Monday, May 31, 2010

Pictures at L'Orangerie

So my friend Clay said Eddie and I should go to the L'Orangerie to see the Monets. It was faboo.
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The second to last picture shows the scale of the room. Monet did the paintings inside the room. They are very very cool.









Friday, May 28, 2010

Fwd: IMG00083-20100528-1621.jpg


Having a great time

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Neppl, Ed (NBC Universal)" <Ed.Neppl@nbcuni.com>
Date: May 28, 2010 4:26:25 PM EDT
To: "Soucy, Ryan (NBC Universal)" <Ryan.Soucy@nbcuni.com>, "Conkling, Robert (NBC Universal)" <robert.conkling@nbcuni.com>, "Smith, Jackie (NBC Universal)" <Jackie.Smith@nbcuni.com>
Cc: <scott9m@gmail.com>
Subject: IMG00083-20100528-1621.jpg

Miss you in Paris Monkey boy.

Jackie says you are RS5.0. Congratulations.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Paris Is Great - no pics

Well Paris is great, and the flight was great. I would include pics but I left my camera in a restaurant in Bastille

D'ohh!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Best Place for College Grad: Madison #2!

So the Daily Best ranks places all the time. This time they ranked "Best Places for College Grads". Madison ranked 2nd! (Ithica New York #1). I will let them explian the methodology...
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With all this in mind, we compiled our rankings of the Best Places for Recent College Grads. These rankings are based on an index of nine statistical indicators for the more than 350 metropolitan areas (that is, core cities and their surrounding suburbs) across the United States. The core measures in the rankings include:

• Presence of twenty-somethings (20-24 year olds) in the population
• Singles—measured as the share of unmarried people
· Earnings potential—measured as average salary
• Unemployment rate
• College educated workforce—the share of the workforce with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Rental housing—having an abundant, available stock of rental housing is key. We measured this as the share of all housing made up of rental units.
• Youth-oriented amenities—like bars, restaurants, cafes, sports facilities and entertainment venues.
• Creative capital: We use this to capture the creative energy of a place. It’s measured as the share of employed artists, musicians, actors, dancers, writers, designers, and entertainers in the workforce.
• Openness: A region’s openness to new and different kinds of people reflects a lack of barriers and willingness to let newcomers, including young people, have a go. Our measure is the share of gays and lesbians and foreign-born residents in a community
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Affordability: The overall rankings do not take housing costs into account. Generally speaking, new college grads are renters and can easily share apartments to reduce costs. It’s also difficult to get a handle on the full living costs borne by young people—some communities have accessible mass transit; in others, new grads must buy a car (and pay for insurance, maintenance, gas, and parking). So, we decided to break out an additional index to account for affordability. This index includes a variable for rent levels—median contract rent. It weights affordability at 25 percent of the overall index value, and lets the other nine indicators account for the remaining 75 percent.

Great story on the restoration of A Star Is Born


Someone sent me a story about the restoration of the 1950's version of A Star is Born with Judy Garland and James Mason.
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It is a very personal and fun story with background about the original movie, the restoration efforts and his involvement.
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This Just In: There is still a World outside America

US "News" is still dominated by all things bright, shinny and close by. ABC and NBC spend the great majority of their time on the gulf oil spill, Fox spends it's time on why Obama is evil and CBS - bizarrely even for them - on killer sunscreen.
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And yet - other things are happening....
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For example...
KOREAS
North Korea sunk a South Korean military ship. In the ultimate example of our myopic world view, many in both the news and political world are calling this terrorism and demanding that Obama put Korea back on the list of "official state sponsors of terrorists" - which Bush took North Korea off of.
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Kids, this isn't terrorism. Terrorism is the unexpected, asymmetrical use of force against civilians intended to cause terror. North and South Korea are still technically at war - and this was military to military. It is, in fact, exactly the opposite of terrorism.
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JAMAICA
Else were there is a 3 day old drug war in Jamaica that has killed at least 60 people and has paralyzed the capital, Kingston.
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MEXICO
And in Mexico, the years long drug war has now claimed an extremely popular and powerful political figure - kidnapped from his ranch with no clues as to his where abouts. You may think this doesn't concern Americans - but ask Arizona about it. As for the drug war, the drugs all come here - we are the cause of this war.
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So when you watch the news tonight, dominated by 75% coverage of the Gulf Spill, remember there is another whole world out there.
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PS - I can summarize the Gulf Spill News for the next week .. British Petroleum couldn't find their own asshole with a map, a compass and a giant sign wedged between their proverbial butt cheeks.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Horrible Mistakes of Cannes

Somewhere in LA, stylists are laughing their asses off as another episode of "when stars dress themselves" plays out in Cannes.
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Elizabeth Banks displays what happens when a designer has extra fabric and decides to "go crazy", as Juliette Binoche show what happens when a Academy Award winner can't get a designer to find her hemline, "oh hell, just cinch it!"


