:: Dano's Production Journal ::

:: 12/31/2008 ::

2008 Wrap-Up!

What was Dano up to in '08? Check 'em out below!


3 minutes of animation for the documentary "Happiness Is..."


An animated trailer for Hayes Carll's award-winning album 'Trouble In Mind.' Check it out. It's on almost every Best of '08 list!


The Insur-Animals - Episode 1. Episodes 2-4 are in the can and coming soon!


CAF reunites with Hayes Carll to make his first music video - "She Left Me for Jesus."

And of course...

'Flatland: The Movie' is still out there selling strong. Now with a hardback book and a digital download available at our online store, 2009 could prove even stronger.

And there are a few other things you'll see in 2009: special fx work for Tim McCanlies' new film "The 2 Bobs" (and a cameo!), a web ad for Trojan condoms (I did the animation, not the modeling), and puppeteering in Tate English's "The Ballad of Friday and June."

See you next year!
:: Dano 12:50 PM [+] ::
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Dano talks Flatland on NerdAbout Austin!


:: Dano 11:20 AM [+] ::
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A day for links!

My first 'War on Science' blog post for Mucho Politico!

Check out the interview with Collection Agency Films in Issue 15 of the Texas Music Magazine newsletter!

And finally, my old roommate Stephen submitted an awesome carved pumpkin to Yes We Carve!
:: Dano 1:55 PM [+] ::
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We got a great review on Wordpress!

"Here’s my disclaimer: if you found the song “She Left Me for Jesus” uncomfortably irreverent, the video is almost certainly not for you. Objectively speaking, this thing is downright blasphemous; where the humor of the song came from its absurd narrator, the humor of the video comes from its absurd everything, very much including its portrayal of Christ. And there you have it. Some will find the shock value titillating and benign; others will find it appalling. A lot of people will probably land somewhere in the middle.

But whatever your reaction to the boundless mockery, you’ve got to applaud the creativity: Carll plays a cameraman for 2-Timerz, a not-so-veiled (and gloriously accurate) take on the television camp-fest Cheaters. A man comes onto the show to find out the truth about his high school sweetheart, and naturally it’s not too long before we’re spying on the tramp from a sketchy van as she cavorts around with one of the most low-budget Jesus imitators you’ll ever see. I don’t want to spoil the details for you, but suffice it to say that there’s a shout-out to the art of crib-pimping and some chutzpahed cameos you have to see to believe.

The actors have an absolute ball with their work throughout, and even some of the camera work is impressively loyal to its source material. It’s all dizzingly goofy, of course, but the antics are executed with editorial intelligence, and the jokes feel spontaneous, not scripted. The video doesn’t necessarily do much to complement the song (which obviously doesn’t feature Jesus as a physical person); rather, it uses the lyrics as a starting-point for its greater madcap story, which might not work if that story didn’t happen to be so compelling in its own right. It’s random, awkward, and endlessly kooky, and there’s no more fun to be had in a music video this year.

Grade: A+"

Help rate our video FUNNY on Funny or Die.com!

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

:: Dano 5:28 PM [+] ::
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The new video I wrote & directed for Hayes Carll is released!



- Dano
:: Dano 3:08 PM [+] ::
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It's true! I've seen Garbagio in action!
:: Dano 2:42 PM [+] ::
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It's an all star cast!


:: Dano 3:15 PM [+] ::
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On the latest episode of the Sci Fi Department, Kevin tells the backstory of "Escape from New York". And there's a surprise ending for any fan of my old TV show, "Puppet Show."


:: Dano 3:15 PM [+] ::
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:: Dano 3:41 PM [+] ::
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The 8/22 Austin-American Statesman took this photo of our music video shoot for Hayes Carll's song "She Left Me for Jesus." Note the irony of the story to the left - "He Left Jesus for Money."
:: Dano 1:44 PM [+] ::
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:: Dano 10:06 PM [+] ::
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Flatland: The Movie Edition book is now at Book People!



