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Eric Caldwell
New user
Kentucky
71 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 1:15am
I made a search attempt at how to make sponge balls and came up empty handed. I live in Kentucky, USA and I really am so broke that I can't afford to buy sponge balls. Does anyone have any help on what sponge to use and how to shape it?
Thank you in advance.
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Alan Munro
Inner circle
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
5421 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 1:49am
One inch sponges are $3.25 at the local shop in my area. If you can't afford that, you need to find a better job. Do you even know how to use sponge balls? I studied several sources, before I started work on a routine and those books cost more than the balls.
http://www.sneakymagician.com/
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Eric Caldwell
New user
Kentucky
71 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 2:32am
I don't have a local shop in my area. Right now I am an in debt college student. I would prefer to put my money elsewhere since my interest in sponge balls is purely for amusement. I do not know how to use sponge balls or wish to master them. They just seem like fun. I enjoy making things and sponge balls seem easy enough to make in a day if someone is willing to answer my question.
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Alan Munro
Inner circle
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
5421 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 3:58am
I guess a craft forum would make more sense, than a magic forum, since you don't have interest in using them. Old timers used to trim bath sponges with scissors until round, before manufactured sponge balls came along.
http://www.sneakymagician.com/
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Albatros
Regular user
Germany
120 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 4:05am
Eric... I am not sure if this isn't stating the obvious, but you could always buy a large sponge and just cut some balls out of it 
Then again I am not sure if there are no more satisfying things you could create with your hands - especially since you "do not know how to use sponge balls or wish to master them". Maybe try carving wood? O.o
"Palming cards... Like sex, it can be learned by almost anybody,but doing it well requires some native talent and assiduous practice." (John Scarne)
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magicians
Inner circle
Teacher and Legend
2871 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 8:12am
There used to be a discussion on making sponge balls. I really think you will be spending mor than $3.50 just in "tooling up".
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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padre rich
Loyal user
276 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 9:50am
They don't have to be balls! In a pinch (forgot my sponge balls) I went to the dollar store and bought $1 worth of sponge . cut em into equal squares the did just fine!
God's grace rocks! It makes a good cups and balls routine look pretty boring in comparison.
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 10:49am
Padre Rich beat me to the square sponge idea. I myself have only used square sponges in a routine that was done with them originally, and that is the Don Alan (Benson) Bowl Routine. If I remember correctly, his square sponges measured somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5 and 2 inches square (I am guessing at inches because I am not really familiar with them).
As was said above, the old-school (pre-manufacture days) way was to cut a sponge into the round by hand. That takes quite a bit of patience, but it can be done rather easily if you go slow. Sponges that are suitable can be found at the dollar store.
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Michael Baker
Inner circle
Near a river in the Midwest
8454 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 11:53am
My mentor told me of an older man that traveled through town once and came into the local magic shop (where my mentor worked). This man was making and selling hand cut sponge balls, made from scrap foam he found. Apparently, he was very good at performing them, too. This man was also living in his car.
For what it's worth, I also know of several magicians that have used magic to help them pay for college.
~michael baker
The Magic Company
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Atom3339
Inner circle
2162 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 12:17pm
Suggest you use paper balls until you earn enough to buy / craft the sponge balls you are considering; i.e. work on your handling / sleights and make more money!
TH
Occupy Your Dream
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Eric Caldwell
New user
Kentucky
71 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 12:20pm
Thank you all for the helpful replies. I do plan to learn sponge ball sleights but my main focus at the moment is still card magic. Also, some nice woodcarving chisels are something I am trying to save money for. 
What sponge densities are best for sponge balls?
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rmann
New user
Milton VT and a forum newbie with only
86 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 1:15pm
The softest sponges you can find are what you need, in regards to density. Obviously the kitchen sponges that get hard when not wet are no good. Keep to synthetic materials; natural sponge is not uniform enough, IMHO.
