January 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

jluc · Jan 31, 2020

timabababaluka said: ↑

Jan. 31

Pretty fantastic shave today. I decided to give my February 30DC focus shave style a dry-run today: 3 YouTuber (long and smooth, but for me, less effective) passes along the cheeks and neck. Light touch, and no going back where it's been shaved (even if there is "residual slickness"). 3 short stroke passes along the goat-zone. Light touch, no buffing, & no residual slickness touch ups. Light touches permitted around the mouth, because I need to be able to think about other things throughout the day, and monomania makes that difficult.

BBS along the cheeks, DFS along the jaw and upper lip, CCS on the chin, and DFS along the neck. Overall I'd call it a DFS. Some slight irritation on upper lip, corners of mouth and parts of the jaw, which indicates that I should probably be using an even lighter touch on my passes.

Razor: Flare Tip w/Personna Blue blade (6)

Soap: B&M's Cool

Brush: Kong

AS: Tsuka

Balm: Nivea Sensitive Cooling

View attachment 216522

I was inspired by Jason's use of B&M's Cool, and thought it would be a fantastic way to finish the work week. Love. That. Scent. Lathered flawlessly, and easily provided enough for 3 passes with some leftovers to reapply during gear clean-up. The Tsuka splash that follows complements Cool quite nicely. I was pleasantly surprised, considering just how different these two scents are from one another.

Speaking of Tsuka, it gave off a nice, warm burn this time that in NO way resembled the inferno I experienced yesterday (other than it fades fairly quickly). I still don't know if the mild irritation from my shave produces this effect, or if it's the AS itself. I actually applied a 2nd helping after the 1st dried down just to tempt fate. Again, warm burn that fades to nothing. Kind of enjoying the effect.

I'm avoiding menthol this upcoming month to better keep in touch with how my face is reacting to each shave. I want super-accurate scoring for my challenge. It is a sacrifice--I enjoy a little menthol. Because of this, I stole my son's Nivea Sensitive Cooling shave balm. I have never felt any more cool using it than when I use their regular formula, but it's still a wonderful balm.

Feeling like today is going to turn out to be a fantastic Friday. Hope all of yours turn out that way too
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Fantastic shave, Tim!

PLAla said: ↑

Great shave and photo, Jim!
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Thanks, Perry!

jtspartan said: ↑

Hope today is going well at school, Joe. The Model T is a very nice looking razor indeed.

Hope things slow down a bit for you soon, Danny. A great looking Fat Friday for sure.

I say it every month, but those recap photos are a highlight, Clint. I didn't realize it until you pointed it out that you went basically all month with SEs. Interesting.

That is bad pool by the plumbers, Perry. Why wouldn't they just call and be honest that they had other jobs they went to first and then will get to yours? Lousy practice.
Is showering at school an option?

The cream sounds like it did very well, Jeff! Besides Palmolive and Proraso, I've yet to really get into any creams from mainland Europe. Piff'ed a few TOBS creams too. Don't need any more rabbit holes...

Flare Tip February sounds like a fine plan, Gary! Good morning to you, sir, as well.

Sounds like a winning scent for sure, Blair. Yes, I could see how that Kami would be uncomfortable in your hand for sure.

Lovely photo, of course Jim. Cinnamon and I aren't on super good terms in Shave Soaps, but a sweet Bay Rum vibe sounds nice!

Hope work slows down a bit for you, Evan. Sounds like an interesting day there today...'Here's your bonus, and we need to cut your expense account'. Like something from 'The Office'!

Interesting to hear you say that you never have time for a cream, Terry. I find them even quicker than soaps, to be honest. Lovely combo, regardless!

Glad to hear everything worked well, Tim, and you were able to complete the shave and not see Red...

You probably already know this, Tim, but you add colour to resin via a liquid or powdered dye. If you put just a little liquid dye in, it will have that translucent look you referenced. More dye, darker colour.
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Thank you, Jason!

wristwatchb · Jan 31, 2020

Paul Turner said: ↑

What cans? Never mind, I just realized what you meant. Well, it does say don't put it under hot water, but I wonder if they mean BOILING hot. I've never discovered an issue with warm/hot tap water.
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It's not good practice to heat an aerosol can, and I wouldn't chance it, Paul. Seriously, my friend.

If you enjoy using warm canned lather, you could spray some in a bowl sitting in a sink of warm or hot water. That would be safer.