:: Dano 12:03 PM [+] ::
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Kevin gets ready for Wall-E and takes on bloggers...

:: Dano 6:48 PM [+] ::
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Kevin talks science-fiction on Broadway!


:: Dano 2:29 PM [+] ::
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A quick and silly short my friends made!


:: Dano 10:52 AM [+] ::
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Kevin at the Sci-Fi Department talks classic King Kong!


:: Dano 8:58 PM [+] ::
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Kevin examines John Carpenter's sci-fi/satire classic "They Live."


:: Dano 3:17 PM [+] ::
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Another great video from the National Center for Science Education!



More good info to refute Expelled.
:: Dano 7:11 PM [+] ::
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Kevin features the bizarre sci-fi animation 'Fantastic Planet!'


:: Dano 4:22 PM [+] ::
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The trip to Berlin for the MathFilm Festival 2008!

European Vacation

:: Dano 2:14 PM [+] ::
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Flatland: The Movie in the UT Alumni Magazine, the Alcalde!




:: Dano 2:51 PM [+] ::
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I love this.

:: Dano 1:03 AM [+] ::
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The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason made a parody video of Expelled.


:: Dano 1:41 PM [+] ::
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New York Times review slams Expelled! Not that I was worried...
:: Dano 10:20 AM [+] ::
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Slideshow of our visit to the Sonoma Valley Film Festival

:: Dano 4:59 PM [+] ::
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In actual science news, as compared to Expelled, Flatland: the Movie and Book are reviewed on page 106 of the May 2008 Scientific American Magazine! I tried posting a scan but blogger seems to be having issues today.

Also, Scientific American online has some great comments on Expelled too.
:: Dano 4:09 PM [+] ::
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We interrupt the continuing mockery of Expelled to bring you the latest Sci-5 from Kevin!


:: Dano 2:27 PM [+] ::
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A great review of Expelled from Reason Magazine: Flunk this Movie!
:: Dano 1:48 PM [+] ::
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For those of you who may be seeing ads for the new anti-evolution/anti-intelligence film Expelled, a new website by the National Center for Science Education is up to counter the vicious propaganda piece: Expelled Exposed.

Also, NCSE made a parody of Expelled's trailer starring a REAL Texas scientist who was 'expelled' from her job for 'not remaining neutral' on the scientific evidence for evolution and against ID/creationism.




It's kind of cheesy, but I've met Christine Comer and she's an amazing woman who truly cares about Texas students getting the best science education, compared to certain School Board members who want students to get the best religious indoctrination...
:: Dano 11:55 AM [+] ::
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Hayes Carll on Funny or Die


Collection Agency Films didn't only make a cartoon for Hayes - we also contributed artwork to the double-gate LP and created a brand new mini-graphic novel that illustrates some of Hayes' stories, titled "Hayes Carll and the Search for Ooga Kabooga Juice".




Check out the great artwork drawn by Jose Luis Gonzalez and colored/laid out by Jaime Cervantes.

Note to Austintes: Hayes has an in-store performance at Waterloo Records today (April 8th) at 5 PM. And then he has a free set at Stubb's afterwards. Check it out!
:: Dano 12:38 PM [+] ::
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Last week, UT Austin's Environmental Science Institute hosted Dr. Ken Miller for a talk titled "God, Darwin, and Design: Lessons from the Dover Monkey Trial."

You can view the webcast HERE! Note: fast forward 18 minutes in past the footage of people sitting down. You may need to download the Envivio plug-in also.

But it's highly worth checking out. Dr. Miller shares his enthusiasm about science and why bad science like "intelligent design" is misleading, incorrect, and religiously motivated. Lessons I wish 8 members of the Texas State Board of Education would learn (Dr. Miller actually offers to sit down with them "anytime, anywhere" during the Q&A session).

Watch it!
:: Dano 12:33 PM [+] ::
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Collection Agency Films' latest cartoon for musician Hayes Carll!



