Saturday Dinner at a Mexican Restaurant

 Last night (12 September), I drove to Diablitos Cantina (https://diablitosstl.com/) in Midtown St. Louis. (It's located where Cafe Ventana used to be.) I joined seven others in the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans) for dinner at this establishment.

We were to have gone to Fritanga Nicaraguan Cuisine (https://fritangastl.com/) in St. Louis, but this was changed three days before due to that venue being unable to keep us together at the same table.

Our group had a table on the patio, where we could sit together and talk. It was good catching up with this group, not having been to a Meetup with them in about two years.

Individually, we went inside to place our orders. I ordered a can of Modelo Especial beer (https://www.modelousa.com/en-US/product/especial), chips and three salsas (black bean, house, and chilanga), and The Austin. The latter is two flash fried flour tortillas with chicken tinga, peppers, onions, and cheese, topped by guacamole and queso blanco. On the side was green rice and Diablitos beans. This dinner was most tasty.

We all had a good time on a pleasant night. I hope to see this group another time at another ethnic restaurant in Metro St. Louis.

Later.

Air Show and A Modeling Trip to Branson

A week ago last night (11 June), I joined with others from the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans/) at Anis Hyderabad House (http://www.anisusa.com/) in Creve Coeur for Indian cuisine. It was a good time for our group as we enjoyed our dinner and conversation.

The next day, my Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) colleague Marion Moen came to pick me up at home, then he drove us to Scott Air Force Base (http://www.scott.af.mil/). The base hosted an air show to celebrate its Centennial. Marion and I staffed our Society's table in Hangar 1, in which we gave out info on our group and showed a pair of documentaries we had a hand in on a television screen. I did go out for awhile to view the aircraft on static display and to see the US Air Force Thunderbirds (http://afthunderbirds.com/site/) perform. It was a hot, but satisfying day.

Work at the rental branch went very well this past week, despite the heat. Temperatures reached 90 degrees F (32 degrees C), with heat indices (heat plus humidity) topping 100 degrees F (38 degrees C). It was busy early in the week and leveled off by mid-week, then picked up again on Friday.

I was off to Toyota Stadium at World Wide Technology Soccer Park right after work to help cheer on Saint Louis FC (http://saintlouisfc.com/landing/index) against Chicago Fire in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (http://thecup.us/). I marched into the stadium with fellow St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) to cheer on the home side, but Chicago escaped with a 1-0 win. It was a game effort by Saint Louis FC witnessed by a standing-room-only crowd.

Off work Thursday, I took my Corolla in to Jim Butler Collision Center (http://www.jimbutlerbodyshop.com/) to get the damage done a week and a half before hitting a telephone pole evaluated by a GEICO (https://www.geico.com/) claims adjuster. He gave me the figure and cut me a check to give to the repair shop I would go to for repairs. I arranged to have it taken this Tuesday morning to Dave Sinclair Ford's Body Shop for the repair work, and for Enterprise (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html) to have a loaner car for me.

That night, it was off to Creve Coeur Airport (http://crevecoeurairport.com/) for this month's Missouri Aviation Historical Society meeting. This was a debrief on the Scott Air Show, with several members presenting their pictures, videos, and stories from that weekend. I came early, to bring in the Society's gear from the Air Show booth.

As work ended Friday, I checked into a rental car at Enterprise, then drove home to pack up. Early yesterday morning (17 June), I set off for Branson, Missouri and MOSS CON, a model contest hosted by IPMS/Missouri Ozarks Scale Specialists (http://ipmsmoss.com/) at the Branson Convention Center (http://www.bransoncc.com/). I took nine models to enter in the contest, and some flyers for this September's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) Contest. I shopped among the vendors there, bought some raffle tickets, and had lunch at Famous Dave's (http://www.famousdaves.com/) at Branson Landing (http://www.bransonlanding.com/). I won two model kits in the raffle, and one of my contest entries--a Kuebelwagen--took Third Place in its armor category. I had a great time there, and hope to be back next year when IPMS/MOSS hosts the Region 5 Contest.

