View allAll Photos Tagged Refinement
another photo with some editing refinements from my visit late last year to the Bisti Badlands.
This was taken at sunset, or minutes after the sun had retreated below the horizon. I had some really nice color in the sky to work with and the nice soft glow on the foreground subject matter, reflecting from the light of the sky behind me.
This was in one of the first main "wing" fields I came across my first evening out at the Bisti. I had a decent sized moon, as it was a couple of days from a full moon. The long exposure here didn't quite capture it in detail, but I left it in the shot... why not?
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© 2019 Walker Scott Moore - All rights reserved
I'm obsessed with this ebay skirt. I just bought 2 more lolol
NF Blazer; FR earrings; ebay skirt; CI socks; FR2 sandals
This isn't really a new piece - it's a refinement of my "Favoring the Heart" - an example of Favorites Art, where you build a mosaic simply by favoring other artwork on Flickr in precisely the right order.
Although my "Favoring the Heart" is still one of my favorite pieces - and one of the few ever to make it Explore, it was always very bright and bold and almost too harsh for me.
So I created another Heart Favorites Art and I blended the two together, and with a little post-processing, the result is much softer. For me anyway, it would make a much nicer valentine.
I wanted to publish it today to commemorate the birthday of Ana, my best friend at Apollo high school (a very large number of years ago...!)
;-)
Cheers.
QTB
I really liked this girl when she was released all that time ago but I have moved away from the CI body and in any case I never saw her for sale. Then since seeing Marina's awesome OOAK she came back on my radar again. Imagine my delight when my lovely friend Darren surprised me by sending her head to me! I think she's totally perfect to join my NF crew and luckily I had a spare NF body to put her on! She is styled in dedication to awesomely talented designer fashion designer Khoa whose beautiful clothes always inspire and delight me!
''David the amazing'' again.
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Another year has passed and we are presented with another fabulous collection from Fashion Royalty, and this time we are taking a step back with a dash of inspiration from the early 60s. Just a tad bit as you can see.
Aristocratic Agnes - As soon as I saw the 2015 W Club Upgrade Doll Agnes’ face, I was worried about the other ladies in the collection and true enough as they were unveiled they all have the same face design. As much as I love Jessy Ayala’s work, this isn’t his best. Let’s be honest, we can’t love everything. We’re only human. I feel like this is a step back circa 1995 in terms of faces. Usually I purchase dolls for their faces but this time I am purchasing the dolls for their fashions and not the other way around.
Prestige Natalia - I think she’s the most put-together in this collection I love the pops of fuchsia pink against the all-gray ensemble. One thing I dislike about this collection is the heavy lines on the eye creases where they closed off the eyelids from end to end, and thank god Natalia was spared! I think she looks chic and elegant. I love her look this time. I love the addition of the mole which was something that I wanted to see again.
Style Notes Isha - It is such a surprise to see a non-core 8 doll appear in this collection. However, she didn’t live up to how she looked from the 2011’s New Close-Ups Collection. I do love her dress which is very similar to a Victoria Beckham inspired Natalia sketch I did about 2 years ago. One thing that I keep whining about with the fashions is that all the tops and all the sheath dresses seem to have a similar cut. The addition of sleeves or maybe changing the neckline would make such a huge difference. Now Isha doesn’t come with a coat or any separates and yet her retail price of $135 remains the same as the others. Obviously she wasn’t a priority in terms of design. After all she’s a side character. We get it. But her look could have been elevated with the addition of sleeves or she could have the best pair of shoes from the bunch. The bag saved her. All of the bags in this collection are fierce! Better than last year’s.
Refinement Vanessa - I love the pops of color and
her hair. I think the entire look works for her. However, her top and skirt screams basic to me. It’s like we’ve seen those pieces before. She reminds me of one of the dolls from the 2011's New Close-Ups Collection. I do love her bag, her coat and the shoes but other than that she’s not a must-have for me. I’m pretty much happy with all the Vanessas I have.
Decorum Eugenia - I love her overall look but like so many dolls that have been released lately, she is in a ponytail. A different style this time. But still in a ponytail. One thing that’s throwing me off with her is her close up promo pic. She seems a bit cartoonish to me. Maybe her eyes are too far apart. I love Eugenia but this time I’m skipping her. I love the new earrings though. Similar to the earrings worn by one of the models from a Tom Ford ad.
Fine Print Elise - I’ve been dreaming of a short haired Elise lately and it came true! I love the look for her. I especially love her bag. One thing I would change about her is her shoes which are just the same as Isha’s. I am, once again, not crazy about the face design. I’m really expecting for the design team to top off last year’s Intrigue Elise and I know it’s hard to pull off. If you’ve noticed in the picture, like Ombres Poetiques Mademoiselle Jolie, she comes with FR2 hands. So all of the dolls in this collection come with the old FR hands as the default hands and the gloved extra hands are FR2 hands.
Fame Fable Kyori - Now I love that they made Kyori blonde again to show her versatility but it seems like she lost her way from the Gloss Collection and ended up here. But I don’t really mind as I think her dress is gorgeous. I don’t mind adding another black number to my collection. At this time I don’t know if I will keep her or she will be one of my body donors. I do have to say, that clutch purse is phenomenal! One of my favorite accessories in this collection.
