Testing |
[Sat Jan 17 2009|09:11PM] |
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Just seeing if this thing still works.
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More pictures |
[Tue Sep 28 2004|07:04AM] |
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Florida Today storm galleries. I recognize WAY to many of those places, or what's left of them. Frances was like a light breeze compared to the damage from Jeanne. I can't even imagine what it's like 50 miles further south.
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Work Fiasco: Jeanne version |
[Mon Sep 27 2004|11:09PM] |
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I'm a little wiser this time with how to figure out where to work and when. I actually got through to a voice mail at work and told them I was available. Too bad my phone won't stay up for more than 2 minutes at a time. I shut it off completely to put it out of its misery. Then I listened to [specified radio station] for 2 hours straight to find out that a.) my location is closed (duh) and b.) the location(s) closer to my house are open. So I go down there and join the throng of employees gathering in the parking lot - not a good sign. Shortly thereafter someone gets through on the phone to someone who confirms that there's no work tonight. Grrrrrrrr... typical. I guess I'll go back in the morning to see if there's a day shift.
There sure are a lot of people on the road considering there's a dusk to dawn curfew. They can't all be going to [non-existant] work can they? No police in sight, stop signs at intersections where the lights don't work. Two major intersections had functioning lights, minor ones didn't.
I'm calling the "lost wages" phone number tomorrow to see what the deal is there. It's FEMA or Dept. of Labor, one or the other. Your tax dollars at work. This makes 6 days of work I've lost now and it may be more before it's over.
[update]
"All of our customer service representatives are busy. Please hang up and try again." What? There's no queue? What happened to your call will be answered in the order it was received? Grrrr.
Work is supposed to have one building open today. Guess what? I'm too freaking tired to care or work a different shift. I'll go in tonight, assuming they don't change their minds again. Grrrr.
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Yay |
[Mon Sep 27 2004|08:45PM] |
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Skeetobite is back up and running and has a map of the hurricane tracks across central florida. Note: Charley didn't effect us hardly at all because he was a lot smaller than the other two. Ivan missed us completely the first time, but we got some rain when he looped back around on the way to Texas.
There's an animated track of all storms here. (broadband recommended)
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Not much difference here |
[Mon Sep 27 2004|08:09AM] |
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I went on a brief tour of the 'hood after sunup and pre-traffic. The damage is similar to Frances - trees, roofs, fences, signs. It really is hard to tell the difference unless you knew what was damaged before Jeanne got here. The most noticable new damage is Sherwood Elementary's roof. I'm surprised the blue tarp roofs fared as well as they did.
I don't think I'll try to go beachside yet. Maybe tomorrow.
[update]
Still a 24 hr curfew for Sat Bch / IHB etc. Also for Palm Bay, which makes my chances of working tonight very slim. Glad that's the worst of my problems right now.
( pics... )
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Almost made it |
[Sun Sep 26 2004|10:58PM] |
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Didn't lose power until after 8:30 AM this time. Internet stopped working before that even though I still had cable. I just got up and power was back, so I have some catchingup to do.
Basically, nothing here was damaged beyond what it was besides a couple of trees that are leaning and a stain on my ceiling where the water must have come in around the front door upstairs. Word is, there's flooding down in Palm Bay and further south, and US 1 is flood damaged in places - maybe as far north as Melbourne. No idea what happened beachside. Can't be good though.
[update]
TWC slideshow - mostly south of here
[pics moved to Before/After entry]
I also saw footage of what looked like the other beach house on CNN. Let's just say I can't be sure it's the same house from what's left of it. Same color, same side window, same roofing material which is now scattered on the sand.
[updated update]
OK, I'm sure it's the same place now that they panned to the right more. That was my "secret spot". :(
[update2]
Video of US 1 in Sebastian can be found at hurricanetrack.com. (wmv format)
A pic of US1 is here but it doesn't say where it is and I can't tell from the backfround.
