KBIS: Peeps and Pretty

<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">A </span></span></b>couple of weeks ago I was in Chicago to present two seminars at the IWCE Visions Expo. Concurrent with Visions was KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. While I heard from many people that it's not what it used to be in terms of size and flash, it's still a big show with lots to see. One of the best parts about blogging, aside from all the amazing opportunities it offers, is the chance to meet fellow bloggers online, and then IRL (in real life).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6ThAmr8rvICdtUSkyUL7a0k5S5oVZ9ZYcjkWC1QPGri6gsFBIj20ZsEuidq-wTj6ZjPcbsPC7YY6eyRbDVVftR_yEL9aufur__2w7M1ceb43MWMEP2UDYyUyKzCQEdM3RDd32aRbBucs/s1600/DSCN6162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6ThAmr8rvICdtUSkyUL7a0k5S5oVZ9ZYcjkWC1QPGri6gsFBIj20ZsEuidq-wTj6ZjPcbsPC7YY6eyRbDVVftR_yEL9aufur__2w7M1ceb43MWMEP2UDYyUyKzCQEdM3RDd32aRbBucs/s640/DSCN6162.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>M</b></span>y first stop the day I went to the KBIS show was the multi-media lounge to listen in on a bloggers panel about blogging in the kitchen design world. Speakers included (l-r) one of my longest time bloggy friends Susan Serra, CKD, <a href="http://www.thekitchendesigner.org/" target="_blank">The Kitchen Designer</a> & <a href="http://www.scandinavianmade.com/" target="_blank">Scandinavian Made</a> (in yellow above). Also on the dias was a woman (whose name I forget) who is the editor for Kitchens magazine, Brandon Smith of the blog<a href="http://dcoopsd.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> D.Coop</a>, and one of my new favorite people Marilyn Russell of <a href="http://designmagnifique.com/" target="_blank">Design Magnifique</a>. There was another woman seated behind the podium and I could never see her and missed her intro, so I'm afraid I have no idea who it was! Anyway, the space was packed and all the speakers extolled the virtues of Twitter and Pinterest in getting the word out about their own work but also in the relationships built and connections made. It was a fantastic talk.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJHUAV0cDOl_SWSmXsOKpj8Cx_NLJAT3AgwmNZDJaZygt2vaRgxg914f3bC9_FEOAwlzWF6HN19Wq3t3QfHJvnRjTel1CWst3xS78M7MJ8ARMihR3NLwudWT09It4M75LjrAy8Tnm4XI6/s1600/DSCN6168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJHUAV0cDOl_SWSmXsOKpj8Cx_NLJAT3AgwmNZDJaZygt2vaRgxg914f3bC9_FEOAwlzWF6HN19Wq3t3QfHJvnRjTel1CWst3xS78M7MJ8ARMihR3NLwudWT09It4M75LjrAy8Tnm4XI6/s640/DSCN6168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">H</span></span></b>ere are some lovely ladies I spent time with at the show: Patti, Erin, Marilyn, Kathy & Barbara - all interior designers and bloggers. Barbara hosts the twitter chat <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/IntDesignerChat" target="_blank">#interiordesignerchat</a> and Patti and Erin are the ambassadors. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/577719_3618140528033_1109472877_3504266_1626991455_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/577719_3618140528033_1109472877_3504266_1626991455_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>his fun pic was taken at the <a href="http://www.totousa.com/Default.aspx?tabid=63" target="_blank">Toto</a> booth.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qFt5DODsWSElBTHFV7yfu7mGh5pHH93DgVfq2AT837iVDj1YbMT21Tdzwgufc8xYeRqYTY5p51QEHgs242RsC8rFh3fuXTp3bnMnaZvchEySJO_OLj8I48ZHaK3_WkKAKCqoDR9VHra4/s1600/DSCN6172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qFt5DODsWSElBTHFV7yfu7mGh5pHH93DgVfq2AT837iVDj1YbMT21Tdzwgufc8xYeRqYTY5p51QEHgs242RsC8rFh3fuXTp3bnMnaZvchEySJO_OLj8I48ZHaK3_WkKAKCqoDR9VHra4/s640/DSCN6172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>  <br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">S</span></span></b>peaking of Toto, loved this display of their faucets! I'm a bit like a magpie, if its shiny, I gravitate right to it!<br /><br />And, speaking of shiny, there was a fun party at the Dream2O showroom at the Merchandise Mart. The MM is purported to be the country's second largest building after the Pentagon. They certainly must rival the Pentagon in security! Anyway, <a href="http://www.brizo.com/" target="_blank">faucet company Brizo</a> had a big bash in their gorgeous showroom - it was packed, the music was loud and the drinks were top shelf. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p480x480/556271_10150707234250186_92204260185_9753506_1534874020_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p480x480/556271_10150707234250186_92204260185_9753506_1534874020_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Plus, those of us Brizo Blogger 19 alumni who were present got to have our photo taken with fashion designer Jason Wu, who works with Brizo and has a new line of faucets with them. More on all that in a separate post. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p480x480/575236_3603990134282_1109472877_3498135_165651227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/p480x480/575236_3603990134282_1109472877_3498135_165651227_n.jpg" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</b></span>here is a much better photo of this group out there somewhere that hopefully Brizo will release at some point. This was taken by someone in the crowd and thanks to Barbara Segal (next to me) for posting it. <br /><br />Also, I'd be remiss in not sending out a <b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">HUGE</span></span></b> thank you to Brizo. I participated in a focus group giving my opinions on some faucets they are working on (all very hush, hush!) and I won an iPad in their drawing!!! I've barely let it out of my hands since I got it. <br /><br />Okay, gotta run. There is plenty more to come from my trip to Chicago, so stay tuned! And, don't forget to visit Annie Selke's<a href="http://www.freshamerican.com/" target="_blank"> Fresh American</a> blog daily to leave a comment and enter to win some really fantastic prizes. Mention you can from me and I may win prizes to give away here as well!<br /><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

