United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

[STICKY] TGIO Party Information!

TimSimms — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:53:43 -0800

[EDITED TO ADD EVENT DETAILS!]

Hey all!

Sorry for the delay in getting this information out to you - I had to wait to confirm everything was golden before I released this to everyone. This year, thanks to a contact I have with the hotel chain, the TGIO party will be held in downtown Chicago at the Fairmont Hotel! My contact called to confirm with me this evening on the major details.

Here's what you need to know:

Location: We'll be at the Fairmont Hotel, located at 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601 and we'll be meeting inside the large inner bar area of the Aria Restaurant. You can access the Aria Restaurant bar area from both an external exit as well as the hotel lobby.
Click here for a Google Map of the location. The hotel is accessible via car, CTA, and Metra.

Parking:: For those who wish to drive, discounted valet parking is available with validation stamp. Self parking is available near by in the AON Building, and Millenium park (no discounts). Overnight parking for hotel guests is at $49.00.

Date/Time: Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 2-5pm
It's on the ChiWriMo calendar now too.

Drinks & Food: There will be drinks specials if you're old enough to partake, soda/juice/lemonade/other drinks at the bar for those underage, and a food & sushi bar with various food (and possibly a popcorn machine) if you're hungry. (Just remember to bring $ to purchase it - food is not free at this particular ChiWriMo function.)

Dinner & Overnight Stays at the hotel: For those who want dinner after the TGIO ends, check out the dinner menu if you want to stay after 5pm. From my contact Matt: "We are pleased to be able to offer all Chicago NaNoWriMo Event guests a special 3 course prix fixe dinner menu in addition to our regular menu after the party for those who would like to extend their evening." An ala carte menu is also available if you want to choose individual items. Also, for those traveling from a large distance, you can take advantage of a discounted rate on an overnight stay if you don't want to go home that evening. From Matt: "For those guests who would like to make a night of it, we are pleased to offer overnight rooms for $168/night. This rate is valid Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of that weekend. This rate is available for on-line bookings only at http://www.fairmont.com/chicago. You must select ‘FairmontSAVERS’ as the Rate Type to access this rate."

Misc: When you come, feel free to bring a novel excerpt for others to read! We'll have a place to post them so all you need to do is find Michelle or Tim when you arrive. If you're participating in the ChiWriMo annual challenge and incorporating a dancing cow seamlessly into your novel, be sure you've followed all the rules, including bringing that excerpt!

Please leave a message in this thread if you plan to come. If you have any questions, please email me at ml-tim@chiwrimo.org or click on NaNoMail at the bottom of this message and send me NaNoMail!
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Tim
Co-Municipal Liaison for
NaNoWriMo::Illinois::Chicago

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

[STICKY] Regional Emails Archive

TimSimms — Fri, 7 Nov 2008 16:28:31 -0800

Did you miss one of the many regional emails Michelle and I send out?

Check out the emails in this thread! Each time we send one out we'll also post it here in case your email dumps it in a SPAM folder...or you know, you're writing and don't have time for things like email and communication :)

Beginning with oldest to newest, here they come:

[NaNoWriMo::Chicago] Welcome to NaNo & ChiWriMo!
10/16/08

Heya Wrimos!

Whether this is your first or tenth year competing, welcome to National Novel Writing Month! We're halfway through October, and with fifteen days (and some change) to go until that first venerable midnight write-in, I thought I'd send out an email blast to say hello, introduce myself (as well as Michelle, an ML from another region that's joined us this year as my co-ML), and give you the low down on what you need to know going into this auspicious month of insane creativity.

My name is Tim (otherwise known as TimSimms on the Chicago regional forum) and I'm one of your two Municipal Liaisons (ML's). An ML's job is to make sure you make it through November intact, including organizing events, keeping you motivated, distributing the much-anticipated annual NaNo swag, and much, much more. Joining me this year from Ottawa, Ontario and Iowa City, IA is Michelle (who can be found on the regional forum as Limmenel). She's been doing NaNo for seven years, five of which she's been an ML. Together we hope to get your creative juices flowing (as well as have a lot of fun meeting and schmoozing with you all at our write-ins and outings).

The local Chicago NaNoWriMo chapter, called ChiWriMo, is a strong top-ten global region that prides itself on high overall word counts each year as well as generous donations to NaNo national. To learn more about ChiWriMo, head over to our website at http://www.chiwrimo.org.

