The St. Louis Cardinals pulled it out last Friday night (28 Oct.), defeating the Texas Rangers in the seventh and decided game of the World Series. The Cardinals--well back of a postseason spot when September began--are MLB Champions for the 11th time. I would dare say it was the most improbable of those 11 titles. What a ride!
I had soccer games Saturday and Sunday mornings at the Scott Gallagher complex. They went well. I did fill in as referee on one of the Sunday games (a under-15 girls match) as the man who was originally to have refereed it was feeling a bit sore in one let and asked me to fill in for hjm. I did and it was a fine game that ended 2-1, with the deciding goal coming at the death off a free kick.
Sunday afternoon, after my games, I went to Saint Louis University to watch the Billiken men play Xavier in soccer. It was scoreless at the end of full time, with extra time to be played. I had to leave to go to Wentzville, Missouri for a meeting, so I missed the extra session. (Perhaps that was a good thing, as Xavier won the match in extra time, 1-0.) Late that afternoon, I was in Wentzville at Frank Ciccarella's house. He's organizing a bid IPMS/Gateway will make to host the 2014 IPMS/USA National Convention. Just one other member was at this meeting with Frank and I, but we discussed some items that needed planning right away. After the meeting, Frank and his wife invited me to stay for dinner, which I did. Very nice meal and some good conversation besides.
Tuesday night (1 Nov.), I ran the IPMS/St. Louis meeting. Little to discuss, so we got through it rather quickly.
This weekend will be most interesting. Saturday, I'm going to Columbia, Missouri for TigerCon 2011, a scale model contest and swap meet hosted by the Central Missouri Scale Modelers. It's the first show this club's done and I want to show them my support. Hopefully, some others from St. Louis will be there as well. I also hope to touch base with a friend of mine in Columbia before I head back to St. Louis that night. Early Sunday morning, I have some girls soccer games in Fenton. By early, I mean a 7 am kickoff for the first match. (Good thing Standard Time returns at 2 am Sunday.) That afternoon, at 3 pm Central Time, I co-host Writers Block from Naturally Autistic Radio. Hope you can tune in. You can get more info on that show at www.naturallyautistic.com/radio-show/.
Later.
03 November 2011
28 October 2011
One That Matters
I was lying in bed last night when I saw the extra innings played in last night's Game 6 of the World Series. The Cardinals' win over the Texas Rangers evened the series at three games each, and it will all be decided with the final game tonight. It's been a great run for the Cardinals the last two months, win or lose tonight. I do think they will win this one.
Elsewhere, I had some soccer clinics this past week. Monday night (24 Oct.) was the monthly in-service clinic at Grand Glaize Library in west St. Louis County, in which we learned how to use our words to keep control of a match and deal with players, coaches and spectators. Two nights later, I was at the Soccer Park in Fenton for a required clinic going towards my re-registration. With other referees, I learned about how to "Wait and See" on offside situations, to apply anticipation and presence in being where the game situations develop, along with the dynamics of using the whistle and dealing with exposed cleats in player challenges. Having completed this session, and providing proof of my passing the written online test and paying for registration, I was issued with my 2012 referee uniform patch and the latest copy of the Laws of the Game. I'm free for another year.
Last weekend was me work three Midwest Regional League under-16 girls' matches at Oakville High School on Saturday (22 Oct), which went pretty well, considering how these teams were. In my middle, which was the first match of the set, I had to issue four cautions (three for unsporting behavior, one for dissent) and called two penalty kicks, but otherwise the match was fine. The next day, I ran line on two Elite Clubs National League girls' matches at the Gallagher Complex. These had out-of-town teams that were anxious to get going home, and it showed in their play. Generally, they went well.
Last Tuesday night saw me run the IPMS/Gateway business meeting, in which the club's board planned the next month's general meeting and discussed other club business.
This week, I got off some applications for jobs that I feel fit my skills and experience. I'll follow up next week on these and maybe something good will come of them. We'll see.
Later.
