The next morning, I went to Sportport International (http://www.sportportintl.com/) in Maryland Heights for another three match set of under 13/14 contests. It was at least sunny, but just about freezing when we started. My crew mates and I did our best and kept the matches under control.
Back home after those matches, I went online to take--and pass--my online futsal referee test, which was part of my annual recertification. The next night (20 November), after work, I headed to the Lamborghini Gold Coast Athletic Centre (http://lamboathletic.com/) in St. Charles for the futsal referee clinic. We went over areas of emphasis in the Laws of the Game (no changes from last year) and in the two youth leagues in the St. Louis area. Later, we went on one of the futsal fields in the complex to practice mechanics and go over common situations. After that, I and the others received our 2018 futsal referee patches. The youth season started this weekend.
Work at the Ellisville branch this past week was good. We had quite a bit of traffic, mostly from customers renting out for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It peaked on Wednesday afternoon, with much activity before we closed for the holiday on Thursday.
Early Monday morning, before going to work, I dropped my Mom off at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (https://www.flystl.com/), so she could catch her flight to Charleston, South Caroline. She has been with my brother Rick and his family there for the Thanksgiving holiday. So far, it is going well. Mom comes back to St. Louis Tuesday afternoon.
Last Tuesday night (21 November), I came to Calvary Presbyterian Church (http://calvarypresbyterianchurch.org/) for the IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) meeting. I helped judge the last Modeler of the Year contest of 2017, with Ice and Snow as the special category. Additionally, we took nominations for the Bob Stroup Award (for being am ambassador for the club) and for the 2018 executive board. The revised Constitution and By-Laws were also discussed. I also received much praise for the work I did in taking over the IPMS/Gateway newsletter, The Arch Scaler News. That was most gratifying to me.
Thanksgiving this year was rather low-key for me, with no one around with which to celebrate. I stayed home all day, heating a turkey and stuffing entree in the microwave for my feast. It was a day for binge watching online, as I took in the annual MST3K Turkey Day Marathon of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (http://www.mst3k.com/) episodes, which humor me to no end.
Yesterday was a relatively quiet Friday at work, with some rentals and returns, but not the great rush for Fridays. This was due to people traveling for the holiday and that many repair shops we work with were closed that day. In fact, I got off work about 30 minutes early, and the rest of the crew got off soon after the facility closed at 6 pm.
This morning, it was time for beer and soccer on TV at Amsterdam Tavern (http://amsterdamtavern.com/) in south St. Louis. I joined with other FC Schalke 04 (https://schalke04.de/en/) supporters as that team played Borussia Dortnumd in the Reveirderby in Germany. We enjoyed a free German breakfast--sausage and sauerkraut on a bun--and beer as we watched the match on TV. There was despair at first, as Dortmund jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first half. However, Schalke came back to score four second-half goals--two after a Dortmund player was sent off for his second caution of the match--and this ended in a 4-4 draw. I saw one of my fellow St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/), Kate, in the rather crowded bar.
Also appearing at Amsterdam Tavern that morning were Schalke's mascot, Erwin, and Louie, the St. Louis Blues (https://www.nhl.com/blues) mascot. I also got a free Schalke 04 scarf and can coozie. Quite a morning in St. Louis, and quite a match!
Now composing blog post, while getting my laundry done. I also finished work earlier today on my annual Holiday newsletter, which I will send out soon to family, friends, and acquaintances.
Later.