Royal Treatment Veronique - Because this is Integrity’s 20th Anniversary, Vero was chosen as the Unveiling Event Exclusive Doll. This is the first time that Veronique will be in the Cream skintone and she comes as a gift set. She comes with a black lace lingerie, a white and black polka-dot dress, a yellow linen sheath dress, a chenille coat, a handbag and a pair of shoes. Now I feel that the reception on this doll is kinda lukewarm and a part of it is the retail price of $225. The yellow sheath dress is also very similar to last year’s Full Spectrum dress. So I’m gonna say this is not a must-have gift-set. Only a few pieces speak to me like the lingerie. Once again, I’m not crazy about the face design. Sadly she will be one of my body donors. I need four of her, please!
Timeless Adele - Gorgeous! Gorgeous a la Lupita! I love her! However, she’s not Adele. She’s just a different character for me altogether. It’s like I don’t recognize her anymore. Love the jewelries though and that’s all I’m gonna say.
Perfect Reign Tatyana - Now Tatyana hands down is the winner for me. I love her softer look this time. I love the hair. I love the color palette which is reminiscent of Always Polished Dasha but thank god for the thicker eyebrows. Even her face design is not bad at all. The beading on the bodice and the draping effect on the skirt makes her a stand out. I say, perfection! A 60s debutante perfection!
As expected, lots of pencil skirts and dresses. I'm guessing the NU.Face Collection will be better than this. Which had me thinking if I should shift my focus on them instead. I can't wait to be blown away!
Utilizing already existing architectures I'm re-examining the notion of beauty in the built form. Photo-manipulating sections of buildings that have fascinating elements for me, I've built a series, primarily of ceilings and arches, that seeks to offer possibilities of architectural artistry. Here, the incredible forest of metal arches and 'trees' of Toronto's BCE Place provides the base elements for my further "refinements".
View Large on Black.
The C403o frame from Veldisfall Land Systems is a further refinement of the C213o frame. This model was originally designed as a military frame, but has found more use in remote mining operations and civilian security than on the battlefield.
The build is another riff on the the legs from LEGO 7's alternate 31032 red dragon model. The legs are modified slightly from the original and the C213o. My goal was to retain the general shaping and aesthetic without totally breaking 7P scale. Unfortunately, the frame is about 13 bricks tall and can't stand square in my sizing box.
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Built for Mobile Frame Zero - a tabletop wargame.
Mobile Frame Hangar (MFZ Community Forums).
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This morning I briefly tested the new Nikon Z8 Firmware v3.01 during a walk through the olive groves of the North Aegean. One thing is clear — AF tracking sensitivity has improved. Well done, Nikon, though we still expect more refinement.
To be honest, my initial impressions of the Z8’s Subject Detection – Bird Mode have been underwhelming compared to my experience with the D850. But after some trial and error, I’m beginning to see noticeable progress — I estimate about a 70% improvement. Especially in 3D Tracking and Wide-Area AF (C1/C2) modes, the camera now locks onto the bird's eye more quickly and with fewer tracking errors.
Now, let me share two portraits of what I believe to be a young Great Tit (Parus major). Getting this close for a portrait wasn’t easy — but with the Nikon Z8, NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF, and TC-14EII Teleconverter, the moment was captured.
Young Great Tits are often less vibrant than adults, with a slightly duller yellow belly and shorter black chest stripe. Their head may also appear more tousled or fluffy — a charming reminder of their recent fledgling days.
Great Tit – Juvenile Details
Juvenile Great Tits look slightly duller than adults. Their yellow underparts are paler, and the signature black stripe running down the chest is narrower and less defined.
The head and crown of young individuals may appear brownish or olive-toned rather than deep black, giving them a softer, fluffier appearance — especially just after fledging.
Their calls are also less structured and slightly higher-pitched. In early weeks, they can often be seen fluttering their wings while begging for food from parents.
Juveniles often display a more curious and approachable behavior, especially when exploring feeding grounds. This makes them ideal for close portrait work — if approached with patience and care.
By late summer, young birds begin moulting into their adult plumage, gradually becoming indistinguishable from mature individuals.
Hope you enjoy and feel free to share your thoughts!
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.
Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.
© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.
Lens - With Nikon TC 14E II - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f8 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.
I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -
Your comments and criticism are very valuable.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)
This property provides oceanfront living at its best. Hollywood has a reputation of quality, refinement and luxury, and the Ocean Palms is no departure from that. However, the property does offer an amazingly direct way to dive into your South Florida lifestyle.
Ocean Palms offers 240 units, all featuring ocean views or the Intracoastal Waterway. The property was designed to provide you with a pampered experience and the incredible lifestyle that you crave. With state of the art amenities, a full range of services and the best that the world has to offer, the Ocean Palms is the single best place in Hollywood for you to call home.
The property features some of the very best amenities possible. The soaring tower features some of the most innovative design influences in use today. In addition, the property boasts almost 250 feet of beachfront, which allows you to experience the real reason why South Florida is such a hot destination for travelers from around the world. Surrounding the property, you will find lushly landscaped tropical gardens that are ideal for finding solitude or a romantic walk for two. The gardens are designed to flow seamlessly between the beach and the natural landscape of the area and live up to their promise.
The pool and sundeck overlook the ocean, providing a spectacular view for your enjoyment. In addition, the pool complex is nothing short of spectacular, with a spacious pool, an enormous sundeck and all the facilities that you would expect, as well as some that you might not. Poolside towel service, an outdoor whirlpool spa and incredible services make a trip to the pool much more than a quick swim.
