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la rafale
Member
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# Posted: 8 Nov 09 17:11 - Edited by: la rafale
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IF YOU WANT TO TAKE PART IN THE WORKSHOP PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE RULES BELOW:
1. Join the workgroup in this link: http://www.woophy.com/forum/12_4440_0.html . The of members list will be open all the time (to get in and to get out).
2. Each member of the workgroup agrees in being a critic for other members (not necessarily all them) and being criticized by the rest of members (not necessarily all them).
3. The main idea is to make a critic of a whole work from a photographer and not only of a picture. It’s aviced to browse to the whole collection of the photographer under critics (but it’s not obligatory, specially considering that there are some very large portafolios).
4. Nevertheless, a sample around 20 pictures selected by the photographer will be posted in the appropriate forum thread in order to highlight which pictures the photographer considers as the best examples of his/her photographic work. The critics will take specially these pictures into account, but all the collection can be browsed and used for the critic’s work.
5. All opinions must be accepted by all members, like it or not. The only limits for the critics is to be sincere, to be polite and to be constructive. This is supposed to be a workshop to learn... if you want flattery just have a look at the normal comments in your pictures.
6. All aspects of photography would be under critics: quality, quantity, originality, subject, composition, light, colour, white balance, edition, etc... But this doesn't mean that you must criticize all these things. Concerning the critics, you will find a very good summary in Miguel's blog here: ".Elements of Analysis
7. This workgroup doesn't intend to be an "exclusive club for experienced photographers". All members are wellcome, with all photographic levels... (If you don't know about white balance, depth of field, ISO, etc... just tell us "I like your collection or I don't like it at all and try to explain why with your own words...)
8. The strategy "you scratch my back and I scratch yours" is not accepted in such a workgroup... Let's be serious...
Now some ideas about the way to carry this out:
1st. Join the group in the forum linked before.
2nd. You will be in a queue and you will have to wait to your turn to post your own gallery in a new forum topic. There will be 4 members showing their collections at the same time for one week.
3rd. When it's your turn post a forum topic with the title: "CRITICS WORKSHOP: Member’s nickname gallery". In this topic you will cut and paste these rules and those written above and post around 20 pictures selected from your own collection. It would be nice also if you could write few words about your photographic work: what are you interested in, what do you want to transmit with your pictures, for how long you are a photographer... and whatever you think it’s important to consider for a critic.
About me:
Well, this is,maybe, the most difficult part to do!
I'm not a photographer and would probably never be 
Nevertheless, I like photography,life,people,travels,my city (not necessary in this order ) and that's why I joined Woophy.
I'll try to better myself with your comments and advices providing that they wouldn't be to difficult to follow .
My choice is
10 pics from my city
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
and 10 from "eslsewhere"
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
Many thanks for spending some of your time here 
Brigitte
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Dieuwertje
Member
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# Posted: 8 Nov 09 17:51
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Hello Brigitte, I just looked at the nice list of your pictures. I am not commented them one ny one, for me it's a plessure to look at all this photo's, maybe not all perfect but each one has a story to tell, that's what I like very much.
I will say to you go on this way 
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Jan Hemels
Moderator
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# Posted: 9 Nov 09 16:47
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Hi Brigitte,
Love your no nonsense style of Photography. Always unpretentious and down to earth.
My personal and honest vision on your selection:
1. Not so interesting
2, 3 and 4 Special scenes well captured although 2 would be better with the man loose from the couple. 3 is a special way to have ... lol!
5. A pity you do not show a face, the earing aid and contours however do tell a story
6. Surprising and good light
7. A great scene, a little spoilt by the objects and incomplete person on the left
8. My Favourite
9. Also very strong
10, 11, 12, 12, 15 and 16 Clearly less attractive
13 and 14 Super shots!!!
17 to 20 All very interesting
In general I would recommend:
- Take care of the compositions whenever possible
- Go on with your work as you do like it to do!!