Namoi Watts proves that Diane von Frustenberg hates her. While Depardue pulls his best Marlon Brando impersonation (the amazing thing here is not just how fat he is, but that he is wearing his "lucky" shoes from -like - 1985).
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More in a Slideshow here.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Cuomo Schmomo (Updated with Video from Newsy.com)


So Andrew Cuomo is running for Governor of New York.
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As an "outsider" to clean up Albany.
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He hasn't worked a day outside of government. After getting his law degree he worked in daddy's administration. Then in Clinton's. He was going to run for Senate, but deferred to Hilary.
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He has been Att. Gen. of New York for a while.
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I am not impressed.
---------------Updated with Video from Newsy.com----------------

:-) updated




I loved it.
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Next morning... In retrospect, I am not sure how much I loved it. I did love it last night - espically the sappiness. But overnight I rethought, now - not so sure.
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I say no more for those that haven't seen it.

The Met and the Dance Parade

So Mark (Goldberg) was here, as well as Gavin and Mickey so yesterday morning, while most people were on California time and Eddie was sleeping in - Mark and I went to the Metropolitan Mesuem of Art.
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Wow!

This is the new "American Sculpture Courtyard". I can't even describe how cool it was. It is an amazing place to show American sculpture and glass work from the 1800s and early 1900s.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this piece. I don't know why it affected me so, but it did.
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Here is Mark in front of a Van Gogh I liked a lot.
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So, ultimately, Miceky, Gavin and Eddie got up and we went down to a silly ass "Dance Parade". It wasn't so "eye eye eye", but it was a fun little walk up the parade route.




These are dancers from Colombia - and they were fun.

Big Day Yesterday

So last night we (and by we, I mean a lot of us) went to see Promises Promises on Broadway. Our friend Mickey is a freind of Sean Hayes (the star) and we afterwards back stage to see him.
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This is everyone waiting on stage to see Sean.

Okay, Tony Goldwyn was also in the show and my friend Doug had a little crush on him, so I wnet and asked if he would take his picture with us. Doug was embarassed, but kind of happy too!



Sean Hayes and Mikcey aftewards.





Sean took his picture with Eugenie and Kirill and they were a little thrilled.
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Anyway, we had a great time. Sean was excellent in the show (and Tony was cute and Kristen Chenowith was sick :-(.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Tony (the barber) is on Vaca

I wanted a cleanup before I started my new job, so I swung by Tony's. He's on vacation - so someone else helped me. It took 3 times as long to cut 1/3 the hair. Next time I wait until Tony is back.

Talk about Damned if you Do and Damned if you Don't

It is kind of funny that liberals think he is being too nice to British Petroleum and Libertarians (and Republicans) think he is being too mean.
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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Flowers of Paris Hotel

So, in case you don't know, we are going to the French Open next week.
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It should be a lot of fun. These are pictures from our hotel (a friend is there already). Doesn't it look niiiiice.
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Oh London! You've Done It Again!


Okay - so these are the concepts for the mascots of London. Not horrible, but not good. I mean I get it, last drops of steel from the Northern Steel Mills for the stadium.
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But apparently no one thought what they would look like when puffed up to mascot proportions.

As "soft and cuddly" mascots - they are creepy. I mean we have had previous "blobby" mascots at Athens and Atlanta - but these are 1 eye'd monster mascots.
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These are nightmare creatures under the bed mascots.

See... in the picture above these invaders from planet NoTaste are already indoctrinating the poor childern of Londons multi-ethnic schools into their demonic plans. Heil Squikley!
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London is never going to take the creative arts crown with these.

Even a Tea Party You Cannot Believe In...

