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bankmaggot
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 02:02am
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I'm calling it quits. Tired of working 9-5. I got ~8-10 years to prep for quitting time. Trying to get all my ducks lined up. I'll be financially independent and about 45 yr old. Want to do something meaningful before age issues kick in (bad knees) and won't allow me to hike the PCT or whatever. I can't tell you how depressing it is to sit at work and receive these constant emails on how so and so past away after working 42 years at the company. I'm burned out.
Considered just traveling the country in a trailer and just LIVING for a year. Another option is i got this itch to move out into the country and live a simple life in a cabin. Have a small garden, a few rabbits and chicken, something simple - low maintenance. To be honest, my biggest fear is that i'll find myself having nothing to do. I'm programmed to live and breath in this fast pace modern America. It may be difficult to unplug for longer than 2 weeks.
Currently I live in Seattle. I've been researching areas of the NW to buy property. Interested in WA (olypic peninsula), ID, MT (west), OR (curry county - southern coast). What factors do most people use on deciding a cabin location?
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 07:26am
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Once you start "homesteading" you'll have plenty to do but without the "panic pace" and believe me when I say, you'll adjust. Few folks can't but most can & do... just a matter of perspective & focus. Ask any Homesteader or Cabiner to tell you about "Full Job Jars", darn things have an auto-refill.
Things to look for & consider:
1) property access in all 4 seasons.
2) reasonable privacy from neighbours & public. (only you can determine what is reasonable, for you)
3) community access : having something (town/village) close enough for supplies & needs
Property itself:
4) Water source for drinking... Well or ?
5) Mixed land, cleared & wooded. Mixed woods = best
6) Good solar exposure... for solar system & gardens etc....
7) Naturally Sheltered area suitable for building on.
Finding a property which offers you an immediate source of "materials" such as stone, lumber etc for construction is a big plus.
Start looking around the areas which are accessible to you easily and see what's out there and what the prices are... Take the time to furtle around in the summer and go look at properties so you can gauge what you can get for how much. You may be quite surprised ! There are amazing deals "off the beaten paths" and sometimes (most often) you can only find them by driving by and seeing a sign....
I would suggest that you be prepared to purchase a property when you start poking around because you may just come across "the perfect spot". Property values rarely go down, especially in rural areas, so even if you buy a property and can't build on it yet, you got it....
You can start to do things on it and plan things out... camp on it and ideally, visit it throughout a full year to see what the land does... meaning look at snow drifts in winter, where the water flows in spring thaws and what's it is like to be there in storms etc... getting the "lay of the land" will help you to better plan what to build & where to build it.
Hope some of this is helpful, I'm sure a few others may have extra thoughts to share with you.
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neb
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 08:54am
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I'm also tired of the everyday stress of a management job. I will be pulling the plug in one year. I do agree it won't be easy just to unplug from the fast pace and schedules of the work place. Health insurance is a big item for me to consider. I will have about 8 years to pay full cost before reduced rates.
Keep us informed on your dream of the simple life.
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beachman
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 09:58am
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I thought I was going to be able to bail out this year but the younger crew are smarter and don't want commitments. I am self-employed so happy to have work and able to take time when I want to. You will always be working for someone in one form or another, until you get so feeble that someone else will be cleaning out your barn, to put it politely. Everyone dreams of the "simple life" but very few actually live it. Good luck and I hope you are one of the few.
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Littlecooner
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 10:04am
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At 45, sounds like the mid life blues are here. You will adjust to retirement. If you do purchase a RV and also a nice place of your choice of a small cabin (that's really all anyone needs in todays world), then parking that RV next to the cabin you are building will consume every day you want to work on the cabin. You will find rest and relaxation in working at your own pace and enjoying a little hiking on days you want to not work on the cabin. Like Steve_S recommends - get out and hit the back country and find a piece of USofA real estate that suites your life style and start working toward that retirement goal.
