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Ministry work (or not) in Q8
By A disgruntled government employee
It's so funny how in our beloved country there are so many rules, yet everyone follows their own! I work in one of the many ministries in Kuwait and though I have to admit that I have gotten used to 'slacking off' it still annoys me when co-workers who do the same get preferencial treatment. Look, I know it may be the case that wherever you go in the world, or whatever business you work at that employees suck up to their bosses and the bosses like it. My problem is that I just can't do that! Like for example co-workers bu... read |
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I HEART KUWAIT
By the deluded
I love Kuwait. I love that we complain about Kuwait so openly, and still come back, and can’t seem to leave. I love that others pick things up and clean them for us. I love that we don’t have to worry about the rules because The Rule is that rules are to be broken. I love that we can be unabashed brats. I love how easy it is to travel outside of Kuwait. I love the Lebanese food in Kuwait, oh and the Indian food too. I love the obvious need for improvement in the country, and being a big fish in a little pond... read |
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Street Fight on 209
By Amused victim of road rage
So I’m minding my own business and driving along the 209, and I notice a little old man driving in the car next to me. Cute, I first thought; so small and wrinkly. I’m on the far right, and need to make a u-turn; so I signal left, clearly indicating my intention to … turn left. Maybe I moved a little too quickly or sharply for his liking, but the old man evidently had a problem with my switching-lane-style. I make my switch, end up on the left lane, and the traffic light turns red; I put my gear on park, a... read |
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Fear of the Drill!
By Waiting Room Guy
I hate dentists, and I believe its fear that drives that hate and makes it grow. Being afraid of dentists… what would they call that, dentaphobia??!
He’s actually a good guy, does a good job, and makes sure that I feel no pain when he does any procedures; then why do I still not like going there! It has taken me years trying to figure out why I do not like them so much and I have come to the closest possible conclusion… it’s that teeth-grinding sound of the drill I hear whenever I think ‘dentist’ a... read |
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Dreaming in Q8
By Dreamer
I'm writing you this fresh awake from a terrible dream. I dreamt that I was on board Libya airways heading for Libya and I was sitting right in the front where they have all the magazine racks. I couldn't believe that they had bazaar magazine, but you had changed the name to Lifestyles with a garish, illegible font and I was so disappointed and noted that I must let ahmed el Adly know upon my return! The plane crashed in the end, and I’d forgotten to pack my suitcase and I just didn't want to go to Libya but t... read |
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acceptance speech
By Leila Qabazard
I would like to thank all the Bikers in their blue jeans and black tops, red gold and green. To all the Hummers, GTs, Chryslers and Ferraries. Thank you Shabab for keeping Kuwait safe, and Gulf Road cruizing an ace. Also the Radio FM Stations, for their G, House, Funk, and Arabia thang. All the Cafe's, especially the ones with milk, and Mata'im for their cool eclectic ambient grace of a place. Gratitude to the Commercial centers, red and black and blue SPAS for their galagtic serive and space. read |
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What's so 'Super' about the Superstation?
By Chantal Montell
Top 40 songs over and over and OVER again, occasionally interspersed with an overplayed oldie that no-one likes anyway. Where did all the DJ's go? Sometimes they drove us mad but it's nice to put on the radio and have some chatter and humour to listen to. It's NORMAL, it's what ALL radio stations do, all over the world. Why is it different here? Bring back Vicky, bring back Roger, bring back Q. Let's have a wider selection of music, let's have phone-ins and competitions, let's have some chatter to listen to and ... read |
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UNFORGETTABLE
By Rami El Adly
I remember coming to Kuwait last April, entering the bazaar office for the first time in a long while and meeting Gina for the first time. What can I say; she was one of the few people that made days go by smoothly; a fun-loving character who has a laugh throughout the day. I remember when she visited Japan and shared her trip experience with us all when she returned…good times! Of course we can’t forget the out-of-office fun times - lots of smiles and good times, and hopefully many more to come. All I can s... read |
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THE G4 FUNK
By Yusra Ahmad
My mornings will never be the same without my Gina. Thanks for being my venting outlet, my Zen master, my reality check and official GPS device for Amsterdam and Paris. Thank you for introducing me to grape nuts, the deliciousness of peanut-butter-apples, and for co-creating the theory of true feminism being manism. I will truly miss having you around, but…3 months to Cancun baby! Until then… read |
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RIDING A WHIRLWIND AND COMMANDING A STORM!
