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a rock show turns 62

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Other plans delayed an outing to the annual rock show until afternoon on Saturday, which turned out to be an advantage over most.  Another visiting earlier told of a line stretching out of the entrance nearly a kilometer and spending 45 minutes locating a place to park.  On arrival around 4 pm, it appeared most had given up their effort and retreated.  Parking appeared in the lot, near the entrance, with no wait at all. Entry to the event proved equally simplified, walking right up to the ticket counter and progressing in without obstacle.  Evidence of the throngs of people that had gone before greeted the senses upon entry though.  The entire place smelled of a well-used locker room. Undeterred and forging ahead offered a view of the typical over-priced gems, minerals, and fossils that dominate these affairs.  Quite a few more were selling jewelry than usual, and an entire section stood ready for the glass and plastic bead lovers.   A few other amusements at the  KC Gem & Mine

western farm show 62

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  The Western Farm Show returned to the American Royal Center in the West Bottoms of Kansas City, consuming all areas with a variety of implements to climb on, kick the tires, and learn a little bit about the latest technology.   All the usual equipment turned out, along with a puppy or two, and a few other unique pieces here and there.  The entire complex offered a variety of machinery and steel constructions options to satisfy any curiosity and generate a bit more.  The visit also enabled a stop in on the American Royal Museum before it settles into its new home on the other side of the state line in Wyandotte County .  The displays have seen better days though, and most of the interactive portions do not work any longer. One the more interesting highlights included a live performance by small group of heifers showing off how they were more eager to work with someone not scaring them at every opportunity. Their partner, Dr. Ron Gill, Professor & Extension Livestock Specialist w

rolling on the river

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Quite a lot of time has passed since rolling along to tunes at a skating party, but that is exactly how the evening turned out.  In particular, at what is now River Roll , but used to be Coachlight, a million years ago. The floor has taken quite a beating since our last visit, and danger lurked at every turn. Tiny humans crisscrossed the floor in nearly every direction, defying the most basic pattern.  The more inexperienced crashed ceremoniously all around in a near domino effect, making very little progress. No injuries were reported, and everyone enjoyed a few games along the way, to include the ever -popular Chubby Checker Limbo Rock.  The entire situation proved itself quite an amusing affair and worth of repeating again.

legally and artificially intelligent

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An opportunity arose to sit in on a discussion of the legal aspects surrounding the use of Copilot , a relatively new artificial intelligence system taking over the world of Microsoft. A hundred or so from the technical and legal realms showed up to hear thoughts from the Polsinelli team and Microsoft.  The lineup included Paul Bellacera, Microsoft Principal Technical Specialist, Lead Counsel Dale Kadlec from US Health and Life Sciences Division at Microsoft, Greg Kratofil, Jr, Polsinelli Technology Transactions & Data Privacy Chair from Kansas City, Greg Leighton, Polsinelli Privacy & Incident Response Vice Chair from Chicago, and Matt Todd, Polsinelli Licensing & Transactions Co-Chair  and Restrictive Covenants & Trade Secrets Litigation Co-Chair. Hosts and speakers were warm, inviting, and transparent, offering their thoughts on the current state of affairs and answer a variety of questions from the crowd to the best of their ability, given the lack of true test case

speakeasy sorcerer

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Invited to drop in on the latest "pop-up bar" at KC Power & Light District, the affair fell a little short of expectations.  It was not awful, but it was not a profound experience either, landing somewhere unknown in the middle. Sorcerer's Speakeasy , a magical-themed bar, leans heavily, if not completely, upon the Harry Potter movie series.  House in the old Leinenkugel's, organizers put little effort into it beyond that.  Much of the decor appeared as though it came straight out of the dollar store.  Some folks seemed perfectly pleased enough with the scene.   An equal amount seemed to desire more than Harry Potter on 4 screens with plastic library scenes taped to the walls.   If we had been expected to pay for the experience, we might have felt cheated. Appetizers and drinks were tasty and service, excellent.  Staff were accommodating, squeezing us in without a reservation.  Some sort of mix-up in the Open Table system had cancelled the original, leaving us som