From Yahoo slide show
[updated update]
US1 is closed south of Malabar due to damage and there are boats blocking the road even further to the south. Also, Sebastian bridge is damaged.
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Still going... |
[Sun Sep 26 2004|05:56AM] |
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::yawn::
Power's been going up and down the whole time I was napping. The bedroom screen is rattling and making a lot of noise so I've been sleeping on the couch. The worst part of the wind is over but it'll be changing directions more later and bending everything the opposite way, trying one last time to break it. The lake in the back yard is bigger than last time I think - not in any danger of flooding still.
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Damage reports |
[Sun Sep 26 2004|03:00AM] |
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Sherwood Elementary shelter lost its roof and they're moving people to BCC - how they plan to do this in the middle of cat 2 (?) force winds, I don't know.
(FYI: that's within 5 miles of me.)
More lightning now and I lost power again once, cable a couple of times.
[update]
Initial reports about the school roof were exaggerated. It was starting to peel back and they decided to move about 300 special needs evacuees. The roof stayed on and no one was harmed.
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Spike |
[Sun Sep 26 2004|02:27AM] |
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I had my first power dropout. Time to shut down everything non-essential.
Wind is battling with the TV for volume. I can't turn the wind down so I just keep turning the TV up.
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Windier |
[Sun Sep 26 2004|02:03AM] |
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I hereby declare Jeanne to be windier than Frances. All the trees are still standing and the power is good but water is being forced in every crack and crevice on the north side.
No telling what damage is being done elsewhere. It will probably be too windy to go out at daybreak so I'll have to rely on TV coverage. This is strong enough to cause new damage where there was none before. I don't even want to think about what it's doing to already damaged structures.
Something (small) just hit a window. Hmmmm...
[update]
No damage done.
I just saw the green glow of a transformer to my south spewing all its reserve power back into the cosmos.
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Battle of the Duct Tape |
[Sun Sep 26 2004|01:30AM] |
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Water is coming in over the top of the door and running down the inside. Why didn't I tape the top! I don't know. I think I must have done that last time. It's blowing hard enough that it was spitting water at me as I put some tape on the inside. Can't hurt. Might help. Now the tape makes a strange noise like some demented kazoo during strong gusts. It's coming in around the bathroom window too. Towels to the rescue!
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We're on the edge |
[Sun Sep 26 2004|12:35AM] |
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According to Skeetobite, we're on the edge of cat 1 winds here as of 11 PM. Jeanne is supposed to turn north (heard THAT before) as she comes further inland, so we'll be closer to the center at 8 AM, but she'll be weakening. Might still get cat 2 winds out of it between now and then. Then we get the SE side of Jeanne as she heads up between Orlando and Tampa.
Power hasn't even flinched. Maybe those new insulators did the job after all! I can't see the sheets of plastic they left behind from here.
There's some distant (high?) lightning and light thunder. The parking lot lights just went out and came back on.
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She's heeeeeere |
[Sun Sep 26 2004|12:18AM] |
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I decided to go back to bed and get up around midnight. How would I know when it's midnight? Not an alarm clock, just that's when the storm would be bad enough to wake me. Huge pressure differences again, trees are twisting around like crazy, rain is hitting the door but not very hard. There's still seepage in living room and bathroom in spite of my best taping efforts.
Some idiot is walking around outside looking at the trees and talking on a walkie-talkie. I think I liked it better when my neighbors all left.
The radar looks like the eye is in almost the same place as Frances. Vero Beach is getting the north side of the eye wall now. Yikes.
The ABC correspondant from Melbourne is holding onto a pole and her sat is dropping out. There are people driving around in the background. Oooops, she's gone all pixelated.
Tornado warnings abound, yada, yada, yada...
Jim Cantore is safe and dry in Dayona
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Who knew? |
[Sat Sep 25 2004|08:14PM] |
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Extremely low barometric pressure aggrevates my allergies.
Oy!
Power is holding steady so far.
