High Heat, Soccer Drama, and Aviation Stories

This past week was a hot one--literally. Temperatures were in the low 90s F (at least 32 degrees C). Yesterday, it hit 96 degrees F (36 degrees C), with the heat index (temperature and humidity) hitting 102 degrees F (39 degrees C). Not easy trying to clean cars in that weather. Fortunately, I had plenty of thirst quencher and breaks inside the air conditioned office to help me carry on, and I did not feel any real bad effects. Also, it wasn't all that crazy busy at the branch, which made things easier as well.

I followed Tuesday's FIFA World Cup (https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/) semifinal on my smart phone while at work. France defeated Belgium 1-0 in that match. I was off work the next day (11 July), so I saw the thrilling semifinal between England and Croatia, won 2-1 in extra time by the Croats. Belgium and England play for third place today, which I am watching at home. I plan to be at a watch party tomorrow morning for the final between France and Croatia. While I would like to see Croatia win, I think France will win, as they seem to be the better overall side. We'll see. It's sure been fun so far.

Before Wednesday's match, I finished editing the July issue of The Arch Scaler News for IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) (https://www.facebook.com/IPMSGateway/) (https://plus.google.com/109625362829756697296). I printed and mailed out the few copies going to members without email, and later sent the rest of the members their newsletters via email.

After work on Thursday, I headed to Creve Coeur Airport (http://crevecoeurairport.com/) for the Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) meeting. This event featured an Aviation Open Mic, in which attendees had the opportunity to tell their aviation-related stories. I mentioned one from an air show I attended in 1980 and seeing a Vulcan bomber up close. It was a nice evening hearing some very interesting stories.

I am off to an Enterprise (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html) area party in Kirkwood this afternoon, and the Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) match tonight. I will be careful in this heat!

Later.

High Heat and the 4th of July

From the end of June to yesterday (7 July), I spent much of my free time inside, watching the FIFA World Cup (https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/). I was pulling for Brazil (https://www.cbf.com.br/), and was disappointed when they lost in the quarterfinals. It should be fun with the semifinalists set now: France vs. Belgium on Tuesday, England vs. Croatia on Wednesday.

I braved the heat on a week ago yesterday (30 June) to cheer on Saint Louis FC (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. After enjoying a nice dinner at the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) tailgate, I marched into Toyota Stadium for the match. It ended as a scoreless draw.

Work has gone well, with the Independence Day holiday (4 July) falling on a Wednesday this year. It was rather busy early in the week with rentals before the holiday.

I was glad we were closed for the holiday, as it was very hot. Temperatures hit 100 degrees F (38 degrees C), with the heat index reaching 110 degrees F (43 degrees C). I stayed at home rather than go to any Fourth of July celebrations.

Work the next day (5 July) was--mercifully--fairly slow, as the high heat continued. We got through the day just fine. Same for Friday, which was a bit cooler.

This weekend, I mostly spent it at home, watching yesterday's World Cup quarterfinals on TV, and starting work on this month's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) (https://www.facebook.com/IPMSGateway/) (https://plus.google.com/109625362829756697296) newsletter, which I want to get out this week.


Later