Mihail passes, sorrow ensues

May 11, 2006 6:02 PM

I wanted to let the Metafilter community know that MiHail of the portabella mushroom fame died in February while waiting for a liver transplant. She was my best friend and soul mate. Rest in peace, Cathy. You are missed.
posted by Jade5454 to Bugs at 6:02 PM (153 comments total)

Crap. I didn't do that correctly.
posted by Jade5454 at 6:03 PM on May 11, 2006

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you find peace.
posted by ColdChef at 6:07 PM on May 11, 2006

My condolences to her family and friends.

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posted by onalark at 6:12 PM on May 11, 2006

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My condolences.
posted by oflinkey at 6:21 PM on May 11, 2006

Shit. That's awful, Kim. Sorry to hear it.
posted by cortex at 6:21 PM on May 11, 2006

Ahh hell, I'm so sorry for your loss.
posted by Divine_Wino at 6:21 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by edgeways at 6:21 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by Samuel Farrow at 6:22 PM on May 11, 2006

That's a drag. I liked her (online persona). Sorry for your loss.
posted by teece at 6:23 PM on May 11, 2006

You did fine, Jade5454, as far as I can tell.

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posted by cgc373 at 6:26 PM on May 11, 2006 [1 favorite]

Sorry for your loss, Jade5454.

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posted by dobbs at 6:27 PM on May 11, 2006

Her last fpp was about donor cards.
posted by puke & cry at 6:29 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by killdevil at 6:29 PM on May 11, 2006

MiHail handled herself with such humor and grace in the mushroom thread. She seems like she must have been a great friend. I'm sorry you have lost her.
posted by TimeFactor at 6:30 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by scarabic at 6:32 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by Rumple at 6:36 PM on May 11, 2006

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my condolences
posted by cosmicbandito at 6:37 PM on May 11, 2006

The mushroom thing was one of my favorite MeFi things ever. She made herself part of the fun, which is no small feat on the Interweb. I especially loved when she added the "snobbery" tag to the post - one of the funniest MeFi things ever, IMO.

Peace to you, Jade5454 and much respect to MiHail.
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:38 PM on May 11, 2006 [1 favorite]

God damnit.

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May she find mirth and happiness in mushroom-land.
posted by loquacious at 6:39 PM on May 11, 2006 [1 favorite]

I'm so sorry. She was a spirited woman and will be missed. I am having mushrooms for dinner tomorrow and I will cook them in her honor.
posted by matildaben at 6:42 PM on May 11, 2006

I am very, very sorry for your loss, and that of all her friends and family. It's always shocking, and humbling, when one of us is actually touched by life, or by death. We are, each of us, more than a number, or a name.
posted by yhbc at 6:43 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by librarina at 6:44 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by dg at 6:45 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by furiousthought at 6:51 PM on May 11, 2006

Thank you, everyone. You have made me both laugh and cry at the same time. Suddenly I know the meaning of "bittersweet".

There is a certain peace in knowing that she is now always with me... as opposed to the rare occasions of "girlfriend emergency" when she couldn't be there in physical proximity.
posted by Jade5454 at 6:52 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by lekvar at 6:55 PM on May 11, 2006

In a smaller way, we all share your loss, Kim. I hope we gave her more amusement than grief.
posted by LarryC at 6:57 PM on May 11, 2006

I'm sorry for your loss. Losing a close friend is a terrible thing.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:00 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by sjvilla79 at 7:00 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:04 PM on May 11, 2006 [1 favorite]

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posted by LeeJay at 7:07 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by Dunwitty at 7:07 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by heeeraldo at 7:08 PM on May 11, 2006

I was not a member during the Mushroom Days, but I will now go and read the thread in her honor.
posted by Dunwitty at 7:09 PM on May 11, 2006

So long, and thanks for all the mushrooms...
posted by blue_beetle at 7:09 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by ND¢ at 7:10 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by middleclasstool at 7:13 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by bigmusic at 7:24 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:26 PM on May 11, 2006

I'm so sorry. Thank you for telling us.
posted by amro at 7:26 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by deborah at 7:30 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 7:31 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by youcancallmeal at 7:34 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by ooga_booga at 7:34 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by Staggering Jack at 7:36 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by terrapin at 8:19 PM on May 11, 2006

Now I know why she was never around anymore. It's always a possibility, but you just prefer to figure, "Nah, they've just got better things to do with their time."