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ortho158
Member
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# Posted: 11 Nov 09 15:13
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bonjour Brigitte,
I did not want to criticize your pics, because I think that's rather difficult, as your main objective seems to take testimonies (of events, travels, ...) rather than concentrate on taking very artistic photos. On the other hand, if I did not comment, you may have thought that I had neglected your critic gallery.
So, I won't make a detailed technical analysis of your pics. Just let me say that I like your approach, the fact that you include many b&w pics, and that nearly every one of your pic includes a human element.
What could be better? More attention to the composition. I think, e.g., that you tend to frame too tightly.
A single example: your number 2 pic. There should be more room above the heads (and probably less at the bottom; and the right part is too empty. By the way, did you try it in b&w?
To conclude: Congratulations for your pic of the month!
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ortho158
Member
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# Posted: 11 Nov 09 18:07
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As you insist ....
1. nice view, but that's all; maybe suppress the stone block on the right
2. see previous post above; also, I think it would have been better if you had been standing more on the left: the persons would have been less clustered.
3. mouais ... too centered anyway
4. good idea, but not sure it is effective; maybe too much light difference between the right and left parts.
5. visage not visible enough, and the background should be less visible (use a wider aperture if possible)
6. good light, but I don't really see what it represents
7. I think that you should have moved to the right (so that the man would have been more visible), or to the left (and then invisible)
8 and 9.very good
10. the dog is not visible enough; probably better without the striped banner (but you couldn't do anything about it).
11. not very special
12. good timing
13.excellent
14. too centered
15. there is no difference between the boat and a white background; I tried with a border, but I still find it a strange composition; it looks like the man wants to leave the pic. I tried a symmetry on the pic (the man going to the left) and, for some strange reason, I find it more acceptable.
16.too bad there is the modern building.
17.too centered
18.good scene, but I would probably crop part of the stairs.
19. ok with the caption (back to back), but otherwise the sheep are looking in the wrong direction
20. Too cropped I think (or framing too tight), and the background should be less visible
Still friends, I hope.
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la rafale
Member
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# Posted: 11 Nov 09 18:20
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Still friends, obviously
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zoidberg
Moderator
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# Posted: 13 Nov 09 19:13
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Hi Brigitte!
I think you have a style very difficult to label. Your pics are very different between them, and I agree with Jan that your pics are always unpretentious. I think that makes them more unpredictable. It seems that you have fun making pictures and this is shown looking at them. But you also have very good technique, with perfect light, sharpness and colors, that makes a pleasure to look at them.
About your selection, I will start with the pictures I like less:
 I like very much panoramic views, but in this case I think there's too much sky, I think could be better with more water.
 Main subject image is very nice, but the two people on the background are distracting.
 I would prefer more view in front of the woman…
 I don't like the white wall at left, but the artistic work shooted looks wonderful, specially in large view.
 , not very interesting… just a postcard, I'm sorry...
The rest of the pictures I like them all, but my favorites are
 I like it because of the place and also because you had to do it from the car, not easy at all!
I like very much  , very beautiful compo and perspective, excellent in b&w  , wonderful play with light and shadows, I also think is perfect in b&w,  congratulations for your first place! A superb compo and a wonderful colors! The scene is gorgeous also.
 a great subject with an amazing pov,  I love this one, you really choose very wisely which pictures needs b&w!  A very beautiful compo, with wonderful colors and light.
Salut!
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TBM
Member
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# Posted: 14 Nov 09 10:12 - Edited by: TBM
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Dear Brigitte,
wind blasts ("rafales") embody a mighty strenght, but not always know where they are going.
This might be said, IMO, about most of your pictures.
Your collection shows that you have a great eye for photography: you are always able to find interesting scenes in everyday life, unusual details, funny situations. And your pictures are like your comments - witty, full of humour, out-of-the-ordinary.
On the other hand, I wish you were more attentive about composition. Some of your pictures are potentially great photos that are just spoiled by an uncorrect crop, or by the presence of disturbing elements. For instance, the young man sitting on the yellow "thing" - Zeeg s quite right about the two figures in the BG.
Or the African sheep, where the nose of the last animal touches the picture edge and the BG is badly balanced (you should have stepped closer to the animals, and leave only the shop in the BG).
