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Thursday 5th October/…With the October 27, 2006 release of Guild Wars® Nightfall™ drawing close, nearly half a million players around the world got their first taste of one of the year's most-anticipated games in last weekend's World Preview Event. Players spent an average of 8.5 hours each over the course of the weekend, announced ArenaNet®, developer of the award-winning Guild Wars franchise, amassing more than four million total hours of game play. This weekend's numbers shattered the previous attendance record of three million hours set during the Guild Wars Factions™ preview event earlier this year, as fans immersed themselves in the new Guild Wars Nightfall continent of Elona, sampling the game's new features, mechanics, and missions.
"We knew we had struck a chord with our players as soon as the Nightfall World Preview Event got underway," said Mike O'Brien, co-founder of ArenaNet. "Their response has been amazingly positive to everything in the game; especially the Heroes." Heroes are a new feature of Guild Wars Nightfall. They are non-player characters integral to the storyline that players can customize and control throughout the game. "Heroes gain experience, follow player direction in battle, and can be equipped with skills, weapons, and even secondary professions of the player's choice, said O'Brien. "They are a wildly popular component to this game that we've spent significant time developing, and we're thrilled our fans have responded to it the way they have."
Guild Wars, an instant bestseller in North America and Europe upon its release in April 2005, and Guild Wars Factions, the number one game in both North America and Europe earlier this year, are global online role playing games. In Guild Wars Nightfall you'll explore opulent cities, brave savage coasts, delve deep into ancient monuments, and find your way across poisonous deserts as you determine the fate of the new Realm of Elona. The Guild Wars Nightfall Prerelease Bonus Pack is available in retail stores worldwide now, and the Guild Wars Nightfall Standard Edition and Guild Wars Nightfall Collector's Edition will be released worldwide on 27th October, 2006.


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I'm on a roll! How did I manage to make more new polymer clay items? Especially this month too. I've been so busy with work, finishing deadline for the year and going to a few events - engagement parties, christmas parties, birthdays etc. Not to mention all the christmas duties - searching for presents, putting the tree up, writing cards, and wrapping presents! But I can not wait for the festive holidays to begin. Only 7 working days left for me yippee!
This year I'm going away with friends over new year and doing the family thing over Christmas. But mostly I just wanted to RELAX and not have much planned. What have you guys got planned over Christmas and New Years?
And now, introducing my new items: Peeled banana earrings, hamburger earrings, cupcake, lollipop, and ice cream earrings. All available in my store now!
Tinsel and Baubles,
Mel xx
Sunday, December 13, 2009
2 comments:
- A Girl Called E said...
those burgers are super cute mel! they're making me hungryyyyyyyy
- December 15, 2009 at 3:26 PM
- ChinkyGirLMeL said...
I heart those cupcakes! happy holidays sweetie!
- December 24, 2009 at 11:18 PM
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subset: commoncrawl


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(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Pro-Israel parliamentarians from 21 countries called for increased oversight of funds transferred to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and supported forming an investigative community to look into the group's activities during Operation Protective Edge.
The 27 legislators from 21 countries came to Israel on Sunday for the annual Israel Allies Foundation conference in Jerusalem.
Speaking to a crowd of 5,000 people, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder, and Israel Allies Foundation Chairman Rabbi Benny Elon urged the strengthening of ties between Israel and Jewish and Christian worldwide.
The parliamentarians called for forming a U.N. investigative committee to look into the discovery of weapons in UNRWA facilities during Operation Protective Edge.


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Busy Busy – Where did May go?
Been absent online for about a month, all of May. Not great and please forgive — somewhat fair, given the circumstances which are wonderfully busy. In fact I've circumvented the globe twice in the last 24 months. Not much by many, but still a distance; the last month have been in and out of Nordic airports.
Workshops on distance leadership in a global organization, focusing innovation in a nordic leadership team out of Oslo, reconnecting with the ground breaking Alstom / De Baak AMP in the UK and finally another round of Drilling and Subsea professionals out of Stavanger.
Challenging. Meaningful. Fun.
Now a few weeks around the office before a week in Shanghai. Will try to update the site with images from all of the above. Let me know if any areas are of particular interest.


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(photo credit: soulkaren)
Taylor Hicks
Café Du Nord, San Francisco, California
April 14, 2009
downloads after the jump
* ETA: The downloads of this show are no longer available. Please see Roxy recording and the Roxy downloads for a download of a great Taylor Hicks show.*
Continue reading 'Taylor Hicks, Cafe du Nord, April 14, 2009, FLAC and mp3 download'


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This stunning linen table runner will bring back memories of blowing dandelion clocks. It features my Dandelion print, screen printed by hand in white ink onto natural 100% linen. The print is an original Blue Radish design developed from one of my photographs.
The table runner measures approximately 45cm wide by 150cm long and is made in Russia. All print design and screen printing is done in Canberra by me. Be aware that some shrinkage may occur on first washing.
This listing is for one table runner only. Other items in photos are for illustrative purposes only. Matching napkins are available.
Please note that, due to variations in how different devices depict colours, the colour of the item may differ slightly from the photographs in the listing.
All designs are screen printed by hand by me and I only use high-quality environmentally-friendly Permaset Aqua inks. Due to the nature of hand printing, print position may vary slightly from item to item particularly for items cut from meterage. Handprinted fabrics will feature variations due to the nature of the process. In addition, natural linen contains imperfections and textures which add to the beauty of the item.
Care instructions:
Prints are heat set so all items are fully washable. Use a cold machine wash. Line dry out of direct sunlight. Iron with a hot steam iron, protecting print with ironing cloth. Do not bleach, tumble dry or dry clean.


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With the arrival of summer hibiscus of all types are currently showing off their large, flamboyant flowers. Throughout the world, there are 232 species not including the many hybrids of this versatile plant. In addition to being used as an ornamental in both tropical and temperate landscapes, hibiscus is used for making paper, as a beverage, for medicinal purposes, as a food, and even incorporated in cultural ceremonies. In this region, depending on the species, it a tropical plant, a perennial and a shrub. Let's take a closer look at several of the ornamental species of this fascinating and attractive genus hibiscus.
When you think of hibiscus, you probably think of the bright yellows, reds, pinks, and orange flowers of tropical hibiscus. These types of hibiscus thrive in full sun and are magnets for hummingbirds. Tropical hibiscus will not survive our cold winter temperatures but lucky for us there are hardy varieties of hibiscus.
Perennial hibiscus, commonly called Rose Mallow, are winter hardy and there are several varieties native to North America. In your landscape perennial hibiscus can be used as a focal point in the garden or planted at the edge of a pond or wet area. They prefer full sun to part shade and love moist soils high in organic matter. Hardy hibiscus also attracts hummingbirds and are deer resistant. For the last decade, plant breeders have introduced many new varieties hybridized to enhance desirable attributes such as flower size and color, leaf shape and color and compactness. Flowers of some hybrids are as large as dinner plates, range in color from white, pink, burgundy and bi-color and bloom from July through the summer. Leaf color and shape has not escaped breeders' attention. Intense foliage colors and interesting shapes have added to their attractiveness.
Perennial hibiscus dies back to their roots in winter and is late to show signs of life in the spring. Don't be surprised if there are no signs of life until as late as June. We love the Hibiscus 'Luna Series' for their compact habit and 8-10 inch red, pink, white, or bi-color blooms. They are perfect for your garden or even a container. Some other interesting perennial hybrids include dark-red flowered 'Heartthrob', rose-pink with red-eye 'Fantasia', and 'Midnight Marvel' with dark, maple-like foliage and scarlet flowers.
There's also Hibiscus syriacus, more commonly known as Rose of Sharon. It's a deciduous shrub able to tolerate Chicagoland winters. Varieties feature large trumpet-shaped single and semi-double flowers in a variety of colors including blue, lavender, white and pink. Although individual flowers last only a few days, they produce lots of flowers throughout July, August and into September. Like its perennial counterpart, H. syriacus is late to leaf out in the spring. Shrubs can be pruned to tree form if desired and shaped in the spring to control size. Seed pods should be removed after blooming to eliminate reseeding. Depending on the variety this hibiscus grows six to ten feet high and nearly as wide. Rose of Sharon attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Fun fact: H. syriacus is the national plant of South Korea.


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Contact us to book a hotel or car rental service or Mysore sight seeing package at attractive rates.
We offer you the best value for your money. Let us know what your plans are.
Mysore 570 001
Are you a hotel owner? Does your hotel offer good rooms (We tie up with quality hotels only) at decent rates? Get in touch with us at email@example.com with your best rates and room details.


