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From: <timbre_at_spiger.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] finally: a use for aol
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 22:16:50 -0800
joan spinner:

i KNEW those aol discs were good for something.  good idea.  my husband is 
going to try your compass mount!

kcd


kathleen comalli dillon~friend, mom, wife, musician, violinist, writer, 
ailurophile extraordinaire
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We can do no great things; we can only do small things with great 
love."-Mother Teresa~~"I find a lot of people like chubby 67-year-old 
girls."-Beverly Sills~~"I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat 
are not the better for it."-Abraham Lincoln~~"Prepare to be 
assimila-----OOOOOoooooo, jelly donuts!"-Homer of Borg~~"I am Boris of 
Borg. Moose and Squirrel are irrelevant."~~


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From: <JSpinner_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] finally: a use for aol
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 07:46:47 EST
In a message dated 2/13/01 2:12:27 AM, timbre_at_spiger.com writes:

<< i KNEW those aol discs were good for something.  good idea.  my husband is 
going to try your compass mount! >>

    The foam was the big thing to me because it was easier to form to the 
shape of the deck than wood and easier on the gelcoat if it moves around at 
all. If I was using wood, I wouldn't need the CDs. 
    The shock cord was a bit hard. I used one piece made into 2 loops with 
hooks on them and carved the foam so the stuff would lie flat in the foam and 
then glued the cord into the foam before mounting the compass. So far, so 
good.

Joan

Joan Spinner
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From: Gabriel L Romeu <romeug_at_erols.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] finally: a use for aol
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 09:11:33 -0500
JSpinner_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 2/13/01 2:12:27 AM, timbre_at_spiger.com writes:
> 
> << i KNEW those aol discs were good for something.  good idea.  my husband is
> going to try your compass mount! >>
> 
>     The foam was the big thing to me because it was easier to form to the
> shape of the deck than wood and easier on the gelcoat if it moves around at
> all. If I was using wood, I wouldn't need the CDs.

Joan, I think the cd idea is really fine, but if you ever want to use
wood try lightly spray gluing sandpaper on to the deck where you want
the compass and push the piece of wood back and forth in line between
the bow point and stern- an 80 grit with cedar should make quick work of
it.  YOu can also use this method for contouring a custom fit with foam.




-- 
                            Gabriel L
Romeu                                                    
http://studiofurniture.com        İİİİİ   furniture from the
workshop               
http://studiofurniture.com/diary  İİİİİ   life as a tourist, daily
journal         
http://studiofurniture.com/paint  İİİİİ   paintings, photographs,
etchings, objects
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From: Chuck Holst <cholst_at_bitstream.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] finally: a use for aol
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 08:15:15 -0600
An alternate way to get a good fit is to to cover the deck where you want 
the compass with plastic wrap, paint epoxy resin on the bottom of the mount 
after it has been rough-shaped, and then press it into place on top of the 
plastic wrap. When it has set, remove the mount and the plastic wrap, and 
trim the excess resin.

Chuck Holst

-----Original Message-----
From:	Gabriel L Romeu [SMTP:romeug_at_erols.com]
Sent:	Tuesday, February 13, 2001 8:12 AM
To:	JSpinner_at_aol.com
Cc:	PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net
Subject:	Re: [Paddlewise] finally:  a use for aol

Joan, I think the cd idea is really fine, but if you ever want to use
wood try lightly spray gluing sandpaper on to the deck where you want
the compass and push the piece of wood back and forth in line between
the bow point and stern- an 80 grit with cedar should make quick work of
it.  YOu can also use this method for contouring a custom fit with foam.

-- Gabriel L Romeu


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From: Wes Boyd <boydwe_at_dmci.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 15:33:27
I am sitting here coming to the realization that I probably am not going to
even be able to take a week's vacation this year. Staunch in my denial, I'm
sitting here thinking about big trips -- ones lasting, oh, two or three
months. Maybe a solo, once in a lifetime adventure.

So, for the sake of curiosity:

Suppose that, through some unexpected reason, you have the option to take a
two or three month kayak trip. The chance is unique, and probably won't
come again, so you want it to be a memorable, "trip of a lifetime". You
have an adequate amount of cash available for the trip, if you are
moderately careful. 

Where do you go? What would you do? Why? Would you consider doing the trip
solo? How would you organize the trip? Handle supplies? What boat would you
want?

Come on, folks, it's still winter out there. Let's have some dreams!

