taffy
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Post by taffy on Sept 26, 2017 20:39:13 GMT
thanks yet again Dave to you, the pub for the food spread and the girls we played. they really played well, i think we were all in shock the way they started! Jeez ..... H Chr** they started off with 600 off both balls!!!!!!
we are also getting on really well as well as a team. don't forget that we were a tight bunch of lads 30 years ago and we have TONS to talk about!!!! I think the lads are genuinly pleased to be doing it as opposed to saying yes to something that sounds mildly interesting!
I hope you're fit mate and enjoy a great day on saturday.
regards
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Aug 15, 2017 7:58:36 GMT
well I didn't know quite what to expect really? I mean did you know what they were going to do? I didn't even know if the pin would even resist the ball let alone deflect its travel. I thought that there would be a resistance to falling but this is even better than that. it's the term; 'better'.
what i'll do is loop back to these sometime. right now, I'm close to working on the table and the slate. I don't have much time spare though so I will have to do it in one big effort and everything else will be put off.
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Aug 13, 2017 23:26:16 GMT
ha!
reminds me of when i used to drink. all night and never fell over... got to be a weeble wobbles but not anymore!
as they say: "I have no drinking problem. first I drink. then I get drunk. then i fall over. no problem!
cheers!
TAffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Aug 13, 2017 14:46:01 GMT
two weeks ago Alan got some new pins to me. I call them 'barbed' pins. the idea is that the ball hits the foot before it hits the side. well it works but too well! anything at low speeds and the pins push the balls away! seriously, until you've seen a ball deflect off at a new angle you won't believe it! as I say, it has to be slow or 'trickling' along. They would be an excellent set for people looking for a great score regardless or good for newcomers who get fed up picking up pins! don't get me wrong, they fall at medium plus speeds like normal pins but about the same as the tree trunks we used in the national 4-pin open at Sudbury this year. look carefully at these three below.... the one on the left is thicker and I certainly haven't tried that because the one in the middle already doesn't fall 'fairly'. the one on the right has the wire through it set lower to lower the C of G. it works fine. all that is wrong with it is that i like to retrieve "the nearest ball" using my cue and if the ball is anywhere near this skittle then my cue can't get to the ball!!!! as for the C of G and all that well i can try it again another time but the problem is the 'barb'. so perhaps none of these three will be used. back on the lathe for a "tickle" Alan? cheers!! Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Aug 13, 2017 14:32:35 GMT
Rings been testeing these acetal rings recently: this one has an ID of 51mm which is 1mm over the standard 4-pin ID of 50mm. It's all i wanted! the balls are either in or go by the hole. this means the reverse shots are far better. if the ball rims it is for but a few degrees so it has every chance of missing the pin. ITS STAYING. but what i.d.? Alan had sent me two rings, one was an easydrop. well it ain't no easy drop from my day!!!! this barsted has 4 extruding points inside the hole and they make the kind of racket that's like your teeth being hit by a spoon. horrible! it has an i.d. of 55mm but 51mm across the extrusions. the second is a Jelkes I think? it is black and has an i.d of 55mm. there's no rimming but then at 55mm there didn't ought to be. I don't mind the game being easier, i don't think the hole sticking out though 55mm is helping the reverse 200 though. so it's 'no go'. so I have had a 52mm and a 53mm pocket ring made in acetal by my engineer Mick and we are testing them now. initial thoughts are: quicker. Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Aug 6, 2017 13:32:54 GMT
Big thanks to you all for making us so welcome, some landlord too! what a platter he put on!
I know everyone had a great night and Alfie became a Grandad at about the moment we left!
that was a good narrow table and not as difficult as i thought it would be! all of us were going for our shots, just colin beat me...and he took me apart when he did!
I don't how many times we didn't put the red on the 'D'. Andy hadn't played since 1995 which is 22 years...he couldn't even remember the value of the holes!!!!
we'll be pleased to have one more session in september with you and I hope, if you agree, we four and 2 of you is about right as people I think are happy to play 2 on and one off. it works!
the other thing they found weird was having a shadow on the table. we're used to skittles and no shadow.
cheers again!
