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Hey guys,
Just sitting around waiting for a large program to install on my computer and I felt the urge to write a quick blog about all the craziness that's going on in my life right now. Some good and some less than good.
On Sunday I fly to Korea to start casting the OSL with Moletrap! (That's good!) I can't wait to get out there and see all my friends again. Casting the OSL is an enormous stress for me. Although I can never claim to be one of the BW old-guard, I do realize what a big deal it is to have an English broadcast for this tournament and how incredible the history behind the years and years of OSLs is. To try to do a tournament like this justice puts me under more pressure than I've ever felt before as a commentator. It's keeping me up at night, but in the end it's motivating me more than anything else ever has in the past, which I hope will result in a good cast for you guys. I want to tell the story of these great players in a way that brings in new fans and keeps the existing ones engaged. I assure you that I will. Noah (Moletrap) and I have been talking a lot already about ways to give our cast more structure and polish than anything we've done in the past as a pair of individually. I'm personally never insulted by critics. I just take it as a challenge to win someone new over. OSL and Proleague are going to be great. The players are already going to give us great games. I'm going to give you great commentary to go with it. I promise.
Another aspect of getting back to Korea that I'm looking forward to is the opportunity to play much more. There was a time last year where I was playing 20+ games per day on the KR ladder and really improving. I hate being bad at anything and I'll just say strait up that my goal is to get good enough to take an occasional game off of legit pro-gamers. If I get to that point I'll let you know. If not... I'll probably try to not mention it and delete this blog... (kidding) One bad thing is that I could be farther along than I am. Frankly I've had a really hard time being ambitious with my playing because of the stress in dealing with my divorce this last 10 months or so. I don't like to talk much about my personal life because I don't think it's important, but since I'm randomly writing this I suppose I will a bit at least. The original plan was my wife would fly out to join me about a month after I started my second tour at the GSL. I think it was around September. Basically "see you soon!" turned into "I don't love you anymore and I'm leaving you" pretty suddenly. Turns out there were some things I wasn't aware of. That's what largely lead me to leave the GSL and return to the US in December. I took my vows seriously and honestly at that point was ready to give up esports and whatever else I needed to in order to fix things. Luckily for me IPL was looking for a caster at the time and I could continue in esports while I tried to sort things out on the personal side of things. In the end it takes two to make a marriage work and I had to accept that it was time to move on. I tried to not let it affect my casting, but I feel like it did a little bit. Kevin Knocke and David Ting are absolutely some of the most awesome people I've had the please of knowing for dealing with my somewhat less-stable personality during the last 8 months. I've always been a pretty laid back, calm person and it really shook me to lose that aspect of myself for a while. On the positive side, I feel a lot better now than I have since last year when everything went wrong for me personally. Things are looking up and I can really dedicate myself completely to Starcraft 2 and esports now. I'm excited!
During all this I felt Korea calling. I missed living there from the moment I landed back in the US. It wasn't just the esports. I missed the country itself. I really do love it there and when I got the offer to return to cast the OSL I couldn't imagine saying no. IPL has been a great experience, but ultimately I decided to put where I wanted to live and work before anything else. They took great care of me while I was there though and anyone lucky enough to land a job at IPL has a lot to look forward to. It was great to see an organization grow and add on more and more jobs in teams for different games. Really encouraging for esports as a whole, not just SC2.
Switching topics. This KESPA thing from yesterday really blindsided me. We all want to see their players in the GSL and I still hope that happens sooner rather than later. I don't expect that I'll have any influence in the matter, but I'll see what I can do/find out. Organisations working together has been one of my biggest focuses since I started working in esports professionally and I want to see it happen in Korea as much as I do in the rest of the world. Speaking generally and not about this current issue; it's silly for organisations to try to hurt and eliminate each other while they try to grab as big of a chunk of the esports pie as they can. Let's concentrate on growing the pie first.
In other news I bought a sweet HD video camera. (a GoPro HD Hero2 specifically) My inner skateboarder loves the fisheye lens settings and I can't wait to start shooting some behind-the-scenes stuff at the OSL studio for you guys. I've also always been a big fan of travel documentaries and I hope I can start making some content like that too. Might not be esports related. Just "adventures in exotic foreign lands" focused. I'm curious how much this scene would be in something like that.
My shows (Cartographer, Build Order Breakdown, HotS customs) will return! Not sure where or when, but they will. I'll have more info later.
I think that pretty much does it. I'm surprised I wrote this much, but thanks if you made it this far!
TLDR: I like Korea. OSL will be good. Sometimes you go through terrible stuff in life, but it's temporary so get over it!
See you guys on the other side! (of the ocean)
 
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Can't wait to watch you casting the OSL (if my mom lets me stay up that late  )! See you on the other side brotha.