Elsewhere, I had some soccer clinics this past week. Monday night (24 Oct.) was the monthly in-service clinic at Grand Glaize Library in west St. Louis County, in which we learned how to use our words to keep control of a match and deal with players, coaches and spectators. Two nights later, I was at the Soccer Park in Fenton for a required clinic going towards my re-registration. With other referees, I learned about how to "Wait and See" on offside situations, to apply anticipation and presence in being where the game situations develop, along with the dynamics of using the whistle and dealing with exposed cleats in player challenges. Having completed this session, and providing proof of my passing the written online test and paying for registration, I was issued with my 2012 referee uniform patch and the latest copy of the Laws of the Game. I'm free for another year.
Last weekend was me work three Midwest Regional League under-16 girls' matches at Oakville High School on Saturday (22 Oct), which went pretty well, considering how these teams were. In my middle, which was the first match of the set, I had to issue four cautions (three for unsporting behavior, one for dissent) and called two penalty kicks, but otherwise the match was fine. The next day, I ran line on two Elite Clubs National League girls' matches at the Gallagher Complex. These had out-of-town teams that were anxious to get going home, and it showed in their play. Generally, they went well.
Last Tuesday night saw me run the IPMS/Gateway business meeting, in which the club's board planned the next month's general meeting and discussed other club business.
This week, I got off some applications for jobs that I feel fit my skills and experience. I'll follow up next week on these and maybe something good will come of them. We'll see.
Later.
21 October 2011
Going Nuts About the World Series
I'm not the biggest of baseball fans, but I'm glad to see the Cardinals in this World Series, considering they were counted out of postseason contention one month ago. They are now playing the Texas Rangers in the best of seven series. The Cardinals won the opener at home Wednesday night, but lost game two last night. The series picks up in Arlington, Texas tomorrow night (22 Oct.). Go Cardinals! Perhaps the Rally Squirrel that first appeared at Busch Stadium during the National League Division Series will make an encore appearance. We'll see.
I had a busy weekend of soccer refereeing last weekend. It started on Saturday morning (15 Oct) with three league matches at the Scott Gallagher Facility. The last one, an under-17 girls' match, was one I refereed and was assessed on. This was my annual maintenance assessment, for my recertification. I passed the assessment, with the assessor pointing out some things I did right and a few things I can improve on for next time. Glad to get that out of the way. The next day (16 Oct), I did two boys matches in the Midwest Developmental League at Chaminade College Prep. They went well, including my middle in the first match, an under-13 contest that was decided at the death by the visitors. Quite a thrilling match, I must say. I'm back on the pitch this weekend with travel league matches.
Sunday night, I went to a meetup in north St. Louis County of coffee and jazz lovers at a member's home. We--the host, myself, and three others--had a nice time talking, listening to jazz played on the stereo, and enjoying coffee that the host sells out of her home. She talked about her business and offered any of us to join her, but I said no. Home-based business is just not for me.
Tuesday night, I ran the IPMS/Gateway meeting at Calvary Presbyterian Church. We had a nice turnout of members and of models for the monthly "beauty contest." Two people came to our meeting for the first time and I chatted with both of them and recognized them at the start of the meeting. Hopefully, both will be back next month.
This afternoon, my parents and I went to the County Health Clinic in Sunset Hills to get our annual flu shots. They cost each of us $25, but will be well worth it to stay healthy this flu season.
That's it for now. Wish you all a great weekend. Later.
I had a busy weekend of soccer refereeing last weekend. It started on Saturday morning (15 Oct) with three league matches at the Scott Gallagher Facility. The last one, an under-17 girls' match, was one I refereed and was assessed on. This was my annual maintenance assessment, for my recertification. I passed the assessment, with the assessor pointing out some things I did right and a few things I can improve on for next time. Glad to get that out of the way. The next day (16 Oct), I did two boys matches in the Midwest Developmental League at Chaminade College Prep. They went well, including my middle in the first match, an under-13 contest that was decided at the death by the visitors. Quite a thrilling match, I must say. I'm back on the pitch this weekend with travel league matches.
