Tag Archives: pro tips

May6

Science Backed Ways To Give The Best Gifts

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Science Backed Ways To Give The Best Gifts

Choosing a gift that the recipient will truly love and appreciate can be no easy feat. Even if you know someone very well, it’s so easy to get it wrong and give them a gift that, sure, they’ll pretend to love, but which you just know they’re disappointed in. The good news is, is that it doesn’t have to be that way – science has come to the rescue.

Yes, scientists have looked into the art of gift giving and they have come up with some solid rules for giving gifts that will be really appreciated by anyone on any occasion. Read on to find out more:

Know the Person Well:

Okay, so this probably isn’t going to help you if you’re buying for a mere acquaintance but a psychologist at San Fransisco State University by the name of Ryan Howell says that really knowing the person you’re gifting to is the key to getting it right. This makes sense, because if you know that your friend is a fan of the kind of quirky gifts you find at Davson Sales or you know that your aunt loves the dresses at Macy’s, then you’ll be giving a great gift. Even better, it enables you to go with a meaningful gift that is highly personalized to them and is unique – how could they not love that?

Make a Donation:

Although this often seems like a way of wimping out or something that people will pretend to like, but are secretly disappointed about, science says differently. In research conducted by Harvard Business School, it was found that giving to charity makes people happier than buying stuff and giving more makes people happier still, so by making a charity donation in the giftee’s name, you both win.

Handmade:

Buying something brand new from the store can be a good move if you know for sure that the giftee wants whatever it is you’re buying, but if you don’t it can be a minefield. Will they like it? Do they already have it? Should I give them the receipt just in case? Luckily, you can easily avoid all of that, because a study conducted by the Journal of Marketing in 2015 found that people like to gift homemade items because they are more unique, thoughtful, and they are often more appreciated. The same is true of family heirlooms which are more valued and, thus, more appreciated even if they are not actually more expensive.

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A craft that you enjoy making is always a good idea!

Give Them an Experience:

Giving people an experience that they will remember forever as gifts, like the ones at If Only, typically, according to science, makes them happier than giving them objects that they may well be bored of in a month or two. So, if you’re stuck, think about whether they’d like tickets to the big football game, a skydiving experience, a spa break, or something similarly exciting that fits their personality. They’ll undoubtedly like it more than chocolates, beer, or flowers.

Even if you weren’t great at science in school, let the experts help you make the best of your gifting with the ideas above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May6

The Busy Girl’s Organization Guide

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The Busy Girl’s Organization Guide

Heyyy! We live in a world where everyone is super busy and on the go constantly. With phones ringing in your ear, emails to answer, and appointments to get to, it can sure seem hard to balance it all. Believe me, I get it. As a woman on the go myself, I would be nowhere without the organization techniques that I have used throughout the years to keep me on track. And, now, I’m here to share them with you! Check it out:

Invest In A Desk Calendar:

With my work appointments growing by the month, a normal wall calendar just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I needed something that was nice and big so that I could fit my daily tasks into each day comfortably on paper. Now, not only do I have plenty of room for work scheduling, but I am able to really see how much time I have left in the day to work with for the side hustle or drinks with friends. Whereas, with a wall calendar, your space is so cramped that you can’t see any free time at all. I paid seven bucks for a large desk calendar at Target, and I scoff at the fact that I used to use anything smaller.

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This would do nicely!

Color Coordinate:

The best part about a big desk calendar, though? THAT YOU CAN COLOR COORDINATE!! I have had a blast assigning a highlighter color to the person that I’m meeting with and using colored pencils to add in anything extra that I need reminders of. It makes planning your week or month a little more bright and fun, and sometimes you really need that extra boost to make your work schedule less stressful.

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That’s what I’m talking about!

Take Notes:

I am constantly taking notes throughout the day. Whether I come up with a new blog post idea in my head or hear about a new restaurant that I want to try, god knows that I will forget it minutes later. You can definitely carry around a notepad for such findings, but I prefer to just send texts to myself so that I always have my little reminders handy in text message form for when I need it again.

