Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Sometimes It's Not Whether You Win or Lose - But the Heart You Show Along the Way
by Brian Childers (2004
For three seasons of American Idol we have watched and rooted for our favorite singers as they battle each week for survival. And in the end, as the movie line goes, there can be only one. And now, coming in to the fourth season in but a few short months, we set ourselves once to see who will vie for fame and stardom on our weekly television.There is no doubt that along with the title of American Idol comes a measure of fame and fortune, a guaranteed contract that is, in effect, a jumpstart into the music industry. However, along the way a curious thing has happened, an unexpected benefit in the do-or-die competition that invokes such sometimes heated discussions around the sofa or the water cooler.Proving that sometimes, just sometimes, that the most memorable success stories belong not to those who take home the coveted title, but, to those who have stood out in their power and resolve.Of course, when I speak of power and resolve one name comes immediately to mind - Clay Aiken.Clay came upon the Idol stage as the most unlikely of contestant, not in possession of the looks of the future superstar few suspected at the time he would become when they first laid eyes upon him. A self-professed geek and mother's boy, he showed his power in his clear and powerful voice, a voice which stunned the judges at the time.On to the competition he went, competing against others who possessed the look, and voice, but not the heart that he carried with him, the drive and love for song that made itself evident in every performance. It was these qualities that brought him into the competition after a near-elimination as America's Wildcard Choice.What happened next is Idol History, this humble young man with the magical voice came out every week without ever being voted into the bottom three "danger" category, and along the way Clay weathered fire from judges and detractors alike – taking shots at his looks, his rumored sexuality, at his faith, and at his voice being "too Broadway" (never minding the fact that a great many stars of singing, stage, and screen fame had their roots in Broadway, and that the rigors of Broadway is a gauntlet that can break a lesser performer with ease.)Clay went on in the competition to become a nationwide phenomenon, in the most narrow competition of all time, he competed with fellow singer Ruben Studdard in the finale, only to come in second in a result still hotly debated to this day.Some thought that would be the end of it, but the humble young man with the magical voice, who showed his heart and passion along his journey, became something the Idol judges never expected - a rising star to eclipse even that of the winner, with albums, tours, guest appearances, a children's charity, appearances before congress, and even a book that he published - Clay is perhaps the greatest success story to come from American Idol yet.And, all the while, he never changed who he was or what he had shown to the world – his morals, his passion, and his heart.One would think then, that Idol History would never happen again, that forevermore the competition would be filled with cookie-cutter clones of the image that 19 Entertainment and American Idol wished to foster, that there would be no more standouts.They were wrong; lightning did indeed strike again, twice in fact. Fast-forward in time to a year later, Season Three is underway, and the most unlikely of contestants once again emerge.The first is a young man from Louisiana, a student, cafeteria worker, and self-professed omelets chef at the University of Oklahoma. A devout Christian with boundless energy, and boundless love for his fellow men - and his name was George Huff.George competed until Los Angeles, only then to be eliminated during the final preliminary round. One would think that his journey would end there, but didn't. Due to the disqualification of contestant Donnie Williams over a drunken driving charge George found himself once again in the competition. He competed in the final group of contestants, but was again edged out by voting.However, fortune intervened once again; as George was selected to compete in the grueling Wild Card Round, and compete he did, earning a nod from the judge infamous as "Mr. Nasty," himself, Simon Cowell.George competed from then on, bringing a rich soul sound that fused with his boundless charm to have the audience "bouncing" along with him on every song, infusing his soul in everything he did, unmindful and unashamed of his Christian moral roots. Though he was eventually eliminated, his personality, charm, and soul has fused in turn with many of those who his voice touched. Which attracted the attention of Word Records, the largest gospel label in the country, impressed by what they saw, what they heard, and the devotion of George they signed him to their label, giving George