Take a look in the dollar store. The first sponges I had were made out of three different colors of dollar store sponges...the kind that have a green 'scrubby' glued on one side and come in packs of 10 sponges. I removed the scrubby part and then cut square sections with scissors...about 1 inch cubes. The next sponges I made were from the foam filler of a new Bible cover I bought at Walmart. Softer sponge, and thicker. But it was all white. Last week I got myself my first set of red sponge balls, four 2 inch balls, which the dealer (Eddie Gardner at Diamonds Magic in Peabody, MA) was kind enough to throw in because I also bought Ben Salinas' "Encyclopedia of Sponge Balls" DVD, which I highly recommend.
Another minor thing. Don't think that square sponges are a poor option compared with balls. Square sponges have an advantage if you are performing on a table or other flat surface. They don't roll, so they won't fall of the table and have you chasing them on the floor! Goshman and a few others make many different shapes, from rabbits and doves to big red hands.
Ray
_
Ray
"...to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever." Ps 136:4
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rmann
New user
Milton VT and a forum newbie with only
86 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 1:24pm
Oh, and another thing...find a friend or a prof who has an electric knife. You know, the kind you carve turkeys with? They work really well for carving sponges into cubes (if they are married, don't tell their wife what you want to borrow the knife to do!!!).
Ray
_
Ray
"...to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever." Ps 136:4
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 9:05pm
Yes the square sponges were used by Don Alan for their anti-rolling property. This can be especially useful when dealing with less-than-graceful or wildly overreacting participants!
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sleightly
Elite user
New Hampshire
463 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 9:31pm
Cut them into squares then cut the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners...
Until you have a ball!
Then repeat...
Hope you have some time on your hands...
www.troublewit.net
www.threeshellgame.com
www.absomagic.com
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rmann
New user
Milton VT and a forum newbie with only
86 Posts
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Posted: May 11, 2012 11:11pm
Correction to my previous post...the DVD is "Encyclopedia of Sponge Ball Magic" by Ben Salinas.
@sleightly Been there, done that...I don't know about yours, but mine STILL didn't much resemble a ball! Probably the same reason my wife only let me cut her hair once... ;*)
Ray
_
Ray
"...to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever." Ps 136:4
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Bill Palmer
Eternal Order
Only Jonathan Townsend has more than
23786 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2012 1:43am
I have made my own sponge balls before. Polyurethane foam, which you can get from a craft store, will usually work fine. Don't worry too much about the density, because you can't afford to be choosy.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC
My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups."
www.cupsandballsmuseum.com
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RS1963
Inner circle
2355 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2012 1:41pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-11 21:31, sleightly wrote:
Cut them into squares then cut the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners...
Until you have a ball!
Then repeat...
Hope you have some time on your hands...
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Couldn't have said it better myself Andrew:)
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magicians
Inner circle
Teacher and Legend
2871 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2012 1:55pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-11 09:50, padre rich wrote:
They don't have to be balls! In a pinch (forgot my sponge balls) I went to the dollar store and bought $1 worth of sponge . cut em into equal squares the did just fine!
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Do a sponge bob square pant routine.
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On the manufacture, some companies use a mold and imject the sponge material into it.
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Years ago, there was a Larry Weeks/Goshman fight as to who invented sponge ball manufacturing. Weeks only produced an off white color, Goshman had the colors.
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Some thought you soak then freeze a sponge block and while frozen, turn it on a lathe. You might hot knife a sponge while on a lathe. I think the bunnies are dye cut.
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I inquired about making sponges, and the lowest run they would do was 5000 pcs. and I needed 4 sizes so I have Goshman dye lot coordinate my sponge effect for me in supersoft material. Bottom line, it really is cheaper to buy from an established manufacturer.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Dr_J_Ayala
Inner circle
In search of Vlad Dracul and his
2062 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2012 3:18pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-11 21:31, sleightly wrote:
Cut them into squares then cut the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners, then the corners...