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Nice read and thanks for opening up to the community like this. Takes a lot of courage and I'm glad you did. And although me and oOoOophidian will miss casting ProLeague and OSL, I'm glad we'll finally be getting commentary from two great casters imo. Cheers and glhf!
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Good to have u back in Korea,I hope to see some actions with ur vid camera on some team houses like how Artosis done in the past.
^_^ go DOA
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Glad you're liking being back in Korea !
Hope you stay positive. Fighting~
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Doa fighting, looking forward to your casts!
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I'll miss settling down to you and Kevin every night for my daily dose of hilarity and awesomeness, but I'm glad your career is going in the direction you want, and I can't wait to have OSL fill my entire screen instead of being 4:3.
please tell Wolf to get a haircut if/when you see him.
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I'm personally quite excited to listen to you cast the KeSPA leagues, all corporate drama aside. Was also fun chatting with you in the chat about min-only bases; you're a swell guy and I wish you the best. 
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Good luck in Korea. Hope everything works out!
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Good luck Doa, find what you were looking for
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wow good post, glad you're moving forward with your life and dreams i wish you the best of luck! can't wait to see all your new content straight from korea booyah
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I can't wait for OSL! I'm glad you'll be one of the English casters for it!
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Good luck with OGN Doa I look forward to watching you cast OSL :D
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Hey Doa, I'm sorry to hear about all the crap you've been through recently, I liked your casting at GSL and I look forward to seeing you cast the OSL.
I did tweet asking for details, is there anywhere we should be looking to get some more details about the English commentary of the OSL?
Thanks and Good Luck!
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GLHF man Really appreciate what you do for the community.
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Dude, you are an awesome guy. It's amazing that you've been able to keep everything together while dealing with your personal issues, because there's quite a few people who could never do that.
Huge contrats for the millionth time on landing the job with OGN, and good luck!
I'll miss bobo and ophidian casting the PL, but at least you'll be the one replacing them!
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Is moletrap still doing LoL as well?
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Damn shit got real in this blog. I've always liked your casting Doa so it's great you're back to Korea.
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I was shocked when I heard you were leaving IPL, but I'm very excited you're going to KeSPA in Korea. You're one of my favorite casters, and I can't wait to see you do your thing again.
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Really surprised about your wife, I had no idea you divorced. Sad to hear it and I realize it must be rough, but since that lets you get back to Korea full-gear, I can of course not help being happy, you're one of my favorite casters. I think moletrap is.... quite bad at casting SC2, but with you at his side, I think it will be great.
Looking forward to seeing/hearing your OSL casts!
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Good luck in Korea. I'm glad you're willing to put in the time to play ladder as it will surely make your casting even better.
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Really loved your IPL work, but good you got yourself back on track again!
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That's a great blog post, and I feel like a total jerk saying that what stuck out to me most was....
...the OSL casters are called "Noah and DoA"?
(I also think you're a great choice for OSL).
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Dude, I'm sorry, just seems like 2 children cannot get along. Who knew that even after 3 years these two organizations still can't get their stuff together.
Might as well go to gom an cast some GSL in the meantime. XD
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Looks like the sc2gg guys are doing big things again. I don't know what you think of those days, but I think it's pretty cool what has changed since I first heard of you.
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doa man, you are my hero. so many days i just let my personal issues interfere with everyday life and its nice to see that its not impossible to just push through the pain and to just do what needs to be done
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Good luck Doa, I miss you on the GSL. Really looking forward to having you back here in korea, and I look forward to the day that I get to meet you (hopefully will be able to make it up for at least one OSL, if that goes through now).
I hope your not too stressed by the woman issues, and that you will realise that everything happens for a reason and one day you will find a sweet ass girl who will always be there with you <3
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Fuck Bitches, get Esports money!
Seriously though, welcome back to Korea. I'm sure you'll do great and love the job
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Well with your love for Korea, and your recent split. Might I suggest a night on the town with Naniwa and Sase. Combine your two loves and enjoy life! You're really living a nerd dream of many, live it up man!
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Dude Erik if I was a girl I'd be all over you. Good luck in Korea. I hope we get to see some adventures of foreigners in Korea from that camera
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United Kingdom3685 Posts
Are you guys casting Proleague as well?
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On August 24 2012 19:20 Sayle wrote:
Are you guys casting Proleague as well?
SAYLE FIGHTING!
Naw but seriously, congratulations on the work with OSL. Women can be a bit strange some times, but the same way as we oftentimes don't understand why people do what they do, maybe she never fully understood what e-sports meant for you. Don't take it into account, and, as you said, you can move on with no hard feelings, since it is good that you both noticed that it could not go on like that.