By Shabana Shaikh
To me, Gina is synonymous with the “refreshed look” and content-quality of bazaar. A good magazine team is visible from the finished product, and that is clear when considering Gina’s contribution and capacity. bazaar has a great team, but I guess Gina had the Mother of all tasks, to work with the writers, and keep their creative juices flowing. It was a great experience working with her – the monthly email reminders, great features and all! Every time I experienced a form of writer’s block or general ... read |
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ALWAYS
By Mai Jado
God bless you and Doug all the way, and may you be inspired the same way you’ve inspired me with your lovely personality, kindness, and smartness. Will always love you and will always miss you.
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SEE YOU AROUND
By Tarek Jamal
Gina, you got me into bazaar, and now you are abandoning us all! I hope you fail in your new life endeavor!!!
Ahh, you know I’m just kidding. I hope you learn something new everyday, and make friends with people that are at least half as interesting as the ones you’re leaving behind. You’ve not only played a huge role in this magazine, but also in Kuwait, to the point that every time I bring your name up in a conversation, everyone there already knows you (or at the very least, knows of you). You are a ub... read |
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IN GRATITTUDE
By Meghan McCabe
Thank you for putting up with my constant rambling and complaining. Thank you for your kind words when I was in a seemingly endless state of writer’s block! Thank you for being a friendly person at the other side of the e-mails. I know your job hasn’t been easy: Braving traffic through endless lines of trucks and potholes in and out of the Free Trade Zone; dealing with poor grammar and spelling mistakes; and choosing content from questionable topics! I’ll miss your humor, my friend!&nbs... read |
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THE MOTHER OF ALL RANTS: PART 3
By Inhabitant of Earth
Slowing down to below the speed limit when you see a cop car or a speeding camera does not make you more lawful; it just makes you paranoid. Water, including rain water, is not corrosive to cars, it is a naturally occuring phenomemon on platent Earth; driving at 40km/h down the freeway is uncalled for. Using your hazard lights when it’s raining doesn’t make any sense unless there’s an accident up ahead. There’s a reason why there are gas pumps on both sides at the station. Most parking s... read |
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OF LEGS AND BEING STRAIGHT
By Frequent Flyer
Bow down to the Gods of leg-room; hands down Wataniya Airways walks away with the prize. I have flown on many a airlines in my lifetime, and I always fly economy (would rather spend the money there as opposed to getting there.) An unfortunate situation forced me to book the first flight available to Cairo – enter Wataniya Airways. Putting aside the fact that because they fly in and out of their own terminal they automatically eliminate the hustle and bustle of most airports…they have the best eco... read |
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OBESE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS
By Disgusted Dining Observer
The other day I went for a buffet breakfast in a swanky hotel. While I was barely able to finish the plate I had served for myself, I still made sure to eat everything I had picked out. I was sitting near a table with a family that had several children, all of whom were overweight to the point of not being able to walk properly. They let their children serve themselves to plates and plates full of food. The parents themselves loaded a basket full of croissants and pastries that they then never ate. It was simply... read |
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Kudos to Recycle logo on the mag
By Rajesh Gandhy
It was a welcome scene to see the Recycle logo on the bazaar mag. There is too much of newsprint waste generated in Kuwait. So many free tabliods. So many newspapers with more than 50 pages (almost 250+ gms). So many leaflets & handouts of different promotion offers.
How about if you publish an article on the recycling efforts & facilities that Kuwait has, so that people are more conscious and can treat & dispose this newsprint waste in a proper manner.
Also you can publish articles on how the waste paper ca... read |
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disgraceful!