The fitness center rises two full stories above the surrounding area, and offers a sauna and a full massage room. Enjoy the relaxing feeling of skilled hands as they massage tense muscles in your neck and back, hit the sauna after a great workout and more. The tennis courts, covered parking, 24-hour concierge services and many other amenities add value and convenience to your life.
Each residence is designed with an incredible amount of space. Rich European wood cabinetry, custom lighting, tile floors and deep whirlpool tubs make your residence a retreat from the everyday. Floor plans range from 1730 square feet all the way up to 3000 square feet and offer you the ultimate evolution of luxury.
Credit for the data above is given to the following websites:
www.sunnyislesmiamirealestate.com/Hollywood/Ocean-Palms/
www.emporis.com/buildings/156435/ocean-palms-phase-i-holl...
Item # 91372
Refinement
Vanessa Perrin™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
Limited Edition Size of 800 Dolls
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Mid-July 2015
Suggested Retail Price: $145.00
Available for Pre-order from Any Authorized Integrity Toys Dealer.
Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Vanessa 3.0
Body Type: FR 2013
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Ash Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied
**** note: all photos are property of Integrity Toys ****
Randomly checked Amazon this evening and good thing I did as these three popped up.
Here are the links
Grab them while you can and remember if its gone it will always come back, just keep checking back
www.amazon.com/Barbie-CLN64-Fashionistas-Doll-1/dp/B00R8Z...
www.amazon.com/Barbie-CLN66-Fashionistas-Doll-3/dp/B00R8Z...
www.amazon.com/Barbie-CLN68-Fashionistas-Doll-5/dp/B00R8Z...
the next impression of a memorable skiing day. This is a view besides the ski slopes. It's at the top of the ridge at the edge of a forrest, where skiing tracks cuts the fresh powder. It's really a new opportunity to have always a camera with me, also during skiing.
The post processing with the Sigma Photo Pro (Raw Converter) opens a new form of expression. Sigma promotes a more natural look using there cameras and software. The automatic picture optimization setup, gives a good base for further refinement. Somehow it is different to develope a sigma raw in comparison with a nikon raw. There is no need to brighten the shadows, and no trouble with blown out highlights. I found pleasure with better contrast and the deep black tones here. It seems to me the result looks more natural, it's really near an analog film touch.
The C403o frame from Veldisfall Land Systems is a further refinement of the C213o frame. This model was originally designed as a military frame, but has found more use in remote mining operations and civilian security than on the battlefield.
The build is another riff on the the legs from LEGO 7's alternate 31032 red dragon model. The legs are modified slightly from the original and the C213o. My goal was to retain the general shaping and aesthetic without totally breaking 7P scale. Unfortunately, the frame is about 13 bricks tall and can't stand square in my sizing box.
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Built for Mobile Frame Zero - a tabletop wargame.
Mobile Frame Hangar (MFZ Community Forums).
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This delicately crafted openwork basket, part of the Casa do Infante Museum’s collection in Porto, is a striking example of 19th-century faience artistry. Though it mimics the woven appearance of wicker, it is made entirely of ceramic—specifically tin-glazed earthenware known as faience. Such pieces blur the line between utility and ornament, demanding remarkable technical skill and aesthetic refinement.
While its reticulated or “pierced” design imitates basketry, the piece is too shallow to have served as a functional basket for bread or fruit. Instead, it likely functioned as a decorative centerpiece or table ornament—perhaps to display wrapped sweets or simply to showcase the potter’s virtuosity.
The piece's distinctive openwork or “reticulated” design was painstakingly constructed from fine clay cords—more accurately called extruded or hand-rolled clay strands or coils. Each strand was individually shaped by hand and gently bent into smooth arcs while the clay remained pliable yet firm enough to retain its form. The strands were then meticulously interwoven and joined at precise points to form the basket’s lattice. Once the framework was complete and leather-hard, the maker carefully attached a solid central base and foot ring, integrating the piece into a coherent whole.
This level of craftsmanship required not only dexterity but also significant experience—especially in handling shrinkage and fragility during drying and firing. The artisan needed a refined sense of timing, moisture content, and pressure to avoid collapse, cracking, or warping at any stage. Such work was typically carried out in specialized workshops with a long tradition of faience production, likely catering to urban or aristocratic markets.
After forming, the basket would have been bisque fired and then dipped in a white, opaque tin glaze. The pale yellowish tone in this piece may come from a warm-toned lead-tin glaze or an intentional color wash over the glaze. The final glaze firing fused the components together and produced the subtle sheen still visible today.
Though delicate, this object was not purely decorative. It may have served as a fruit or bread basket, its open sides allowing airflow. Its refined appearance, however, suggests it was made for a well-off household—perhaps even as a wedding gift or decorative centerpiece.
Now preserved in the Casa do Infante—a museum housed in Porto’s historic customs house—this object connects Porto’s artisanal heritage with its trading past. The building, associated with Prince Henry the Navigator, once oversaw goods flowing into the city from across the empire. Ceramics like this one remind us that luxury and domestic craft traveled alongside spices, textiles, and wine.
Let me know if you'd like a brie
This was a true champ and in mint condition. The Austin Champ appeared the the Heartland All British Car and Cycle Show held in Merriam Kansas.
