Quite a Week for This Soccer Fan

Last Saturday night (6 October), I was at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on the Saint Louis University (https://www.slu.edu/) campus to cheer on the men's soccer team (http://www.slubillikens.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27200&SPID=93202&SPSID=632571&DB_OEM_ID=27200) play Atlantic 10 Conference (http://www.atlantic10.com/) rival LaSalle. The Billikens came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to win 4-2. It was quite a fine match and I was happy to be supporting my alma mater. A number of SLU men's soccer alumni were honored at halftime.

The next morning, I was at World Wide Technology Soccer Park (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/SOCCERPARK) to run lines on two under 16 girls soccer matches. These were friendlies among member teams of the Elite Clubs National League (http://www.eliteclubsnationalleague.com/), a group of top girls soccer clubs around the country. The matches went well, and it was good getting some nice exercise that morning.

Two days later, I heard of the big announcement about an effort to land a Major League Soccer (https://www.mlssoccer.com/) team here in St. Louis. A new group named #MLS4THELOU (https://mls4thelou.com/) introduced themselves. They are made up of the Taylor family, of Enterprise Holdings, Inc. (https://www.enterpriseholdings.com/en/index.html), and my friend Jim Kavanaugh, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of World Wide Technology, Inc. (https://www.wwt.com/). The group announced that they would seek an MLS franchise, shooting to begin play in 2022, and that they would have a privately funded stadium built in downtown St. Louis. This soccer fan is most happy about this development--not just because I am friends with Kavanaugh and an Enterprise Rent-A-Car employee--and wish this group all the best in their efforts.

Wednesday night (10 October), I was back at World Wide Technology Soccer Park for Saint Louis FC's (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) match against Tulsa Roughnecks FC. This was the match rescheduled from 14 July, when lightning and stormy weather interrupted the match. I joined in the tailgate before the match with the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/), where I enjoyed nachos and beer, and took in a soccer kit contest by several of our group. We then marched into Toyota Stadium for the match, were a first half goal sufficed for Saint Louis FC's 1-0 win. This result means a draw in tomorrow night's season finale at home against OKC Energy FC will be enough to send us into the United Soccer League (https://www.uslsoccer.com/) playoffs for the first time in club history. This should be great!

Later.

Tablet Training and Soccer Refereeing

One week ago tonight (26 September) found me at the Centene Center for Arts (https://keeparthappening.org/centene-center-arts) in midtown St. Louis. I went to a volunteer training session from Cinema St. Louis (https://www.cinemastlouis.org/) in advance of the St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) in early November. Along with a handful of others, I learned how to use tablet computers to ring up sales of film tickets, SLIFF merchandise, and Cinema St. Louis memberships. I had never used an Apple iPad before, but it was very simple to understand, and I feel I can get this done well when I volunteer at SLIFF. Volunteer assignment requests will be accepted from mid-October.

Work went well late last week. I chilled out at home on Saturday (29 September), and was back refereeing soccer the next morning at Sportport International (http://www.sportportintl.com/) in Maryland Heights. It was a set of three St. Louis Youth Soccer Association (SLYSA) (https://www.slysa.org/) under-13 matches. Our crew worked a girls contest, then two boys games. I had the middle on the last match of the set, a rather close affair.

After the matches, I grabbed lunch at a Subway (https://www.subway.com/en-US) restaurant, then drove to Mark Twain Hobby Center (https://www.hobby1.com/) in St. Charles. There, I found and bought some paints for the model I am working on next. I also browsed around the shop. There is always plenty to browse through at hobby shops.

Back to work Monday (1 October) and our new vehicle prep, Brandon, was with us on his first full day. (He worked the previous Saturday morning.) I think he will do well for us, and his presence is most welcome.

Off today, I delivered some treats to colleagues at corporate headquarters in Clayton and the rental branches in Ladue and South County. They were most welcome by the recipients, who I briefly chatted with before going on. I also took care of my laundry, and went to dinner with mom at Culver's (https://www.culvers.com/) in South County.