Sunday night, I went to a meetup in north St. Louis County of coffee and jazz lovers at a member's home. We--the host, myself, and three others--had a nice time talking, listening to jazz played on the stereo, and enjoying coffee that the host sells out of her home. She talked about her business and offered any of us to join her, but I said no. Home-based business is just not for me.
Tuesday night, I ran the IPMS/Gateway meeting at Calvary Presbyterian Church. We had a nice turnout of members and of models for the monthly "beauty contest." Two people came to our meeting for the first time and I chatted with both of them and recognized them at the start of the meeting. Hopefully, both will be back next month.
This afternoon, my parents and I went to the County Health Clinic in Sunset Hills to get our annual flu shots. They cost each of us $25, but will be well worth it to stay healthy this flu season.
That's it for now. Wish you all a great weekend. Later.
13 October 2011
On the Run of Late
It's been a bit humid, but not too hot here lately. Been running around the neighborhood in recent days, tuning up for soccer refereeing assignments this weekend. Last weekend, I had some Midwest Regional League (MRL) under-15 girls matches on the Illinois side. I worked two games on Saturday in Columbia's Oerter Park, and three on Sunday at Waterloo Senior High School, which I had never been to before. The games generally went fine, although I did cramp up a bit in my last game on Sunday. This weekend, I have arranged for a maintenance assessment on one of my matches. Wish me well.
Last Monday (10 Oct.), with Mom's help, I had my hair dyed, using Just for Men. It covered over the vast majority of gray in my hair, with just a bit of gray on the sides. It came out real well and I'm happy with it. That night, I was at the Mehlville High Class of 1982 Reunion planning meeting at Crusoe's in Oakville. Laura (Bryant) Muehlhauser, a classmate who's a hair stylist, said the dye job looks natural. I do appreciate her expert opinion on hair matters. At the meeting, we discussed several possible venues for the reunion, and should nail that down with a date at our next meeting in early November. Stay tuned.
No good news on the job search, though. I went to a Yellow-Tie networking happy hour at West County Nissan in Ballwin Tuesday night. It was quite nice, and i did meet a couple of people at their first Yellow-Tie event. Time will tell if any of these contacts made that night will pan out for me.
I'm off to the Missouri Aviation Historical Society meeting in Clayton tonight after dinner at home. The group has a business meeting, followed by the general meeting.
Go Cardinals! They play the Brewers tonight in game 4 of the National League Championship Series, leading 2 games to 1 in the best-of-7.
Later.
Last Monday (10 Oct.), with Mom's help, I had my hair dyed, using Just for Men. It covered over the vast majority of gray in my hair, with just a bit of gray on the sides. It came out real well and I'm happy with it. That night, I was at the Mehlville High Class of 1982 Reunion planning meeting at Crusoe's in Oakville. Laura (Bryant) Muehlhauser, a classmate who's a hair stylist, said the dye job looks natural. I do appreciate her expert opinion on hair matters. At the meeting, we discussed several possible venues for the reunion, and should nail that down with a date at our next meeting in early November. Stay tuned.
No good news on the job search, though. I went to a Yellow-Tie networking happy hour at West County Nissan in Ballwin Tuesday night. It was quite nice, and i did meet a couple of people at their first Yellow-Tie event. Time will tell if any of these contacts made that night will pan out for me.
I'm off to the Missouri Aviation Historical Society meeting in Clayton tonight after dinner at home. The group has a business meeting, followed by the general meeting.
Go Cardinals! They play the Brewers tonight in game 4 of the National League Championship Series, leading 2 games to 1 in the best-of-7.
Later.
07 October 2011
From September into October
September ended with the monthly referee clinic (26 Sept.), in which we reviewed changes in the Laws of the Game for this season. (Mostly in administrative areas.) I ran the IPMS/Gateway business meeting the next night, and attended a business meeting of the Missouri Aviation Historical Society in Clayton on the 29th.
