Monday morning, I completed my last south St. Louis County area to be canvassed for the US Census Bureau. Our group of canvassers in the Mehlville/Oakville/Lemay area got through our areas in two weeks. Hundreds of residences checked. Few problems, and they were easily solved for the most part. After about two days off, I'm back to canvassing today, this time in an area north of here. I'll get the details later this morning. Looks like about two more weeks of this canvass for sure.
A good thing about this job has been the nice pay. Thanks to this, I'm getting my credit cards paid off. I just sent in a payment yesterday that clears the outstanding balance from one card, which had the highest interest rate. I've already mapped out the cards I owe based on interest rate, and hope to make major progress over the next few weeks.
Had some games to referee Saturday night. The last one, where I was in the middle, was terminated with just over one minute left, due to lightning. One team was up 4-2 at that point, and that result may stand as far as the league goes. Overnight rain washed out Sunday's games. I have some games coming up this weekend.
It's going to be a busy weekend. I hope to hit the Greater St. Louis Book Fair at West County Center. It's the 60th book fair, which benefits nursery charities in Metro St. Louis, and is a source for long out of print books, records and tapes, all at low prices. Also this weekend is the annual World War II Weekend at Jefferson Barracks County Park. Some 300 reinactors will gather to act out small unit combat in the war, plus give visitors an idea of what it was like being a soldier in that time. Two friends of mine will likely be there, but I may be pinched for time, due to my games.
Last Saturday, I went to the memorial service in Ferguson, Missouri for my friend John Brooks, who died last month. He was in my scale modeling clubs and was quite an interesting fellow. He used to work for McDonnell Douglas and had a lot of good info on their aircraft, which John supplied to scale model kit manufacturers. He also shared inside info from the kit makers with us modelers on upcoming releases. John had health problems in recent years and died on the operating table. Still, it was sad to see another friend from this hobby go so soon from this life. I'll be sure to say hi to him in the great scale modeling room in the sky.
That's it for now. Take care and talk to you son.
22 April 2009
12 April 2009
Pounding the pavement (for the US Census Bureau)
Tomorrow I start my third week of work as an enumerator with the US Census Bureau, for which I will be working temporarily until late May. I went through training my first week, going on my first canvass of residences the Friday afternoon of that week. Last week was my first full week of neighborhood canvassing. Got quite a few residences confirmed according to the address lists loaded onto my government-issued hand held computer (HHC). I added residences not on the canvass block and subtracted those on the list I did not find on the ground.
Snow showers early on Monday and rain late last week but a crimp into my canvass efforts, so I didn't work the maximum 40 hours I could. Still, I'm not complaining about the hours, and the pay. (Not to mention the exercise I'm getting when I'm out walking door-to-door.)
Easter was fine. I refereed two men's soccer games this morning. They were ok, no great play but no real problems (apart from a soggy ground, which made footing difficult for players and referees alike at times). Then it was home for dinner with my parents, and stayed home to follow several events at once: Cardinals game (they won, again), Blues game (they won, again), the Masters, and word about the freeing of the US merchant ship captain from his Somali pirate captors.
Hopefully, the new week will bring more to write about soon. Talk to you then.
Snow showers early on Monday and rain late last week but a crimp into my canvass efforts, so I didn't work the maximum 40 hours I could. Still, I'm not complaining about the hours, and the pay. (Not to mention the exercise I'm getting when I'm out walking door-to-door.)
Easter was fine. I refereed two men's soccer games this morning. They were ok, no great play but no real problems (apart from a soggy ground, which made footing difficult for players and referees alike at times). Then it was home for dinner with my parents, and stayed home to follow several events at once: Cardinals game (they won, again), Blues game (they won, again), the Masters, and word about the freeing of the US merchant ship captain from his Somali pirate captors.
Hopefully, the new week will bring more to write about soon. Talk to you then.
29 March 2009
News bad, good and indifferent
This past week I got word from the firm I interviewed with 2 1/2 weeks ago that they would not pursue me further for the communications specialist opening. They felt I was not quite the kind of fit they were seeking. OK, I'll just go on in my job search.
On the bright side, tomorrow I start my temp job with the US Census, helping to lay the groundwork for the 2010 Census. A week-long training session this week will show me how to collect data on residences, prior to going door-to-door. This job will run for about 8 weeks, at full time pay. Should be interesting.
We had some unseasonably cold weather this past weekend. It rained quite a bit yesterday, before and during some boys soccer games I officiated last night. At least we were on artificial turf, which made it a bit easier, but it wasn't all that pleasant in the cold and rain. The games went pretty good. I was supposed to have refereed some games this morning, but a bit of snow overnight caused cancellation of my games. I have some games this week, but it depends on how dry those fields get.
Mom & Dad are fine, after coming come on Monday afternoon from their road trip to Austin.
Take care & talk to you soon.