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jul 20, 2017 14:51:01 GMT
above is the first ring I've had made of black Acetal a form of plastic. it has a very defined 'edge' to the hole and because there's no funnel effect it makes the top horizontal look very wide and there is little forgiveness when fitting the ring in the table....it may as well be bloody marble! It makes a very high pitched ring as the ball spins inside the hole, higher than the competition tables and very audible. I've made the entrance therefore SMALLER, the edge of the hole is now more acute but the actual hole diameter is larger, up from 50mm to 51mm or 2" to you and me and don't say 'what is two inches' because i'll ask yer wife!!! I wanted to be able to play past the (waisted stem 'bishop's finger' photo'd in white above second from the right) pin without rimming and having the skittle down. with the object ball almost halfway between the middle (30) and the 20 holes with the reverse shot,this has worked a treat and the 200 shot is 'on'. the ball just rolls over the flat bit and carries on back into the 200 hole. when it rims it only does it for 30-60 degrees so the chance of catching the pin are smaller and it would have to be a reverse ball shot to catch it. is it easier or harder? well, just the same BUT the pin doesn't go down with the rimming now. a bad shot is a bad shot! same as ever! I'm still under 6mm from the hole so i still lose plenty of points. I'm having another set of pins made by Alan Turner. I can get 9 new rings made like this one but the OD will be a LOT narrower so there'll be no flat area on top to hamper the game in anyway. the holes will be made in readiness for the slate bed I'm putting on the table = smaller drilled holes in the slate. I'll let you see the pins when they are made....soon! regards Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jul 1, 2017 11:03:30 GMT
OK Dave, we will take that 8th spot if it has come up thanks very much! call us 'Newmarket & BSE'as i think it was named like that? maybe you've seen it on an old trophy and it was written differently? there's a trophy up at the Brook with the name on i think?
anyway, you need £20 and i will get that to you.
cheers
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jun 14, 2017 23:14:20 GMT
well the peradons on ebay are jersey rings but just cheap and nasty. there are no traditional rings left I believe.
yes I want a quicker dropping ball AND recently the balls have caught the edge of the 100 pocket more than I want coming back to the 200 off the top cushion.
so I am making that my FIRST priority and I think your rings might suit as they had a very thin top edge?
if you still would like to sell those then I'll take them! if I like the 'drop' and like the narrow area they grab then that bit is achieved. a wide diameter and easy drop will depend afterwards.it will depend on the first test.
cheers
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jun 14, 2017 13:29:30 GMT
cheers for the offer Sav but the set you showed me at sudbury were a dark brown with a sharp cornered and thin top edge. if they are no longer available - i understand sir! no worries. the jersey rings can still be bought new and I'm not going there quite yet. the 'footprint'I.e. the diameter of the drop is what i first want to reduce. I'm about to buy some plastic tube and have it turned down if you don't have them available! cheers Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jun 14, 2017 13:28:31 GMT
cheers for the offer Sav but the set you showed me at sudbury were a dark brown with a sharp cornered and thin top edge. if they are no longer available - i understand sir! no worries.
the jersey rings can still be bought new and I'm not going there quite yet. the 'footprint'I.e. the diameter of the drop is what i first want to reduce. I'm about to buy some plastic tube and have it turned down if you don't!
cheers
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jun 10, 2017 9:25:17 GMT
cheers sav! is this the brady bunch? Monsters inc? other than the mushroom on the right these are all Alan Turner's work including the monster at the back....don't say he hasn't got a sense of humour!!! Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jun 10, 2017 9:04:30 GMT
next items on the agenda are Mush-tittles. I'm getting a set. my 18mm based red on the 200 is so fat its blocking out the light! I want more 200 shots! secondly, one for Sav this: I'm looking to: 1) remove the leatherette bar at the near end temporarily 2) shunt the side cushions nearer-temporarily 3) move the back strip forward 5, 10 or 15mm-temporarily the reason: I can't get the 200 diagonal-it catches the 10 pocket if I give it some side. I still can't quite separate the reverse 100 and 200. sure it's skill but I want it to be a little easier. this may help and I want to spread the '20's outwards 5mm each and the '10's out a further 5mm making a total of 10mm. now the 200 diagonal is catching now on the edge of the 10 hole so I need to get the 200 out of the corner and look one day to spread the holes a little and still be able too. But something has to give and bringing the back cushion forwards to me or the holes backwards. but to test it, I can bring the back cushion forwards for the same effect and learn what happens. it is all a balance. a very delicate balance. regards Taffy I thought I'd report on the above as it has been many, many months since I did some changes. first of all, I DID take the leather covered bar off the front and tuck it in the back this has really helped the diagonal shot out of the corner back to the 200 hole without catching the '10' pockets. it is now 5mm under the minimum AEBBA rules however, AEBBA rules seem to be adhered to in varying amounts! so when the slate goes in, it will have the extra 5mm. The Mushtittles are like the red one in the middle of this photo, it is the same weight as the mushrooms but has the maximum AEBBA base of 18mm. they allow more shots but they have a habit of not falling over when initially hit but on their way back! most frustrating as you always think you got away with it.......and then you haven't! the big shot that CANNOT be played well is the reverse 200 from between the 30 and 20 holes. the ball is clearly on its way back to the 200 hole AND going to miss the 100 peg when it catches the rim and takes the peg down. so i want pockets with a narrower 'collection' area. i find that the old brown backolite pockets catch a lot but only half catch them and they fly off. in the meantime, the later plastic red rings have a narrower collection area and are a little clearer on 'in' or 'out'. this means the pins stay up longer. I'd still like a set of the 'easydrops' if anyone has a set? (with the 4 slots in them to make the balls fall faster). This by the way, was the preferred choice in the old BSE and Nmkt league. everyone just wanted the balls down and gone and not to see them 'rimming' all the time. Sav had a set of rings with him at the Sudbury tournament back in march that have a very narrow defined top lip and these may suit my purpose, alas Sav hasn't been around for a while? anyone seen him? anyway, I have bought a pool slate and hope in the not too distant future to try and fit it. regards Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on May 27, 2017 9:08:22 GMT
make a Nmkt & BSE team your reserves Dave. we may keep putting the red on the D though....
