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Our takeaways from the CIPS 2014 Conference
October 3, 2014 Procurious HQ
Procurious headed to Kings Place to take in the sights, and hear from a wealth of insightful speakers at the biggest procurement event of the year – the 2014 CIPS Conference and Exhibition.
Having survived the global economic crisis, this year's theme (unsurprisingly) focused on 'standards, ethics and innovation' within what CIPS calls 'a new procurement future'.
With Craig Lardner chairing proceedings, delegates were treated to a packed day full of talks, break-out sessions, and a distinguished guest from the world of broadcasting.
Facebook.com, CIPS
Some of our highlights from the day included:
Dr John Glen's opening session was an early highlight of the day. John is an economist for CIPS, and lectures at the Cranfield School of Management. If you've ever struggled to grasp economics, the good Dr offered a brilliantly accessible half hour. He also suggested that the next big challenge for supply chains would be to adopt the business model that's made Uber into such a success story.
IKEA's Environmental and Sustainable Development Manager – Charlie Browne, revealed how the business has reduced supplier count in a bid to maximize effectiveness. Sustainability is also in IKEA's blood – with the retailer's efforts dating back to 1990s.
Tesco's Frances Goodwin offered her thoughts on the role of ethical trading in procurement. She left us with a surprising nugget around procuring a banana – in that the supply chain is (on average) 5 layers deep.
Rita Clifton – President of the Market Research Society and former Chair of Interbrand presented a light-hearted session on the power of branding. Rita distilled the ingredients that make a strong brand, and revealed some of the brands that she thinks have got it right. She also confirmed something we've been saying for a while: Procurement has an image problem. Do a Google Image search for procurement and see what we mean…
In what was possibly the biggest announcement of the day – Babs Omotowa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited was announced as the incoming CIPS President. Babs will take the mantle from Craig Lardner four weeks from now.
Our favourite break-out session was delivered courtesy of Clive Lewis – Founder and Managing Director of Illumine Training. Clive guided us through 5 different methods to help boost creativity, and approach problems differently.
Elsewhere, Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board) and Selex ES talked about building strong supplier relationships. The latter having previously been crowned the overall winner at CIPS Supply Management Awards 2014 for their work with Research Electro-Optics (REO).
To cap a busy day off, influential food writer (and occasional TV personality) – Jay Rayner, provided a thought-provoking (and at times, hilarious) commentary on food supply chains. With insights like: full service supermarkets cannot compete with discounters – and in the end it's the suppliers that suffer. We suspect he may have also snuck a few plugs for his book in there too…
Twitter also provided some key takeaways – here is what some of the other attendees were saying:
How Better Together is putting the excitement back into UK public procurement
October 1, 2014 Helen Mackenzie
The Scottish Independence Referendum was a thrilling time, one I'm glad to have been part of, but now it's over, what is the real impact of Better Together for UK Public Procurement?
I believe that we are facing exciting times ahead and that we now have an amazing opportunity to create something special, something lasting and something that will have a real impact on the communities we serve.
Let's push things to the next level
It's time for our collaborative buying organisations to push things up a gear. At a UK level the public sector spends over £45bn on goods, services and works. Crown Commercial Services chairman Bill Crowthers is quite right when he says that "we need to make the most of this extraordinary buying power."
How CCS, Scotland Excel and other collaborative buying organisations engage with their customers, the public bodies the length and breadth of the UK, will be crucial as we move into the next generation of public contracts.
We need agreements which serve not only London but Lerwick, not just Belfast but Bangor. Our collaborative partners must deliver agreements and contracts that will reduce the overall cost to the whole public purse.
Savings not just for the strong and influential public bodies with huge amounts of spend but for the smaller less centrally located bodies too. All for one and one for all!
It's time for innovation, imagination and change
Let's use this next period to encourage innovation amongst our suppliers, particularly those who are UK based small and medium enterprises.
Let's use imaginative contract strategies, structured contract management and true and deep supplier engagement.
Let's make access to public contract opportunities easy.
If we really are better together then let's have a single gateway where all public contracts for the UK are advertised.
Think how refreshingly simple it would be if you're a British supplier, particularly a small one looking to grow, if you knew about every single contract opportunity for your commodity in the UK as soon as it was advertised. So let's build on the success of portals like Public Contracts Scotland to create something bigger and better that covers the whole of the UK.
Let's take the impetus given to us by the new EU directives and drive this SME agenda forward!
Community benefit clauses that benefit all
We need to seize the opportunities to make public procurement a force for good in the wider community and economy. We can use community benefit clauses to not only deliver apprenticeships and work placements, but also to promote improved engagement with and services for communities.
How about donating the power of a community benefit clause in your construction project to another area if you can't sustain any more apprenticeships at the moment where you are? Why not put it in your contract but target it for a related geographic area where there is a demonstrable need?
Now that would be Team UK working better together wouldn't it?
There is powerful information in the data – we just need to use it!
We have access to big data on spending across our organisations, across our sectors, across our countries, across the UK.
It's time to inspire our IT suppliers to give us integrated solutions which join up purchasing systems to general ledgers to contract registers to national procurement information hubs. It's no longer acceptable for us all to say we don't have the data; that we just don't know.
Just imagine what we could do with all that knowledge about our spend and contracts if we can actually get our hands on it?
The future for public procurement is exciting
So as we head towards a place where decision-making could become more local, the potential for public procurement to excel has never been greater.
We can deliver even more savings and value by joining up behind the scenes and working together whenever we can. This won't be by implementing a one size, or organisation, fits all approach. It will only be by adopting a federalist approach that recognises procurement teams operating at local, sectoral and national levels all have their roles to play in this exciting next stage.
Only then we truly be better together.
What makes people hide from social networks?
September 30, 2014 Procurious HQ
Ello. Is this the social network you have been waiting for?
This is what happens when social networks like Facebook and Twitter start to veer off-course – disillusioned programmers come up with something they think everyone wants: ad-free, and to some extent – private.
Simplicity doesn't necessarily mean beautiful.
Going incognito
But what does this 'simple, beautiful & ad-free' new platform actually achieve? At this early stage it all reeks of being a bit too cool for school… You get the sense it's been designed for those desperate to stand out, but in the same breath want to rebel against the system, damn the man. There's rebellion bubbling beneath the monochrome swooshes, but everything is so hidden it's hard to fathom what's really going on.
You want to hide? Sure, you can do that (along with everyone else who's desperately trying to suss out if their friends are there too). We're as good as invisible – but this isn't entirely the happy outcome everyone thought it would be.
"Every post you share, every friend you make and every link you follow is tracked, recorded and converted into data. Advertisers buy your data so they can show you more ads. You are the product that's bought and sold…"
OK, maybe we're overplaying Ello's original modus-operandi here – but deep down it is still driving at the same thing.
Why is anonymity so important?
Beards. It does beards well. A number of the site's founders sport impressive facial furniture.
Social networks (by their very nature) are social. They are a not palm-laden solace for shying away from the wandering eyes of the world.
Many will surely (mistakenly) flock to Ello for peace of mind -after all, a few lofty statements go a long way… But on the face of it, it seems that Ello is no different: The information Ello collects includes your location, language, referring web site, and time spent visiting Ello.
Dig a little deeper and we note that users can however opt to switch this tracking off by visiting their settings page. With the best intentions this still won't stop your browser from communicating/disclosing your activity to Internet servers the world over – albeit anonymously – so is there really such a thing as going dark?
On its 'WTF' page Ello reiterates that it respects a browser's Do Not Track preferences, but notes such efforts are effectively null and void if you happen to use Chrome, or use services Google-powered search services or YouTube.
Did you manage to get an invite? You can add me on mfsmith20 and we can explore this crazy place together…
What do you make of it all: do you think that Ello has a worthwhile place in society?
Sears mimics Zara's fast fashion approach
Fast fashion is a bit of a buzzword around these parts, so we're somewhat surprised to find it hasn't featured more heavily in our weekly news roundups. Of course now our lead-item has just gone and bucked that trend… Eyes-down for that and more:
Carlos Slim, following the lead of fellow billionaire Amancio Ortega, is freshening up his Sears outlets in Mexico with an of-the-moment sense of style in a bid to boost profits.
The retailer is joining the ranks of Ortega's fashion empire Zara by introducing new brands that quickly convert the latest runway styles of clothes and accessories into cheaper, mass-distributed goods. It's a change of pace for Sears, which opened its first store in Mexico City in 1947 and whose 82 Mexican locations are now owned by Slim's Grupo Sanborns SAB.
Sanborns aims to benefit from the 30 percent growth in Mexican consumer spending that PricewaterhouseCoopers projects through 2017. Slim is betting that his "fast-fashion" strategy will help lure new, young consumers who favor retailers such as H&M and Forever 21, which opened its eighth store in Mexico last month.
Read more at Business of Fashion
Qatar Airways and IAG Cargo considering expanding capacity sharing agreement
Qatar Airways Cargo, and the cargo handling division of the International Airlines Group, IAG Cargo, are considering expanding a capacity sharing agreement signed in May to cover additional Asian destinations.
