Thursday, March 27, 2008

The revelation!


Let me start with the news you've been expecting: I got an email from Manu, Smitha said yes! I'll know more if I manage to see them before they return to the US. Let's us all drink to their happiness! Update: Talking about the Eiffel Tower, here is a project that is making a lot of noise around the world (thank you Vicki for attracting my attention to it). Unlike what the news near you may say, it's only a project, nothing already ordered... yet!

85 comments:

  1. What wonderful news, and what a wonderful way to end the business day here on the Pacific Coast! A toast to the young lovers!

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  2. Hooray! What a romantic end to a very romantic tale! I'll raise a glass :)

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  3. Now, THAT'S a photo: un ferre de vin et la Dame de Fer. A splendid monument to Manu and Smitha. Thanks for the update.

    40 days...

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  4. I'll drink to that! And you know what else I'll drink to?

    EIFFEL TOWER!
    EIFFEL TOWER!!
    EIFFEL TOWER!!!

    I so enjoy giving Eric multiples.

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  5. That's excellent news! And a lovely photo with the Tower and wine!

    And comment 6? Wow, that's low for me.

    But good news too - you've made me want to come back to visit Paris, and I've booked it up tonight - I arrive 5th June, and leave 9th June!

    And congratulations to Manu and Smitha!

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  6. Fantastic news! I congratulate the happy couple and wish them many years of joy together.

    But Eric - surely this isn't it? No more details? Did she squeal? What's the ring like? Where are they honeymooning...oh sorry i just can't help myself.

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  7. Hang on a minute - is that a lipstick print I see on the back rim of that glass?

    Eric? Have anything you want to share?

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  8. they all say yes!!!to anyone anywhere...it is called ovulation

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  9. Oh and what a beautiful shot. I fancy a rouge too. La tour too! Ahhh, oh and Suzy - your multiple reference is not lost on me ;)

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  10. Suzy you are right! Aha. Also, Eric does not drink. So............. um, Eric? It's not for me, you understand, it's Suzy who wants to know.

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  11. What wonderful happy news!:) CONGRATS to the happy couple.

    Another photo of the Eiffle Tower, how I do enjoy seeing these:)

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  12. I wish I had a wonderful story like this to post on my blog!

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  13. Yay!! Congratulations to Manu and Smitha! Although I never had a doubt that she'd say yes! May the happy couple have MANY blessed years as husband and wife!!

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  14. Yay!!!
    We should all tip in together and buy them a nice wedding present...they gave us such a good story!

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  15. Finally!!!
    We can all say now Congratulations to the bride and groom!!!

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  16. Hurray for Manu and Smitha. I think we are all such hopeless romantics. Well, of course we are, we are all fans of the most romantic city in the world! *sigh* :) I like this picture too, Eric, you combine two of my favorite things--the Eiffel Tower and wine. :) Santé!

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  17. Fantastic! A match made in Paris! I echo Monica's "Finally!" I tip my glass to the couple and to Eric for a great story. BTW, really dig the red in this photo...gorgeous.

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  18. What a fun and happy story! Louis la Vache wishes Manu and Smitha many years of happiness!

    And, a tip of the hat to Eric for his role in this!

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  19. Mmm, I think I've nutted out the sly symbolism of both yesterday's and today's photos: Eric is the little boy and the two rats are Manu and Smitha - who, in true fairytale fashion, have been redeemed by their belated announcement and transformed into a golden tower and a ruby soupçon du vin!

    You see what happens when you're mice - I mean, nice - to your Fairy Godfather!

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  20. Hey, Dogeared! That's a great time to be there: I'll be there 6-14 May. Let's connect, maybe at a picnic on the Seine, maybe elsewhere! Call me!

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  21. Thanks for letting us know, Eric. This has been a really fun story to follow....

    Congratulations to Manu and Smitha!!

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  22. Buvons! ("à nos chevaux,à nos femmes et à ceux qui les montent!" Rhooooo (blushing) ).

    Congratulations to them,glad to see that we witnessed to the beginning of something great...
    Et bravo Eric; ému?

    Simple photo but very nice to look at. End of a good dinner I guess.

    No lipstick girls, you're fantasizing. LOL

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  23. Lovely photo! A perfect salute to the happy couple from their cameraman cupid. Isn't this a nice way to start off on your fourth year year of PDP. Always dear to our hearts, Eric.
    -Kim
    PS-if I may ask, what restaurant is this in the 7th? Thanks. -K.

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  24. Hooray! Now you're readers can settle down! (And I love love love this shot!)