the chance to live his dreams of singing and touching others - once again, the heart coming through.However, the story doesn't end here, because another young man emerged from the third season, a polite and gentle boy of sixteen with eyes of green and hair like living fire. A young man, who possessed a quiet fire of his own, rooted not in the music of the modern age, but in the sounds of decades past - his name was John Stevens.John held a quiet power throughout his struggle to achieve the top ten, to achieve the dream of being the American Idol. His crooning style of the standards set him immediately apart from Idol contestants past and present. However, it was a style that brought him closer to his goal on competition night, when he won a berth in the final competition.He had a long hard struggle to go, and his performances sometimes had difficulty adjusting to the different genres. Yet he enraptured audiences both on our television screens and live with his grace, charm, and polite strength.John weathered blistering fire that season that surpassed even that of Clay Aiken during his Idol competition, from websites set up to declare that "John Stevens Sucks," to the media lambasting him in reviews and scathing insults, to interviews with the judges also detracting on him. Yet through it all he kept his strength and pursued every performance with passion, grace and charm.In the end, the pressure had become intense, to the final straw in even the most jaded of fan's minds when it was insinuated that he would, and should be "taken out" at the first concert. Yet he still never wavered, still never broke under pressure that no child of sixteen should have right to bear. On his final night then, when he was eliminated, it was no wonder that many at home and in the audience, as well as his fellow surviving competitors, were in tears when he ended his Idol run with the same grace, class, and honor of a true gentleman that he had shown throughout the competition.It cemented and expanded his fandom, and his vindication came upon the Idol Tour after the competition, when young John Stevens showed his power and bagged consistently good reviews from the majority of tour stops for performing the music in the style that he loved. The most exciting of all news came, however, with the announcement of his signing to Maverick Records, to produce his first album of standards under the legendary producer: David Foster. John Stevens is becoming that which he was already was, that which he was always meant to be - a 1940's soul in a 2000's body.Now, we look to the future to a new season, and I await this season with a hope that the Clays, Georges, and Johns of the future are out there, waiting to show us their passion, their will, and their hearts.That is what makes a true American Idol.
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Wednesday, October 13, 2004
'Aladdin' add-ons give Aiken chance to shine
By BRUCE WESTBROOK
Copyright 2004
Houston Chronicle
Since his razor-thin loss to Ruben Studdard on American Idol, Clay Aiken has had a recount of sorts, and the votes are in. The self-proclaimed dork with the big voice has trounced Studdard in every arena, from album and concert sales to TV appearances and even eBay, where Aiken items outnumbered Studdard's last week 1,031 to 66.
But Aiken was achin' to do another thing: lend his voice to an animated Disney project. Now he's done so for Aladdin's DVD debut, a two-disc special edition whose bonuses include tuneful tracks.
DVD has blossomed as a forum for filmmakers to expand their vision beyond theatrical campaigns. That became especially meaningful for Aladdin, whose Oscar-winning lyricist, Howard Ashman, died during its creation.
Ashman and composer Alan Menken wrote two songs for Aladdin that didn't make the final cut, and you get to hear them now. One is Humiliate the Boy, a bombastic, forgettable number for wicked Jafar. Menken sings it in demo form while storyboard sketches show the scene playing out.
But the other is special. It's Proud of Your Boy, a sweet, plaintive song about Aladdin pledging to his mom that he'll try harder to make the most of his life — and thus make her proud.
Proud of Your Boy was a favorite of the songwriters during Aladdin's formative stages. But when Aladdin's mother was ditched from the plot, it was no longer usable.
Animators explain this in an intro on the DVD, where several get teary-eyed about losing what Ashman loved so much. Menken calls Proud of Your Boy "one of the most satisfying songs we ever wrote" and considers its revival a "wonderful and bittersweet" tribute to his Oscar-winning partner.
Aiken, shown rehearsing with Menken at a piano, says he found the song touching for his own reasons. Raised by a single mom, he felt the lyrics also spoke for him.
Proud of Your Boy can be experienced in three ways. Two involve storyboard sketches of the scene as originally conceived, over which you can hear Menken's demo vocals or Aiken's recording.
