Working on a Model and Two Meetups This Weekend

This Labor Day Weekend is almost over, but I did have a quiet time--mostly at home. I did spend time working on a model kit. A few weeks ago, I started work on a 1:46 scale P-39 Airacobra kit from Atlantis Toy and Hobby ( https://atlantis-models.com/). This is a box scale kit originally produced by Revell (https://www.revell.com/index.php) produced in 1955. Atlantis obtained the molds, cleaned them up a bit, and reissued the kit earlier this year. I decided to get this kit to see how I would do with such a kit.

I finished most of the assembly Saturday morning (5 September), and began spraying gray primer paint. There were a few gaps I had not caught in assembly, so I had to fill those in and respray primer paint. I also sprayed the propeller spinner and wingtips white. Earlier tonight, I painted the propeller blades. Tomorrow night, I hope to paint the undersurfaces.

I should have the Airacobra done by next Tuesday night (16 September), when the IPMS/Gateway (https://sites.google.com/view/ipmsgatewaychapter/home) meeting will feature a Modeler of the Year contest.

Last night (6 September), I did venture out of the house for the first of two Meetup (https://www.meetup.com/) events of the weekend. This one was a Labor Day dinner and social for the Single in the City Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/STLSingleInTheCity/). There were 11 of us who met at our organizer's house in the South Side of St. Louis for a pot luck dinner and socializing. It was nice to get together with the others and catch up on things, since we haven't had such a gathering since the pandemic hit last March. One of those in the group, I found out, had worked in IT for Enterprise, but recently left to start up his own business. We had a nice discussion about the firm, the IT program he helped develop for use by the rental branches, and on near term job prospects.

I brought some potato chips and dip for the dinner, but only half of one bag was eaten. I took back those chips and dip when I left to go home, along with half of a strawberry cake another attendee brought to the social. (She didn't want to bring the rest of the cake home.)

Earlier tonight, I joined in a Zoom (https://zoom.us/) gathering with the Sex Positive St. Louis Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/Sex-Positive-St-Louis). We had up to 11 members remotely talking about how things are lately among ourselves, and sharing ideas for future discussions. There will be more such meetings every Monday night this month.

It's back to work tomorrow morning. 

Later.

Festive Sunday in South St. Louis

Late last Sunday morning (8 December), I drove to Ursa Minor Coffee (https://www.facebook.com/Ursaminorcoffeestl/) in south St. Louis for the Single in the City Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/STLSingleInTheCity). Four of us came to enjoy beverages, food, and our company. It was good to meet two people in the group for the first time. I enjoyed a coffee with a biscuit.

After that, I headed to the Amsterdam Tavern (http://amsterdamtavern.com/) for the Holiday Shindig organized by the St. Louligans (https://stlouligans.com/) and the St. Louis Chapter of the American Outlaws (https://www.facebook.com/aostlouis). I joined with soccer supporters to drink beer, socialize, and eat from the buffet bar. I brought a toy truck I bought the day before to donate to Epworth Children & Family Services (https://www.epworth.org).

It was a busy week for me, with the IPMS/Gateway (https://sites.google.com/view/ipmsgatewaychapter/home) business meeting Tuesday night (10 December) at Marion Morris' house, then getting the club's newsletter assembled and published yesterday.

Later.

Prepping Rental Cars, Touring A-B, and Cheering On STLFC

I spent last Saturday morning and afternoon (24 March) at home, relaxing and gathering information for a scale model I will soon work on for an upcoming contest.

That night, I went to Kirkwood Station Brewing Company (http://www.kirkwoodstationbrewing.com/) to join with other St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) in watching the telecast of Saint Louis FC's (https://www.saintlouisfc.com/) match at San Antonio FC. We had beer and appetizers while watching the contest on several TV screens. Despite taking an early lead, Saint Louis FC conceded two goals to lose 2-1. Still, it was nice to spend this time with fellow soccer supporters.

Home on Sunday, I did begin painting a 1:48 scale model kit of an RF-80A Shooting Star. It's to be done for the contest at the May IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) (https://www.facebook.com/IPMSGateway/) meeting, which has the special category of "Crazy Eights." That is, any subject with an eight (8) in its name or designation.