Under the agreement's current terms, Qatar Airways operate five weekly B777-F flights between Hong Kong and London Stansted via Mumbai International, Chennai, Delhi International and Dhaka on various routings, on behalf of IAG Cargo.
IAG entered the agreement after British Airways (BA, London Heathrow) prematurely terminated a lease contract with Atlas Air for three B747-8Fs operated by Global Supply Systems (GSS, London Stansted). The two parties are now considering expanding the deal to include points in Pakistan. Dave Shepherd, Head of Commercial at IAG Cargo, has said that the decision to expand the agreement is a result of its ongoing success adding that it could be a model for other carriers to follow.
Via Supply Chain Digital
Procurement in the UK
Metropolitan Police uses P2P system to transform procurement
The Metropolitan Police has introduced a purchase-to-pay (P2P) system to transform the way it procures goods and services.
Vicky Morgan, director of procurement operations at the service, said the iBuy system has helped improve customer service, reduce processing costs, improve financial reporting and balance costs. Speaking at the eWorld Purchasing and Supply conference in London, Morgan explained that she thought introducing such a system would be the main part of the transformation project. But she soon found out business process and change management were bigger hurdles.
To further improve the system, Morgan launched iBuy Plus to introduce "a very different way of working". Staff are now required to make every purchase order themselves, and Morgan has reduced the numerous levels of approvals. Before this system, an order would have to be approved by around three people.
Read more at Supply Management
Whitehall mandates supply chain cyber security standard for suppliers
The UK government wants to improve cyber security in its supply chain. From next week on 1st October, all suppliers must be compliant with new "Cyber Essentials" controls if they are bidding for government contracts which involve the handling of sensitive and personal information and the provision of certain technical products and services.
The UK government has developed Cyber Essentials in consultation with industry, and according to the government, it offers "a sound foundation of basic cyber hygiene measures which, when properly implemented, can significantly reduce a company's vulnerability." The scheme's set of five critical controls is applicable to all types of organisations, of all sizes, giving protection from the most prevalent forms of threat coming from the internet.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said: "It's vital that we take steps to reduce the levels of cyber security risk in our supply chain. Cyber Essentials provides a cost-effective foundation of basic measures that can defend against the increasing threat of cyber attack. Businesses can demonstrate that they take this issue seriously and that they have met government requirements to respond to the threat. Gaining this kind of accreditation will also demonstrate to non-government customers a business' clear stance on cyber security.
Read more at Government Computing
Taiwan losing its grip on iPhone supply chain
Production of the hot-selling iPhone 6 is bringing business to a number of Taiwanese technology firms and boosting factory orders on the mainland, although supplier competition and sourcing changes at Apple have taken a bite out of the region's dependence on the popular handsets.
Apple has contracted Taiwanese tech giant Hon Hai Precision to make all its iPhone 6 Plus handsets and 70 per cent of basic iPhone 6 orders, analysts say. Pegatron, based in Taipei, will assemble the other 30 per cent, the Market Intelligence and Consulting Institute in Taiwan estimates.
"Most of the worldwide assembly for the iPhone 6 range will take place in China, because that is where the lowest costs and biggest factories are located," said Neil Mawston, global wireless practice executive director at Strategy Analytics in Britain.
But as Apple changes specs from earlier iPhone models and has the pick from a bigger field of suppliers worldwide, mainland and Taiwanese companies are getting fewer orders compared to older iPhones. "The components for the iPhone 6 portfolio come from a very globalised supply chain," Mawston said. Taiwan will pocket just US$25 to US$30 from the total US$245 to US$255 manufacturing bill of materials from each iPhone 6 handset, according to the Market Intelligence and Consulting Institute.
Read more at SCMP.com
Staying active and healthy with Jawbone UP24
Fitness trackers are proving big business; if you need proof, just know that the likes of Nike, Sony, Fitbit, and Samsung have already jumped onboard the somewhat profitable activity train.
The Jawbone UP24 is another from this particular stable, in so much as it's an activity tracker designed to be worn on the wrist.
Design and appearance
The Jawbone UP24's unobtrusive nature makes it perfect for those just dipping their toe into the activity tracker waters. If you're scared of making a statement, and instead are looking to make small, gradual changes to your lifestyle, then this could be the fitness band for you.
For the fashion-conscious among you, the Jawbone UP24 is available in a variety of colours – namely: red, navy blue, lemon lime, onyx, persimmon, and pink coral.
A selection of sizes (small, medium, and large) ensures you'll get the best fit – there's not much of a difference in weight between the models either. The UP24 weighs in at 19g, 22g, and 23g respectively.
The band itself is made out of toughened, textured rubber. And we had no concerns when it came to wearing it for long periods of time, as the rubber happily possesses hypoallergenic qualities (skin irritation be gone – hurrah!)
Charging is achieved via a 2.5mm connector (think headphone jack in all but function) – this isn't your standard USB charging cable. But you're only looking at around 80 minutes for a full charge when connected.
The innards of the band.
The UP24 couples a Tri-axis accelerometer with some natty algorithms to passively track and quantify your steps, distance, active and idle time.
By taking into account your age, gender, height and weight, the band can also calculate the number of calories burned during a period of activity.
The band itself tracks your movement and sleep, but elsewhere the UP app will keep tabs on your meals and mood.
This is Jawbone's second activity tracker – the original Jawbone UP lacks the newies' Bluetooth Smart syncing (useful for viewing your data in real-time).
A lack of built-in screen means you'll still be reliant on your mobile – but you'll likely bump into a lamppost if you're constantly distracted/keep-checking your wrist. Suffice to say, this omission isn't exactly a deal-breaker. Plus, the band doesn't rely on an ever-present connection – you can happily go about your business without using your mobile as a crutch. When you get the itch to analyse your movements, simply make sure you're within reach of your Bluetooth-enabled device and press the button on the band to sync all recent data.
Currently none of the fitness bands in the marketplace offer any form of location-tracking. If you're after a solution that plots your run/route, a GPS running watch may better serve your needs.
In terms of record-keeping, the app puts in a sterling effort. Your steps (or progress towards the daily goal if you want to think of it that way) are displayed in the form of a helpful chart. Plus you can deep-dive to get a better look at specified time-periods, should you so wish.
Sleep is also displayed in this way – the chart will break your slumber down into heavy/light periods, duration, if you woke at all, and how many sheep you counted before nodding-off…
Gentle encouragement
A little encouragement goes a long way… The UP app offers-up daily recommendations to help encourage healthy living. Whether these be around water intake, reminders to go to bed earlier, or you've just been inactive for too long. The band can be programmed to deliver vibrating reminders, which is useful for encouraging you to get up from your desk, and give your legs a shake. Coupled with the band, it's like having your very own motivational speaker on your wrist…
The iOS version of the UP app also allows you to track caffeine.
If you already use apps like RunKeeper, MyFitnessPal, etc. you can import data into the UP app and delve into the minutiae of your activity.
The UP24 app allows you to keep a record of your food and drink intake… like this Cava here.
I took the UP24 band along with me to Seville. In such muggy climes it would've been foolish to do 'too much', but in the gaps between siesta and a hundred mouthfuls of tapas I managed to put in more than my recommended daily average.
During my tenure with the Jawbone UP24, news of a significant update was announced. The update brings with it increased battery life (a full 14 days – up from the 7 days fresh out of the box). Updating the band will erase all current activity mind, so make sure you've recently synced your Jawbone before carrying it out.
Like what you've heard? Price-wise you can get your hands on the Jawbone UP24 for around the £105 mark in Europe.
fitnessjawbone up 24 reviewjawbone up24
On a mission to challenge procurement's misconceptions
A few months into a year-long work placement role with Mercedes-Benz, Emily Gloyns admits she was ready for a new challenge.
"The challenge was no longer there, so I began shadowing buyers to better understand their roles. I expanded my role by supporting them with drafting RFx documents and analysis tasks."
Her initiative paid off. Emily was promoted to Graduate Buyer seven months into the work placement and before completing her Bachelor of Business. As Graduate Buyer, she was responsible for the entire marketing and travel categories for the luxury car marque.
She thrived in the role, which allowed her to work with lead buyers in Germany on major global contracts.
Emily was tapped on the shoulder by EnergyAustralia a couple of years later, where she's currently the Category Lead for ICT, looking after telecommunications, software and hardware. In the next few years, she hopes to be in a managerial role.
While Emily is grateful she was curious enough to follow around those Mercedes-Benz buyers and ask questions, she admits to being frustrated by the misconception that the procurement industry is filled with either dull or grumpy people with the solitary goal of saving money for the business, regardless of whether it compromises on quality or end result.
"What I love about procurement is that it's so easy to change these misconceptions. It's all about the approach you take with your stakeholders and vendors. It's fun to work with a diverse stakeholder group and vary your approach depending on their personality and their objectives in their role.
"I guess you could say I love the people side of procurement, as it can be the most challenging. And I love a good challenge."