Have Backup Plans:

One of the worst things is having a meeting or an outing with friends cancelled and feeling like your time for the day is just going to be wasted. So, it’s always nice to have a Plan B. This could range from just having some you time and going for a walk or trying out the new restaurant that you text reminded yourself about. It’s good to have something to fall back on if you have something scheduled with a flaky friend or you have a work appointment that isn’t mandatory.

Take A Break:

It might seem like the best thing ever to spread yourself too thin during the work week and on the weekends. Extra moolah, potential for raises or promotions – I totally get it. But, don’t forget to schedule in some time to take a break, too. Going nonstop is a great way to fatten your wallet, but you also get very burned out in the process. Schedule a pedicure during your lunch break or dedicate your Sunday to finishing the book on your bedside table. Just make sure that you’re working in some R&R somewhere!

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On the go lifestyles are the norm, now. But with some top notch organization skills, you can make the most of your time whether it’s for work or play!

May2

How To Set Up A Band

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How To Set Up A Band

When you want to play some awesome tunes but don’t have anyone to jam with, there is but one solution: set up your own band. Though this might sound a bit nerve-wracking if you’ve never done it before, it is just the same as making new friends. The first thing you need to do is figure out the answers to the questions below and then you should go Online at Vampr to find the best people for your new group:

What kind of music do you like?

You probably already have a good idea of the kind of music you like, but you also need to think about what you want to play. Musical people often have wide tastes that can lead in all kinds of directions, so settling on one sound can be really difficult. Think back to what you like to play when you are on your own. Do you have a more folksy vibe? Is rock your thing? Do you like to write your own music or are you strictly covers only? Answering these questions will help to decide the kind of people that you want to attract.

Put together a track list of the things you like most and the styles you want to base your own music on to give potential band members an idea of what you are about. This can be any and all music so don’t be afraid to do the obvious stuff as well as the more off the wall things you enjoy.

Which Instruments Do You Need?

Next up: instruments. There are plenty of 2 guitars, 1 bass, drums types of bands but there is a lot to be said for branching out a little. How about adding a horn section? What about switching between instruments or experimenting with electronics? If you are looking to develop a unique sound, you might really be after musicians who can play multiple instruments so that you can all switch about to create something never heard before. This is the way that lots of famous bands work and create something new and different.

Where are You Based?

The final question might not be musical but is very important, nonetheless. If you are based in a garage somewhere, you need to think about how many people can realistically get in to practice. Plus, you need to make sure that you aren’t recruiting people who will have to drive for ages to get to each rehearsal. However enthusiastic they are now, they might not be after a long week of work in the depths of winter!

Similarly, if you want to gig at a cool underground nightclub with a tiny stage, a group of nine might sound great but just won’t fit. It’s not very rock and roll, but thinking about the logistics now will save you a lot of bother in the future when you start playing together.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

May2

Unique Gifts For The Person Who Has Everything

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Unique Gifts For The Person Who Has Everything

What do you buy for the person who has everything? You’ll probably spend hours searching the deepest corners of the internet trying to find something, but with the giftee’s birthday fast-approaching this can make it even more stressful. That is why we have listed some top ideas below so that you can put an end to those endless internet searches:

Glow In The Dark Pillows:

Do you have a friend who is always stumbling in drunk and unable to find their bed? Then a glow in the dark pillow could be the solution. Glow in the dark pillows come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, and they look awesome, so if you want to give them something really special and unique then this is certainly the way to go. The best thing about these pillows is that you don’t even know that they are glow in the dark until you turn the light off! You can also get cute pillows and gifts too, which work just as well for someone who might not need the glow in the dark aspect as much.

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So cute!

Fun Mugs:

You may have seen funny mugs on the market and you may also think that they look kind of tacky. The best thing about mugs is that there are so many options available and there are some that look awesome. For example, you can get mugs that are shaped like tiki totems and you can also get some that light up, as well. Themed mugs are also great if they have a favorite movie and they are ideal if you can get one that is unlike anything that they have seen before.