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The Best of the Music & Art Scene In New York From A to G. Daily!
Posted by The G on November 30, 2013 under Street Art | Read the First Comment
Photo by G.
Free Sticker
Not anymore…
Tags: 2013, Free Sticker, New York, Photo, Sticker, Street Art
Gail said,
Like A2G on Facebook!
© 2019 According 2 G | All Rights Reserved


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May 30, 2014 by FHElessons
The recent abduction of 300 Nigerian girls by Islamic terrorists brings to mind the Book of Mormon story of the kidnapped Lamanite daughters. We can learn lessons from this story to help us in today's world.
Category: Book of Mormon, Scripture Stories
| Tags: Book of Mormon, Free Agency, judging
April 4, 2013 by FHElessons
This is an FHE lesson on the wise use of Free Agency. It teaches that Heavenly Father gives us commandments in order to help us be happy and return again to Him.
Category: adults, kids, lessons, teens
| Tags: Free Agency, Plan of Salvation
Join 1,991 other followers
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|by ~Larsurus
We try and stay pretty neutral here, but man oh man what some people write to Ms. Faust on her dA account just astounds me. I know there's going to be people screaming Fanservice over the turtle, as Dash had a series of fanart drawn with her and a turtle called Speedy, but between what Faust says and the fact the RD Toy comes with a turtle, I'll leave you to your own conclusion.
Again, we try and stay neutral here, but for god sakes people, could you leave this poor lady alone, she is indeed the force behind FiM, but so is the rest of the crew that produces this. I say this due to another chunk of dA commentary someone pointed out to me. I don't have an image, but it was something like this (during the Return of Harmony episodes).
Fan: That episode sucked, you can tell that you were the only talent on that team and your leaving is obviously showing up in Season 2.
Faust: Uh, I worked on that episode.
I know it cannot be helped, and I assume people like this do not come here to DHN, but give her a break, she's got a new show to deal with, and probably will end up disappointed because everyone will be watching MLP.
|Animation Blooper
Submitted by Bob, a tiny animation error found in the episode. You can watch this video which shows it a lot better than this screen shot, but in short the duck in the background is floating in front of Rainbow Dash in the foreground. Simple error in the flash layering. Sisterhooves Social also has one when Sweete jumps through the bucket/barrels on the race track (her tail goes behind the 2nd barrel in the background while she's in the foreground). I'm sure at some point we'll end up with a blooper reel like last season.


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"When it comes to travel, if you don't snooze, you lose, and that's why your own pillow is probably the smartest item you can stuff into your carry on tote, suitcase or back of the car when traveling for any length of time. Even one night spent embracing an offensive pillow can mess with your rest and make you crabby and sluggish!" – Luanne Bradley
But there are a couple of issues here. Pillows are bulky, and don't often fit into your bag. And it's difficult to maneuver trains, buses, taxis, and other forms of transport when you already have your hands full, and then try to stuff a pillow into the mix. Of course you drop it. And now your favorite pillow is dirty and wet. And probably smells like old beer.
But despite these obstacles, the benefits of traveling with your own pillow (outlined below) far outweigh the stress. And teenage girls in particular seem to be all for the craze of carrying a fluffy pillow onto the plane. But other people, like grown men, feel as though they're out of the club.
Enter the Go Pillow Case
The solution to Patrick's travel pillow woes, and yours for that matter, have been solved! An Australian woman named Di Tipper has created the Go Pillow Case – a product which is so simple that it's genius, and means everyone can travel with ease with their pillow from home.
The "Go Pillow" is a case which fits any standard pillow (it actually also fits a single bed doona), and rolls up to 1/3 of its original size. It's small size and easy concept make it a highly sought after product for anyone wanting to travel with their own pillow.
In 3 easy steps, place your pillow into the case. Roll it up and fasten with the extra wide Velcro on the side. That's it! It's that simple! It's so easy to use, and the possibilities are endless. It's compact, light and portable, and packs up small when not in use. You can take it anywhere with the handle on the side.
28 Second Video Demonstration … Because It's That Quick and Easy to Use
Travel Light … With a Full Size Pillow
It might sound like an oxymoron, but the brilliance of the Go Pillow means that you can now travel light, with a full size pillow!! And it looks classy too. The Go Pillow comes in four colors. The two original colors are Black and Navy, though you can also purchase Red and Royal if you're going for a color scheme with your bags.
The fabric is 100% nylon, so it's water resistant, lightweight and durable. Willing to sacrifice my own pillow to test this claim, I pulled out a spray gun and attacked. Turns out my duffel bag isn't water resistant, but the Go Pillow case definitely is!
So I'm happy to know that I can now travel with my pillow in a way which is compact and efficient, while keeping it clean and dry. And, let's be honest, the first 8 seconds of the above video were branding, so really, it should only take you 20 seconds to do!
Check out https://gopillow.com.au for more information or to buy (they ship worldwide). Not yet convinced that this product will revolutionize your life? Here are the reasons why you should travel with your pillow from home.
Reasons to Travel With Your Pillow From Home
Airline Pillows are Useless
"As I'm sure everyone will agree, airline pillows are farcically small and essentially useless; much like airline blankets and headphones. To get a proper amount of sleep, something bigger is required." – Chris Jager.
In a window seat, putting a pillow between your body and the sidewall creates a comfy sleeping surface.
Hotel Pillows are Hit or Miss
The main reason hotels don't offer better pillows, or at least a wider choice, is probably because pillows are the things most often "pinched" by guests. Don't ask me how they're getting past hotel reception without being noticed … maybe they have the Go Pillow Case in their bag!
While more luxury hotels like the Four Seasons are starting to offer "pillow menus" and delivering different pillows upon request, the vast majority are flat, lumpy or densely packed with a foam and feather combo that can make you wake up with a sore neck.
"If you sleep with more than one, sometimes topping one of those pillows with your own can make a big difference. Otherwise, toss em away and have sweeter dreams. But don't forget to remove it in the morning before the maid comes and to pack it when you leave."
If you're wondering why you've picked up allergies on your holiday, or you've gotten 10 times worse, it's probably because of dust mites! Most hotel pillows pick up allergens that graze on your dead skin and hair, and these contribute to asthma and other allergic reactions.
Even in luxury hotels, their pillows aren't usually sealed with dust mite proof protectors. So if you're highly allergic, it makes very good sense to bring your own pillow along. Good health extends to a healthy pillow.
Also, many hotels use harsh laundry chemicals like bleaches, disinfectants and other cleaning products like toxic synthetic compounds to give fragrance to consumer products. There is good reason to pack your own pillow if you're sensitive to those chemicals.
Protect Your Valuables
It's a trick movers use to use pillows as padding to protect fragile or breakable items. If you're traveling with the Go Pillow in your bag (it's compact, so it fits!), this can work as added cushion for any breakables you might be traveling with.
Any souvenirs or holiday gifts, any kind of glass you might be traveling with (like perfume bottles or alcohol), it's less likely to break with the added padding of your pillow.
Sleeping in Transit
Whether you're catching a flight, train, bus, or tossing your pillows in the back of the car on a road trip, having your own pillow makes it much more comfortable to catch a nap in transit.
Nothing beats having your own pillow when your away from home,
for a good night sleep. What a great idea!!
pillows in the Go Pillow. It was so easy and made
such a difference having the comfort of your own
pillow when sleeping in so many different beds.
on a girl's weekend recently and absolutely loved it.
There is nothing like the comfort of your own pillow
when in a strange bed.
That day at the airport my backpack weighed 16.5kgs.
We only bought the bare basics…. And my pillow made
the cut, thanks to you… And I was so grateful to have it.
So glad we took three for our pillows as the ones
in the resort were rock-hard! We were able to take
our pillows as carry-on luggage too. Just great to
sleep on your own pillow no matter where you are.
Highly recommended.
Check out https://gopillow.com.au for more information or to buy (they ship worldwide).


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Sunday, July 14, 2013
The voice of your spirit...
Now that I have constant quiet...I am trying to train myself to hear the word of God. It is a bit tricky because first we have our Heart - the deceitful center of physical and spiritual life. Next is the soul - God's famous free will gift to us which is the seat of our feelings/desires/affections. And then there is the Spirit...our only link to God's voice but remains dormant as being controlled by our earthly bondage. That pathway is very hard to hear but the voice is there. The heart is wicked and all but dead...as bondage to the heart and soul diminishes - the voice of the spirit gets easier to hear.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked : who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick , and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would . 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written , Eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received , not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
-Thanks to Pastor John Wiley for this message
7 comments:
- Jennifer Chandler said...
Beautiful words and a much welcomed message/reminder to 'Be still and know that He is God'!
- July 14, 2013 at 9:57 PM
- Sue Mackey said...
I look forward to your blog every Sunday night. Have a great week John.
- July 14, 2013 at 10:09 PM
- mary lee said...
I get your blog the day after you write it, because of the time difference I am asleep when you write it. You give me a look at what life should be. Enjoy.
- July 15, 2013 at 4:41 AM
- Janet said...
John -- If you scroll down, you will read of Bruce Olson's experience of hearing the "piping" turkey in the midst of loud jungle noise. An amazing man, an amazing book . . . http://www.bruceolson.com/english/texts/beotext1.html
- July 15, 2013 at 8:47 AM
- Bee Caz said...
Good words, John.
- July 15, 2013 at 9:07 AM
- Dizzy-Dick said...
Very well stated, my friend. Keep up the good work.
- July 15, 2013 at 10:35 AM
- remmij said...
in reference to Janet's post about Bruce Olson:
first, great parallel to John's observations on auditory/spiritual filtering and sifting - enjoyed reading both John and Bruce's accounts.
A small aside: while I ended up reading the entire 'Hostage' story (plus some of the others on his site) if someone wanted to quickly find the 'piping turkey' reference they could use this tool - it has saved me a great deal of time since I learned about it -
- July 15, 2013 at 11:45 AM


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Are you and your clients discussing retirement plan fees more frequently? That makes sense considering recent litigation and regulations have heightened awareness of fiduciary responsibility related to fees.1 So how do you take advantage of these opportunities and ensure you're abiding by Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary rules?
What challenges are you most likely to hear from plan sponsors? What is the biggest driver for a plan sponsor to move to fee levelization? And what options are most clients using?
Then, educate your clients/prospects on retirement plan fee levelization options and considerations. It's easy. Consider sharing the PowerPoint below to help kick off things. Or check out some of the other tools/resources below, including the "What's all the buzz about leveling retirement plan fees" white paper.
A fee policy statement provides guidelines for your clients to help them monitor their retirement plan fees and expenses with service providers on a regular basis. By doing this, your clients can better manage their related fiduciary duties. See the template below to create a fee policy statement for all your clients.