Later.

Another Soccer Weekend, and a Business Meeting

After another week of working hard at the car rental branch, I was at World Wide Technology Soccer Park (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/SOCCERPARK) Saturday night (22 September) for the Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) match against San Antonio FC. I arrived in the parking lot for the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) tailgate, which featured Mexican food and music (the latter by a DJ). After enjoying two freshly made tacos and a beer, I joined the St. Louligans in marching into Toyota Stadium for the match.

The home side had the run of play, but it was two goals late in the match that made Saint Louis FC 2-0 winners. It was a big win for us, and that means we need only four points in the final three matches of the season to clinch a berth in the USL (https://www.uslsoccer.com/) playoffs. During the second half, I had two more tacos, this time from the Locoz Tacoz (https://twitter.com/LocozTacoz?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) truck at the atadium.

The next morning, I was back at World Wide Technology Soccer Park, this time to run line on two St. Louis Youth Soccer Association (https://www.slysa.org/) matches. They went very well, with no real issues.

I put in two full days of work at the car rental branch. After work yesterday (25 September), I headed to The Muddled Pig Gastropub (http://themuddledpig.com/) in Maplewood. There, Marion Morris hosted this month's IPMS/Gateway (https://sites.google.com/view/ipmsgatewaychapter/home) business meeting. After a bit of left over business from our Invitational earlier this month, we discussed proposals for improving club operations. There was good discussion by the board members in attendance, and good food. For me, it was their house burger, a can of 4 Hands Brewing Co. (http://4handsbrewery.com/) City Wide ale, and a shot of bourbon. I found it most satisfying.

By the way, this past weekend, I submitted my Member Spotlight article for IPMS/Gateway's website, where it now can be found: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aiMSumLlS2SFwGlXOCCXy3xhnEO3v8Dh/view

Off work today, I mowed the front and back lawns at home, did my laundry, and got my hair cut at Great Clips (https://www.greatclips.com/). I then treated myself to a beverage from Saint Louis Bread Co. (https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/home.html) and shopped for personal care items at Walgreens (https://www.walgreens.com/).

Later.

Trivia, Aviation, Soccer, and Scale Models

One week ago tonight (12 September), I was at Element Restaurant and Lounge (https://www.elementstl.com/) in south St. Louis for their weekly Tenacious Trivia. I went there with others from the Single in the City Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/STLSingleInTheCity/). There were some real challenging questions posed, and even a trivia ace like myself had a tough time with it, but it was fun and a great time for our group.

After work the next night, I was at Creve Coeur Airport (http://crevecoeurairport.com/) for this month's Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) meeting. We had a presentation on the history of Trans World Airlines (TWA), followed by a talk by a former TWA Lockheed L-1011 pilot on his experiences with the aircraft. A fine time was had by all.

Friday (14 September), I came home from work to find in my mail a certificate from the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) (https://nfpw.org/). It was the Third Place award in this year's NFPW Communication Contest for my press release issued last December on behalf of IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) when they made a donation to Toys for Tots. That release was entered in this contest because it took First Place in that category at this year's Communication Contest by the Missouri Professional Communications (MPC) (http://www.mpc-nfpw.org/cpsiteframepage.lasso?-token.lpuserref=113815.113118), an affiliate of the NFPW. This was the first time I received national recognition for my professional work, so of course I am most proud of this honor.

Sunday afternoon (16 September), I was at World Wide Technology Soccer Park (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/SOCCERPARK) to referee three youth matches. I worked two under-13 girls middles around a line on an under-15 girls match--all with the heat index reaching 100 degrees F (38 degrees C). Our refereeing crew had water breaks midway through each half of these matches, yet I had cramps in my calves during the second half of the last match. Still, the matches worked out well for us.

