Hello all,

I know we go back and forth on this site about Pitt and how they are doing, but at the end of the day the top schools in the ACC all have alumni giving that is higher than Pitt.

Today is your opportunity to help close that gap.  Please give if you can.  Links are below.

From Pitt Athletics:

Dear Fan,

Pitt Day of Giving is here! Thank you for your support of Pitt Athletics. The cost to provide world-class collegiate opportunities for our student-athletes continues to rise. That’s why we are calling on you to make an impact once again and help our teams gain the competitive advantage they need to reach sustained competitive excellence.

Today, a gift of $5 or more can go even further and help win up to $5,000 in additional funding for your favorite Pitt sports team, spirit squads, or the Pitt Band! These additional funds will be awarded to the three championship funds that finish the day with the most donor participation. With your help, we can provide our student-athletes with the necessary resources for them to perform at their best in the classroom and in competition.

Thank you for your support and Hail to Pitt!

For any questions or to make a gift over the phone please contact the Panther Club at: 412-648-8889

GIVE NOW

Other ways you can help:

Help spread the word and encourage your Pitt network to make their gift.

Check out the Athletics Leaderboard throughout the day to track our progress.

Visit PittDayofGiving.com for more details.

You’re a dedicated Panther with many university connections, so you may be hearing from more than one area on Pitt Day of Giving. Your commitment to Pitt sets you apart – thank you.
Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

78 thoughts on “Pitt Day of Giving is Today”

  1. I’ve “given” about $34000 already this year to Pitt. Granted, it’s tuition, but 34k is 34K.

    That doesn’t include football or basketball tickets, or the mountain of merchandise I’ve purchased for both my son and daughter.

    I have a tough time donating to athletics right now, given the ineptitude that we have been displaying administratively. As Tex and others have pointed out, when Pitt starts to truly show a commitment to Athletics, I’ll reconsider.

    I hate to say it, but I remain bitter over Pitt Stadium being torn down, and I’m not sure if that will ever change. Perhaps I need to seek counseling or get treated for PTSD (Pitt Totally Screwed the Dog/Pooch).

    Liked by 4 people

  2. Totally understandable…..but the past can’t change. The future can however, and the people on this blog (and others like us) will be the reason it does—if it does. But if we all stand in the sideline, I believe that diminishes the chances. Do we have a chicken and egg thing going here?

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I’ve given to soccer and volleyball and will continue. Most likely I’ll give to wrestling. I trust those coaches and my money is well spent. I won’t be giving to football. And I won’t be giving to sports in general. The first ten million raised today should go towards balancing the athletic budget. Stop raiding the general fund.

    Pitt has one of the highest subsidies among all P5 schools. And of course, pitt is only above tiny Wake in athletic donations despite having the second largest number of living alumni in the ACC at well over 350k.

    I also have a tough time forgiving Pitt for moving football off campus and think the priorities of Victory Heights are wrong…nothing done to Trees Hall, lacrosse team gets their own field, track gets an indoor facility before outdoors, volleyball gets a new venue that can’t support a future hockey program.

    My good money doesn’t chase bad ideas but will support proven winners. Kudos to men’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s wrestling.

    And all the money raised today won’t change the culture or produce more effective leaders. It may very well reward mediocrity.

    Tex

    Like

  4. It’s really not a matter of how much we donate but if we do. But Eric is right, money going towards PITT is hard earned money and all of it should be well appreciated. I am a proud Panther Club member and have made the call for a small amount. ($50) Every little bit helps and it will make you feel good.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You should specifically earmark your monies for more effective cheating techniques. 🤠

      Just bad timing coming on the heels of probation. Why should I give to two programs on probation? Why should I support cheating?

      Or in my case, my money better buy bigger and more effective cheating. Like paying off a 5 star at QB or point guard.

      Tex

      Like

  5. Tex, you spend your money any which way you would like to and I support you with that. If you want to talk with me about men’s soccer, women’s volleyball and men’s wrestling, I’ll be willing and ready to listen and possibly respond. Otherwise???

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Mike, are you serious? Did the first two words of the letter actually read “Dear Fan”? That is soooo personal and it makes me feel soooo special. Dear Fan! Please say that you all didn’t receive such a letter. Dear Fan. That is a bad start. “Dear Valued Pitt Panther Fan”, anything. Dear Fan….uggggh

    Who can explain how 5 dollars turns into 5 thousand dollars after reading that sentence once? What do I have to do? Not very well articulated in my opinion.