-- Wes
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From: Michael Noyes <mnoyes_at_gsinet.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 13:33:12 -0500
Wes Boyd wrote:


  So, for the sake of curiosity:

  Suppose that, through some unexpected reason, you have the option to take a
  two or three month kayak trip. The chance is unique, and probably won't
  come again, so you want it to be a memorable, "trip of a lifetime". You
  have an adequate amount of cash available for the trip, if you are
  moderately careful. 

  Where do you go? What would you do? Why? Would you consider doing the trip
  solo? How would you organize the trip? Handle supplies? What boat would you
  want?

  Come on, folks, it's still winter out there. Let's have some dreams!

  -- Wes


   For me the ultimate trip would be to the Gulf of Tonkin in Viet Nam. 
I have seen pictures and videos of the area and it is one of the most
beautiful and fascinating areas I have ever seen.  The Gulf of Tonkin was
formed when the sea eroded away the limestone in the area, leaving
hundreds of islands with near vertical cliffs over a hundred feet tall. 
In places the islands are donut shaped, with caves leading into the
center of the island.  Then there are the people that live in the area. 
Theirs is a boat culture, they live their entire lives on the boats only
coming ashore for needed supplies.  I would like to learn more about
these people and their value system.
   Would I travel there alone?  No, and for a couple of reasons.  First
is that I am a social paddler, I enjoy paddling with others more than I
like paddling solo.  Second is that I would want to share this trip with
someone special, shared experiences are the glue that bonds a
relationship together.  The third reason is that the area still hasn't
stabilized after the Viet Nam war, leaving many areas controlled by
"opportunists."  A guide familiar with the area and the locals would be a
necessity, not a luxury.
   What boat would I take?  My Kajak Sport Viviane would handle that trip
real well, and I am comfortable with it.  As for organizing the trip and
supplies I would be asking the advice of the guide for much of that.  Not
that I would be leaving it up to the guide, but being familiar with the
area the guide would know of any special gear or precautions to take. 
There was a guide at the L. L. Bean Symposium last year that does just
such a trip.  He gets all the people in contact with each other and they
plan everything together.  They use the guide's experience to make sure
that they don't forget anything but all of the actual planning is done by
the participants (inside an itinerary set by the guide).  The whole thing
is run more like an expedition rather than a guide service.

Mike

-- 
    Paddling along through fog so thick that only one's thoughts are 
visible, your reverie is abruptly shattered by the ancient cry of a great
blue heron as she lifts uncertainly from the brilliant blue of a 
mussel-shell beach witnessed only by the brooding, wet spruce....your
passage home seems as much back through time as it does through space.
Mark H Hunt
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From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 01:41:00 -0800
Wes Boyd wrote:
 
> Suppose that, through some unexpected reason, you have the option to take a
> two or three month kayak trip. [snip]
> Where do you go? What would you do? Why? Would you consider doing the trip
> solo? How would you organize the trip? Handle supplies? What boat would you
> want?

This is too tempting to pass up.  Like Wes, I'll probably never actually do a
trip like this one, being a "prisoner" of my obligations.  My trip?  Couple
options, both focused on the rain forest coast of North America.

1. One-way sojourn headed south from Glacier Bay, Alaska, wending a way among
the many islands in SE Alaska, ending in Prince Rupert.  This would be more of
a wandering odyssey than a hell-for-leather bull through to the end effort. 
Never been here, so one objective would be to see this amazing country.

2. Slow out-and-back exploration of the east side of Moresby Island in the
Charlottes, lapping around the southern end into some of the inlets on the west
side.  I'd start and end in Moresby Camp, and avoid the concentrations of
people near Ninstints, Hot Spring Island, and the like.  This is surprisingly
easy to do in the Charlottes.  I've been there before a few times, but never
had the time I've wanted to take.

Both of these trips would be at a leisurely pace.  I would not have hard and
fast goals, and would spend a lot of time poking around inlets and bays a
faster trip would ignore.  A compatible partner might be difficult to locate,
so it is likely I'd be doing this alone.  Solo trips do not intimidate me,
although after a few days alone I miss the companionship of others.  Going solo
makes me focus on my surroundings better.  I see better, hear better, and
reflect more thoroughly.

A long trip like this would put me into a slower rhythm.  I think I'd come to
equilibrium with the seascape/landscape.  On shorter trips, it is tough to
achieve that.  (A couple summers ago a young woman circumnavigating Vancouver
Island (Hailey ...?) happened on our camp in Barkley Sound.  We shared some
soup with her as she narrated her adventure.  Her affect impressed me ...
"serene" does not quite capture it.)