By looking for justice
Its a damn shame that in this country nobody monitors the wanted ads in the local newspapers. I just saw an ad that specified needing a housekeeper that 'has' to be christian, and another ad looking for 'young,beautiful sales girls'. Dont the people placing these ads realise that thats its illegal all over the world to discriminate based on religion,looks, or colour.People should be hired on their merits and experience! read |
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"footsies"
By Nafzbaby
...........as an ardent bazaar Magazine fan, this months cover page was a definate noooooooooooooooo gooooooooooooooo............. :) read |
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POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK
By Self-Depricator
To all the self-righteous and the holier-than-thou's of this world; pleaaaaase! Just 'cause you do your dirty deeds behind closed doors doesn't make you any better. So many people are so quick to point the finger...have you ever wondered why they even feel the need to point out other people's errors? If you're so pure and innocent you wouldn't find joy in exploiting others. Take a second to think about that the next time you get your hands on some juicy gossip...or wait...I forgot; you're just the pot! read |
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MIXED SIGNALS
By Confused Commuter
I’m confused. I was under the impression that ‘right’ and ‘left’ signals were used to indicate a driver’s intentions on the road, although the majority has yet to master their use. And it’s not like they can claim ignorance, ‘cause they sure as hell know how to use their brights to “flash” you out of their way. But there’s this new phenomenon I’ve had happen to me quite a few times. A car will pull up ahead of me and send the following signal code: right, left, right, ... read |
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NOT YOUR MAMA
By The Woman Next Door
I’m a woman. That is a fact. Another fact is that not all women like children. Hard to believe, but it’s true. I’m 30 years old, married for years, and I don’t have kids. If I wanted to be around kids, I’d birth some. And if I had kids, then of course I’d have to love them, but what on earth says that I have to like everyone else’s kids too? Let me just say this: If you’re a parent sitting next to a woman in a public place, please don’t assume that she won’t mind if you let your little rug-ra... read |
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THE WEATHER GOT IT RIGHT
By The Weekend Warrior
You know how it usually happens: All week long the weather is beautiful. You sit at your desk at work, staring out the window, counting down the hours until the weekend. You have plans to go out to the beach, or to hold a BBQ, or even just a jog in the wonderful outdoors. Friday morning you wake up, look outside and…. DUST! You shake a fist at the air and curse the world for teasing you with nice weather all week and dumping on you during the weekend.
Not this time, Baby! Last weekend, it was gorgeous. Two br... read |
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POST-APOCALYPTIC KUWAIT
By Westward Migrater
Sure, this in essence is desert land and sand storms are to be expected, but this is quickly turning into uninhabitable land; like Mars or the North Pole. I checked my calendar; it is only February…March by the time you get to read this. This isn’t supposed to happen for another 4 maybe 5 months. I could handle the fact that we only got 2 weeks of “winter” but hot/dusty weather until next winter rolls around is too much to ask of human beings who depend on breathing as a mechanism for staying alive... read |
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NIGHTMARE IN THE ROUND
By The Nervously-Singing Driver
“I can do it, I can do it, I can do it … I can, I can, I can … can, can, can … Ah, no, I can’t, runaway, runaway!!” That’s something like what my mind goes through the nearer I get to a roundabout in Kuwait.
“La la la la la, La la la la, loving you is easy cause you’re beautiful … Oh man, here it comes,” is the first thought I register as I realize that another roundabout is coming up. The road seems clear at first, everyone and everything in the right place, and then suddenly, mayhem! Li... read |
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BUCK UP OR SHUT UP
By The Smiling Surfer
I see doom! Bla-bla-bla lost jobs. Bla-bla-bla company closed. Bla-blady-bla no money! Bla-bliggity-bla… You know what I’m sick of? This stupid financial crisis. It’s happening. It sucks. And then? We move on. All things change – good things and bad things. Things were good, now they’re not as good. Now, some things are bad, but they won’t stay bad. Ups and downs, man. They happen. What can you do to stop the tide from rolling in and out? Nothing. Don’t try to keep the sand in place – ride the wa... read |
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PRIVATE NUMBER
By Unlisted
I am amazed at the number of retail stores which ask you for your mobile number. I’m also equally amazed by the fact that staff of said retail stores are taken aback when you tell them you don’t want to. It’s as if they have never heard of someone not wanting to give out their private number so that it can be circulated around all affiliate stores and brands in Kuwait. “But we’ll send you messages when we have sales or special promotions!” they say aghast. No thank you. That’s precisely the reason ... read |
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I'D LIKE TO THANK...