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Test N Tune Tires
Getting more out of your vehicle, and more out of life, means making sure the rubber that meets the road is in good safe condition. Tires that are not regularly inspected may be come worn out resulting in a flat tire, a dangerous blow out on the highway or potentially even worse. Test N Tune's highly trained technicians can inspect your tires and make sure you and your family remains safe, no matter where life road takes you.
Tire Alignment & Rotation Services
If you have experienced your vehicle driving side to side as you drive, abnormal wear and tear on your tires, or a tilted steering wheel to drive straight, there is a good chance your vehicle is in need of an alignment service. Having a straight alignment as well as rotating your tires every 6,000-8,000 miles helps ensures your get the maximum life and use out of your tires.
Why Choose Us
Test N Tune Tire and Service Center offers a large selection of tires, that will fit your vehicle and your budget. Tires are often available same day with no shipping or delivery charges to you the customer. Test N Tune offers free tire rotation for life, free tire repair until 4/32 of tread is left and free tire replacement (ask about terms and conditions) on all new tire purchases. When it comes to selecting the right tires for your vehicle, don't depend on a discount website, but rather trust the experienced technicians at Test N Tune. Computerized Alignment service also available with all new tires.
Customer service is fantastic!
Love this garage and have full confidence taking our regular and hybrid cars there. They always take the time to explain the repairs to me and show me old parts, computer tests, etc. I feel like I learn a lot here that helps me make informed decisions about my car. Customer service is fantastic!
The staff was very friendly
Had an oil change and state inspection done last week. The staff was very friendly on the phone and were able to get me in the next day. The work was done quickly, efficiently, and accurately at an affordable price. The waiting room was comfortable and the staff was very hospitable. Will most certainly be returning for future car work.
Test N Tune is not your average car shop
I was educated more in 10 minutes than I have ever in my life with any other mechanic about my car! They don't try to sell you service and/or parts that are unnecessary. I saved hundreds of dollars going with them over the competition and with their credit financing option, it's a no brainier.
We've taken our cars to Test N Tune for years.
They've always done great work, they are fast (especially when we've had both cars die on the same day, twice!), and I've never felt like I was getting charged for more than what was needed. When taking our van to the dealer, when we got the van home after inspection, something would break. Right away. So, we called TNT. They are 'our mechanics,' and we've even gotten family to switch.


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Antique 4 Drawer Dresser, Just in Today! I can work with you to pick the finish color and style you are going for. $495
Contact Kristen at 469-693-6743 if interested or by email at firstname.lastname@example.com
Hmm, maybe the Jourdan look?
or a weathered cream look?
Or a Vintage Metallic Sheen?
So many choices, one fabulous antique dresser!


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The Hotel Murano is full with Madrona Attendees
The Hotel Murano will keep a Wait List – see below for instructions to get on the Wait List, ask questions or get help with your reservation. NO PHONE CALLS TO THE HOTEL!
Other Local Hotels
- Holiday Inn Express – 4 blocks from the Murano: 253-272-2434
- Marriott Courtyard – 3 blocks from the Murano: 253-591-9100
- Best Western Tacoma Dome – light rail connection to the Murano: 253-272-7737
- Silver Cloud – Shuttle bus to the Murano: 253-272-1300
- Candlewood Inn and Suites – 10 minutes drive to the Murano: 253-584-0868
- La Quinta Inn and Suites: 253-383-0146
- Hampton Inn: 253-539-2288
- Clarion Inn: 253-475-5900
As the room availability in the block decreases you may not be able to find rooms available for all your dates. Do not despair. You can put yourself on the Wait List (see below) that the Hotel Murano keeps. There are many changes and cancellations that take place before the Retreat.
Murano Hotel Wait List and Help
Wait list and help requests will be taken by email only. Email Nichole Broughton at the email address below and include the phone number you can be reached at in the email. Put "Madrona" in the email subject line with the type of request – examples: "Madrona – Wait list", "Madrona – Update Reservation", "Madrona – Help".
Your requests will be responded to in order received and Nichole will get to everyone she receives an email from.
Hotel Murano Special Rates for Madrona Winter Retreat Attendees
- You are responsible for making your own hotel reservation. We recommend that you do not wait to make your reservation as they go quickly.
- We have a large block of rooms at the Hotel Murano for Madrona attendees. The special rates listed below are guaranteed until January 30, 2019 or until the Madrona rooms are sold out. See below for description of rooms, special rates and other information
- If you wish to come a few days before the Winter Retreat or stay later these rates will apply to dates from February 11-20, 2019
- Free internet access is included in the room rate for all Madrona guests.
- Hotel Murano is non-smoking.
- Special rooms for disabled guests are available by request.
- You will receive a confirmation of your online reservation by return email.
The following special rates at the Hotel Murano are for single and double occupancy. There is a $10 charge for Triple occupancy and another $10 charge for Quad occupancy. Free internet access is included in your room rate.
- Double Deluxe (2 double beds): $145 plus tax
- King Deluxe (1 king bed): $145 plus tax
- Double Patron (Secure floor, 2 double beds, continental breakfast): $175 plus tax
- King Patron (Secure floor, 1 king bed, continental breakfast): $175 plus tax
- King Junior Suite (large room, 1 king bed, sitting area): $185 plus tax
- King Superior Suite (2 rooms, 1 king bed, 1 sofa sleeper, 2 baths): $265 plus tax applies for Double, Triple and Quad rate.
Obtaining a roommate: We recommend that if you want to find a roommate that you should check on Ravelry in the Madrona Fiber Arts group.


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Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son: "Happy New Year"Posted December 31, 2001 by Jan
Mae Hong Son
December 31, 2001
Dear Family and Friends,
I am writing from Mae Hong Son, a small town in the mountains in the northwest corner of Thailand, near the border with Myanmar (Burma).
Tonight is New Year's Eve and the hotel is providing a "gala dinner" and entertainment. I have also found two noisy clubs with live music, so there will be no lack of celebration. The town is fully booked with Thai people on vacation and an assortment of "farangs" -- foreigners.


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Penn State, State College Noon News & Features: Tuesday, Sept. 4
Noon News is back after our Labor Day break.
State College, Penn State and Centre County are in the news all over cyberspace. We post links to the most noteworthy local stories every weekday in Noon News & Features.
Here is Tuesday's offering:
- Weekend Roundup From the Penn State Police Log - StateCollege.com
- Sexual Assault Reported in State College - Centre Daily Times
- Schools Refresh Menus to Get Kids Munching on Healthier Foods - Centre Daily Times
- Jordan Hill Says Postgame Alma Mater Blunder was 'Overlooked by Accident' - StateCollege.com
- Bill O'Brien Era Begins at Penn State - ESPN.com
- Room To Grow: Penn State Must Improve in Several Areas to Beat Virginia - Harrisburg Patriot-News
- Penn State Football: Billy Ball Really Needs Belton - StateCollege.com
- Vaccinations: Create Open Discussions with Your Doctor and Detox Methods - Centre County Gazette
Onward State
Nate Mink covers Penn State football and news for StateCollege.com. He's on Twitter as @MinkNate.
More articles by Nate Mink →


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The 10th Int'l Conference on Computational Intelligence and Software Engineering (CiSE 2018) will be held from January 5-7, 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. This Conference will cover issues on Computational Intelligence and Software Engineering. CiSE 2018 is sponsored by Engineering Information Institute, Open Access Library, Scientific Research Publishing, and 1000thinktank. It dedicates to creating a stage for exchanging the latest research results and sharing the advanced research methods.
For additional information about this meeting please visit http://www.engii.org/conference/CiSE2018/


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Tips on How to Handle Long Trips?
Greetings from London! It's Day One, and I've literally been on planes, trains, and automobiles...all in a span of 24 hours, with little sleep, and no clue what time it is anywhere. In fact, I'm writing this on adrenaline alone, so please forgive any grammatical or spelling mistakes...But putting aside travel weariness, here's the question I'd like to propose to all of you dear readers: How do you handle long trips and jet lag?
Thus far, I've concocted my own essentials to dealing with long plane rides in particular: With space at a minimum, it's hard to get comfortable (unless you are prepared to drop some coin on a first class ticket with those fold out seat-beds!), so here is my list of must-haves that I bring along in my carry-on:
1. A headrest pillow. I always kick myself when I forget it because when I start dozing off, I do the head-bob jerk which is the worst. Or I find myself in an awkward situation if I happen to be sitting next to a complete stranger and wake up leaning on their shoulder.
2. A sweater or a blanket. No matter if it's the dead of summer, airplanes tend to get chilly; so it's always a good idea to bring an extra layer of protection.
3. Water. With security measures being what they are, I tote around an empty Nalgene bottle and fill it up at a water fountain.
4. Xanax. (Just kidding. But not really.)
5. Entertainment. Although this one is becoming obsolete. So many planes now offer a vast amount of in-flight movies, TV shows, and music; i.e. my flight had about 60 movies available to watch on demand.
What are some of your travel tips to make longer trips more comfortable? Share it with us in the comments!


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Why are women more than twice as vulnerable to PTSD than men? New evidence suggests that oestrogen may play a role in the disorder. Vasiliki Michopulos at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, is researching genetic and biochemical factors which influence anxiety.
"The horrible event may be over, but you're held hostage by what happened to you."
"As we discover how PTSD differs between people, we realise treatments should differ too."
New Scientist No. 3091, 17th September 2016, p.38-41.