Her main focus this year is stakeholder management and category strategy planning. She also plans to invest more time in keeping up to date with the ICT industry.
Outside of work she loves cooking, and admits to being a serious chocoholic. "I love having a holiday planned too, whether it's an overseas trip or a visit to somewhere local I haven't been before."
emily gloyns
Do you have events coming out of your ears?
How's your calendar looking these days? Busy schedule? Yeah us too…
We'd love nothing more than to alleviate your calendar clashes, but we wouldn't be doing our job properly if we didn't offer you a tempting timetable of the hottest events in procurement to swallow all of your free time…
Regular Procurious users will already be well-versed in the benefits of the Events hub, but for those who are yet to dabble here's a primer:
How? Just pay a visit to our Events page to view all future listings. Clicking on an event will take you to a dedicated page where you can discover more about the day(s). Think essential info like the programme, speakers, fee, and other Procurious members who might be thinking of attending.
What's more, all Events on Procurious are searchable – utilise the search box to narrow down your options and hone-in on your event of choice.
Your RSVP
State your intentions by RSVPing to an event. Thinking of putting in an appearance? Just select the 'I am going' or 'maybe' options. If you really don't think you'll make it, there's no shame in declining the invite.
Your RSVP will also be viewable to the other members of Procurious via a post that appears in their Community feed.
All Event listings are archived too, so if you're feeling nostalgic you can also view past events. This is a great place to catch-up with attendees – you can reminisce by leaving comments on the page.
Apps to the rescue!
When it comes to managing your time digitally, you're better off ditching your phone's default calendar and embracing one of the excellent third-party alternatives…
We couldn't resist making a few recommendations:
For iOS: We'd scrimp for either Sunrise or Fantastical (now in its second iteration).
Android user? Good news! Sunrise is also available for Android devices – we'd also point you in the direction of both aCalendar and Today Calendar.
For the Windows Phone users among you, Chronos is certainly worth a look-in. In addition the default app has also just been updated with new features, so if you have a moment to spare – check it out.
Sourcing things differently: the world of alternative storefronts
Here in 2014 companies are increasingly looking for different ways to get products into the hands of the end user. We're not just talking about practical logistics, but every decision and thought that informs a customer's purchasing process. Take Internet sensation Alibaba for instance – sure you can draw parallels to other popular online storefronts, but there's something in its old-fashioned street-vendor approach that no one else has successfully harnessed in this age.
Elsewhere HowGood is offering shoppers the chance to shop transparently, informing around sustainability and ethical factors.
What is Alibaba?
Described by The Economist as the world's greatest bazaar, Alibaba is a Chinese e-commerce platform that is single-handedly responsible for carrying out more transactions than both eBay and Amazon (and that's combined…) In terms of numbers Alibaba represents a massive 80 per cent of online purchases in China.
Alibaba is a haven for manufacturers, suppliers, importers and exporters.
Three websites actually sit under the Alibaba umbrella, and they are: Taobao, Tmall and Alibaba.com.
It's an online marketplace (for want of a better explanation), one that's free for users to browse and buy, but sellers can pay for ads in order to stand out. It's come some way from its roots when it existed solely for the purpose of connecting manufacturers to potential customers. In 2012 Taobao and Tmall saw transactions totalling $170 billion being made – and revenue in 2013 stood at $6.73 billion.
There's more than just the transactional side of the business too. Services such as AliSourcePro will allow businesses to source new supplies, and get quotations for stock in under 12 hours. A payment system – Alipay, meanwhile handles small and micro financial transactions.
The rise and rise of Alibaba: A healthy investment
The Chinese e-commerce giant has made it into the history books by achieving the largest initial public offering (IPO) since records began. Upon its debut Alibaba stood tall at $92.70 (a full 38 per cent more than the original estimate) – and racking up a colossal $25 billion in total shares.
And with that, Alibaba founder Jack Ma has somewhat unsurprisingly just topped China's rich list too.
Your sustainable weekly shop
Want to be better informed about the things you're putting into your shopping basket?
HowGood is offered through both a dedicated app and online experience – and has just amassed $2 million in funding.
Researches and rates products based on a number of criteria (60 In total); with everything from a company's behaviour over time, to the provenance of ingredients and the manufacturing process.
Procurement under the spotlight
HowGood's website states:
"We investigate the products' ingredients – and the company's procurement and processing methods. We'll look at everything from corporate governance to specific issues like hazardous waste emissions.
We'll also put company behaviour in the context of their industry. So if a company's industry has naturally low carbon emissions, their emissions policy will carry a lower weighting — and vice versa."
HowGood's genesis dates back to 2007, in 2014 it now shares data to small US grocers spread across 21 different states. Its 'Featured grocer' spotlight regularly identifies highly-rated products and suppliers.
Find out more about the food you eat at howgood.com
alibabahowgood
Procurement profession "relieved" following Scotland no vote
The last seven days have played host to one of the biggest news stories of 2014 – suffice to say Procurious can't ignore it! Hence we lead with Scotland, but things have been happening further afield too… Read on for all the details:
Supply chain "relieved" by referendum result
The people decided the country will remain united and Cameron ensures promises to Scotland will be honoured. Supply chain experts are "relieved", say result "removes risk to employment" and that it's "business as usual".
Bernard Molloy, global industrial logistics director at Unipart Group, comments; "No doubt logistics and supply chains would have to be rebalanced if the Scottish Referendum was yes. Costs and return-on-investment on distribution are currently fairly reasonably spread nationally; this would have been a different story if the vote was yes."
Chris Sturman, chief executive of the Food Storage & Distribution Federation, says; "I believe this a good decision for all the inhabitants of the UK. It maintains the economic and logistical whole, removes risk to employment, enables stable costs and prices for all citizens and removes the instability of change, especially after the uncertainty of the recession.
Read more on SHD Logistics Magazine
Supply Management also carried this article – it includes quotes from John Milne, a procurement consultant at Hampco based in Aberdeen:
"There's a sense of relief and a vindication because much of the media were supporting the hype of the nationalists who were giving an unfeasible argument. It's a relief for the oil and gas sector too, we know which regime we have to negotiate with now.
"For procurement, it has taken the fear factor away – the changes would have cost a lot of money. So procurement will heave a sigh of relief that they won't have to take on the changes."
India's artillery procurement saga
There is little doubt that the Indian Army's artillery is in urgent need of modernization. But delays in procurement are hindering the process.
India hasn't purchased a new system since the Bofors in 1980s. Senior Indian army officials have also raised concerns over shortages of modern artillery systems, which they believe would be a crucial drawback in any future conflict. The Army has been notably lackadaisical when it comes to acquiring these types of guns, with tenders cancelled in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
in 2012 the Ministry of Defence cleared a $647 million deal to acquire 145 M777 155-mm 38-caliber howitzers under Washington's Foreign Military Sales program. In October 2013, however, it was reported that British multinational BAE Systems would be closing the U.S. factory that manufactures the gun, due the "absence of any order or commitment from New Delhi." If New Delhi wants the guns, it will have to pay to reopen the line, raising the price to as much as $885 million. A recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar makes the deal even more expensive. Washington points out that if India had been able to move more quickly, it could have had the guns at the lower price.
Read more at The Diplomat
Top procurement groups deliver 7x return on investment
In a combined initiative to bring common value management visibility and practices to the procurement profession, three organizations – A.T. Kearney, the Institute for Supply Management, and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply – released the results of the inaugural ROSMASM Performance Check Report "Building the Brand of Procurement and Supply."
The report found that leading procurement teams are delivering significant value to their organizations, but without a credible standard allowing companies to consistently track and score procurement performance, many CFOs question the performance of and benefits delivered by their procurement teams.
In an independent survey of CFOs and financial function leaders the study found that only 10 per cent of procurement functions have established recognition with their CFOs regarding how procurement contributes value and that the benefits are real and measureable. The report is distilled from more than 400 completed, qualified, and accepted cumulative benchmarks along with more than 170 submissions focused on 2013 results.
Read more at EBN Online
At McDonald's, sustainability is job 1, 2 and 3…
McDonald's sustainability efforts focus on verifiable sustainable coffee, fish, fiber, palm oil and beef with "beef being Priority Number One, Two and Three."
Bob Langert, McDonald's Global Sustainability VP, said their sustainability efforts are based on collaborations within their respective industries.
"We want to do this right and to do it right we have to collaborate and get the right measures in place. We are determined to let science lead the way, but we are also determined to start purchasing (beef) in 2016."
Read more and watch the video interview at The Pig Site
Snapdeal to spend over $100 million on its supply chain in 2014
Online marketplace Snapdeal has become one of the largest clients for ecommerce logistics companies in India. The Delhi-based company, unlike rivals Flipkart and Amazon, outsources its entire logistics.
Snapdeal's co-founder and chief operating officer, Rohit Bansal said: "We had earlier mentioned that we would end up spending Rs 450 crore in supply chain this year. But, with the kind of sales happening, we may well end up spending somewhere between $100-125 million (Rs 600-760 crore) in supply chain."