Custom T-Shirt:

Does your friend have a favorite slogan, band, or anything else of the sort? Then why not put it on a t-shirt for them! You can easily create your own and this is about as unique as it gets. You can create your own shirt in a couple of minutes and the best thing about this is that you know that they won’t have one already!

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 Pixabay Image

Food Gadgets:

Everyone loves food and one way for you to get something for the person who has everything would be for you to buy them a gadget if they love to cook or bake. Or, if they have been to another country and they love the sweets or food there, then you can easily buy them a box of candy online or try cooking their favorite dish for them. Sure, you may pay a ton for postage, but at the end of the day you know that they will love it and it is a great way for you to show that you really care.

With so many options available when choosing a gift, finding the right one has never been easier – even for the friend that has everything!

May2

Relationship Survival Tips For Moving In Together

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Relationship Survival Tips For Moving In Together

So, you’ve been together for a few years, know each other inside and out, and have decided to move in together. You are both very much in love with one another, so this is going to be a walk in the park, right? Well, unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. In fact, some couples find that moving in together can be a huge strain on their relationship, even if they have been seeing each other for years.

But you shouldn’t let that put you off of moving in together, because there are certain things that you can do that can help ease the strain. Here are some tips that will make the move go as smoothly as possible:

Look For A New Place:

You will have to decide whether you move into one of your own flats or if you choose to look for a completely new place altogether. Sometimes, it makes more financial sense for your partner to move in with you or for you to move into their apartment. However, if you can afford to, you should think about looking for a new place where you can both make a fresh start together. That way, you can both start from scratch again, and one of you won’t feel like you are trying to settle into someone else’s home, which can sometimes be uncomfortable.

Buy A Mattress Together:

When it comes to buying new furniture for your shared place, it’s often not necessary for you to do it together. However, you should always go mattress shopping together so that you find one that suits the both of you. That’s because mattresses come in all different styles and are made with different materials. Some types might not be suited to your body and could cause you to develop back and neck pain. So, shop for a mattress together so that you both have the chance to find one that suits you both.

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Respect Each Other’s Decor Choices:

If you decide to redecorate your new place, you will need to respect each other’s interior design and decor choices. If you both have similar tastes, then this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. However, if you have contrasting styles, you should both be prepared to make sacrifices. For instance, your partner might not like a rug that you had in your old flat, so you will be better off buying a new one that you both like rather than bringing your old one with you.

Make Time For Yourself:

Just because you live together now, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend all of your time together. In fact, that could get quite suffocating, and could easily add to some tension and resentment. So, be sure that both of you make time for yourself. You can, for example, spend one night a week out with your friends. This gives you both some breathing space and won’t make it feel like you are on top of each other all of the time.

Moving in with your significant other is an exciting time. Make sure that you don’t let minor frustrations take away from that!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May1

The Art Of Simple Living

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The Art Of Simple Living

With the world in somewhat uncertain times, and things like the fuel, food, and the cost of living rising, budgets are getting more and more stretched. So while this is going on, many people are looking to cut back in different aspects of their lives. In essence, they have been looking to live a more simplistic life, that can lead to being happy and healthy, in spite of all that is going on around them.

But what is simple living and how can you apply it in your life? In short, it is about living with the things that you need to survive and to make you happy; it is living a life without excess. We can so often confuse what our real needs are with the things that we want. Things like cable TV or processed fast foods are not necessary for living, but we often think that we need them. It might be easy to think that these kinds of things will help to make your life easier or better, but in many instances, this isn’t the case. So if this sounds like a type of living that you’d like to start embracing, here are some practical ways that you can bring simple living in at home:

Declutter:

One of the best things that you can do to start off with is decluttering. Whether that be looking for somewhere that does skip bin hire and throwing things out that you don’t need (or selling them) or decluttering your personal life, it can all help to give you some much-needed clarity. When you have a home that is filled with only the things you need, and not full of excess, it is a good place to start. It clears your mind and can actually be good for you.