cheers
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on May 27, 2017 8:50:05 GMT
hello troops
yet again I seem to be inept at spotting any of the Northants results.
cheers
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Apr 13, 2017 9:39:33 GMT
Hello Lorin I think I have entered but I didn't get the chance to opay?
can you update me on the siutuation? I did PM you but noi reply.
regards
Taffy Lloyd
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Mar 31, 2017 7:45:24 GMT
wow!!!
there's some weird buggers on here!
I'll back off only because somebody just turned this from a chat into a full scale raving war!!!!
peace bro!
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Mar 30, 2017 12:54:50 GMT
if we agree that any break shot is an excellent repetitive skill and to be admired, that it isn't going away nor should it then I bring up two ditties: the first is the value of that break shot in relation to the game. 150 is the value and not that i would stop this skill but adjust the rules so that it is devalued and therefore the points in open play and the risks taken balance up.
for instance if you see a red next to the 50, it is driven through with the cue ball for say 10 & 30 son as to get the break going again. everything is aimed at getting back to the break. if one ball went up the table for say 10-20 and the red was the cue ball, you get 110 (Newmarket League) or as is: it is worth 70.
i guess nothing is going to make people take risks if the BALANCE of the reward is not worth it. the two need balancing up as the current break shot is not healthy for a varied game and wider appeal. having said that, the best are taking on two pins whereas the 70/110 shot is only one pin and I can do that one!!!! so if I can do it regularly, Nigel Senior is going to do it behind his back! oh....mmmm???
so the next one was two skittles with their fat waistlines (nearly 7mm different) and narrow bases, take the shot but take the risk?
one last point, the AEBBA rules are (#74) that a pin should have a base of 1.5-1.8cm but I'm told we were using 21-22mm? this extra stability and waisted stem makes the double break easier. reducing players to 70 from 150 would help the table players come back at the breakers....or am I just dreaming...
i'll get my coat!
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Mar 29, 2017 0:32:31 GMT
Can I ask where all the results are on the web site? useless as I am, I can't see them.
we had a nice chat on the way out Dave, we saw the semi's but we'd been there 9-10 hours and I was pooped. we have alternative views on the way it should be done but why not get your three tables out, dust them off and invite everyone up for the weekend and try different experimental rules. then when something is suggested you can say you ran an 'experimental rules' weekend and this will keep Sudbury League at the vanguard of 4-pin rules. otherwise, without saying you've tried it, you might have the decisions prized from your grasp?
maybe a two day job, tables out. I'm thinking of pencilling a new front dot, pins, mushrooms, what you can and can't do with the break.
talented players will always make any kind of break shot repetitive and they will always be the winners because they have the talent and dedication to do a repetitive skill using FMS-Fine Motor Skills.
it always amazes me how sport is the opposite of work? anyone else ever think of that? we value in Athletics: how fast, how high, how far. we think archery is for the girl guides. go to work on a monday and we value a painting, a fine wedding ring, a beautifully sequined dress over hauling 6 tons of chippings on a barrow in under an hour and doing it all day!
life's strange....
anyway, I hope I said that without drawing blood....
results?
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Mar 26, 2017 1:06:00 GMT
to everyone who worked so hard to put the event on today can I say a big thanks for a great event run very smoothly and on superb tables. we were spoilt rotten! great to meet names and faces from here. I'm sure more will come up in the next few days but thanks again!
regards
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Mar 24, 2017 18:49:48 GMT
if you are not in the first 8 groups Dave, what time would you like us there? sorry but I must have lost the bit of paper and I only have the programme now. my bad....
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Mar 1, 2017 11:52:30 GMT
well Paradon rings are only sold as the super big Jersey size rings now so I need to find a new source for them?
any ideas left (other than my CNC idea?)
cheers!