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And the winner is... |
[Sat Sep 25 2004|07:51PM] |
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Vero Beach!
I think the airport might be closed for a while. Once again, we get the NE quadrant and just as the eyewall is reforming. 5' - 9' storm surge to go with 27' waves = "significant beach erosion". At least it's low tide this time.
( 600 mile radar )
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Turning |
[Sat Sep 25 2004|03:07PM] |
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She's headed a bit north now. This one could still hit us dead on. Gusty winds now, little rain.
Things are progressing much faster than Frances, which is a good thing in a way but I think some people aren't as prepared as they'd like to be. We really did have an extra ~24 hrs with Frances when she slowed down to a crawl.
I think it's about nap time for me. Hurricanes seem to move faster when you stop watching them for an hour or two.
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Now they tell us! |
[Sat Sep 25 2004|12:43PM] |
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From wxrisk:
"This has the making of a disaster in the making and I dont hype this stuff for no reason. She is doing an ANDREW thing here.... building fast as she heads west with the CORE of that at Huge ridge DUE North of her setting up the upper diffluence and kicking Jeanne into overdrive.
It seem very likely that Jeanne will be stronger IVAN or Frances and far larger than CHARLEY. Unlike Ivan she is not going to break down a bit right before landfall.. It is NOT out of the question that Jeanne will be strongest hurricane on the east side of Florida since ANDREW..."
I admit I was fooled by the weakening yesterday (? day before ?) but she reformed fast and strong afterwards. I think it was Jeanne's track out to sea that had everyone fooled before that. Until a day or two ago, almost no one I talked with even knew she was headed back this way. What? Not everyone watches TWC for an hour or more a day? The return of Ivan topped the weather conversations list. When I left work yesterday, the management at work were in "full denial mode" as my boss put it. No hurricane plans at all. Today they planned on starting to pack things up at 1 PM. Maybe they moved it up a few hours, but everything was still running as usual when I left at 6 AM, AND they expect us back to work Sunday night. At least this time they're supposed to call us if plans change instead of playing the Frances Phone-tag Fiasco.
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MacGuyver would be proud |
[Sat Sep 25 2004|12:17PM] |
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The front door is taped up better than ever. So is the bathroom window that leaked last time. Threw some tape on the windows, brought in the screen door and chair. I also taped over the A/C drain and some plumbing vent thing near the ground to keep water and crud out of there (the A/C drain plugs up easily). It was just starting to rain a bit as I was finishing up. Sounds of drilling, sawing, hammering and pounding permeate the air when you can hear them over the wind.
My neighbor has decided not to use his plywood this time. Great. Just DON'T LEAVE IT OUTSIDE where it could blow around. Geez. He hasn't even brought his shoes inside yet. ::shrug:: Other items are scattered around various patios throughout the complex. Maybe they think they'll do it later? The first feeder bands are getting ready to come ashore - how much later are they going to wait?
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What they said on the news is true (this time) |
[Sat Sep 25 2004|10:49AM] |
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Hardly anyone here is leaving as far as I can tell ... which is fine 'cause we're inland. But if as many people are staying on the beaches it could get bad for them. I'd be really worried for anyone more than 50 miles south of here.
( Official statement regarding Jeanne's strength... )
It will come at night again too, so I won't get to see much of what is happening outside if there's no lights.
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Harder, faster! |
[Sat Sep 25 2004|07:54AM] |
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Yes, it's windy already. No rain yet though. Barrier islands under mandatory evac this morning.
Now there are some people whispering 'strengthening to near cat 4' in hushed tones and looks like we'll be on the bad side of the eye again. Hurricane force winds for sure, just don't know what cat she'll be and what cat the winds will be here. The super-triple-worst-case scenario puts a cat 4 eyewall in my back yard. Most likely case is just cat 1 or 2 winds here with even less rain / flooding chance than last time.