Or the Venetian statue (Ortho is right, "too centered" - Dommage, c'était super!)
So my advice is: think a lot when you spot an interesting subject. Shoot immediately a first pic, just in order to not miss the scene. Then stay on the spot, consider all the elements, try different POVS, wait that people around the subject come and go and change the composition balance, and shoot again and again.
In my opinion, taking pics is a bit like going fishing: find a good place, and then wait and wait until the good instant arrives.
I know also that this is not exactly the way a wind blast works....
But please do not say you will never be a photographer. Only gifted people could take a picture like the Venetian Hat.
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Martin de Rijk
Member
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# Posted: 15 Nov 09 11:17 - Edited by: Martin de Rijk
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Dear Brigitte,
The main thing I notice when looking at your pictures is your enthousiasm for photography.
My quess is your smiling a lot while taking pictures. You walk around with an open eye and a good one for special moments and situations.
There's been a lot said about the technical aspects a I agree most of the time. TMB summed the most up. Still I hope you don't lose your own way of shooting, as TBM said: Shoot immediately a first pic, just in order to not miss the scene , so you won't miss moments like #8. But, working on your pictures afterwards could improve them. And like TBM said, looking for the right POV gives sometimes a whole other picture.
You seem to like b&w also and I must say I like your b&w transfers a lot, they are well done.
So keep experimenting, juse the advise given by other members but don't let this come in your way to much while working in your own way. I've missed some great moments while thinking about some technical aspect.
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Zeeg
Member
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# Posted: 22 Nov 09 20:02
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Hi Brigitte,
Sorry to be so late but "mieux vaut tard que jamais" isn't it ?
Let's start with the technical aspects, to come back then to what matters most to me in a picture: emotion or something that catches my attention (light, a story, composition or something original ...).
I would say your pics are globally well exposed, with a correct definition. But some of your pics like your N1 could have a better impact with a better contrast. Take care also to the framing.
Now, here are the pics which are the more attractive to me.
N2: Amazing situation. I like the colours and the opposition between the attitudes / activities.
N3: Good idea, sensual portrait, and good use of BW. The most obvious technical improvements: a blurred background !
N4: An interesting composition for evocating past and modernity
N5: Is see what is the idea, but technically weak (light, compo an DOF), so no impact (sorry…)
Excellent composition with a good attitude of the little girl with brilliant colors. Nice perspectives also.
Amazing POV and composition. Hard to guess what it is at first. . An evocation of a kind of alien…
N15: I like the composition with a kind of "dialog" between the boat and the hat lines. Good use of BW.
N18: Amazing scene with a lot of details telling something on the story of this place.
And amongst my fav, not in this selection:
 a great metaphoric scene with a good POV
 excellent perspective and mood, interesting also because of the character. Beautiful colors and light, a great shot, hard to improve…(I remember of the challenge in the forum… )
Well, to summarize, I feel that you have pleasure to make pictures. You look with simplicity at the scenes of everyday life and it gives unexpected, original and sometimes funny pics.
So "Bon vent" La Rafale…and finally a wink to Georges Brassens:
Si, par hasard
Sur l'Pont des Arts
Tu croises le vent, le vent maraud
Prudent, prends garde à ta photo…
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Cloudbuster
Member
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# Posted: 22 Nov 09 20:27
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Hm. I've missed this one. Sry. Within a day or so
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geert geenen
Member
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# Posted: 23 Nov 09 20:32 - Edited by: geert geenen
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Hello Brigitte,
With more collections like yours on Woophy, this site would me much more interesting. And much more fun. You have a very good eye for remarkable situations and objects, good news-stories, funny details, etcetera. And for strange signs. For instance these ones:
 
Great!
Almost every single photo of yours is there for a reason. It tells a story, it shows a work of art or an exhibition, or a strange object (as mentioned above)... You show us something of Toulouse and the wider world and provide us with relevant information. That's what Woophy was meant for.
People on your photo's. And so many happy, enjoying people. For instance:
 
From the selection you have made, these four are my favourites:
And I dó like that modern building in the background!