I was up bright and early on Sat., 1 October to be at the Thornhill Branch Library. They were reserving meeting room dates for the first half of 2012 and I wanted to make sure IPMS/St. Louis had its first Tuesdays lined up. Sure enough, I was the first person there and when the library opened at 9:00 am, I got our regular meeting dates. Back home and with a change out outfit, I went to the Soccer Park to referee three girls' soccer matches that afternoon and early evening. They were all Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) matches. I had the middle on the first one, a under-15 match, and then ran lines on the under-17 and under-14 matches that followed. They went well--my middle went with no real incident--and I was happy with my performance.
The next morning, I was at St. Louis U. High to run line on a under-18 Midwest Regional League (MRL) match. That went well, if rather one-sided. Back home after that, I co-hosted the October edition of Writer's Block, from Naturally Autistic Radio. The show went quite well. You can find out more on that program and others at www.naturallyautistic.com/radio-show.
The week started off with me getting my hair--which was cut at the hair salon the week before--colored to cover the gray. Expect some new photos of me soon. Tuesday (4 October), I ran the IPMS/St. Louis meeting, where I gave the good news about our meeting dates and welcomed a first-time visitor to our group. I was at a dermatologist the next afternoon to have someone check out the rash on my chest, back and upper arms. He told me it was eczema and recommended some treatment, including a prescribed creme, which I obtained from the pharmacy later that day. I'm starting to show signs of improvement, and hopefully that will continue in the coming weeks.
I have MRL soccer refereeing assignments coming up tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday in Columbia, Illinois. Hopefully, they should go real well.
Later.
I was up bright and early on Sat., 1 October to be at the Thornhill Branch Library. They were reserving meeting room dates for the first half of 2012 and I wanted to make sure IPMS/St. Louis had its first Tuesdays lined up. Sure enough, I was the first person there and when the library opened at 9:00 am, I got our regular meeting dates. Back home and with a change out outfit, I went to the Soccer Park to referee three girls' soccer matches that afternoon and early evening. They were all Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) matches. I had the middle on the first one, a under-15 match, and then ran lines on the under-17 and under-14 matches that followed. They went well--my middle went with no real incident--and I was happy with my performance.
The next morning, I was at St. Louis U. High to run line on a under-18 Midwest Regional League (MRL) match. That went well, if rather one-sided. Back home after that, I co-hosted the October edition of Writer's Block, from Naturally Autistic Radio. The show went quite well. You can find out more on that program and others at www.naturallyautistic.com/radio-show.
The week started off with me getting my hair--which was cut at the hair salon the week before--colored to cover the gray. Expect some new photos of me soon. Tuesday (4 October), I ran the IPMS/St. Louis meeting, where I gave the good news about our meeting dates and welcomed a first-time visitor to our group. I was at a dermatologist the next afternoon to have someone check out the rash on my chest, back and upper arms. He told me it was eczema and recommended some treatment, including a prescribed creme, which I obtained from the pharmacy later that day. I'm starting to show signs of improvement, and hopefully that will continue in the coming weeks.
I have MRL soccer refereeing assignments coming up tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday in Columbia, Illinois. Hopefully, they should go real well.
Later.
26 September 2011
Starting to Plan for 2012
Before I go further (and my apologies for not having post here sooner): I'm on the panel this Sunday for the October edition of Writer's Block, from Naturally Autistic Radio. The show, presented by Naturally Autistic ANCA, airs online from 3 to 4 pm, Central Time (1 to 2 pm, Pacific Time). I and other writers (and editors in my case) on the spectrum discuss our work and how being on the spectrum affects it. You can get show details at http://www.naturallyautistic.com/radio-show/. By the way, you can register for free at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ prior to the show and then you can participate in the live online chat during the program. I hope you can tune in this Sunday and tell everyone you know to tune in.
One week ago tonight (19 Sept.), I joined with eight other classmates from Mehlville High's Class of 1982 at Crusoe's Restaurant in Oakville to begin planning our 30-year reunion next year. We started to sketch out what kind of event to hold and to start delegating responsibilities for several things related to this reunion. I'll let out more of the details in due course. The reunion committee next meets two weeks from tonight.