By Ms. Drama Queen
Oh, my… umm. Oh my God, I can’t believe it. (sniff) Um… thank you. (giggle, sniff). I can’t believe I won. I’d like to thank, umm… My mom, and my beautiful children. (sniff) My husband, my agent. God. Did I thank you already, God? I did. Oh… (giggle, sniff-sniff). Wooo! Umm… I’m just so happy. I love you all. Thank you, thank you. No, thank you.
I’m just practicing for my Oscar acceptance speech. True, I’m not an actor, so I will probably never get to use my perfectly crafted impromp... read |
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fracking facebook changes
By the fracker
So, why mess with something that already works? As the cliche says ' if it aint broken - dont try to fix it'! Surely the developers at facebook who make killer salaries and own one of the most popular websites in the world must have run the changes by focus groups before launching the new site to the public. Or did they? Maybe they didnt. Maybe they screwed up since they were too busy watching the money they invested with Madoff dissapear! read |
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recession depression!
By fracker
I cant take it anymore. You open the newspaper and its there. you go to work and its hanging in the air. You go to a party to unwind and its the only topic of conversation. Yes - we are all doomed. Yes - we are all fracked. You know what - I dont care anymore. We got legs. We got eyes. We got friends and we got food. So shut the frack up and enjoy what you got! read |
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ASKING TOO MUCH
By Trixie
The speed limit on most major highways is 120km/h. The number of speed camera’s are increasing and are sneakily positioned in such a way to snap you’re picture regardless of which side of the highway you’re on. But is asking us to abide by the speed limit really asking too much? Yes – and here’s why. You have 3 options:
Furthest left lane: Only death-defying speeds of a minimum of 160km/hr (past experience in stunt driving; action movie set car chase scenes is a plus.)
... read |
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THE PERVY PERVERSONS OF KUWAIT
By The Hassler
Trying to learn from a recent past experience, instead of just asking the cops to do their jobs, I decided to take on some of the load—I mean they do so much already. When being harassed on the road, instead of slamming my car into theirs (there are only so many times my car can handle that) I started writing down their plate numbers, car make and color. I called 777 to report a particular incident and they said they would have a cop call me back. He did. Check this out though, he said; ... read |
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IF YOU DON'T GOT IT...DON'T SPEND IT
By Angry Worker-Bee
Company owners, listen up! We get it, you at some point were successful enough to start your own business or were lucky enough to have come from a family of wealth…good for you – just don’t forget that without your employees, you got nothin’. So, when you charge your personal expenses; like a 7,000KD trip to the States and your First Class ticket there to the company expenses and then tell your employees you can’t pay their bonus because there’s a cash flow problem, don’t expect sympath... read |
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Where are we?
By A frustrated Driver
What the hell is up with traffic these days?! It used to be that there were certain timings that you avoided like 7:30 am and you would be fine. Nowadays, the streets are packed from 7:15 am until around 9:30 am. I have tried different timings and different routes, but to no avail. The other day I was stuck on Gulf Road near Marina Mall for over an hour and a half. C’mon people, if I wanted to put up with nasty traffic jams, I would move to Dubai or Cairo. At least there, I could unwind with a refreshing... read |
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Dear bazaar,
By A fan
With the recent increases in prices of everything, I just wanted to thank you for keeping bazaar free. I really don’t understand how you can still distribute copies of the magazine all over Kuwait every month for free. Its great quality, full of great content and I love the cool covers. Keep up the great work and keep your moto ‘freedom to express’ going strong. You guys ROCK! read |
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Gluttony
By Blood-sugar-dazed and Confused
Is it just me or are people missing the whole concept of what Ramadan is supposed to stand for? Learning to live in moderation, purity of thoughts and actions…but it hasn’t failed me yet. Every year during the hours before futoor I’ve witnessed a mass exodus of people at the grocery store, hording food, in preparation for what seems to be a foretold nuclear holocaust—maybe they know something about the Iran/U.S. situation that I don’t, but this is not just specific to this year. Whatever it... read |
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Ramadan-y Tunes
By Android X8R12
Just out of general curiosity; what is the correlation between the month of Ramadan and corny hotel lobby music on the radio? And it’s not that they ban all popular music; cuz in the morning I can listen to Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne but for some reason in the afternoon hours all they play are sappy 80’s love songs…I don’t get it. Oh, and don’t get me started on Orbit banning Fashion TV “for Ramadan”—come on people, Ramadan or not, those who don’t want to watch that channel, won’t. They just... read |
