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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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09-19-2006, 01:40 PM
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#7
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Illinois
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 9,564
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Re: Sing with me...California Here We Come! Pre-TR
What a great story, I thought for a moment when I first saw that deal from Wendy's on doing it but we don't have enough of them in town to make it worth it. In fact all our Wendy's are now gone!
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09-26-2006, 11:46 AM
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#8
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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
<font color="blue"> When should we go? Should we take a friend?
Those two questions filled the air as we anticipated a trip to CA. First up, when to go. I had really wanted to go in February. I thought it would be a nice time of year, quiet, cool, nice. But, we didn't get all of our cups in time to go in February. I knew we wouldn't want to go in the summer. I began thinking about Christmas. Then, my DH came up with the idea to go for our DD's 12th birthday which just happens to be on Halloween. I thought that was a great idea!
We had also considered taking a friend, Maxine. She is our adopted family where we live since we don't have any family close by. She has never travelled and never been to a Disney park. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] WHAT?? We must rectify that. We asked Maxine to join us. She was thrilled!
Once we knew when we wanted to go, we set about getting our plane tickets. Getting our free flights was a breeze and paying for our DD's fare wasn't too painful since it is basically three for the price of one. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I began my research. I began my planning. I first bought the new Disneyland Passporter and also got Birnbaum's Guide to Disneyland. I devoured my Passporter the first day I got it. I also ordered the first ever DLR planning dvd. I have loved watching it and noting the differences between DLR and WDW.
Now that we had plane tickets in order, it was time to find a place to stay. I searched the web, got quotes from different agents and eventually went with Dreams Unlimited. Katie is a dream to work with. (Pardon the pun.) We are booked at the Candy Cane Inn with a few little perks here and there from our package, and we got the Southern CA CityPass so we will spend 3 days at DLR, 1 at Universal Hollywood, 1 at Sea World San Diego and 1 at the San Diego Zoo. Katie has made our PS for us so I think we are just about set.
I also ordered tickets to Mickey's Halloween Treat. I used the Disney Visa to get a substantial discount. We will go on Halloween to the Mickey's Treat. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img]
As a reminder to you readers, our DD knows we are going to DLR, she has no idea when. I made a chain to use as a countdown, but I added chains throughout the month of November to throw her off. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] I hope it works. She is rather precocious.
So, plans are made. The ball is rolling. I'm still planning away. But most of all, I am counting down the days.
Up Next: A pretty serious snafu! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] </font>
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09-26-2006, 12:01 PM
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#9
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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
Another great update [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Don't like the sound of the snafu coming [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img]
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09-26-2006, 12:23 PM
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#10
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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
What fantastic plans you've got, but I don't like the sound of the next installment. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img]
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09-26-2006, 05:27 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
Rut roh! Those snafus can be a real pain! Hope it's not too bad!
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] your TR so far. Your daughter is going to be through the roof when she finds out she'll be there on her actual birthday and it was very kind of you to invite your adopted family member.
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09-27-2006, 09:14 AM
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#12
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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
<font color="blue"> The Serious Snafu...
Well, we had something happen that may affect our trip. Our friend, Maxine, had to have emergency surgery last week. Our trip is only 32 days away, and her surgery was a major one. We are now concerned that she will not be able to go. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] This was so important to us that she get to go since she has never flown before, never been anywhere, never been to a Disney park. My DH, being a pastor, is able to get information from doctors that other people aren't able to get. He is going to ask the doctor the feasibility of her being able to make such a huge trip with us so soon after such a big surgery. If she can't go, she has already said she wants Victoria to take a friend in her place. But, we don't want anyone else to go and will work towards getting a refund for her.
Our prayer is that this trip gives her the determination she needs to get stronger, get better, and get well enough to make the trip. We really want her to go with us.
That's our snafu. It is a pretty big one. We want Maxine well and want her with us. Poor dear. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers that she get to go on the trip of a lifetime with us. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img]
</font>
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09-27-2006, 10:27 AM
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#13
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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
Tons of pixies that your friend has a quick recovery and is able to go on the trip!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img]
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09-27-2006, 10:33 AM
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#14
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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
I hope she's able to make the trip. Sending lots of [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] for a quick recovery for her. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img]
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09-27-2006, 11:59 AM
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#15
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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
Pixies for Maxine [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [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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