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

Trigger said: ↑

Jan 31
Good morning, fellas!
Rockwell Model T(6)
Rockwell DE (5?)
Rockwell Synthetic Brush
Stirling Sandalwood SS and AS
Nivea ASB
I decided to end this month with a can't miss bang out shave. Everything worked so well. Rocky whipped up a great Stirling lather. As a side note, I like synthetic brushes because they produce lathers very quickly. They are great when time is of the essence. I zm going to work today so it came in handy. On 38 hr growth, the Model T performed like a champ! With 2 passes, a blooodless and irritation-free BBS shave was achieved. Finished with the matching AS and Nivea balm. Have a nice day, guys! View attachment 216501 View attachment 216501
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Great picture, Joe!

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

clint64 said: ↑

January 31, 2020
Tatara Masamune
Feather
ŌKU Botiho
MdC Vetyver
Fine Fresh Vetiver Aftershave
Guerlain Vetiver EdT

It's hard to believe the month is over already. The MdC Vetyver is one of my favorite scents. It is not quite as intense as the Mike's Vetiver but still as that earthy smokey that seems to go so well with a messy raining morning we are having today. Three passes and touch ups ended in another BBS shave. I really enjoy using this razor. A splash of Fine Fresh Vetiver and a spritz of Guerlain Vetiver EdT and I am off to my office today. I hope everyone has a great Friday.

January 2020 Recap

I have really enjoyed the month of January. I was able to try out a couple of new AC razors, the Enoch and Hiram as well as revisit the Supply CO SE. I did throw in a couple of DE shaves so the month was not completely SE razors. I was able to finish the Stirling R4L soap and have another soap on the way out. As usual the best part of the month was following along in the thread. The friendship exhibited here really is special. I look forward to participating next month. See you in the February 30DC.
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Once again, a terrific recap and a beautiful picture, Clint!

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

Hembree said: ↑

Awesome Fat Friday shave. Doesn't get much better than this. View attachment 216502
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Great Fat Friday shave, Danny!

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

Terry said: ↑

Hey all!
Just to let you know....
The other day, I tried a razor that I hadn't used since last year around this time. It didn't work very well, uh, well not at all. I tried to use it, I really did, to no avail.
View attachment 216506
I try to use this thing once a year, just to remind myself just why I now shave with what I do.
Yes, it's a Bic off the shelf buy 'em at wally world razor. I could never use a dual bladed thing, they would pull out the hairs, rather than cut them off. Years and years I struggled with one of these, till......
Now thats all changed!
Thanks everyone!
tp
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Nice shave, Terry! I haven't seen one of those in years.

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

PLAla said: ↑

SOTD January 31, 2020
Fat Friday!

Prep: Cold water and PAA Cube pre-shave soap
Blade: Feather
Razor: Gillette Fatboy
Brush: Omega 10049
Soap: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel, Fine American Blend aftershave

Wonderful Fat Friday shave. Mounds and mounds of slick, shiny lather. Easy and smooth shaving with the Feather blade and Fatboy on 9. Terrific all around.

The plumbing world failed us. Three people contacted to fix the water heater and all three fell through. Backed out or didn't show up. We would try to fix it ourselves but the nearby Lowe's and Home Depot both didn't have the correct part (thermocoupler). We're trying more people today.

Enjoy your Friday!

View attachment 216479
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Excellent picture, Perry! I hope you get that hot water heater fixed soon.

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

Boojum1 said: ↑

Friday
January 31, 2020

Blackland Blackbird
Wizamet Super Iridium
Doug Korn Taca
Panna Crema Nuavia Rossa
Fine Platinum
Creed Aventus

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Wonderful picture, Mark!

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

jgreenepa said: ↑

View attachment 216505
SOTD 01/31/20

This morning I woke up to a relatively gray day. One of the issues with having a collection of utility objects is that as it grows, certain early favorites are pushed aside in favor of the newer arrivals. What razor should I select to shave with and close out the month? I looked at my rack of 16 daily drivers And noticed that I had been neglecting one of my stalwarts, the Muhle R41 (2011) on its RazoRock SS Barber Pole handle. In addition, my shaving creams have been have seeing little use. So I selected my Kapo fresh. I like to bowl lather my shaving creams, so I also grabbed my ceramic shaving scuttle. Jayaruh’s Custom Rosewood Silvertip Badger was my choice of brush. I cold rinsed with water and applied my regular PAA Preshave soap to head and face. My shave gang over at TSD have been on a hot lather kick with a variety of shaving soaps. So I had boiled some water, and added it to my usual smidge of Kapo Fresh with 5 drops of M-Bomb. The result was a thin, white, disappointing bubbly result. So I added a bit more cream and proceeded to lather without much change. As soon as I began transferring this seemingly nothing lather to my face and noggin, however, voila, thick, luxurious, hot lather. So this is what they’re talking about! Now the thing I know about the R41 is that besides being a highly efficient shaver, it demands concentration and focus.