Back to work Monday morning (26 March) at the rental branch, we had our usual busy morning. The week at work went well, though not as busy in stretches of the week. This may be due to the wet weather much of this past week, and perhaps to some schools on Spring Break this week.

After work on Tuesday, I headed to EdgeWild Bistro & Tap (http://www.edgewildbistro.com/ew-home.html) in Creve Coeur, where the IPMS/Gateway business meeting was held. This was a most productive meeting, in which several important matters in the club were discussed and decisions made. I and others in attendance took advantage of EdgeWild's $5 Burger Tuesdays for our dinner, and mine was most tasty. I definitely can recommend this place.

Off on Thursday (29 March), I did my laundry and started work on the Editing Portfolio on PowerPoint. I plan to do some more of that tomorrow, in getting that closer to completion.

Today was very interesting for the places I went to within an eight-hour span. First, I was at the Anheuser-Busch (AB) (http://www.anheuser-busch.com/) Brewery in south St. Louis. This was a tour of the Beer Museum (http://www.budweisertours.com/) with the St. Louis Historic Sites Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/St-L-Historic-Sites-Meetup/), which has more sites and privileges than the standard brewery tour that I have taken a few times in my life. There were 23 of us in our group taking the tour. (Others from our Meetup group went on a early afternoon Beer Museum tour.) Tom, our tour guide, took us around the brewery, with stops at the Clydesdale Stable, the Brew House, the Courtyard, and the old office, which contained displays on A-B's history. We each got a small glass and enjoyed a sample of Budweiser, and received a replica token of the style used around 1880 by A-B to give to customers for a free sample of Budweiser or Michelob at a tavern selling these beers.

At tour's end, back at the Tour Center, we redeemed another token Tom gave us for a free beer and then we had lunch in the Biergarten. It was very nice and I got to better know several others in our group while we waited for our lunch orders. I had a wonderful time with this group and taking this tour, which I highly recommend.

After dashing back home for a quick change in outfit, I headed to World Wide Technology Soccer Park for Saint Louis FC's home opening against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Joining with the St. Louligans in the tailgate, I marched with them into Toyota Stadium for the match. Saint Louis FC scored in the 4th minute and made it stand for a 1-0 win. There was quite a good crowd today, despite the overcast skies and a bit of rain before the match.

Relaxing at home now. Tomorrow is Easter for myself and other Western Rite Christians. (Eastern Rite Christians celebrate this holiday one week from tomorrow.)

Later.

Road Trip to KC

After working at the rental branch Saturday morning (20 August), I drove to the Barnes & Noble Bookstore (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/) at West County Center (http://www.shopwestcountycenter.com/) in Town and Country. There, I had lunch in the cafe (redeeming a coupon for a free iced tea) and bought two magazines.

I then drove to Amsterdam Tavern (http://amsterdamtavern.com/) in south St. Louis, where I joined others in watching the Olympic men's soccer (football) gold medal match between Brazil and Germany. I and others were happy when Brazil won the match on penalty kicks (5-4 in the shootout, after 1-1 draw after extra time). Very happy for Brazil, after a very entertaining match at the Maracana.

After the match, I drove to Stone Spiral Coffee and Curios (http://www.stonespiralcoffee.com/) in Maplewood for the StL Tea Club Meetup (https://www.meetup.com/StL-Tea-Club-Meetup/events/233317713/). I joined four others there to sample some fine teas from East Asia and to have some fine conversation.

Late Sunday morning, I drove to Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill in Fenton (http://www.hotshotsnet.com/locations/stlouisarea/fenton.aspx) for lunch before boarding the chartered bus with others from the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/). After stopping in St. Peters to pick up a few others, we headed for Kansas City, Kansas to cheer on Saint Louis FC (http://saintlouisfc.com/landing/index) in its match against Swope Park Rangers. After our bus arrived at Children's Mercy Park, the St. Louligans marched into the stadium, where we had a section to ourselves. The match in the stadium--which holds 20,000--was sparsely attended. Saint Louis FC took a 1-nil lead in the 80th minute, but Swope Park leveled it two minutes from time. It was a fine match, but we would prefer a win at this point. We then got on the bus for home, arriving back at Hotshots abound 1:20 am. It was my first such road trip, and I hope it was not my last.