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Decluttering is key!

Establishing Wants And Needs:

As has been described, it is a great thing to distinguish between the wants and needs in your life. This can stop you from overspending and stop you from filling your life with excess. So get back to basics; what do you need in your life? If you write things down and make a list, it will help you to know the areas that you need to cut back on. Many people spend more than they think about, especially for things like socializing. Grabbing a coffee here or going for a drink there can all add up. Are they essential in your life, though?

One Step At A Time:

It is important to not give up everything all at the same time, especially if there are certain aspects of your life that are really essential to you. Being able to go the gym may be a vital part of your mental health and wellbeing, so that could stay in there. Some people enjoy going out to eat. While you could still do this, you could just get a main course, rather than a three-course meal, for instance. You’re just going for what you need to sustain you, and not wasting money or calories on excess.

Simple living is an amazing way to bring clarity into your life as well as saving some extra moolah!

Apr26

What Might Really Be Causing Your Headaches

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What Might Really Be Causing Your Headaches

If you find that you are getting a lot of frequent headaches, you will certainly want to find a way to get to the bottom of it. Having headaches all of the time is not the kind of thing that many people can put up with very well for too long, and it makes sense to want to sort it out as early as you can. As it happens, there can be many reasons that you might develop a headache, and it is often necessary to look into the underlying cause before you can find the best solution for your particular situation. In this article, we are going to look at some of the most common causes of headaches, so that you can be sure what you know is causing yours – and hopefully fix it all the sooner:

Stress:

We all experience a lot of stress in our daily lives, and this can lead to many health problems in time if we allow it to overtake us. This is all too easy to do if you are not careful and allow it to worsen, so it is a good idea to make sure that you deal with it as early as possible. One of the possible results of a lot of stress, is that you might experience headaches throughout the day. You can generally tell if it is a stress headache because there will not appear to be any underlying health problems and it will be linked to stressful or triggering situations. Obviously, the way to get rid of such headaches is to remove the source of stress, or to take up stress-busting activities such as meditation and mindfulness exercises.

Poor Eyesight:

If you have eyesight which is gradually worsening, that too can lead to some pretty bad headaches on the whole. You might have a hard time working out whether you are experiencing this kind of headache, but again there will be some telltale signs. Probably the most obvious is that you will have headaches mostly when you are doing a lot of close reading, or possibly while driving and other activities like that. If you are having this a lot, you might want to get an eye exam and see whether your eyesight is getting worse or not. If it is, wearing glasses or contacts might be the answer, and will hopefully reduce headaches, as well.

Dehydration:

We all know the feeling of the hangover headache – all of this is really  dehydration, and if you are frequently dehydrated you will find that you are having a lot of headaches. The best solution here is preventative – in other words, make sure to drink plenty of water at all times. But if you are struggling to do that, you might want to set yourself reminders so that you can be sure of doing it more often and more easily. With any luck, your headaches will disappear, and if they don’t you will at least know that the cause must be something else.

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Hydrate!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr25

4 Rules For Accessorizing In Summer

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4 Rules For Accessorizing In Summer

Accessorizing well is the key to making any outfit amazing, and now that summer is on the way, you need to start thinking about how you’re going to elevate your summer outfits. Summer is a time for bold prints and bright colors, but when you’ve got that much going on in an outfit, you risk going overboard with your accessories and making it too busy. To stop that from happening, follow these simple rules for accessorizing in the summer:

Pick Sunglasses By Shape:

Sunglasses are an absolute must in the summer and you’ll be wearing them with everything so you need to know how to pick them. When it comes to color, you need something fairly neutral that goes with most outfits, but the most important thing to look for is the shape. The rule is, that you pick sunglasses that are the opposite shape of your face. So, if you’ve got quite a round face, you can opt for square glasses. If you’ve got a fairly angular face, go for a round style. The shape of your eyebrows is important as well and you need to match it with the top frame of the sunglasses. If you’ve got arched eyebrows that come out over the top of a square frame, it’ll look a little off.