Midday today, Mom and I went to the hotel at River City Casino (https://www.rivercity.com/) to pick up my brother Brian, who got into town late last night. He's drumming for Melissa Etheridge (https://melissaetheridge.com/), who is performing at River City tomorrow night. Brian, Mom, and I had dinner at Rich & Charlie's (http://www.richandcharlies.com/) in Mehlville, then came home to relax.

Later.

Life Amid Happy Moments and Mishaps

I was one of the volunteers on duty when Circus Flora (http://circusflora.org/) started its 31st season a week ago Thursday (1 June) with "Time Flies," a show with a time travel theme. I served as an usher that night and helped our audience greatly enjoy themselves. This year's show runs through 25 June at their air-conditioned big top in St. Louis' Grand Center.

I brought doughnuts from Krispy Kreme (http://krispykreme.com/) to work the next day, and it was appreciated as usual by the staff. After work, I headed for Toyota Stadium at Worldwide Technology Soccer Park for Saint Louis FC's (http://saintlouisfc.com/landing/index) match against Toronto FC II. Joining with the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/), I cheered the home side to a 2-0 victory in the first home match in over a month, due to the recent flooding.

That Saturday afternoon (3 June), Tim Pylypiuk and I hosted this month's edition of "Writer's Block," (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/autistic-people-/2017/06/03/connected--writers-block-10am-pstradio-drama-the-princess-ep-11-11am-pst) from ANCA World Radio. This program celebrated the life and works of the late Australian artist and autism activist Donna Williams, who lost her fight with cancer earlier this year.

Sunday morning found me at Das Bevo, formerly, the historic Bevo Mill in south St. Louis (http://www.dasbevo.com/), for brunch with the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans/). Our party had a great time at the restaurant, which reopened a few weeks ago after a slight renovation. I dined on beer cheese soup and Bavarian sausage, washed down with Uhlrich's Breakfast (a cocktail). It was my first time there in about 2 1/2 years, and I hope I won't wait that long to return.

Driving out of the parking lot at Das Bevo hit a snag (literally), when I backed my car into a telephone pole in the parking lot, causing damage to the rear fender at one corner. I will have to have that fixed soon; I have an appointment with the insurance adjuster next week.

On a happier note that Sunday, I then went to the Barnes & Noble (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/) store in Ladue to trade in my Nook HD tablet for a newer Samsung Galaxy Tab A Nook tablet. Doing so saved me $50 off the standard price for the newer tablet; however, I still get to keep the older Nook HD (received as a Christmas gift from my brothers in 2012) for as long as I want. After charging it up, I began transferring my Nook files to the new tablet. That includes the book I'm currently reading at lunch breaks at work, "We Were Soldiers Once...And Young" by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway. A terrific read on the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley in November of 1965.

Work has been good and busy at our branch. We recently welcomed Mike, an intern for the summer, and Tyler, a new management trainee, to our staff. I change came in the vehicle prep side, as Jesse will only work Saturdays (he recently started another job), and I will continue to work four days a week, but no more alternate Saturday mornings for the time being. I can live with that.

Going to bed on Tuesday night, my bed's headboard broke off the support post, causing the bed to collapse. That forced me to sleep on the couch in the family room.

After work Wednesday (7 June), it was off to the Marcus Des Peres 14 Cine (http://www.marcustheatres.com/theatre-locations/marcus-des-peres-14-cine). There, I saw the 1972 classic "The Godfather," from TCM (http://www.tcm.com/) and Fathom Events (https://www.fathomevents.com/). It was the first time I saw this movie in a theater, and I was thrilled from the first scene to the last. "The Godfather" is nearly three hours long, but didn't feel like it to me.

Off work Thursday, I did some personal business, then was helping out again at Circus Flora. This time, I joined with Julia, the scenic intern, in scanning tickets for that night's performance. We used bar code scanners on tickets the customers presented for admittance. There were just a very few slowdowns in the process; we got our audience members through the ticket line in good order. Then, I came inside the enjoy the show and to help with ushering duties.

