Another Year Older, and -- What?

I celebrated my birthday two days ago. Yes, I'm another year older, although my friend Beth McSpadden continues to insist I'm still a young chicken. It was a low-key day for me, although my parents took me out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse that night. That was nice, and we had cake when we came back home. Yes, I did blow out some candles on the cake before it was cut.
The day before, my Dad and I shopped by Best Buy. My parents decided to give me a TV set as a birthday gift, so we picked out a nice 22 inch LCD set. Not that the 19 inch tube set I've had for the past about 9 years was terrible, but it was nice to be able to upgrade to a set that would show HD programs to full effect. I used it to watch the Super Bowl and some old movies on Sunday night. The next morning, I turned on the TV, only it did not get the channel. We called the cable company and they sent a technician the next morning. Strangly, he found it was a matter of the output setting on the TV's remote control. D'oh! So obviously simple, yet under the radar for me. I noted down which setting to use for TV viewing and for playing and recording DVDs. Additionally, I bought an HDMI cable to hook up the TV to the cable box, for better HD reception.
Before all that, I got through another week of cold and snow-covered ground. Got some scale modeling done, with two models nearing completion for the IPMS/Gateway contest next week. Friday night, I enjoyed Stress Free Fridays at Ginger Bistro in the Delmar Loop. The next afternoon, I made a brief stop at Webster University to watch the first half of the men's basketball game vs. MacMurray and to take in the halftime ceremony, in which four former student-athletes were inducted into the university's athletic hall of fame. I chatted with two of the inductees, who I knew when I worked there 20 years ago, and with several other former student-athletes and student managers that I knew from then. I got back home, changed, and refereed youth futsal in St. Peters that night.
Sunday morning last, I was at church -- this time as an usher. I had never done this in a long time, but my parents and a few others said I did well. I may do more such ushering in the future, my schedule permitting.
Later.

Sleet and Snow and Cold Today

After having gotten out from the snow that fell here on 20 January, last night we got some sleet, followed today by some snow. Some more snow and sleet to come tonight and early tomorrow. Roads were real slick, and I had no place to go. (The IPMS/St. Louis meeting tonight was called all this morning, by the Thornhill Branch Library, which was closed today.) Hope I can get out a bit tomorrow.
Since my last blog post, I went to a dinner in University City on 20 Jan. put on my St. Louis United FC, a soccer supporters group (www.stlunitedfc.net). They screened the documentary Pelada for us. They'll meet again later this month. Two days later, I went to a Meetup of singles in Crestwood that discussed online dating web sites, with their pros and cons. I also got some praise for my profile on one of those sites. I refereed some futsal the next night in Maryland Heights.
I had my monthly referee clinic in west St. Louis County on 24 Jan., in which offside was discussed at length, with the help of an audio/visual program. The next night was the IPMS/Gateway business meeting, held here at my parents' house. We (the club's executive board) planned the February meeting (Tue., 15 Feb.) and discussed some other club business. I was at Renee's Bar & Grill in University City for Stress Free Fridays on the 28th, and refereed futsal in St. Peters the next night. I was back in U. City on Sunday, the 30th for an informal meeting of the Meetup group that met in Crestwood just over a week before.
Hope the weather's nicer by my next post, and by my birthday next week. Later.

Snow Day Today

I woke up this morning to quite a bit of snow on the ground, with more falling. I would say my parents and I got about 6 inches (15.2 cm) of snow by now, with a bit more coming down by this evening. Just over a week ago, we got a bit of snow here in St. Louis. That melted by the first half of this week, but now we have fresh snow covering the ground, including our backyard. (See the photo I took this morning.)
Despite last week's snow, I did make it to the Highlands Brewing Co. in Kirkwood last Tuesday night (11 Jan.) for the monthly Yellow Tie networking event. It was a pretty nice happy hour, enlivened by seeing an old Webster University colleague, Gina March, who I have not seen in person for nearly 20 years. She was doing well as we got caught up on things. We've been in touch online, but it was good to see Gina. I asked her to tell her husband hi for me and she said she would.
Last Friday night, I was in west St. Louis at The In Spot for Stress Free Fridays. I've been to that establishment a few times before and really like the place. Had a nice time as usual with Stress Free Fridays.
Last weekend, I made two round trips to Omni Sportsplex in St. Peters and back, in about 36 hours. This was for refereeing the Midwest Regional Futsal Championships. I worked three games Saturday night, then six more Sunday morning and afternoon. They went well, generally, and the out of town teams especially appreciated the efforts of myself and other referees in calling the games. I'm scheduled to referee this Sunday night.
Tuesday, I drove to the Delmar Loop for a lunch meeting with Darlene, one of my Stress Free Fridays friends. She asked me to help her with a few small brochures she's putting out for her organization. I agreed and will get the materials soon to get going on these. (This meeting was originally to have been on the previous Tuesday, 11 Jan., but was pushed back a week due to the snow at that time.)
Also on Tuesday, I ran the IPMS/Gateway meeting in Mehlville. This was our annual Swap and Sell and Kit Auction meeting, and we had a great turnout of people. Several members and guests brought kits and related items to sell or trade, and I auctioned off kits and related items to benefit the club's picnic and banquet later in the year. It was good fun and we raised some money. I ended up with three kits I won in the auction, all for $5, and I also donated several items that were auctioned off. I host the monthly club business meeting this coming Tuesday night.
I hope all of you are safe where you are. Take care & talk to you later.