Match Three Points:

Color matching when you accessorize is important, but you shouldn’t go overboard. Matching three items in your outfit is a good guideline to follow if you want to create a good balance. Anything less than three and your outfit won’t be complete, and any more than that and you risk making it too messy. So, you could match your shoes, belt, and bag. Or you can match jewelry with your belt and shoes. However you decide to do it, always stick with the rule of three.

Prioritize Comfort:

During the summer, prioritizing comfort to some extent is a must. If you don’t, you’ll end up boiling hot all day. When you’re choosing women’s shoes, go for some sandals that will keep your feet cool. Always avoid dark colors or anything that is tight fitting as well if you want to stay comfortable in the sun. Practicality is important too. You’ll be more likely to be spending the day out of the house when the weather is nice so when you’re choosing a handbag, go for something larger that has the space for everything you’ll need when you’re out and about.

Experiment With Colors:

Summer is the best time to experiment with colors because you can get away with more than you can in a winter outfit. If you tend to go for more plain pastel colors, use your accessories to inject a bit of excitement into an outfit. Floral patterned handbags or large patterned belts all go great with a summer outfit.

When you’re accessorizing your summer outfits, always remember to make them practical and, even though you can experiment with colors make sure that you’re matching properly for an amazing look.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Apr25

Building Brand Awareness With A Killer Video

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Building Brand Awareness With A Killer Video

A brand isn’t just an advert on TV or logo. It runs deeper than that, because successful brands connect with the audience on another level. Customers and consumers see the ones that they love and opt for them every single time. It’s called brand loyalty and it’s something businesses aspire to on a daily basis. So, it isn’t enough for you to aim for an audience with a novelty idea. Weird works, but it’s a short-term solution.

Long-term is where the future of the brand building is at today. Get them on the hook for the foreseeable future and the business will have a sustainable source of revenue. In a world dominated by social media and the internet, there is no better way than to create a video. Not only is it fun and engaging, but it is interactive, too, so customers feel as if they are apart of the clique.

But, before you hire professional videographers and develop a script, there are things to understand first, mainly, videos aren’t a sure-thing. For it to work, it has to be enjoyable, good-looking, and add value. Here are the ways to hit your brief:

Research The Audience:

It goes without saying, but videos should be marketed towards a particular demographic. In the same way you’d aim for an audience with SEO, PPC, etc., the video should hit a specific group. Remember that this is the most important part, because the research will determine the type of video that the company creates. Now, let’s move onto the issues which aren’t as obvious.

Introduce Oneself/Be The Lead Actor:

You don’t want to use the power you have and award yourself the number one position? How commendable of you; however, it’s a mistake. In the future, it’s more logical and humble to hire actors to represent the brand. Let’s face facts and admit that professionally trained thespians are better in the role. Still, it’s vital that the company and the brand introduce themselves in the very beginning. What is it? What is it looking to do? Who are the people behind the mask? These questions are important to answer as they break the ice and instill trust in equal measure. When customers can put a face to a name, they are less worried about scams and online purchases. A company profile vid is a perfect way to kick-start a corporate marketing plan whether people know who you are or are newcomers.

Be Dramatic:

Okay, so you’re no Ridley Scott or Steven Spielberg and the video isn’t going to be nominated for an award. Because you’re an amateur, it’s easy to take the route most traveled and neglect all of the things that go into being a director. For instance, terms such as artistic integrity aren’t on your radar. However, everyone should tap into their creative side no matter how pretentious it seems as it sets the mood. Using music is a prime indicator of tension and atmosphere because the tune builds and grips the audience. Check out The Tune Peddler for royalty-free songs as well as Incompetech. Like everything creative, a video needs a theme which runs throughout as well as a plan of attack. Over to you, Scorsese.