About the Champ
The Austin Champ was a military and civilian jeep-like vehicle made by the Austin Motor Company in the 1950s. The army version was officially known as "Truck, 1/4 ton, CT, 4×4, Cargo & FFW, Austin Mk.1" however the civilian name "Champ" was universally, if unofficially, applied to it. The majority of Champs produced went to the British Army.
History
A British Army specification for a light truck was issued in the late 1940s, inspired by the Willys MB "Jeep" but able to perform in all theatres of operation of the British Army. It was considered important that a British-made vehicle was produced in order to reduce the reliance on American vehicles and the foreign expenditure that entailed.
A project to design a "Car 4×4 5 cwt FV1800-Series" was launched in 1947, and the Nuffield Organization built three prototype designs known as the "Nuffield Gutty". Testing revealed serious shortcomings and the design was improved by a team at the government Fighting Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (FVRDE) under the leadership of Charles William "Rex" Sewell. The suspension system was designed by Alec Issigonis, who went on to design the Morris Minor and the Mini.
About 30 prototypes of the improved vehicle were built by Wolseley Motors Limited under the name "Wolseley Mudlark", and after further refinement the design was formalised as FV1801(a). The Austin Motor Company was awarded the contract to produce 15,000 vehicles and a former aircraft factory at Cofton Hackett, on the edge of Austin's Longbridge plant in Birmingham, was fitted out for the work. The first production vehicle was completed on 1 September 1951. The formal title: "Truck, 1/4 Ton, 4×4, CT, Austin Mk.1" was assigned (CT being a contraction of CombaT, both a designation of function and also the title of a planned family of vehicles designed by FVRDE). The Rolls-Royce-designed B40 four-cylinder engine of 2838 cc was fitted, the smallest of the standardised B-Range engines. This military version was designated model WN1 by Austin. Approximately half of the contract were to be basic vehicles known as Cargo trucks and the remainder were to be fitted with high-output generators and additional batteries in order to power radio equipment. These were known as "Fitted For Wireless" (FFW) vehicles. Rolls-Royce Ltd built engines for the early production vehicles, but later ones were fitted with a virtually identical engine built under licence by Austin itself. In order to obtain some commercial benefit from the contract, Austin was given permission to use the design for a simplified civilian version to be sold as the Austin Champ. This version, designated model WN3, was mostly fitted with a modified Austin A90 Atlantic 4-cylinder engine as a cheaper option than the more complex B40 but the vehicle attracted few customers and only about 500 were built, the great majority of these being exported.
In military service, the vehicles were given the official designation FV1801A[a] and were generally referred to as "Trucks, 1/4 ton, Austin". A few were fitted with additional equipment for use as field ambulances, telephone line-laying vehicles or equipped with armour and a .303 in Vickers medium machine gun or .303 Bren light machine gun utilising the built-in pintle mount forward of the windscreen, but the majority served as cargo/personnel carriers or were fitted with radios. A version armed with a single, dashboard-mounted .30 in Browning machine gun was in limited use as late as 1967.
As the Champ entered service it became apparent that although it had an outstanding cross-country performance, it was too expensive (£1200 at 1951 prices), too complex and had limited use outside of the narrow field combat role for which it had been designed. Consequently, the contract with Austin was amended and finally prematurely terminated some 4,000 vehicles short of the 15,000 originally contracted.
The Land Rover, which had actually entered army service before the Champ (as early as 1949), was half the price, simpler to maintain and could do 80% of the tasks the Champ could do. Ultimately it replaced the Champ in all roles. The Champ served with the British Army in the UK, Africa, Germany, Cyprus, Libya and the Suez Campaign, and early vehicles were sent for troop trials at the end of the Korean War.
The Champ cost far more than the Land Rover, and was never as popular with troops, probably because the Land Rover with its enclosed cab offered better protection from the elements and greater flexibility in use. With the reduction in size of the post-war army, many Champs were consigned to bulk vehicle storage and those employed in the Regular Army had relatively short careers before being redeployed to the Territorial Army. In the mid-1960s a decision was taken to withdraw the type from service completely, with all military Champs being sold off by 1968 although there is a record of one being sold by government auction as late as 1973. These mass sales made them cheap to buy (£150 being typical in 1966) and with fuel at low 1960s prices, many were bought as "fun" vehicles and used with little regard to the routine maintenance that the complex design required. Consequently, the Champ was regarded with contempt by the emerging military vehicle preservation fraternity and it took some 30 years for the type to earn historic value in its eyes.
The only other forces to use the Champ were the Royal Marines who had 30 and the Australian Army who bought 400 new and about the same number of ex-British Army ones. One or two examples were also used by a mercenary unit in the Congo in the mid 1960s.
The engine was a four-cylinder in-line petrol unit of 2838 cc capacity (3.5-inch-diameter (89 mm) pistons × 4.5-inch (110 mm) stroke) designed by Rolls Royce and was the smallest of the standardised B-Range military engines. These engines had their origin in a 1936 design produced at Derby, with the concept and dimensions first developed for the Rolls-Royce 20 HP of 1922, but with the demands of the war, development was not proceeded with until the late 1940s. The engine was designed with absolute reliability as a prime criterion with fuel economy a secondary consideration, and using British Standard Fine (BSF) thread standards. A feature of this engine was the use of a cast aluminium cylinder head with screwed-in hardened steel valve seats.
