One Shot Down, One to Go

Yesterday (28 April) was my off day from work for this week. I began it at the Holiday Inn St. Louis--Creve Coeur (https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/st-louis/stlcr/hoteldetail?PID=9069228&_PMID=99634975&cm_mmc=CJ-_-5250933-_-9069228-_-www.ihg.com-_-366dca26a95011eb820af0cd0a82b820&glat=AFFI&setPMCookies=true&cjevent=366dca26a95011eb820af0cd0a82b820) for a networking event organized by the Job Seekers' Garden Club. I didn't really find any recruiters that I was looking for regarding positions in public relations or publishing, but someone from an accounting firm told me of some firms I should look into for such positions. I thanked her for the information and we exchanged business cards. At least something good came out of that event for me.

Then, it was off to Micro Center (https://www.microcenter.com/) in Brentwood, where I bought an external hard drive for backing up files from my laptop. I also got a set of wireless headphones for free, a customer loyalty gift from the store.

After shopping, I made my way to the Central West End of St. Louis. Browsing at Left Bank Books (https://www.left-bank.com/), I found a new book for sale, "The Bomber Mafia," by Malcolm Gladwell (https://www.gladwellbooks.com/), which tells of technology and best intentions collided during World War II. I bought that book and look forward to reading that in due course.

I walked across the street to Mission Taco Joint (https://www.missiontacojoint.com/) for lunch. I had two tacos--one chorizo, the other fish--along with chips and salsa. It was great to be able to dine in one of my favorite meal spots.

For dessert, I walked across Euclid again, this time to Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (https://jenis.com/). I walked out with a scoop of sweet cream biscuits and peach jam ice cream, which was most delicious. I enjoyed the ice cream in my car.

After a short trip to south St. Louis, I returned to the Central West End. This time, it was to the BJC HealthCare (https://www.bjc.org/) Clayton Avenue Building to get my first dose of the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. After checking in with the intake nurse, I was directed to another nurse who injected my upper arm with the Pfizer (https://www.pfizer.com/) vaccine. I then sat in a waiting area for 15 minutes, just to make sure I was fine after the shot. I also made an appointment for getting my second shot in three weeks, also at the Clayton Avenue Building. Feeling no ill effects, I walked out of the building, got into my car, and drove home.

Later.

Toasting the 2020 STLFC Kickoff with the St. Louligans

After work Tuesday night (3 March), I drove to 2nd Shift Brewing (http://www.2ndshiftbrewing.com/) in St. Louis' Hill neighborhood. The St. Louligans (https://stlouligans.com/) gathered for their Kickoff Toast event ahead of the Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) season opener tonight.

I ordered the Flying Pig dinner from the Guerrilla Street Food (https://www.facebook.com/guerrillastreetfood) booth there, and selected the new Key Lime Brewligans beer (http://www.2ndshiftbrewing.com/beers/key-lime-brewligans/), and later had tacos from a buffet line set up by Mission Taco Joint (https://www.missiontacojoint.com/).

We chatted, walked around the hospitality room, and watched the St. Louis Blues game on the TV screens. We were asked about our hopes for this season in a recording to be posted on the St. Louligans' podcast, "This is Silly with the Louligans!" (https://stlouligans.com/archives/category/podcast)

Those of us who ordered this year's St. Louligans' scarf--such as myself--received it at this event.

Three of us modeled Saint Louis FC's new away shirt--white with thin navy hoops on the front. It will be worn with white shorts and socks. (The home kit remains the same as last year's.)

I later had another 2nd Shift beer, Bruce's Best Brown (http://www.2ndshiftbrewing.com/beers/bruces-best-brown/). Sometime after finishing that beer, I left for home.

Saint Louis FC hosts The Miami FC tonight at 7:00 pm at West Community Stadium of World Wide Technology Soccer Park. The St. Louligans' tailgate starts two hours before kickoff. See you there!

Later.

Hot Days and Nights in Town

It now really feels like summer in St. Louis. Daytime temperatures this past week have gotten to about 96 degrees F (36 degrees C), while heat indices (temperatures combined with relative humidity) have reached 105 degrees F (41 degrees C). It's been quite a challenge anytime I've been outside, be it for work or pleasure. At least my co-workers have been understanding and making sure my colleagues and I get well hydrated and stay inside as much as possible.

Plenty of work going on at the car rental branch, with summer vacation season in full swing. We're all working hard and yet our morale is very good. We truly enjoy our colleagues and that helps make the work day go better.

I've been finishing a model the past few days for taking with me to Columbus, Ohio later this week for the International Plastic Modelers' Society/USA (IPMS/USA) National Convention. Just a last bit of finishing to do and I can get that all done tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to this trip and will give you plenty of info in my upcoming posts. The website for the convention is: http://www.ipmsusa2015.com.

On my off day last Thursday (16 May), I had a blood test done at the request of the doctor who examined me the week before. The nurse called me the next day to say it was good news overall, with nothing that a little adjustment in diet and exercise could not help. I then got my haircut, which needed it.

I was at Creve Coeur Airport that night for the Missouri Aviation Historical Society's meeting. We had one of two air traffic controllers who helped talked down a US Navy aircraft who had a fuel emergency to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport in 2012. He talked of his experience that day and on being in air traffic control (ATC) work. We also had a presentation on the history of ATC and a local pioneer in this field. More on this meeting and the organization here: http://moavhist.org/.

Yesterday (18 July), I went to the St. Louis Area Sippers Meetup in the Tower Grove South neighborhood of St. Louis. We were to have met at Mokabe's Coffeehouse; however, we found the place was closed for a week while the owners were on vacation. We then found a nearby Saint Louis Bread Co. location and had our Meetup there. The five of us present had a nice time talking about various things over refreshments.

That night, I went to International Tap House in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis to join other Saint Louis FC supporters in a watch party for their match at Toronto TC II, which was being streamed via YouTube. Saint Louis won, 1-0, thanks to a Toronto own goal late in the first half. We'll take it. I will be out of town this Saturday, but Saint Louis FC will be home Saturday night against Oklahoma City Energy. Hope you can Pack the Park! Info at: http://saintlouisfc.com. Check out the International Tap House; their website is: http://www.internationaltaphouse.com/.

After the game, during which I had two beers, I walked next door to Mission Taco Joint for a snack. Their have very nice tacos and other Mexican food, and is worth the visit. Here's their website: http://missiontacostl.com/.

Take care and I will blog again from Columbus. Later.