Others (who are more technically skilled) have already made remarks about your compositional qualities. The numbers 19 and 20 indeed lack space at the right side; number 10 has some disturbing elements at the left; number 17 is too busy. For instance.
I think you can do that better. By taking many photo's and, above all, by watching a lot. And sometimes waiting a bit longer. Or making some steps into another direction.
And: go on with showing us your wonderful La Rafale-world!
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josecps
Member
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# Posted: 12 Dec 09 20:43
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parlez-vous français?
helen humes chante maintenant: please don't talk about me when I'm gone. that's true: elle chante encore!
only now I read your comments on my gallery. really! but is supposed to comment your selection of your ones . ok
(now's sheila jordan singing the same song - do you know them?)
let us see:
1. nothin' special;
2.belle compo, funny subject. sun is good, religious truth not that much. á mon avis...
3.erotic contrast sweet skin male machine (on her head!)
4.a kind of compo I love. black and white lines, geometry with REAL things as houses, buidings, etc.. also new and old - here white new; dark old;
5. portrait. me dit peu. unlesse lady-sisters does not ear that good.I could now do some humour, but I stop here;
6.more black&white. really, it says me nothing unless I think que la photo n'est pas réussie;
7. you show here an exhibition, a nice one, in a very good compo. game with colours and figures, human ones are important, as the man at down left but not the left you see first...I like the dynanism of it ;
8. un poème du coté de la beauté. la beauté des enfants, la beauté des fleurs, la beauté d'un monde que, malgré tout notre déséspoir, enfin, existe. et puis la FORCE du rouge près d'un blanc ou habite l'enfant. et j'aime des douliers, ses petits pieds aves des yeux...
9.étrange. it disturbs me a little bit.compo do not atracks me;
10.rien m'attire ici, peut-être j'aime la ligne des fenêtres que fait angle avec la diagonale zebrée(?);
11.good portrait of the boat! sharpness!;
12.il faut enlarger pour mieux voir le batiment. many to say. fallic. girl on road. erotic;
13.beautiful at first sight. la robe blanche de la fille dans ce beau n&b, les livres à la plage ( la seule raison que me fait rester quelque temps dans une plage), l'homme que lit...les nuages des idées, the fence on right, la géometrie de la bibliothéque - directement to mes fav!
14.que de poétique vue de venise! la petite frog dans sa main droite peut nous parler d'une certaine cruelté de la beauté, de la beauté de venise, de la beauté de la décadence! une beauté froide, blueu... FAV
15. la compo. b&w. le chapeau de mastroiani! le mouvement de l'eau: la vie en fuite!
16. lovely atmosphere. people seem be happy around monument.could be also coloured;
17. sole soft rosed light gives the touch to this pic turning it as friendly;
18.must be enlarged, must be readen! superb information: le virage, open door and stairs for nowhere. lesson of life: nihilism! besides motorcycle running away from the message! another fav!!
19. mon dieu, les brevis sont superbes, la compo est bonne: haut gauche coloré, bas droite en blanc et noir; la vie des humans et la vie des brevis. les uns et les autres.fav
20.l'art dans un mur perdu. neverthless world goes on building catastrophes, smiling even with coloured b&ws, crying economy must grows perpectually! JUST WHY??? may be beauty can gives us a hand...
13, 14, 18 - my prefered; 1, 5, 6 less ones...
Thank you so much for your pics!
Sheila jordan goes on singing THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU!
That's nice! And I'll have a nice dinner too!
Hope you're fine each time you'll read this !
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josecps
Member
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# Posted: 12 Dec 09 22:01
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ooooooooops, so many mistakes! i did not read my writing! it's a bag of errors! perfection is not quality
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josecps
Member
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# Posted: 12 Dec 09 22:02
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MY quality!!
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la rafale
Member
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# Posted: 12 Dec 09 22:25
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@Josecps: mistakes? so, your dinner wasn't as good as expected?
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Cloudbuster
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 09 00:40
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"Within a day or so..."
I'm sorry
Can I blame it on being "just a man"?
