Town Hall

So today was Cerner's Town Hall, a (bi?)annual meeting of all associates to discuss the upcoming year. And it was kind of a trip:

3,500 people. Held at a rodeo arena, the American Royal. A live band doing covers of country music as you enter and leave. Your ID scanned as you arrive, to make sure that you came (and that you're not the press, I suppose). A stage with a ranch-like set. The CEO rides in on a horse. The projection screen tumbling over onto the executive board. Footballs being thrown into the audience to decide who gets to ask a question - and win $50 by doing so. The CEO betting his board $500 that they can't hit a particular person in the audience. Copious quantities of free beer and barbecue afterwards. Trying to drive through the center of the city at rush hour, while not losing the person who's following you home.

Fun stuff.

I'm back at Riverport (the old casino) all this week, this time to get training on Cerner's quality control procedures and client/server framework. Wish me luck.