It was another busy, but satisfying day at work yesterday. After dinner last night, Mom and I shopped for a new bedframe. After not finding anything suitable at two other stories, we went to Walmart (https://www.walmart.com/), where we found a suitable frame for a good price. After checking out, we took the bedframe home. This morning, Mom and I set up the bedframe in my bedroom. It took a bit of figuring out, but we got the frame set up and the foundation and mattress placed on it. I can now sleep in my own bed again.

I'm off to dinner tonight with the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup group, then tomorrow I'll be a volunteer at the Scott Air Force Base Air Show (http://www.scott.af.mil/airshow2017/). More on that in my next post.

Later.

Nicaraguan Cuisine, Soccer, and Jury Duty

A week ago Friday night (10 March)--after a day at work, where I brought in doughnuts for my colleagues--I joined five others from the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans/) for dinner at Fritanga Nicaraguan Restaurant (http://www.fritangastl.net/) in the Benton Park neighborhood. It was my first time there, and my group mates and I really enjoyed the dining experience. I chose Carne Asada (marinated beef sirloin tips), with Gallo Pinto (red beans and rice) and Tajadas Verdes (crispy green plantain strips). A very good night, and another restaurant I can highly recommend.

I did some work on a model over that weekend, getting ready for a IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) contest this month. Sunday (12 March) found me at World Wide Technology Soccer Park (http://saintlouisfc.com/soccerpark) refereeing three youth soccer matches. I was in the middle for two of those matches. All of them went well.

I reported for jury duty Monday morning (13 March) at the Circuit Court of St. Louis County (http://www.stlouisco.com/LawandPublicSafety/CircuitCourt) in Clayton. I was summoned before, in mid-2013. This time, after waiting a few minutes in the jury assembly room, I and 46 others were selected for the jury pool for a civil trial. We went into the courtroom, seated in the audience area, with the judge, court reporter, clerk, plaintiff and her two attorneys, the defendant and his two attorneys, and the bailiff. This was a medical malpractice suit, with the plaintiff claiming a podiatrist and his practice damaged her one foot trying to freeze out a nerve ending. The plaintiff's lead attorney asked a number of potential jurors if anything would prejudice them on a jury. This went on the rest of the morning. After a lunch break--I walked over to Chipotle (https://chipotle.com/) and ate there--the defendant's lead attorney interviewed the jury pool. I told him I had seen podiatrists several times in recent years to deal with foot injuries from soccer refereeing, but assured the attorney I would not be prejudiced. After waiting an hour outside the courtroom, we potential jurors were led back into the courtroom and the 12 jurors and two alternates were seated. I was not one of them. The rest of the pool was dismissed with the thanks of the court. I then went to work at the rental branch for the last 90 minutes of the day.

Work at the branch this past week went very well. Our new management trainee, Lauren, joined our team this week. She joins Manager Justin, Assistant Manager Cayla, and Management Assistant Kory behind the counter.

After flexing out of work Tuesday afternoon, I went home to work more on my model. That night, I went to Syberg's (http://sybergs.com/) on Dorsett in Maryland Heights. There, Saint Louis FC (http://saintlouisfc.com/landing/index) held a Meet the Team party, in which several players were in attendance. I talked briefly with them and they all were upbeat about their hopes for this coming season.

Off Thursday (16 March), I worked on my model. That night, I went to Creve Coeur Airport (http://www.crevecoeurairport.com/) for this month's Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) meeting. There was a presentation about nose art on aircraft of the US Army Air Forces' 4th Fighter Group, which was based in England during World War II. Lynn Chilberg and her husband, Howard, presented video about her father, Donald E. Allen, and presented prints of the art Allen did during the war for the 4th. The Chilbergs also offered prints based on Allen's art for sale. I didn't have any money on me to buy right then, but I may order a print or two from them in the coming weeks.

I worked a full day Friday and on Saturday morning. After worked a while on my model, I went to Saint Louis University (http://www.slu.edu/) to cheer on Saint Louis FC against Tulsa Roughnecks FC in a pre-season match at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. I joined with the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) to march into the stadium and to sing and chant in one section of the stadium. I also received a new group scarf I ordered a few weeks ago. However, Tulsa won the match 3-0.