Read more in The Economic Times
scotland procurementscottish vote
'Don't be intimidated by the people you respect'
Marissa Brown features in the next of our Generation Procurement series.
A bold approach and hard work has seen Marissa Brown go far in the nine years since she joined the procurement profession.
She showed strong initiative early, applying for a role as a senior contracts manager at BAE Systems after university, knowing it was out of league.
"I wrote a marketing piece on myself as the cover letter. It worked. Although they didn't offer me the role, they wanted to meet me, and offered me a procurement role, as they were developing a graduate program. I was the first to start six months later. "
Next, she moved into BAE's communications division, managing the procurement requirements and relationships with major suppliers.
"There were lots of travel perks, including trips to the UK or US every three months visiting facilities that manufactured satellite communications infrastructure for high priority maritime platforms and ground based networks."
She's also worked for Leighton Contractors and Suzlon Energy Australia, and now holds a Market Senior Lead Role at BP, which puts her in charge of retail capital expenditure for BP service stations across Australia.
"It's different from previous roles because I drive past BP sites every day, knowing I play a significant part in driving change that impacts the look and feel of a site and enhances the customer experience," Marissa says.
"There's never a dull moment, and you're constantly interacting with people from varying industries and professions. I don't think I could do a job where I just sit in an office every day working in isolation. Procurement gets you interacting with senior leaders, and enables you to drive changes that have fundamental impact on the business, not just to the bottom line, but operational efficiencies and improving the customer experience."
With a commerce degree under her belt, she set a goal to complete her Masters of Supply Chain Management (gaining honours) before she was 30, which she finished in 2013.
She's most certainly bold, explaining that when in the same room as speaker and well-respected procurement professional Stephen Rowe at a CIPSA event six years ago, she had to introduce herself. Stephen still mentors her today.
It's important not to be intimidated by senior leaders that inspire you, she says, urging others never to underestimate the value of a mentor.
"Since meeting Stephen, I've made connections with other senior leaders, who have also been informal mentors to me. I can't put into words how valuable this has been not only from a professional perspective, but more importantly, from a personal development perspective."


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Surveillance for acute viral hepatitis, United States, 2007
MMWR. Surveillance summaries : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Surveillance summaries ; v. 58, no. SS-3
Daniels, Danni	; Grytdal, Scott	; Wasley, Annemarie	;
Daniels, Danni	; Grytdal, Scott	; Wasley, Annemarie	Less ▲
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (U.S.), Division of Viral Hepatitis.	; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)	;
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (U.S.), Division of Viral Hepatitis.	; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)	Less ▲
"Problem: In the United States, acute viral hepatitis most frequently is caused by infection with any of three distinct viruses: hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV). These unrelated viruses are transmitted through different routes and have different epidemiologic profiles. Safe and effective vaccines have been available for hepatitis B since 1981 and for hepatitis A since 1995. No vaccine exists against hepatitis C. HBV and HCV can persist as chronic infections and represent a leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States. Reporting Period Covered: Cases in 2007, the most recent year for which data are available, are compared with those from previous years. Description of System: Cases of acute viral hepatitis are reported voluntarily to CDC by state and territorial health departments via CDC's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS). Reports are received electronically via CDC's National Electronic Telecommunications System for Surveillance (NETSS). Results: Acute hepatitis A incidence has declined 92%, from 12.0 cases per 100,000 population in 1995 to 1.0 case per 100,000 population in 2007, the lowest rate ever recorded. Declines were greatest among children and in those states where routine vaccination of children was recommended beginning in 1999. Acute hepatitis B incidence has declined 82%, from 8.5 cases per 100,000 population in 1990 to 1.5 cases per 100,000 population in 2007, the lowest rate ever recorded. Declines occurred among all age groups but were greatest among children aged <15 years. Following a peak in 1992, incidence of acute hepatitis C declined; however, since 2003, rates have plateaued. In 2007, as in previous years, the majority of these cases occurred among adults, and injection-drug use was the most common risk factor. Interpretation: The results documented in this report suggest that implementation of the 1999 recommendations for routine childhood hepatitis A vaccination in areas of the United States with consistently elevated hepatitis A rates has reduced rates of infection. In addition, universal vaccination of children against hepatitis B beginning in 1991 has reduced disease incidence substantially among younger age groups. Higher rates of hepatitis B continue among adults, particularly among males aged 30--44 years, reflecting the need to vaccinate adults at risk for HBV infection. The decline in hepatitis C incidence after 1992 was attributable primarily to a decrease in incidence among injection-drug users. The reasons for this decrease were unknown but probably reflected changes in behavior and practices among injection-drug users. Public Health Actions: The expansion in 2006 of recommendations for routine hepatitis A vaccination to include all children in the United States aged 12--23 months is expected to reduce hepatitis A rates further. Ongoing hepatitis B vaccination programs ultimately will eliminate domestic HBV transmission, and increased vaccination of adults with risk factors will accelerate progress toward elimination. Further prevention of hepatitis B and hepatitis C relies on identifying and preventing transmission of HBV or HCV in hospital and nonhospital health-care associated settings. In addition, prevention of hepatitis C relies on identifying and counseling uninfected persons at risk for hepatitis C (e.g., injection-drug users) regarding ways they can protect themselves from infection. Public health management of persons with chronic HBV or HCV infection will help to interrupt the transmission to susceptible persons, and their medical management will help to reduce the development of the sequelae from chronic liver disease"- p. 1
Content Notes:
Danni Daniels, Scott Grytdal, Annemarie Wasley.	"Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention"	Includes bibliographical references (p. 9-10).
Population Surveillance
Epidemiology/United States
Hepatitis A/Epidemiology/United States
Hepatitis B/Epidemiology/United States
Hepatitis C/Epidemiology/United States
Population Surveillance/United States
Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection
urn:sha256:9e3a4b272f277516921c6dfacaa29ca2667e12a0c1cfbc1b1133926880a1bf94
Core state preconception health indicators -- Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2009
Robbins, Cheryl L.; Zapata, Lauren; Farr, Sherry L.; Kroelinger, Charlan D.; Morrow, Brian; Ahluwalia, Indu B.; D'Angelo, Denise V.; Barradas, Danielle; Cox, Shanna; Goodman, David.; Williams, Letitia.; Grigorescu, Violanda; Barfield, Wanda D.;
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U.S.). Division of Reproductive Health.
MMWR. Surveillance summaries : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Surveillance summaries
Problem/Condition: Promoting preconception health can potentially improve women's health and pregnancy outcomes. Evidence-based interventions exist to reduce many maternal behaviors and chronic conditions that are associated with adverse pregnancy ou...
Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years - autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2010
Baio, Jon
Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. Surveillance Year 2010 Principal Investigators.. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
MMWR. Surveillance summaries : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Surveillance summaries ; v. 63, no SS-2
Corresponding author: Jon Baio, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC.Problem/Condition: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Period Covered: 2010.Description of System: The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (A...
Trends in smoking before, during, and after pregnancy--Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, United States, 40 sites, 2000-2010
Tong, Van T.; Dietz, Patricia M.; Morrow, Brian; D'Angelo, Denise V.; Farr, Sherry L.; Rockhill, Karilynn M.; England, Lucinda J.;
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U.S.). Division of Reproductive Health.. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U.S.). Office on Smoking and Health..
MMWR. Surveillance summaries : Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Surveillance summaries ; v. 62, SS-6
Youth risk behavior surveillance —United States, 2013
Kann, Laura; Kinchen, Steve; Shanklin, Shari L.; Flint, Katherine H.; Hawkins, Joseph; Harris, William A.; Lowry, Richard; Olsen, Emily O'Malley; McManus, Tim; Chyen, David; Whittle, Lisa; Taylor, Eboni; Demissie, Zewditu; Brener, Nancy D.; Thornton, Jemekia; Moore, John; Zaza, Stephanie;
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (U.S.). Division of Adolescent and School Health.
Behavioral and clinical characteristics of persons receiving medical care for HIV infection — medical monitoring project, United States, 2009
Blair, Janet M.; Fagan, Jennifer L.; Frazier, Emma; Do, Ann N.; Bradley, Heather; Valverde, Eduardo E.; McNaghten, A. D.; Beer, Linda.; Zhang, Shuyan.; Huang, Ping.; Mattson, Christine I.; Freedman, Mark S.; Johnson, Christopher H.; Sanders, Catherine C.; Spruit-McGoff, Kathryn E.; Heffelfinger, James D.;
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (U.S.)
Problem: As of December 31, 2009, an estimated 864,748 persons were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and six U.S.-dependent areas. Whereas HIV surveillance programs in the Unite...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is an absurdist, existentialist tragicomedy by Tom Stoppard, first staged at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1966. The play expands upon the exploits of two minor characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet, the courtiers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The action of Stoppard's play takes place mainly "in the wings" of Shakespeare's, with brief appearances of major characters from Hamlet who enact fragments of the original's scenes. Between these episodes the two protagonists voice their confusion at the progress of events of which—occurring onstage without them in Hamlet—they have no direct knowledge.
