Phone Issues, Scale Modelling, and Apollo 11

After a busy day at work Monday (18 June), I arrived home to find my replacement phone, which had been sent by my insurance firm. (My phone, which I got two months ago, developed a problem in its power receptacle, which prevented me from charging up the phone that way.) I powered up the phone and got my files and apps transferred to the new phone Wednesday morning; however, the SIM card I transferred from my old phone would not work on the new one, so I could not use it for phone calls, texting, and using apps (except the camera). My service provided did send me a replacement SIM card, which arrived yesterday. So far, things are working well with the phone.

After work Tuesday, it was off to Calvary Presbyterian Church (http://calvarypresbyterianchurch.org/) for this month's meeting of IPMS/Gateway (https://plus.google.com/109625362829756697296) (https://www.facebook.com/IPMSGateway/). We began our annual membership renewal cycle, had a demo by Marion Morris on two lines of model paints, we began having Member Spotlight questionnaires distributed and filled out, and we had our Model of the Month "Beauty Contest." It worked out well.

Off work Wednesday, I went to the Saint Louis Science Center (https://www.slsc.org/), where I visited their special exhibit, "Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission." This was from the Smithsonian (https://www.si.edu/) and looked at humanity's first landing on the Moon in July of 1969. The exhibit--which runs here until 3 September--includes the Apollo 11 command module Columbia, items used by the astronauts who made the tip, and a look at St. Louis' role in this journey. Being the spaceflight buff that I am, I really enjoyed this exhibit. It brought back good memories for me; I was five years old when Apollo 11 happened. I highly recommend this exhibit.

At home today, I mowed the back and front lawns, and watched on TV the FIFA World Cup (https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/). This included the rather thrilling at the end match between Germany and Sweden.

Tomorrow, I'm doing two volunteer stints, back to back. First, I'll be joining other Enterprise (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html) colleagues in marching in downtown St. Louis' PrideFest Parade (https://pridestl.org/). Then, I head to the Kirkwood Community Center (http://www.kirkwoodmo.org/content/City-Departments/1856/community-center.aspx) to help out at Festa Junina, a Brazilian folk festival organized by Viva Brasil STL (https://www.vivabrasilstl.org/). Hope to see you at either or both of those events.

Later.

Witnessing Soccer in St. Louis and Russia

A week ago yesterday (9 June), I went to Althoff Catholic High School (http://www.althoffcatholic.org/) to watch Fire and Ice SC (http://www.fireandicesc.com/) play its home opener against Des Moines Menace. Fire and Ice--the defending Women's Premier Soccer League (https://www.wpslsoccer.com/)--ran out 3-0 winners. It was my first time at Althoff for anything, but I was able to find the place easily.

Four nights later, I was back at Althoff to see Fire and Ice play crosstown rivals St. Louis Lions Women's Team (http://www.stllionswpsl.com/). This match ended in a scoreless draw. I and several others from the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) were on hand to show support for these two local teams.

Last Thursday (14 June) marked the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/). I am able to follow the matches on Fox television (https://www.fox.com/) and on the FIFA app.

Yesterday afternooon, I went to a housewarming party in Wentzville, at the new home of two friends from work, Alex Breuer and Tessie Wietbrock. It was a very nice time there, seeing the house and chatting with Alex, Tessie, and other friends of theirs--including a few Enterprise (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html) colleagues.

I could not stay at this party much, as I had to head to World Wide Technology Soccer Park (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/SOCCERPARK) for the United Soccer League (https://www.uslsoccer.com/) match between Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) and Real Monarchs SLC. After enjoying dinner at the St. Louligans tailgate, I marched with other St. Louligans into Toyota Stadium for the match. Despite a strong effort by the home side, Real Monarchs--the USL Western Conference leaders--ran out 1-0 winners. This match was played with the heat index just above 100 degrees F (38 degrees C). Fortunately, I kept myself well hydrated that day.

Today, I went to Brasilia Restaurant (https://www.brasiliastl.com/) in south St. Louis for lunch and a watch party for Brazil's World Cup match against Switzerland. Quite a few others were there with me as we saw the match on TV. Over feijoada, I saw Brazil take an early lead, only to give up a goal early in the second half and settle for a 1-1 draw. Not the result Brazil and its supporters wanted.

Later