Hopefully I'll be able to be up in time to watch your casting mate, it will be awesome!
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Doa just tweeted this...
T_T
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Sorry to hear about your personal difficulties DoA but I am glad your sticking with eSports. I've always enjoyed your casts.
Oh fuck, "something went way wrong with my stomach" doesn't sound good. Get well soon DoA.
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Hope you recover soon! Thanks for sharing about your personal life, sometimes just a bit of sensitive information can abaite undue curiosity and concern, and lead to more respect of your privacy.
Dude, casting the OSL..... WOW, I don't even. OSL is a really big deal, even if it is in a new game. You don't 'just throw out' a dozen years of history, and though they don't follow or appreciate the sequel like they do the origional, a lot of people still follow the OSL because of their attachment to the players.
That means its really important to respect the players. Yeah, no shit you would, and obviously they will in no way be slandered. But just to let you know, some people can get quite touchy unless you are absolutely safe and well-reasoned with any comment you make about individual players persons.
If we're following our heroes into new waters, we really won't be happy if they're not looked after, and demeaned. Not saying it will happen (I trust you) just -- I'm pleading with you now, please don't make broad comments about their personalities or histories without thoroughly doing your research.
Stick to what no one can argue about or contest (recent results, played well played bad, favoured unfavoured), weaving drama and story and history takes long-time immersion. In fact, I would really be delighted if you guys could share some more behind-the-scenes stuff, like how they were looking when they came in during the morhing, what sort of food and strippers are sent backstage, and whose fan(girl)s are more demanding and agressive q:
Its ok if you don't know all the (I'm assuming just the Kespa) players, their past drama, history, notrities or incidents. That'd be nice, but its not essential, and is totally understandable that you wouldn't be 'in' on that sort of stuff, so leave it to Moletrap and focus on sharing SC2 to a croud that probably has more 'new to SC2' people than usual.
It should be a lot of fun, and I really hope you can make it. Tell your stomach whose boss, DO IT FOR ESPORTS!~
P.S. Please also tell Moletrap to seriously do his shit and come up to scratch on the recent (past few years) history of our dear beloved players. Referring to them in the states they were when he left is not accurate, adequate or appropriate. New stuff has happened since, and if its up to him to know his stuff on them, he'd better know it well! (:
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Great great blog :D Shame what hapenned to you. Hope you get better soon and go fast to Korea :D
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you did an awesome job at IPL doa, OSL will be easy for you
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awww man does that mean we're gonna be seeing moletrap casting in SC2 again -_-
GL in korea
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doa fighting
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For what it's worth, whenever I saw you casting for IPL I wouldn't have been able to guess there was anything wrong at home. You did a great job man :D
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Really great that you're getting back into doing something that you enjoy. Keep up the good and hard work and I'm sure things will turn around and you'll have tons of fun again.
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United Kingdom31935 Posts
Gl Doa and keep your head up and keep on trucking man
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hope the stomach issue clears up, looking forward to seeing you casting in korea again!
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DoA you are the shit man, keep it up. one of my top 5 casters for sure. gl gg hf
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Great read, I've always considered you to be one of the best and most knowledgeable casters in the esportscene and I'm glad to read something about you as a person, helps me put a face on the caster if you know what I mean .
Further on Im happy to hear things are working out for you career-wise, that you are where u want to be and to hear that you will eventually pick up your own shows!
please advertise the English casting a lot! IMO, OSL has been quite bad at promoting the event thus far and It would be sad if people missed out on this great event.
Also please ask wolf if he lost a bet or are just trolling GSL-viewers with his new hair-color
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Good luck in Korea Doa!
OSL was the most prestigious tournament in BW and I hope you and Moletrap give it your best!
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I love your casts doa.
Good luck in Korea, definitely going to stay up to watch some OSL this year. :D
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So you're still going ? That's awesome :D
Looking forward to Cartographer on OGN too
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intrigue
Washington, D.C9934 Posts
you'll do great. you should spend a lot of time with the OSL casters too - they're on a different level compared to foreign casters at commentating
korean sc players : foreign sc players :: korean sc casters : foreign sc casters
be the stephano of foreign casters plz
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On August 24 2012 14:31 DoA wrote:
my goal is to get good enough to take an occasional game off of legit pro-gamers.
I respect the hell out of that.
Good luck to you, sir!
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I just read about you being ill and replied on your FB page.
Reading this is so strange... You were all prepared and set to go, and now this happens.
Like I said, I hope you stay healthy and get better soon.
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I had no idea about the troubles in your personal life, so I can say confidently that it didnt affect your casting. You always come off as a pro. Get well soon.