This morning, I went to Kolping Fields in south St. Louis County to referee three youth matches. After running lines on two matches, I was in the middle on the third. All these matches went well.

Later.

Two Meetings, Two Dinners, and an Exhibit

Late in the afternoon one week ago Saturday (11 February), I drove to the Schlafly Tap Room (http://schlafly.com/tap-room/) in downtown St. Louis for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/). The supporter group for Saint Louis FC (http://saintlouisfc.com/landing/index) met to discuss their plans for the upcoming season and to hear from the team. Saint Louis FC officials--including my Saint Louis University classmate, team CEO Jim Kavanaugh--spoke about how they are most optimistic about the upcoming season, and about the latest on the effort to get a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team in St. Louis. I and the approximately 350 people there had a real fine time.

Right after this meeting, I headed to Sanctuaria Wild Tapas (http://sanctuariastl.com/) in the Grove for dinner with the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans/). Five others from the group joined me for dinner at the Latin American restaurant, which features small plates for sharing. I ordered some Papas Croquetta for the group, and sampled from other plates our group ordered. A cocktail washed down the good food. We had a real fine time at Sanctuaria, and can highly recommend the restaurant.

The next day, I drove to Taqueria el Bronco (http://www.taqueriaelbronco.com/) in south St. Louis for lunch with six others from the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup group. We enjoyed authentic Mexican cuisine in a no-frills setting, with most reasonable prices. I ordered two tacos--one with carnitas, the other with chorizo--with beans and rice. Another very fine place I can recommend. After lunch, I walked with three others from our party down Cherokee Street to Diana's Bakery (https://www.yelp.com/biz/dianas-bakery-saint-louis) to buy some freshly baked pastries. This is another wonderful place to go.

Back at work on Monday (13 February), we had a rather busy week for the most part. Plenty of work, and plenty of customers for our vehicles. I did my best to stay on top of things, and to help our branch exceed customer expectations.

I flexed out of work Tuesday afternoon, as I would work the following Saturday morning (18 February). Off on Thursday, I headed to the St. Louis Public Library's Central Branch (https://www.slpl.org/locations/CENTRAL/). I was there to tour their exhibit, "50 Years of Blood, Sweat and Cheers--A Tribute to the St. Louis Blues and their Fans." The Grand Hall included a manekin of Blues goaltender Glen Hall making a save in front of goal, with the goal judge box behind it. Dash boards from the Arena were also displayed there, along with an all-time Blues roster, a list of Blues award-winners, and portraits of Blues greats. An exhibit hall on the third floor featured 50 years of Blues memorabilia: Player sweaters, sticks, programs, tickets, posters, photos, pucks, and souvenirs. There was a timeline of Blues history along the wall, and a speaker played a loop of Blues radio play-by-play calls. I also got to take a selfie in front of a green screen there, with the image added to one of three backgrounds celebrating Blues history. The exhibit runs to 4 March, and I highly recommend it to any Blues fan.

I came home to sit for a webinar on job search strategies aimed at the older job seeker. Some information I had heard before and others were new to me. I left the webinar after I learned that the presenter's fee for her fully helping out job seekers was in the four figures--too rich for me.

That night, at Creve Coeur Airport (http://www.crevecoeurairport.com/), I attended the Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) meeting. It was an aviation open mike night, with attendees invited to tell their aviation-related stories. I led off with tales of my first airplane flight as a 12-year-old Boy Scout and a flight to Europe some years later.

Well into Friday afternoon at work, my assistant manager Cayla asked me to take keys for some vehicles on our lot to the traffic center in Berkley, east of St. Louis-Lambert International Airport. I needed to get the keys delivered by 5 pm, so the traffic people could come the next day to take the vehicles off our lot. I did, and then went home; Cayla told me there was no point in returning to the branch for just a few minutes at day's end.

After work yesterday morning at the branch and lunch, I came home to work on a couple of model kits I'm looking to finish in time for this Tuesday's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) meeting. It will be a push on one kit, but the other is virtually done. I also worked on the models today.

