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  The Saturday Open Jam has been missing from our agenda for quite some time now.  It is one the best ways to burn up a Saturday afternoon in Kansas City, listening to some of the best rock and blues musician in town.  This particular occasion featured the return of a longtime resident of the event who had been off the roster for more than year following multiple personal crises, one of which nearly ended his ability to perform at all.  Taking his spot behind the drums once again for a couple of tunes, "D" picked up right where he left off, keeping cadence as if nothing had ever happened.  There were tears among some of the crowd that were closer to him, understanding the extent of his dilemma.  After playing, he admitted stumbling a few times, but everything sounded great from our side of the stage and we look forward to seeing him play again more often.

A couple of folks from our crew participated in a run out at a local elementary school.  The entire schools showed for this one, lined up and ready to be splashed with some colored powder or another. The more they ran the more colorful they became.  Beats all around set a festive tone for everyone. Those of us participating chilled on the playground after a few laps, then joined back in for another lap or two to close out the day.    Free drinks and snacks refreshed those otherwise banned from enjoying the ice cream truck.  

  An afternoon focused on technology down at J. Rieger & Co. broke up the week nicely, offering a unique learning experience from Pomerol Partners.  Lunch and presentations associated with machine learning and data stack modernization were followed by a discussion around large language models with a few Kansas City IT leaders.   Immediately following that, Abstract Technologies talked about LATAM opportunities through nearshoring staffing services, followed by Black Khaki Brand Communicators discussing maintenance of organization cultural wellness.  Topping things off like a cherry on top, we learned of a new podcast worth listening in on, entitled " Drinks and Data ," hosted by KC technology leaders Kanon Cozad and Shawn Helwig.

The solar eclipse viewing from Arkansas turned out to be a huge non-event.  Once again, the media hyped the situation beyond all recognition, forecasting unmanageable crowds, snarled traffic, and a shortage of resources.  None of this happened or would have happened.  It just does not work that way, no matter how badly the media wants it.  Some got caught in their trap though. Many communities braced for the onslaught, along with the Arkansas Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol, with extra staffing and amenities for customers that never materialized.  Churches and community organizations within the path of the eclipse brought in food trucks, cooked up their food for sale, and blocked off parking lots so that they could charge for parking.  Large towns benefited, but the smaller towns were left wondering where everyone had gone to.  Regardless, we walked away with a few good shots of the sun and enjoyed an uncrowded afternoon with friends and family. 

A random encounter found us in downtown Little Rock, anticipating a performance of Holst's "The Planets" by the  Arkansas Symphony Orchestra .  The much-anticipated event included a vocal cameo from the University of Arkansas - Little Rock Women's Choir.  An evening of colorful sound began with "Night Ferry" by Anna Clyne , exploring the extremes of manic depression.   The chaotic range of emotional intensities seemed to leave the audience in a state of bewildered fascination. After an intermission wide enough to refresh mind and body, "The Planets" by Gustav Holst exploded in the mind's eye next.  This particular space heptalogy is likely one of the most recognizable symphonies, enjoyed through a variety of inspirations like the score from Star Wars.  The choir entered near the end, perhaps at Neptune, blending in imperceptibly with the violins and their accompaniment.   Their voices appeared as if by magic from behind the sc

There I was minding my own business and the next thing I knew I was surrounded by a flock of elderly folks waiting for the next number to drop.  The coming solar eclipse had paved the way for a marathon bingo night, slated to last for nearly five hours.  I had not done this since I was about 10 and was in for a ride. It all started reasonably enough, with food and general comradery.  All of that quickly dissipated when the numbers started to drop.  Things got serious then, so much so that our crew got shushed a couple times.  Throughout most of the event, the only noise in the room, aside from the lady calling the numbers, the ceaseless whir of smoke-eaters gobbling up the haze of cigarette smoke as quickly as it could.  The efforts was wasted. The crowd carried on undeterred, skillfully dabbing each number called, enraptured by the sound, or lack thereof, and the promise of striking it rich.  A few did, though not quite enough to address the potential medical bills from li

Returning to the Infield at Creekside of Parkville, the latest rendition of "Light the Night" found greater participation this year.  The entire greenspace beneath the glowing Catalpa tree seemed overrun with children of every age, running in every direction, drawn to a singular, bubbling performance from one Dan the Bubble Man .   Young and old were showered with a variety of displays from an excess of tiny foaming bubbles to magnificently huge soapscapes.  The bunny got some love too, but not quite on the level of Dan.