Answer FAQs:

Feedback is vital, as it gives you an insight into the mind of the target base. With this invaluable info, the business can tweak or develop new measures to generate leads. Asking people on the street for advice is played out and annoying, yet consumers love to post in the comments section at the end of a mini-production. Take a look at YouTube if you are a non-believer. Don’t gloss over the reviews and feedback that watchers leave, even if it’s mostly garbage. There will be things in there that are like gold dust and can help. Plus, people will ask questions. To show that you care and to interact with the audience, be sure to post a response. Something quick and simple can go a long way with viewers.

Promote Online For Free:

The video is ready and you are going to post it on the firm’s site. Great, but what’s the plan going forward? Your website or blog is simply one cog in a large machine that is the industry. To compete with rivals and increase your market share, the company has to raise awareness across the internet. A digital presence is essential, and a video is an excellent way to build on the foundations. By posting on Facebook and Instagram, and tweeting a link on Twitter, you can include all of the business’s followers. Also, by uploading to YouTube, the video may receive a chunk of the host’s traffic. One percent of a couple of billion is plenty for a small business with big ideas.

The internet is an amazing tool. Be sure to use it well while promoting your video and business!

Apr24

Is It Possible To Speed Up Healing From Injuries?

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Is It Possible To Speed Up Healing From Injuries?

When you have suffered an injury, the first thing that you’re going to wish for is a return to normal health and function as soon as possible. Unfortunately, this is usually easier wished for than actually achieved — and most of us accept this. In the event of injury, you’re going to have to wait for your body to heal.

However, it’s worth wondering… is there anything you can do to speed up this process? Is there a way to boost your body’s natural healing ability? Well, as it happens, there is. So whether you’ve had a serious injury requiring the assistance of William R. Rawlings Injury Lawyers to claim recompense for, or have sustained a mild injury caused by clumsiness, here’s how you can boost your body’s ability to recover:

Exercise — gently!

Doing an amount of exercise every day is genuinely beneficial, even when you have suffered an injury. Too much rest can be a bad thing and may even harm your chances of healing quickly. Light exercise that is mildly, not seriously, painful helps to remind your body it needs to heal, as well as oxygenate the damaged area.

Obviously, you have to be very careful about how you do this. If you begin to feel intense pain, or you need to medicate the pain to allow you to exercise, then your body clearly isn’t ready for such strenuous activity. Try and tone your exercise down until you’re comfortable doing it; one of the best exercises to try is swimming, as this is low-impact and the water can help support the injured area.

Before you begin your exercise regimen, it is a good idea to speak with a doctor for their recommendations. They might advise appointments with a physical therapist or sports chiropractor to help get you started. Exercising with an injury needs to be done carefully to avoid causing more damage. This is something you could be doing without even knowing it so getting advice from a professional with the know how is most beneficial.

Find the right supplement:

There are a number of supplements to consider to help promote healing, though it is worth mentioning that there is no absolute proof that these will help. There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence for the benefit of supplements, and (providing your doctor agrees) there’s no harm in giving them a try, but it’s probably best not to expect miracles.

  • For broken bones, supplement calcium.
  • For damaged muscles, supplement magnesium.
  • For soft tissue or skin issues, supplement collagen.
  • For cuts or scrapes, using honey to treat the area may help to accelerate healing, though you should only do this under advice from your doctor.

Eat a nutritious diet:

The better your nutrition during the healing process, the faster the healing itself should be. Fill your diet with vegetables if you are seeking to promote quick healing, particularly with dark, leafy greens.

You should also add protein to your diet. The easiest way to achieve this is by eating plenty of meat or, if you’re a vegetarian, tofu. If you’re particularly concerned about your protein intake, then speak to your doctor, as they may be able to recommend a protein shake that would be beneficial for you.

In conclusion:

By trying the above and a little bit of luck, there’s every chance that you’ll be back on your feet, or wherever you injured, in no time.

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Yayyy!