    Asking us to make an impact “once again”? How did previous contributions impact things in the first place? Are we responsible for 40 years of dog dirt? What was raised last year? What’s the goal/expectation? Sorry, I am officially mad. That letter as presented is right up there with the 5th grade Crafton Elementary logo at Steeler stadium! Please say it is just a snippet and not the actual letter.

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    1. Yes. Let’s give to support two programs that were just placed on 3 year probation for cheating.

      Pitt will have an easier time ‘borrowing’ monies from the university’s general fund than asking ‘fans’ to donate.

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      1. That’s cool, don’t donate, it’s your money. Yet I get the feeling you never have in the first place. Tell me if I’m wrong? Not speaking for Mike but I don’t think the POV is a part of PITT fundraising. This was a public service announcement for PITT sports and yes I think I know who you are. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Received in my inbox today. Copied and pasted. You didn’t get one?

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  7. First of all….some facts about Trees Hall….

    Trees Pool has undergone significant upgrades that will enable Pitt to host ACC Championships and most importantly recruit and maintain the most talented student-athletes, The venue recently completed a $4 million renovation that includes new men’s and women’s locker rooms, a modern team meeting room and lounge, as in-house nutrition center and legacy wall.
    In addition, the part of the building used by students has been given occasional upgrades. However, that part will be replaced by the much needed rec center that connects lower and upper campus. Past due idea.

    Victory Heights is actually exactly what Pitt needs….

    Indoor college track is huge. It is a year round facility to train in. In the north east, much more sense than a three month outdoor track. Pitt can host meets.

    The volleyball facility isn’t just for volleyball. It is for wrestling and gymnastics also…with an attached S&C facility. Again, Pitt can now host ACC events. High school events.

    We shall see if the LAX field happens. It is last on the list. IMO, It will only happen if men’s LAX is added. Plus, Pitt may find the soccer stadium is more than adequate.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Being the only P5 school without an outdoor track is embarrassing. And ACC events take place on quarter mile outdoor tracks. I do agree indoors is a nice to have but it should not be a higher priority. Pitt already uses the indoor Fitzgerald track. And guess where that lacrosse field could go…inside the track.

      Getting a new modern home is good for volleyball since there are serious issues with humidity inside fitz impacting the court. But Pitt is blowing a huge opportunity for future hockey if the engineering and design doesn’t include configurable seating and a sub floor for hockey.

      The student rec center is the most important piece. But Pitt is already 20 years behind on that one. Better late than never.

      I just question the priorities. The project has already been scaled back. And of course I’m not a big fan of a potential mortgage on Pitts future given the massive debt financing. Gallagher’s words not mine.

      Tex

      Like

  8. BTW, while on the phone I was told (if you want to believe it or not) that my donation pulled the football program ahead in donations. I was treated and made to feel special which isn’t that hard to do but it was done. Almost $700,000 received so far today. No skin off my ass! Well until the wife finds out.

    Liked by 3 people

  9. Anyone can be a fan. Pitt needs supporters. There’s a reason why the premier league markets this word and uses it. Pitt could learn something.

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  11. With only a couple of exceptions, looks like Tex and Huff have put a real damper on any enthusiasm for Pitt’s Day of Giving!

    As a proud Pitt Alum, I just made some modest donations. Wish I was rich and could make more. Donated to my old Civil Engineering Department and my old Baseball team – also to Football and Women’s BB.

    The amount that has been donated today was at $888,888 when I donated…

    Hail to Pitt!

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Huff, I’ve done some crazy things in my life, but putting peanut butter on a bagel is not one of them! And just to beat a dead horse, this probation thing is HUGE, since committing even an inadvertent violation during the next 3 years could present a significant problem for Pitt’s athletic programs. Getting 3 years probation suggests that the problems were worse than has been made public.

    Also, based on published explanations of what happened, the violations, though minor, were made by hiding certain activities from the AD administration (lookouts and alarms were set up). So they were willful and proved that the coaches knew what they were doing when they attempted to hide them from administration staff. Coming from two different sports suggests that there could be a lack of administrative control over Pitt’s athletics programs. Not a good situation to be in for Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. BTW, here’s one of the “Day of Giving” emails I received:

    “Dear John,

    Pitt Day of Giving is here! As a Pitt Baseball Alum, you have made a tremendous impact on the program to help build it where it is today. We are calling on you to make an impact once again by making a gift to support the Pitt Baseball Championship Fund.

    Today, a gift of $5 or more can go even further and help us win up to $5,000 in additional funding for the Pitt Baseball team! These additional funds will be awarded to three championship funds that finish with the most donor participation. All we have to do is finish in the top three on leaderboard and we win!

    Hail To Pitt!”

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  14. Great one John. Here is my email received and yes my first name is Thomas. Not as impersonal as some may think. Let’s get over with this nitpicking BS crap about Heather.