My first WTG pass on my face went beautifully as I rode the cap carefully throughout. Short careful strokes cleared the whiskers right down to the skin line on my face, leaving me with an incredibly close bloodless first pass even around the troublesome Adam’s apple with only three rough spots. Now it was time for the head. I usually use long sweeping ATG strokes on the dome with my trusty Silversmith, Vector or Shake Sharp, but remembered that this never worked well with this razor. So I proceeded to use the same cap-riding short stroke technique on the gourd, with WTG short strokes, and experienced the same whisker clearing result as on the face, although it took me far longer than my usual head shave. There remained only two rough spots in the usual places, for that second pass. Usually I go ATG, but with this razor and my arthritis would be bitten. So instead I elected to go XTG, and for the first time ended up with probably one of the closest head shaves I’ve ever experienced. Returning to my face, I experienced another extremely close shave. A check with the alum block revealed heat around each of the trouble spots. Given that, I guess I would have to term the result a near BBS all around. What a great shave to end the month on. I feel clean, smoooth, coool and refreshed

RAZOR: Muhle R41 (2011) on RR Barber Pole SS Handle
BLADE: Wizamet Super Iridium
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with PAA’s Preshave Cube
BRUSH: Jayaruh Custom Rosewood Silvertip Badger
CREAM: Kapo Fresh
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with Glyce Glycerin soap followed by Thayers Lavender WH and finished with Fine Accoutrements Snake Bite AS Splash
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Nice shave, Jeff!

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

Paul Turner said: ↑

My shave this morning was Most Excellent. . I was afraid at the beginning that I didn't shake off the brush enough,. but I saw that I did. This led to about 0:35 of loading time and the brush appeared ready for liftoff. Two fine passes, no cuts. I did indeed try less of the aftershave than yesterday, and there was less roughness overall. Still some, but I'll live with it. By the way, the Weekend-Rodeo aftershave is the only one I have that says right on the bottle to shake it well. Naturally, I obliged. A great shave to begin a busy morning of errands.
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Sounds like and excellent shave, Paul!

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

brit said: ↑

View attachment 216511
good morning gents.friday shave,last day of the month..been an excellent month ,fantastic shaves,good times with the crew..planning a flare tip february.here is the first safety bar tto razor that started it all..the 1941 ranger tech..loaded with a platinum,a bowl of pre de provence slick lather,and got a near bbs in 2+ fine passes.twisted thayers and paris bleu edt to finish..looking forward to some fine "shaves and shenanigans" next month..thank you all ,and have a great friday..
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Great picture, Gary!

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

Primotenore said: ↑

January Focus

Last shave of January.
As good as the first.
See you in February.
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Cool picture, Joseph!

PLAla · Jan 31, 2020

Norcalnewb said: ↑

Excellent picture, Perry! I hope you get that hot water heater fixed soon.
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Thank you, Jim!

timabababaluka · Jan 31, 2020

b1hart said: ↑

View attachment 216510
Jan 31st

Proraso PS - Red
Zenith Synthetic
Art of Shaving SC - Olibanum & Pepper
ShaveSmith 6/8 Kamisori
Art of Shaving ASB - Olibanum & Pepper

Another AoS shave cream today, a relatively new fragrance from them in Spring 2019, Olibanum (aka Frankincense) and Pepper. Very nice fragrance, subtle and sophisticated....I get more of the Black Pepper with a spicy tone, small hint of sweet that's not overpowering. The ASB is a perfect match aroma wise, however...it's quite anemic on the aroma potency, zero longevity. For those liking thin viscosity ASBs (the bottle is a pump dispenser), this ASB fits the bill very well. Face feel is very hydrated, still 3 hours after the shave. This ASB reminds me of pump soap, albeit in a thin cream. I'm patiently waiting for this fragrance release as one a 'Cologne Intense' option. It's a guaranteed purchase for me, the aroma is that well blended (wifey approved too). It could knock Proraso Red or a PAA fragrance out of my top 5......