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  25. Beautiful photo! 6pm California time... hmmmmm.... I was looking for a reason (as if I needed one) for a little fermented grape juice!

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  26. Manifique!! Congratulations to Manu and Smitha!

    And congratulations to Eric for giving them such an amazing memory. I wish we could have had something so romantic done for us. It will give them such a lovely memory for decades to come. (As well as giving them and everyone else goosebumps whenever they think of it!!)

    I raise my glass and wish them all the happiness in the world!!

    Christie

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  27. Who cares if that little Eiffel Tower is actually made in China... ;) still a GREAT SHOT!!! Awesome! Love the colors and the atmosphere of that shot!

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  28. Well of course she said yes! How could she not? Congratulations Manu & Smitha. Don't forget to ask Eric to the wedding to take the photos. LOL.
    Oh and Eric, I did rather like your response the other day - nice play on words ...

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  29. Cheers to Manu and Smitha! All the best to you!

    And cheers to Eric for helping create a memorable proposal.
    MZM

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  30. Oh, a nice glass of red at a charming little spot in the 7th. It's just the thing. I'll pour myself a glass and allow the mood of this photo to replace my mood of 90 minutes on the freeway.

    I love the golds and reds, Eric. Thanks for getting Manu and Smitha's message to us. I hope they'll come on the blog one day. Until then, here's to them and their happiness.

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  31. Aah, the quintessence of Paris. Vive Paris. Vive Manu, Smitha et, bien sûr, vive Eric. Vive la vie.

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  32. Eric, do you always go around Paris carrying a small Eiffel Tower?

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  33. Guille, I went out tonight and thought of you as I was drinking my Caipirinha with some snacks at a local pub. Not a pub actually. It was an outdoor bar in front of our beautiful lagoon.
    Wish you were there, I'm sure we'd have had a lot of fun and probably would have more drinks than we should!

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  34. What a wonderful story. the wine with Eiffel looks cozy and inviting. I wish I were there...

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  35. GREAT SHOT! GREAT NEWS! Hopefully we'll hear from them one day and you can have a Coca-Light while they sip champagne in your presence Eric.

    I agree with Lynn. I'm sure their eMail didn't just read, "Hi Eric. Thanks for the photo. She said Yes. Bye." There must be more to the story...

    Monica, I'm sure you mistyped your message and meant it for me, not Guille. How could you share your Caipirinha with anybody else?

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  36. Michael, let's not forget that in the past months you came to Brazil more than once and passed on my invitation to have a drink with me.
    Actually you did worse than that, you had a meeting with Mlle. Caipi and didn't invite me!!!

    So I HAD to find another caipirinha buddy.

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  37. The word on the grapevine is that Eric carries his "petite tour" with him wherever he goes, and always has, but that he is thinking about discontinuing the practice on account of the number of times he has been asked; 'Is that an Eiffel Tower in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?

    As for the real tower, I am neither wholly for nor wholly against the temporary addition being proposed by Serero Architects. In my opinion, the only thing not in its favour is the visual eyesore that construction (and later deconstruction) equipment will undoubtedly create.

    And let's not forget that the tower itself was intended as a temporary structure - one which many wished had not been erected in the first place! Indeed, should the Serero augmentation come to fruition, it might well be seen as a testament to its host's longevity (she'll be 120 next year!), and the bravura of French designers, architects and engineers over the past century or so.

    If, by chance, you hate the idea...well, what else can I say except "vive la différence!"?

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  38. Ho ho Michal you're in trouble, you have a helluvalot of work to do if you want to win Monica back!

    Phew! Glad we finally got the good news, although it's a bit dry (unlike that wonderful red you're showing us) - Manu could have done better.

    I suspect you had this photo ready to post for yesterday, except we had to wait another 24 hours before you could show it. The suspense was as good as it gets.

    Big relief today, so now let's drink to Paris and to Love, and to Love in Paris, and to all Lovers in Paris, and to lovers of Paris, and.... hips! Another bottle please!

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  39. Awwww...of course she would accept! Who could say no after that beautiful staging for a proposal?! Now we need to know if M. Tenin will be invited to the ceremony!!? ;-)

    And the colors and subject[vin rouge et le tour eiffel]are absolutely stunning!! You're right on target here Eric!! Merci! ;-)

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  40. Now for the Serero project on the Eiffel Tower, I personally like it a lot!
    Those of you who are interested can visit
    http://www.dezeen.com/2008/03/25/eiffel-dna-by-serero-architects/ for all details.

