Victories at the Polls and the Olympics

Last Saturday afternoon (4 August) started with my co-hosting this month's episode of "Writer's Block," a program on writing from Naturally Autistic Radio. Tim Pylypiuk and I read samples of our writings as we discussed how reading such works aloud is affected by the words on the paper or screen. A fine program, as usual, and we'll be back with another episode on Sat., 1 Sept. at 12 pm Central Time (10 am Pacific Time). Show info at www.naturallyautistic.com/radio-show/

Before that show, my parents and I welcomed my cousin Bertice Brown and her husband Ed, who were traveling from their home in Alabama. We had a nice few hours with them before the Browns resumed their travels.

That night, I went to the Scott Sifton for State Senate campaign office in Affton to make some Get Out The Vote (GOTV) calls on Sifton's behalf. I made more such calls on Monday afternoon (6 August) and Election Day afternoon (7 Aug.). Early that Tuesday, I cast my votes at the polling place. Sifton won the Democratic nomination by just over 1000 votes and will go for the senate seat this November at the general election.

Also on Tuesday morning, I was at the GO! Network workshop at St. Patrick Center, where I participated in some speed networking with fellow attendees. I got some good feedback on my elevator speech and a couple of leads, plus I was able to help others with my feedback and leads. Additionally, we received a part-time job posting for a marketing job, which I applied for. I should hear back in the next week or two on that one.

I ran the IPMS./St. Louis meeting Tuesday night at Thornhill Branch Library. A light turnout (only four members), but at least we got in a bit of discussion. I brought in my two more recent completed models (the Bf 109G-6 for the Same Kit Contest and the MG from Slam Fest, both at the July IPMS/Gateway meeting). Additionally, I brought in my current project, a 1:72 scale J-10 fighter, which is coming along OK.

Like many of us, I've been following the Olympics in London the past two weeks. I've been camped in front of the TV and computer following the events and enjoying the great variety of sport on offer. That's a big draw of the Olympics for me. As you may expect, I did most avidly follow the soccer competition, including the women's gold medal match won by the US yesterday. These games have plenty for us referees to discuss, good and bad.

Last night (9 Aug.), I joined with some other Barack Obama supporters in Affton to meet and discuss how to help him win re-election in November. I'll likely start with helping register voters in this area, before moving on to phone bank and canvassing.

After a last blast of 100 degrees F (40 degree C) high temperatures early this week, the highs have dropped to the low 90s F this week. Finally, after two months of searing heat and virtually no rain, some relief.

This Sunday morning, I'm off to visit my brother Doug and his fiancee Helen in Santa Monica, California. They invited me to come visit them and to be a tourist in the Los Angeles area. I'll be there for a week and I'll blog from there next week. Looking forward to this trip.

Later.