Great bowl lather, didn't warm the scuttle. The AoS SC was slick, stiff and peaky, great shine, still with a yogurt like texture....fun to paint & face lather with the Zenith synthetic. Two passes using the ShaveSmith kamisori, no nicks or issues. This kamisori is very small, extremely light, slightly odd to hold with it's square handle. The blade is a near wedge grind, but the spine starts thinner than most, so it's cutting edge (and honing angle) is paper thin, similar to a full hollow. Combine this with my coarse neck growth, this razor takes pressure and a firm grip to do it's job. It reminds me of shaving with my Feather AC DX shavette, but even lighter. And this is where it all went south.....at the end of the second pass, I dropped it in the sink while rinsing. Ugh. You can see the tiny deflection on the toe end in the image. So....it goes in the honing pile. Finished the neck cleanup with the Rex Ambassador, still loaded with the Treet Platinum Super Stainless from earlier this week. DFS on the 2 passes with the ShaveSmith, DFS+ after the neck touch up.

Hope everyone has a Fantastic Friday!

edit....forgot to add. Attached is an image of the Zenith brush handle after the shave, showing the residue from AoS shave cream. Might not be an issue for everyone, but for our hard North Texas tap water....rather a pain to clean up.
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Beautiful shave, Blair. Love that kamisori (though sorry to hear about the ding--a nice save with the Rex). Have a fantastic weekend, sir!

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

b1hart said: ↑

View attachment 216510
Jan 31st

Proraso PS - Red
Zenith Synthetic
Art of Shaving SC - Olibanum & Pepper
ShaveSmith 6/8 Kamisori
Art of Shaving ASB - Olibanum & Pepper

Another AoS shave cream today, a relatively new fragrance from them in Spring 2019, Olibanum (aka Frankincense) and Pepper. Very nice fragrance, subtle and sophisticated....I get more of the Black Pepper with a spicy tone, small hint of sweet that's not overpowering. The ASB is a perfect match aroma wise, however...it's quite anemic on the aroma potency, zero longevity. For those liking thin viscosity ASBs (the bottle is a pump dispenser), this ASB fits the bill very well. Face feel is very hydrated, still 3 hours after the shave. This ASB reminds me of pump soap, albeit in a thin cream. I'm patiently waiting for this fragrance release as one a 'Cologne Intense' option. It's a guaranteed purchase for me, the aroma is that well blended (wifey approved too). It could knock Proraso Red or a PAA fragrance out of my top 5......

Great bowl lather, didn't warm the scuttle. The AoS SC was slick, stiff and peaky, great shine, still with a yogurt like texture....fun to paint & face lather with the Zenith synthetic. Two passes using the ShaveSmith kamisori, no nicks or issues. This kamisori is very small, extremely light, slightly odd to hold with it's square handle. The blade is a near wedge grind, but the spine starts thinner than most, so it's cutting edge (and honing angle) is paper thin, similar to a full hollow. Combine this with my coarse neck growth, this razor takes pressure and a firm grip to do it's job. It reminds me of shaving with my Feather AC DX shavette, but even lighter. And this is where it all went south.....at the end of the second pass, I dropped it in the sink while rinsing. Ugh. You can see the tiny deflection on the toe end in the image. So....it goes in the honing pile. Finished the neck cleanup with the Rex Ambassador, still loaded with the Treet Platinum Super Stainless from earlier this week. DFS on the 2 passes with the ShaveSmith, DFS+ after the neck touch up.

Hope everyone has a Fantastic Friday!

edit....forgot to add. Attached is an image of the Zenith brush handle after the shave, showing the residue from AoS shave cream. Might not be an issue for everyone, but for our hard North Texas tap water....rather a pain to clean up.
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Outstanding picture, Blair!

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

jluc said: ↑

January 31st
Razor: PAA Ascension Twist
Blade: Gillette Winner (2)
Brush: PAA Starcraft
Pre-shave: PAA The Cube
Soap: PAA Space Nog
PAA Galactic witch hazel
PAA unscented Star Jelly
AS: PAA Space Nog

Good morning

Epic shave to finish out the month! Three passes for near BBS. Silent alum.

It has been another fun month with the Crew! I was enabled a few times, made an effort to enable others and had a hand in Patrick's CT. Other than the CT it was a lot like last month and probably a lot like next month. I wouldn't have it any other way!

I spent the month going through my PAA collection which will continue into February. Today's selection, Space Nog. Another fun scent from PAA. I don't get egg nog. To me it comes across as a sweet Bay Rum.

From PAA:

Scent Profile: Brown Sugar, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Light Cinnamon, West Indian Bay, Tonka Bean, Benzoin Resin & Spiced Rum.