See images of the show here.


text:
« July September »
« Sigefrith and Brede return
Leofric furthers his reputation »
Sir Sigefrith tells his tale
Sigefrith was in fact permitted to greet the ladies, and afterwards he stalled as long as he could by taking the time to eat, shave, and check on his horse. But the King was never far behind, and so at last he was obliged to follow him out into the cloistered court to tell of their journey. He felt that he, of the six that had gone, was the least qualified to tell the tale properly, but as always the younger men had left him to deal with the more bothersome consequences of their adventures.
"Why don't you begin by telling me who or what is Whitehand?" the King said after they had sat. "It is not clear to me even whether it is a person or a place."
"It's a man," Sigefrith sighed, happy that he would, at least, not need to find the words to begin the conversation. "He is – now – King of Man and the Isles. He's… oh – his name is Godred, son of Harald the Black, and – well – " This was the difficult part. "It seems that Harald Hardrada named him sovereign of the Isles, and gave him his – "
"Hardrada?" The King's voice was calm, but the corners of his mouth were most definitely turning into a frown.
"Well, this was a long time ago…"
"At least thirteen years ago, necessarily."
"That's right! A long, long time ago. And, so, he gave him his daughter as a wife, and put him over the islands, but, you know, the Irish kept him away for a long time…"
"I do know."
"That's right! And he tried several times to take them back for the Norse, but, you know, he never succeeded."
"I know," the King said wearily.
"So, this summer he wanted to try again, and he needed ships and men, and Eirik was looking for something to do since Tryggvason was staying home this summer, and – "
"Something to do?"
"Well, it was his first summer with his own ships."
"Ah, yes. His new toys."
"That's right! And he asked Brede and me whether we should like to come along – "
"He asked Brede to come along?"
"Oh, they're great friends now. It sufficed to get them away from the girls."
"Lord preserve us from the girls!"
Sigefrith didn't know whether the last was meant to be a joke or not, and so he compromised by smiling broadly.
"What did Tryggvason say to this?" the King asked. "I understood that he liked Hardrada and his kin very little."
"But Eirik is his own man, and does as he likes."
"And you and Brede are…?"
"Well…" Sigefrith squirmed.
"So I understand that the three of you went with the son-in-law of Hardrada – "
"The six of us. I mean, the three of us, and Stein, and Eirik son of Haakon, and Tryggve, who is Haakon's sister's grandson."
"So Tryggvason apparently knew what you were about?"
"Oh, of course! He thought it a fine joke."
"On me!"
"Go on, runt. You got on one of Eirik's ships and sailed around to the islands…"
"And we fought! And Whitehand is very clever, you know. He hid a few hundred men in the woods, and we met them on a field and surrounded them, and then the tide came up in the river so they couldn't get away, and they all surrendered, and we won!"
"Just like that!"
"And we took everything they had, and Whitehand is king now of the Isles. And he's a very nice man!"
"Sigefrith," the King sighed. "You are such a very nice man that you seem to find everyone so. You will forgive me for being skeptical."
"But I have a very nice letter for you, from him! You will see."
"A letter for me? By God's name, runt, needed you mention me?"
"Of course! I had to tell him who was my lord. And Brede too."
"Oh, Lord preserve us from the boys! Sigefrith!"
"Sigefrith! Sigefrith!"
"Brede thought you wouldn't be happy…" Sigefrith said miserably.
"Sigefrith! Harald Hardrada's son-in-law! To this day I curse that name when I spit! If not for Hardrada, we might have defeated William at Hastings!"
"Well… but that was a long time ago…"
"And, Sigefrith! As you know, it was the Irish who held the Isles for so long and until so recently, namely the Kings of Leinster and Dublin, in particular the father and the brother of Aed's own Irish wife – or had you forgotten?"
"Oh…" It was true, he had forgotten about Aed's wife.
"I hope you had at least the reserve to neglect mentioning where we are situated?"
"Oh, well…"
"You told him where to find us?"
"Oh, of course! He wants to meet you."
"Meet me?"
"In battle, do you suppose?"
"Oh, no! He's a good man."
Sigefrith watched his godfather's face closely. He had not yet erupted in anger – that was something. But the deep shadows of the torchlight made him appear uncharacteristically grim. Or perhaps he truly was.
"I wonder how Brede meant to explain this to me," the King muttered to himself.
"You should write to Whitehand, or better still, go see him. It isn't far, and Eirik is there now. I could go with you. And you will see!"
"If there is anyone I need to see right now, it is Aed. Or Tryggvason. He apparently knows how to hate Hardrada's kin and help them at the same time. Fortunately I had already planned to go see Aed, to fetch Malcolm home and to visit Cubby. And you, young man, shall be coming with me."
"Oh! I've always wanted to go!" Sigefrith cried. "And see Malcolm!"
"See Malcolm!" The King rolled his eyes. "You shall not find this trip a lark, Sigefrith. I don't mean it for your amusement. You shall explain to Aed."
"Oh…" Sigefrith flushed. "Shall we bring Brede?"
"It appears that we had better!"
Jul. 9, 2006, 1:12 pm
Aug. 23, 2009, 6:16 am
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"How Insufficient a Reason"
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Sigefrith Hwala
Sigefrith Leofricsson Hingwar
Is this incorrect?
Oh, young naive Sigefrith...
Jesska
July 5, 2008 – 07:04 PM
I'm going to have to agree with poor elder Sigefrith, at this rate everyone except William is going to know about him and the kingdom. Plus, I don't think this is the best time for him to be taken away from home, Eadie isn't exactly in her best of spirits.
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I like how, at this point in the story, you can't predict who is going to end up with each other.
"Egelric is touched by the ghost of a hand"
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The Kingdom of Lothere is an ongoing medieval fantasy novel published chapter-by-chapter on	the Web, illustrated with screenshots from The Sims 2.
"I hate you!"
"That is of no importance to me."
‒ Maud and Egelric, "Maud runs after Egelric"
Story, graphics, and design copyright © 2005–2022	by the Author. All rights reserved.
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Powder Alloy Corporation (PAC) is a privately held firm that was founded in 1973. Our core business is the manufacturing and distribution of metallic, ceramic and thermal spray powders and wires that are used in coating enhancement and joining industries. PAC both markets directly to the marketplace as well as use strategic alliances to distribute its product globally.
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a few weeks ago, i showed you a business casual look a la this dress. but i realize not everyone is into dresses and not everyone can wear jeans to work, either. i love a good business casual pant, and these TopShop ones fit the bill perfectly. olive green is such a great neutral in my book and goes well with most colors; half-tuck a camel sweater into these pants or pair them with a cropped, light pink top. the options are endless! i also love that they are slight cropped and fitted, making them the best business casual option for all fashionistas.
this white jacket is more like a long blazer to me and i absolutely love it! it's that perfect in between weight where it keeps you warm with a layered long sleeve underneath, but you aren't sweltering like a full-on coat can sometimes do with layers. it's a great price right now and i'm excited to have an all-white jacket for the winter days ahead.
ps: how fab are these Bad Beyhavior sunnies?! i love how old school, hollywood chic they are. find 'em here.
honor your curves: my journey to loving my body.
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What a fun, fun family get-away!I want to have a pirate night!!I didn't go anywhere special this summer, but it has been a pretty wild one, for sure.Your girls look adorable, as always, and look like they had a fabulous time!
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enfócate en un negocio millonario.


Since a couple of weeks, the new phenomenon on Weibo is the on going work of French photographer Benoit Cezard plainly entitled China 2050.
What will China look like in the future? Will the young foreigners or -LaoWai- become the new migrant workers by 2050?
"As China rapidly develops, future China's migrant workers will be replaced by westerners, so they have to get used to it in advance". This was the explanation Benoit Cezard provided.
The highlight of today was the (re)discovery of the song Wo Ai Ni (I love You) by Grace Chang remixed by local dubstep DJ Conrank. Grace Chang is a Chinese actress and singer born in Shanghai in 1933. She appeared in over 30 movies over her 11 year acting career.
And the original for those whom haven't listened to it yet.
Play it! Love it! Share it!
I discovered today the work of Sean Soong, student at the Communication University of China.
His latest work is a 5 minutes video mixing several obvious inspirations featuring the story of an old man whom cannot find an available seat in the subway.
I personally enjoyed a lot the aesthetic of the video. As for the content...Pure black humor or social satire? I let you make your own opinion.
May 19th was the day Van Cleef & Arpels chose to organize their black tie cocktail accompanying the launch of the sumptuous exhibition "Timeless Beauty", spanning over 100 years of history. The exhibition is running from May 20 to July 15 in the Museum of Contemporary Art of Shanghai covering the two first floors for a total of 1200sq. meter space right in the heart of People's Square. I was pleased to be invited to the preview cocktail.
