Doughnuts, Futsal, Oscars, and Soccer

A week ago Friday morning (24 February), I stopped by Krispy Kreme (http://krispykreme.com/) in Fenton to buy 12 doughnuts, which I brought to the car rental branch. As usual, the treats were much appreciated by the staff. We had plenty of work to do on that Friday, but we got it done to get out just after closing time.

My quiet weekend that followed ended with futsal games at Competitive Courts & Conditioning Center (C4) in Creve Coeur (http://www.c4stl.com/). It was my first matches I refereed in the season, and they were on the last day of the season. Anyway, my partner and I had three matches, with the last two (one of under 15 boys, and the last of high school boys) being most competitive. It was a satisfying shift.

After stopping at McDonald's in Des Peres for dinner on the way home, I watched the Academy Awards (http://oscar.go.com/) on television in my bedroom. As usual, I was intrigued as to who would receive what Oscar. I was shocked as virtually everyone when the Best Picture winner was originally announced as "La La Land," then having that swiftly corrected to "Limelight," I haven't seen any of these movies yet, but I hope to see them before too long.

That Sunday morning, I registered to attend this year's International Plastic Modelers' Society/USA (IPMS/USA) National Convention this July in Omaha, Nebraska (http://www.ipmsusa2017.com/). I am greatly looking forward to this event.

Work this past week has gone very well. Plenty to work on those days I'm in, but with my colleagues I got it done and kept our customers satisfied.

I flexed out Tuesday afternoon (28 February) as I would work the following Saturday morning. After some time relaxing and having dinner at home, I headed to Bill Wagner's house in Oakville for this month's IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) business meeting. We planned the March general and business meetings, and discussed some other club business.

I did some work during my free time this past week to get some materials together for my income taxes. I need to get on to that soon.

After work yesterday morning, I had lunch at Olive Street Cafe (http://olivestreetcafe.com/) in Ellisville. There, I enjoyed a Muffalata with a side of onion rings. Before returning home from lunch, I washed my car at Martian Car Wash (http://www.martiancarwash.com/), also in Ellisville.

This afternoon found me at World Wide Technology Soccer Park (http://saintlouisfc.com/soccerpark) in Fenton to referee my first outdoor matches of the spring season. I worked four under 12 9v9 boys matches on a small-sided field. Our crew was short one person, as that person failed to show up. (I let my assigner knew of this matter.) Fortunately for my partner and I, the games were not too much trouble for us.

Back to work in the morning. Later.

In Print; In the Dark

I worked at the rental car branch a week ago yesterday (9 July), and it went well. Not real busy. I grabbed some lunch after work, and washed my car at Martian Car Wash (http://www.martiancarwash.com/) in Ellisville. The place opened up a few weeks ago. They did a great job cleaning my Corolla, and was a good value for the money.

Resting at home last Sunday afternoon, I got a pleasant surprise in my email. The long-delayed, long-awaited latest issue of Middle Marker, journal of the Missouri Aviation Historical Society (https://moavhist.org/) arrived. It was the first issue put out in two years, and included my story I wrote then about Charles Morley, a Missouri airman killed during the Vietnam War. My article told of Morley's story, including how his F-4 was shot down over Laos one night in 1970 and he and his crewmate were listed as Missing in Action. The remains were found in Laos 25 years later and Morley was buried with full military honors. The story also included some photos of Morley and of an F-4 displayed at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Station that is painted like Morley's plane. (Two of my photos are included in the article.) I am very happy to see this issue of Middle Marker out at last, and for my work to appear in print. I am hoping to write more articles for this journal in the coming years.

Work went well this past week, although it got very interesting on Wednesday afternoon (13 July). A thunderstorm with high winds blew through the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Power went out at our branch for about three hours, so we had to resort to using tablet computers to process rental transactions (thank goodness for tablets!), cell phones for communications, and flashlights for seeing in darkened areas of the lobby. The power was restored just as we were closing for the day.

However, power also went out at my house, and my mom and I were left in the dark until late Friday afternoon. We had to resort to candles, flashlights, battery operated devices (radios, cell phones, and tablets), and not moving around much at home due to the heat. Ameren (https://www.ameren.com/) reported that over 100,000 metro area residents were without power, and the last were not restored until today.

Fortunately, power was restored at my doctor's office on Thursday morning, when I went for my annual examination. I am in very good health overall, with no problems apart from lingering tendonitis in my one heel. I should get some blood work done in the coming week or two.

Friday morning (15 July), I brought in some doughnuts from Krispy Kreme (https://www.krispykreme.com/) for my colleagues, and they greatly appreciated the gesture. My branch mates look forward to my bringing in doughnuts on every other Friday morning, which coincides with pay day.

Yesterday starting with catching up on my laundry, then I was at Caleco's Bar & Grill (http://www.calecos.com/Calecos%20Downtown.htm) in Downtown St. Louis for lunch with the St. Louis Historic Sites Meetup (http://www.meetup.com/St-L-Historic-Buildings-Meetup/). About 19 of us got together for a fine lunch. It was my first time at Caleco's in Downtown, and enjoyed meeting with the group, which had come off touring some Downtown landmarks.

On the way home from that lunch, I stopped by Crown Vision Center (http://www.crownvisioncenter.com/) in Tesson Ferry to pick up my new glasses. They fit great and I can see great with them on.

After time at home including dinner, I drove to Stone Spiral Coffee and Curios (http://www.stonespiralcoffee.com/) in Maplewood for the StL Tea Club Meetup (http://www.meetup.com/StL-Tea-Club-Meetup/). About ten of us attended and we enjoyed sampling several teas while we conversed about tea and other things. It was a most pleasant outing.

Home today, I attended service at Calvary Presbyterian Church (http://calvarypresbyterianchurch.org/) this morning, then rested at home this afternoon.

Later.