Also available in Quicktime at Collection Agency Films

Hayes' new album, 'Trouble in Mind' comes out next Tuesday. Come out the the release party at Waterloo Records at 5 PM!
:: Dano 2:45 AM [+] ::
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Breaking Flatland: The Movie News from New Jersey!

"Tom Banchoff gave a talk at the Princeton Public Library last night and
we had a standing room only crowd of adults and children of all ages.
The kids asked amazing questions. We ran out of DVDs and had only 3
books left. Labyrinth book stores did the sale and underordered. We gave
out cards, however, so folks can still get the DVD. It was a great event
and everyone loved the movie. We squeezed 140 into the room. This is a
great number for a Tuesday night."

Get 'em while they're hot, people!
:: Dano 12:59 PM [+] ::
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Meet the Insur-Animals!!!


Dear friend of Collection Agency Films:

Please check out our newest cartoon: The Insur-Animals, Episode 1!

Imagine a freak accident in which health insurance industry lobbyists and rare circus animals melded together to create human-animal chimera that shill for the health insurance industry! Now imagine that they had a 1980's Saturday morning cartoon show! And at the end of that show there was a helpful and educational PSA! That's what we made!

Watch it here!

Find out more about the Insur-Animals, Deductibear, Co-Pay Cobra, Denial Crocodile, and Premiums Porcupine Read their hilarious bios (more coming soon when they get MySpace and Facebook profiles up).

Anyways, I'm really happy with this 'toon and if lots of people hit the link and comment I'm sure we can get episode 2 underway!

Because there aren't credits on the cartoon, I wanted to shout-out to the hard-workers who made this spot happen (we made it in less than 2 weeks)!

The Insur-Animals!
Made by Collection Agency Films for North Woods Advertising
Produced by Troy Campbell
Concept/Script – Don Swaynos & Dano Johnson
Artwork – Cameron Petri
Animation – Don Smith & David Young
Voices – Shannon McCormick, Lynn Mikeska, Curtis Luciani
Music & Sound FX – Eric Friend

CAF has another cartoon coming out in another week... assuming I get right back to work...

- Dano

PS - I actually got a letter today raising my insurance premiums.
:: Dano 11:36 PM [+] ::
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Check out this article from the Dallas Observer on the upcoming evolution battles at the State Board of Education.
:: Dano 6:32 PM [+] ::
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Storytime with Kevin!


:: Dano 6:27 PM [+] ::
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Famed accordionist and singer Jason Webley came to Austin and played a raucous show at the Church of the Friendly Ghost's "Monsters of Accordion" showcase. Afterwards, he invited hangers-on to join in his new tradition: after every show he writes a totally new song and then records it for the internet in creative ways. Puppet Show alum Tate English and I knew this meant one thing: get out the puppets!


:: Dano 9:50 AM [+] ::
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Nicole Atkins and the Sea - the only reason I would attempt to go downtown and deal with SXSW Music...






:: Dano 9:35 PM [+] ::
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Flatland: The Movie is playing the Atlanta Film Festival Saturday, April 12th with the animated feature "Komaneko: The Curious Cat." Looks pretty cute!


:: Dano 1:11 PM [+] ::
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Kevin chimes in on time travel movies: ones to see and ones to skip!


:: Dano 1:57 PM [+] ::
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Kevin discusses "Knockbusters".


:: Dano 12:59 PM [+] ::
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Check out my guest blog at Mucho Politico. Tom's hilarious recollection is up too!



:: Dano 1:50 AM [+] ::
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Look out, Hillary. Dano's a Precinct Delegate for Obama...


:: Dano 11:41 PM [+] ::
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Update:

The Flatland crew met hundreds of teachers at the T3 conference in Dallas this weekend, sharing our DVDs and the new book! More than a few teachers who already use Flatland: The Movie in their classrooms stopped by to tell us about how much they and their students enjoy it!