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On August 25 2012 03:01 intrigue wrote:
you'll do great. you should spend a lot of time with the OSL casters too - they're on a different level compared to foreign casters at commentating
korean sc players : foreign sc players :: korean sc casters : foreign sc casters
be the stephano of foreign casters plz
Honestly it's just like that cause of it's considered a culture.
Many korean casters remind me of people like husky because they display an extreme amount of fake excitement.
So Doa, please start talking really fast, scream in a funny-sounding language.
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Best of luck DoA! Stay strong!
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It could sound bland but : you actually are my favorite caster, the one I enjoy listening to the most. I couldn't watch a single IPL cast since you're gone (really).
And... i've been following the scene for quite a while, talking klazart, mole, cholera (couldn't stand him though), artosis YET to be finished ascension tournament, nony self commentating arbiter drunk games, etc.
I didn't read your blog. Sorry, it is long and I just don't feel like it.
-> Are you still going to Korea, I am confused ?
Long live... I really appreciate what you bring to casts, be it knowledge, humour, voice tone, frantic opinions... well, there you go.
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Well Doa, I've never much cared for your casting. Were both from MN, and you've got this corny/conservative thing going on that I just don't find really apealing whatsoever.
On the other hand, I absolutley love your positive attitude. Don't let random niche people like me keep you down. I hope you recover and you ae able to make the most of the oppourtunities you have. glhf sir
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On the other side, man.
Good luck!
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Dang, I never knew. We support you! Jump into casting and do your best it'll help you loads I'm sure! :D
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Youre one tough guy Doa. Must have been hard. Glad to have you back and I look forwards to your casts and watching your improvement. Good on you man.
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Divorce sucks man. Especially when it comes the way yours sounds like it did. I empathize with you deeply (had my own problems in that regard) and hope that you don't let it get to you much more. Keep calm, move on, and remember what you said - it takes two and if the other person won't work on it, there's really nothing much more you can do.
Yes, I expect your OSL casting to be as good as you IPL casting. (I enjoyed it.) Sure, you'll be with Moletrap rather than Kevin Knocke, but there are always new challenges with new jobs.  Good luck in Korea, I'm looking forward to hearing your cast the OSL.
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looking forward to OSL :D
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28090 Posts
You are a great caster and I can't wait until you start the osl. GL Doa.
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Can't wait to get to watch some OSL games cast in English, and who better to cast them than you!
Looking forward to some behind the scenes sneak peaks, would love to know what the OSL studios look like from the other side of the camera.
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You are the man Doa, you'll do great casting OSL. I'm sorry to hear you were going through so much personally, I noticed you didn't seem as happy after the first couple months of casting GSL and it now makes sense that it wasn't just being homesick/missing your wife that you had to leave Korea so abruptly.
Best of luck in the future man, looking forward to watching some OSL.
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Loved the blog, all the best to you!
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Nice blog. Was really surprised about the divorce, but I guess shit happens. It's her loss and our&OSLs gain. You and Wolf were my favorite casting duo back in the day and I gotta say I'm excited how things will turn out at OGN. Good luck!
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On August 24 2012 14:31 DoA wrote:
My inner skateboarder loves the fisheye lens settings and I can't wait to start shooting some behind-the-scenes stuff at the OSL studio for you guys. I've also always been a big fan of travel documentaries and I hope I can start making some content like that too. Might not be esports related. Just "adventures in exotic foreign lands" focused. I'm curious how much this scene would be in something like that.
Wait, what about the skateboarder thing? I demand that you shoot some footage of yourself skateboarding down the entire Cheonggyecheon Stream! :p
Fans can be rather demanding, I know.
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i look forward to tihs so much! i love you and i hope you the best luck out there
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GL, sad you are leaving IPL, I loved listening to you and Cats cast together, but an OSL job is pretty awesome too. And at the end of the day what makes you happy is what matters.
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Really sad, Kabanaki and you were such a great caster team, I really enjoyed you both and I dont think that you can really be replaced there. As for OSL,GSL and the rest, I do not watch korean streams or leagues, they are not featured on TL, (at least I never see em in the video section) and its most likely a subscribtion stream where you have to pay so meh.
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Looking forward to it, DoA!
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You and moletrap won me over with your casting. I had a very long, thoughtful conversation with Moletrap that helped me to get to know him, maybe I will get that chance with you in the course of time. Stun the critics and win the praise of gamers!
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Good luck DoA! Got my fingers crossed for you!
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Thank you for writing. Your fucking awesome.
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Way to keep that chin up, Doa! I've always liked your casting, best wishes.
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Doa, sorry to hear about your marriage  It's sad to believe in something and after a while, learning the other person does not Things are starting to look up to you again though! Hopefully this will be the start of something incredibly amazing! Cant wait to see your videos
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EPT