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Elladene #4
ISO: 100, Shutter speed: 1/60, Aperture: f/11,
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Flash: Lights, Cropping: Square,
Lens: N/A, Focal length: 15mm,
Captured: 22nd December 2006, 11:20pm,
Here's the final picture of Deney (for now, anyway) and it's my favourite of the three, though it's not at all Christmassy so perhaps I ought to have chosen something better given the date.
Permanent link to this page:
Tom PH, Mon 25th Dec, 2006, 3:10pm
Mal, Tue 26th Dec, 2006, 11:15am
groovyf, Tue 26th Dec, 2006, 11:38am
JD, Wed 27th Dec, 2006, 12:57am
m i k e b, Wed 27th Dec, 2006, 3:38pm
Jonathan, Thu 28th Dec, 2006, 8:28am
jelb, Thu 28th Dec, 2006, 3:44pm
Elad, Tue 2nd Jan, 2007, 12:25am
Richard, Thu 4th Jan, 2007, 12:16am
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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
one ornament at a time...
15 comments:
ah c'mon show us your house!!!ReplyDelete
Oh I adore this, Theresa, it's just perfect!! xoReplyDelete
I'm so with ya Girlfriend - but I can't even say my Louise is looking that festive - gee, can't even say I HAVE a Louise... ;o) Love, love, LOVE her ornamentation though!!! Hang in there - and "La La La" to you too....Smiles & Hugs ~ RobinReplyDelete
Theresa, same as here, not yet much to show in my home---but I love the tree ornament, and wishes you a lovely week -preparing.ReplyDelete
Hi Theresa, I want to see you home and all of your decorations....you know how nosey we bloggers can be.ReplyDelete
I love the ornament necklace hanging around her neck. Which reminds me that I need to give mine some Christmas cheer.
one is enough when it looks like THAT! love! merry xmas! ;)ReplyDelete
Louise looks So Special, I bet your home is Amazing.... I did finally take my little tree out of the storage closet, but it is still just sitting on the floor, been too busy to do anything more, plus my cat loves batting at the ornaments (kept on the tree during storage) Have a Non Hectic, Beautiful week~ReplyDelete
Have to do decorating too! Love your Christmas Tree necklace!ReplyDelete
Don't worry, you still have 10 days! ;)ReplyDelete
Your ornament is precious!! I have been so smitten with bottle brush trees this year. Have a peaceful and merry week! HeidiReplyDelete
I think maybe you should just enjoy what you have done and sit back and soak in the holidays because pretty soon it will be time to take the decorations down LOL!!ReplyDelete
bring on the crazy, theresa!!! it's crazy here as well and it's a good kind, so i'm having fun!ReplyDelete
I totally think she is dressed for a pic! LOVE the frame!!! Very cute!ReplyDelete
Hi Theresa sweet,ReplyDelete
I have missed coming by to see how you are, but thought I would stop by tonight to leave you a Merry Christmas Wish.
Oh yes, isn't it great when we can edit out the 'crazy' in our photos. Wouldn't it be nice if we could make them disappear as easily in real life?
sending hugs...
Hi Theresa,ReplyDelete
Just stopping by to wish you and your family the Very Merriest of Christmases. Hope you get loads of time with your family this Christmas. It's fun to have my family under one roof again. Merry Christmas Theresa!
Thank you so much for visiting me here at The Old White House, your comments make my day! ~ Theresa xoxo


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Hong Kong should maintain its dollar peg as the cornerstone of stability in its financial system, given its small open economy, the International Monetary Fund said.
The international body forecast that the city's economy is likely to expand 2.5 percent this year, with an annual growth rate of 3.5 percent in the medium term, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reported on Thursday.
Hong Kong is poised to face increasing challenges as its interest rates rise alongside the hiking cycle of the United States' fed fund rate while economic growth and property price rises are slowing down, the IMF said in a staff report.
It called on the government to increase spending on infrastructure and urban renewal projects as well as adopt more supportive measures for small enterprises in its new budget policy to be unveiled in February.
Reducing stamp duties while maintaining prudential policies in the property market should be considered when property transactions shrink to a level that negatively affects the economy, the fund said.
The IMF also urged authorities to strengthen regulations on securities, brokerage trading and asset management markets amid new business structures and models as well as new channels linking the markets in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Financial Secretary John Tsang said Hong Kong has a strong and stable foundation to face global market volatilities triggered by the US rate hike cycle.
[Chinese version中文版]
– Contact us at [email protected]


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Join our Discord!
You used a font I don't likeLooks fine now.
side question... regarding your description, how do you recommend one to tell if the non-existent someone with whom one is conversing is not actually the one who exists and that ones' self is the one who does not exist?
heh. alcohol is not a recourse available to me. but thanks for trying. ^^ any other suggestions?
Once upon a time, I, Chuang Chou, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Chou. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.
* How do I know that enjoying life is not a delusion? How do I know that in hating death we are not like people who got lost in early childhood and do not know the way home? Lady Li was the child of a border guard in Ai. When first captured by the state of Jin, she wept so much her clothes were soaked. But after she entered the palace, shared the king's bed, and dined on the finest meats, she regretted her tears. How do I know that the dead do not regret their previous longing for life? One who dreams of drinking wine may in the morning weep; one who dreams weeping may in the morning go out to hunt. During our dreams we do not know we are dreaming. We may even dream of interpreting a dream. Only on waking do we know it was a dream. Only after the great awakening will we realize that this is the great dream. And yet fools think they are awake, presuming to know that they are rulers or herdsmen. How dense! You and Confucius are both dreaming, and I who say you are a dream am also a dream. Such is my tale. It will probably be called preposterous, but after ten thousand generations there may be a great sage who will be able to explain it, a trivial interval equivalent to the passage from morning to night.
A trap is for fish: when you've got the fish, you can forget the trap. A snare is for rabbits: when you've got the rabbit, you can forget the snare. Words are for meaning: when you've got the meaning, you can forget the words. Where can I find someone who's forgotten words so I can have a word with him?...
and back on topic: the Master of the Unseen Hand needs to be added to the Other and/or CHA section of the handbook, as it allows not only the use of CHA to Telekinesis instead of INT, it also allows Psionics to benefit from the class abilities due to how it is worded.
I'm sure this list will be more useful and fun to produce then my last couple lists, which include "all outsiders ranked by challenge rating" and "every advanced material for armor/weapons" (both of which are a little outdated at the moment, but I could upload if anyone wanted them and could tell me where would be a good place to do such a thing.)
Also, Masters of the Wild, a proper, not 3rd party dnd book has a variant on page 18 for letting barbarians use strength on intimidate checks.


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Hey there darling!
Are you driving somewhere? I think you are and if you're not, hop on. I will take you halfway there.
What drives you? That is today's topic. What makes you want to go out and work hard on your dreams?
Have you stopped recently to think about it? Come on, answer it yourself. What makes you do what you do? How are you working on getting your dreams?
Yes, as we drive down the never-ending road of life, beach on the left, mountain on the right, I wanted to ask you these questions more than talk to you. I think you needed this quick reminder on what drives you, not where life takes you. I want to know what is in that brain of yours and most of all, heart.
What is it that you really want more than anything? That thought that you think about everyday?
Exactly, that is what we are here for. Take a deep breath, talk to me. Write it down and let it flow. Take your time and as soon as you are done, smile. You got a goal, you got something in your life that makes it worthwhile. Now, that drive that you have within you, we got to take it to the top!
You see, in this new age that we are living in, anything is possible. From self-employed billionaires to cashiers whose hobbies are kayaking or creating art. My point is that you got the right to be happy, you got the power to go after your dreams. Most of all, you got the drive. Just look at what you thought before, look at what you wrote.
Now, surround yourself with this drive every day. Post notes, post reminders, tell your friends, let the world know your sparkle.
That is all for now, thanks for hopping in with me. Just looking out for you kid.
Spread the love,
The Always Believer
PS: Are you driving somewhere now?
WordPress: http://www.thealwaysbeliever.wordpress.com
Glipho: http://www.glipho.com/thealwaysbeliever
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Feel free to stop by and say hello! Follow and join us as we make this world a much happier place. 🙂


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(10/12/2018 — 10/13/2018 )
7800 Park Blvd, Irvington, Alabama 36544
Irvington, SC 36544 USA
Show Details
The Menards Chevy Show tour is a premier national event for all Chevrolet enthusiasts offering something for everyone. From high-powered Chevy racing to the spectacular show cars at venues across the country. A TV crew will be on site at each event filming spectacular show cars to be featured on the Menards Chevy Show TV series airing on the Velocity network. The Menards Chevy Show is widely considered one of the best brand-specific events in the country and has a little something for everyone. Come on out, bring the family and enjoy all-things Chevy!
< Go Back | Print Page