After work Tuesday (18 September), I was at Calvary Presbyterian Church (http://calvarypresbyterianchurch.org/) for this month's IPMS/Gateway meeting. This featured a recap on our recent Invitational model contest and swap meet, and our Modeler of the Year Contest, with the Special Category of "To the Rescue." I didn't enter in that category, but I did enter one model each in the Miscellaneous and Aircraft categories. They both earned Second Place honors. It was a good night, including having several new members at our meeting.

Off work today, I had my annual checkup with my new doctor. It went well, and--though there were a few minor issues I can work on--I am in overall very good health.

Later.

Big Weekend with IPMS/Gateway and Saint Louis FC

Early Saturday morning (8 September), I was at the Holiday Inn St. Louis SW--Route 66 (https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/st-louis/stlsw/hoteldetail/events-facilities#) in Sunset Hills, Missouri for this year's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) Invitational model contest and vendor swap meet. This 13th edition of our show was held on a rainy day--it had been raining heavily since the night before--but it was nice and dry inside the hotel. I helped to get the admissions desk ready to go and assisted some vendors in helping find where they were to be situated before the show opened to the public at 9:00 am.

Regina Morris--wife of our club's Marion Morris--and I took the admission and contest registration charges from the public. I asked these people where they heard of our show, and where they were from; this information was kept for survey purposes. It was quite a stream of visitors we had, especially in the first our we were open.

I did briefly venture into the ballroom where the contest, vendor, and raffle areas were to check on things and to enter a model I finished that morning. I also visited the breakout room, where the children's Make & Take model building session took place.

After grabbing a bit of lunch from the hotel's vendor in the nearby atrium, I went into the contest room for the judges' meeting. I was paired with another judge and we judged the Figure Entries. It was challenging for us to go over the entries in the three subcategories, but we were able to select the top three models in each subcategory, plus the best Figure Model of the show. I joined with other judges in selecting the Judges' Grand Award for the Best in Show--which was the Figure model.

I also had a chance to briefly look at the kits being raffled off; proceeds from this are going to the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program in Metro St. Louis (https://bridgeton-mo.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx). I also browsed a bit among the vendors; however, I had neither the time nor inclination to shop from them.

Around 3:00 pm, the contest results were announced and trophies were presented. The sole model I entered--a 1:144 scale Vostok Rocket--was the only entry in the Real Space subcategory of Space & Science Fiction, so it took First Place. It may not have been the best model by far in that category, but I was happy with the win nevertheless.

Afterward, I helped to clean up and pack my things before leaving the hotel. Overall, it was a great show, judging from the feedback from attendees.

After coming home and bringing in my things, I changed clothes and headed to World Wide Technology Soccer Park (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/SOCCERPARK) for that night's United Soccer League (https://www.uslsoccer.com/) match between Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) and Reno 1868 FC. I joined in the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) tailgate before the match, then we marched into cheer on the home side. We ended up happy, as Saint Louis FC ran out 1-0 winners. The team serenaded us after the match, as they do when they win. With only six matches remaining and the team just outside of playoff position, points are precious to Saint Louis FC. They are on the road for two matches this week.

The next day (9 September), 15 IPMS/Gateway members and guests attended the club's annual picnic, held at Deer Creek Park in Maplewood, Missouri (https://www.cityofmaplewood.com/79/Maplewood-Local-Parks). We talked about our show the day before, other modeling topics, and other matters. IPMS/Gateway President Chris Merseal cooked burgers and bratwursts on the barbecue grill, the club provided beverages (beer, soda, and water), and attendees brought side dishes. (I brought some cookies I bought at the store on the way over.)

We found out that our show was attended by 234 persons (including two Adult Building Course students on complementary tickets), and the contest had 253 entries from 59 contestants. Merseal said these were average figures for our show. Our survey showed that 11 of those attendees heard about our show from the segment we did the week before on "Fox 2 News in the Morning" on KTVI (https://fox2now.com/). We'll be back at the Holiday Inn St. Louis SW--Route 66 for our next Invitational on 14 September 2019.

Back to work today, and a usually busy Monday. Things did go well, though.

Later.