With that housecleaning out of the way, let's get to the fun stuff - what you can look forward to this month! Here's a sample of what's to come:

• A Pre-November gathering (organized by longtime ChiWriMo displacedbeatnik) to the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum on Saturday, October 25th to get those creative juices flowing. For those who don't know, this is a free museum the Chicago Tribune underwrites about the First Amendment and freedoms in the United States and the world in general. (For more information on the event, go to the forum thread - http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3022603)

• A midnight write-in both online on our ChiWriMo website chatroom as well as at the (now) 24-hour Starbucks at Clark and Belmont in East Lakeview. If you plan to attend, be sure to buy a Starbucks card and register it on their website so you can receive two hours of free wifi! We'll be kicking off NaNo at the stroke of midnight with a couple of hours of writing and fun!

• A baked goods & bagel brunch kick off on 11/1 from 11-1. Be sure to RSVP on the regional forum on the Kick Off thread! (You can go directly there via this link: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3027518)

• Weekly Monday night write-ins at our partner/sponsoring organization Open Books (just steps off the Chicago Brown Line train station). Also see below about an exciting partnership-addition we're initiating with them this year as a thank you for all their NaNo-licious sponsorship. (For more information on the Open Books/ChiWriMo partnership & events, please visit http://www.open-books.org/events/nanowrimo/index.php)

• Weekly prizes for those who attend write-in sessions. Some of the prizes include tickets to see ComedySportz, gift cards to Women & Children First Bookstore and Lou Malnati's Pizza, a Robert Jeffrey package including hair products and free style/cut, and more!

And that's just for starters!

Additionally, we're taking our long-standing partnership with Open Books to the next level this year after all the support they've given us in the past. Keep your eyes peeled for information about the rollout of our Virtual Book Drive (VBD), which will enable you to make a direct impact on the Chicago community. Dani Brzozowski from Open Books will be assisting in the VBD. From Dani: "We hope you’re excited for Open Books write-ins (complete with cupcakes!), and if you need anything from Open Books before then, feel free to holler!" Dani can be reached at dani(at)open-books.org.

Can you feel the excitement building yet for November 1st? Are your plot bunnies, character sheets, caffeine supplies, and other accoutrements stocked up? Are you ready to bang out a novel in thirty days?

Michelle and I will see you all very soon! In the meantime, enjoy the remainder of your sane, normal daily lives!

Tim
Chicago Co-ML for the NaNoWriMo::Chicago region
ml-tim@chiwrimo.org

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Tim
Co-Municipal Liaison for
NaNoWriMo::Illinois::Chicago

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

[STICKY] Write-in Calendar Requests

TimSimms — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 12:28:00 -0700

Are you hosting a write-in this November? That's awesome of you! Here's what you need to do to maximize your time and resources:

Be sure you've downloaded a table tent from the ChiWriMo website if you're meeting in a public place. That way, it'll be easier for people to find you. You can go directly to the writer resources download page by clicking here.

Post a request to this thread to have your write-in information added to the ChiWriMo Calendar.

Please be sure to include the date(s), start/end time(s), address (and location if it's not a residence), and any other pertinent information. If you have questions please contact Michelle or Tim using the information listed at the top of the forum.

As a side note, please try not to schedule write-ins in the city on the nights of the official write-ins (primarily, Monday nights). We have a goal of having as many wrimos in one place and time as possible! (Plus, we have prizes and giveaways people might miss out on!)

Also, please do not respond to this thread to RSVP to write-in sessions; this thread is for calendar requests only.

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Tim
Co-Municipal Liaison for
NaNoWriMo::Illinois::Chicago

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Dancing Cows = Gift Cards!

TimSimms — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:47:49 -0800

As you may or may not have heard, seamlessly inserting a dancing cow into your novel this year will earn you a $5 Starbucks card.

It can be a real cow, a guy in a cow suit - your choice. Here are the rules you'll need to abide by to qualify:

(1) Seamlessly incorporate the scene into your novel. That means no "and then a dancing cow came by" in the middle of a scene just to stick it in.

(2) You must attend the TGIO party on 12/6 (see this thread for more information on the TGIO party).