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Feb 23, 2017 21:47:59 GMT
ey up our Al! I spotted this after an email from you and I put my Q's there. just need to get this Grinderette guide sorted in my head as I've never seen one before. the rest I got and I think you knda said that you swop a pilot drill bit on the hole cutter for a short piece of bar?
cheers
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Feb 22, 2017 9:59:33 GMT
Well i'm in for the pound now! I've just bought a clean 20mm thick slate from a junior snooker table at leek, staffs on Sunday and the next stage is cutting and drilling (shall we call it boring) the new holes on the slate.
so, has anyone experience of sawing slate or drilling/boring it please?
If not, i am the new guinnea pig! luckily i have an area i can prctice on around the outside. I guess fireplace and firehearth people would be a good place to ask?
I need to know what size hole cutter to get and how much oversize it might drill? I THINK I recall Sav saying what size somewhere but not a 'drill size'? I'm thinking that they don't cut a clean hole so I need to ask?
regards
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Feb 6, 2017 22:03:14 GMT
here's a photo of Alan's Mushtittles, they are lovely aren't they! I'd prefer it if they looked more like a naked woman but hell, I'll never get my way.... I reckon there's a big future for the one at the back! I can see it now....a bit like Rollerball at the end: "Tonight, there are no rules!" The Mushroom cannot be knocked down! indeed, will NOT be knocked down! killing is allowed.... also here is a 15 gramme and a 10 gramme skittle I shall have a look at for kicks! at present, the 4 Mushtittles fall over toward the ball, which is a weird sensation like a car park gate coming down after a vehicle. Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Feb 2, 2017 21:14:32 GMT
well I've got Alan's 'Mushtittles' here and they are lovely - again! yes, photos will follow soon but after playing with them for a week I can say they make a lovely difference.
they are waisted skittles so the waisdt is like a mushroom but it is a skittle! they are 5 grammes lighter than my huge fat skittles so they're 25g not 30. they take about the same whack to knock over but of course sit further from the edge of the hole due to their waistline!
when I knock one over - it's because the bloody ball wasn't going down the bloody hole! DEAD SIMPLE!
The ball always lifts them away, goes by and the fall down behind the ball rather like the telegraph poles in a certain war fil Tommo! who's calling Danny Boy?
the game really is sweet and I broke my record today with a 2,600 break. can't wait to get a slate, some rubber, the cloth from Sav and to upholster this table! but at the moment, it's a great game.
You shouls ALL try the game with a pink as well as the red. pink swops with red as the red goes down only one of the two on the table except when: red is last ball in trough the pink was used as a spare white as it was the only ball left, "white" was declared, ball played and valued as a white, after THAT shot it sits on the table as a red.
the game is faster with non-stop reds flowing.
at the end, if a red is in the trough as the gate drops, IT STAYS out of it all and is thee last shot. all other balls countdown as normal.
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jan 31, 2017 22:28:21 GMT
I love the way men always used to wear trilby hats when playing in those days. These days it would be considered unlucky to wear a hat indoors. apparently they wore their 'ats during sex but were good enough to put their ciggies out just incase the poor lady got some hot ash in her eye.... no mention of the position though...one can only hazard a guess! uuuuh moother! turned out nice again! Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jan 30, 2017 8:31:31 GMT
I've looked at the Rules sent to me in a doc named 'Barclays' and they appear to be the AEBBA rules. but there's no mention of the dimensions of the pockets you talk of Tommo? can I get a set of the rules you've used?
My top pockets are 1/4" (5mm really) of being 3" from the top cushion so i'm nearly there.
4-pin and 3-pin have totally different break spots. they are about 3" further apart or 40%. plus I haven't seen why skittles and mushrooms sit the same distance from the edge of a hole creating a different game. again, I didn't see this written.
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jan 28, 2017 7:15:06 GMT
i'll have a look at the rule book! thanks, and yes always helpful. initially, my thoughts are that the further away the D, the easier to split the break shot into them...will have to think that one through......
i can't recall if it is your rules or Sudbury's (I must have a look) but the break spot position is set as being halfway between the front of the D and the nearest edge of the 200 (I think?) but will check.
Taffy
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taffy
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Post by taffy on Jan 26, 2017 20:58:59 GMT
well Tommo, I'm out by 3mm sideways and that is the difference in the distance the 50 is from one cushion compared to the other (Sam's it ain't!) and length ways I'm 9mm short. tell me, you can see my diamond, is it similar to yours? are the 50s forwards or back? just a guess/rough observation.
one for Dave this..and you Tommo et al...
If the 50s are close it is harder to split at the break into the 50s if the front spot is well forwards it is hard to split at the break
so if the front break spots is close and the 50s are away it is just encouraging the split break shot in 4 pin right?
Taffy
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