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  41. Nathalie: Just between you and me, I'm a lot more for the project than I am against it. We don't have many "once in a lifetime" experiences on this scale, and I can think of no better place for such an experience to occur than in Paris - the city in which the modern(ist) era of artistic and technological innovation was launched.

    The reservations I do have arise mainly, as I said, from the marring of city's skyline during the construction and deconstruction phases, as well as the feeling that, ultimately, it should be Parisians who decide whether or not the project is given the green light.

    Other than that, I think it's a real winner!

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  42. Jeff - that'd be great, except I'm going to be in Paris in June!

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  43. So, we've some sparring from Monica and Michael to look forward to today. Over a drink, goodness! You'd think there'd be a bigger reason for such passion or something... ')

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  44. What happy news. Thanks for letting us know, Eric.

    Regarding the Eiffel Tower - my first thought was that it's an April Fool joke - just a little early. I can't believe that they would want to alter such an iconic landmark.

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  45. Monica et al - I will continue the Sarkozy coverage of his visit to UK today at yesterday's comments box if you want the latest!

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  46. Monica, I'm your new caipi buddy? Yesssss. (he he sorry Michael).
    Last week discovered something amazing: I was in a bar near Châtelet, asked the barman for 1 caipi, he stared at me and said that if I was a Caipi fan, he would prepare me something special which was not on the menu and he made me...a Kiwi Caipi. It was wonderful! Try!

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  47. MMMM Guille that sounds delicious and i've never tried the stuff. I really must, if i am to be included in this exclusive little Caipi Club.

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  48. is there not going to be a litigation again about the copyright of Gustave Eiffel as it was the case for the see trough steel wall of the ministere de la culture?
    inge

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  49. Guille,
    The toast you mention is traditionally used in the French Cavalry. And the real version is "A nos femmes, à nos chevaux, aux perrons de nos chateaux, ... et à ceux qui les montent !!!" ("to our wives, to our horses, to the stairs of our castles, ... and to those who climb them...")
    However, it is is usually made with Champagne, not kiwi caïpi ;-))

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  50. Guille: I am off to an auction i thought you may be interested to hear. After which, i may indulge in a rouge rather like Eric's in the photo. Yum.

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  51. Eric - can you take a photo of me asking my bank maanger for a loan?
    he's bound to say yes.

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  52. If I am not mistaken, the countdown to the year 2000 in Paris was overseen by a monstrous digital clock, strapped to la Dame de Fer's "waist" like a novelty belt gone horribly wrong. I would be interested to know if anyone kicked up a fuss about this totally unnecessary, patently obscene "accessory", either before or after it was installed.

    Surely a project as elegant and complimentary as that proposed by Sereno Architects is in a different league - by which I mean much less objectionable - than previous additions and adornments.

    As for the ironwork veil that now enshrouds the façade of the Ministry of Culture building, that (regrettably) is considered a permanent, not a temporary, palimpsest, and is therefore not directly comparable to the Sereno project.

    Finally, I'm not sure that there is such a thing as Eiffel's "copyright", or that his wishes can be known, or even guessed at, today. Which leaves the debate as to whether this is tampering or tinkering completely open. If anything, it is the owners of the building who, in consultation with representatives of the public of Paris, who should decide whether the Iron Lady gets her "crown" or remains gloriously bare-headed.

    Either way, her iconic status will never be in danger, or in doubt.

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  53. Cheers! Wonderful news about Manu and Smitha, and a lovely photo too. :) I do hope you are (were) able to meet them before they leave Paris. Oh, inquiring minds would like to know (to be sung as a merry tune by the PDP chorus): Was it love at first sight? Did you start off as friends? Did you meet at school? Does he have his mother’s sense of humor? Does she have her father’s patience? What do hope for? Love for? Dream of? Lalalalalalalaaa

    btw, doth M. Eric always carry a model of the Eiffel Tower with him? just in case? ;)

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  54. Guille I have tried a kiwi caipi!!!!

    Yes, it is delicious!!!! See, I knew I had picked the right person as a buddy (ok I'll admit, Michael is the President of the caipirinha fan club).
    Now Guille, when I go to Paris you're gonna have to show me those bars where you drink it, I wouldn't want to miss it!

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  55. Lynn you can join the club anytime you want. It would sure be funny to see the effect of a caipirinha on you...!

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  56. Lucio
    the Eiffel Tower was only supposed to stay for the paris exhibition
    why should there be no copyright on the ET it is a building, architecture and the droit moral can not be assigned
    inge

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  57. Yes what wonderful news on the couple.I'll buy a bottle of wine and have a toast to them in British Columbia, Canada. Elaine Cooke

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  58. I've just made a very quick look at the comments box and found pretty funny the 2:26Pm comment from Anonymous!! LOL
    Always a good breathing to be here.