    ===================================

    “Dear Thomas,

    Pitt Day of Giving is here! Thank you for your support of Pitt Athletics. The cost to provide world-class collegiate opportunities for our student-athletes continues to rise. That’s why we are calling on you to make an impact once again and help our teams gain the competitive advantage they need to reach sustained competitive excellence.

    Today, a gift of $5 or more can go even further and help win up to $5,000 in additional funding for your favorite Pitt sports team, spirit squads, or the Pitt Band! These additional funds will be awarded to the three championship funds that finish the day with the most donor participation. With your help, we can provide our student-athletes with the necessary resources for them to perform at their best in the classroom and in competition.

    Thank you for your support and Hail to Pitt!”

    For any questions or to make a gift over the phone please contact the Panther Club at: 412-648-8889″

    Liked by 2 people

  15. I give some scratch to Pitt.
    Plus, I paid for a daughter to go there.

    However,
    The agreement when I went there was: We will offer you an education if you pay this amount. Through loans, I fulfilled that agreement.
    Now, when I built a house, the builder gave me a price and through loans I paid it.
    After celebrating numerous Christmas’s, Easter’s Thanksgiving’s etc, the builder has never come back and said, “How about throwing in some extra coin for all the good times you had?”

    Just a thought.

    Like

  16. Thanks for the reminder Mike. I went to Pitt and have one son who is an alum as well. I contributed to the FB Athletic fund since it’s the program I feel the greatest emotional (as well as financial) attachment to. When I think about the entertainment I get not only from the Pitt teams but the discussions they provoke on the POV, I consider my donation a great entertainment value.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Mark — great point about the entertainment value of Pitt athletics. Really quite a bargain…

      (And would Fran still have tailgates, and bring together the POVers, if we had no Pitt football games to go to? 🤔)

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 3 people

  17. I bought a couple of season tickets with a healthy required non- deductible donation for each seat….that’s my biggest donation ever…. I am not a “ giver” for all the reasons already mentioned plus: out of control costs associated with getting a degree… a 2 billion endowment already in the bank…. nobody gave me an f’n penny to pay for my PITT degree… I worked my ass off at 3 jobs and had a little help from my Dad who was a machinist…35,00 students and 13000 employees… what an overhead!!! Give us your money… we want your money…..

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Wlat – my bad on Carrick. I misquoted upitt on that one. Hopefully he can forgive me for that self-reported guffaw. Hopefully i dont give myself a three year show cause.

    I was not being a downer major. I was just pointing out that the letter was very poorly written and almost seemed rushed as in they were not prepared because they were busy getting us on probation. I am glad that a couple of you got personal notes which read a little better. It just hit me as an awfully typed message.

    That said, my donations currently go to my kids travel hockey. I want Pitt to give me a reason to donate, but it is hard to financially support an organization wherein you don’t believe in the administration. If Pitt athletics was a stock, who would be a buyer?

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  20. BigB, you have more than paid your share. Pitt doesn’t get more donations because they don’t have a good answer for alums like you. I just don’t see any real fund raising strategy being developed and applied here.

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  21. One more thing-: I told EJ Borghetti I would give a $5000.00 donation on the condition the PITT Victory song would be played in it’s entirety- the way it was written… didn’t think it was asking too much for asking to have a small part of our tradition back that was stolen from us..that
    was 2 seasons ago- crickets- guess they don’t want my money!!!

    Like

    1. I’ll take the $$ and sing the song for you every home game when we meet up this year. jus kidding of course…. about the singing. 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

  22. I feel the pain and pleasure of helping our daughter in attaining her PITT nursing degree and PITT graduate anesthesia degree. << if that’s what you call it? Much more pleasure than pain. Always two steps forward and sometimes one step backwards. But we have made progress All Down the Line.

    Liked by 2 people

  24. OT… so don’t don’t view if you don’t like good music. Here’s a great video and makes me wonder why some of you can’t hear me knocking? Turn it up!

    Like

  25. If you think Chris Peak was sarcastic in his podcast about Pitt’s violations, check this out from the St Louis Dispatch which wrote a very sympathetic article about its hometown boy Kevin Stallings:

    Here is an excerpt ….

    These egregious violations shook the college basketball industry to its very core. Administrators who read the graphic details of Pitt’s heinous actions trembled in horror.

    Some doubtlessly passed out, prompting their administrative aides to summon medical assistance.
    How could these terrible things happen in such a squeaky clean industry? As news of these hideous transgressions swept the industry, Tipsheet can only hope that a generation of young coaches won’t become disillusioned and abandon the sport for more ethical pursuits.

