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Disclaimer: I love Belgium. I love its vast fields, pleasant parks, and deep forests. I love its awesome playgrounds, playful ducks, and friendly people. I love its architecture, cozy buildings, and impressive castles. Having lived there for three years, during which I attended the Brussels American School (hi to all of my classmates; go Brigands!), I have a deep and nostalgic appreciation for the country. It’s the place that turned me into who I am today and the country where I learned my very first words in English.

So you can bet your bottom dollar that I turned my full attention to Hannes Coudenys when I heard that he posts pictures of ‘ugly’ Belgian houses on the internet. Now, Coudenys and I disagree about Belgian architecture: what he calls ‘ugly,’ I find to be ‘quaint.’ However, nobody can deny that he finds very intriguing examples of Belgian architecture.

Scroll down, upvote your fave ‘ugly’ buildings, and share them with your friends and family. Be sure to let us know in the comments if you’re on my or Coudenys’ side when it comes to Belgian buildings. Beautiful or horrifying? That’s for you to decide. After you’re done with this list, check out Bored Panda’s previous article about Coudenys and ‘ugly’ (aka misunderstood) Belgian houses.

More info: Instagram | Facebook

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    #2

    Angrytecture

    Angrytecture

    uglybelgianhouses Report

    In an interview, Coudenys told Bored Panda that his project is ‘loved’ and he joked that it has turned into a kind of a ‘cult.’ “We all love to hate ugly Belgian houses,” he said, drawing attention to the fact that “Poland has terrible architecture, as a lot of people have let me see.”

    However, not all is grim in Coudenys’ world. He noted that there are examples of good architecture in Belgium: “I like the work of Gijs van Vaerenbergh, Vens-Vanbelle, De Vylder Vinck Taillieu, Vincent van Duysen.”

    #4

    When You’re Trying To Watch Something On Pornhub But Those Spam Windows Pop Up

    When You’re Trying To Watch Something On Pornhub But Those Spam Windows Pop Up

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    eliana
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    when youre playing the Sims and you can't decide where to put your windows

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    #5

    Mayday Mayday! The East Wall Is Sinking!

    Mayday Mayday! The East Wall Is Sinking!

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    #6

    My House When You Came In The Backdoor

    My House When You Came In The Backdoor

    uglybelgianhouses Report

    Coudenys’ hobby has grown into a phenomenon: he has more than 104,000 followers on Facebook and 76,800 fans on Instagram.

    In a previous interview, Coudenys told Bored Panda that some Belgians have a peculiar understanding of what constitutes good architecture: "Normally, if you like architecture you like good houses, but in Belgium, there’s a lot of ugly architecture. So I started taking pictures of it.”

    "Because regulations are quite liberal and we love to design our own quirky dreamhouse," Coudenys explained. He added that lots of home-owners were angry that their houses were being mocked online.

    #8

    If Snake And Tetris Made A Baby

    If Snake And Tetris Made A Baby

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    Daja Lindeman
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There used to be a garage, and a normal door where the red brick is now. They repurposed the building

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    #9

    When Your House Tried To Be Beautiful

    When Your House Tried To Be Beautiful

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    Shayne O'Neill
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can tell you what this is. Theres a thing that developers sometimes do where they want to demolish a building but the heratige authorities say no. So the developers offer to keep the fascade while demolishing anything behind it. Well money talks and so they do this. And what you see in the photo is the end result. My home town is filled with these monstrosities

    Andy Hinds
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is actually a rebuilt house with the old fascia preserved. They did this to the old Ovaltine factory in King's Langley, England. The factory closed and the front fascia was clssed as a losted building so they knocked the factory down and built flats in its place but the building retained the old facia, complete with the Ovaltine logo.

    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was common in Britain in days past. Time Team did couple of excavations on Elizabethan and Victorian houses that had been "touched up" after the owners came into wealth.

    Andy Hinds
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They did this to the old Ovaltine factory in King's Langley, England. The factory closed and was demolished but the front wall is classed as a listed building so they built new flats on the old factory floor area whilst eaving the front of the building untouched.

    Valerie
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People who try to sound more intelligent than they actually are look like this.

    glowworm2
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems like what someone does to their house after bragging to the girl they like that they live in a mansion.

    Nathalie Langevin
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That would be an ugly girl trying to look better by pumping her lips!

    Shawn
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Like most modern women and the plastic surgery c**p!

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    “I received emails from lawyers and eventually gave in, stopping the blog altogether. I can understand the negative reactions in a way... It's the house of their dreams and I am demolishing it!" the Belgian revealed.

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    #12

    Pablo Picasa

    Pablo Picasa

    uglybelgianhouses Report

    Coudenys isn’t the only critic of Belgium’s architecture. According to Culture Trip, if you’re in Belgium and want to see the country’s ugliest buildings, you would do well to visit the Ghent Market Hall, the Wiels Museum in Brussels, and the Tour Paradis in Liège.

