Last Wednesday night (22 Aug.), I refereed two girls' soccer matches at Sportport. They went well, with no major issues encountered in either match. I got a nice workout from them.
The next afternoon found me with a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Maplewood. We discussed how her office can help me find work and we brainstormed some ideas. I hope to hear back soon on any recommendations to act upon. That night, I worked a phone bank for state senate candidate Scott Sifton, drumming up support ahead of the general election in November.
Friday night (24 Aug.), I was at Robert R. Hermann Stadium for Saint Louis University's men's soccer season opener vs. Indiana. It was a great turnout of fans, especially from the students. (Many freshmen attended, grouped by their dorm floor or by being commuters.) However, it was Indiana taking away the points in a 2-1 defeat of the Billikens, a rather even match that came down to a SLU own goal midway through the second half. Disappointing, for sure.
The following afternoon found me at The World Cafe in south St. Louis for a meet and greet of the Human Sexual Relations in the 21st Century Meetup. There were about 10 of us there, including many I had not seen before in this Meetup group. We had good, frank discussion on being sexual in these times and I got some good tips for staying safe. That night, I drove to 3 of a Kind Bar in Overland for my friend Mark Anthony Jones' birthday party. It was a nice time, talking, drinking, watching the Rams game on the big screen TVs in the bar. Several people from Stress Free Fridays, which Jones co-runs, were there.
Sunday (26 Aug.) began for me at the Soccer Park, refereeing three girls 8v8 games (under 10 through under 12). I had middles on the first and third matches in the set, and worked with two younger officials. The games went well, with no real issues to deal with. After that, I came home to shower and change, then drove to Tower Grove Park in midtown St. Louis for the annual Festival of Nations. This weekend event features food, crafts, music and dance from various ethnic groups in Metro St. Louis. I really enjoyed browsing among the food and craft booths and listening to the music.
I got some referee business done on Monday, by paying my registration fee online that afternoon and attending the monthly referee in-service clinic that night at Grand Glaize Library. Attendees were briefed about the Memorandum of changes to the Laws of the Game, and went through a video quiz on deciding if this was a foul or not and what card, if any, should be issues for this situation. A rather informative clinic. The next day, I took and passed the online test. Now, all I need to be re-certified for another year is: 1. attend an in-service clinic, date to be announced; 2. take and pass the annual fitness test, date to be announced; and 3. pass the maintenance assessment on a game I have a month from now.
Last night (28 Aug.), I hosted the monthly IPMS/Gateway business meeting, in which we planned next month's general meeting, discussed late matters regarding our Invitational on 8 Sept., and talked about other club business.
This upcoming Labor Day Weekend, I co-host Writer's Block, the monthly Naturally Autistic Radio program, on Saturday (1 Sept.) at 10 am Pacific Time (12 pm Central Time; 1800 hrs GMT). Details at www.naturallyautistic.com/radio-show. I'm also refereeing tournament soccer this weekend.
Later.