KBIS: Peeps and Pretty

A couple of weeks ago I was in Chicago to present two seminars at the IWCE Visions Expo. Concurrent with Visions was KBIS, the Kitchen and B...

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Annie Selke's "Fresh" new blog

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freshamerican.com/wp-content/themes/Magnificent/images/FA_Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="74" src="http://www.freshamerican.com/wp-content/themes/Magnificent/images/FA_Header.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;">C</span></b>ongratulations to the lovely Annie Selke, founder of <a href="http://www.pineconehill.com/" target="_blank">Pine Cone Hill</a> and <a href="http://www.dashandalbert.com/" target="_blank">Dash & Albert Rug</a> companies on the re-launch of her blog <a href="http://www.freshamerican.com/" target="_blank">"Fresh American"</a>! Starting with her first post today, Annie's new approach to blogging will be a personal journey and reflections on her love of interior design, architecture and landscapes. <br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">A</span></span></b>s a special treat, starting with the blog’s <span __postbox-detected-content="__postbox-detected-date" class="__postbox-detected-content __postbox-detected-date" style="color: black; display: inline; font-size: inherit; padding: 0pt;">re-launch on May</span> 7^th, each visitor who leaves a comment on the day’s post (until midnight) will be entered into a randomly-selected drawing to win that day’s prize. Daily prizes will be anything from individual products or gift collections from <a href="http://www.pineconehill.com/">Pine Cone Hill</a> and <a href="http://www.dashandalbert.com/">Dash & Albert Rug Company</a> to gift cards to any one of Annie’s home textile companies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday's giveaway was a doozy: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freshamerican.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Giveaway_050712-650x650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.freshamerican.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Giveaway_050712-650x650.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">N</span></span></b>ow, this is where you come in! Head on over each day over the next two weeks to Annie's Blog <a href="http://www.freshamerican.com/" target="_blank">Fresh American</a> and post a comment on that day's post. Tell her you came from my blog. If your comment is the one randomly selected, you will win a fabulous prize. And I will win one more to give away here.  So, your chances are doubled (in Linda-math)! And even better, the blog that generates the most comments on Annie's blog will receive a $500 gift card to give away. Your chances are TRIPLED! (don't check my math, percentages and probabilities was not on my school schedule!). <i>ETA</i>: Only those who leave comments on Annie's blog mentioning me or ::Surroundings:: will be eligible for a second chance at that days giveaway (should I have one to give!) So, really, your chances of winning something are fantastic but you have comment to increase your chances! Just put <a href="http://www.freshamerican.com/" target="_blank">Annie's blog</a> in your reader and comment every day! </div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"> Good luck!</div><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Annie Selke's "Fresh" new blog

C ongratulations to the lovely Annie Selke, founder of Pine Cone Hill and Dash & Albert Rug companies on the re-launch of her blog ...

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A little Friday pretty: Drive-by shooting in Osterville, Massachusetts