With the adoption in 1949 of Unified thread standards, the engine was re-designed and simplified to ease manufacture; a cast-iron cylinder head was used in this version which can be most easily identified by the letters "UNF" cast or pressed into the rocker cover.
Rolls-Royce produced engines at Crewe early in the contract but did not have the capacity for volume production at the rate required, therefore Austin was lent tooling and licensed to build a virtually identical engine, and Austin-made engines were fitted in the great majority of Champs built. Cylinder blocks for both manufacturers were supplied by Leyland Motors.
The gearbox had five ratios with synchromesh on all gears. A conventional Borg & Beck clutch with mechanical linkage was used and drive from the gearbox was by shaft to the rear combined transfer box and differential assembly which incorporated reverse gear, thereby allowing five reverse gears also, and then by a long shaft to the front differential which incorporated a simple dog clutch to enable four-wheel drive when required. A conventional separate transfer case was not possible due to the cruciform layout of the vehicle chassis which placed the junction of the cruciform where the transfer box would reside on a conventional ladder-type chassis. Bendix "Tracta" type constant velocity joints were fitted at all wheel stations. All transmission assemblies were sealed against the ingress of water.
The suspension system was based on longitudinal torsion bars for primary springing and featured fully independent suspension at all four wheels using double wishbones. Each wheel station was also fitted with a rubber cone and cup system to buffer extreme upward suspension travel with energy control exercised by double-acting telescopic hydraulic dampers. This system gave an exceptional cross-country performance. Front and rear axles were constructed into a cradle sub-assembly, which could be rapidly exchanged in the field.
The braking system was supplied by Girling and employed drums and a simple single-line hydraulic layout without power assistance.
The engine, fuel system and all electrical items were waterproofed so the vehicle could wade to a depth of 6 feet (2 m) with minimal preparation; a snorkel attached to the air cleaner and normally carried horizontally on the right wing (US = fender) could be raised during wading operations. Maintaining this level of capability was found to be expensive and of limited value, and the policy of CT vehicles was abandoned in 1956 and the CT family were downgraded to General Service (GS) status.
Electrical equipment fitted on military Champs was a 24-volt system in accordance with agreements reached in 1948 with the US and Canadian armies and comprised standardised military pattern equipment used on many British post-war vehicles, supplied by Lucas, CAV, Delco-Remy and Simms. Instrumentation was a system common to many other military vehicles of the period and supplied by Smiths Instruments of London.
The body was a utilitarian open four-seater tub of welded pressed steel panels, supplied by the Pressed Steel Company, and similar in style to the war-time Jeep layout although unlike the Jeep, the Champ body is designed to carry part of the vehicle stresses and chassis flexing. A simple hood (top) made from PVC coated cloth (trade name Rexine) was provided and a set of weather screens with hinged doors on a simple frame were available for issue in intemperate climates. The inner windscreen opened forwards for ventilation or the whole frame and glass assembly could be folded down onto the bonnet (hood). Military items such as a shovel, pickaxe and a carrier for a standard 20-litre jerrycan (for the carriage of water not fuel) were normally fitted. A 20-gallon (91 litre) fuel tank was located at the rear of the vehicle, giving an operational range of approximately 300 miles.
Various bolt-on kits were produced to convert basic vehicles for specialist roles, for example tactical radio carrier, telephone line laying, field ambulance with two stretchers, and an appliqué armour kit. Strangely, the armour components were listed in the Austin civilian parts catalogue but not in the army one. A standard radio fitting kit for 1/4-ton vehicles comprising a 50-inch table running on sliding runners, battery mountings and appropriate fittings was introduced in 1956. When this kit was fitted, the vehicle was re-designated as Fitted For Radio (FFR) to differentiate it from the basic FFW version.
Some prototype vehicles with a Land Rover-style rear body with tailgate rear access were constructed in an attempt to improve the versatility of the basic design but were not put into production.
Civilian version
Champs made for the civilian market (model WN3) could be specified with the Rolls Royce engine or, as was much more usual, a modified version of Austin's 2660 cc A90 engine. Military body fittings such as rifle clips were omitted and the windscreen was a fixed assembly. Commercial 12-volt electrical components by Lucas Industries were provided and facilities for power take-off, driven from the transfer box, were available.
Around 500 of the civilian version are thought to have been made, including at least one left-hand-drive version. They were priced at £750 in November 1952, and at £1000 in November 1954. Many went to Australia, where some can still be found. Two are known to have survived in the UK.[1] Some of the design features of the Champ were carried over to the Austin Gipsy, of which some 21,000 were made from 1958 to 1967.
The civilian WN3 was adapted as a small fire engine by Fire Armour Ltd of London for use in commercial premises and for locations where large vehicle access was difficult. This version was known as the Firefly and carried a 60-gallon water tank, pump and ladders. One still exists today in preservation. Specialist chemical incident and a light rescue version were offered by the company.
