| Updates on stuff. |
[20 Jan 2004|11:04pm] |
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mood |
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busy |
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music |
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Enya - Athair ar Neamh |
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I'm working on Patricia McKillip’s Song for the Basilisk. I’m not sure, but I remember people saying that they didn’t see the ending coming. If that’s the case, then it must be some big twist, because I feel like I can see the stereotypical past of Rook from a mile away. McKillip is lulling me into a false sense of security! How dare she!
I like that the characters are musicians of string instruments (me being a string player myself). There’s something nice about seeing your passion in a book.
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| ? |
[20 Jan 2004|02:58pm] |
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mood |
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Bah |
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music |
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Stellamara - Karuna |
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Stupid question: technically and formally speaking, how long is a short story (word count-wise)?
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| Bitch bitch bitch |
[20 Dec 2003|11:29pm] |
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mood |
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bored |
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music |
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Stellamara - Karuna |
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HAHA! You knew that this rant was coming; it was inevitable. As willing readers of a blog dedicated to the fantasy genre, you have agreed to accept any emotional and/or psychological damage from my mindless ranting. So suffer, my pretties!
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*Note: I have a personal pet peeve, which is when people say, “Don’t do this. For example, in MY story…” Knowing that I hated this so much, you’d think that I would avoid it. But I believe I mentioned my work three times. For this, I sincerely apologize. In no way do I mean to imply that my work is superior to anyone else’s.
( See how I turn my bitching into a list in order to boss people around? )
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| Doh! |
[20 Dec 2003|12:18pm] |
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mood |
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O_O |
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music |
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Chemical Brothers - Block Rockin Beats |
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*head desks*
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) limyaael took the topic of a list of rants I was working on. Now, posting mines later today would seem redundant. Heh. Oh well. You just can’t keep up with that woman.
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| Ect. |
[20 Dec 2003|02:20am] |
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mood |
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-_- |
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music |
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Enya - Tempus Vernum |
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I’ve cleaned up this journal, keeping only the entries which I feel are relevant to the purpose of this blog. It used to be filled with a lot of crap. (Well, that’s all I write anyway, but you know what I mean.)
I got the player briefing for the new D&D game that I'm taking part in. I haven’t given any thought to the game or my character at all, which is so like me. I’m such a mess that it isn’t even funny. My medical problems do a number on my memory and comprehension, so it takes me awhile to grasp things. You can imagine how confusing D&D is to a newbie like me; combine that with my problems and I'm completely hopeless. Thank god I have a benevolent DM.
Patricia McKillip is coming out with a new book! Huzzah! Does anyone know where I can find out more information about this novel?
Does anyone know of anymore really kick ass books from kick ass authors that are coming out soon?
WTH, why am I asking this?! I already received two good books for my birthday last month: Kara Dalkey’s Genpei and Patricia McKillip’s Riddle-Master Trilogy. I need to start on those, although truth be told, I have about three more books to finish before I can even think of picking those up. Six months ago, I was whining because I had no wait list. Now I feel rushed because my wait list is so long. How sad.
Wait List
Rama 2 by Gentry Lee
Bellwether by Connie Willis
Wizard Hunters by Martha Wells
Song for the Basilisk by Patricia McKillp
Genpei by Kara Dalkey
Riddle-Master Trilogy by Patricia McKillip
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| Thoughts on Martin's Books |
[07 Sep 2003|10:58am] |
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mood |
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blah |
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music |
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Stellamara - Taqsim |
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I’m on the third book of Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. I got Stu to read the first book, but I forgot that we differ in terms of what we like our plots to revolve around. Stu likes physical action and events. I love political intrigue. A bunch of guys can sit around talking forever and it’ll excite me. Martin appeals to me, as any Martin fan would be able to tell you. It was a bit tedious for Stu. Poor Stu. No nightrunners in this series.
[Edit: Comments contain spoiler theories into the pasts of major characters. Not reccomended reading, even for people who have finished all three novels.]