On the bright side, tomorrow I start my temp job with the US Census, helping to lay the groundwork for the 2010 Census. A week-long training session this week will show me how to collect data on residences, prior to going door-to-door. This job will run for about 8 weeks, at full time pay. Should be interesting.
We had some unseasonably cold weather this past weekend. It rained quite a bit yesterday, before and during some boys soccer games I officiated last night. At least we were on artificial turf, which made it a bit easier, but it wasn't all that pleasant in the cold and rain. The games went pretty good. I was supposed to have refereed some games this morning, but a bit of snow overnight caused cancellation of my games. I have some games this week, but it depends on how dry those fields get.
Mom & Dad are fine, after coming come on Monday afternoon from their road trip to Austin.
Take care & talk to you soon.
19 March 2009
Quiet time now
My parents left St. Louis yesterday morning to drive to Austin, Texas. They should be there as I write these words. Mom and Dad are visiting my brother Rick, his wife Melissa and their foster son for a few days before heading back to St. Louis. My brother Brian and the rest of the New York Dolls are also in Austin, playing at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival.
I'm running the house while my parents are away. Don't expect any house parties here, though Actually, I have been awaiting word from the firm I interviewed with last week for a communications specialist job. They are supposed to contact me regarding a second interview with them, and I hope it will be in the next business day or two. Stay tuned.
I had soccer refereeing last weekend, and the games went well. Also had IPMS Gateway meeting on Tuesday night, with me opening and closing the church fellowship hall where they meet. Had a sad moment on Sunday, when I got word my friend and fellow IPMS member John Brooks died on the operating table. He had been taken two days before to the hospital with peritonitis (he's had kidney problems in recent years), and apparently suffered a fatal heart attack while being operated on. He was a neat guy, if quiet and sardonic in tone, with a great feel for aviation history. John used to work for McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) and collected much material on the firm and its aircraft. He also had close ties to model kit manufacturers, so he gave us modelers the scoop on kits due out. John will be missed.
Last night, I was at the Judevine Center for the March WAWWA (We Are Who We Are) activity, a game night. We played at several board games for about two hours and chatted among ourselves. There was a good turnout of about 10 WAWWA members and two counselors. I had not been able to make a WAWWA activity for a few months, for one reason or another, so it was great to get this in.
Hope to have some good news on the job situation soon. Talk to you later.
I'm running the house while my parents are away. Don't expect any house parties here, though Actually, I have been awaiting word from the firm I interviewed with last week for a communications specialist job. They are supposed to contact me regarding a second interview with them, and I hope it will be in the next business day or two. Stay tuned.
I had soccer refereeing last weekend, and the games went well. Also had IPMS Gateway meeting on Tuesday night, with me opening and closing the church fellowship hall where they meet. Had a sad moment on Sunday, when I got word my friend and fellow IPMS member John Brooks died on the operating table. He had been taken two days before to the hospital with peritonitis (he's had kidney problems in recent years), and apparently suffered a fatal heart attack while being operated on. He was a neat guy, if quiet and sardonic in tone, with a great feel for aviation history. John used to work for McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) and collected much material on the firm and its aircraft. He also had close ties to model kit manufacturers, so he gave us modelers the scoop on kits due out. John will be missed.
Last night, I was at the Judevine Center for the March WAWWA (We Are Who We Are) activity, a game night. We played at several board games for about two hours and chatted among ourselves. There was a good turnout of about 10 WAWWA members and two counselors. I had not been able to make a WAWWA activity for a few months, for one reason or another, so it was great to get this in.
Hope to have some good news on the job situation soon. Talk to you later.
13 March 2009
A Ray of Hope
This week turned out very nicely, overall. I helped officiate two Development Academy soccer games Sunday morning in Maryland Heights. They went well, considering the second game's start was delayed about 30 minutes due to lightning in the vicinity and was then played under highly windy conditions. At least afterward I could chill out at home.
I spent much of Monday through Wednesday morning preparing for my job interview Wednesday afternoon. It was for a communications specialist position with a firm in St. Charles, Missouri, and I was there for about two hours, interviewed by the marketing and human resources directors. I also took a pair of tests and received info on the organization's benefits package. I am optimistic of being called for a second interview next week.
I was assistant referee on two boys games Wednesday night. Thursday, I fact checked a chapter of a book my brother Rick was editing, and this morning I was at a career search program in Sunset Hills, Missouri. After short speeches of welcome by Rep. Russ Carnahan and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, a panel discussion was held on job search trends and tools. Several breakout sessions were offered after that, and I took in one on networking. There, I chatted with several panelists, exchanging business cards.
I'm relaxing tonight, but it's soccer this weekend. I plan to be at Barristers in Clayton to watch the Manchester United v Liverpool patch on TV. I referee boys games Saturday and Sunday night. Hope all of them go well.
Hope you all are well. Take care & talk to you soon.