The previous weekend (17-18 Sept.) had some interesting events. On that Saturday, I was at the Al Waha Restaurant in midtown St. Louis for a seminar on online dating, put on by two Meetup groups. It was quite nice, learning a few things that were new to me on this matter. I also was able to get my online profiles critiqued by the seminar moderator afterward, with a few changes she suggested put into place soon afterward. I ushered at church that Sunday morning, then dashed out to St. Louis U. High to referee boys' soccer games. It rained part of the time, but being on artificial turf, we got all three games in.
IPMS/Gateway's September general meeting on the 20th was real interesting. We had: a build night; a contest for Modeler of the Year points (I helped judge); discussion on us possibly hosting the IPMS/USA National Convention in 2014; plugging upcoming events of interest to the members; and, beginning to take nominees for the Bob Stroup Award for outstanding service. We got them all in!
The next day, I met an acquaitance and her friend at the Galleria for a volunteer editing assignment for a non-profit organization's annual newsletter. I was able to get all the material edited and turned in by the following Friday. Gave me a nice added bit of experience.
I refereed a girls' tournament at Sportport last weekend. I worked tow games Thursday night, three on Saturday afternoon, and three yesterday. That included the under-15 final I was in the middle for, which went real well. Both sides' coaches praised me for my game control. Our monthly referee clinic is tonight, with other meetings and events this week.
Later this week, I hope to hear back on an editing job I recently applied for. Ten days ago, I followed up with the hiring manager and he wrote back that they would be taking applications for two more weeks before deciding who to invite for interviews. Stay tuned.
Later.
One week ago tonight (19 Sept.), I joined with eight other classmates from Mehlville High's Class of 1982 at Crusoe's Restaurant in Oakville to begin planning our 30-year reunion next year. We started to sketch out what kind of event to hold and to start delegating responsibilities for several things related to this reunion. I'll let out more of the details in due course. The reunion committee next meets two weeks from tonight.
The previous weekend (17-18 Sept.) had some interesting events. On that Saturday, I was at the Al Waha Restaurant in midtown St. Louis for a seminar on online dating, put on by two Meetup groups. It was quite nice, learning a few things that were new to me on this matter. I also was able to get my online profiles critiqued by the seminar moderator afterward, with a few changes she suggested put into place soon afterward. I ushered at church that Sunday morning, then dashed out to St. Louis U. High to referee boys' soccer games. It rained part of the time, but being on artificial turf, we got all three games in.
IPMS/Gateway's September general meeting on the 20th was real interesting. We had: a build night; a contest for Modeler of the Year points (I helped judge); discussion on us possibly hosting the IPMS/USA National Convention in 2014; plugging upcoming events of interest to the members; and, beginning to take nominees for the Bob Stroup Award for outstanding service. We got them all in!
The next day, I met an acquaitance and her friend at the Galleria for a volunteer editing assignment for a non-profit organization's annual newsletter. I was able to get all the material edited and turned in by the following Friday. Gave me a nice added bit of experience.
I refereed a girls' tournament at Sportport last weekend. I worked tow games Thursday night, three on Saturday afternoon, and three yesterday. That included the under-15 final I was in the middle for, which went real well. Both sides' coaches praised me for my game control. Our monthly referee clinic is tonight, with other meetings and events this week.
Later this week, I hope to hear back on an editing job I recently applied for. Ten days ago, I followed up with the hiring manager and he wrote back that they would be taking applications for two more weeks before deciding who to invite for interviews. Stay tuned.
Later.