There's nothing 'weakened' about my building except those handful of roofing tiles, but that's an "upstairs" problem unless the whole roof comes off - in which case I'll be covering things with plastic on an as-needed basis. Nothing upwind of me looks to be in 'weakened condition' either except maybe some of those (small) pine trees. Really small bathroom windows is all that's on that side for them to hit. And my car. Hey, that's what insurance is for. Right? I'm going to leave the roads clear for those who must evacuate. I sure wouldn't be staying if I lived beachside.
[update]
She's still going more west than forecast (surprise, surprise) so we may be on the edge of hurricane force winds instead of in the thick of it. Or not.
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Blarg |
[Fri Sep 24 2004|10:55PM] |
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I did nothing today besides get gas and some supplies. Nothing. Spruced up my resume and slept, that's it. Tomorrow I'll cook up some food as I did for Frances - I still have cooked chicken in the freezer, so I just have to do some pasta and rice. Looks like Saturday night and Sunday will be spent indoors, watching TWC and napping. I almost bought a power inverter for the car - to run laptop and internet - but it was $35 and I figured I could put it off until I know if I'll have power or not. No, I didn't buy an UPS battery, 'cause it was almost as expensive as buying a whole new UPS. ::grumble:: (See previous post about 2 day paychecks) I forgot all about getting sandbags too. I don't expect flooding this time and the duct tape / caulking combo handled Frances' attempts to infiltrate my living room just dandy. Digital camera purchased post-Frances has a fully charged battery and a spare.
Jeanne is a pretty big one. At least she's going to move through here faster than the 0.005 MPH Frances managed to pull off, the only question is which side of the eye we'll be on and by how far. My hunch is that she'll stay further south than they've been forcasting, and there's NO WAY IN HELL she's turning straight up the coast and missing us.
Jim Cantore is in the Daytona area. I expect to see him in Palm Bay somewhere when I get home tomorrow.
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Here we go again |
[Fri Sep 24 2004|09:59AM] |
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Jeanne is on her way
I'm not even excited about the surf possibilities this time. I'll be working extra this weekend in case I have to miss some days next week. Two days of work didn't make for much of a paycheck last time. Not even thinking about leaving unless she goes to cat 4 on us.
I have caulking! And I replenished my duct tape supply. Got gas on the way home while the lines were short (I was on empty). Premium was the only thing available where I went (at 7:45 AM!) but no waiting.
Oh, and they're fixing some power line insulators here today. Does that mean I'll keep power this time? Could happen.
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Where does all the plywood go? |
[Sun Sep 12 2004|04:35PM] |
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People in Tampa are lining up to buy plywood and supplies. Again. What did they do with the stuff they bought last week month?
My money is on an Alabama landfall, or Mexico. I can't decide.
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Ivan the Terrible |
[Sun Sep 12 2004|06:48AM] |
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Still going west but could hang a right later. Jamaica got slammed but the eye actually took a detour to the south around the island. Amazing.
Heads up everyone from Florida to Texas, this one is of Camille quality so far - stronger than Andrew, that is. Don't go hide under a rock and ignore the news this week.
high res here
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Ivan predicted path |
[Thu Sep 09 2004|10:25AM] |
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My weather bookmark folder overfloweth. here's some scary scenarios:
potential tracks
predicted path with intensities
Tuesday location
Bad time to visit Jamaica or The Keys. Or Miami. Or Ft. Meyers. Is it ever a good time to be in Cuba?
Don't come here either. :P
[update]
This is a little more comforting (for Florida), showing that Ivan has stayed south of the predictions so far. This means bad news for the gulf states.
[update]
traking further west with each new model
that could change
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Ivan Ho! |
[Thu Sep 09 2004|02:37AM] |
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Ivan is now cat 5 @ 160 mph. The models have it nailing Cuba with a good chance of hitting Florida somewhere starting Sunday night, though it may go further west. It can't stay this strong forever (says me). Whose turn is it to take one for the team?
[update]
There's lightning and HAIL in the eyewall!! Poor Grenada.