Last night, mom took me out to dinner at TGI Friday's (https://www.tgifridays.com/) in Concord Village. We had a coupon I received for my birthday that was used there. I ordered the Jack Daniels grilled chicken and shrimp, which was most tasty.

Later.

Enjoying Churrasco and Working Hard

The end of last week at work was busy, but good. I spent much of that weekend resting up at home. It was mostly to catch up on some needed rest. I did get my hair cut Sunday morning (25 September) at Great Clips (http://www.greatclips.com/) in Mehlville. The stylist did the usual good job cutting six weeks' worth of hair.

Sunday night, I joined with others from the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans) for dinner at Brasilia Bar & Restaurant (http://www.brasiliastl.com/) in south St. Louis. About 16 of us took in a delicious churrasco dinner buffet. Servers brought to our table skewers of various meats, which we could take a slice for one's plate. It was my first time trying churrasco, and I don't think it would be my last. A good time was had by our group.

Back to work on Monday morning, and plenty of work for sure. Things have been going well at our branch, I am happy to say. It did get crowded on our lot at times, with a lot of vehicles and little space to park them. We did our best, though, and kept our customers happy.

Tuesday night (27 September), I was at Bill Wagner's house in Oakville for the IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) business meeting. We discussed club business and planned our October general and business meetings.

I was back at Portuguese class after work Wednesday night at St. Louis Community College at Meramec (http://www.stlcc.edu/MC/). Priscila, our instructor from Viva Brasil Association of St. Louis (http://www.e.vivabrasilstl.org/home), guided us through a review of possessive pronouns, more verbs, and future tense. This was week six,with two more to go in this course.

I took it easy on my off day Thursday (29 September), mostly resting at home and dying my hair. Good thing: Friday was a busy one at work.

At home today. Enjoying the weekend.

Later.

Transitions at Work; Dinner with a Group

After a relaxing weekend at home, it was back to work for me this past Monday (25 July). It was warm and humid, though not as bad as it was the previous two weeks. Tuesday marked the last day for Liz as our branch manager, as she is taking over the branch at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Area employees gathered at Double D Karaoke (http://doubledstl.com) in Brentwood after work on Tuesday to celebrate. I could only stay briefly, as I had to drive down to Bill Wagner's house in Oakville for the IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) business meeting. Liz appreciated my stopping by, though. The IPMS/Gateway board planned our August general and business meetings, and discussed other club business.

Wednesday (27 July), I started to contact some recruiters about help in finding career opportunities in marketing communications and publishing. Hope to get some action going soon in that area. Any assistance that you can give me in this regard is much appreciated.

Off work Thursday, I got my hair cut at Great Clips (http://www.greatclips.com/) in Tenholder Plaza in Mehlville. The stylist did such a good job getting about two months' growth of hair cut from my head. I bought some hair color on the way home and applied it myself, covering my gray hairs.

After a personal appointment, I shopped a bit at CRM Hobbies (http://www.crmhobbies.com/) in south St. Louis, buying two bottles of paint for models I'm working on now.

That night, I was at Yemanja Brasil Restorante (http://www.brazildining.com/) in south St. Louis' Benton Park neighborhood for dinner with the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans/). Approximately 12 of us attended, and it was my third visit to this restaurant. Yemanja is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Louis and the experience did not disappoint. After an appetizer of Empanadas de Bife and a cup of soup, I did into the main course: Xin Xim de Galinha, a spicy chicken dish. Dessert was Pudim de Coco, mainly bread pudding, all washed down with a Caipirinha cocktail and water. A great time was had by all at this dinner, and I highly recommend both Yemanja and Ethnic Restaurant Fans.

Today at work, an electrician came by in the morning to install two oscillating fans in the wash bay. When the fans were up and running, they blew plenty of cool air inside the bay, which made conditions much more tolerable. It was challenging at times to get vehicles parked on our crowded lot, but things got taken care of in good order. By the way, a new manager reports to our branch next week.

Relaxing at home now, but an interesting weekend awaits. More on that in my next post.