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The Green Sauce is a fantastic all natural jalapeno sauce. It has no preservatives, no added sugar and is gluten free.
THE GREEN SAUCE is The All Natural Condiment that will add zest and flavor to anything you add it to. The sauce has been in the family for 25 years...sauce. We love it on everything from eggs to burgers and chicken, even to rice. You can get creative, and add it to your chopped meat, or potato salad, you can even mix it into soups.
Spread it on steak, chicken, or fish. Use it with rice, bread, or as a dip. THE GREEN SAUCE is a wonderfully zesty condiment Joanne has tinkered with. The sauce has been in the family for 25 years and we have tweaked and refined the recipe to ensure that it is finally the perfect jalapeño sauce.
We brought it along to BBQs, tailgate parties, and other special events for folks to try and they loved it. THE GREEN SAUCE is completely wholesome and fat-free.
Enjoy a jalapeño sauce like no other. THE GREEN SAUCE has been a family-kept favorite that is now available to everyone. Made from natural ingredients, our special condiment contains no sugar and no preservatives. THE GREEN SAUCE is available in our popular 12-ounce bottle. Order your supply today.
Thank you for your interest. For questions or comments, please use the information listed here. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Service AreaThe United States
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Shade Hotel
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Only 2% of UK social housing tower blocks have a full sprinkler system, figures released under freedom of information have revealed on the eve of the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire.
The request by BBC Breakfast related to half of the tower blocks owned by councils and housing associations across the UK. It found that just one in 50 had full sprinkler systems and only one in three had more than one staircase though which residents could be evacuated.
The findings prompted a call by the London fire chief for the Grenfell inquiry to recommend retrofitting of sprinklers to all social housing blocks.
The London fire brigade commissioner, Dany Cotton, who led the emergency response to the fire in which about 80 people died, said: "Grenfell should be a turning point. I support retrofitting – for me, where you can save one life then it's worth doing.
"This can't be optional, it can't be a 'nice to have' – this is something that must happen."
Graham Tomlin, the bishop of Kensington, backed Cotton's call.
The public inquiry into the Grenfell fire, chaired by retired judge Martin Moore-Bick, will open on Thursday.
Cotton said that if the inquiry did not recommend the retrofitting of sprinklers to tower blocks she would be "very disappointed".
In 2007, sprinklers were made compulsory in new-build high rises over 30 metres tall in England, but there is no requirement for retrofitting to older properties.
Following the death of six people in the Lakanal House fire in south London in 2009, a coroner recommended that the government should encourage housing providers to retrofit sprinkler systems. Since the Grenfell fire ministers were widely criticised for sitting on the coroner's recommendations.
Terry McDermott, the chief fire officer of Derbyshire fire and rescue service and chair of the national fire sprinkler network, said: "Sprinklers are the most effective way of suppressing or extinguishing fire."
He cited research into 2,294 fires in buildings fitted with sprinklers that found that more than 90% of fires were either controlled or extinguished by the devices.
A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the government established a comprehensive building safety programme to ensure a fire like this can never happen again.
"This included commissioning an independent review of building regulations and fire safety. We will consider this issue in light of the recommendations of this review and the findings of the public inquiry."
The BBC questioned 56 local authorities and housing associations in towns and cities and received responses relating to about half of the UK's estimated 4,000 tower blocks.


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109 comments
The same pretty womean from Thursday. She does menswear beautifully. Love her!
Such an Italian classic beauty wearing all masculine clothes~ wish I could do this and look so good! LOL~no chance!!
-Lauren at adorn la femme
Shoes are the signature of an outfit, definitly ! Great shoes !
Beautiful photo, I really love her masculine style!
Yeeeees! Awesome boyfriend look. :D
Hi! I'm an editor @ hipshops.com
LOVE this girl! wasn't she #71 a couple days ago, too? i particularly luv her suspenders that are peeking out from under the coat. maybe that is the answer to wearing baggy jeans…
Thank you, Scott. Awesome.
I also like the men shoes…she has a great smile and a GORGEOUS smile. What a beauty!
This is a great boyish look for her – I feel she pulls it off, especially like the mustard socks!
beautiful look :)
She must be so tiny under that oversized outfit…lovely!
love her jeans! just saw your book at Barnes and Noble!
check out this up and coming jean line!
The drop crotch on these jeans and the super low waist combined with the extreme bagginess make for some seriously unflattering pants. Combined with the oversized jacket, the shirt buttoned all the way up, and the too-shiny shoes, all I can say is "Yuck." Maybe she's so pretty she's just tired of looking good?
Agreed. Menswear can still be flattering and this is not. It's not even in the "so ugly it's cute" category. But she's so pretty she is proving that a gorgeous girl can pull off a "paper sack" so to speak.
I agree with Emily. Her outfit is very unflattering although she is a beautiful woman who could carry almost anything. Not this time though.
Yes put that on someone less good looking and…….. I really hate a pair of jeans without a belt its mt pet hate! Still she looks good no 2 ways about it!!
Wow, she is stunning and has an amazing sense of style. Love the layering in her look.
Who is this lovely creature?! x love the blog Scott
We love this contrast….. woman so femminine with a look so mascoline
Lelli, italian fashion family
wonderful boyfriend jeans!
She's… dressed like a man. Those are the most unflattering jeans I think I've ever seen
Not a fan
30 years from now we'll look back on ourselves and think what the hell we're we thinking. But she's beautiful to be sure.
Love the jeans and the mustard socks.
Have to agree with Emily above. Pants are very unflattering and the shoes look just too big.
Waist up – everything's lovely. Waist down – bit of a disaster. Love her gumption!
She is superb
Hi Scott. Watching Twin Peaks with my boyfriend las week made him wondering how few people you see nowadays wearing turtlenecks. There is a great scene of Dale Cooper in a white turtleneck worn underneath a smart jacket. Ace to feel a turtleneck vibe simultaneously with you. All the best!
Here she is again – looking great again. Love the menswear look. It's just cool, but clearly controversial. I'd like it on a man or a woman I just like it!
Interesting take on masculine style :)
one can get away with anything i think, like the big jeans for example…but not with a padded jacket that runs too big on the shoulders
Her outfit is awesome, love it.
Wow. She does androgyny well! – Loving the layering and the relaxed jeans for a change!
This just looks wrong.
She has a very masculine style but she still remains very feminine, if you know what I mean. :P Thats awesome!
I agree. She's obviously very pretty. Why hide it under baggy, manly clothes? Blech!
i love her take on these baggy pants and long socks!
Well, she's just beautiful. A pile of folded jeans is the perfect backdrop.
Brilliant shot. Brilliant outfit.
Her style is akin that of a Famous American Style Director, but with a preppy influence instead of punk.
Yes, with a preppy style.
Happy new year Monsieur Marcel.
Bonne Année, Virginia L.
men's shoes
men's jacket
Lovely lady!
She looks wonderful! Very beautiful, it takes a certain person to be able to pull this off, don't understand how someone could disagree!
juliette laura
Give me a break. There is nothing attractive or very interestingabout this baggy, ill-fitting collection of mensware. I suspect her attractive face and long blonde hair is distracting some from how awful this "look" is. Sorry to be odd man out, so to speak.
MonaLisa-you are definitely not the odd man out here. The outfit is bordering on atrocity.
Beautiful girl, train wreck of an outfit
Pretty girl = Would look good in a potato sack; purely a case of The Emperor's Not-So-New Clothes.
What a beautiful girl! Like the top part of her outfit, but these jeans and shoes are not flattering at all, high heels would completely transform the look!!!
love it!
By the way , it seems to me she is not wearing a turtleneck…
She has the scarf wrapped around her neck ;)
She is beautiful, as masculine as her clothes are.
Very unflattering! Everything is oversize, everything is too manly. It does not look good.
At last good comment. I agree with you, it only looks good because she is beautiful and could wear a potato sack and it would look good.
I can only laugh . . .
She looks so nice and I like that pic. Have a nice end of the weekend.
I love it on her. She still looks feminine in the mens outfit.
J'adore ! Au top !
Think she stole the outfit from the man she was lying next to this morning as a revenge.
So many wrongs in the pic. The creases in a jean that abused makes every denimlover cringe. Jacket is way too big and so are the shoes. Shirts collar not in proportion with the other items(maybe that's where the turtleneck came into play?)
Love the girl, but hate her outfit
I love her style, love the loose fit! Supertight and supersexy is so boring … seen a hundred thousand times and it doesnt get better.
if anyone else was wearing this it would be unremarkable..lame even.
its so sad reading some of these comments, i feel sad for the woman in question. i hope she doesn't take some of these comments to heart, they are just pure nastiness. ok, so you don't get her style….but is there any need to write such comments as 'i can only laugh'…. live and let live! for me, she has her own style and creativity – shouldn't we just be happy to admire and respect that rather than someone who is dressed head to to in the same outfits you see on blogs these days? live and let live!
Agreed!!! She's having fun!!! Not your typical fashion wannabe! Love her!
I don't know why but the outfit makes me think of Oliver Twist.. She could come straight out of that movie. Accept her hair and face, that is so 21st century, the typical messy straight honey blonde hair and black make up.
The contrast is so big, maybe too big.
Are those men's size 13 shoes she's wearing? Her upper half is totally out of scale with her lower portion. It looks……odd.
Agree. Men's size shoes. Crease in jeans is the result of a particular way of folding the jeans after washing & drying. No big deal.
This is not a mannish look but really a man look, she has copied men..I don't like the shoes, but the rest is perfect!
love her hair…not feeling the turtle neck under button up shirt…but i admire your eye for details
It must be fun to borrow from one's boyfriend's closet.
I could have liked this outfit with different shoes, may be.
Style un peu trop masculin mais sympa sur cette fille et surtout confortable !
mais une Française ne pourrait porter ce jean trop large avec ce blazer…cela alourdit la silhouette.
Why don't you give this look a go? Don't be afraid of what others might think. Free yourself!
Hello Lizzie !
thank you for your fun msg!
I'm a free women ;-) but the French women are less tall than American women and the baggy shrinks the silhouette :-(
…. maybe you are right…?
Sorry ! error first name below
Love it!
Another phantastic look. Just totally cool. Yes, womenswear does NOT have to be horribly outlandlish dresses with towering heels in which no human can walk in.
Some more refined comments:
1. length of the pants is perfect, showing the boots and the socks(!)
2. length of jacket works just right with the pant length.
3. the turtleneck is absolutely divine. So radical, cause it's mid-50s gents look, right? but so fresh on a woman.
Go! Snap more of these!!!
Her style and creativity are fabulous and fun…mostly, that is what fashion is to be. She has a confidence and an obvious beauty to wear anything with flare and panache. Super image Scott…some of these 'hater's really need to lighten-up! Fashion is fun!!!
Baggy pants, rolled cuffs, contrasting socks, all working to make her legs look seriously short.
yeah!! the over size with accents male styles is a must for this year ;-) Love it!
lot of chic kiss from Italy
She always wears the best shoes.
Beautiful woman to see, with a nice smile. Though she dressed somewhat masculine. But there's nothing wrong with that. And fortunately no striking logos on her clothes.
I understand the idea behind this outfit, but the result is seriously unflattering for her figure, and does not seem to work with her look (hair and makeup). A shorter better fitting jacket would have looked better with the baggy jeans, giving more structure and intention to the look.
I have been into boyfriends jeans since living in Amsterdam in 1998 and bought a pair at Replay! Love it.
I love it. Bit baffled at first expecting to see 'suspenders' (now that would be an edgy look!) but quickly translated to braces.
She's wearing a beautiful smile !
I love that she's rocking her own style–a style that makes her look cool, confident, and radiantly comfortable with herself. (I'm sad that, as many of the comments suggest, restrictive gender norms still have a great deal of power.)
A modern day Annie Hall — she does not give anything away. Sexy can be achieved even if you are covered from neck to toe. She is beautiful!
More European women seem to be wearing "Men's" shoes. Comfort. Cool. (?)
Love it!
I dunno, it's growing on me.
This woman interests me. Her hair and makeup don't mesh with the two outfits we've seen her in recently. Is it possible she wore the women fashion professionals' uniform of the last few years of very high platform stilettos and a fitted dress (which the hair and makeup suggest) then suddenly had enough of being uncomfortable and crossed to the opposite? Might she cut her hair next? She's clearly wedded to a male approach to dressing in these pics but I can't tell if it's a long-term life choice or an of-the-moment fashion choice. I hope some more pictures may illuminate things for me!
It would have been a lot more appealing and refreshing if it didn't look like she was trying too hard to get that masculine look. I find it interesting but just too too much. She could have totally pulled off the look effortlessly because she is pretty if she toned it down a little bit by completing the look with a pair or red pumps.
i actually do this when its freezy cold and i have to dress good" anyway, i layered. and i know people who uses it no mattter what the trend is, maybe we should look if demographicly" only the same group is wearing it. Women at a certain age wear them often, too, at winter times and to look polished all in one hand. but maybe its a thing of the age or the places shot. (south.american writing) kisses!
A beautiful girl with a brutal outfit! She is in desperate need of some fashion help!
–Joseph, ItalianBarber.com
perfect !!! – http://carolinestyling.blogspot.com
Love her style!!
This look really works for her, but I doubt it would look as good on anyone else. Layering is always nice though when the weather is bad, and I do love the make-up combined with this. Shoes are great too.
I like this photo but to be quite honest, a woman this beautiful could wear an old sack or rubbish bag and still look sexy. Thats why designers use models
Shes not fashionable shes dressed like a house painter trying to hard
I'm in love with her honestly….
the socks do
I always iron a crease into my baggy jeans and it dries me nuts when my dry cleaner 'forgets' to do it!
I think that is amazing DRG
Love her jeans! Everything about her is cool. I wish I had her stuff.
I love this look. Mainly because the contrast of her uber femanine beauty with the baggy mens' clothes. As awful as it might look on some else, she does it and pulls it off. So thank you to her for not just wearing something skin tight in towering stilettos, instead rocking an outfit that works so well! Props to you girl.
Scott, please keep posting these type of beauties!
She's so beautiful I think she might be dressing this way to have people take her seriously and not pay attention to only her body.
just my style!! I love her…