But the best way is a polished music video. It opens with Aiken alone in a studio, tenderly singing as Aladdin scenes play on a screen behind him. Musicians appear, and the orchestra swells as he belts out the ballad. By the song's quiet end, the orchestra has disappeared, and Aiken again stands alone, singing soulfully to his mother — and hoping to make her proud.
Another new music video has Jessica Simpson and husband Nick Lachey singing A Whole New World. Menken also composed that signature ballad, but Tim Rice wrote the lyrics after Ashman died.
In an intro, Simpson says their voices "sound really good together," and she's right — their harmonies are strong. But on leads she labors, outshined by her poised and polished husband.
Also on DVD is the song's 1992 music video, where it's performed even better by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. The discs also include much making-of material, but no new input from Robin Williams, who stole the show as the crazed Genie.
Disney's next animated classic for DVD will be Bambi, due in March, followed by Cinderella a year from now.
Meanwhile, Aladdin's DVD is the only place to catch Aiken's performance. It's strangely missing from an expanded new soundtrack CD, which has only Menken's demo. Perhaps another recount is in order.
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Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Beavers On Idol
Clay Has Come A Long Way: Thoughts on the Summer Tourby Teresa Marconi (2004/10/02)
After seeing Clay in Lexington, Greensboro, Columbus, Indianapolis, Dayton, and Allegan this summer, I have come to a conclusion I would not have dreamed of coming to a year ago: I almost can't stand watching his American Idol performances anymore. It isn't that I suddenly find those performances bad, it's simply that Clay has improved so much since then. He has improved both vocally and with his stage presence. When I first reviewed the Independent Tour, I said that Clay's songs are better live. I stand by that statement, and judging by message boards such as ClayDream Believers, the Clay Board, Red Hot Topic, Measure of a Fan, Clay Aiken Please Click Here, That's the Clay, etc; many others feel the same way.This is for a number of reasons. First and foremost, we can hear Clay's voice (the very thing that made us his fans) when he performs live. He isn't drown out by back-up singers and background music, due to poor mixing. Second, his back-up singers and band are far superior to what he has on his album. I've said this before and I'll say it again: Angela Fisher, Quiana Parler, and Jacob Luttrell are solid vocalists and compliment Clay's voice rather than distract from it. I've also got to give props to Danny Weisfeld on lead guitar, S'von Ringo (who became the music director half way through the tour) on keyboard as well as the rest of the band. We can't forget Jacob's superior Sax playing during Rosanna, Measure of a Man and Run to Me. Jacob truly enhances those songs. Rosanna, is a bit more fun and Run To Me and Measure of a Man are a bit more tear jerking.While I did miss Kelly (Clarkson) on "Not a Tour" I have to say that Clay's set was much improved over his Independent Tour Set. Some say that he is growing into his songs. That is most apparent with his performance of I Survived You. It is my least favorite song on "Measure of a Man" but one of my favorites when he performs it live. On the CD, Clay almost sings it lightly, but he sings it in full force live. Every time I saw Clay sing it, his growl, which has made the women of ClayNation THUD like it ain't no thang became more intense. I may be bias but I have to say, his growl in my own town of Dayton (not to mention at my Alma Mater) was by far superior to all the others. Watch the clip at Airplay Central or What's Gonzo if you don't believe me. (Note: Clay has become a better dancer whether he admits it or not. He demonstrates perfect rhythm during When You Say You Love Me). Shine was not performed on the Independent Tour, but it is definitely improved over the album version. There is no production on the live version, just Clay singing and the band playing - with enthusiasm.Clay somehow makes eye contact with thousands of fans simultaneously. The meaning of the song is made much more clear than it ever was in all the times I listened to the CD. Clay has improved on covers like Kyrie and All About Love are vastly improved from the last tour as well. Clay allowed Angela, Quiana, and Jacob to shine during the James Taylor Set. Clay sang Sweet Baby James Angela sang How Sweet It Is, Jacob sang Fire and Rain, Quiana sang Smiling Face and the four of them sang the best version of You've Got a Friend to date. The set was fun and it made a whole new generation appreciate the music of James Taylor, one of Clay's favorite singers/songwriters.Perhaps the thing that has helped Clay improve the most since his days of AI is his relationship with he fans. On some level, he's gotten to know us and we've gotten to know him. It is an intangible level where he knows how to reach out to us. It's something that a lot of casual fans did not understand until they saw him live and became enthusiastic fans. He banters with the audience, back up singers and band. Even many critics (notably Stephanie Call of the Dayton Daily News who was Clayverted) noted the warmth and sincerity this added to the shows. Clay has mentioned reading the message boards a few times. While there are most likely things he won't do, he will do things that make his fans happy, such as the signature shirt tug and growl.On final note, I have to say that Clay's physical appearance has vastly improved over the last eighteen months. Perhaps it's the fact that the AI make up artists often put too much on him, thus making his green eyes less prominent. Maybe it's that Clay has developed his own style. As a girl who went to Catholic schools where un-tucked shirts were punished by the Nuns, I love the way Clay has been dressing at his concerts. I have to note that his clothes fit him better than they have in the past, even on the Independent Tour, where they were often a few sizes too big. The final theory: perhaps Clay is growing into his new physical image just as he is growing into his songs and being a pop star in general. He is no longer just the Runner-up from American Idol.
