smarter in Empire of the Skrall.
  6. HahliLavender
    Just thought I'd post these.
     
    When I came across a photo of one of my (really) old LEGO creations, I played around with it to make myself a wallpaper image for my phone. The background is from a google image search, but the LEGO creation itself was made by me. Feel free to use these however you please.
     

     
    These should fit for most normal mobile phones. It's way too small for the iPhone, so I don't recommend using it on that.
  7. HahliLavender
    I haven't been active on BZP for about... three months? Seems longer than that. Anyway, I've decided to change my name back to Air-Master. Just thought whoever cares should know.
     
    As for life, It's fine. I've decided I'm not going to college, but if I ever get the money, I may take some art and language classes. As for a job... I don't have a "real" one. I'll be helping my dad in a family business my family is starting. I'll mostly be doing the graphic and web design for everything. But I'm still going to work on my own art. I just need to learn how to sell it.
     
    I don't see myself as a very good entrepreneur, but I know that if learn, I'll be unsoppable! Muahahaha *cough* ...excuse me.
  8. HahliLavender
    私のコンピューターは日本語をタイプことが出来ます!
    watashi no konpyu-ta- wa nihongo o taipu koto ga dekimasu!
     
    Translation: My computer can type in Japanese!
     
    Macs are so cool...
     
    (That is how you say it in Japanese grammatically correct, right? )
  9. HahliLavender
    Ahhh, BZPower. It feels good to be someplace familiar. But I have a lot to explain, seeing as I'm not in Florida.
     
    Long story short, I now live in Texas, not Florida.
     
    Short story long...
     
    My family and I left for Florida in mid September. We rented a Penske truck, but couldn't fit all our stuff so we bought a small, old, rusty, open trailer to carry the rest. Emphesis on old and rusty. On the way there, (my dad driving the truck and towing the trailer, the rest of us in a car behind him) on the second day, the trailer had a blowout, but we got it fixed. On the third day, the trailer's dumping mechenism latch broke off and I caught the drama on film. My dad did some sort of MacGyver thing to it to fix it. On the third day, the same tire blew out, and we got it fixed it again. All this happened on the highway, of course.
     
    So we were in Florida, but the house we were going to rent fell through, so we had to stay in a hotel for a couple of nights until we found a house. About two (maybe even three) days later we found a house and moved in. And we stayed there for less than two weeks before we decided that we probably should have moved to Texsas in the first place. It was where we were originally going to go, but then dout seeped in and corrupted our thinking. There were also more personal reasons that I don't think I can share right now.
     
    Anyway, we re-packed and loaded up an even bigger truck (not Penske, I forgot which service it was) so we can go to where we believed we were supposed to go. Once we got here we started searching for houses, but with no luck. Places were being rented out so quickly because of all the hurricane evacuees. But we kept searching. Last Sunday we visited a church that my parents wanted to visit since before we moved here. It's so much nicer than any other we've visited. Most churches, people ignore you, and seem a little shallow. Like it's all just part of their weekend routine. But here, was different. I actually felt welcomed, and made some friends. (Or, close aquantences) Which is rather unusual for me. But it feels good. I haven't had friends for almost three years! And a family there offered to house us while we searched for a house.
     
    So here I am on their computer typing this as I blow my nose (and wash my hands, of course) due to a cold. We found a really nice house, and will be moving in tomorrow! [/good news] Which means I'll have a lot of physical labor awaiting me tomorrow. Ugh... [/bad news] Fourth time un/loading a truck in the span of a month. XP
     
    Well, I need to go to bed. It's late. But first maybe a few more chapters of this Ted Dekker novel.
     
    *blows nose*
  10. HahliLavender
    I'm going to be taking a hiatus from BZP and this blog for a while. I feel like I've sort of outgrown this place. I'm not leaving, just taking a break. I may check in and post something every now and then, but don't expect much activity from me for a while. I will still be active on other sites like Flickr, and I've just started activity on another art site that I can't mention here.
     
    I want to focus a little more on sharpening my art and photography skills, and experimenting with new techniques. I want to be artistically prepared for my college experience, and maintaining a healthy supply of artwork is a good way to keep creative. Practice makes progress! (Not perfect, because then you couldn't get any better.)
     
    And for lack of a better outro, See ya!
     
    For now.
  11. HahliLavender
    I'm moving!
     
    For real this time.
     
    And this time I'm actually exited to move! Which is weird, considering my lifelong history of always moving across the country.
     