    Also be sure to see the ‘Book Tower’ in Gent, Leuven’s Sint-Maartensdal Towers, the seat of the Humanist Democratic Center in Brussels, the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel in Antwerp, and The Water Tower in Ghent. Even I have to say that a few of these buildings make my inner artist cringe.

    #13

    ‘Make It Look Like A Sad Elephant’ Said No One Ever. Oh Wait A Belgian Did

    ‘Make It Look Like A Sad Elephant’ Said No One Ever. Oh Wait A Belgian Did

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    #14

    Please Explain

    Please Explain

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    Shawn
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ugh you just don't get it if you need it explained... said the architect.

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    #16

    What The Flying Duck

    What The Flying Duck

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    #19

    When You’ve Got The Cheapest Street In Monopoly But You Bought Two Hotels

    When You’ve Got The Cheapest Street In Monopoly But You Bought Two Hotels

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    #20

    When Windows 10 Keeps Randomly Crashing And Freezing

    When Windows 10 Keeps Randomly Crashing And Freezing

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    Stijn Cornelis
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun fact: till the end of the second world war you had to pay taxes acording to the number of windows and doors your house had (pretty common in Europe). With bricked off windows as a result.

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    #24

    When You See Yourself In The Mirror

    When You See Yourself In The Mirror

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the house version of the "Home Alone" aftershave burn.

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    #26

    Belgium Is A Work Of Art

    Belgium Is A Work Of Art

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    #29

    This Is An Emergency, Somebody Call The Akropolice

    This Is An Emergency, Somebody Call The Akropolice

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    #34

    When You Stop Halfway The Reveal Because You’ve Seen Enough

    When You Stop Halfway The Reveal Because You’ve Seen Enough

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    #35

    Not Sure If Roof Or Tiny Hat

    Not Sure If Roof Or Tiny Hat

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    #36

    When Your Architect Has A Black Out

    When Your Architect Has A Black Out

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    Jean-Francois Brisson
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have some of these here sometimes, it has water pipes inside that absorb solar radiation to heat your floors or whatever.

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    #37

    You Cant Leave Your Hat On

    You Cant Leave Your Hat On

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    #39

    When Your Keyhole Is Swollen And Red, You Better Go See A Doctor

    When Your Keyhole Is Swollen And Red, You Better Go See A Doctor

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    #40

    When You Don’t Know What Hit You

    When You Don’t Know What Hit You

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    #41

    It Must Have Cost An Arm And A Leg

    It Must Have Cost An Arm And A Leg

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These creepy busts make garden gnomes look adorable. It must be Halloween everyday here.

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    #42

    Must Be Really Into Garage Sales

    Must Be Really Into Garage Sales

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    Shawn
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey Larry, get this I sold the idiot 3 garage doors.. one for each floor!! Bwahahahaha

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    #44

    So, Who Was Ugly First?

    So, Who Was Ugly First?

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    #45

    When Your Architect Was Thinking Outside The Xbox

    When Your Architect Was Thinking Outside The Xbox

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    #46

    What If The Acropolis And The Great Pyramids Had An Ugly Belgian Baby

    What If The Acropolis And The Great Pyramids Had An Ugly Belgian Baby

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    #47

    Building Ugly Houses Since 1302

    Building Ugly Houses Since 1302

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    Stijn Cornelis
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't see how that's ugly... I find it quite charming. It clearly used to be an old windmill (on the right) with the owner's house stuck on the left.

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    #48

    One Slice Of House Please

    One Slice Of House Please

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    #49

    So, Who Was Ugly First?

    So, Who Was Ugly First?

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    #50

    When Plastic Surgery Goes Wrong

    When Plastic Surgery Goes Wrong

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    Shawn
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Taradactyl this house is personally mocking you with its terrible plastic surgery..

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    #52

    We Don’t Need No Architectural Education. Just Another Brick In The Wall

    We Don’t Need No Architectural Education. Just Another Brick In The Wall

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    #54

    Doin It For The Parallelogram

    Doin It For The Parallelogram

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    #56

    When You Bleached Your Teeth And You Want Everyone To See It

    When You Bleached Your Teeth And You Want Everyone To See It

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    Iggy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The statue of the Virgin Mary in the tiny Michael Jackson nose-shaped window is most disconcerting!

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    #58

    At Least It Has Air Conditioning

    At Least It Has Air Conditioning

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    #59

    When Your Friend Is More Stoned Than You

    When Your Friend Is More Stoned Than You

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    #60

    Sorry We’re Closed

    Sorry We’re Closed

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    Shawn
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's treasure behind there, just let me get my bomb outta my satchel

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    #62

    Foldable Products Are A Bad Idea. Ask Samsung

    Foldable Products Are A Bad Idea. Ask Samsung

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    #63

    When It’s 38 Degrees Outside And You’re Ready For Winter

    When It’s 38 Degrees Outside And You’re Ready For Winter

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    #65

    Architecture: A Game Of Trial And Error. And Sometimes Only Error

    Architecture: A Game Of Trial And Error. And Sometimes Only Error

    uglybelgianhouses Report

    #66

    Adopted The Neighbours Garage

    Adopted The Neighbours Garage

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    #67

    The Roof, The Roof, The Roof Is Expired

    The Roof, The Roof, The Roof Is Expired

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    #68

    Opposhits Attract

    Opposhits Attract

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    #69

    Infected With The Ugly Poison

    Infected With The Ugly Poison

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    Marlene Ricker
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The one on the right is obviously trying to take over the one on the left. Very slowly so they don't notice.