After you determine your water source and power source, its all down hill from there. You will enjoy arising each morning and after coffee, working on the cabin of your dreams. Also consider the wireless options of staying connected with the world via the internet when looking at real estate. Internet banking removes a lot from when you can live and not have to travel off your property for long periods of time.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 11:34am
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Quoting: bankmaggot Currently I live in Seattle. I've been researching areas of the NW to buy property. Interested in WA (olypic peninsula), ID, MT (west), OR (curry county - southern coast). What factors do most people use on deciding a cabin location?
Bankmaggot, how about easter wa, drier, over 300 days of sunshine a year (great for solar power production and garden growing) and that county is laid back, massive wide open spaces, nice timberland, nice folks too???
There is a realtor who deals in large land/lots there called dirt cheap dirt. Go to http://www.dirt-cheap-dirt.com and land is cheap there too. You could still be close to your area/family now, close to the PCT, but way out.
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Malamute
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 01:29pm
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Some good comments so far. One thing I'd add, I wanted close easy access to vast amounts of public land, preferable National Forest.
Many seek solitude, but end up looking for or finding remote. They arent synonymous. I have social solitude, but am not remote from other people or towns. Remote is available if I want to get out in the mountains, which I very much like to do. I'm 4 or 5 miles from areas I can shoot, hike, dog walk, explore, or whatever.
I think the travelling idea sounds great, I've done it before when younger. I'd like to do it again, in a little more comfort than camping out of the back of my truck or sleeping on the ground.
Being sure water can be had from a well or local system is a big deal on land. You can get by hauling it, but its a lot of work compared to turning on the tap.
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Gary O
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 04:17pm
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Quoting: bankmaggot I'm programmed to live and breath in this fast pace modern America. It may be difficult to unplug for longer than 2 weeks.
8-10 years is excellent
Having a piece of land now will do a few things;
It'll keep you focused
It'll align your budget (boards w/be bought in place of a new whatever, and vacations w/be there)
You'll have yer own vacation spot
Even your vehicle choices w/be influenced
Your google searches will go from looking for the best buy on that new driver to the best generator
It'll give you a relief, an answer
However, the most important aspect of it all, is self-recognition.
Recognition that we, the white collar/pocket shirt middle/upper management, career welder, or just working stiff, have come to a realization that we've dedicated our best years to carefully, religiously, fervently barely almost not making it.
Realizing that even if we did sock a few shekels away, what have we really accomplished???
Realizing that even vacations have become regimented, pre-planned tightly scheduled ordeals.
We, the working force, have become institutionalized, thinking about a place out, but yet clinging to the pacification of the thermostat and remote controls that have given us the pathetic life style we are so accustomed to and have worked so hard for.
I've been in top level management for 28 years
It consumes you
It might as well be yer own business, because they pay you to treat it as such
You congratulate yerself daily that it's not...then go back to worrying, fretting, stewing over.....everything...even stopping by on the weekend to see if you recvd that all important Email you've been wringing yer hands over.
But I'll tell ya, when I'm out at the place, all anxiety drains from my psyche.
Heh, I can't stop working...with my hands.
I drop weight
I eat less...poop more.
And y'know what? When I'm out there, I have a continuous smile on my mug.
No matter what I'm doing out there, something gently surprises me from time to time, be it a low coasting bald eagle casting it's shadow over me, a pair of coyotes mystically loping into vision of a foggy morning, or just the quiet grace of a magnificent sunrise.
It'll put a grin in yer mind that you won't soon lose
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neb
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 05:52pm
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Gary O >>>Exactly!! I'm getting closer each day with no schedules, meetings, working with the public and time lines. What ever I do then I won't be in any hurry and NO schedules. Lol
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 05:53pm
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As always, great replay Garry. 
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Gary O
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 05:55pm
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Quoting: neb What ever I do then I won't be in any hurry and NO schedules.
Amen, brother
May 25 for me
Been peckin' away at the cabin for about six years now.
I....cannot.....wait!