The French Maison, created at the end of the nineteenth century by Charles Arpels and Afred Van Cleef, is well known for its innovative masterpieces and by its broad scope of inspirations. For instance nature has always been a major theme for. Fascinated by the never-ending transformation of the fauna and flora, the jewelers designed numerous delicate flowers, blossoms and animals, real or imaginary bringing vitality and poetry to the creations of the brand since the 1920s.
Other major inspirations of the Maison have always been oriental cultures. Van Cleef & Arpels counts numerous of masterpieces with Indian influences, Egyptian, Syrian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, etc. "Timeless Beauty" features some of them matching their original sketches that the guests could admire that night while enjoying a glass of Perrier Jouet.
Another big theme is femininity.
Other incredible yet decadent pieces.
On a personal point of view, I have been absolutely dazzled by "Timeless Beauty" and really impressed by the production of the displays. It is incredibly well done, sometimes really creative with the use of 3D effects, videos, noises, lighten tubular structures and bubbles; esthetically matching perfectly the essence of the brand. The flow of the event itself was flawless and well carried out. Many celebrities, actors, political figures and socialites from both countries showed up that night. The French Consul General Emmanuel Lenain honored us of his presence as well as former Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin and Minister Jean Louis Borloo. On the Chinese side Fan Bing Bing, Gong Li came as well as Zhang Jingchu, Tong Dawei, Wang Xueqi, Song Jia, Qin Lan, Pace Wu and few others.
By far the most impressive and creative exhibition I ever saw in MOCA and probably as good as the retrospective Cartier did in the Forbidden City in 2009.


text:
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The University of Washington is poised to become the first institution anywhere to launch a doctoral program specifically geared to train scientists to search for life on celestial bodies such as Mars or Europa, an icy moon of Jupiter.
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In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt butter. Add bell pepper and saute 2-3 minutes. Add shrimp and green onions. Cook until Shrimp are pink and firm. Stir in cream cheese to melt. Stir in black pepper, hot sauce, Old Bay, sour cream and shredded cheeses. Combine until cheeses are melted and everything is blended well.
May be baked in a greased casserole dish at 350 degrees until brown and bubbly or it may be transferred to a crock pot on low to keep warm. Serve with crackers, reads and / or veggies.
If dip gets a little thick, a splash of milk can be added to thin it out.


text:
A People's History of GamerGate
Untimely Meditations
A People's History
Kotaku In Action
Death Of A Gamer
The Part Where...
TFYC
A Moving Train
OF GAMERGATE
CONTINUE TO A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF GAMERGATE
Murky Situations
An In-Depth ANALYSIS of the Total Biscuit Interview of Steven Totilo
Any true analysis must begin with what a tremendous leap forward this interview is. For really the first time, there was a frank one on one debate about GamerGate by two people on opposite sides of the conflict. The importance of this cannot be overstated as dialogue is the only thing that will ever allow this to end. I only hope this can begin a new chapter in the history of GamerGate. Here, I will be discussing the positives and the common ground that I feel will be key in the coming months. I will also be sharing criticisms and concern over some of the responses Totilo gave and why I feel they highlight what the real problems will continue to be going forward.
If you have read my People's History of GamerGate, you will know that Steven Totilo is the Editor-In-Chief for Kotaku, the publication who is arguably more in the center of the controversy than any other. It has been and still is my assertion that proper action by Totilo could have prevented GamerGate from occurring at all. Though I will freely admit this is debatable, what is not debatable is that his actions regarding Grayson's relationship with a subject of his stories fueled an enormous amount of skepticism for a large chunk of the gaming audience. This interview was very telling for many reasons.
Foremost is the fact that Totilo admits to certain improprieties. It is important that this is not viewed as a "Gotcha," but rather as a leaping off point. He admits for instance, that it was wrong for Patricia Hernandez, writer for Kotaku, to write articles about people she was involved in a living relationship with. He also discusses the effect of Patreon, saying there are virtually no instances where a reporter should have any kind of financial ties to people in the industry. From where GamerGate has come from, being constantly accused of misogyny and terrorism, to where we are now, being constantly accused of misogyny and terrorism and having people admitting we have some valid points, this is a huge victory. Coming from the EIC of Kotaku, that is an even larger victory.
An Open Letter to David Pakman
What Based Mom Gets Right
In the newest video of The Factual Feminist series, Christina H. Sommers discusses GamerGate and the reactions to her previous video from both sides of the aisle. While she touches on several important points, one that stands out is her mention that the very same people who stood against claims made by the socially conservative right that games caused violence are now giving a free pass to similar accusations. Quoting Sommers:
"Writers at popular game websites like Kotaku and Polygon, they did a good job defending video games from the false charge that they foster violence. But when gender activists came along, accusing games of creating misogyny, these journalists eagerly jumped on the bandwagon."
As Sommers points out, she received harsh criticism for her previous video, some from those very publications. It does beg the question however: How can games cause sexism but not cause violence? What is it that makes sexist ideals conveyable through a game, but not allow violent urges to be instilled? These are complex questions, and perhaps can only truly be answered someplace like Twitter.
This has been an analysis of a current event
Gurney Halleck
Bad-Ass-In-Chief of historyofgamergate.com and Social Justice Warrior-Poet
@mudcrabmerchant
Pakman
Total Biscuit
Totilo
http://fr.historyofgamergate.com/
minstrelgurneyhalleck@gmail.com


text:
Jacob Densford
Sabacc
Sabacc has been called the greatest card game in the galaxy. True or not, it's at least the most popular. And the most varied. Depending on who you ask, there are dozens, if not hundreds of variations of sabacc. But they all have a few things in common: they're played with a special deck of cards and rely heavily on betting, bluffing, and chance.
Corellian Spike
Corellian Spike is one of the most popular variations of sabacc. It uses a deck of sixty-two cards. The deck is divided into three suits (called staves): circles, squares, and triangles. Each stave contains twenty cards ranging from -10 to +10. There are also two zero cards called sylops. Also, to add a touch of randomness to the game, it is played using a pair of dice called "spike dice."
The object of Corellian Spike is to have a hand worth exactly zero points — called sabacc — or at least to have a hand that is closer to zero than anyone else at the table — called nulrhek. In most versions of Corellian Spike — yes, variations of sabacc often have numerous variations themselves — there are also several special hands that can beat a regular sabacc, such as an idiot's array or a pure sabacc.
Variations of Corellian Spike
Yarith Bespin Casino's Corellian Spike
At the Yarith Bespin Casino, a challenging wrinkle is added to the game: In addition to each player's hand cards, they also have a spike card. The spike card sits face-up on the table in front of each player and must be used as part of their hand.
Zabaka's Corellian Spike
Toydarian Toymaker can be found nestled among the other shops of Merchant Row in Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. The place is owned by a Toydarian named Zabaka. She has come up with her own variation of Corellian Spike, the rules of which she sells with a sabacc deck and some spike dice. Her clientele are mostly children so her rules are modified to not include betting. The rules presented here have been remodified to add betting back in, but feel free to skip over the betting phases if a more easy-going game is preferred.
Sabacc Supplies
To play sabacc, you will need special cards. The deck will vary depending on which variant you want to play. For Corellian Spike you will need a sixty-two card sabacc deck. There are several options to choose from. The following list is not exhaustive.
Corellian Spike Decks
Lucky Sylop's Sabacc Cards (These are my favorite–they even come with dice!)
Furocious Studios' Corellian's Sabacc Deck (I've never actually used these, but I plan on buying some soon.)
Corellian Spike set from Toydarian Toymaker on Batuu (These aren't the highest quality but they do come with dice, and they can be purchased at Galaxy's Edge or on eBay.)
You might also need special dice, chips, etc. These things can be purchased at the Lucky Sylop Etsy store, among other places.
Playing Sabacc Online
One can't always make it to a casino, or even to a table surrounded by friends (or foes). In such cases, it is possible to play sabacc online using a datapad or other form of personal computer with Roll20.
All reused work maintains its original copyright where applicable and is used here with the assertion that it is fair use of the material under United States copyright law. Original text and images are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
© 2021	Jacob Densford


In this video, a True Patient Success Story!
Leslie Bollin came to my office weighing over 300 lbs., was on 14 different prescription medications, walked using a cane, had no use of her right arm and was totally disabled at age 30.
With her receiving care and through her own perserverance, she was able to come off all her medication and lose over 160 lbs. with no exercise.
We stopped her constant pain with NRC, supported her with High Quality Whole Food Nutrition and helped her develop a plan for proper eating. She did all the heavy lifting and her results speak for themselves.
"My name is Anne Duignan and I would like to share with you my success at Dr. Huntoon's Office. I had a friend who was coming to Dr. Huntoon and she would mention from time to time that I should give it a try. I began thinking about it, especially since there were things I wanted to change about my health. I came to see Dr. Huntoon on March 25, 2003, and my whole life changed.
Growing up I had always suffered from anxiety, allergies, asthma and back problems. Anxiety was probably the biggest obsacle I had to overcome, mainly because I was ashamed of it. In 1999, I was having about 5-6 panic attacks a day suffering with a bout of depression and severe anxiety. I was placed on the medication Mirtazapine. At the time, this medication did what it needed to get rid of the depression but I still had problems with anxiety. Every time that I wanted to begin the process of getting off the medication, my anxiety kicked back in and it would keep me from going forward.