Thanks for making what must've been a difficult announcement. MiHail lives on in my memory, and she's definitely been missed.
posted by Eideteker at 8:20 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by CunningLinguist at 8:27 PM on May 11, 2006

Condolences on your loss. In her honor, I will finally read the mushroom thread. It was a horrible post, but if she handled the flaming that surely came with humor and grace, it's worth reading for that alone.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 8:35 PM on May 11, 2006

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My condolences
posted by gaspode at 8:37 PM on May 11, 2006

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I am so sorry for your loss.
posted by SisterHavana at 8:45 PM on May 11, 2006

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I'm sorry for your loss as well, and of course her family...
posted by twiggy at 8:49 PM on May 11, 2006

It is quite amazing, EB.

mushroooom mushroooooom.
posted by blacklite at 8:52 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by Quietgal at 8:52 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by visual mechanic at 8:53 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by thatweirdguy2 at 8:54 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by kenko at 8:56 PM on May 11, 2006

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She was a loveable, gracious character and I'm sure a terrific friend. May she rest in peace.
posted by Sticherbeast at 8:56 PM on May 11, 2006

Jade5454, your friend was a class act. To have that kind of moxie and humor at the end of her life, when she was suffering so cruelly, says a lot about her character. She took some pretty mean hectoring in stride and helped turn it into a giant hilarious joke instead, and I respected her for it. Donor card (marrow card, too) signed, and I hope everyone who hasn't done so already will do the same in her honor.

My sincere condolences to you and all her friends and family.
posted by melissa may at 8:58 PM on May 11, 2006 [1 favorite]

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posted by hooray at 9:05 PM on May 11, 2006

So sorry for your loss - my condolences to you and the rest of her loved ones. Another donor card signed, and a reminder for others to do the same.
posted by scody at 9:09 PM on May 11, 2006

Shit.

Even though I argued with her, I admired her spunk. We had afew friendly conversations on MeCha. I'm breaking aboycott of MeFi to pay my respects. Sorry for your loss.
posted by jonmc at 9:13 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by delmoi at 9:17 PM on May 11, 2006

My heart goes out to you. We are diminished in her absence.
posted by y2karl at 9:27 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by quonsar at 9:47 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by ramix at 9:53 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 9:58 PM on May 11, 2006

A real loss to this community. So very sad.
posted by arse_hat at 10:01 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by brain_drain at 10:04 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by moonbird at 10:09 PM on May 11, 2006

Now that my friends, is how to do a thread follow-up in the grey.
posted by blue_beetle at 10:11 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by danb at 10:18 PM on May 11, 2006

It's obviously too late for the funeral, but perhaps at a memorial service, if one is held later, the mushroom thread could be read as a sort of belated eulogy - a great way to let her family and non-Meta friends see that side of her.

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posted by birdsquared at 10:21 PM on May 11, 2006

That was the first thread I ever commented on, and it stood out for me as a perfect example of why we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously.

Mihail managed to turn a flamewar nightmare around on its end and come back with humor and grace. May you rest in peace, Mihail.
posted by SassHat at 10:28 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by granted at 10:30 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by Hat Maui at 10:30 PM on May 11, 2006

Damn.
posted by leftcoastbob at 10:33 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by horsewithnoname at 10:40 PM on May 11, 2006

I didn't know her, but here's a

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posted by evariste at 10:48 PM on May 11, 2006

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RIP, Mihail.
posted by greycap at 11:02 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:30 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by seanyboy at 11:40 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by Hlewagast at 11:49 PM on May 11, 2006

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posted by dhruva at 11:53 PM on May 11, 2006

It's been ages since the mushroom thread, but each time I see mushrooms in the grocery store, I smile and think of her.

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posted by Iamtherealme at 12:47 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by brautigan at 12:53 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by sgt.serenity at 1:29 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by ninthart at 1:30 AM on May 12, 2006

Very sad.

And, without wishing to be disrespectful in any way, I think there's something rather wonderful about the fact that MiHail will be remembered fondly by a huge number of strangers every time they see a portobello mushroom.
posted by jack_mo at 1:40 AM on May 12, 2006 [3 favorites]

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posted by drewbage1847 at 2:00 AM on May 12, 2006

I am so sorry to hear that. My deepest condolences.
posted by yankeefog at 2:18 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by hot soup girl at 2:18 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by drill_here_fore_seismics at 2:43 AM on May 12, 2006

Shit. Very sad news.

Part of the fun of the mushroom thread at the time was the fact that MiHail did not, actually, seem to take the hectoring with much humor or grace, at least at first, but ultimately she did seem to come around, and she and I did exchange a pleasant email or two. I wondered what became of her when she stopped commenting at MeCha.
posted by Gator at 2:57 AM on May 12, 2006 [2 favorites]

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posted by IronLizard at 3:15 AM on May 12, 2006

Portabella! /Stanley Kowalski

I'm leaving her in my contacts where she has been since the mushroom thread.