Source: Wikipedia
This sumptuous and opulent ballroom is unique in the palace for the refinement of its Empire-style decor. Lorenzo Santi began the works on the design in 1822, and Giuseppe Borsato completed the decoration in 1838. At both ends, the room is bounded by loggias intended to house the orchestra; above the gilded Corinthian capitals of these fluted columns in polished stucco are two small apses that make the upper area of the ballroom into an oval. The centre of the ceiling is frescoed with Peace, surrounded by the Virtues and the Geni of Olympus. Painted by Odorico Politi, the work is a clear reference to the restoration of the Hapsburgs after the Napoleon period. At the end of the room there are two sculptures in Vicenza stone by Antonio Canova depicting Orpheus and Eurydice. Produced in 1777, they come from the garden of the Villa Falier in Asolo. The handling of the bodies and of their relation with the space around them clearly reveals how the young artist’s Late Baroque style was being changing for a revolutionary feeling in sculptural mass.
Visita il Museo Correr --- --- --- The room for which the church of San Geminiano was destroyed. --- --- --- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Geminiano,_Venice
1937 Packard Twelve Coupe
Ironically, many of the greatest automobiles of the classic era arose from the depths of the Great Depression. The Packard Twelve had few peers and was acknowledged as one of the finest automobiles of its time, and Packard’s relentless and careful refinement ensured that these hand-built “Senior” Packard models continue to rank among the most highly prized and sought-after classics today.
By the 1930s, the Packard Motor Car Company already possessed a wealth of experience with 12-cylinder engines. Their first, the Twin Six of 1916-1923, had become almost synonymous with the genre and was phased out in favor of the simpler and more advanced Single Eight that was introduced in 1924. While the Single Eight set new standards for smoothness and agility during the late 1920s, the rekindled multi-cylinder wars had resumed in earnest by the onset of the 1930s in Detroit. Cadillac introduced both its V-16 in 1930 and its V-12 in 1931, while Auburn, Marmon, Pierce-Arrow and even Franklin had their own 12-cylinder engines in the wings for 1932.
Resurrecting the “Twin Six” name, Packard met this new competitive threat with a completely new engine. A large-displacement V-12 design with a 67-degree cylinder-bank angle, development of this new power unit was the happy by-product of an aborted front-wheel drive development project. As released, the new Twelve initially displaced 445 cubic inches, 20 more than the old Twin Six, while developing 75 percent more power. In 1933, the model name was simplified to “Packard Twelve,” and two years later, engine displacement rose to 473 cubic inches, and output now climbed accordingly to 175 brake horsepower.
The weight of the car is 5,255 pounds, and the original list price was $3,420 - a tidy sum for the period. This top-of-the-line Packard was purchased by its current owner from the Columbus, Ohio Packard dealership in 1955.
Overall, the Packard Twelve was a conservative car with finely tailored lines, elegant appointments, a refined chassis and a whisper-quiet, 12-cylinder engine. All-new bodies introduced for 1935 offered true envelope styling with the body, hood, fenders and running boards incorporated into a smooth design. In addition, increased horsepower and improvements in suspension and steering, along with improved engine mounts, provided ease of operation and dramatically improved passenger comfort.
While the 1936 models were virtually unchanged, the Fifteenth Series of 1937 brought a comprehensive series of mechanical improvements. Most notably, the introduction of “Safe-T-Flex” independent front suspension, based on the sound design of the junior One-Twenty, debuted on the “Senior” Packard models. Other improvements included the adoption of hydraulic brakes, disc-type steel wheels and the elimination of the Bijur central chassis lubrication system.
While 1937 was a good year for Packard, just 1,300 Twelves were produced, all but ensuring their place among the rarest and most desired masterpieces of the Classic Era.
Credits
• Excerpts taken from RM Sotheby’s web site
• Placard display at America Packard Museum
On a personal note, Dayton, Ohio holds a special place in my heart. My Dad, a “professional” road driver for C/F (Consolidated Freightways) ran Chicago to Dayton for about ten years. As I remember he liked the “Dayton run”. Being one of the high seniority drivers at C/F, I recall he bid for the Dayton haul several years in a row. He favored not only the “run” but would speak well of the city. It impressed him as a clean and “well laid out” city.
I remember as a kid, a family vacation we took to Dayton - to the Wright Patterson Air Force base museum. I loved airplanes and it was a real thrill for me. My Mom - oh not so much but she enjoyed seeing Dayton and she enjoyed dining out in the evenings. I suppose you could say Mom just enjoyed going places as a family and seeing the C/F terminal where her husband traveled to and from so many times - in the hot blistering summers and the cold and many times, dangerous icy winters. Or maybe she was just scouting out the area where C/F put the drivers up for the night to see if there were any suspicious looking honky tonks in the area.
And Dayton has another significance for me. The headquarters of the corporation that I worked for the last five years of my career, Dayton-Superior Corporation is located in Dayton.
This past September when my wife and I traveled to Dayton for the Dayton Concours d’Elegance Carillon Park I never got to see the Dayton-Superior headquarters nor, of course was there anything remaining of the old Consolidate Freightways terminal as C/F had gone out of business years before. The day, a Sunday, September 17th, dawned as a beautiful day - in the low 80’s, partly sunny and no humidity. Although the Concours event turned out to be a bust, the day was saved when we left and drove over to the Packard Museum located on Ludlow Street, the south side of town . Even the area, the street conveyed a feeling of “days of yore” - devoid of all cars and people. The day at this museum I wish I could have kept sealed in a bottle and lived over and over. Probably not much fun for my wife but she never complained. Where did I find this girl? For me, however, the afternoon spent taking pictures inside the museum was like a kid being in a candy store. The staff was extremely accommodating, allowing me to use my tripod and basically giving me free run of the place. I loved the look and “feel” and even the smell of the place. The building is actually the original location of the Citizen’s Motorcar Company, a Packard dealership dating back to 1917.