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Saturday, October 02, 2004
L, says: yingyee....... sat 16th can??? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: should be ok L, says: yah thanks.... these two weeks i;m loaded... with work... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: haha no prob L, says: save me!!! bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: lunch / dinner? L, says: anything lah... what u prefer?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: do you have any suggestions? cos before that i only thought of lunch, eat dim sum, haha L, says: what are perceptrons?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: me, hongkong style lah, so can only think of that... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: perceptrons, haha, my lab loh.... L, says: eat dim sum for lunch?? haha... L, says: eat dim sum will eat until we go broke or not?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: of course we don't ask for dim sum only lah, get a fried noodles or fried rice as ell, stuff them full first! hehe bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: eh... saturdays i got lessons leh... end at 12, can? L, says: haha.. alright.... good plan.... L, says: can.... L, says: so we settle for lunch?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: eh you got any preference or not? any ideas? cos i can't think of anything that's why L, says: if dinner can go billy bombers!! affordable... big serving.... sure can !! L, says: haha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: hmmm!!! bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: billy bombers! bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: yum yum.... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: hey i don't mind leh... billy bombers sounds fine too... since the cost should be about the same as well i think. but at least confirm everyone full L, says: haha... ok ok... L, says: then we settle lah... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: settle with? L, says: sat 16th.... dinner.... bugis billy bombers??? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: hmm. sounds fine. bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: roughly how much will we spend? L, says: who we asking?? gals how many?? guys... think i get allan and yiming.... which other guy u close to?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: haha, er who else you wanna ask? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: usually share presents just you three ah L, says: yah lah... haha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: the girls... usually wanyu aiping choo huiyi zihui cindy bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: kaili? L, says: ok... kaili.... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: usually our group got another girl... huiboon... L, says: think... 50 each from us shld be enough lah... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: awkward or not? L, says: oh.... ask along too lah... although i dunno who she is... ha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: maybe i'll ask her out another day also can bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: if you think it's weird... L, says: i'm fine lah... haha.... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: ok i ask her first see how... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: so got to inform them huh L, says: yah lah... haha.... L, says: if not cant be they ask us right?? haha... L, says: what u want for ur bdae??? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: wanyu has been asking me! if got celebrate bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: i get pressurised!!! bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: hmm... wanyu also keep asking me what present L, says: haha... good lah... can tell her liaoz... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: then you? what you want? L, says: oh... then i share with wanyu!! haha.. bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: haha then you settle with her muahaha bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: you leh? L, says: what i want?? dunno leh.. havent thought of it... i just wanna get pass today.... got assignment due tml 10am... sianz... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: oops bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: must think of what you want leh... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: otherwise we dunno what if we get something you don't like? haha L, says: haha... okok... L, says: eh... i want a bagpack! can?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: haha, we'll try! bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: specs?? what kind of bag? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: colour preference? size? er, brand also bah, we can try! L, says: backpack.... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: yup, but backpack so many kinds! L, says: colour preference... no green.... L, says: brand.... also no pref... L, says: size... can use for sch... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: haha ok no green bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: law people.... a lot of things to bring or not? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: A4 size can fit ok? L, says: eh... and slightly bigger?