The Los Angeles Times published a review of our book this weekend. The author may have watched the movie, but I doubt it. I think the lesson is "Don't have a book reviewer review a movie adaptation of their favorite novel."

I got an email from Dr. Eugenie Scott, director of the National Center for Science Education. She's a big fan of "Dance Like a Monkey!"

Don Swaynos, frequent collaborator of Collection Agency and Jollyville Pictures, is working on a documentary for the American Widow Project". The website and footage from the documentary were featured on ABC News.
:: Dano 8:58 PM [+] ::
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The Sci-fi department gets Oscar fever!



In other news, Flatland: The Movie will be featured in this weekend's LA Times Science section! I'm not sure if that means the Saturday or Sunday section, but you'll be the first to know when it runs!
:: Dano 1:22 PM [+] ::
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I highly recommend the film "Be Kind, Rewind" in which some down on their luck video store employees recreate classic movies to replace their comically-erased videotapes. These homages are dubbed "swedes" and now homemade, sweded films are popping up all over the internets!

Here's a favorite - LORD OF THE RINGS: The Fellowship of the Ring




:: Dano 3:25 PM [+] ::
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Kevin meets George Romero in this weeks Zombified Sci Fi Department video:

:: Dano 1:14 PM [+] ::
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Kaz Boyle, who wrote the music for Flatland: The Movie has gone Bollywood! From Kaz:

"I'm writing to encourage you to go out and see "JODHAA AKBAR" - the biggest Indian movie of 2008!

I was privileged to write an hour of the film's lush score, working with Bollywood uber-composer A.R. Rahman. I am very proud to have been trusted with this huge project, and of course I am thrilled with the way the score turned out.

The film, an epic romance set in the 16th century is written and directed by the acclaimed Ashutosh Gowariker and features megastars Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan.

To find a screening near you (almost ANYWHERE in the world!), check out:

http://www.jodhaaakbar.com/"

And remember, you can get the Flatland: The Movie Soundtrack HERE!
:: Dano 11:49 PM [+] ::
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Free public lecture on the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Followed by viewing of the lunar eclipse. Wednesday, UT campus at 7:30
:: Dano 2:39 PM [+] ::
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Flatland: the Movie Edition sightings!

We have reports that our new hardback edition of Flatland has been sighted at Barnes & Noble stores in Los Angeles and Austin! Go get 'em, nerds!

- Dano
:: Dano 10:06 AM [+] ::
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I'm disappointed Kevin didn't feature the classic "Eight Legged Freaks."


:: Dano 11:55 PM [+] ::
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Happy Darwin Day!



Other Links:
Darwin Day articles from the UK
The Complete Works of Charles Darwin
Evolution Sunday
Texas Citizens for Science
Center For Inquiry Austin
:: Dano 9:56 PM [+] ::
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My favorite new Flatland review!

"Originally conceived by the author as a swipe at the stringent Victorian class system, this delightful fable provides the perfect metaphor for those who embrace change vs. those with a fundamentalist hold on the past."

"There is a lot of heart here, along with the various formulas and arithmetic - and while some of Abbot’s story and satire are simplified in order to make things more manageable, the main narrative never feels truncated. In fact, this adaptation avoids a great deal of the ancillary politics of the period that get in the way of the wonder. Flatland is clearly more interested in the bigger picture than the many minor facets. Its successful combination of approaches bodes well for the future of animated movies - and the fortunes of these filmmakers."

8 out of 10 stars!
:: Dano 11:20 AM [+] ::
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Info for Texas Voters regarding the March 4th Primary!

"Texas has a New Hampshire-style primary AND an Iowa-style caucus.
This means that everyone must take 2 steps on voting day (March 4). someone last suggested we could all it the Texas 2-step:

1. go to the polling place and vote (we all know that part)
2. COME BACK AT 7:15 AND SIGN IN AT YOUR PRECINCT CONVENTION, which is at your polling place. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STAY AND CAUCUS, YOU JUST NEED TO SIGN IN.