I took Monday (22 August) off from work, to get some nice down time. Back to work Tuesday, things went well. We also said goodbye to Hannah, who is now assistant manager of our Brentwood branch. I promised her I would bring her and her colleagues doughnuts soon after Hannah settles in at her new post. After work, I came home to host the IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) business meeting. Besides discussing club business (including our contest next month), we talked of the shocking news that CRM Hobbies in south St. Louis closed for good last Saturday. Owner Chris Merseal sold his inventory and will just order items for us and sell through his ebay site.

After work yesterday, I drove to St. Louis Community College at Meramec (http://www.stlcc.edu/MC/) for my first session of Portuguese Language: Beginning I. It is an eight-week course, for two hours on Wednesday nights. There are about 12 of us in the course, with Priscila--a native of Brazil--as our instructor. She comes courtesy of Viva Brasil St. Louis (http://www.e.vivabrasilstl.org/home). We spent the first session getting acquainted, starting to learn the pronunciation of the Portuguese, and starting to learn a few words. It should be great, and I'm looking forward to it.

Speaking of Viva Brasil St. Louis, I have volunteered to staff their information booth this Saturday from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the International Institute's Festival of Nations (http://www.festivalofnationsstl.org/) an annual multicultural festival in St. Louis' Tower Grove Park. I hope to see you there!

Later.

Plenty of Alcohol and Soccer

A week ago this afternoon (30 July), I was at Sugar Creek Winery (http://www.sugarcreekwines.com/) in Defiance, Missouri. This was for a 30th birthday party for my friend and former Enterprise Rent-A-Car (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html) colleague Sarah Dixon. She's now working for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits (http://www.southernglazers.com/), a drinks wholesaler. I was very happy to see Sarah and to meet some of her party guests (Southern Glazer's colleagues, friends, relatives). It was a nice time and I sampled several wines from Sugar Creek. There was also snacks--cheese, crackers, salami, chips--to munch on. Sarah and I got caught up on things. It was a very nice time.

After coming home late that afternoon, I drove to Smugala's Pizza Pub (http://smugalas.com/smugalassunsethills) in Sunset Hills for a beer before catching the Pub2Park shuttle bus for Worldwide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton and that night's Saint Louis FC (http://saintlouisfc.com/landing/index) match against OKC Energy FC. The match ended 0-0, although Saint Louis FC had some good chances to score. It was fun, cheering along with the St. Louligans (http://stlouligans.com/) and consuming another beer there.

Late the next morning (31 July), I drove to Craft Beer Cellar Clayton (http://clayton.craftbeercellar.com/) for a beer tasting party, part of St. Louis Craft Beer Week. I went to this event as part of the Single in the City Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/STLSingleInTheCity/), and there were about eight of us there. Many craft breweries from Metro St. Louis and elsewhere set up tables inside and in front of the shop and offered samples of their beers. About eight breweries would be present for a two-hour shift, then they would be replaced by others, so attendees could try out many beers. I sampled 20 beers during my time there--by far the most different beers I tasted in one place at one time. (Our group organizer, Britt, suggested downloading the Untapped app to my phone, which I did and used to track and rate the beers I tasted.) In between tasting sessions, I chatted with other group members gathered just outside Craft Beer Cellar, and also grabbed lunch at the neighboring Posh Nosh Delicatessen (http://poshnoshdeli.com/). (It was a Reuben and it was very good!)

Back to work Monday and business kept me plenty busy at the rental branch. Our assistant manager Cayla returned to work Monday after over a month due to a recent car accident. She was doing fine, though with one wrist still in a cast. Our new branch manager, Justin, reported in on Wednesday (3 August) and we all got used to him and his management style. It should work out very well, though. Yesterday marked our intern Collin's last day, as he is headed back to Saint Louis University for his senior year.