Well. At last, here we go
As always.. All IMO only
A nice view, and showing a part of Toulouse in a nice way.
A little level adjustment would create a better balance between light and dark. It is a little too bright imo.
Candid in front of people. Good! I do feel the right side of the photo is empty and I wonder how it would look with a different crop. More of the left side and less of the right side
Okay.  I have not read the forum topic about this photo but sure, this photo may very well have possibilities, but as it is with all the disturbing objects in the back it is imo not very attractive. The idea of a more or less naked woman and her helmet may be very good for nude act photos.
I wonder.. How this would look in color...? The photo is not very exiting, but i guess it is not supposed to be either? The color version might be. Old worn out wall, maybe some odd paint job? Feel free to show us
Face, please! She is using a ear implant, and maybe that was what you wanted to show us, but imo this could be so very different. The green guy is out of focus and could probably be a much more exciting photo. Also, her hair is burned out. Sorry, la Rafale, but this is not one of your better ones
Strange art and good description. A good way of showing us what is happening in other parts of the world.
The more I look at your photos, the more I appreciate your descriptions. I guess, what is important is showing the world, and you do so very well.
Suddenly, this beauty shows up! This is very different from the other photos commented so far and a true beauty! Very well done, Brigitte
A very, very strange look!  In small size it looks like something with a mask is looking through some kind of weird hole in the wall. At closer look, there is obviously a skeleton, and we're looking up its bottom Good caption
Again, your description is excellent
Too bad the fence is blocking most of the details and this photo is not given fair treatment if only seen in small size. The dog does the photo! 
Good light and detail, but it needs a little something to be interesting. Maybe it might be more interesting if it was possible to see more of the harbor?
A snapshot!
Sometimes interesting things appear, and to me it looks like this is build by someone with a small penis, trying to impress people!
Library on the beach... What is next?? Actually. It may very well be a good idea. Nice of you to show us.
This photo would benefit from a crop at the right side of the photo, and maybe even give more space at the left side. Letting the boy view into the photo would probably do good. Also, The white balance looks out of place. I pulled it into PS Elements, removed color cast and chose the statue as white. It helped a lot.
You have an eye for details. 
The black stripes fit very well together, but as a photo it needs more to be really interesting. If it was possible to position the man, there would be a lot more possibilities.
Great city life scene. Do not be afraid to choose color. This is a very life like photo and deserves more than grey tones.
Good angle! Nothing much else to say about this photo. It looks nice and shows a small, beautiful part of Senegal
A not so beautiful part of Senegal, but good documentation . 
Nice documentation with the extra twist of back to back Well spotted even if I still wish we could see the childes face
As said before. As with this photo, you're descriptions are very good and this is a photo from a place the whole world knows about.
Summary
It is not difficult to understand your style of photo. You obviously love to show parts of the world, and your descriptions shows interest in the objects and you're kind enough to show us. Good!
It is matter of taste I guess or the lack of software to edit your photos, but generally I find the photos a little too bright. The sharpness is more than good enough and usually the compo looks nice. I took a few of your photos and opened them in PS Elements, and with small adjustments they get a lot more "punch". My advice is to invest in some software. You'll have a lot more fun with your photos A few easy steps and you double the joy
Best regards
Vidar
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ortho158
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 09 10:21
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Hey Jose,
I, too, like Sheila Jordan. here is one of my favorite by her. And, in a very diffrent style, You are my sunshine, with George Russell (but unfortunately not on Youtube).
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josecps
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 09 18:01
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Thanks, ortho, for dat dare's jordan, may be the best song of oscar brown jr. I think this track is from her first work in the 60's. but i've few cd here in porto to confirm. concernin' you're my sunshine, will u please tell from which work? I've several.
sorry, rafale, for takin this space! i'm lazy for copmputer and net using...
dinner was good, u may believe it!!
a good week ti u both!
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la rafale
Member
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# Posted: 13 Dec 09 19:50 - Edited by: la rafale
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@Josecps ( and Ortho) : I love to see "my space" invaded by music, overall when it's so good ! by your interventions, you make the sun shine in this topic
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