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: ok, you got it L, says: got textbooks to bring... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: whoa.... okok L, says: haha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: you like compartments? L, says: ok ok.. so wnayu point of contact for ur present issit?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: sorry ah i keep asking so many things... L, says: haha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: haha i suppose bah... since she keep asking me bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: then your present? ME?! haha bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: i shall ask the rest lah haha L, says: haha.... ok ok L, says: eh.... so we start asking them for 16th?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: so sat 16th billy bombers bugis bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: yup bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: time? or decide again? L, says: lets just settle it now lah... haha.. L, says: eh... 630pm or 7pm?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: a lot of people at 7 or not ah? cos too early i don't think i can eat so much! bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: and i got tuition before that L, says: i'll book a table if they take reservation... L, says: if not.. eh... i go queue first loh... ha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: ok.... so we better confirm the number of people first L, says: yah... so i get the guys... u get the gals! haha.. bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: ok! eh... so many... L, says: haha... ok lah.. not a lot ah... L, says: i got two leh!! L, says: and they always procrastinate... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: hah? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: big words = not for me L, says: procrastinate... means take long time to decide... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: aiyoh!.... these guys.... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: but got treat leh, i thought they'll be like "okok!!".. L, says: haha... dunno them lah... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: wanyu, aiping, choo, huiyi, zihui, cindy, kaili, my friend huiboon maybe, allan yiming bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: wow bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: *$$ fly* bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: thanks for agreeing to share costs! haha L, says: kk... think its 70each liaoz... haha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: ok.... IF they all turn up bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: oh ya... josephine... how? L, says: yah.... haha... L, says: ask loh... but will she come?? like super long never see her liaoz.. bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: i dunno if i should ask her leh, a bit weird bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: she never turned up for everyone's bday L, says: eh.... well.... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: aiyah i'll see how again. paiseh, like i have to ask so many people L, says: mayb just ask?? then let her reject us?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: L, says: so confirm again... 7pm... bugis billy bombers... 16th oct sat.... right?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: yup! L, says: we ask them go straight to the restaurant lah.. bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: then you inform the guys, i inform the girls bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: yup L, says: yeah!! bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: i don't like to wait outside bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: ok then, settled! L, says: i'll try to make reservations... once numbers are done... L, says: set! bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: ok, i'll go ask them and get back to you soon bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: L, says: no need rush... still got time... L, says: haha.. bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: oh yes bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: you concentrate on your assignment bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: i still got my perceptrons lab L, says: haha ok ok... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: alright, don't disturb you liao. jia you! bye... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: paiseh, here to disturb you again.. suddenly recalled, do you want to ask eric kaisiang? cos their bday got invite us all also... no need reply, you just decide ok. sorry L, says: who's mrgreen?? bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: huh? oh... my emoticon bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: sorry, it turned out wrong L, says: but i not close to eric and kaisiang ah.... L, says: haha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: ok then don't bother lah! L, says: anyway ours is not party... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: yup bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: good . L, says: gathering of close classmates... L, says: can lah... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: i jsut felt a bit bad, like only you 3 guys... L, says: its ok lah... haha... L, says: enough.... L, says: ask so many pple... siong leh... haha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: yup... paiseh ah L, says: nvm lah... L, says: haha.. go kill ur perceptrons!! bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: NOT KILL! coax... L, says: haha.... living things meh?? L, says: if not... just terminate!! haha... bubble good perceptrons..nice perceptrons-cooperate ok? says: no..... aiyah nevermind them, you go do your 10am asgmt
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