yes, i have been on vacation.

and a lot has happened. but let's brush all of that aside for now. I need some feedback. I entered a contest (giveaway) on a blog (sorry, ain't gonna tell you which one....it will only decrease my chances of winning! duh), and you have to plead your case as to why you should win the SWAG. not schwag. SWAG (for those of you not in the know, SWAG is Stuff We All Get). anyhooo....here is what I wrote. do I sound worthy, at all, or just desperate? lemme know. I can take it.....

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when i graduated from HS in 1986, i soon headed for a year in northcentral Japan as an exchange student. it was there that i discovered Pocari Sweat. While I was there, I listened to "friends" instead of my heart, and broke the Heart of the Love of my Life. FFWD 10 years, I am back in Japan, hanging with old buddies, mountain biking around temples and rivers and such, once again enjoying PS for 3 months. Back in the states.....my Dad was selected as one of the rifle coaches for the US Biathlon team for the Nagano Olympics. He asked what I wanted as an 'omiage". Simple. Pocari Sweat (see, we live in Vermont, and can't get it here). BAM! he brought back a coupla bags and a small can. YUM!. FFWD (again) to 2003, and after 18 years, my old Flame and I are reunited (thank you, Classmatesdotcom!). in 2005 we wed. best thing i ever did. in 2008 i started running again, but can't stomach "Hatorade". switched to NUUN, PINING for Pocari Sweat. This year, I found your blog.
And you have Pocari Sweat up for grabs. Helllloooooooo FATE! Runner's pack, please~!
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ok, FINE. now that you've (thankfully) read through that, here is a picture of the swag....