I always knew that I didn't need or want to be on medication for that long of a time period. It was affecting my life too much. I was always tired because what i was taking was a sedative. Even after sleeping 10 hours a night, I would still be dragging during the day. The most frustrating part of being on the medication was that I had gained 50 pounds and could never lose more then 5 - 10 pounds of that. I had always been an active person all year round. I mountain biked in the spring/summer/fall and in the winter i skied and raced 4 times a week. Nothing was working though as long as I was on the medication.
Finally one day I decided to give Dr. Huntoon a call. I remember the day pretty well. Jean answered the phone and asked why I was coming. I mentioned that I had back problems. Of course I was going to say that, I was going to a chiropractor. Isn't that what he takes care of? She then asked me what else, and I told her. I was still at the point where I had a tough time discussing the fact that I was on medication for anxiety. There is such a negative connotation associated with people who suffer from the dreadful ANXIETY and I had trouble dealing with that.
I went for my first visit and I explained to Dr. Huntoon the whole issue surrounding my anxiety. I wanted to get off the medication because I wanted to get on with my life, but I was scared to do so. At this point I was still under the care of a psychiatrist because he had to regulate the medication. I began weening off the Mirtazapine in June of 2003. Every two months the dose was decreased 7.5 mg until I finally went off it December 2003.
During this time, Dr. Huntoon assessed that I could not process carbohydrates properly and my metabolism was pretty much non-existent. Another interesting point was that he stated my asthma was actually emotional asthma. Someone with anxiety having emotional asthma. What a concept! Through my visits with Dr. Huntoon and making healthy lifestyle changes at his suggestion, I have lost 46 pounds in one year! I am much healthier! I have stopped using my inhaler and just feel better all around. By cutting out the carbohydrates I have actually become less anxious. The funniest part about dealing with the Psychiatrist was that he had a tough time understanding why stopping the medication was working at this particular time. I did my best to explain to him what was going on in my life, but he didn't understand. At my last appointment with him, he wanted to know what I was going to do if I experienced another anxiety attack? I told him I would deal with it when it occurred.
Even after I discontinued the medication, I still had to deal with what has always been in my life, anxiety. A few months after I had stopped the medication, I began to read whatever I could about anxiety and why it occurs. I wanted to take a positive and healthy approach to this. Since millions of people suffer from this disorder, I wanted to know how I could change it for me. I purchased a program which helped me deal with anxiety and it has helped tremendously. I learned that it is a negative way of thinking and you have to teach your brain to think a new way. Although I still have bouts of anxiety, I can handle it much better now. Along with learning about my anxiety, Dr. Huntoon used a technique to help me called Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET). I can not say enough about it. My experience with NET was so powerful that I highly recommend it to everyone. It really makes so much sense.
In conclusion to this testimonial, I just wanted to say that as long as you have a goal and you can invision it, results will occur. The most important part for me is trying to stay positive and to be patient. I knew the process was going to take a while, but I also knew that if I believed it was going to occur, it would. What a difference a year makes! Thank You Dr. Huntoon for giving me back my health."
"My name is Jennifer K. Cannizzaro and I'd like to share with you my success at Dr. Huntoon's office. I came to see Dr. Huntoon in February 2003. I had been suffering with depression, headaches, lack of energy and enthusiasm, weight gain, low metabolism, heartburn, poor digestion, my hormones were out of wack, cholesterol levels increased and I had allergies. All of these health concerns had gotten progressively worse over the past 4 years. In an effort to get rid of these problems I saw two General Practitioners and my OBGYN. I was prescribed Paxil for depression, Triphasil for my hormones and told to take Exedrin for my headaches and Zyrtec for my allergies. Every aspect of my life was affected. I was chronically cranky and feeling ill. I didn't care about doing my hobbies. It was all I could do to get out of bed and go to work. I resented my family for the demands they placed on me.
After two months of treatment with Dr. Huntoon I started feeling improvement with my depression, energy and hormone levels and a huge improvement in stress, headaches and migraines. Around that time I decided to stop taking ALL my medications other than the vitamins that were suggested by Dr. Huntoon. After seven months I had enough energy and enthusiasm to join Weight Watchers and Curves. Over the entire year I improved my eating habits and I'm trying to use as many organic products as possible. Things continue to improve...allergies, heartburn and metabolism. Today I have lost 20 lbs. and I'm still losing. The quality of my life has greatly improved. I feel good when I wake up and I'm able to accomplish what I need to do with energy and enthusiasm. I don't feel as overwhelmed by life as I used to.
Improvement over the last year has been phenomenal. Dr. Huntoon not only provided Holistic Health Care but gave gentle suggestions for things necessary to improve my overall quality of life. What a difference a year makes!! Thank You Dr. Huntoon!"
"My name is Lisa Warren and I'd like to share with you my success at Dr. Huntoon's office. I came to see Dr. Huntoon on January 17, 2004 suffering with severe migraines for fifteen (15) years. I saw many different doctors, everyone from my primary care physician to a neurologist. I suffered with these migraines for so many years that I just tried to deal with them as best I could, putting my life on hold. I am proud to say that by February 15, 2004 I noticed I had been headache free since my first visit. It has been two months and still NO HEADACHES!!! I found Dr. Huntoon's approach to be kind, sincere, educational and most of all, compassionate. His knowledge and wantingness to help people is a combination that I have yet to find in a wellness physician. Thank You Dr. Huntoon!"
"After having back surgery in December of 1999, I had a constant pull and pain on my right side and upper pelvis area during the next 4 years. I was having problems walking, turning, rolling over in bed, each which caused me pain. I had been to different doctors and was sent for x-rays and other different tests and they could not find the problem. Dr. Huntoon checked my body and determined I was deficient in some specific nutrients. He recommended some Whole Food Nutritional Supplements which I began taking, and within 2 weeks the pain is gone. I feel much better. I can walk, turn over in bed and not feel the pull or pain. For those who are skeptical, try it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!"
"Just wanted to say...Thank You! I finally found a doctor who cares. Thank you for your individual attention. You helped my jaw in one appointment more than anyone has helped me in seven years."
"I came to see Dr. Huntoon in February of 2000 after suffering with migraine headaches and burning between my shoulder blades for the past year. I had seen my Physician, Emergency-room doctors and a Neurologist and was prescribed 5 different medications. None of these helped me. Everything was at a standstill. I couldn't function for at least 2 to 3 days out of every week. After work, I would go home and get into bed and be bedridden. At first I was a skeptic about what Dr. Huntoon could do for me. After my first visit with him, my headaches went away and he started me on the road to good health. I have no choice but to believe based on my results. I am free of my headaches and my medication too. Thank You Dr. Huntoon."
"I came to see Dr. Huntoon because all my life I had been suffering with asthma and allergies. I had seen several different medical doctors, an allergist, a pulmonary specialist, and a homeopath. I also went for acupuncture. The only they could offer me was medication or needles. My life did not seem normal. I had to avoid strenuous sports and activities. I was very limited with the things I could do. Chiropractic treatments have made a difference, but the largest quality of life improvement has been with the allergy elimination treatments. In the last 6 months I am able to breathe, my sinuses are clear and I'm sleeping better. It's incredible. I have never felt better!"
"I came to see Dr. Huntoon on November 15, 1999. For approximately 2 months, just prior to and during meals, I had been suffering with severe heartburn. I did not seek medical advice from anyone, but was treating myself with a prepackaged, over-the-counter medicine. My heartburn did not go away. The discumfort was annoying to say the least. Dr. Huntoon adjusted me once and I had immediate relief. Imagine that! After only one treatment. With one simple adjustment and a natural dietary supplement, I feel well again. Thank You Dr. Huntoon."


Nottingham's Ukrainian Catholic parish and community was delighted to welcome the new Apostolic Administrator for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain, Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, over the weekend. It was the first time that he had been to the East Midlands and his visit coincided with the local parish church feast day – the Protection of the Mother of God over her children ("Pokrovy").
After the service, in the company of his elderly mother and Fr. Mykola Martyniyk, Bishop Hlib went on to visit the local AUGB Cultural Centre where he was greeted with traditional bread and salt and a communal rendition of "Guest in our Home..." led by pupils of Nottingham's Ukrainian language Saturday School. He was formally welcomed by local AUGB Branch Chair, Yevhen Kurlak, and taken on a tour of the premises during which he had an opportunity to meet with representatives of various organisations and community members.
At a well attended special lunch held in the Bishop's honour in the homely surroundings of the Cultural Centre's community hall, he was treated to music, song and poetry readings by local children (Saturday School and Ukrainian Youth Association). Former Branch Chair Wasyl Semak also presented Bishop Hlib with a two-volume set of memoirs of Pavlo Rafaluk on the history of Nottingham's Ukrainian community.