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22 November 2010
Barn House Marketplace
Run, don't walk!!! My sweet friends Joe & Jermonne of Barn House fame have finally reopened their online store with absolutely beautiful treasures!! Their farm chic style is undisputedly charming and the looks they create using vintage and vintage-inspired treasures are truly one of a kind and very sought after...! I have shared with you many of the incredible BH events and you know how amazing they are... Now it's at your doorstep, just the click of a button away... You do not want to miss it!
Posted by Maison Douce at 1:25 PM
9 comments:
- AnonymousNovember 22, 2010 at 1:46 PM
The chaires are gorgious !!!ReplyDelete
Have a nice evening
Great stuff! I really like their style!ReplyDelete
WOW!! So many wondeful photos..so many ideas! All the best,ChrissyReplyDelete
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Sensors 2013, 13(5), 6669-6686; https://doi.org/10.3390/s130506669
Abstract: Strain distributions are crucial criteria of cross-beams six-axis force/torque sensors. The conventional method for calculating the criteria is to utilize Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to get numerical solutions. This paper aims to obtain analytical solutions of strains under the effect of external force/torque in each dimension. Genetic mechanical models for cross-beams six-axis force/torque sensors are proposed, in which deformable cross elastic beams and compliant beams are modeled as quasi-static Timoshenko beam. A detailed description of model assumptions, model idealizations, application scope and model establishment is presented. The results are validated by both numerical FEA simulations and calibration experiments, and test results are found to be compatible with each other for a wide range of geometric properties. The proposed analytical solutions are demonstrated to be an accurate estimation algorithm with higher efficiency.
1. Introduction
Cross-beams six-axis force/torque sensors are typical six-axis force/torque sensors used in various branches of engineering, especially in robotic manipulators, for their compactness, simplicity and low interference errors. A six-axis force/torque sensor is usually mounted between the distal end of a robot arm and an end-effector to measure the interaction Cartesian forces and torques (Fx, Fy, Fz and Mx, My, Mz) between the robot arm and the environment [1–3]. The cross-beams elastic body (elastic body) is the key component of a six-axis force/torque sensor. The brief measuring principle of cross-beams six-axis force sensors can be described as follows. The elastic body will be deformed under external forces/toques. Strain gauges are pasted firmly on surfaces of cross elastic beams in order to detect deformations and convert variations of strains to variations of electric resistances. Finally, changes of electric resistances are converted into six-dimensional output voltages by Wheatstone bridges [4–7].
In the design process, geometric dimensions of an elastic body need to be adjusted taking into consideration design specifications and constraints obtained from engineer requirements, such as the measurement range, weight and dimensional restrictions. Once a preliminary design of an elastic body is proposed, many structure properties need to be analyzed, such as strain distributions of the elastic body under external force/torque in each dimension, and locations where strain gauges should be attached [7,8]. If an acceptable structure is conceived, a prototype is fabricated, and calibration experiments are used to test performances of the elastic body. Figure 1 depicts a flow chart of the whole design process. The conventional method to evaluate the above properties of an elastic body is to use FEA by commercial FEA software, like ANSYS or ABAQUS, to get numerical solutions. With this method, Song et al. in [9] developed a four-axis cross-beams force sensor for HapticHCI with a measurement range of 20 N and 4.5 Nmm. Chen et al. in [10] designed a three-axis cross-beams force sensor with a measurement range of 200 N. Ma et al. in [11] designed a two-axis cross-beams force sensor for massage robots with a measurement range of 100 N. However, as the FEA is time consuming, it always takes quite a while to calculate strain distributions of a cross-beams elastic body with a certain set of geometric parameters under effects of forces/torques in all directions. Moreover, if the geometric parameters of an elastic body need to be adjusted several times before final judgment can be made as to which structural form is most appropriate, then the whole calculation takes up much longer time. Consequently, there is a need to design a faster calculation method to improve the design efficiency of cross-beams elastic bodies.
In this paper, we propose closed-form expressions to fast estimate strain distributions of cross-beams six-axis force sensors based on the establishment of mechanical models. In the proposed mechanical models, all deformable beams of elastic bodies are idealized as deep beams or short beams, which are supported and connected together in various methods. The simplified mechanical models are analyzed by Timoshenko beam theory. The Timoshenko beam theory takes into account shear deformation and rotational inertial effects, making it more suitable and accurate to describe behaviors of deep beams and short beams than the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory (also known as classic beam theory). Analytical predictions are subsequently validated by FEA simulations and calibration experiments. Our method is proven to provide a reliable means of calculating strains with higher efficiency.
2. Mechanical Structure and Distribution of Strain Gauges
Figure 2 depicts mechanical notations and dimensions of a typical cross-beams elastic body in global coordinate. The elastic body contains four cross elastic beams (i.e., AB, CD, EF, GH), eight compliant beams (i.e., AQ, AI, HL, HM, DJ, DK, EP, EN), a square convex and four location holes. Twenty-four uniaxial strain gauges are pasted on surfaces of each cross elastic beam to measure related strain values. Each four strain gauges are connected to form a full Wheatstone bridge according to six distinct deformation conditions of the elastic body under effects of each one-dimensional force/torque, i.e., Fx, Fy, Fz and Mx, My, Mz. Parameters l1, b1, h1 denote the length, width and height of compliant beams, and parameters l2, b2, h2 denote the length, width and height of cross elastic beams, respectively. In most cases, b2 is equal to h2. The parameter r represents half of the width or length of the square convex.
In an actual force perception task, external forces/torques are applied on the square convex and transmitted to cross elastic beams. The cross elastic beams will subsequently be deformed. Compliant beams, which are flexible to external forces/torques too, can be regarded as elastic supports or floating bodies. Other parts of the elastic body show small deformations and thus are assumed to be rigid. Because of the symmetry of the structure, the deformation under Fx is similar to the case of Fy, and the deformation under Mx is similar to the case of My. As a result, here we only analyze deformations of the elastic body under Fx, Fz, Mx, Mz.
3. Model Development
Cross-beams elastic bodies are statically indeterminate structures. The responses of cross-beams elastic bodies under forces/torques in different directions involve various complex interactions between cross elastic beams and compliant beams. Deflection characteristics of the above flexural beams under different dimensional forces/torques are analyzed by Timoshenko beam theory [12–14]. The Timoshenko beam theory adopts planar sections hypothesis that all cross sectional areas stay planar after deformation, but the cross sectional areas are not required to stay perpendicular to the deformed axis of the beam. In other words, any cross-section of the beam is treated as an undeformable body that does not allow any displacements other than rigid ones [15]. Thus, the deformation characteristics of the beam are described by two variables, i.e., the translational displacement (ω) of any cross-section and the angular displacement (ψ) of any cross-section, as is expressed in Equation (1). An infinitesimal section of a Timoshenko beam is illustrated in Figure 3.
Equation (1), together with force/torque equations of equilibrium for the infinitesimal section depicted in Figure 3, can yield
Equation (1) and Equation (2) are two basic formulas of Timoshenko beam theory, from which analytical solutions of ω(x) and ψ(x) could be calculated when given enough boundary conditions.
Once the analytical solution of angular displacement ψ(x) is obtained, the strain value (ε) of any point in the beam can be calculated in Equation (3).
In following sub-sections, mechanical models of cross-beams elastic bodies under effects of Fx, Fz, Mx, Mz are established respectively to estimate strain distributions on related cross elastic beams. Overall, the modeling approach in this paper incorporates flexibilities and interactions among cross elastic beams and compliant beams and enables a faithful simulation of deformations. Detailed modeling approach consists of the following steps: (i) establish idealized mechanical model according to deformations of an elastic body under effects of force/torque in each direction; (ii) analyze deformed cross elastic beams and compliant beams utilizing Timoshenko beam theory and obtainable boundary conditions; (iii) determine unknown parameters in derived analytical solutions of ω(x) and ψ(x) based on displacement relationships of relative beams and force/torque equations of equilibrium; (iv) derive formulas for strain distributions.
3.1. Mechanical Model under Fx
As is shown in Figure 4, when Fx is loaded, bending occurs on cross elastic beams EF, GH and compliant beams AQ, AI, DJ, DK. Compliant beams HL and HM, EN and EP become two elastic supports of beams EF and GH.