Hope you enjoy (as much as I enjoyed taking this and many more pictures at this museum)…………..
Narenjestan Qavam in wikipedia
Qavam House (also widely called "Narenjestan e Ghavam") is a traditional and historical house in Shiraz, Iran.
It was built in the mid to late 1800s by Mirza Ibrahim Khan. The Qavam family were merchants originally from Qazvin. But they soon became active in the government during the Zand dynasty, followed by the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasty as well.
The Qavam "Naranjestan" preserves the elegance and refinement enjoyed by the upper class families during the nineteenth century. The paintings on the low ceilings of the house are inspired by Victorian era Europe...more
See also: Iran, Fars, Shiraz in Wikipedia.
نارنجستان قَوام که به باغ قوام مشهور است، بین سالهای ۱۲۵۷ تا ۱۲۶۷ هجری شمسی، مقارن با حکومت ناصرالدین شاه قاجار و بدستور علی محمد خان(قوام الملک دوم) و پسرش محمد رضا خان(قوام الملک سوم) در شیراز ساخته و تکمیل شدهاست. ساختمان نارنجستان در زمینی بمساحت ۳۵۰۰ متر مربع و با زیربنای ۹۴۰ متر مربع در دو جبهه جنوبی و شمالی توسط هنرمندان شیرازی ساخته شدهاست. سردر ورودی در ضلع جنوبی قرار داشته و به یک هشتی باز میگردد و از طریق دو راهرو قرینه به حیاط راه میابد. بنای ضلع جنوبی شامل دو ایوان ستوندار و اتاقهایی است که محل استقرار خدمه بودهاست. ساختمان ضلع شمال دارای یک طبقه زیرزمین و دو طبقه روی آن بوده که شامل تالار آیینه با ستونهای یکپارچه مرمری، تالار شاه نشین و اتاقهایی است که محل تشریفات اداری و پذیرش مهمانان بودهاست. این عمارت از نظر هنرهایی از قبیل آیینه کاری، شیشه کاری، نقش پردازی، منبت کاری، حجاری، گچ کاری و مقرنس کاری بکار رفته در آن از زیباترین بناهای این دوره در شیراز میباشد.
بنای نارنجستان در سال ۱۳۴۵ هجری شمسی به دانشگاه شیراز اهدا گردید و بین سالهای ۱۳۴۸ تا ۱۳۵۸ هجری شمسی مورد استفاده موسسه آسیایی، تحت سرپرستی پروفسور آرتور اپهام پوپ، ایران شناس معروف بودهاست.
در سالهای اخیر زیرزمین ضلع شمالی تعمیرات اساسی گردیده و به عنوان موزه مورد استفاده قرار گرفته که در آن اشیای فرهنگی اهدایی پروفسور پوپ نگهداری میشود.
Pine Mountain, QLD. I found this little one today on my walk through Pine Mountain. This species was well dispersed through the area where I walked, and after a while I found one who wasn't on the timid side. I tried a new tactic today whistling with a gum leaf. It was vaguely popular with this one, but needs much refinement. The noise they make is more of a squeak than a call. At least my gum leaf was squeaky.
Pink is not just for girls, and it is not just a pretty color. Pink roses have deep significance when it comes to affections given and received. The most widely accepted interpretation of pink roses is grace and gentility. An admiration for beauty, refinement and enduring grace is what the pink rose connotes. The receiver of the pink rose can rest assured that he or she is admired for possessing a certain respectability and decorum not commonly found in others.
Ref: www.roseforlove.com/the-meanings-of-pink-roses-light-pink...
Doll is 2016's Contrasting Proposition Natalia wearing blouse from Vivacite' Eugenia Perrin-Frost and skirt from Edge of Night Amirah Majeed. Her purse is from Refinement Vanessa Perrin and for the life of me, I can not recall which doll these shoes came from.
MM-23C “Temare” Medium Combat Frame (Command & Control variant)
Equipment:
- Machine pistol
- Multi-spectral sensor/comms array
-SuspendedAnimation-: Impetus for the original Rascal mech design/refinement (www.flickr.com/photos/160654348@N03/51691653110/)
Matt Lee: Original Rascal mech design adapted from SuspendedAnimation's Spearfisher (www.flickr.com/photos/69510126@N05/51688307635/)
"In war, as in life, refinement is everything."
- Decepticon gunsmith
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A rebuild of my bounder and cad Decepticon (previously a duocon). Just imagine him talking like Terry-Thomas and you're most of the way there with his personality.
My ballgown is in a nice and super girly bubble gum pink color. The bodice is very comfortable with small shoulder straps and is decorated with lots of tiny silver beads. The full length skirt is huge and has many layers: first several layers of petticoat to give it volume, then a layer of pink satin and on top an additional layer of soft tulle for some extra refinement and elegance. A matching pink scarf completes the look. This gown is truly a delight to wear, so thumbs up for pink ballgown pleasure.
RUBBERBANDance Group
HISTORY RBDG
Company Overview
Victor Quijada, choreographer and performer, founded the RUBBERBANDance Group (RBDG) to make it a channel for expressing and disseminating its choreographic identity by creating, among others, evocative and unpublished plays. The company, co-directed by interpreter Anne Plamondon, is responsible for creating, producing and distributing Quijada's work nationally and internationally in the form of shows, films and special events.
