Forums Closed
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As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
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09-18-2006, 09:45 AM
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#1
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Songtan, South Korea
Posts: 4,681
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Sing with me...California Here We Come! Days 7 & 8, updated 12/20
<font color="blue">Cast of Characters:
Me - 35 - first trip to CA and DLR!
DH - 33 - first trip to CA and DLR!
DD - 11 (will turn 12) - first trip anywhere out West!
DFriend - 69 - first trip ANYWHERE!
How this trip came to be:
My DH is tired of WDW. He said he didn't want to go again for a while. I was very sad. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] But then something happened that would change his mind. Something happened that would help me get back to Disney with his blessing...free plane tickets.
Does anyone remember a promotion that Wendy's held along with AirTran? You collect so many cups, send them in, you get a free plane ticket. Well, when that promotion started, I mentioned to my DH that that would be a great, affordable way to get to DLR. He thought so, too, and was willing to try. Therefore, our mission was to get at least two free roundtrip tickets. That meant we needed 128 cups. That's a lot of drinking! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
Now friends of ours had come up with a great way to get more tickets. They would sit at Wendy's, drinking their drinks, and accost people as they headed to the trash can and ask for their cups. (Our friends eventually earned FOUR free roundtrip flights.) When our friends came to visit, we always ate at Wendy's and asked for fellow diners to surrender their cups to us. Most people did.
In order to get a free roundtrip ticket, you needed 64 of these specially marked cups. Phew! That's a lot of cups. We got the first 64 easy enough. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] We now had one free roundtrip fight just waiting for us to book. The next 20 cups were easy to get. But then something terrible happened. Restaurants everywhere started running out of cups. We would get a few here and there. When the cups were completely gone, we only had 31 towards another flight. I was sad. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] I knew I needed those other cups.
We were driving home one day when all of a sudden, our dd said, "Hey! I think we just passed two Wendy's cups in the grass back there on the side of the road." Desperate for cups, my DH decided to turn around to see if our DD was right in her assessment of the roadside trash. She was! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] Two more cups.
That roadside encounter got us to thinking. We live in the country and our roads are often littered until clean-up days occur (about twice a year). My little family decided we would start doing a little of our own selective roadside clean-up. We were so excited about our two cups, we would start picking up "litter" that very day. My dh found a good, dirty road and pulled the car over. We all started walking the road looking for those special yellow and blue cups. BINGO! That day we found EIGHT more cups! WOW!! We may get to DLR afterall!
Over the next couple of weeks, we were always searching the roads for signs of cups. We found them in cow pastures, mud puddles, buried in grass, clean cups, filthy cups, nasty cups....but those cups meant DLR. So, I got over my germaphobic fears and picked up the cups that others had drunk from. (I don't like thinking about that now. Think I'll go wash my hands.)
What was espcially funny is when friends would drive by then turn around and come back to see what we had lost. I was a bit embarrassed. But, we told them we were on the lookout for Wendy's cups. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] Oh my, what a sight we must have been wandering the road for weeks looking for cups.
It was down to the wire. The deadline for getting our cup certificates in was quickly approaching. We needed 7 more cups. We went out and found 4 more one day. Now we only needed 3. They were getting harder and harder to find. As we were driving (again) one day, dd saw a cup on the side of the road. We stopped and she picked it up. As we continued driving home, I noticed this huge pile of garbage in a little pull-off area near a pond. In my heart, I knew this was it. I knew that our search was over. I asked my DH to pull over so I could look. Sure enough, THREE more cups. The last ones we needed plus an extra for good measure. I started singing to myself...HALLELUJAH!!!
We had our cups. I washed them, cut out the certificates and mailed them in. We had two free roundtrip AirTran tickets. California Here We Come!!!!
Up Next: When to go? Should we ask a friend? </font>
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09-18-2006, 11:08 AM
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#2
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Living Seas wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR
What a great start!!!! Can't wait to read more!
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09-18-2006, 02:01 PM
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#3
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR
Great start!! Glad you were finally able to find enough cups!!
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09-18-2006, 06:01 PM
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#4
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR
Great start [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]
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09-19-2006, 01:39 AM
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#5
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
 PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR
Now that's what I call dedication - congratulations on getting enough cups for your flights! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
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09-19-2006, 01:21 PM
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#6
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New York
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 7,960
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR
Great start! Congrats on getting enough cups for the free flights. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] Looking forward to more, please.
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10-01-2006, 07:32 PM
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#7
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Community Rank: Scout
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Songtan, South Korea
Posts: 4,681
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR, updated 10/1
Update: Maxine is doing great in rehab and should be home in two weeks. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Yippee!! The doctors said she should be stronger than when she went in. It is great news and she is singing, "California here I come!"
Thanks for the pixies!
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10-01-2006, 10:07 PM
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#8
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Go Red Sox!! :D
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rhode Island - Red Sox Nation
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 27,451
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR, updated 10/1
[img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/23/23_30_125.gif[/img] Glad Maxine is doing better!!