Based on the deformation configuration, the mechanical model of the elastic body is proposed in Figure 5. Compliant beams HL and HM, EN and EP are simplified as roller supports H and E. Other conjunctions are deemed as rigid joints. Thus cross elastic beams EF, GH are idealized as propped-cantilever beams and compliant beams AQ, AI, DJ, DK are idealized as cantilever beams. In addition, it can be easily noticed that axial forces are transmitted through cross elastic beams AB and CD. Accordingly, beams AB and CD, which are subjected to axial forces, show negligible tension or compression deformations, and thus could be regarded as rigid bodies. Notations with primes (e.g., A′, B′, C′) indicate displaced positions of original ones (e.g., A, B, C). Δx, ΔGFx, and ΔDFx represent the displacement of the square convex, the displacement of node D in compliant beam DJ, and the displacement of node G in cross elastic beam GH, respectively. Owning to the symmetry of structure, the deflection characteristic of cross elastic beam EF is similar to GH and the deflection characteristic of compliant beam DJ is similar to DK, AQ, AI. Here we only consider cross elastic beam GH and compliant beam DJ.
ΔGFx can be obtained from a combination of Equation (2) and boundary conditions of Equation (2) observed from beam HG in Figure 5 as follows
ΔDFx is derived from Equation (2) and obtainable boundary conditions from beam DJ in Figure 5 as follows
According to the geometric characteristic of the deformation as is depicted in Figure 5, the displacement equation of the elastic body can be written as below
The force equations of equilibrium of the square convex is derived as below
The combination of Equation (2) through Equation (7) leads to following
3.2. Mechanical Model under Fz
The deformation of the elastic body in the case of Fz is shown in Figure 6. Bending deformations occur on all cross elastic beams and compliant beams. Compliant beams AI and AQ, DK and DJ, EN and EP, HL and HM turn into four elastic supports for cross elastic beams AB, CD, EF, GH, respectively. The idealized mechanical model is established in Figure 7 according to geometric characteristics of the deformation. All cross elastic beams are simplified as propped-cantilever beams and all compliant beams are simplified as fixed beams. Δz respects the displacement of the square convex, ΔHFz respects the displacement of node H in compliant beam HM. Owning to the symmetry of the structure, here we only derive equations for analyzing cross elastic beam GH and compliant beam HM.
Let ΔGFz represent the vertical distance between node G′ and node H′ in Figure 7. ΔGFz can be derived from Equation (2) and boundary conditions of Equation (2) obtained from beam GH in Figure 7 as below
Similarly, ΔHFz can be calculated from Equation (2) and obtained boundary condition from beam HM in Figure 7 as
Additionally, the force equations of equilibrium of the elastic body lead to
Besides, according to geometric characteristics of the deformation under Fz, the displacement (Δz) of the square convex under Fz can be obtained as
Let εFz represent strain of any point in cross elastic beam GH, analytical expressions of εFz can be calculated from Equation (2) and Equation (3), Equation (9) through Equation (12) as follows
3.3. Mechanical Model under Mx
The deformation of the cross-beams elastic body under Mx is shown in Figure 8. Bending deformations occur on cross elastic beams EF and GH. Torsional deformations occur on cross elastic beams AB and CD.
As is shown in Figure 8, compared with the rotation of the square convex with respect to x-axis in the global coordinate, there are very small rotations and translations in compliant beams AQ and AI, DJ and DK. As for beams AB and CD, there are strong reaction moments from beams AQ, AI, DJ, DK. As a result, compliant beams AQ and AI, DJ and DK are idealized as two fixed supports for beams AB and CD, respectively. Compliant beams HL and HM, EN and EP are idealized as beams with fixed supports. Consequently, for cross elastic beams EF and GH, nodes H and E can be simplified as roller supports. The mechanical model of the elastic body under Mx is illustrated in Figure 9. The notation ΔθMx describes the angle of rotation of the square convex with respect to x-axis of the global coordinate and the notation ΔHMx describes the displacement of H. The bending of beam EF is the same as the case of beam GH, the bending of beam HM is the same as the case of beams HL, EP, EN. The torsion of beam AB is the same as the torsion of beam CD. Accordingly, here we only consider deformation conditions of beams AB, GH and HM.
The torsion angle (α) of cross elastic beam AB can be obtained according to the equation of torsion angle for rectangular beams [16–18] in Equation (18)
ΔrMx respects the angular displacement of the overlapping surface between the square convex and the cross elastic beam GH (hereinafter referred to as "beginning surface" of cross elastic beam GH) with respect to x-axis in global coordinate. It can be calculated by Equation (2) and boundary conditions of Equation (2) obtained from deformed characteristics of beams GH and HM in Figure 8 as follows
Geometric characteristics of the deformed elastic body under Mx can yield
Force/torque equations of equilibrium of the elastic body lead to
Combinations of Equation (2) through Equation (3), Equation (14) through (17) lead to
3.4. Mechanical Model under Mz
Under the effect of Mz, bending deformations happen on all cross elastic beams of the elastic body as is shown in Figure 10. Compliant beams AQ and AI, DJ and DK, EN and EP, HL and HM become four elastic supports of beams AB, CD, EF, GH, respectively Here we take cross elastic beam CD for example. The right end of beam CD is free to rotate and translate along x-axis in global coordinate, compared with small translations along y-axis in global coordinate. Taking into consideration the strong reaction force perpendicular to beam CD, the reaction moment and force of D along cross beam CD could be ignored. Hence, the four elastic supports can be simplified as four roller supports, i.e., nodes A, D, E, H in the proposed mechanical model of the elastic body under Mz, as is depicted in Figure 11. As a result, four cross elastic beams are idealized as propped-cantilever beams. The notation ΔθMz is the angle of rotation of the square convex with respect to z-axis in the global coordinate under Mz.
The force/torque equation of equilibrium of the square convex under Mz can be written as
Similarly, equations for analyzing strain distribution of GH can be derived as
4. Validation and Results
4.1. FEA Simulations
The analytical solutions proposed in the previous section are validated against the FEA simulation results by four different cross-beams elastic bodies with various geometric dimensions. The material of the elastic bodies is defined as 2A12 Duralumin, in which the elastic modulus (E) is 72 GPa, the Poisson's ratio is 0.33 and the Yield strength is 380 MPa. Span-to-depth ratios of the cross elastic beams of the four elastic bodies range from 3:1 to 6:1. According to the principle of Timoshenko beam theory, in general, the higher the span-to-depth ratios are, the more accurate the proposed analytic solutions will be, because the planar sections hypothesis as mentioned in the previous section will be less accurate when the span-to-depth ratios of the Timoshenko beam decrease [19]. All other geometric parameters and measurement ranges are varied within expected practical ranges. Table 1 presents a summary of the four elastic bodies including geometric details as well as measurement ranges.
FEA simulations are calculated in ANSYS 11.0, while the 3-D, 20 nodes "Solid95" is chosen as the element type of FEA models for its characteristic of high tolerance with respect to irregular shapes without as much loss of accuracy [20]. Taking the Example 1 for instance, the mesh-size of cross elastic beams is defined as twenty equal parts in the height/width-direction and thirty equal parts in the length-direction. The mesh-size of compliant beams is defined as fifteen equal parts in the height/length-direction and bisection in the width-direction. Mesh lever of other examples are similar to the case of Example 1. For degree-of-freedom (DOF) constrains, displacements and rotations of surfaces of four location holes in all directions are restricted to zero. External force/torque in positive full-scale value of each dimension is loaded on related locations in square convex.
Deformation conditions under each single force/torque are analyzed. Strains of nodes on the lateral surface or upper surface, which corresponds to the surface for strain gauge locations of each force/torque component, on cross elastic beam GH are recorded.
4.2. Calibration Experiment
Besides FEA simulations, calibration experiments are implemented to enhance validation of the correctness of proposed analytic solutions. Special calibration experiments are designed to test strains of strain-gauge-locations in cross elastic beams under external forces and torques. The experiment platform of the calibration experiments is shown in Figure 12. A cross-beams six-axis force/torque sensor is mounted on a rotatable indexing plate to guarantee directions of loading forces and torques.
The force/torque sensor is fabricated from 2A12 Duralumin. The calibration pillar is fixed on the cross-beams elastic body to facilitate force/torque loading process in calibration experiments. Other parts like pedestal are used for supporting and sealing. Under white protective coatings, twenty-four uniaxial foil strain gauges are attached to cross elastic beams with special adhesives for strain gauges bonding. Six Wheatstone bridges are constructed for the measurement of force/torque in six dimensions. Measurement ranges and geometric dimensions of the sensor are the same as Example 1 in Table 1. Strain gauges for force measurements are pasted 6 mm away from beginning surfaces, strain gauges for torque measurements are pasted 12 mm away from beginning surfaces.