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work ? redux |
[Tue Sep 07 2004|11:29PM] |
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Went to work tonight and no one was there. Oh well. I guess they either didn't get the generators working or discovered that they couldn't run all the equipment on emergency power. Or the place didn't look so good when the lights came on. I'll go on the assumption that there's no work until someone calls me.
I wonder if my paycheck (last week's pay) will be deposited Friday? Hmmmmm...
In other news, the city of Melbourne is looking more normal at night. Lights are on except for the missing traffic lights, and even some of those have been replaced. I could see across the river that Indialantic has power, or at least parts of it does. I wonder if they're letting non-residents across the causeway tomorrow? Yes, I'm thinking about surf and checking out the erosion situation.
[update]
Beaches are closed (where possible). Reports of debris in the water.
County-wide curfew starts at midnight again tonight.
Several locations in the county are set up for meals, showers, water and ice distribution for those still without power.
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Traffic etc. |
[Tue Sep 07 2004|08:08AM] |
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I drove down to work at first light this morning to see what was going on. No traffic signals on US1 (as in they're missing). Melbourne had the foresight and manpower to place portable flashing lights and stopsigns at the intersections. Palm Bay did not. Hilarity ensues.
Long lines are forming at gas stations, roofing supply stores, and lumber yards. Several houses have already applied temporary patches to their roofs. Last thing we need right now is another hurricane.
Wal Mart is open this morning - they were fixing some leaks yesterday. No word on when the 1-hour photo services will be operational AND all their digital cameras have been safely stashed ... elsewhere.
I noticed a strange smell when I walked back in the door. It could have something to do with the brownish puddle near the washing machine. Or not. I'll keep you updated. ;-)
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Buoy 41009 "peaked" alright |
[Tue Sep 07 2004|06:22AM] |
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The 20 mile buoy is no longer.
R.I.P. little guy.
"Station adrift. Position as of [Sunday] September 5, 2004, at 1642Z, is 28°33'10" N 80°15'20" W. "
NOAA
[update]
Buoy retrieved!
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Work, work, work? |
[Mon Sep 06 2004|10:17PM] |
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I can't find anyone giving a list of business closings - none of the radio stations they said would carry them are carrying them. Maybe because they assume everything is closed at this point. They did say there was a midnight to dawn curfew for the county and a dusk to dawn curfew for Palm Bay ... which means I shouldn't go in, right?
Call my boss, get an answering machine. Call the other number - gives me nothing but a busy signal. *sigh*
I say screw it for now.
[update]
web site is down too
[update 2]
the only info on government channel is for medical and disaster relief personel to report to work if possible
I get the impression they don't want people driving around in the dark with no traffic signals, no street lights etc.
[update 3]
They were closed last night. They're trying to get power up now. Building looks OK as far as I can tell.
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The Blue House and The Orange House |
[Mon Sep 06 2004|05:17PM] |
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Just saw pictures of beach erosion UNDER two houses at one of my 'secret' spots. As a matter of fact, that's where I went Thursday. The blue house is solid but the water came and washed away under the foundation. Those dunes were maintained well and fenced off so no one would try to walk on them. The rear patio is rubble on the beach now. The orange house has a wall around it that must have been hidden under the sand. Maybe it faired better.
The fire in Satellite Beach was at a dentist's office, I think.
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FL Today pics |
[Mon Sep 06 2004|03:11PM] |
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Just saw these damage photo galleries...
FL Today
Here's some things I recognize:
Ramada IHB, Hilton Melbourne Beach - damage definitely worse that Erin
Indialantic parking meters - that's a lot of sand on the wrong side of the dunes
Cantina Dos Amigos - whew! could have been worse
Atlantis Building - ouch!
Beachside Pawn - saw them loading up trucks on Thursday
[update]
Cocoa Beach First Baptist Church - I was going to move a block or two north of there!
Dollar General store - so much for the plywood
Vero and Sebastian got it a lot worse than us
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artistic
anxious![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}