Why?
Only 3/4 of the total Texas delegation (126 delegates) is based on the primary returns. The other 1/4 (42 delegates) will be distributed based on the number of people attending the precinct convention. To "attend" you need only to sign in (at which point you indicate your candidate) and then you can leave. (of course, if you want to stay-- and if you want to actually run to be a delegate-- you can do that, too). IT'S VITAL TO GO AND SIGN IN, BECAUSE THAT SIGN-IN NUMBER DETERMINES THE PERCENTAGE THERE FOR OBAMA VS. CLINTON VS. UNDECIDED, AND THE DELEGATES ARE ALLOTTED BASED ON THAT NUMBER ALONE. The choosing of delegates is a next step that is based on the sign-in sheet, but separate from it.

This was new information to most of us at the meeting. It's really important to spread the word about it-- those final 42 delegates could make a real difference.

There are 2 more info meetings last night's scheduled:
Wed 2/20 6:30-8:30 Dell Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart Lane
Sat 2/23 11am-12:30 Austin City Council Chambers, 301 W. 2nd st

2 good websites to keep track of texas-related info:
www.texansforobama.com
www.democracyfortexas.org"
:: Dano 12:48 AM [+] ::
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Kevin talks to comic book guys about comic book movies!



Also, a Jim Henson bio-pic could be in the works! Cool and/or distressing...
:: Dano 5:20 PM [+] ::
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More Sci Fi Department Fun...


:: Dano 12:30 PM [+] ::
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Joint Mathematics Meetings 2008 - San Diego screening of 'Flatland: the Movie'

Here we are right before the movie started. It played on 2 screens to nearly 1300 people!


For the first time, being sold side by side, the Movie and the new book from Princeton Press! We must have signed hundreds!


I don't remember what we were discussing, but it was probably awesome.


The awesome team from Princeton made us homemade, individualized Flatland shirts! I won 'the tallest' award!


It was a great trip, although I didn't get to go to the San Diego Zoo or meet up with Robert Schneider. But wait until you see those books!
:: Dano 12:32 AM [+] ::
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What is it with number 3?

On Amazon.com, 'Flatland: The Movie' is the 3rd product listed when you do a search for 'flatland'. We were lingering at 4 for a long while, but look out No. 2!!!

On Current.com, "I Think I'm Dead" is Number 3 on the homepage. It doesn't seem to be any indication of our popularity, but over 100 people per hour seem to be watching it. Pass it on, pot-humor afficionados! ***Update: we were just bounced to 4 because some lady named Amy Winehouse is going to rehab, which is apparently ironic.***

Also, Amazon.com is now shipping copies of our new Flatland movie edition book! Get yours today! It should be coming to Borders and Barnes & Noble stores near you very soon (along with the Home Edition DVD)!!!
:: Dano 3:19 PM [+] ::
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A Sci-Fi Department review of "A Boy and His Dog". Somehow I doubt you'll find this movie at Blockbuster...

:: Dano 5:49 PM [+] ::
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Just in time for Cloverfield, Kevin Maher of the Sci Fi Department examines previous monstrous attacks on the Big Apple.


:: Dano 12:33 PM [+] ::
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:: Dano 9:56 AM [+] ::
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Flatland: The Movie update!

We just returned from San Diego where we shared a booth with Princeton Press for 'Joint Mathematics Meetings 2008.' We filled a 1400 seat ballrooom nearly to capacity for our screening of the movie, and for the next two days we could barely take a break from signing books and DVDs. Needless to say, schools across the US and the world are going to expose their students to a new take on Flatland.

Also, I'm helping my pal Kevin at AMCTV.com by reposting his Science Fiction webshow: the Sci-Fi Department. So enjoy these weekly episodes and please click-through to leave comments!


:: Dano 3:14 PM [+] ::
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Flatland: The Movie Edition book is coming out next week!
:: Dano 5:49 PM [+] ::
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