    Why am I moving (for real)? Because I'm going to Full Sail University for a degree in Digital Arts & Design! It's a four year course that I'll be doing in only 21 months. I chose this course over Graphic Design because it spans all forms of media production. Not just print, layout and web kind of stuff. I'm interested in it all! And with the DA&D course I'll be able to learn how to create not only eye-catching images, but music, video, animation and websites. I already have amateur experience with all of those, but college will be my ticket to the skills I need to make a career out of art production.
     
    After college, I'm going to try to get an internship at Pixar, and work my way up to become an Art Director for them. B) Though that's years down the road, at least I finally have a goal to work towards, and I know in my gut that I should go to Full sail. Which is why I'm exited!
     
    We're moving to Florida!
  12. HahliLavender
    I'm real excited about the new Pixar movie WALL•E, and I'm planning on seeing it tomorrow!
     
    Below is some fan art. My first attempt at drawing EVE.
     

  13. HahliLavender
    I saw WALL•E yesterday, and personally, it is the single most spectacular movie I've ever seen! And I'm not just saying that. I've gone through fanatic stages with many other movies before, but the feeling I have with this one is different. A good different. It's not a fanatical feeling, it's something really deep, but I can't quite tell what it is. Many movies I've enjoyed left me with a "hungary" feeling. Not literally, mind you, but I'm sure you know what I mean. This one "filled me up" in more ways than I can tell. It might sound strange, but that's the only way I can describe the way it felt.
     
    The best part of the movie is definitely the story. The relationship that develops between WALL•E and EVE is so pure and beautiful, it touched my heart in a way no movie ever has. Truly a poetic masterpiece.
     

  14. HahliLavender
    - UPDATED - June 14, 2008 - 
    Current Update:
    Added Maximum Ride series, and age rating.
     
    Here is a list of books I have read and enjoyed, and are now listing for anyone looking for something interesting to read. These are all fiction, mind you, so unless you enjoy the weird and fantasmical, you might want to consider something else.
     
    Or not.
     
    I've rated each book so you can determine for yourself what sort of content it might contain. Based on violence, language (if any), and various other elements that I deem relevant for a rating. You may think otherwise in some cases, but this is how I would rate these books. They are rated similarly to movies.
     
    -----------------------------
     

     
    1. A Series of Unfortunate Events - by Lemony Snicket
    Now, I know this series is very widely known, with a movie and everything, but I'm talking about the books. If you haven't read the series but think you know the story... well, read the series. It's remained one of my favorite series of books for years, and is something I, personally, would consider a modern classic.
     
    My Rating: PG
     
    -----------------------------
     

     
    2. The Books of Ember - by Jeanne DuPrau
    These consist of The City of Ember, The People of Sparks, And The Prophet of Yonwood. The later being a prequel. The story begins in the dying city of Ember. A place with no sky and no natural light. It's about a girl named Lina and her friend Doon who learn the secrets of the city and attempt to save the people living there. I don't know how to explain the next two books without spoiling the ending of the first one, so I'll just leave it at that.
     
    My Rating: G
     
    -----------------------------
     

     
    3. The Larklight Trilogy - by Philip Reeve
    This trilogy consists of Larklight, Starcross, and Mothstorm. I've only read Larklight so far, but I'm looking forward to reading Starcross. (Mothstorm has yet to be released.) Larklight takes place in an alternate victorian era. It's about a boy named Art and his older sister Myrtle who live in a house they call Larklight. A building that floats in space orbiting the moon. When giant six-legged spiders invade, they get thrown into an adventure with pirates and aliens. Traveling the solar system in hopes of putting an end to the invading spiders, and for answers to the many mysteries that surround the universe.
    - Mothstorm will be released next October.
     
    My Rating: PG
     
    -----------------------------
     

     
    4. Airborn & Skybreaker - by Kenneth Oppel
    Airborn and Skybreaker are another two of my favorite books. They're about a boy named Matt Cruse who works as a cabin boy on the luxurious commercial airship known as the Aurora. He meets a girl named Kate, and together the two confront pirates and discover some of the many secrets of the sky.
     
    My Rating: PG-13
     
    -----------------------------
     

     
    5. The Kingdom Keepers - by Ridley Pearson
    This book was very interesting. It's like Disney World meets Night at the Museum. It's about a boy named Finn who was one of five kids chosen to be recorded as a new type of holographic tour guide for Disney World's Magic Kingdom. But every time he goes to sleep, he finds himself as his hologram in the middle of Magic Kingdom, where at night, the rides and attractions come to life! And Finn and the other four hologram kids have to save Magic Kingdom from the villains who are loose.
    - There's a confirmed sequel set to be released this September.
     