In both of these places logistics would be fairly easy, resupplying in the
occasional settlement in SE Alaska, or arranging for food dropoffs from one of
the outfitters in the Charlottes.  For the SE Alaska trip, I probably would
pre-arrange food resupply (ship food to places I expected to land).

Boat?  If solo, my Eddyline Wind Dancer ("the cargo barge"):  carries a lot, is
comfy to paddle, has great primary stability to make wildlife observation easy,
and is a pretty dry ride.  If traveling with another companion, I'd consider a
double, probably the Pygmy Osprey Double I'm building.  Might not want to be
"married" to a double for that long.  It would work if my SO were in the front
seat, but she can't get 2 months off work ... and she would not tolerate 2
months in the **rain** forest very well, anyway.

BTW, rain does not bother me any more, if I can live at the pace demanded in a
rainy climate.  In fact, I really like the way everything changes as a system
moves through the coast.  I love watching it clear up after a couple days of
dreck.  It's cathartic as hell!

Thanks, Wes, for the chance to dream!  And, the rest of you, let's hear yours!

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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From: Wes Boyd <boydwe_at_dmci.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 13:13:57
At 01:41 AM 2/15/01 -0800, Dave Kruger wrote:
>Wes Boyd wrote:
> 
>> Suppose that, through some unexpected reason, you have the option to take a
>> two or three month kayak trip. [snip]
>> Where do you go? What would you do? Why? Would you consider doing the trip
>> solo? How would you organize the trip? Handle supplies? What boat would you
>> want?
>
>This is too tempting to pass up.  Like Wes, I'll probably never actually do a
>trip like this one, being a "prisoner" of my obligations.  My trip?  Couple
>options, both focused on the rain forest coast of North America.

I've had a couple of back channel responses talking about the Mississippi
or Missouri/Mississippi that I wish people had sent to the list --
especially since if the chance were to come at this point would probably be
initial response. I sort of like the idea of starting the Mississippi right
at Lake Itasca, and going clear down to Pilottown. But, I keep thinking the
Missouri, too, starting up at Three Forks and going all the way. In both
cases, I'd probably just resupply as I went along. I figure that I'd
probably go solo, mostly because I don't mind it, but partly because its
unlikely that I'd be able to come up with someone compatible that would be
able to meet my schedule.

Given more time -- 18+ months -- put in on Lake Erie, up through the great
lakes to Chicago, down the Mississipi to New Orleans, east on the gulf
intracoastal, north on the Atlantic Intracoastal, then either back to Lake
Erie via the Erie Canal, or north through Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the
Trent and Severn, and then back to the starting point through Lake Huron.
Now, that would be a trip! Somewhere around 6500 miles by rough estimate.
Just to tweak around with it a bit, I probably wouldn't want to head south
of Chicago much before the first part of September to avoid summer heat in
the south, so backing off to maybe the Trent and Severn to start earlier in
the year might have some points. You'd be looking at going 350-400 miles
per month, so there'd be plenty of time to be weathered in or to goof
around without killer days every day. Of course, given the time involved
and the location, it'd be tempting to use a bigger boat, such as a small
sailboat. Although it would be more comfortable, it would also be more
expensive.

But there are so many other possibilties, depending on time and money. If I
had just a month, Georgian Bay and the North Channel of Lake Huron would
rise to the top of the list. If it had to be in winter, probably something
in Florida, involving canals, rivers, and the Atlantic Intracoastal. On a
longer trip, the inside passage and Newfoundland come to mind quickly. Or,
dinking around on European canals.

I note that most of this is largely protected water. While others might
want to do trips that are exposed, looking at largely protected water
reflects my skill level, and taking advantage of the relative speed and
cargo capacity of the kayak, mixed with its capability to handle rough
stuff, but not looking for the rough stuff for its own sake.

It makes you wonder how people can manage to get free for such big trips
and finance them. Although I would have difficulty with the getting free, I
could probably manage a month or two trip financially, if it were a
one-shot deal. A couple of years, like the big trip mentioned above, well,
that's another animal. I know a guy who is a really serious hiking bum. He
probably spends 200-250 days a year on long hikes each year. But, for him,
its a life style. He works a few months while he lives with his brother in
the winter to grubstake the next years hiking. If I'd had the foresight at
age 20 or 25, I could have made a life like that, but there's no way I
could convert now without hitting the lotto.

Ah, to have had 20-20 foresight instead of hindsight!