    By driving scofflaws like Stallings from the game, the NCAA makes it safer for the blue blood programs to arrange for six-figure benefit packages for their elite recruits. Thank goodness!

    Here is the link for the entire story
    https://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/tipsheet-while-big-time-cheating-continues-unabated-ncaa-steps-on/article_027dd580-38dd-5cc1-bf87-97afdc0ec610.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_stltoday

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I don’t feel bad for stallings. He’s actually stupid for not cheating more bigly. He still got a no show clause for his minor shenanigans. I guess the native Show Me son showed me that he was a terrible coach. Bad fit or not, it’s nearly theoretically impossible to go 0-26 in ACC play over two seasons. Yet he did it.

      Tex

      Like

  26. Got at least 8 emails and 16 facebook posts from Pitt in the last 3 days regarding Day of Giving. Some were personalized, most were not. I dont care about that. It’s all computer generated anyway.
    I gave what I could to the groups that I think will do a good job with the money. It’s that simple.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. 2 billion in endowment fund, 2% yearly interest or 400 million could pay for all the sports programs and in ten years, a new ocs.

    Like

    1. $4 billion earning 2% is $80,000,000.00 per year…that’s a lot of pesos.,,,money making money-passive income…..what do they do with all that dough??? …maybe they are playing Duke in a game of “fill the coffers!” Currently, Duke leads $8 bill to $4 bill…..and they both want more…..Health care and secondary education costs are out of control with no end in sight…makes it hard for me to give other than for my seats and my offer to ‘buy back” the chorus of the PITT Victory song…Da Da Da Da.Da Da…Fight PITt Fight !!!!!

      Like

      1. Well B, that’s my question as well. What do they do all that money? We certainly know what the don’t do with it.

        Like

    2. More like $3.5 billion given the stock market crash. Might be down to zero at least on paper for some time if the world enters a pandemic.

      Pitt can’t touch that money for sports anyway. Just like they can’t buy up land on that golf course.

      There’s at least 7 potential locations on or near campus for that MPC. All with their own unique challenges. But Pitt has no will so it matters not.

      Tex

      Like

    1. Good luck tonite, Wolfe.

      Was going to try to make the game for Senior Day, but looks like it won’t happen. Did make it to the women’s last game to cheer on Senior Asia Bugg…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  31. Looks like pitt has over 7600 individuals who gifted as of 11 am

    Over $1.6 million in donations. Average donation is around $200 but obviously skewed by some large donors. I figure most people gave around $50-$100 dollars.

    The number of donors is up by more than 10 percent from last year but the dollar donations are down by nearly $3 million.

    I figure the difference is due in some part to the separate Victory Heights project so the whales have already given.

    So slightly more than 1 percent of all living alumni and ‘fans’ gave today. Assuming the fan base is around 600k per Nate silvers analysis from back in the conference expansion days.

    It’s good that Pitt grew supporters from last year but they still have a long way to go. Huge opportunity to increase donation rates and significantly boost Pitt’s revenues, one of the lowest in all P5.

    Tex

    Like

  32. What boggles my mind??

    There is a huge chunk of land in Oakland that PITT is not allowed to access. Instead one of the lousiest golf courses in WPA resides there.

    PITT sits on a big chunk of change in their endowment that cannot be used for sports. What is it there for?

    People blaming Heather for everything. Even Stallings that she fired and he cheated before she came to PITT.

    People who think a staff member holding up signs at practice for THE SCOUT TEAM is a major compliance breakdown!!

    People who type the same theme over and over and over and over and over and over and over.. … OOOps

    Liked by 4 people

  34. After these egregious violations it may be time for Narduzzi to open at least some of his practices to show he is no longer cheating.

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    1. ^^ I don’t know about that Mr Anon? What if Narduzzi farts sideways on the sidelines at practice? Is that illegal and he gets busted and breaks probation? And gosh forbid, a staff member farts in any direction?

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Maybe the fans can hold up a sign that reads “who needs tickets” during games, which means …… cover 2?

      No violation there.

      Like

      1. Better check the rule books on that Huff the Third. It may qualify as coerced fan interference and a probation violation.

        Like

  35. I think Duquesne finished their day of giving with between 400k-500k with 1600 donors. To Don’t Tex and Drive’s point, Pitt probably has a lot more alumni than the Dukes, but average donations seems about the same.

    Scanned to make sure this wasn’t the same as last post, or the one before that.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. I think Pitt heavyweight wrastler Demetrius Thomas would look good as an offensive lineman….

    He’s a big dude and obviously has some grappling skills which transfer over to the offensive line. Have no idea if he has any background. I just looked at his physique and skill set (feet and hands), and thought it made sense to pursue.