    My Rating: G
     
    -----------------------------
     

     
    6. His Dark Materials - by Philip Pullman
    Now, I am fully aware of the controversy of these books, but that will not be discussed here. I have yet to make a final decision as to how I view the series' deeper matters. I must say that I do not agree with Pullman's view of Christians. (Very biased). I'm probably going to regret adding this trilogy here, but this list is about my favorite books and the stories they hold. Not the authors. The reason I'm adding His Dark Materials to this list is simply that I enjoyed the story. The story starts out with a girl named Lyra who sets off to rescue her kidnapped friend. The trilogy consists of The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. Though I feel I should advise, those of you who are Christians, or Catholic, or the like, should approach these books, as I have, with a cautious and open mind.
     
    My Rating: PG-13
     
    -----------------------------
     

     
    7. Endymion Spring - by Matthew Skelton
    Endymion Spring takes place in two time periods. 1452-53, and the present. When a chapter is taking place in the past, it's written in first person as a mute boy who's name is Endymion Spring. Most of the book however, is about an American kid named Blake who, with his mother and sister, are staying in Oxford for his mother's work. Blake finds a book in one of the old libraries that is entirely blank, but it seems to be alive; occasionally revealing riddles that only he can see.
     
    My Rating: PG
     
    ----------------------------
     

     
    8. The Chronicles of Narnia - by C.S. Lewis
    This series tells the chronicles of the land of Narnia. From it's creation, to it's destruction, these books tell the stories of the children who enter the world of Narnia, and the adventures that they have while there. My personal favorites in this series are definitely The Magician's Nephew, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The only thing I didn't like about this series, is the ending in The Last Battle. It gives me mixed feelings of opposing emotions that just makes me feel... something I find very difficult to explain.
     
    My Rating: G
     
    ----------------------------
     

     
    9. Bridge to Terabithia - by Katherine Paterson
    This book is one of my favorites. I first read it when I found out it was going to be a movie, after I saw the trailer. So I expected it to be a Narnia-esque story. Well, this is definitely not a fantasy story, and I was far from prepared for what happened near the end. I took me completely by surprise. Now that it's a movie, I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about. But if you don't, I suggest you read this book.
     
    My Rating: PG
     
    ----------------------------
     

     
    10. Artemis Fowl - by Eoin Colfer
    I'm not quite sure what I was expecting of these book, but I'm happy with what I've found. I have yet to read the rest of the books in the series, so I'll just summarize the general concept of the story. Artemis Fowl is about a twelve year-old criminal mastermind (of the same name) who attempts to exploit fairies for personal gain. Very interesting concept, and an enjoyable read. Thanks for the suggestion BioHero!
     
    My Rating: PG
     
    ----------------------------
     

     
    11. The Lightning Thief - by Rick Riordan
    The Lightning Thief is the first book of a series called Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Think greek mythology in the 21st century. It's about a boy named Percy Jackson who discovers he's the son of a greek god and becomes the target of several monsters of the underworld. He goes to Camp Half-Blood, a training camp for demigods, and is sent on a quest to find and return Zeus's stolen lightning bolt. Thanks for the suggestion Keyblade Master of Light!
     
    My Rating: PG
     
    ----------------------------
     

     
    12. Maximum Ride - by James Patterson
    I really liked this book. It's about six kids who were part of a genetic experiment to implement avian DNA into humans. The result? Each of those kids have wings. When the youngest of the group is kidnapped, the rest set out to rescue her, and end up on the run from the organization that mutated them. Full of action, violence, and witty humor, this was definitely an enjoyable read. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
     
    My Rating: PG-13
     
    ----------------------------
     
    I hope this list could help out those who want to read something, but can't seem to find anything interesting. That happens to me all the time, but I eventually come across a book I'll enjoy. These are some of those books.
  15. HahliLavender
    It's official! I've changed my name from Air-Master to Lemonlight. I forgot how I came up with it. I've used it elsewhere for a few years now, and I just like it better. I just hope I don't confuse anyone!
  16. HahliLavender
    I found these video tutorials on manga techniques by Mark Crilley, the creator/illustrator of the Akiko and Miki Falls series, and I definitely learned a thing or two on drawing manga. I've been practicing on properly shading and inking my drawings. I've never realized what a drastic improvement it makes. I haven't inked for a long time, but I happened to have a nice fine-tiped pen on me. Probably not the best kind to use, but it's all I have. Anyway, here's one of my better sketches using this technique:
     

     
    I made it pink in Photoshop.
     
    It looks better in person. It may look better if I had used a scanner, but I don't have one anymore. (I used my camera.)
     