I spent much of Monday through Wednesday morning preparing for my job interview Wednesday afternoon. It was for a communications specialist position with a firm in St. Charles, Missouri, and I was there for about two hours, interviewed by the marketing and human resources directors. I also took a pair of tests and received info on the organization's benefits package. I am optimistic of being called for a second interview next week.
I was assistant referee on two boys games Wednesday night. Thursday, I fact checked a chapter of a book my brother Rick was editing, and this morning I was at a career search program in Sunset Hills, Missouri. After short speeches of welcome by Rep. Russ Carnahan and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, a panel discussion was held on job search trends and tools. Several breakout sessions were offered after that, and I took in one on networking. There, I chatted with several panelists, exchanging business cards.
I'm relaxing tonight, but it's soccer this weekend. I plan to be at Barristers in Clayton to watch the Manchester United v Liverpool patch on TV. I referee boys games Saturday and Sunday night. Hope all of them go well.
Hope you all are well. Take care & talk to you soon.
07 March 2009
Rays of hope
I'm off to referee soccer tonight and (after a short turnaround time at home) tomorrow morning. Looks like we may get some showers tonight and tomorrow. At least it will be mild in temperature.
The trivia night one week ago was neat. My parents and I went and we had a fun time. The hall was packed and our referee association raised quite a bit of money for the Disabled Athlete Sports Association. I had soccer games (start of the spring season) on late Sunday afternoon and evening. They were fine.
I went to a networking event last Monday night and it was interesting. It was at Sol Lounge in west St. Louis and it was crowded. Still, I did meet up with a few folks to possibly connect with for career opportunities. I stopped by a career fair at Saint Louis University the next day. Not much that interested me, so I didn't spend much time there. I went home, and then ran the IPMS St. Louis meeting that night.
The US Census Bureau called me on Wednesday to offer me a temporary job working on the 2010 Census, for which I had recently tested. I accepted and the training session is at the end of March and beginning of April, followed by about eight weeks of door-to-door surveying. Could be very interesting.
I had two games I officiated Thursday night and I had to write a report before I went to bed. I sent off one player for his second caution of the match (he encroached on an opponent's free kick, after I had just cautioned that same player for dissent). It was not a night for enjoyable soccer. Hopefully, this weekend's games will be much better.
On a brighter note, I got an e-mail Thursday afternoon from someone I met at a networking event a few weeks back. She said that a wholesaler was looking for a communications specialist, and she knew that firm's marketing director. I applied for it right away, using her name, and got a call the next morning inviting me to an interview. That will take place this Wednesday. Stay tuned. Wish me luck!
Take care & stay dry! Later.
The trivia night one week ago was neat. My parents and I went and we had a fun time. The hall was packed and our referee association raised quite a bit of money for the Disabled Athlete Sports Association. I had soccer games (start of the spring season) on late Sunday afternoon and evening. They were fine.
I went to a networking event last Monday night and it was interesting. It was at Sol Lounge in west St. Louis and it was crowded. Still, I did meet up with a few folks to possibly connect with for career opportunities. I stopped by a career fair at Saint Louis University the next day. Not much that interested me, so I didn't spend much time there. I went home, and then ran the IPMS St. Louis meeting that night.
The US Census Bureau called me on Wednesday to offer me a temporary job working on the 2010 Census, for which I had recently tested. I accepted and the training session is at the end of March and beginning of April, followed by about eight weeks of door-to-door surveying. Could be very interesting.
I had two games I officiated Thursday night and I had to write a report before I went to bed. I sent off one player for his second caution of the match (he encroached on an opponent's free kick, after I had just cautioned that same player for dissent). It was not a night for enjoyable soccer. Hopefully, this weekend's games will be much better.
On a brighter note, I got an e-mail Thursday afternoon from someone I met at a networking event a few weeks back. She said that a wholesaler was looking for a communications specialist, and she knew that firm's marketing director. I applied for it right away, using her name, and got a call the next morning inviting me to an interview. That will take place this Wednesday. Stay tuned. Wish me luck!
Take care & stay dry! Later.
28 February 2009
Trivia matters and a model display
Chilling out at home now. This morning, I drove to the Jamestown Bluff Branch of the St. Louis County Library in Florissant to help set up an IPMS Gateway display in the lobby display case. I brought ten models and some others in the club brought other models -- 31 in total on display right now. We also had info on the club and our hobby put in the case. Our display is running through 28 March, so stop on by if you're in the area.
Last night, my parents and I attended a trivia night at Andre's in south county. It was put on by the Eastern Missouri Soccer Referee Association (EMSRA) to benefit the Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA). It was a real fun night for all -- a packed house, lots of interesting and head-scratching trivia questions to answer, even two St. Louis Rams cheerleaders making an appearance. Most importantly, EMSRA raised quite a few dollars for DASA, helping disabled people to have fun playing organized sports.
Speaking of soccer referees, the spring outdoor St. Louis Youth Soccer Association (SLYSA) season starts tomorrow afternoon. I'm looking forward to getting going with this.
Talk to you soon.
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