(3) You must bring an excerpt from your novel to the TGIO, and it must be that scene. Feel free to bring other scene too if you want to share them.

(4) You must post in this thread so I know to bring your card.

Good luck to all, and I'm looking forward to reading your dancing cow scenes!

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Tim
Co-Municipal Liaison for
NaNoWriMo::Illinois::Chicago

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Free copy of manuscript?

AxmxZ — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:48:31 -0800

Am I remembering wrong or were we promised a copy of our manuscript if we finish 50k words? :)
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United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Thanks to Our Fearless Leaders!

Panstygia — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:48:01 -0800

Just wanted a spot for folks to be able to thank our fearless leaders this year: TimSimms, Limmenel, and our fantastic word war captain, Bre. You guys made this a great Nano year. Thanks for all your hard work!

See you all next year!

Nancy
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United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

The 50k Winners Thread!

TimSimms — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:45:29 -0800

Although we've barely made it past the halfway month marker, we already have some overachiever wrimos who have hit (and surpassed) the 50,000 word mark.

Post here once you've hit 50k and we'll recognize you for your utter awesomeness!
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Tim
Co-Municipal Liaison for
NaNoWriMo::Illinois::Chicago

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

WORD WAR SMACK TALK, CHAT, AND BATTLE CRIES!!!!

Bre — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:13:43 -0800

HEY WORD WARRIORS!!!!

This thread is a thread specifically for smack talk. I am trying to appear diplomatic (and not smug), but our 256716-word lead leaves us at least a few moments to make sheep jokes, I think.

Also, here is a chat room where Chicago warriors can school talk with New Zealand warriors and challenge one another to battles on a more individual basis:
http://www.xat.com/chat/room/43983657/

Further, I'd like applaud everyone for kickass writing this week, but especially to shout it out for CrimsonBlood (who achieved not one, but TWO NaNoWriDays this week), for Panstygia (who became our second winner on Friday), and for swordofdiamond (who is forging on after losing nearly 40 thousand words of work).

Keep rocking, guys!
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-Bre
(Captain for Chicago's 2008 WORD WAR SMACKDOWN)

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Aaaand it's done! PRIMAL SCREAM!!!!

Khatnyp — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:04:04 -0800

It is officially 12:01 Central Standard time. This is a thread for anyone wishing to celebrate verbally with any conceivable form of joyous, incoherent, demonstrative yolp.

YAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
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United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

November without NaNo?

1st.Timer — Mon, 1 Dec 2008 06:38:15 -0800

Hey guys, I am sure I am preaching to the choir cuz I know how Chicago supports the arts, but I hope I'm not the only one who is a little dismayed by how much money still needs to be raised to pay off expenses for this year's NaNo. This was my first year participating, and I hope it is the first of many, but ops like the ones needed to pull off an event like this don't come free!

I know that the holidays are coming up and money is tight all around to begin with, but if u saved any money at all by writing last month instead of having any kind of social life (even if it's just $10) please send it NaNo's way. And, if u are able, donate for those who can't. U have friends or family who were unsupportive or critical of ur novel writing? Send their gift money to NaNo! Haha, just kidding... Sort of... :-)

Take care everyone, see u next November!
Steph
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"It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do."
--Jerome K. Jerome

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

One Final Challenge

theinfernumflame — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:12:05 -0800

So here we are on the last day of writing, and I've got one final challenge for the word war team.

In stopping by the New Zealand forums, I noticed them talking about how their "mere mortals" (everyone except Christini) have a higher average word count than our "mere mortals" (everyone except the amazing CrimsonBlood). 1315 higher per mortal, specifically.

Even though we've already won, all it will take is 40,000 more words from our mortals today to end up on top in that category as well. I, for one, am shooting for 5,000 words today. Who's with me?
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2004: Submersed -- 28,000 words
2006: Through the Fire -- 50,100 words
2007: Albatross: 63,174 words
2008: Through the Fire: Age of War -- 63,432 words

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

A humble request

TimSimms — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:02:36 -0800

If you want to honor the memory of someone by simply writing, read on (in the thread linked below):

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3129303

I've already incorporated Jon into my own novel - a tertiary resistance member who helps one of my MC's by flying him through a battle zone.

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Tim
Co-Municipal Liaison for
NaNoWriMo::Illinois::Chicago

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

So... you had fun... right?