After work Wednesday, I dashed over to Worldwide Technology Soccer Park for Saint Louis FC's match against Swope Park Rangers. Heading from the parking lot, I was in a panic when I realized I had lost my ticket, which I had in my one pocket all day. I ended up getting a general reserve ticket, which was in the far corner from where I usually sit, but I did get to see the match. After giving up a first half goal due to a defensive lapse, Saint Louis FC leveled it from the penalty spot in the second half and the match ended up drawn at 1.

Off work Thursday, I interviewed with The Creative Group (https://www.roberthalf.com/st-louis/creative-marketing), a marketing and creative staffing agency in downtown St. Louis. A recruiter there found out more on my background and what I'm seeking and said she'd keep me posted on any job openings I would be suited for in that field. I wore coat and tie for that interview and for some time after that, to get me used to this professional attire. (I dress much more casually in my current work!) That afternoon, I delivered some IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) club and show flyers at CRM Hobbies (http://www.crmhobbies.com/), which had run out on these flyers.

After work yesterday, I drove home for dinner with mom and watching the Opening Ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (https://www.olympic.org/). It was quite a spectacle. Chatting the other day on WhatsApp with my friend Eliana Roversi in Cuiaba, Brazil, she wished we were in Rio taking in the games. I told Eliana I would love that.

Speaking of friends, I recently touched base with my friend from Saint Louis University, Alison Madden, who I knew from The University News (student newspaper) and from her being in Kappa Phi Beta sorority that held switches with my Delta Sigma Phi brothers. Alison's now living in the San Francisco Bay area of California, where she performs legal work. I am very happy for her and--judging from her photos on Facebook--she still looks great.

I help run the STL Aspies Meetup later today. More on that in my next post.

Later.

Transitions at Work; Dinner with a Group

After a relaxing weekend at home, it was back to work for me this past Monday (25 July). It was warm and humid, though not as bad as it was the previous two weeks. Tuesday marked the last day for Liz as our branch manager, as she is taking over the branch at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Area employees gathered at Double D Karaoke (http://doubledstl.com) in Brentwood after work on Tuesday to celebrate. I could only stay briefly, as I had to drive down to Bill Wagner's house in Oakville for the IPMS/Gateway (http://www.ipms-gateway.com/) business meeting. Liz appreciated my stopping by, though. The IPMS/Gateway board planned our August general and business meetings, and discussed other club business.

Wednesday (27 July), I started to contact some recruiters about help in finding career opportunities in marketing communications and publishing. Hope to get some action going soon in that area. Any assistance that you can give me in this regard is much appreciated.

Off work Thursday, I got my hair cut at Great Clips (http://www.greatclips.com/) in Tenholder Plaza in Mehlville. The stylist did such a good job getting about two months' growth of hair cut from my head. I bought some hair color on the way home and applied it myself, covering my gray hairs.

After a personal appointment, I shopped a bit at CRM Hobbies (http://www.crmhobbies.com/) in south St. Louis, buying two bottles of paint for models I'm working on now.

That night, I was at Yemanja Brasil Restorante (http://www.brazildining.com/) in south St. Louis' Benton Park neighborhood for dinner with the Ethnic Restaurant Fans Meetup group (https://www.meetup.com/Ethnic-Restaurant-Fans/). Approximately 12 of us attended, and it was my third visit to this restaurant. Yemanja is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Louis and the experience did not disappoint. After an appetizer of Empanadas de Bife and a cup of soup, I did into the main course: Xin Xim de Galinha, a spicy chicken dish. Dessert was Pudim de Coco, mainly bread pudding, all washed down with a Caipirinha cocktail and water. A great time was had by all at this dinner, and I highly recommend both Yemanja and Ethnic Restaurant Fans.

Today at work, an electrician came by in the morning to install two oscillating fans in the wash bay. When the fans were up and running, they blew plenty of cool air inside the bay, which made conditions much more tolerable. It was challenging at times to get vehicles parked on our crowded lot, but things got taken care of in good order. By the way, a new manager reports to our branch next week.

Relaxing at home now, but an interesting weekend awaits. More on that in my next post.

Later.