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  59. Eric : "It's only a project, nothing already ordered... yet!", Yes, it is true, ... I like the project, indeed !

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  60. Inge: Yes, I know, and that's exactly why we shouldn't automatically veto the Serero project. If you are suggesting there is a chance people will become attached to it, and want it to remain, then you are right - there is always that possibility. If this were to happen, however, it would constitute (at most) a distortion of Eiffel's original vision, rather than an infringement of copyright. But we would need a lawyer to tell us what the legal ramifications of such an outcome would be, and I am only a mere cultural critic.

    I would like to stress, though, that I am not advocating it become a permanent fixture (I'm not even advocating that it be built!). I'm simply suggesting that we calmly and fairly consider this spectacular design as a potential chapter in the tower's continuing and illustrious history.

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  61. Congratulation to the happy couple.

    Regarding the Eiffel Tower project, well... I'm not enthousiastic

    The present shape of the Tower gives a feeling of going up. If you add a platform on the top (where, by the way, the wind is very strong so viewers may not be confortable (I understood it is to create a touristic platform), it will make the whole structure looks heavier.

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  62. LOL Anonyme! good idea. Can i come?

    Monica, that's not the first time that's been said to me lol! My usual fruit juice is quite a change from your drink!

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  63. And your photo of their moment will be a private treasure that was shared with the world!

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  64. Oops, sorry, dogeared. At 11:30 pm my foggy eyes misread your dates. Maybe next year.

    I love the Eiffel Tower discussion.

    The more I look at Eric's photo, the more delicious it becomes. I can almost detect a bouquet: Bordeaux? Cahors?

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  65. Oh my, Petrea spent an awful lot of energy trying to get you folks to discuss this Eiffel Tower addition about a week ago! Glad to see it's finally catching on.

    I've had some time to think this over, and I believe the tower is a work of ART. It is a sculpture, not a building. Would we put sunglasses on the Mona Lisa? A neck tie on David? I think not.

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  66. Gee, I was waiting for someone to notice my spelling pun. Or was it a spelling error? Does it matter? Does it matter that the tower model is from China? Is a bear Catholic? Does anybody really know what time it is?

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  67. Congrats to Manu and Smitha! Wonderful picture today Eric. :)

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  68. I love the update about Manu and Smitha, but I hate that design for the eiffel tower! I really hope they don't do that. You simply cannot build over history.

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  69. Re: the Eiffel Tower addition discussion - I'm a subscriber to the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy ;-)

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  70. Wonder what Manu and Smithu are doing now? Staring at the ring, having a 'rouge', wandering around Paree hand in hand? I wish they'd pop in.

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  71. Mr. Wet Blanket here is opposed to the Eiffel Tower addition mostly for practical reasons. At 120 years of carrying all those pounds on her hips the iron lady might be riddled with stress fractures. There are high winds at times. To add to dogeared's: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it": Why mess with a good thing? Why don't we just leave well enough alone? And further clichés, like, "Better safe than sorry". Or we could go the conceptual route and, "Let's not but say we did. See, we've even got a Website of the finished project."

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  72. LOL! Many of your comments made me laugh today ;)

    Lynn, Michael, you don't possibly think I would disclose my private correspondence with Manu, do you?!

    To be honest I'm still trying to get hold of them, but so far no success.

    Must go to bed now, early wake up tomorrow - TGIF!

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  73. RE: The Serero Architects proposal for a temporary addition to the Eiffel Tower...I'm surprised to see so many comments from naysayers: but, as I said earlier, vive la différence!

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  74. Yes, just a quick "bonjour" before heading to bed.

    Guille, how about a kiwi Caipirinha this weekend with Eric? We can leave Monica at home since she's offended...

    Just say the word.

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  75. Absolutely Eric, you are confidence itself. However, maybe you could ask them to come in and give the details? he he!

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  76. Michael I am not, was just teasing.

    Let's have a drink and make up!

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  77. Yes Monica, you are right. "You are not"...going to have a Caipirinha with us this weekend, so there! Pout, pout!

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  78. Ohh you three drinking that concoction so far unknown to me, in Paree. Oh i'm so jealous.

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  79. Michael: you don't drink wine, right?

    The Eiffel Tower: La Tour Eiffel a froid aux pieds. She needs socks, not a hat. Il est 5 heures. Leave her alone.

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  80. mike, i can't help laughing at your comments. you guys are all teasing each other here. LOL.

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  81. whats that drink?? hehe..
    can i have some? hehehe

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