John Abbott — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:17:22 -0800

Hi all.
This is my pitch for NanoWriMo.
I'm about 2,500 words away, so I can afford a few minutes here. I wanted to remind everyone who can afford it to contribute to Nano.
No, I do not represent them. I am not an ML or anything of the kind.
However, like you, I get a heck of a lot out of this month of writing. The most important thing is that I get to meet cool people like you.
Not that I can't meet cool people like you on a normal day... oh, who am I kidding?

The fact is that I need Nano to meet cool people like you. So please help me out, and donate if you can afford to. They are way short of their goal. Having said that, as soon as I finish my writing for today, I'm buying a shirt and doing a donation.

Thanks for reading.

Your friend in words,
John
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2008 Fourth Down
2007 Darker Than My Shades (30,215)
2006 I.T. (50,275)
2005 Babes With Blades (51,387)

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Happy Thanksgiving!

CrimsonBlood — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:23:05 -0800

Hey guys,

Have a great one! I'll be helping in the kitchen today, so I'll be writing in between oven checks. Eat lots and have fun--time to take a break from writing. :D

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Make your

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

updates from warrenville (pictures!)

Limmenel — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:29:39 -0800

hey from the state-wide write-in. obviously i am NOT writing at the moment, because i'm too busy snacking on yummy cookies and taking pictures of all the fun stuff happening.

here, have some pictures:

anyways, wish you all were here!!
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Michelle
ML for Chicago, IL
ml-michelle@chiwrimo.org

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

After Nano write in

bobbipayne — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:19:01 -0800

I have been hosting the Sunday write ins. A fair amount of other writers have expressed interest in a monthly Sunday writing. If you are interested in getting a monthly evite to said write in, shoot me a nano mail with your email address and I'll send it out shortly for December.

Noble tree had a good vibe and lots of space there. Its at 2444 N Clark Street and is open late on Sundays. We can definitely switch up places as well.

Good Luck this week and Happy Holiday
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Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
- Henry Lewis Mencken, 1880 - 1956

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Black Friday Coffee Crawl

hikari.ni.uragitta — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:57:08 -0800

I have a proposed plan, but wonder what everyone thinks before I have it officially posted to the calender.

I felt like 2 hours would take too long over the course of the day, and only one hour wouldn't be quite enough to settle in and get writing done. Panera is in the middle so we can all grab a decent bite to eat in the middle.

The proposed itinerary is below with a link to a Google Map with the locations. Please let me know what you think; I want to try and post it to the calender by the end of this weekend, so now's the time for voices to be heard!

Lavazza Co.
134 N La Salle St
8am - 9:30am

Intelligentsia Coffee
53 W Jackson Blvd
10am - 11:30am

Panera Bread
501 S State St
12pm - 1:30pm

Caribou Coffee
20 N Michigan Ave #1
2pm - 3:30pm

Argo Tea
16 W Randolph St
4pm - 5:30pm

Of course, everyone will be welcome to come any or all of them, but I'm thinking of having some kind of prize for those who do the entire trek with me (maybe a gift card or some such). Ideas for those are welcome as well.
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United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Twilight Viewing (or Mocking) Party?

Limmenel — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:07:01 -0800

At the write-in tonight, we were standing around and talking about the Twilight books, and how awful they are, but how AWESOMELY awful they are. And a couple of us decided that we wanted to go see the movie, if only to enjoy two hours of mocking the movie and the sparkly vampires and the hysterical teenies who want to marry Edward.

Anyways, there are NO write-ins planned for this Saturday. It is, sadly, a blank spot in our calendar. So I was wondering if anyone wanted to meet for a matinee showing of Twilight on Saturday (when the teenie population should be at its lowest?)?

(Come on, you know you want to. It's got abusive boyfriends! Delusional romances! Vampires that DAZZLE! Don't lie, you know this is the movie you've been dreaming of your entire life!)

Anyone up for it? Or, if you are and can't do Saturday, have an alternate day?
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Michelle
ML for Chicago, IL
ml-michelle@chiwrimo.org

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

fortune cookie inspiration...

dead_end_moon_angel — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:50:48 -0800

I just ate my Chinese food here at work and I got the following fortune in my cookie:

"You are a lover of words. Someday you will write a book."