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10-02-2006, 01:32 AM
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#9
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR, updated 10/1
That's great news. Sending continued [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]
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10-10-2006, 09:37 AM
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#10
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Community Rank: Scout
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Songtan, South Korea
Posts: 4,681
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR, updated 10/1
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] I'm in the teens! 19 days and counting. I can't believe how quickly it is approaching.
Fed-Ex delivered our goodie box yesterday full of fun things and info for our trip. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] I just can't believe we are actually going. Yay!
Maxine comes home tomorrow! She is doing great and is in good spirits.
Everything is set. I think I've asked all of my questions and now just have to sit back until it's time to start packing. I'll have a full TR for you when we return!
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10-11-2006, 11:01 PM
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#11
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Go Red Sox!! :D
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Rhode Island - Red Sox Nation
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 27,451
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR, updated 10/1
[img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img]
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10-14-2006, 05:40 PM
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#12
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Living Seas wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 31,940
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR, updated 10/1
[ QUOTE ]
[img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/5/5_1_120.gif[/img]
[/ QUOTE ]
I think Dyan said it best!!!
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10-02-2006, 09:47 AM
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#13
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RED SOX NATION!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR, updated 10/1
I'm so glad she's able to go with you [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
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10-02-2006, 01:09 PM
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#14
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Community Rank: Legend Extraordinaire
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR, updated 10/1
Glad to hear that your friend will be able to go with you on the trip!!!!!
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11-11-2006, 01:19 PM
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#15
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Community Rank: Scout
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Songtan, South Korea
Posts: 4,681
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Updated 11/11
<font color="blue">
Our Group:
Laura – me! (35) Lover of all things Disney. Been to WDW numerous time. First time to DLR and California.
Michael – DH (33) – Been to WDW the past four years with our little family; went as a child with his family. First time to DLR and CA.
Victoria – DD (11 turned 12) – Been to WDW the past four years with us. First time to DLR and CA.
Maxine – Dfriend (69) – Never been anywhere! First flight, first Disney park, first big vacation ever!
“Sing with me…California, Here We Come!” Why did I name this TR that? Because I am a singer and oftentimes a song is triggered in my mind when I hear certain words. So, California, Here I Come was the song triggered with this trip.
October 28, 2006, was a hectic day of ballet and packing. We were able to get everything packed and ready to go. At 4 p.m., I got on the computer, checked us in to AirTran and chose our seats. I made the mistake of putting us in three-seaters. More on that later.
I didn’t know if I would be able to sleep this night, but somehow I managed it. I think I was so exhausted from getting everything together and organized.
Travel Day
<u>October 29, 2006</u>
We got up early this morning, loaded the car with the luggage, and went to church. We knew we had to leave right after church to get home and get changed. We were able to leave quickly enough. Drove home, changed and left to pick up Maxine. She was all ready. Somehow, Michael stuffed all of our luggage in our Camry, and we were off. We went through the drive-thru at Wendy’s for a bit of lunch. Nothing great to talk about there. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
We drove to a friend’s house who in turn drove us in our car to the Richmond airport and drove our car back to his house for the week. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img] Bert!
At the airport, check-in and security were a breeze. No one was there. We boarded the plane without any hitches and were off. Now, I’m not much into flying. I’d rather drive everywhere. And I wasn’t thinking when I chose our seats. My DH was next to the window, and I was next to him…in the middle. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] I didn’t think about having to sit next to a stranger. I could have chosen the two-seats across the aisle. Silly me. But, the man was very nice. The only thing was that I was between two men who sit with their legs spread wide open consequently invading my small plane space. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Oh well. I tried to lean more towards my DH to avoid contact with the stranger. It worked okay. Thankfully, the flight was only a little more than an hour long.
We landed in Atlanta. The flight had been very nice. Hardly enough time to finish my pretzels and Diet Coke. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] But, I did enjoy the XM Radio. Very nice.
I love the Atlanta airport. It is laid out so well. They really make it user friendly.
We had an almost three hour layover, so we knew we needed to get some dinner. DF got a bowl of chili, DD got a turkey sub, and I got the Roman chicken salad from Quizno's. My salad was fabulous! The lettuce was topped with grilled chicken strips, Parmesan, Romano and Asiago cheese, and tomatoes with a peppercorn caesar dressing. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] DH had chicken fingers and fries from Nathan’s. He liked them well enough. We all gathered at our gate and ate there. Victoria started to get cold, so she put on a shirt of mine I had packed in my carry-on. It was huge on her! She took a little nap on the floor while we waited to board.
Soon, it was time to board for our flight to LA! I was so excited! Once again, DH was next to the window, and I was in the middle. Oh boy, was I in the middle.
Coming up: The hot and horrible flight to LA, and I think we are lost.
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