    Maybe coach narduzzi can make his own sign and hold it up in front of the wrastler at the next match. If music is playing, he can put the sign down and stop recruiting the kid because compliance is lurking.

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  37. Franklinstein’s new contract was disclosed today …. guaranteed $35.4M over 6 years. And get this, the buyout is only $5M and will decrease by $1M annually.

    This proves once again of the collusion of Stallings’ hiring …. and how unfair and ludicrous it was for Tex’s buddy, Barnes, to stick Pitt and Heather with a $9.5M fee.

    For any Pitt fan to poke fun of Heather in favor of her predecessor …. would be like any Ped St fan poking fun at Pitt for the minor violations

    Like

    1. Barnes isn’t my buddy but he’s not cornhole either. And as far as I know, pitt got stuck with that buyout since the NCAA was still investigating during the buyout negotiations. Pitt couldn’t use much leverage. Stallings did get a show cause so he’s persona non grata for three years. I doubt he’d be interested in college coaching again anyways. He can comfortably retire due to Barnes. Just like cornhole could comfortably retire with his golden parachute provided by nerdball.

      Tex

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        1. We will probably never know. The agreement is sealed. But the investigation didn’t produce findings until recently. That’s a fact. So Pitt didn’t have the findings to use in court or in negotiations between the lawyer teams. Stallings made out like a bandit. The full ten million or a portion of it at seven. He left the program in nuclear holocaust.

          Tex

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          1. Perhaps confronted with the allegations of deleting video, he had to accept a smaller fraction of the $. Not saying he did, but the narrative the Heather paid the full amount is conjecture.

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      1. It’s sad something so wrong took this long. And it took Capel to lead the charge. And the ACC money helps. Pitt also delayed due to the color changes. Pitt does have more pressing issues. The yellow seats at Heinz being one.

        Tex

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  39. Credit to Capel and every coach interviewed for bringing this to Pitts attention. Yes all 4 candidates pointed it out. Just goes to show how bad cornhole was. Tore down pitt stadium to build a venue with a backwards court. You can’t make this stuff up.

    The man had corn fritters for brains.

    Tex

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    1. The article states that Pitt was already planning the swap while Stallings was there and the subject was talked about before even then. The issue was money to get it done.

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      1. Money and the coming color change. Cornhole idea along with the club seats on the ground. Pitt demolished Pitt stadium for this stupid design.

        Tex

        Liked by 1 person

  41. Huff – Pitt’s heavyweight is a senior and would likely not have any eligibility remaining. But, agree with you.

    Nino Bonacorsi is “Open Mat’s” wrestling of the week with his big win over VT #2 ranked wrestler. And, he came back to win it. Without his win, we lose against #7 VT.

    The ACC conference wrestling tournament is in Pittsburgh this year.

    I expect that we will have between three and five wrestlers compete at the NCAA’s in Minnesota in a few weeks. This year’s team national title will likely come down to Iowa and psu. Iowa has a slight advantage over psu this season, imo.

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    1. Stuff like this are one of the reasons why Pitt fans are apprehensive about gifting athletics.

      I find it best to earmark my monies to specific programs for specific things.

      Tex

      Like

  43. Maybe he could be a 5th year transfer rocky? I thought Haselrig made the change and was given some years back in the day at Pitt. I am forgetful lately.

    Why didn’t the now newer AD fix it immediately when she got here? The POV has been saying it for years and we are a bunch of old timers…..except for the newer timers, and the middling timers. Point is, an AD with a Marketing/Growth Strategy focus, changes that immediately.

    Have a singles hitting team you move the fences out. Have a bunch of right handed power hitters, you move the fences in at Fenway. Facing a faster team, you grow the grass longer….and water it. Competitive advantages. Every small thing adds up to a big thing.

    As someone mentioned, you can’t make these things up.

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      1. Ike, I think you are correct which is what made him such a fascinating prospect when he first joined the Steelers. He started at Lock Haven in football but never played due to injury and transferred to Pitt-J after 1st sememster freshman year.

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  44. On a slow day before the PITT basketball game thread. Do you have a song that hits your heart. Mine “Cat’s in the Cradle”

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  45. Last home pregame at Hemmingways…plus Lent and no beer for me.
    Oh well, vodka it is…
    Senior night, Pitt band at halftime, Scooter fired up…cant wait.
    I hate Cuse.

    Liked by 3 people

  46. Bring home a win Fran and sorry to hear about your lent suffering and only having vodka to drink. I feel awful for you. Maybe order a dark and stormy?

    Liked by 1 person

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