 <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qoqSCrrjjjg/T6Qb0sazTuI/AAAAAAAAKO4/6PD9ZWUDOdQ/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A51%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="538" id="blogsy-1336156231976.1887" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qoqSCrrjjjg/T6Qb0sazTuI/AAAAAAAAKO4/6PD9ZWUDOdQ/s719/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A51%252520AM.jpg" width="719"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="'Times New Roman'" size="6">I </font>had a fantastic meeting today with a builder in the beautiful seaside town of Osterville and then drove around taking pictures of some beautiful spots around town. It's a dark and stormy day here on Cape Cod, but it's always nice to take a drive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ff7HiACEjhM/T6QbpvNYtYI/AAAAAAAAKOw/ynB_zEdC2Ik/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A58%252520AM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="536" id="blogsy-1336156232005.1477" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ff7HiACEjhM/T6QbpvNYtYI/AAAAAAAAKOw/ynB_zEdC2Ik/s717/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A58%252520AM.jpg" width="717"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">The house below is a classic shingle style with a fantastic ocean view. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dGF2XsVRXK4/T6Qbetk7rQI/AAAAAAAAKOo/I-P3iNutnRQ/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A31%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="534" id="blogsy-1336156232072.9583" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dGF2XsVRXK4/T6Qbetk7rQI/AAAAAAAAKOo/I-P3iNutnRQ/s715/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A31%252520PM.jpg" width="715"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rWTRWRgSuo8/T6QbGH2eQNI/AAAAAAAAKOY/Uf72WJzT-UM/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A33%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="435" id="blogsy-1336156232013.1096" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rWTRWRgSuo8/T6QbGH2eQNI/AAAAAAAAKOY/Uf72WJzT-UM/s718/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A33%252520PM.jpg" width="718"></a></div>This is a sort of sideways saltbox style house. A few too many window styles for my taste, but the view can't be beat. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZnygAUSPy7Q/T6Qa9EGPlQI/AAAAAAAAKOQ/JiMkGADfh_8/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A33%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="453" id="blogsy-1336156232066.452" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZnygAUSPy7Q/T6Qa9EGPlQI/AAAAAAAAKOQ/JiMkGADfh_8/s724/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A33%252520PM.jpg" width="724"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCNRSFFh1y8/T6Qa1McSQsI/AAAAAAAAKOI/xuJPXFAjyto/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A34%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="535" id="blogsy-1336156232067.7134" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wCNRSFFh1y8/T6Qa1McSQsI/AAAAAAAAKOI/xuJPXFAjyto/s716/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A34%252520PM.jpg" width="716"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">This big old rambling house has also got a spectacular view of the ocean, seen below. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A6GBgIH_NNs/T6QaqocbZJI/AAAAAAAAKOA/TjPqAcKrmm0/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A34%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="534" id="blogsy-1336156231995.2356" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A6GBgIH_NNs/T6QaqocbZJI/AAAAAAAAKOA/TjPqAcKrmm0/s714/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A34%252520PM.jpg" width="714"></a></div> The house below features the classic Cape Cod crushed shell driveway and sweet landscaping. I think the shutters on the upper dormers are kind of unnecessary and certainly aren't functional. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2GOeiskZcnU/T6QagCw-YlI/AAAAAAAAKN4/7Kr1Yf4bRvI/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A36%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="535" id="blogsy-1336156232032.0078" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2GOeiskZcnU/T6QagCw-YlI/AAAAAAAAKN4/7Kr1Yf4bRvI/s716/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A36%252520PM.jpg" width="716"></a></div> A big old white house tucked behind the trees. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YCxye3W9fhg/T6QaT-mhLTI/AAAAAAAAKNw/avXKjSoOw_Y/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A38%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="538" id="blogsy-1336156232051.351" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YCxye3W9fhg/T6QaT-mhLTI/AAAAAAAAKNw/avXKjSoOw_Y/s720/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A38%252520PM.jpg" width="720"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">I like the subtle quality of this house - it's kind of tucked into the natural landscaping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YfDyHPykxyA/T6QaHyCZSoI/AAAAAAAAKNo/p_hbL7ZWj-I/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A39%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="536" id="blogsy-1336156232067.6233" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YfDyHPykxyA/T6QaHyCZSoI/AAAAAAAAKNo/p_hbL7ZWj-I/s717/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A39%252520PM.jpg" width="717"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">A cute little new construction house for sale. <br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CLl4m_xdoac/T6QZ7elmkOI/AAAAAAAAKNg/mPYKmslG9vs/s2003/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A49%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="521" id="blogsy-1336156232029.6582" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CLl4m_xdoac/T6QZ7elmkOI/AAAAAAAAKNg/mPYKmslG9vs/s716/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A49%252520PM.jpg" width="716"></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;clear: both; ">And finally, little Fancy's market where there's more stuff crammed into the smallest square footage you'll ever see in a grocery store. My friend's elderly Mom shops there and when she's in, one of their staff walk around with her, carrying the grocery basket for her (no room for carts here). Love that small town attention. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VtPn0PbJFy8/T6QZwt2hjlI/AAAAAAAAKNY/u76T9tPWuRo/s2048/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="440" id="blogsy-1336156232030.0686" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VtPn0PbJFy8/T6QZwt2hjlI/AAAAAAAAKNY/u76T9tPWuRo/s717/Photo%252520May%2525204%25252C%2525202012%25252012%25253A52%252520PM.jpg" width="717"></a></div> <font class="Apple-style-span" face="'Times New Roman'" size="6">I </font>hope you enjoyed our little trip around Osterville, Massachusetts and have a great weekend! <br/><br/>

A little Friday pretty: Drive-by shooting in Osterville, Massachusetts

  I had a fantastic meeting today with a builder in the beautiful seaside town of Osterville and then drove around taking pictures of some b...

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