-- Wes
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From: <degamo_at_mindspring.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 21:21:31 -0500
When I dream of a big trip I always wind up in SE AK and BC.  I long to make
the trip from Glacier Bay to the WA coast.  It would take a while, and I
would want to see some of the pieces I haven't yet visited...maybe a side
trip to the Charlottes??  Of course I would want to meet some of the SE AK 
and BC posters to the list-serve, as well.

The trip would probably be solo out of necessity, but that doesn't mean I
would not like the companionship.  It is just that distance compatible
companions are tough to find and my favorites are all spoken for this coming
summer.  But, who knows, maybe the enticement of another long trip could
bring them out.  Anybody game?
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From: RiDem <RiDem_at_email.msn.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 21:06:11 -0500
See  http://communities.msn.com/RichWendysAwayFromHomePage for trip planning
information, route, maps, etc for one "big dream" , Nueltin Lake on the
MB/Nunavut border this summer.

There are also trip reports on "completed big dreams", ie 2000 on the
Hiukitak River/Bathurst Inlet on the Canadian Central Arctic coast, and more
big dreams stretching back for several years with photos and maps.

Rich

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From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 23:45:01 -0800
Dave Kruger wrote:

<snip Wes's comments and most of dave's>

<<<
BTW, rain does not bother me any more, if I can live at the pace
demanded in a
rainy climate.  In fact, I really like the way everything changes as a
system
moves through the coast.  I love watching it clear up after a couple
days of
dreck.  It's cathartic as hell!

Thanks, Wes, for the chance to dream!  And, the rest of you, let's hear
yours!
<<<

I'd paddle around the continent of Africa, full circumnavigation. I'd do
it in an epoxy carbonfibre Nordkapp Jubilee, with an offshore tender
available along the Diamond Coast/Skull Coastline. I used to fantasize
about that trip as a young man. Now it is a faint dream...Maybe in
another life. In the mean time, just getting out for a day trip is a
challenge this month.

Doug the Dreamer

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From: Fernando Lopez Arbarello <kayak_argentina_at_uol.com.ar>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Off Shore Tender (was Big Trip Dreams)
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2001 10:09:42 -0300
----- Original Message -----
From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams

>.... an epoxy carbonfibre Nordkapp Jubilee, with an offshore tender ....

Given the restricted cargo space of the Nordkap, long tripp supplies has
always been a mayor concern for me. Many times I fantasized with the idea of
a "floating Bantam" to carry more stuff while keep enjoying the Nordkap
excellent seaworthiness. Did you ever tried something like this ??? How did
it afect your paddling ???

I have to tow other kayakers from time to time, and even using combined
elastic/rigid ropes, this is something I never like to do any longer.

Any coments ???

Fernando Lopez Arbarello
Kayak Argentina - Sea Kayaking Mailing List
www.topica.com/lists/kayak_argentina
kayak_argentina_at_uol.com.ar

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From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Off Shore Tender (was Big Trip Dreams)
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 22:27:45 -0800
Fernando said:

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_telus.net>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams

>.... an epoxy carbonfibre Nordkapp Jubilee, with an offshore tender
....

Given the restricted cargo space of the Nordkap, long trip supplies has
always been a mayor concern for me. Many times I fantasized with the
idea of
a "floating Bantam" to carry more stuff while keep enjoying the Nordkap
excellent seaworthiness. Did you ever tried something like this ??? How
did
it afect your paddling ???

I have to tow other kayakers from time to time, and even using combined
elastic/rigid ropes, this is something I never like to do any longer.

Any coments ???

Good to hear from you Fernando. Hope all is well. A couple of comments
re above. I mentioned the off-shore tender only because there are areas
along the west coast of Africa where landing is restricted. One wouldn't
want to get shot by some diamond mine security guard. Though with a
kevlar kayak, one might have a bit of protection :-)

As far as storage capacity, it doesn't matter what size kayak you take
along, they are all going to have a limit, whether its 2 weeks or 3
weeks worth of gear and food. As far as towing a floating barge behind
with food and excess gear, I'd rather paddle a double on my own - with
the extra gear and definitely a sail. Though, I had a friend who spent 3
weeks in the Queen Charlotte Islands, who employed this method as a way
of avoiding food dumps, etc. He said he was rather bored and said he
would never do a trip like that again. Apparently he missed the
performance of his single (and this is a very low-key guy, not some
adventure freak).