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posted by geekyguy at 3:35 AM on May 12, 2006

I'm so sorry for your loss.

As our community ages we will continue to have members pass. I wish there was a permanent place they could be eulogized.
posted by ?! at 4:06 AM on May 12, 2006 [1 favorite]

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posted by sciurus at 4:26 AM on May 12, 2006

I wish there was a permanent place they could be eulogized.

Aye. Or at least noted.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:51 AM on May 12, 2006

?!, now that's a brilliant idea.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:53 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by Roger Dodger at 4:54 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by If I Had An Anus at 5:18 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by fixedgear at 5:34 AM on May 12, 2006

Damn shame.
posted by Joeforking at 5:49 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by nelleish at 5:59 AM on May 12, 2006

I'm so sorry, Jade5454. With all these (semi-)strangers poking fun at the world and eachother (of which the mushroom thread was a fine example), when something like this happens you realize that there are humans behind all of those keyboards.


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posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 6:00 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by dodgygeezer at 6:09 AM on May 12, 2006

MiHail handled herself with such humor and grace

Absolutely. I agree with melissa may's "class act" and I wish I'd been lucky enough to know her in person. Thanks for letting us know.
posted by languagehat at 6:12 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by cass at 6:24 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by darsh at 6:26 AM on May 12, 2006

I am an organ donor, as all of you should be.
posted by Mean Mr. Bucket at 6:43 AM on May 12, 2006

*sigh* .
posted by wheelieman at 7:01 AM on May 12, 2006

I had somehow missed the mushroom thread. Very sad indeed. My condolences.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 7:09 AM on May 12, 2006

I missed it too until today, and I've just read a great heaping portion of it. I'm very sorry for your loss, Jade5454, and for ours.
posted by Songdog at 7:22 AM on May 12, 2006

Jade5454, my condoleances.
I remember the mushroom thread, but I never remember who posted what...
posted by easternblot at 7:39 AM on May 12, 2006

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(That's supposed to be a button mushroom.)
posted by gigawhat? at 7:51 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by shmegegge at 8:19 AM on May 12, 2006

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Take care of yourself, Kim (Jade5454).
posted by hangashore at 8:30 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by tristeza at 8:39 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by matteo at 8:49 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by PenguinBukkake at 8:50 AM on May 12, 2006

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Big, big hugs, Jade5454.

I'll definitely always think of her when buying mushrooms.
(no. 1 in a list of sentences I never imagined I'd write)
posted by penguin pie at 8:57 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by Floydd at 9:00 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by Penks at 9:33 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by 27 at 10:09 AM on May 12, 2006

Condolences to Jade and, by extension, to all of us - MiHail seemed to be a person of wit and grace and she'll be much missed.
posted by Lynsey at 10:16 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by Busy Old Fool at 10:23 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by redfisch at 10:39 AM on May 12, 2006

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thanks for letting us know.
posted by theora55 at 11:02 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by nile_red at 11:03 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by russilwvong at 11:07 AM on May 12, 2006

I went hunting for wild mushrooms the first time ever last weekend. Right before we left, my mom pulled aside my country-fied uncle and within earshot told him, "make sure you show him one so he knows what to look for..."

To which I shouted, "I know what a damn mushroom looks like!"
posted by Cyrano at 11:30 AM on May 12, 2006

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posted by rocketman at 12:03 PM on May 12, 2006

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posted by Feisty at 12:49 PM on May 12, 2006

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posted by sotalia at 12:55 PM on May 12, 2006

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posted by ericb at 2:03 PM on May 12, 2006

May she rest in peace.
posted by tozturk at 2:46 PM on May 12, 2006

As our community ages we will continue to have members pass. I wish there was a permanent place they could be eulogized.

wiki
posted by dhartung at 4:03 PM on May 12, 2006

Maybe the wiki could be updated to include the donation threads?
posted by dejah420 at 5:20 PM on May 12, 2006

I too missed the mushroom thread but will now read it. Sorry for your loss, and for MeFi's too.
posted by batgrlHG at 5:58 PM on May 12, 2006

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posted by flashboy at 3:29 AM on May 13, 2006

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posted by KAS at 10:08 AM on May 15, 2006

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posted by keijo at 4:15 AM on May 19, 2006

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posted by walleeguy at 7:52 PM on May 27, 2006

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i'm so sorry jade
posted by amberglow at 9:03 PM on June 1, 2006