( Two bits of praise and a whole lot of ranting on Martin’s series. Long. Spoilers. )
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| Books & Films |
[15 Aug 2003|12:41pm] |
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mood |
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lazy |
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music |
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DJ Shadow - Fixed Income |
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I went out with Josh yesterday. Among other things, we went to Borders and stood around in the fantasy section, mocking books. Josh thought McCaffrey’s ‘Acorna’ series was hilarious. I said I’d give him five bucks if he could find a book that didn’t have a map in it. (He didn’t accept the challenge, but I wish he did. I would have liked to see him find one.) I also showed him my favorite part of Robert Jordan’s world: the Mountains of Dhoom. We shared such a huge laugh over that. *snicker*
( More book rants, LotR movie viewing with family, Tolkien fandom. )
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| Randoms... |
[13 Aug 2003|11:31pm] |
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mood |
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calm |
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music |
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Orbital - Blue Illusion |
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-Can you actually place money bets when playing D&D?
I was watching an episode of X-files and two guys were talking about playing D&D. One said he was going to win a lot of money. I had no idea you could gamble in that game. Well, I suppose that technically you can gamble on anything. But I never thought of betting in D&D. I myself have never played D&D, and I am still ignorant as to what it actually is. The only thing I know is that there are several dices involved. If I had any friends at all, I’d probably already know how to play it.
-I just found out that George R R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series still hasn’t come to an end. I thought it was a trilogy! (Why didn’t anyone tell me? Oh the humanity!) Here I’ve been turning pages as fast as I could, thinking that Martin published the conclusion a few years back. Now I have to stop and ration the chapters out.
-chibipoe, I absolutely HATE you! Oh, that new icon of yours tempts me horribly. I'm in love with Chris. She's so sexy!
-I'm going to see SWAT. I have fairly low expectations. Inevitably, some ‘highly trained officer’ makes a stupid elementary mistake when handling his weapon. But only nuts like me notice that kind of stuff. Nuts like me and my friend Josh.
Josh: In the movie Anaconda, when JLo shoots that damn snake, she’s using a bolt action rifle. She gets off 3 shots in like 3 seconds without loading the bolt. That's impossible. You have to pull the bolt back to load in the next bullet. I saw that yesterday and flipped my lid.
Aya: OH MY GOD. I saw that on sci-fi too, and I was freaking out.
Josh: NO WAY! HAHAHAHAHA!
Aya: I was yelling, "Hurry, reload! ... What? How did it fire again?"
Josh: LMAO
Aya: *points to her eye* I'M WATCHING YOU J.LO! I KNOW ALL ABOUT YOUR STUPID RIFLE!
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| Where are we going and why am I in a handbasket? |
[13 Aug 2003|01:23am] |
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mood |
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hungry |
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music |
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Boa - Duvet (Cyberia Remix) |
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I was in Borders, talking to my friend on the phone, and I said, "I could read Goodkind’s Naked Empire" [silence] "...Or I could just chew glass." He thought that was hilarious. The Goodkind fan standing next to me, however, did not. I always manage to piss Goodkind fans off. For once I'd like to annoy a Jordan follower. *sighs* One can only hope...
Anyway, on a totally unrelated note from my first paragraph, I’m going to visit a kendo class. I want to see if their philosophy is compatible with the one I’ve been taught with in the past. I’d love to sign up with their school since they have classes right down my street, but I’m an exacting bitch, and I need to observe the teacher beforehand. It can be fun to whack people with sticks, but that’s not my expectation of kendo. I think of combat very differently, and I want a sensei who shares my ideals. Next month, I visit a Kyudo class.
Why is this relevant again? Oh right; I was wondering if there are any other cultures that have integrated a strict type of philosophy into their arts of defense. I can’t think of any, but then I haven’t really looked. I understand that there are a number of social and historical factors that led up to the development of 'the ways' (or Do) of Japanese combat. Has this happened anywhere else in the world, or is everyone else just smacking each other around to get fast results? I’d be interested in researching the views of other cultures and possibly finding ways to integrate them in my current novel or future works.
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| I could listen to you all day, what a laugh. Cut me, I bleed like you. Ha ha. |
[12 Aug 2003|01:03pm] |
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mood |
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Straighten... |
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music |
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Underworld - Stagger |
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I’m back, with a new layout to boot. It’s simple, which befits the image. (I hate messing up beautiful pictures.)