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Gary O
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 05:57pm
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech As always, great replay Garry
Thnx, T-Tech
You have been one of my mentors, in many ways
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Pookie129
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 06:16pm
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Quoting: Gary O No matter what I'm doing out there, something gently surprises me from time to time, be it a low coasting bald eagle casting it's shadow over me, a pair of coyotes mystically loping into vision of a foggy morning, or just the quiet grace of a magnificent sunrise.
This sums up my wonderment of being up at the cabin/camp.
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Gary O
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# Posted: 15 Feb 2015 09:18pm
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Quoting: Malamute Being sure water can be had from a well or local system is a big deal on land. You can get by hauling it, but its a lot of work compared to turning on the tap.
Water is heavy
....and important
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TenMile
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2015 12:16am
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Here I sit in Curry County. What brought your attention to this area?
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bankmaggot
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2015 01:38am
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Thanks for all the responses. What I'm struggling with is where to live/retire geographically? Do you pick a location base on what you feel is more important to yourself, or a location closer to family/friends. Must be a personal decision i guess, picking a location to be close to friends could end up bad - as the friends can move away down the road.
Ideally, I like to buy a piece of land and start working on it slowly. I'd like to do most of the work myself when possible, so it will be SLOW going as i have little construction skill. However, i got a books and YouTube to help.  That's part of the reason why i'm giving myself 8-10 years.
I read other's challenges on getting a well drilled and with building codes. I got some idea on "temporary shelter" while the construction takes place. Something I'm curious about is this, "Is there a time table to build a home/cottage/cabin if using a permit?". As i'm doing this myself, would the county object if I took 3 years to build?
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bankmaggot
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2015 01:51am - Edited by: bankmaggot
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Quoting: TenMile Here I sit in Curry County. What brought your attention to this area?
The weather. The weather in Brookings is just unreal. I got a weather app for that town and it's hard to imagine it was sunny and 70 today. I got friends and family in Crescent City. Been there a bunch, love the life there, but hate the CA Taxes and building codes. I hear Curry county has one of the smallest property tax in the state and lax building codes. Seemed lots of money flow into that town and drove up the property value though.
Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech Quoting: bankmaggot Currently I live in Seattle. I've been researching areas of the NW to buy property. Interested in WA (olypic peninsula), ID, MT (west), OR (curry county - southern coast). What factors do most people use on deciding a cabin location? Bankmaggot, how about easter wa, drier, over 300 days of sunshine a year (great for solar power production and garden growing) and that county is laid back, massive wide open spaces, nice timberland, nice folks too??? There is a realtor who deals in large land/lots there called dirt cheap dirt. Go to http://www.dirt-cheap-dirt.com and land is cheap there too. You could still be close to your area/family now, close to the PCT, but way out.
I use to live in Spokane about 10 years ago. Eastern WA is an option as well. The cold temperature scares me a little. Thanks for the link, i'll spend some time looking there.
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bankmaggot
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2015 02:23am
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Well said Gary. My work is not as bad as most. It's pretty easy but I just feel like I should be doing something else. I feel like i'm wasting my days on this planet for $$. There's very little job satisfaction.
Listening to Thoreau Walden's Pond, just struck home with me. What's the point in spending 30 years doing a job you don't like so you can spend the last few years of your life doing something you do like? I feel like if I buy the land and start working it, I'm forcing myself to walk this new path.
I also consider not buying the land and travel the US a bit before settling. Who knows, i might find my own piece of heaven somewhere along my travels. Worst case, i can always put the cuffs back on and return to my old job if hate freedom so much.
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TenMile
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2015 02:33am
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Understood. Hit 75 at my house today. I dream of having some land and a cabin near here someday. I don't want to have to travel a long ways. Best of luck to you.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2015 03:40am
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Regarding water, you can get it delivered. And there's always rain/snow catchment, which is free (after assembling some simple supplies). Some places are fairly easy to drill a well. Others, not so much.
Good luck to you!
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leonk
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2015 11:53am
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Gary O, how well put! wow!
Wonderful photo! You did put a smile on my face!
OP, lots of good advice, you're working in the right direction.
Don't give up, but don't make huge irreversible changes either.