Until you have a ball!
Then repeat...
Hope you have some time on your hands...
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Well said and pointed - but that is assuming you still have anything left after all that trimming!
This reminds me - there is a manufacturer of white sponges that are hand trimmed so that it better resembles a hand-packed snowball. These are decent sponges and they lend themselves to quite a few presentation and scripting possibilities. A little high on the $15-$20 range, but that is more because they are hand trimmed.
@Ian - are you referring to your Diminishing Sponges routine?
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magicians
Inner circle
Teacher and Legend
2871 Posts
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Posted: May 12, 2012 6:26pm
Yes Doc. Those sponges are dyed together. Previously I had pieced the sizes together from bulk sponges from suppliers and the sponges were so bad, I took the item off the market for 10 years. I decided to bite the bullet and have Gosh make me dye lot matching sets. That is what I sell today (along with a video).
Used to be if I ha a 3" next to a 2", you could see the difference. Now, all is perfect.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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Mr. Woolery
Elite user
Fairbanks, AK
451 Posts
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Posted: May 14, 2012 7:47pm
Mark Wilson's book mentions buying a large sponge and cutting it to shape as balls. It isn't the best way to get really good balls, but it works fine and gets you what you want.
You can also go to a dollar store (if you have one locally - I don't!) and look for things like big pom-poms and do your sponge routine with those.
There are different schools of thought and I do understand what the first couple of posts were getting at about buying rather than making. If you value your time and don't really like making things, it is worth buying the sponge balls instead. On the other hand, I really like making things, so I get a kick out of using things I have made. If you are only doing these things for fun and giggles, make whatever you want for sponges. Call them something else, if you like.
At most fabric stores you can buy slabs of foam padding up to 2" thick. It comes in off-white and pale green. You could make a rough ball shape and call it a giant beetle egg. Or make them out of the white, try to get it really round, use markers to make them into eyeballs. Cut green foam into simple fish shapes and talk about how your aquarium always seems to have more fish in it than you remember buying. Make bars of soap. Look at some of the hand-cut bunnies and try to make something similar. Lightning bolts if you find yellow foam.
The point is that you can make almost anything you like. You are not required to use balls. I like the balls. I prefer them for most uses. But it can be fun to think about different shapes.
-Patrick
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Ekuth
Inner circle
1103 Posts
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Posted: May 14, 2012 9:23pm
While I know you're wanting to make them, at the dollar stores in my area currently there are goggle eyes/clown nose combos in the toy section.
The clown noses are 2" sponge balls with a slit cut in them. Seal the slit with some hotglue and you're done.
"Magic is found neither in the mind, nor the eye; but in the heart."
http://www.christophe-magic.webs.com
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scottjenkins
Regular user
126 Posts
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Posted: May 17, 2012 3:39am
Quote:
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On 2012-05-14 21:23, Ekuth wrote:
While I know you're wanting to make them, at the dollar stores in my area currently there are goggle eyes/clown nose combos in the toy section.
The clown noses are 2" sponge balls with a slit cut in them. Seal the slit with some hotglue and you're done.
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Of course, that's four balls at a buck a piece + a hot glue gun. Probably easier just to buy a set! Swap out a big mac or a cup of coffee for a day and you've got a set!
When I was in college (Jeez, I sound like my old man!) and there was something I wanted (usually books) I got it. Especially magic stuff. I justified it by saying I was investing in myself. Of course that was how I justified everything...
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manal
Inner circle
York ,PA.
1330 Posts
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Posted: May 23, 2012 8:54pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-11 01:49, Alan Munro wrote:
One inch sponges are $3.25 at the local shop in my area. If you can't afford that, you need to find a better job. Do you even know how to use sponge balls? I studied several sources, before I started work on a routine and those books cost more than the balls.
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Let him eat cake huh?
Life is too important to take seriously.
james@jamesmanalli.com
www.jamesmanalli.com
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