Rand Paul ran for Senate Candidate as "Rand Paul" and won. A victory for smaller government and the Tea Party. And, to be honest, I was all for him.
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Of course all that changes now that he is the Republican. Here are some of the issues and what Rand Paul said about them then.
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He disagrees with all these positions now - even though they are HIS positions (and I liked them).
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On the defense budget, Paul says we should cut what "we are doing militarily" (speech to Ron Paul for President supporters in Chattanooga, Tenn., February 2, 2008).
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On terror suspects held in the Guantanamo Bay detention center, Paul once said, "They should mostly be sent back to their country of origin or, to tell you the truth, I’d drop them back off into battle ... You’re unclear, drop 'em off back into Afghanistan. It'd take them a while to get back over here" (speaking in Paducah, Ky., May 8, 2009)…
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On Iran, Paul asserts: "Our national security is not threatened by Iran having one nuclear weapon." (speech to Ron Paul for President supporters in Burlington, Vt., October 1, 2007).
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On Iraq, in an interview on "Antiwar Radio with Scott Horton" in May 2009, Paul said: "Yeah, I say not 'out of Iraq now,' I say 'out of Iraq two or three years ago' -- or 'never go in,' even better. But I think that when you get out the only thing that you need to propose and that people will accept is that you do it in an orderly fashion."
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On September 11th terrorists: "When my dad stood up to [Rudy] Giuliani [at a 2008 presidential debate] and said that our foreign policy caused us some of what we got on 9/11, he didn’t say that it justified what those people did to us. But we have to understand that there is blowback from our foreign policy.” (remarks at Western Kentucky University, April 7, 2009).
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On the Patriot Act: "I am absolutely opposed to the PATRIOT Act, would've voted no on it and would vote to sunset any provisions as quickly as we could." (Rand Paul on Freedom Watch, Fox News, May 20, 2009).
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I am all for what Rand Paul said as a person. But now, as the Republican Candidate he is a meely mouth supporter of all he was against before. This isn't to trash Republicans - it is to trash the system that rewards lies by politicians (like - say - Candidate Obama's Promises to be a "fierce advocate" of gay rights).

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

La Bayadere & Freedom


Today I went to the American Ballet Theater @ Lincoln Center and saw La Bayadere.
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Although this is not from La Bayadere, these are the 2 principals I saw, David Hallberg and Paloma Herrera.
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She is from Argentina and he is from South Dakota - and La Bayadere is set in India - so, you know, go figure.
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It was however, wonderful. I LOVE the ABT with Big Sets and Big Casts and Big Emotions.
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Speaking of emotions... I find myself torn.
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I have been asked to start the new job on Monday. Monday!
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That gives me only 3 days of freedom! I chose La Bayadere for one - but what of tomorrow. My last Thursday - perhaps the Met - I haven't been since I moved here. I have always had plenty of chances... but now the days dwindle to a fragrant few....
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Tomorrow night Mark Goldberg arrives and Gavi and Mickey on Friday.
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The days of my youth and freedom rush by like a young spring stream - soon to dry up and wither come fall.
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Oh! Woe is become unto me - for I must once more trudge forth into the harsh reality that is (deep sign) employment.
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And it comes at the right time - by Citi severance runs out on the 31st. Goodbye sweet solitude... Farewell...

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

For the 1st Time - My Commute is shorter than Ed's!!

My commute has ALWAYS been longer than Ed's. But the new job is less than 2 blocks away. Ed's is 3 subway stops away. Yay!

Offerred and Accepted


Yay! I start on Monday.

How Many Times Do We Tell You Congressmen to Stop Schtooping the Help?


This is Mark Souder. Story as old as the hills.
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Eight Term "Family Values" Republican Congressman from Indiana. Having an extra-marital affair with a staffer (AND quote
Multiple senior House sources indicated that the extent of Souder's affair with the staffer would have landed him before the House Ethics Committee. Sources told Fox News that the aide, identified as Tracy Jackson, a woman in her mid-40s, would accompany the congressman to events and to record ads at a Christian radio broadcast station.)
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Why do I even bother to report this? Because he went out of his way (on one of his rare days in Washington) to file an amicus brief against the DC Same Sex Marriage Bill. Yeah - because we are the ones sinning.

Pryamid from 500 BC found in Mexico

Okay, this is not a picture of the tomb. This is Chitzen Itsa, but it is pretty.
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The actual pyramid tomb is tiny and found in central Mexico. But it is from the Olmec Era (which was also the culture that left the giant heads that bear a surprising resemblance to African features).
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Anywho... This is a big deal because it is the oldest find in America with pyramids and it is WAY older than the Maya Ruins (like Chitzen-Itza here) or Aztec Ruins that used pyramids.
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I quote a little from the article (full article here).
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MEXICO CITY – Archaeologists in southern Mexico announced Monday they have discovered a 2,700-year-old tomb of a dignitary inside a pyramid that may be the oldest such burial documented in Mesoamerica.
The tomb held a man aged around 50, who was buried with jade collars, pyrite and obsidian artifacts and ceramic vessels. Archaeologist Emiliano Gallaga said the tomb dates to between 500 and 700 B.C.
Based on the layers in which it was found and the tomb's unusual wooden construction, "we think this is one of the earliest discoveries of the use of a pyramid as a tomb, not only as a religious site or temple," Gallaga said.
Pre-Hispanic cultures built pyramids mainly as representations of the levels leading from the underworld to the sky; the highest point usually held a temple.
The tomb was found at a site built by Zoque Indians in Chiapa de Corzo, in southern Chiapas state. It may be almost 1,000 years older than the better-known pyramid tomb of the Mayan ruler Pakal at the Palenque archaeological site, also in Chiapas.
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ps - This is an Olmex Head Carving. It is 8 feet tall (2.6 meters).