Someone mentioned 'mid life crisis'. It's certainly is very likely possibility. Nothing wrong with it, as long as we take the time to re-evaluate and to figure out what we want.
Sorry, no specific, useful advice from me 
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naturelover66
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2015 08:29pm
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As always , great read Gary .
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Gary O
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# Posted: 17 Feb 2015 09:05pm
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Quoting: leonk You did put a smile on my face!
My pleasure
and thanx, nl
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neb
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2015 10:23pm
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Quoting: Gary O May 25 for me
You are a lucky man! LOL I plan on the first month in 2016 if I can make it that long. I'm going one month at a time and not trying to think about it to much. If I run out greens I will worry about that then. LOL
Good luck and wish you the best in paradise.
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Gary O
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2015 11:02pm
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'Lucky', heh...been years, brother Neb.
Actually, thinking about it, I guess so.
Lots to do in the 96 days before 'the move'.
Gotta get the add-on built beforehand.
And lots to do this summer once we're set up into some semblance of living.
Buildings to build, utility (wash shed and sauna), then the shop...this summer.
I'll have to buy the firewood for the first winter....hate that.
Folks at work have mentioned that I have short timer's disease.
Heh, they have n-o-o-o-o idea.
Oh, I've loved the little corporation that has taken a large portion of my life...and still do.
Been the ol' man for awhile.
Now I just feel like the old wooden desk in the back room with one good drawer.
Folks keep goin' back there and usin' that drawer, cause info is hidden in there.
They're a bit scared and somewhat pissed that I'll be gone soon.
Told 'em I'll l leave 'em my phone number.
......and phone
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Don_P
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2015 11:40pm
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They usually learn to flap as the ground gets clearer
Quoting: Gary O eat less...poop more
I guess every person's opinion of what constitutes a literary gem is different
Quoting: bankmaggot "Is there a time table to build a home/cottage/cabin if using a permit?". As i'm doing this myself, would the county object if I took 3 years to build?
Usually on the books it is 6 months from when you pull the permit. Most departments I've dealt with want to see you at least every 6 months with a progress inspection. Most places
are reasonable, we have a castle locally that took a decade, under the same permit the whole time. I did work in one city that had relatively steep permit fees and a 6 month completion timeline. Going over there meant a whole new permit fee. It was in a town and they more often want things done quickly to keep property values up and complaints down. It is a good question in your first meeting.
You didn't ask but one thing to remember is never let a permit lapse once you've pulled it. You are building to the code in effect when you pulled the permit. If there is a code change and you've let the permit lapse, when you reapply it will be under the code then in effect.
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Shadyacres
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2015 06:19am
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In PA where I built the permit is good for one year and the cost to extend it another year was only $25. Don't know if you can go into the third year or not , I didn't need the third year.
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Gary O
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2015 06:56am
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Quoting: Don_P They usually learn to flap as the ground gets clearer
I did
I've gotta remember this one, pat 'em on the back as I tell 'em.
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CanadianNorth
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2015 11:31am
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@ OP
Thinking and planning about the future is paramount, if you have had enough of the modern world of work and want to keep your sanity, whatever is left of it. Nothing is worse than not wanting to be somewhere and being beholden to someone. We can not get away from work, but we can choose our work as long as we learn to live within our means.
I just left the rat race to retire relatively young and am thoroughly enjoying my life now. I answer to nobody now and can't tell you how good it feels. That independence of mind is priceless. But plan, plan, and plan some more. Have a plan B and even a plan C, if plan A should fail.
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moregon
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# Posted: 12 Mar 2015 12:28pm
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You can do what I did.......just purchased it! I have lots of trees, meadows and water. I didn't spend a lot of time stressing myself out about it, you could get stuck doing that for-ever.
Since the purchase I have camped many times and at different seasons on the property. That has helped me figure out the best place to set up my cabin.
Also the purchase has helped me focus on my long-term goal which is eventually living off grid up there full time.
Sometimes you have to just say ....F!#k it and get er done. Live on the edge a bit and find out what your made of!
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