The six Wheatstone bridges on cross elastic beams are connected to a static strain recorder. The static strain recorder provides more than six input channels and a direct reading LED display. It is capable of displaying strains of strain gauges when connected to quarter-, half-, and full- bridge strain-gauge circuits. The resolution of the strain recorder is 1 μϵ, the measurement range is ±19,999 μϵ, and the accuracy is 0.5% ± 3μϵ. These features meet requirements of the calibration experiments in our work.
During calibration process, force or torque in each dimension is calibrated separately by a series of standard loads. Weights and pulley blocks are utilized for force/torque loading [21]. Loading forces in X direction are generated by a unilateral pulley block and weights while indexing plate is rotated to adjust the loading direction. Loading forces in Z direction are generated by weights, which are directly put on the calibration pillar. Loading torques in X direction are created by a pair of horizontal forces. One force is applied on the upper part of the calibration pillar, and the other force is applied on the lower part in opposite direction. Loading torques in Z direction are generated by applying one horizontal force on the right side of the calibration pillar and the other equal and opposite force on the left side. The calibration range of Fx is from −100 N to +100 N with an incremental step of 10 N, the calibration range of Fz is from −100 N to 0 N with an incremental step of 10 N. The calibration range of Mx is from −10 Nm to +10 Nm with an incremental step of 1 Nm, the calibration range of Mz is from 0 Nm to 12 Nm with an incremental step of 0.8 Nm.
Besides calibration of one-dimensional force/torque, three groups of combined loads are applied during the calibration experiments. In the first group, various loading forces in Z direction are applied while a constant force is applied in X direction. In the second group, various loading torques in X direction are applied while a constant force is applied in Z direction. In the third group, various one-dimensional loading forces are applied along the bisector between X and Y directions.
4.3. Validation of the Analytical Model
As for the proposed analytic solutions, derived Equations (8), (13), (18) and (22) are utilized to compute strains of elastic bodies under Fx, Fz, Mx, Mz respectively. All calculations are done in MATLAB 2010b while the shear coefficient (k) is defined to be 1.0 and the shear modulus (G) can be calculated as 27 GPa. Other material properties like the elastic modulus (E) are defined the same as the case in FEA simulations.
Figure 13 presents comparisons of strains calculated by the proposed analytical solutions and the FEA simulation results under applied force/torque in each dimension. In each sub-figure of Figure 13, two kinds of data are presented. The first kind of data, which are depicted by colored lines, represent strains calculated from Equations (8), (13), (18) and (22) in the proposed mechanical models. The second kind of data, which are depicted by colored points, represent strain calculated from FEA simulations. The colors red, black, blue, and green indicate that the elastic body is under effect of Fx, Fz, Mx, and Mz respectively. The horizontal axis represents the distance of any node in selected surface away from the beginning surface, corresponding to parameter x in the mechanical models. The vertical axis represents the strain value of the node, corresponding to parameters εFx,εFz,εMx and εMz in the mechanical models.
Good agreement is shown between proposed analytical solutions and FEA solutions. The FEA simulated strains of nodes, which locate near the beginning or the end surface of the cross elastic beam, may drift noticeably from the strain value predicted by the proposed mechanical models. The discrepancy in the responses can be attributed to the stress concentration due to sharp corners in the mechanical structure, which is not taken into account in the proposed mechanical models. However, in practice, the stress concentration can be largely eased by adding fillets in the sharp corners and efficiently avoided by keeping some space between strain gauges and the sharp corners. As a result, the deviations caused by stress concentration are insignificant and can be ignored.
Figure 14 and Table 2 show comparisons between strains of strain-gauge-locations obtained from the calibration experiments and strains calculated from proposed analytical solutions under one-dimensional force/torque and combined loads, respectively. In each sub-figure of Figure 14, blue points represent calibration data obtained from calibration experiments, and the blue line represents line drawn of strains calculated from proposed analytical solutions. The horizontal axis represents a series of standard loading forces/torques, while the vertical axis represents strains of strain-gauge-locations. In Table 2, strains obtained from calibration data and proposed analytical solutions under three groups of combined loads are presented.
As is demonstrated in Figure 14 and Table 2, strains estimated from proposed analytical solutions are in close agreement with calibration data. The mechanical models are able to estimate strain distributions, which are the key response parameters and features of cross-beams elastic bodies in high precision. When one-dimensional force/torque is applied, the prediction error of the proposed mechanical models is under 10%. The observed deviations occur for various reasons, like machining accuracy, modeling idealizations of the Timoshenko beam and elastic bodies. When combined loads are applied, the prediction error is under 20%. Compared with the accuracy under one-dimensional force/torque, the increased errors come from coupling errors, which can be reduced by decoupling algorithms [21–23]. Note that in order to ensure proper operation and validate the correctness of measurements, even those sensors that are fabricated by most sophisticated instruments need to be calibrated from time to time. According to empirical data, the expected calculated strains at the attachment locations of foil strain gauges under effects of full scale values should be 1.0 × 10−4 ∼ 9.9 × 10−4 to ensure both sensitivity and strength. As a result, the accuracy of the proposed mechanical models is high enough in general.
Having gained confidence in the reliability of the detailed mechanical models, herein we examine another crucial criterion, i.e., the processing speed for calculations. To evaluate the processing speed, the calculation time of the proposed mechanical models and the FEA with respect to the above four examples are recorded respectively. The whole process is repeated 5 times. All calculations are made on a Windows XP Inter(R) Core (TM) 2 Duo CPU, 2.8 GHz processor with 2.0 GB RAM. The FEA simulations are carried out by means of a prewritten program in APDL (ANSYS Parametric Design Language).
Table 3 shows a summary of the averaged calculation time. For each example, the elapsed time of preprocessing and solution steps in FEA under Fx, Fz, Mx, Mz are recorded separately, and the total calculation time is a summarization of the four elapsed time. It can be easily found that the total calculation time is reduced from more than 1,000 seconds to less than 0.0005 second by the proposed analytical solutions. The calculation time of the proposed analytical solutions is much less than that for FEA simulations. The proposed analytical solutions are proven to be a fast prediction tool for strains of cross-beams elastic bodies for six-axis force/torque sensors.
5. Conclusions
This paper proposes analytical solutions for fast estimating strain distributions of cross-beams six-axis force/torque sensors by means of mechanical modeling. The mechanical models are based on Timoshenko beam theory, which accounts for shear deformation and rotational inertial effects. Formulas are derived via second order differential equations in terms of translational and angular displacement while their boundary conditions are obtained from deformations of elastic bodies under external force/torque in each dimension. The strain distributions on cross elastic beams of elastic bodies are formulated. Closed-form expressions of strains in terms of complicated geometric parameters, loads and material properties are obtained.
The models are validated by FEA simulations and calibration experiments, and the proposed models are found to provide reliable analytical solutions for evaluating strains. The application scope of the proposed mechanical models is wide. The precondition is that the span-to-depth ratio of cross elastic beams should be higher than 3:1. Compared with FEA simulations, the calculation time is greatly reduced without compromising accuracy in our work, which will be advantageous in computer simulation of whole design process of cross-beams six-axis force sensors. The proposed analytic solutions of cross-beams elastic bodies can also be used to verify the correctness of FEA simulations.
This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 61272379), Natural Science Foundation Project of Jiangsu Province (No. BK2010063).
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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|Compliant Beam (mm)
|Cross Elastic Beam (mm)
|Square Convex (mm)
|Measurement Range (N/Nm)
|Example 1
|Example 2
|Example 3
|Example 4
|Strain Values(μϵ)
|Fx = 40 N
|Fz = −40 N
|Fx = Fy
|Fz = −20 N
|Fz = −80 N
|Mx = 2 Nm
|Mx = −6 Nm
|Fy = 28.3 N
|Fy = 56.57 N
|Calibration Data
|εFx = 56.9
|εFx = 57.0
|εFx = −56.8
|εFz = −61.5
|εFx = 41.5
|εFx = 82.6
|εFz = −31.1
|εFz =−122.7
|εMx = 78.2
|εMx =−233.5
|εFy = 40.9
|εFy = 82.2
|Mechanical Model
|εFx = 59.1
|εFx = 59.1
|εFz = 49.1
|εFz = 49.1
|εFx = 41.8
|εFy = 83.6
|εFz = −24.6
|εFz = −98.2
|εMx = 74.4
|εMx = −223.2
|εFx = 41.8
|εFy = 83.6
|Elapsed Time
|Mechanical Model (total calculation time)
|Total Calculation Time
|Example 1
|Example 2
|Example 3
|Example 4
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