Mrs Kelley, 37, and her husband Scott Kelley, a surgeon, describe themselves as having been friends with Gen Petraeus and his family for more than five years.

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Let's face it -- status updates from your family and best friends are much more important to you than having to see what your old high school buddy from 20 years ago is up to.

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When I was feeling protective of our privacy, I would write more lifestyle-focused pieces: the importance to a marriage of having close friends, for instance, or how different tastes in food can affect family dinner.

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"The difference between having success in handicapping and with owning a horse is you get to share it more with friends and family, " he said, noting he had about 30 people at the Big A for the Gotham.

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Having the ability to do business and spend time with friends and loved ones is a competitive edge that Dubai offers more than other cities in the Middle East.

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