Seems like people have been busy. limyaael got herself a story journal, eidolon_bird is sewing and aldenmacrae is knitting (something I’ve always wanted to learn). calanthe_b gave me some good news about McKillip’s Ombria in Shadow, and through her posts on college life, ambermoon reminds me that I too have school in several weeks (*ugh*). I think clannoire took enough posts to keep me entertained for several hours and someone named Dora seems to have taken over chibipoe’s lj. Also, palinade has officially made me hungry.
I myself have done absolutely nothing productive. I did finish Patricia McKillip’s In the Forests of Serre and George R R. Martin’s Game of Thrones, though. I loved the former and got sort of annoyed with the latter. But its pros definitely outweighed its cons. I’m reading Clash of Kings right now.
I’ve been on a bit of a writing roll, mainly because I’ve learned to deal with the fact that my first draft won't be my last. Once in awhile I get into this kick where I expect to remember everything (physical descriptions, actions, ect.) on the first try. But I’ve made peace with the idea that sometimes I’m just going to type, “And then he walked off.” (As opposed to something more descriptive and eloquent.) It IS the first draft, after all. When I look back on my scenes, I cringe. There are usually holes in them, but I’m fine with it now. At least I’ve got the basic foundation down. Isn’t that what a first draft is about anyway?
Also, who is visiting me from NCSU? Just curious.
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| Must...Use...Force...To...Turn...Away... |
[31 Jul 2003|11:50pm] |
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mood |
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nooooooooooooo... |
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music |
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Stellamara - Karuna |
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-You’re going to kill me, but I swear to god, I don’t know how it happened. I was merely sitting around, reading McKillip’s orgasm-worthy In the Forests of Serre, when I stood up and rummaged through my desk. I don’t remember what I was looking for, but I ended up finding the only book I own by Robert Jordan. (Eye of the World) It was on my desk with a post-it reminding me to either donate it to the library or throw it away. (Actually, I’m not sure I’d want to donate it. Why should the public be exposed to such horror?)
Anyway, I found a bookmark I placed in there; I had gotten as far as the third chapter. (That’s only because I was so amused that I read some pages aloud to Stu so that both of us could laugh together.) For some reason, I decided to take it back to my chair. I began to read a bit.
And now I can’t stop.
Yes, it’s STILL bad. But it’s like a bloody train wreck; I keep reading and reading late into the night. I can’t figure out what it is. I’m slightly entertained, but I’m also appalled by Jordan’s descriptions, dialogue and plot. Now I’m working on both McKillip and Jordan. It’s a bit like alternating from grade A steak to rotten dog food. The scary thing is, I actually think that I’m going to finish Eye of the World.
Don’t worry; I plan to seek counseling.
-Limyaael's questions
1. Is there any fictional character whose life you absolutely would not want to have?
Probably Arithon from Janny Wurts' novels.
2. Why wouldn't you want this life?
He seems a bit messed up. Poor guy. I just want to give him a fluffly blanket and a cup of soup.
3. If someone offered you something you really wanted (lots of money, ability to live forever, magical power- basically your heart's desire) to become this character and live out his/her life, with the provision that you'd get the gift at the end of it, would you do it?
Hmmm... Well, I know that I'd want the power to control time. But living out Arithon's life is a bit harsh. His brother is mean and keeps poking him with a stick.
However, I would get a chance to score with his chick.
*thinks*
No, I'd have to pass.
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| *evil laugh* |
[30 Jul 2003|03:13am] |
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mood |
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sleepy |
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music |
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Aaliyah - Try Again |
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Because it’s three long days until the Friday Five, Aya has built a dark tower upon Wednesday and proclaimed it ‘answer-my-literary-questions’ day! (I would forge some kind of ring to cement my power, but I’d just lose it like all the other dingbats that dwell in dark towers.)
That’s right, minions! Paste this into your journal and answer away!