After years of consideration, it was finally settled and, in no time, we were standing in front of the latest rendition of the "Home of Country Music" in Nashville, Tennesse.  The original home still stands over at Ryman Auditorium, though not quite as accessible as this more recent location from 1974.   Or is it? Availability, more so accessibility of parking, in this general area is not amusing, at the very least.  Generally, it is a test of will and patience.  Leaving the vicinity is just as, if not more, awful.  After 50 years at this location, it may be time for a new location, far away from the mall. The event itself proved every bit as fun and worthwhile a journey as anticipated.  Relatively inexpensive seats offered a great view of the stage.  Indeed, the entire venue seems structured with that in mind.  Nothing is too far away, unless you are still trying to find parking, and there were a few that seemed to arrive later than expec

While waiting to begin the adventure known as Saturday Night at the Grand Ole Opry, we stopped in on this amusing little cultural feature at the Bavarian Bierhaus. Thinking of nothing more than a little food before the show,  Karen & The Music Meister  surprised us with a little cultural indulgence.  

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

  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

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.

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

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

Whether you are religious or not, you probably know that Fish Friday is kind of global thing.  According to popular legend, the Christian prophet Jesus died on a Friday.  As a result fasting on Fridays became a way to honor his sacrifice. I know what you're thinking.  If you are eating fish, you are not exactly fasting.   As with most things, if you look close enough, you can find a loophole.   For this crowd, fasting simply meant abstinence from consuming the flesh of warm-blooded animals.  The cold-blooded are fair game, and if you teach a man to fish, you will feed him for a lifetime; especially, during lent and other holy days.   In the medieval era, a holy day occurred just about every time one turned around too.  Ordinary folks everywhere were expected to fast not just on Fridays during Lent, but also during Advent, as well as quite a few Wednesdays and Saturdays. A man has to eat, and if cold-blooded critters are permitted, then we shall have the biggest fish fry the world h

An acquaintance won tickets to an special early screening of the upcoming movie " Argylle ."  They were unable to attend, so we made the journey down to North Kansas City for a look and a laugh or two. Trivia kicked things off, with folks competing for the opportunity to win a movie t-shirt.  Mostly oblivious to questions centering around the director, actors, their movies and other associated facts, we walked away empty-handed. A mostly full house turned out, though the Press could not be bothered to make an appearance.  They left nearly two full rows empty, of which the organizer took full advantage.  More of the general audience had arrived than there were seats available.  Those folks eagerly opted for hijacking an empty Press seat above standing or squatting for the two hours in Theater 1. The movie began, proceeded and culminated in the style of James Bond, all the while mocking just about every other outlandish and extraordinary event occurring in that sort of spy thri

"The Wizard of Oz" returned to the big screen this weekend in celebration of its 85th anniversary.  A reflection of the days before digital, in more ways than one, those that cared most about this film did not miss the rare opportunity.   Alignment of the projector turned out the only drawback to this particular showing at Barrywoods AMC.  A strip all the way across the top of the film appeared off screen, glaringly obvious in only a couple of scenes, though not so much as to detract from the experience. We would not be at a loss at all if this showing, and others noted in the previews, stood as the new normal.  In the days before digital, each year, we anxiously awaited the return of our favorite films to television.  In the post-digital realm, perhaps we will now be waiting to see those same visions on the screen for which they were originally intended.