How is that for inspiration while trying to write a novel?!
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United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Schaumburg pre-nano meet up

ShadowJim — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:08:27 -0700

Last NaNoWriMo there was Meet-ups at the Schaumburg Borders, the one By Golf and Meacham, kinda. ( I can get better direction for anyone if they're needed.)

Anyway, a few of the people that from last NaNo (me included) are planning on doing a pre-nano meet up on the 28th (Tuesday). What we'll be doing is pretty much just socializing, talking about nano and what we plan to write about this nano--just a little group pep talk, I suppose.

All WriMos are welcome to join us. Anyone planning on coming?
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United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Nov 26th, Finding Forester?

John Abbott — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:09:16 -0800

I realized, suddenly, that I'm free the night before Thanksgiving.
If anyone is up for a Finding Forester party tonight, Wednesday, Nov. 28th, get in touch with me here, or at my e-mail:
john@johnabbott.net

I live on the Northwest side, around Irving Park and Kedzie.
I have two cats, and very little furniture. But I own a 30 inch widescreen HDTV, and an okay surround sound system.

If you don't know what the movie is about:

PLOT ALERT COMING:
Finding Forrester is about a young kid who finds a mentor in an older man. Its about a passion for writing, and the love of words. It has cool inside references for people who pay attention, and despite the trailer, its acted pretty darn well.

I found this review on Rotten Tomatoes, and it sums it up pretty well for me:
"Finding Forrester is not the fastest-paced film in the world, nor the most stirring. It is however the most complete portrait of what it means to be a writer that I've seen in a long time."

Let me know if you're interested, or I'll be watching it and writing on my own. Thanks!

-John
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2008 Fourth Down
2007 Darker Than My Shades (30,215)
2006 I.T. (50,275)
2005 Babes With Blades (51,387)

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Time Zone Settings Reminder

TimSimms — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:36:40 -0800

Are you set to the correct time zone? It will make a difference on 11/30, especially if you're listed in an incorrect time zone!

To check your settings:

Click here to go to User Settings or go to My NaNoWriMo at the top tool bar, then to "User Settings" in the side tool bar. From User Settings, scroll down to Locale Settings and be sure you are set to the correct time. It should be today's date, the current time (on the 24 hour clock), and -0600.

As an example, it is currently 2:32pm, so it would read (if you were to click right now):

Monday, November 24, 2008 - 14:32 -0600

Once you've changed or verified you have the right time, be sure to click Submit at the bottom of the page.

If you have any questions please let me know!

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Tim
Co-Municipal Liaison for
NaNoWriMo::Illinois::Chicago

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Write Or Die!

Satai Delenn — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:03:21 -0800

OK, have you all heard of this tool? It's so AWESOME!

You can find it here: http://lab.drwicked.com/writeordie.html

You just set the word amount you want as your goal, then click the mode you want, then set the grace period, and then set the time limit you want. Then you click "write", and away you go!

I set it for two thousand words, with a two hour time limit. I finished the two thousand words EXACTLY, and did it in just over an hour!

Give it a try if you keep running into writing blocks! It's really worth a try!
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___________________________
Here's to hoping I don't flop at this!

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Gurnee? Grayslake?

nuthatch-yellow — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:13:26 -0800

I know there were a few write-ins for the Lake County area last year, so I figure we should try again sometime this year too. Hopefully, it'll have more success than last time.

So, how about the Borders on Grand ave. on the 23th (Sunday?), say around noon or so? There's a cafe in there with, I think, some free internet access. The baristas are nice enough and it has a pretty good atmosphere if you try to miss the debate crowds that come later. I'll have a notebook or something that I'll be writing in, and you'll probably be able to recognize me with the big hair and all.

So, anyone wanna come?
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Insert witty signature here

United States :: Illinois :: Chicago

Sunday Write In?

bobbipayne — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:40:02 -0700

Here there Sundays are really wide open for me (except the 2nd as I will be in Alabama:0). I was wondering if anyone else was interested in a Sunday afternoon/early evening write-in? I am near North Center/Lake view/Roscoe Village area. I knwo there are a few cafe type places with free wifi nearby such as Red Eye on Lincoln etc... Let me know and lets make it happen. I can host as well under 10 pp if you don't mind furry pets. I do have wireless and a pretty spacious place.

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Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
- Henry Lewis Mencken, 1880 - 1956