Into 2011

I had a rather low-key New Year's Eve. Just spent it at home, watching a marathon of Marx Brothers movies on Turner Classic Movies. I was in bed just after midnight. I was just too tired to stay up much longer. New Year's Day, I was at the County Government Center in Clayton for the inauguration of County Executive Charlie Dooley, and three other officials. It was the first time I attended a political inauguration and I found it a very nice ceremony. After the swearings in and brief speeches from the officials in the County Council chamber, there was a reception just outside that Chamber.
Sun., 2 January started with a brunch at Crepes etc. in the Central West End with the MeetUp group on human sexuality. It was a nice affair, with about nine of us present, talking about matters of love and sex. I then went home to change and drove to Christian Academy in Maryland Heights to referee four youth futsal matches. It makred my first use of the referee watch and the red long sleeve referee shirt, both of which Doug and Helen (his girlfriend) gave me for Christmas. Both items worked brilliantly.
Tue., 4 Jan., I ran the IPMS St. Louis meeting at Thornhill Branch Library and that was fine. The next night, I refereed two boys' under 18 soccer matches at the Anheuser-Busch Center (Soccer Park) in Fenton. They were a bit challenging, in keeping players in line when they were acting up, but we got through both games OK.
I enjoyed Stress Free Fridays on Fri., 7 Jan. at the Cotton Club in Kinloch. Had a couple of beers, a vodka shot, and got in a bit of dancing. I made it home OK, though. The next night found me in St. Peters, refereeing more youth futsal games. They went well.
Later tonight, I'm off to a MeetUp of St. Louis City residents and friends in Soulard, although we're supposed to get some snow tonight and tomorrow morning. The weather forecast is calling for three to six inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) of snow by midday tomorrow, when I have a lunch meeting in the University City Loop with a friend regarding a work project of her's. Don't forget the milk and bread!
Later.

Once More for 2010

Just under six hours remain in the year 2010 as I write these words. Let me get in one more blog post before 2011 arrives.
On Friday 17 December, two IPMS Gateway clubmates and I came to Gravois Bluffs Shopping Center in Fenton, Missouri. Y98 radio was hosting a marathon broadcast that day, and this was the opportunity for our club to donate our $451 raised in the past year to the US Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots. I presented the check to the USMCR on our behalf and the Marines were very pleased to receive the money. Thanks to the generosity of club members and Gateway Invitational attendees (due to the club's 50/50 raffles, silent auctions of kits, and the big raffle at the Invitational), some Metro St. Louis children had a Merry Christmas with a toy under the tree. (Tom Bogacki took the photo you see here of me holding the check with two of the Marines.)
That night, I went to Stress Free Fridays at Palomino Lounge on Delmar in west St. Louis. Had a fine time with the gang.
The next day (18 Dec.), I refereed futsal at Omni in St. Peters, Missouri that afternoon, then went home to change and then to DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton, Missouri for the IPMS Gateway banquet. It was a fine event, with good food and company. I was master of ceremonies and didn't do too bad, I think. In that capacity, I presented our Ron Foulks (Modeler of the Year) and Bob Stroup (Outstanding Achievement) awards. Tom Bogacki won the former and Tony Kirk the latter, although Tony could not be present, due to the funeral of his stepson earlier that day. The banquet's featured speaker was Sgt. Clarence Cherry, a B-17 Flying Fortress waist gunner who flew 29 missions over Europe in World War II. He served in the 100th Bomb Wing (Heavy), 8th Air Force in England. It was fascinating to hear Sgt. Cherry's tales of the missions over German-held Europe and the stateside training that came before and after his combat tour.
IPMS Gateway's meeting on 21 Dec. was memorable for me on two counts. One, I was reelected president by acclamation for 2011 (no other candidate stepped up). Two, I won a raffle prize in our big kit raffle held at the December meeting. I selected a two-ship kit.
The good health slipped from me Christmas Eve morning, when I woke up to vomiting. I caught stomach flu and was bed ridden for almost all that Friday and much of Christmas day. Not the best of time to be sick, for sure. I had to back out of a luncheon date with my good friend from high school Tim Popp, who was in town for the holiday. I was well enough to open presents Christmas morning with my parents. Among the gifts I got was a new day planner binder (the one I had dated back to 1994 and showed it), and a new watch I can use for my soccer refereeing. It was a nice Christmas, otherwise.
On a sad note, my sister in-law Linnea Hauge died Saturday morning after battling breast cancer. She was 46 years old and was a sister of my brother Brian's wife, Gretchen. I met Linnea at Brian and Gretchen's wedding in 2000 and she came across to me as a bright and nice person. So sad to see someone like her taken away well before her time. RIP, Linnea, and my deepest condolences to everyone near and dear to her.
Having recovered from the stomach flu, I ran the IPMS Gateway business meeting Tuesday night (28 Dec.) at Mike George's house in Florissant, Missouri. We planned our January meeting (the annual Swap & Sell and Kit Auction), plus determined the special categories for our 2011 contests towards Modeler of the Year. Check out the club at http://ipms-gateway.com.
The last two nights, I was at the Immacolata Catholic Church's gymnasium in Richmond Heights, Missouri. The 2nd Annual Mary McDermott 3rd Grade Basketball Tournament was held this week, with girls and boys teams from Immacolata and other Catholic parishes playing. Mary McDermott was the daughter of my friend, Bill McDermott, graphic designer and St. Louis' Mr. Soccer. Mary died from a heart ailment in 2008, aged only 24. All proceeds from this event benefit the Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. It felt good to show up and support this most worthy cause.
Anyway, that's it for 2010. See you in 2011! Let's all hope it a very good year for all of us.
Later.