16 September 2011
A Good Time at the 2011 IPMS Gateway Invitational
Last Saturday (10 September), I helped run the IPMS/Gateway to the West Invitational model contest and swap meet, which was held at Hitter's Choice Cages in Eureka, Missouri. We had a good time with the show, which drew a good crowd of people and model contest entries (192 for the latter). The vendors there seems happy, and we raised some money for Toys for Tots through our raffle. I helped judge the contest, in which one of my three entries took third place. (Of course, not in a category I was judging!) My '69 Camaro Z/28 SS was third in Out of the Box -- Non-military. It was my first award at a local show in quite a few years, so I'm real happy about it.
The next day, IPMS/Gateway held its annual picnic at Charles Forrester Park in Vinita Park. I arrived after refereeing girls' soccer at St. Louis U. High that morning. We had a fine time: the club provided meat (burgers and brats) and beverages (soda, beer and water), while the attendees brought side dishes (I brought in two bags of chips). IPMS/Gateway meets this Tuesday night at Calvary Presbyterian Church. Hope to see you there. Info at www.ipms-gateway.com.
The previous Wednesday night (7 Sept.), I was at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis' Forest Park for a book signing and panel discussion. I bought a copy of the new book by Dave Lange, "Soccer Made in St. Louis," which is an illustrated history of the game in this area. There was a panel discussion on the state of soccer in St. Louis and the United States, which was quite interesting. Before and after that discussion, I got the book signed by several soccer personalities mentioned in the book, as well as by Lange and Bill McDermott, who wrote the foreword and moderated the discussion. I shall prize this book.
Speaking of printed matters, I did finally get the temp work done late last week. The assignment finally came through to the agency, and I got in it. It was a typing job, for a marketing agency's client, with some proofreading along the way. I got it done at home and turned it in to the marketing firm, which greatly appreciated my effort. I'm hoping to hear back today on another temp assignment I'm up for. In the meantime, I edited a pair of short columns for Naturally Autistic Magazine, and some biography cards for several honorees at next weekend's Naturally Autistic People Awards in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Speaking of Naturally Autistic, I was a panelist this past Wednesday afternoon on the Naturally Autistic Radio program Adult Speak. It was a nice program, although I did not contribute too much to it compared to other panelists. A week and a half earlier, on Sun., 4 Sept., I co-hosted the monthly Writer's Block program, also on Naturally Autistic Radio. Info on these and other shows at www.naturallyautistic.com.
That's it for now. Later
.
The next day, IPMS/Gateway held its annual picnic at Charles Forrester Park in Vinita Park. I arrived after refereeing girls' soccer at St. Louis U. High that morning. We had a fine time: the club provided meat (burgers and brats) and beverages (soda, beer and water), while the attendees brought side dishes (I brought in two bags of chips). IPMS/Gateway meets this Tuesday night at Calvary Presbyterian Church. Hope to see you there. Info at www.ipms-gateway.com.
The previous Wednesday night (7 Sept.), I was at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis' Forest Park for a book signing and panel discussion. I bought a copy of the new book by Dave Lange, "Soccer Made in St. Louis," which is an illustrated history of the game in this area. There was a panel discussion on the state of soccer in St. Louis and the United States, which was quite interesting. Before and after that discussion, I got the book signed by several soccer personalities mentioned in the book, as well as by Lange and Bill McDermott, who wrote the foreword and moderated the discussion. I shall prize this book.
Speaking of printed matters, I did finally get the temp work done late last week. The assignment finally came through to the agency, and I got in it. It was a typing job, for a marketing agency's client, with some proofreading along the way. I got it done at home and turned it in to the marketing firm, which greatly appreciated my effort. I'm hoping to hear back today on another temp assignment I'm up for. In the meantime, I edited a pair of short columns for Naturally Autistic Magazine, and some biography cards for several honorees at next weekend's Naturally Autistic People Awards in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Speaking of Naturally Autistic, I was a panelist this past Wednesday afternoon on the Naturally Autistic Radio program Adult Speak. It was a nice program, although I did not contribute too much to it compared to other panelists. A week and a half earlier, on Sun., 4 Sept., I co-hosted the monthly Writer's Block program, also on Naturally Autistic Radio. Info on these and other shows at www.naturallyautistic.com.
That's it for now. Later
.
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