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Death by Numbers
By Hung Up
I’m all for progress, but wonder if there isn’t a way to do it without screwing everyone over. All congratulations aside for whatever mysterious reason this is all happening but what I want to know is if there isn’t any other way to do it without forcing everyone to go through their phone, one entry at a time (cross checking to make sure you’re adding the right digit to the right number) adding a 2, 6, or 9 to every number? And don’t even get me started on the useless services that offer to change it f... read |
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Flying the not so friendly skies
By Airsick
I have a small bone to pick with airline companies, particularly with flight attendants, specifically with those flight attendants who service economy class. People pay good money to travel on your airline. They save, submit their request for leave and board your aircraft on route to either a vacation, or to see family and friends, or simply to get away from a hectic and often times harsh cruelties of the daily grind that is reality. But the standard of treatment from one airline class to the next is oftentimes ... read |
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YOU AIN’T ALL THAT
By Sore Buyer
It was time to renew my gym membership. I’d been at the same “Holiday” in Salmiya for 15 months and now it was time to decide: Should I stay or should I go? I wanted to go, but did you know that there are only a handful of gyms in Kuwait where women can workout before 8:00 am? Apparently, all the other health conscious working women exercise at night. I prefer to avoid the sweaty advances of the muscle-head masses and that’s why I haul my hiney to the weightroom at the butt-crack of dawn. To keep my ro... read |
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ALL HAIL SALAD CREATIONS!
By Spicy Salad-eater
Finally, something to rave about. We ordered delivery from Salad Creations (6alabat.com) at the office yesterday and, not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised. The Wasabi Chicken Wrap was knock-your-brains-out wasabi flavored. Were those tears, or tears of joy? I’m not sure, but I want another one. read |
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MUTANT EGG
By Vaguely Curious
I bought a flat of eggs from the supermarket and one of them is a mutant. It isn’t the natural round shape of an egg. It’s pointy. It has corners and ridges and looks like it’s made of DIY plaster ceramics. I’m afraid to crack it open and so it sits, lurking in my refrigerator door. Tune in next month to discover the contents of my mystery, mutant egg. read |
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From Divorce to Enlightenment
By The Divorce Guru
I now believe that every woman after divorce go through the same phases beginning with looking for quick distractions-because we don’t know what to do with ourselves and feel the need for validation- to realizing that there’s no way out of where we’re at for the moment, then sadness and withdrawal ensues. Beware and don’t be the divorcee prey even if you feel lonely sad and totally hopeless, the ones that are never meant to meet your standards will now suddenly start looking appealing, but hell NO!
Thi... read |
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The Mother of All Rants
By Feeling Better
A woman pumping her own gas is not indecent exposure—stop staring. Honking in bumper to bumper traffic will not magically give all the cars the ability to fly. Just because you used your signal doesn’t automatically give you the right to move into my lane. My name is not “mamsir.” Wearing a mini-skirt over jeans is like wearing two pairs of shoes—it looks awkward. If you need to wear that much make-up; plastic surgery is probably cheaper. No one’s hair grows perpendicular to the back of their s... read |
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Thanks for the Cheer, Cheer
By Thirty-something
I just turned 30. What’s a girl who’s just turned 30 to do with a day off when no one’s around to share it with her? Hell if I know, but here’s what I did: Slept in, had a burrito for breakfast, got a massage, ate a strawberry fruit tart and watched Casablanca. Not bad, eh? The best part of the whole day? A 60 minute Balinese massage from a 40 kilo girl named, Cheer, at the Banyan Tree Spa at Royal Hayat Hospital. The physics involved in a person, literally half my , inflicting as much wonderful pain as ... read |
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IN GRATITTUDE
By Meghan McCabe
Thank you for putting up with my constant rambling and complaining. Thank you for your kind words when I was in a seemingly endless state of writer’s block! Thank you for being a friendly person at the other side of the e-mails. I know your job hasn’t been easy: Braving traffic through endless lines of trucks and potholes in and out of the Free Trade Zone; dealing with poor grammar and spelling mistakes; and choosing content from questionable topics! I’ll miss your humor, my friend!&nbs... read |
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