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    #70

    The Side Effect Of Being Ugly

    The Side Effect Of Being Ugly

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    #72

    Yeah, Just Build Around The Roundabout

    Yeah, Just Build Around The Roundabout

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    #73

    Stairaway

    Stairaway

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    #74

    The Toyota Prius Of Ugly Belgian Houses

    The Toyota Prius Of Ugly Belgian Houses

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    #75

    Ready To Adopt An Ugly Belgian Houses

    Ready To Adopt An Ugly Belgian Houses

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    #77

    Belgium Right Now

    Belgium Right Now

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    #79

    Is This A New Pokémon?

    Is This A New Pokémon?

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    #80

    Better To Have A Hole In Your House Than A House In Your Hole?

    Better To Have A Hole In Your House Than A House In Your Hole?

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one isn't so bad. The house has a modern aesthetic to it. The hole is only in the wall.

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    #82

    When You’ve Heard The Ugly Belgian Houses Dude Is Ringing Doors For A TV Show

    When You’ve Heard The Ugly Belgian Houses Dude Is Ringing Doors For A TV Show

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    #83

    When Belgians Try To Confuse The Burglars

    When Belgians Try To Confuse The Burglars

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    #84

    When You Want To Be In Two Places At Once

    When You Want To Be In Two Places At Once

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    #85

    When Your Architect Needs Anger Management

    When Your Architect Needs Anger Management

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    #87

    When Your House Runs Out Of Battery

    When Your House Runs Out Of Battery

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    #88

    When You Wanted To Order 2 Windows And 1 Door But Were High And Ordered 2 Doors And 0 Windows

    When You Wanted To Order 2 Windows And 1 Door But Were High And Ordered 2 Doors And 0 Windows

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    #89

    Did You Know That The Castle Of Walt Disney Was Inspired By A Castle In Belgium? This Wasn’t It

    Did You Know That The Castle Of Walt Disney Was Inspired By A Castle In Belgium? This Wasn’t It

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    #90

    Emojitecture

    Emojitecture

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    #91

    Unfortunately Yes

    Unfortunately Yes

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    #92

    Origami Casa Es Su Casa

    Origami Casa Es Su Casa

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    #93

    Shrug

    Shrug

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    #94

    It’s So Ugly It’s In Prison

    It’s So Ugly It’s In Prison

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    #95

    Ugly. But I See There Are Two Sides To This Story

    Ugly. But I See There Are Two Sides To This Story

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    Marlene Ricker
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why couldn't they at least match the bricks, even just a little closer?

    #96

    Thinking Outside The Boxes

    Thinking Outside The Boxes

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    #97

    When You Want A Roof For Your Roof

    When You Want A Roof For Your Roof

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    #98

    Now Is The Time! Ugly Belgian Houses With 50% Extra Ugliness

    Now Is The Time! Ugly Belgian Houses With 50% Extra Ugliness

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    #99

    When You’re Not In The Mood

    When You’re Not In The Mood

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    #100

    When You’re Trying To Avoid A Windows 10 Update

    When You’re Trying To Avoid A Windows 10 Update

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    #101

    Madonna And Child. The Ugly Belgian Houses Edition

    Madonna And Child. The Ugly Belgian Houses Edition

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    #102

    The Love Shack Of The B53’s

    The Love Shack Of The B53’s

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    #103

    You Should Get Rid Of That Tick Asap

    You Should Get Rid Of That Tick Asap

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    #104

    The Dark Side Of The Livingroom

    The Dark Side Of The Livingroom

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    #105

    When Your House Is On Life Support

    When Your House Is On Life Support

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    #106

    123 Sesame Street, Belgium

    123 Sesame Street, Belgium

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    #107

    When You Don’t Want To Vote Today

    When You Don’t Want To Vote Today

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    #109

    Apéritif Maison

    Apéritif Maison

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    #110

    When You’re Scared To Come Out

    When You’re Scared To Come Out

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    #111

    When You Were Texting And Driving Again

    When You Were Texting And Driving Again

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    #112

    Ugly Belgian Hug

    Ugly Belgian Hug

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    #113

    If You Have Brown Stripes Like This, You Should Wipe Better

    If You Have Brown Stripes Like This, You Should Wipe Better

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    Jenica Thomas
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like playing with lego and you don't have enough of the same colored blocks.

    #114

    Before And Laughter

    Before And Laughter

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    #115

    What Is This? A New Episode Of Game Of Thrones?

    What Is This? A New Episode Of Game Of Thrones?

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