1. What is the worst book you’ve ever read?
2. What made it so bad?
3. If you had a chance to redo one aspect of the novel, what would it be?
4. If you could meet the author of this book, what would you tell him/her?
5. If you could meet a rabid fan of this book, what would you tell him/her? (Besides, "What do you see in this novel?!")
( My answers )
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| I am not from your tribe. |
[28 Jul 2003|11:42pm] |
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mood |
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dirty |
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music |
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Tori Amos - Raspberry Swirl |
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Why must you endure my pointless lists? Because you friended me! The blame is on you! *cackles madly and runs off*
List of fantasy stories I need to finish before I die
-A fantasy set in an arctic world
-A fantasy set in a tropical world
-A fantasy set in a world undergoing an industrial revolution
-A historical fantasy based on the reign of Shagrat al-Durr
-A historical fantasy set in the Meiji period of Japan
-A fantasy based on the Hawaiian gods
You’ll notice that unconventional fantasy settings interest me the most. If you read one the above lines and think, “In fantasy?! You’re fucking nuts!” Then I’m quite pleased. Although I must admit, I’d like to complete several stories set in a European world simply because it’s so foreign. Well, to me it is anyway. You know how Caucasians consider India to be all exotic and mysterious? That’s sort of how I feel about Europe; it’s so fascinating, with it’s stone castles and knights and tabards. (What the heck is a tabard anyway?!) So I’ll probably make a point to work on that as well.
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| Begin Random: |
[23 Jul 2003|04:36pm] |
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mood |
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itchy |
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music |
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Madonna - Power of Good-bye |
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-Do you like fictionpress.net? I'm considering putting something up there, though I doubt I’ll actually go through with it. I like to finish the whole first draft of a novel before doing the editing. That takes me a year or so. I’m not one to write and then just post it up for all to see. I’d like to smooth it out. That takes me awhile. Also, there are times when I’m working on chapter 10 and I want to add something to chapter 1 so that the story will work better. I couldn’t really do that if I already posted it and people read it. Eh, I’ll think about it.
-Do you feel that the term ‘knocked up’ (as in pregnant) is too close to reality to be used in a fantasy? I’m back and forth on that.
-Now I feel bad for Alixana.
-I’ve only had this journal for five weeks. God, it seems like forever. I’m really happy with this lj and all the friends I’ve made on it. I feel like I can really talk to them. Thanks guys!
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| Carleton thinks I'm insane. |
[20 Jul 2003|03:07am] |
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mood |
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sleepy |
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Yo-Yo Ma - To The South |
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Ugh. I’ve reached some kind of block in my story, which is weird because I never have blocks. I might pause and say, “wait, where am I going again?” but I always remember my course after a few minutes. Now, it’s just dead air. It’s like a film was playing in my head and then the reel broke.
So I stared at the blank page for awhile and then scrolled up to the scene I just completed. I sort of ambled over to the main character in that scene and poked him with a stick.
“Hey!” he cried, rubbing his arm. “What was that for?”
“I wanted to see if you’d do anything else,” I replied. “Maybe I could add a few more lines to your scene. That way I might have an easier time starting on the next one.”
“What?! I just gave you a perfect ending!”
“I know, but--”
He pointed to over my shoulder. “March to the next page, missy. I’ve paid my 500 word due for the day. Come back when I’m feeling particularly essential to one of the plots.”
“But--”
“Now!”
So here I am, back at my blank page.
Good times.
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| Thinking too much... |
[16 Jul 2003|12:36pm] |
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mood |
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O_o; |
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music |
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Cirque du Solei - Vocea |
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I have a question:
How do you pronounce Ki and Iya from Flewelling's Tamir Trilogy? I'm Asian, so I tend to take syllables and pronounce them in an Asian way, especially when faced with names like this.
My pronunciation for the following names:
Ki = “Key”
Iya = “EE-ya”
My name is Aya, which is pronounced “Eye-ya”. Stu’s parents keep spelling my name ‘Iya’ though, so I’m wondering if anyone out there is saying my name when they think of that female mage.
I can also see how some people out there might see Ki as ‘Kai’.
Does anyone know what Flewelling says about this? I have a feeling that my pronunciation is wrong.
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