As with all such events, there are many that contribute behind the scenes to ensure that everything passes off smoothly – and this event was no exception. The church and Cultural Centre were beautifully prepared, the meal and concert were splendid and the very sincere welcoming atmosphere that dominated throughout the day helped to make this particular pastoral visit that much more special.
The last time Nottingham's Cultural Centre hosted a visit by a member of the Church hierarchy was in 2004 when the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church blessed the AUGB Home and planted a tree in its gardens during an official opening ceremony.


text:
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                    Schedule
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                    Products
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                    Products Form
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                    Login
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Kristen Bell young photos best and new movies tv shows
Kristen Bell young
5 ft 1 in | 155 cm
Kristen Bell young photos
34-24-34 in | 86-61-86 cm
Kristen Bell was born in Huntington Woods, Michigan, U.S., on July 18, 1980, is an American actress. Young Kristen Bell started acting in high school's production of "The Wizard of Oz"( 1997) in role as Dorothy Gale.
She began her professional career in newspaper advertisements and in television commercials, at the age of 13.
She made her big screen debut in comedy film Polish Wedding (1998) in uncredited role as teenage girl.
Her breakthrough performance came as Veronica Mars in teen noir mystery drama television series Veronica Mars (2004–2007).
She landed her Broadway debut in musical "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (2001) in role as Becky Thatcher.
Like Father (2018) comedy in role Rachel Hamilton, opposite Seth Rogen
She voiced Princess Anna in computer animated movies: Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) and Frozen II (2019).
She voiced Jade Wilson in animated superhero comedy film Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018).
Spartan (2004) action thriller with Val Kilmer
Couples Retreat (2009) romantic comedy opposite Vince Vaughn
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) romantic comedy opposite Jason Segel and Mila Kunis
Fanboys (2009) drama with Dan Fogler and Carrie Fisher
When in Rome (2010) romantic comedy with Josh Duhamel
Big Miracle (2012) drama with Drew Barrymore
You Again (2010) comedy with Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver
The Boss (2016) comedy with Melissa McCarthy
Bad Moms (2016) and sequel A Bad Moms Christmas (2017) comedy opposite Mila Kunis
Stuck in Love (2012) romantic comedy drama opposite Jennifer Connelly and Logan Lerman
Hit and Run (2012) action comedy with Bradley Cooper
She won the Saturn Award for Best Actress for her role as Veronica Mars in teen television series Veronica Mars (2004–2007).
She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role as Eleanor Shellstrop in fantasy comedy television series The Good Place (2016– ).
She played Gracie Thompson in Lifetime television drama movie Gracie's Choice (2004).
Deadwood (2004) HBO Western television series in role as Flora Anderson
Heroes (2007-2008) NBC science fiction television drama series in role as Elle Bishop
House of Lies (2012–2016) comedy television series in role as Jeannie van der Hooven
She hosted reality television series Encore! (2019).
Attended Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Studied at the New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Huge fan of Amy Poehler and Cher.
She voiced Princess Anna in computer-animated musical fantasy film Frozen (2013).
Became a vegetarian at the age of 11.
Loves animals, has three dogs.
Loves to cook.
Huge fan of America's Funniest Home Videos (1989).
Good friends with Maya Rudolph.
Fan of Detroit Red Wings hockey team.
Featured in music video for Yeasayer "Madder Red" (2010) and Sia "Santa's Coming For Us" (2017).
Lives in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
She married actor Dax Shepard in 2013, they have two daughters.
She dated Kevin Mann (2003-2007) and Matthew Morrison (1995-1996).
I don't want to be pigeonholed into doing just romantic comedies. But they're fun, and especially for women, it's nice to go to see them and enjoy that breath of fresh air.
I loved Veronica right off the bat. She was so strong and I think it is so important because there are so few shows that portray women, especially young women, as being strong and being able to stand up for themselves.
All girls hit that phase where they like the bad boy. I grew out of that really young and I have a wonderful guy in my life who's not a bad boy at all. I like the satiric, consistent nice guy.
I have always been an animal lover. I had a hard time disassociating the animals I cuddled with - dogs and cats, for example - from the animals on my plate, and I never really cared for the taste of meat. I always loved my Brussels sprouts.
Laughing is so good for you. It legitimately burns calories... and just makes you happier.
As the actor, you just have to believe in what your character is doing in order to play them.
I work in a creative industry. My work isn't terribly hard, it's artistically explorative, so I have no complaints.


text:
October 11, 2017 October 11, 2017 / Simon McKerrell
We are delighted to announce that the family of the late John Renbourn have gifted his entire compositional archive to Newcastle University's Special Collections.
Photo: Dr Mick Wright of Newcastle University
John Renbourn was one of the founding members of the British folk band, Pentangle, a group which had a huge influence on the burgeoning international folk music scene of the 1960s and 1970s.
Renowned for his unusually sophisticated finger-style playing on the steel-stringed guitar, his music influenced a wide range of artists including Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. Contemporary virtuosic players such as Clive Carroll and Andy McKee continue to acknowledge his influence.
John had links with Newcastle University's International Centre for Music Studies (ICMuS), teaching individual guitar lessons as a guest tutor and presenting masterclasses on the acclaimed Folk and Traditional Music degree, the first one of its kind in England.
The John Renbourn Archive is amazing, both in range and content, and is a real treasure trove for musicians and music scholars
After his death, two years ago, his family decided to donate the archive, which was located at his home in Roberton, near Hawick in the Scottish Borders, to Newcastle University. This collection of thousands of documents includes ensemble scores and parts, research notes, and original compositions, carefully gathered together over six decades.
It was delivered to the University in seven shipping trunks, together with a digital archive containing more than 1,500 music files. An additional collection, comprising John Renbourn's large personal library of guitar music books, is also included in this extensive donation.
Dr Mick Wright, head of guitar studies in ICMuS said: "The John Renbourn Archive is amazing, both in range and content, and is a real treasure trove for musicians and music scholars; not just for the music he's written but also for the inspiring example of guitar scholarship that it presents.
"Looking through it you get a real sense of John's personality and his lifetime dedication to his art. Alongside the meticulously detailed work, there are fascinating and often very funny personal touches. A Brazilian classical guitar piece by Villa Lobos is autographed by John Lee Hooker, while on another document he writes a lengthy 'to do' list and adds 'good boy, John', at the end, as if from an imaginary schoolteacher.
"The archive exemplifies the depth and breadth of his interests, showing John's lifelong enthusiasm for the music that he was continually writing, playing, and researching. The documents cover an impressive range of styles, from Japanese koto and shakuhachi, early music, hymns and choral pieces, 19th century parlour-guitar, string quartets, arrangements of Schubert and Satie, to Celtic folk, blues, jazz, and world music."
Dr Wright is currently finishing a preliminary assessment of the material, working his way through the archive before it is formally catalogued by the University's Special Collections team in the Philip Robinson Library.
"Some people say never meet your heroes, because you'll often be disappointed," he said. "Well, I was lucky enough to meet John while he was teaching here and I was not disappointed at all. His contagious passion for music inspired everyone he met.
"John was a huge influence and presence on the acoustic guitar scene right around the world, for more than five decades, composing and touring right up until his final days. It was wonderful for our students to have such a special player teaching them. In years to come, as The John Renbourn Archive at Newcastle University becomes available to players and researchers, it will further reinforce his importance in the history of the steel-string acoustic guitar."
Artistic commitment
John Renbourn's daughter, Jessie Alcaraz, vividly describes his energy and artistic commitment. "Music was Dad's sole occupation," she said. "When he wasn't playing guitar he was composing, when he wasn't composing he was writing, when not writing he was reading largely about music history. Any time left was spent listening to music and on the appreciation of red wine.
"Dad is known for his playing but he also produced a huge body of composition and over time composing became his first love. From the family's perspective it was very important to us that Dad's music is made available to the musicians of the future. We are delighted that Newcastle University are taking on this archive and the future legacy of his life's work."
While Renbourn is best known for his work as a folk musician, he had mastered many styles of music and was an accomplished composer, arranger, author, and music scholar. As well as an extensive discography, he regularly published his guitar pieces and wrote articles for the music press. His teaching workshops were also an important part of his musical life.
He was meticulous in keeping his composing and arranging work in good order, and much of the preparatory work and arrangements for each of his albums, from the 1960s onward, is represented in the archive. Also included is background research for his books, and also his Dartington College thesis on the Steel-String Acoustic Guitar – an in depth study of the long known about but little researched link between the 19th century 'fandango' and the twelve bar blues.
In the 1960s his pioneering style of steel-string guitar playing was a fusion of classical 'Spanish' guitar technique, the blues styles of Big Bill Broonzy, Elizabeth Cotten and Josh White, and that of his peers such as Davy Graham, Martin Carthy, and Bert Jansch. Where Renbourn's style becomes his own is when this mixture blends with his depth of knowledge for harmony and melody, drawing as much from medieval, renaissance, and baroque music, Schubert, Satie, and hymn tunes, as from Celtic music, jazz and blues, and traditional dance tunes.
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/news/2017/10/johnrenbournarchive/
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