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Preview for "The Event" our friend's show this fall!

Taste of Tribeca Pictures

So here are a couple of pictures from the "Taste of Tribeca".
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As you know, Tribeca is the "TRIangle BElow CAnal". It was a very hip neighborhood, still nice and taken over by yuppies. But there are some great restaurants.

So every year the restaurants put together this tasting. You pay like $40 for a card with 6 "tastes" on it and you can go to any stop and get food from that outlet.
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I had pulled pork sandwich, 2 hand rolled sushi (1 eel and 1 shrimp), an Apple Brown Bettie we all shared, a big old Fred Flinstone pork rib, one Mexican fiesta plate (empanada, carnitias, rice, fish sandwichette and glazed bananas) and tastes of everyone else's food.


It is a fun time and happens once a year. Our friend Jackie went with us.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Jackie and Ed at the City Hall Fountain


We bumbled past this yesterday in our travels. This is one of Eddie's favorite places in New York.

Big Ass Day on Broadway!

Eddie and I have a big day yesterday. We went to Taste of Tribeca, bumbled with Jaquie around City Hall and saw 2 amazing Broadway Shows.
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First up (but seen second with our friend Nic who is in town from LA for the NBC "Up Fronts" where they preview their new shows to the press (and Nic has a new NBC show)) was La Cage au Falls with Kelsey Grammer, Douglas Hodge (an amazing import from the London show) and a ton of wigs - including that hideous toupee that Kesley is sporting in the picture above.
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I have never seen La Cage. Well, I saw the first half once before Eddie and I left because it was awful. This was a great show, re-imagined into a much more intimate scale. I liked it a lot.
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Early we saw Next Fall. This is a comedy /drama nominated for Best Play this year. I loved it. It is a show about a gay couple, one atheist and one deeply committed Christan. The Christian partner has been in an accident and the lover now has to deal with his partner's very Christian family. It was well done (and the Atheist comes off as much less flexible than the Christian - which might not be what you expect from a liberal, gay friendly show).
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I hear it is going to lose to Red, which has bigger stars and a grander theme (ah, the agony of Art with a capital A) but I loved it. LOVED IT.
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ps - I note that I use parens liberally. It is from using them in Excel (in equations (where they must match or revel an error)). Sorry.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

I think Pat Buchanan has a point

So some people are upset and thinking Pat Buchanan is being bigoted here. I am not sure I agree with the complaints. I mean if gays can want a gay on the court and women want a woman and blacks want a black - I don't think Pat Buchanan is being entirely unreasonable. I mean I would love a homo on the bench when Gay Marriage comes up (I will never get it, but I want it none the less).
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Pat's Quote that has people all hot and bothered...
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Indeed, of the last seven justices nominated by Democrats JFK, LBJ, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, one was black, Marshall; one was Puerto Rican, Sonia Sotomayor. The other five were Jews: Arthur Goldberg, Abe Fortas, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan.

If Kagan is confirmed, Jews, who represent less than 2 percent of the U.S. population, will have 33 percent of the Supreme Court seats.

Is this the Democrats' idea of diversity?But while leaders in the black community may be upset, the folks who look more like the real targets of liberal bias are white Protestants and Catholics, who still constitute well over half of the U.S. population.Not in living memory has a Democratic president nominated an Irish, Italian or Polish Catholic, though these ethnic communities once gave the party its greatest victories in the cities and states of the North.

What happened to the party of the Daleys, Rizzos and Rostenkowskis?And not in nearly half a century has a Democratic president nominated a white Protestant or white Catholic man or woman.

[...]

If Kagan is confirmed, the Court will consist of three Jews and six Catholics (who represent not quite a fourth of the country), but not a single Protestant, though Protestants remain half the nation and our founding faith.
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I tend to agree that Catholics and people of Jewish faith might be over-represented. And, with the exception of Sonja Sotomayor who hasn't ruled yet, the Catholics tend to follow the Vatican's line with respect to gays and abortion.

Friday, May 14, 2010

ANOTHER TV Pick Up for a friend!!


Many of you know Bradley-san. He was working on Detroit 187 - which got picked up by ABC!
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It has been a good season for my friends so far!
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Congrats Bradley!!!! ABC! That is great (not that there was anything wrong with TNT).
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