With RBDG, Victor Quijada reconciles the aesthetics of the two poles of the dance that inhabit him: the spontaneity, the risk, the temerity and the audacity of his youth, while he was bathing in hip-hop culture and refinement and the choreographic maturity of ballet and contemporary dance, where he evolved as a professional dancer. The revolutionary character of the aesthetic movement created by Quijada is illustrated by a dozen years of research that have led to more than twelve creations. Impressed by the inherent independence of the street and a keen sense of direction, Quijada's choreographies explore human relationships by capturing the ardor of obsession, the brutality of violence, the delicacy of tenderness , comedy and tragedy, not forgetting sincerity and courage.
Carrying the sensibility of street dancers, Victor Quijada seeks ways to integrate the spontaneity of hip-hop circles into the stage. He has explored various forums, made spontaneous representations and knocked down barriers between performers and the public in innumerable ways. All this with the same objective: to get rid of the format of the usual representations so that the public experiences the dance actively, rather than passively.
In addition to their stage and film creations, Victor Quijada and Anne Plamondon have developed a training program to prepare professional dancers for the demands of Quijada's choreographies. This program introduces the dancers to a hybrid movement influenced by the vocabularies of urban and contemporary dances, with emphasis on interpretation, decision-making, the use of rhythmic variations and accompaniment. Workshops, lecture-demonstrations, question and answer sessions and school performances are also regularly offered as part of the tours.
RBDG also helps young choreographers who want to express their own voice. The Post Hip Hop Project, born in 2009 at the Cinquième Salle, invites young artists to work their creations under the mentorship of Victor Quijada and then present them to the public.
Company History
Founded in Montreal in 2002, the company immediately delighted the public and critics with three creations presented at Espace Tangente over two seasons. At the same time, the company participates in mixed programs and organizes parties throughout the city to present smaller pieces. Tender Loving Care and Hasta La Próxima share a place in the top five dance productions of the newspaper Le Devoir, while Elastic Perspective begins in 2003 a series of more than 100 performances after winning the RIDEAU Prize at Festival Vue on the Relève. The RUBBERBANDance Group then obtains a residence at Usine C for the 2003-2004 season. The play Slicing Static was created, and later named the best dance production in 2004 by the Hour newspaper.
In 2005, Anne Plamondon joined Quijada as artistic director to assist with strategic planning. A second residency at Usine C was granted to them in 2006, followed by a four-year residency at Place des Arts. During this period, four new pieces were created, thanks to the support of multiple partners: Loan Sharking and AV Input / Output in 2008, Punto Ciego in 2009 and Gravity of Center in 2011.
RBDG also co-produced five films choreographed by Victor Quijada. The choreographer goes so far as to realize two: Secret Service and Small Explosions That Are Yours to Keep. Hasta La Próxima, shot in 2003, is a finalist in the short film category at the American Choreography Awards.
Now well established, the company embodies Canadian artistic innovation in the United States, Europe, Mexico and Japan. RBDG is at the forefront of the Montreal contemporary dance community and is recognized internationally for its unique vision of this form of dance.
In terms of peer recognition, Quijada received the Choreography Fellowship from the Princess Grace Foundation (USA), the Peter Darrell Choreography Award (England), the Bonnie Bird North American Award (England), the Choreography Media Honors (US) in addition to a second PGF award with the 2016 Work in Progress Residency Award.
Well, finally, after a long hiatus I am posting something. Humvee model, design from @tiger_1_3_1 on Instagram, with my refinements aimed at eliminating some "illegal" techniques, the camouflage is 100% taken from @brickbattlefield - I really hate reproducing camos in Lego, so I am really glad someone already made the vehicle in appropriate colors which I could copy onto my build.
Overall, 10/10 build, some clever techniques were used here, and most of the parts are easily available in necessary colors. Deals with Tiger are a treat!
Photos were taken with phone camera and with daylight being light source, I think it came out remarkably okay, for my photo skills lol. I will definitely get a proper lightbox and a lamp someday, it's just low on my priority list and I have problems with storage space (there's none).
You can expect more posts in coming weeks, as I did build some stuff over the last months, a lot of it are smaller things, not sure if I will drop them into single post or separate ones, I will see I guess.
Sorry I have been really busy.. I will try and catch up when I can. Thank you all very much for your wonderful comments.
I meet up with a wonderful flickr and we had a wonderful time getting blown and rained on while looking around the city. It was great to meet up with her. Pity the weather wasn't kinder!
September 19, 2015 Christchurch, New Zealand.
It got so wet and cold we spent some time looking around the inside of the Heritage Hotel.
A Write up About the Heritage Hotel.
Christchurch is a long way from the Mediterranean – nevertheless, the opulence of an Italian High Renaissance Palazzo awaits you at the Heritage Christchurch. Designed by Joseph Clark Maddison and opened in 1913, the hotel is listed as a category one building on the Historic Places Trust Register, reflecting its status as a building of national significance. The hotel’s grand design is fitting: after all, Christchurch is regarded as the Garden City, and is regarded internationally for its culture and refinement.
For more Info and photos:http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/city-centre/9191247/Heritage-Hotel-reopens-on-birthday