    Oh, and please read the entry below. I need name and font color suggestions.
  17. HahliLavender
    I've changed my font from Verdana, to Book Antiqua. I was getting bored with the other one. And I'm also thinking about changing the color, but I'm not yet sure as to which one to use.
     
    And one more thing, I'm considering changing my name as well. I have one I may use, but I'm not going to say it yet. I've used the same name here for five years, and things can change within that span of time. And the name Air-Master is something I'm thinking of changing.
     
    But I'm open to suggestions. :/
  18. HahliLavender
    This morning I found out about this store called Skia, and we decided to visit it today. It's an awesome store! They sell music, books, apparel, and there's a café and skate shop inside as well! Not to mention you get free WiFi! So I applied for a job there. They aren't hiring yet, but they said they'd contact me when they are.

    Not only that, but on the 24th (this month) Superchick will be there to meet fans, sign stuff, and celebrate the release of their new album Rock What You Got! I was originally going to buy the album off iTunes, but since they'll be here for the release, I'm going to wait and buy the album autographed at Skia. They're one of my favorite music artists... I'm so excited!
  19. HahliLavender
    My Grandmother, I call her Mémère (pronounced MEM-ay) produced a play for her church several years ago based on the story The Day Boy and the Night Girl by George McDonald. My whole family got to take part in it, and it couldn't have been better cast.
     
    The story is about a Witch named Watho who takes two newborn babies, one a girl, one a boy, and raises them in completely opposite ways. Watho names the boy Photogen and raises him in a way so that he never experiences darkness, and knows nothing of the night. Watho names the girl Nycteris, who is raised in the darkest rooms of the castle, knowing nothing of light, or even outdoors. The only source of illumination she has is a dim lantern that hangs on her ceiling.
     
    I'll leave the description at that.
     
    Well, about my Mémère's play being (IMO at the time) excellently cast, she played Watho. My aunt who played Nycteris was goth, and her fiancé was a bright, red-headed, outgoing guy. They just really looked the part. My sister and I were wolves, (for ambience, I think) and my parents played the king and queen. Other people were involved, but I don't remember them. Except for one kid, who also played a wolf. Had a Mario obsession.
     
    Anyway...
     
    I guess I like this story mostly for nostalgia, but there's something else that catches my interest. Though I can't quite figure out what it is.
     
    Well, this entry is mostly to reveal this. Some art I've made... Nycteris.
     

     
    If you want to read the story, you can search for it online. It's in the public domain.
  20. HahliLavender
    I went out to catch fireflies just now. Though, unlike in movies, they don't glow while in the jar. I guessed they were too scared to glow, so I let them go. :/
     
    But they are amazing creatures, aren't they?
  21. HahliLavender
    No matter who wins the next US presidential election, (meaning each presidential candidate currently running has stated that) within the first 100 days of being in office, the next president will put a tax on carbon. Supposedly, it's supposed to help cut down on carbon being released into the air so as to stop global warming. But a carbon tax would raise the prices of food, clothing, oil, gas.. literally everything.
     
    Oil has recently gone up by $10.75 a barrel, and as a result, the entire stock market plunged quite significantly. You see, this not only hurts us citizens, (assuming whoever is reading this is a US citizen,) it also hurts the economy. And my family is noticing this in the products we buy. For example, we always buy Saltine and Ritz crackers. They are now half the thickness they used to be. The packaging is thinner as well.
     
    And the thing that annoys me the most, is there is a simple solution to the "oil crisis." We (The United States) should use our own oil reserves. We have enough oil in our country to last over 200 years. By then we may not even have a use for oil. But instead of using it to help ourselves, we're being greedy, and there have been laws set to forbid the harvesting of oil in our country to protect the environment. The only thing that could be harmful by mining here is if there's an oil spill, which the US hasn't had in any of their overseas harvesting operations for a significant amount of time. And with outdated equipment. Now, I'm for caring for the environment and all, but I think it's a ridiculous excuse to keep our oil hidden away for "the sake of the environment."
     
    The United States of America is supposed to be an independent country. But relies so much on other countries for oil, product manufacturing, and food, that as a result, we seem to no longer be in charge of our nation. The rest of the world has control over our resources, and should something go wrong, or someone get evermore greedy, our resources could just as easily be cut off, or harder to get to; making them more expensive.
     
    Or we could switch to an alternative fuel, like water, or steam. Something everyone can benefit from.
     
    Now I know there may be points in all this that I may not have seen, or may not know about completely. I'm just throwing around what I've learned so far. It just annoys me, is all.
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