Have a great day!
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Terrific picture, Jim!

wristwatchb · Jan 31, 2020

9nein9 said: ↑

My CT was born from a mention of cats and wrestling masks hence the new avatar. Long story but just so happens Jim @jluc thoroughly reads all my posts and he got me good ....real good.
It would make an awesome goalie mask .
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Kudos to @jluc for finding the chink in your armor! He has much upward potential in the Cartel.

I'm currently on a CT stake out sitting outside an undisclosed Tim Hortons in Western BC. Thankfully, my subject doesn't realize that his ego is not his amigo.

timabababaluka · Jan 31, 2020

jluc said: ↑

January 31st
Razor: PAA Ascension Twist
Blade: Gillette Winner (2)
Brush: PAA Starcraft
Pre-shave: PAA The Cube
Soap: PAA Space Nog
PAA Galactic witch hazel
PAA unscented Star Jelly
AS: PAA Space Nog

Good morning

Epic shave to finish out the month! Three passes for near BBS. Silent alum.

It has been another fun month with the Crew! I was enabled a few times, made an effort to enable others and had a hand in Patrick's CT. Other than the CT it was a lot like last month and probably a lot like next month. I wouldn't have it any other way!

I spent the month going through my PAA collection which will continue into February. Today's selection, Space Nog. Another fun scent from PAA. I don't get egg nog. To me it comes across as a sweet Bay Rum.

From PAA:

Scent Profile: Brown Sugar, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Light Cinnamon, West Indian Bay, Tonka Bean, Benzoin Resin & Spiced Rum.

Have a great day!
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Great shave, Jim! I don't mind drinking egg nog, but don't think I'd want to smell like it--too nutmeg-y. I'd call Space Nog smelling like bay rum a win, personally

9nein9 · Jan 31, 2020

wristwatchb said: ↑

Kudos to @jluc for finding the chink in your armor! He has much upward potential in the Cartel.

I'm currently on a CT stake out sitting outside an undisclosed Tim Hortons in Western BC. Thankfully, my subject doesn't realize that his ego is not his amigo.
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Hope you are warm and have lots of coffee....other than Tim Hortons. That stuff will send you running for the bathroom when you least expect it and often. Also use the word Eh alot at the end of sentences and most importantly.......if the subject of hockey comes up...and it will....Canucks are the only team that matters in that province . Dont slip up or you will be outed immediately and they will put you on the next bus to Ft. Macmurray. You dont want to go there . Good luck agent "C" . The Cartel is counting on you to succeed .

Norcalnewb · Jan 31, 2020

MrEE said: ↑

Jan 31st
Fat Friday

Razor: Gillette Flare Tip Rocket
Blade: Wilkenson Sword Black
Brush: Simpson X3 Best Badger
PS: Stirling Menthollated Pre-Shave
SS: Mitchell's Wool Fat
AS: Stetson

This is a drive by posting. My week had been filled with administrative duties on top of the technical responsibilities I am still own. Annual raise and bonus letters will be finished today. Hope friday is an okay day to tell someone good news.

This week I was told my team spends more than any other in my department and we have to cut spending and provide justification for what we cant cut. Just business as usual, but still busy. BTW we also manage the largest, highest volume service so that wasn't a surprise.

Anyway, copying Gary again. The Rocket does shave a little different than the Superspeed, or maybe it was the blade, probably both.

Hot lathered the MWF. MFW performs awesome hot, very soft and slick. 3 pass shave to DFS with 3 weapers on my chin. The weapers were a surprise, but it happens. I am looking forward to a month with my RedTip and Voskhod. Not sure if I will stick with Stirling Soaps the whole month, but I will stick with badger brushes.

View attachment 216513
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Nice shave, Evan!

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January 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

What year did you join our happy band of shavers?

2015 - CHARTER MEMBER - I was here the day we began!

2015 - February or later

2016

2017

2018

2019

I'm brand new in 2020

I don't remember. I've inhaled too much shaving soap for my brain to function.

Not sure but it's been longer than a day

So we still get cookies, right? And ice cream? I heard rumors.

jluc smelling pretty

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

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January 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

What year did you join our happy band of shavers?

2015 - CHARTER MEMBER - I was here the day we began!

2015 - February or later

2016

2017

2018

2019

I'm brand new in 2020

I don't remember. I've inhaled too much shaving soap for my brain to function.

Not sure but it's been longer than a day

So we still get cookies, right? And ice cream? I heard rumors.

jluc smelling pretty

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

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timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

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