Later.

Meetups, Visiting Colleagues, Referee Clinics, and Hot Chocolate

A week ago Saturday (5 December) was busy, although I didn't have an episode of Writer's Block to co-host, as it was cancelled for this month. However, I did attend a pair of Meetups. First, the Saint Louis Area Sippers (Coffee Meetup) (http://www.meetup.com/Saint-Louis-Coffee-Meetup/) got together at Cafe Ventana (http://cafeventana.com/) in midtown St. Louis. Nine of our group got together over coffee and caught up on things. A very nice time we had together, and at a wonderful place.

That night, I was with the Ethnic Restaurant Fans (http://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans/) Meetup group for dinner at Flavor of India (http://www.flavorofindiastl.com/) restaurant in Creve Coeur. Our group of 20 enjoyed a very tasty buffet of Indian cuisine, and I greatly enjoyed the food and company that night.

Back to work on Monday (7 December), things have been going well. Plenty to keep us busy. After flexing out Tuesday afternoon, I paid a visit to the three nearest branches to mine. First, in Ballwin, I brought cookies to the staff and gave Christmas cards to Cory and Adam there. Next, I was at the Manchester branch, with cookies for all and cards for Maggie (who just started as manager there) and Meggie. Finally, I went to the Kirkwood branch with cards for Derek, Mel, and Kim, plus cookies for all. At these branches I visited, they all greatly appreciated the gesture.

After coming home that Tuesday (8 December), I took and passed the online futsal referee test, and took that result with proof of payment to Lamborghini Gold Coast Athletic Centre (http://lamboathletic.com/) in St. Charles for the annual recertification clinic. A good crowd of referees was on hand to learn of points of emphasis, plus time on a court for exercises in mechanics. At the end, I got my 2016 futsal badge for my uniform.

My off day Thursday found me visiting more branches in the morning. This started with the one in Columbia, Illinois, where I left cookies and card for Tim, who was away when I arrived. Then, it was the Airport branch, where I had cards for Alex, Kerry, and Adrian. I chatted a bit with Alex and Kerry, who were there. Traveling northwest, I stopped by the St. Charles Car Sales location and chatted with Anthony, bringing him cookies and a card. I then left a card and cookies for Dan at the St. Peters rental branch. Finally, it was the branch in Fenton, where I chatted with Drew and Kevin. A most productive morning.

That afternoon, I took and passed my outdoor referee test. All was ready for the recertification that night at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park (http://www.stlcc.edu/FP/). We went over the rule changes (very minor), plus viewed video of game situations and went over points of emphasis for our youth soccer matches. I received my 2016 referee patch and Laws of the Game at the end of the night there. I treated myself to a milkshake at a nearby Steak 'n Shake (http://www.steaknshake.com/) before driving home.

After work yesterday (12 December), I got the car washed and bought some cargo pants. I also went to bed early that night, for an early wake up call the next morning.

Today, I was up around 4 am, as I had to be in downtown St. Louis by 5:45 am. For the second year in a row, I was a volunteer at the St. Louis Hot Chocolate Run (http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/stlouis), 15 kilometer and 5 kilometer runs through downtown St. Louis. Hundreds of runners took part in this event, whose proceeds (along with other Hot Chocolate Runs around the country) benefit Ronald McDonald Children's Charities. I was one of the volunteers working the 15K gear check in, near the start and finish lines south of Soldiers Memorial (http://stlsoldiersmemorial.org/index.php). I and other volunteers took the runners' gear (like wallets, keys, etc.) and stashed them in boxes in the tent. We kept the gear secure, then returned it to the runners after the run. We had no real problems with this process, all runners got their gear back in good order. After my shift ended, I was treated to hot chocolate and some treats (banana, rice krispies treat, mini pretzels, marshmallows) and chocolate syrup to dip the treats in.

After the run, I walked through Citygarden (http://www.citygardenstl.org/) and past Ballpark Village (http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/) back to my car, parked just west of Ballpark Village, and drove home. Time to rest up and get ready for another week of work.

Later.