Staying Warm and Busy

It's a cold day here in St. Louis, with the temperature at 18 degrees F right now. We got a bit of snow (about 2 inches) late last Saturday night/Sunday morning, and the snow is still on the ground. It looks like a bit of sleet is on the way for tomorrow.
Back on 2 December, I went to a happy hour in Ferguson with the StraightUp HookUps MeetUp group. We had a fine time at the Cork Wine Bar. Then, it was on to the Tivoli Theater in the Delmar Loop to see the documentary "Pelada," on two Americans finding and playing pickup soccer around the world. Very interesting film and I definitely recommend it.
The next night, after a brief visit to Stress Free Fridays, I was in University City for a birthday dinner honoring soccer great Harry Keough. It was a nice dinner and I got to chat with a coach who runs a youth soccer program in St. Louis, New Dimentions, which helps immigrant children bond with local kids. A worthy cause, I think. On Saturday the 4th, I refereed the first futsal matches of the new season. My partner and I made sure the coaches were up to speed with some rule changes for this season, and generally the games went well. I also worked some games last Saturday night.
Last Wednesday afternoon, I finished a project I started late last month for a friend, Tom Doll, an aviation historian and author. He asked me to type up the manuscript (text and photo captions) of his latest book and to save it on CD, so he can then them to the publisher. (Tom doesn't have a computer.) I got the job done and when I saw him in Clayton that night he was most appreciative of my efforts. The book should come out in the latter half of 2011; I'll withhold the details of what it's about until then.
Lately, I've been proofreading documents for a friend. He asked me to proof a report from his work place. I have done the first tranche of pages, and just received the next bunch yesterday for me to work on. Will get going on those later today.
A week ago, I ran the IPMS St. Louis meeting, in which we continued to add models to the display we have this month at our meeting site, the Thornhill Branch of the St. Louis County Library. It looks quite nice and I made sure to include club flyers in the case so people know who put this display on. You can find out more at http://www.ipms-stlouis.org.
That's it for now. I'm trying to stay warm. Later.

Seeing Family & Being Thankful

This past week, my brothers Rick and Doug came to town for Thanksgiving. Doug and his girlfriend Helen flew in from Los Angeles last Wednesday. It was the first time I met Helen, and she's a very nice young woman. Rick, his wife Melissa and their son Alex drove up from Charleston, South Carolina and arrived later on Wednesday. Brian, my third brother, could not make it, as his sister-in-law is very ill and instead went to her parents in law in Wisconsin for the holiday.
We had a nice time, with Mom preparing turkey & company for us. We also got to see some friends and relatives of Rick, Melissa, and Doug for a while. Both brothers headed back home yesterday. It was real good seeing them, and for them seeing my parents and I.
Also last week, I received two copies of the inaugural issue of Naturally Autistic magazine. This is the publication of ANCA Consulting, Inc. for which I edited and fact checked articles earlier this year. The magazine looks real nice and I am proud and happy to see my work in print for others to see. ANCA's working on the next issue already, and should have some items for me to edit from mid-December.
Wrapped up the fall outdoor season a week ago today. Games in the final weeks went well. Last week, took in the futsal recertification clinic. Quite a few changes in the laws to know. I'll take the online test this week to get recertified. The new futsal season gets underway this coming weekend. I'll also have some outdoor winter league games starting next month.
Scale modeling activities are fine. Haven't been back to working on my latest project in awhile, due to other things happening. Ran the IPMS Gateway general and business meetings the past two weeks. Elections for 2011 officers are on tap for next month. I'm willing to run again for president.
With Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror, Christmas is on its way. My brothers and I agreed to a gift exchange, so we only have to buy for one brother instead of all three. My wish list is already made out. This week, I need to get my Christmas card list finalized and my Christmas newsletter done.
Also, I need to get moving on finishing to type up and save on disc the manuscript and photo captions for a new book a friend is writing. I hope to get this all done by the end of next week at the latest.
That's it for now. Take care. Later.