Best wishes,

Doug Lloyd

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From: Fernando Lopez Arbarello <kayak_argentina_at_uol.com.ar>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2001 17:49:05 -0300
----- Original Message -----
From: Wes Boyd <boydwe_at_dmci.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 3:33 PM
Subject: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams


> Where do you go? What would you do? Why? Would you consider doing the trip
> solo? How would you organize the trip? Handle supplies? What boat would
you
> want?

Well, well, dreams ...

There´s many dreams that sound impossible to me now, some because of the
time, some because of the costs, others for the permits ... One place I´ve
always dreamed to kayak is Antarctica, the white continent. I also dream
with the circumnavigation of Tierra del Fuego ( Fireland ) island, or
navigate the southern Chilean fiords, most of them still unknown ... But if
I had a couple of years I´ll join Buenos Aires with New York. And don´t
forget the Falklands ....

About doing it solo or not, I don´t know. Travelling solo is fine as you
don´t have to negotiate what to do or where to go. But you are alone, and
maybe the best of travelling is having someone to share you're experiences.
So I think I´ll try to find a partner, but if I can´t get anyone I´ll do it
solo anyway.

I´ll kayak my Shark, my personal version of the Nordkap. I still could´t
find other design more seaworthy that I can trust, but my knowledge is very
limited as none of the known brands are sold in Argentina, so the only other
kayaks I had the chance to experience are an old CHINOOK ( Aquaterra ), a
SEA LION (Perception) and an ICEFLOE (Derek Hutchinson's).

Cargo space is limited to a couple of weeks so this may be a mayor concern.
Depending on the kind of trip I should need to do it first with a motor boat
or car or whatever fast media to drop food, water, and some dry cloth in
some strategic points. But this is not always necessary as many times you
find towns and villages where to buy. I don´t think I would like to rely
only on my fishing and hunting abilities.

Dreams are dreams but we must never lose the hope to make them true some
time.

A couple of years ago I contacted Craig Adison and Dave Evans, from the BCU
Sea Touring Comitee, and invited the to co-organize an international
sea-kayak meeting in the Falklands. I loved the idea that two nations
formerly in war, could friendly meet 10 years later in the same battlefield
to share the sport they have in common, so turning the battlefield in a
playground and have fun. Sovereignty and Politics would never be mentioned,
and everybody will show respect to the islanders, because it is clear this
is their home where we'll be hosted. One of the major objectives was to
donate at least 10 complete kayak equipments to the island so they can go on
developing the sport once we leave. They loved the idea too and all of us
started to look for support.

They contacted their Foreign Office, as Argentinean still needed a special
visa to visit the islands. I did the same with my government looking for
free transportation to the islands ( My idea was to receive kayakers from
all around the world in Buenos Aires and then travel all together to the
islands on a cargo plane ). Unfortunately both governments were more
concerned on sovereignty than in human feelings, so they didn´t show any
positive about the idea.

I also invited Axel Mohr from Germany. He was very exited with the idea and
gently offered his help, even referred me to many contacts in Germany and
Great Britain. But unfortunately my lack of time and money, and some
personal problems that required all my energy, forced me to abandon this
plans. But I still have the hope that one day we´ll do it, because it can be
done with the proper time, money, and effort, and I know its a good idea,
and I already found some partners around the globe to make it true, and I´m
sure there's still many more to be contacted. Because in my dream, this is
not done under any flag or any name other than the international seakayak
community.

I count on all of you when that day come ...

Nice dreams to you all, and thank you Wes for let me feel my blood rushing
again !

Best regards !

Fernando Lopez Arbarello
Kayak Argentina - Sea Kayaking Mailing List
www.topica.com/lists/kayak_argentina
kayak_argentina_at_uol.com.ar




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From: Gabriel L Romeu <romeug_at_erols.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] finally: a use for aol
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 20:40:56 -0500
Nice one Chuck.  One of those ideas I wish I thought of.

Chuck Holst wrote:
> 
> An alternate way to get a good fit is to to cover the deck where you want
> the compass with plastic wrap, paint epoxy resin on the bottom of the mount
> after it has been rough-shaped, and then press it into place on top of the
> plastic wrap. When it has set, remove the mount and the plastic wrap, and
> trim the excess resin.
> 
> Chuck Holst

-- 
                            Gabriel L
Romeu                                                    
http://studiofurniture.com        İİİİİ   furniture from the
workshop               
http://studiofurniture.com/diary  İİİİİ   life as a tourist, daily
journal         
http://studiofurniture.com/paint  İİİİİ   paintings, photographs,
etchings, objects
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