Heated Up

Last Saturday, I started with some political canvassing in the morning. It was for a couple of Democratic candidates in south St. Louis. Got that done within two hours. That afternoon, I was in St. Charles to referee matches in the SLYSA College Showcase, a series of friendlies involving boys and girls teams. I worked three matched with under-19 girls teams, in the high heat and humidity. (The heat index topped 100 degrees F.) As we were working the second games of the day for these teams, we shortened the matches to 40 minute halves and had two water breaks per half (about 1/3 and 2/3 through the half), yet some players were slow by the end of the match. I had a hard time making it through the second half of the third and final match of my set, but the match ended up fine and SLYSA was most appreciative to the referees for our efforts that day.
Ran the IPMS Gateway meeting last night, which featured our annual Slamfest. Members interested in this (myself and seven others) had two hours to assemble and finish a model, which was then judged by the meeting attendees in a "beauty contest." I got mine done -- the kit snapped together, and then I painted it. It didn't win any of the top three awards (gift certificates to a hobby shop), but it was OK with me.
Earlier in the day, I send notices of the IPMS Gateway Invitational coming up on 11 September in Eureka to local community calendar web sites. Several of them have it up now, and others should in the coming days. I also sent a release on the Invitational to a community newsmagazine serving Eureka and its vicinity, and hopefully they will run it in the issue prior to the Invitational.
I'm off to do some volunteer work tonight. Later.

Into the Dog Days

The FIFA World Cup ended yesterday, with Spain's 1-nil win over the Netherlands in the Final. I was at O.B. Clark's in Brentwood at the St. Louis United FC Watch Party. A fun time, even if the match wasn't such fun. At least the better side won, and I like that.
I got back on the pitch -- albeit a small-sided one -- on Sun., 27 June at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Illinois. I refereed several games in a 3v3 tournament. They were mostly youth teams, with one adult co-ed match. These were short games -- 12-minute halves -- so we worked them in every 30 minutes. It was different, but no major hitches.
The next day, our monthly soccer referee clinic discussed recent World Cup refereeing controversies. This year's tournament provided plenty of discussion material for us referees. I'm back on the pitch this Saturday afternoon, working a college showcase tournament in St. Charles. Need to hit the road(work) for that one.
The 4th of July found me on the Gateway Arch grounds as a volunteer for Fair Saint Louis. I started out in the K-Zone children's area, supervising some activities (ring toss games, hands-on with musical instruments, coloring with crayons), then moved to beverage services that afternoon. I finished the fair helping staff the information booth. I finally left the grounds just over an hour after the fair ended, then finally hit the road home some time after that (what with the traffic in all). Tiring, but satisfying to be helping out at such an event.
I went to a pair of Straight Up Hook Up Meetup events late last month, which were nice. I'm keeping an eye on my wallet, with money being a bit tight at the moment.
Last Tuesday (6 July), I ran the IPMS St. Louis meeting, which included membership renewals and officer elections. I was retained as president for another year, by acclaimation, and ditto for the rest of the officers. I must be doing something right.
Last Saturday afternoon, I did some canvassing for two Democratic candidates: Robin Carnahan for U.S. Senate and Charlie Dooley for St. Louis County Executive. I walked a block in Affton, and there I ran into a friend from college I had not seen in years, Mike Vogt. He's a Missouri State Representative who's having to leave this year due to term limits, so Mike's out campaigning for the canidate he wants to succeed him. Small world.
Anyway, take care & talk to you soon.

Scoring in Additional Time

Yesterday, I was in the crowd at O.B. Clark's in Brentwood to watch the USA-Algeria game in the FIFA World Cup on TV. Our rather large crowd had many ups and downs of emotions, until Landon Donovan's late goal won it for the Stars and Stripes. Talk about pandemonium! The crowd erupted in shouts, cheers, and high fives. What a heart-stopping game and what a fun time it was to catch the action with a bunch of fellow soccer fans. Now, it's on the the Round of 16 vs. Ghana on Saturday. Go USA!
Last weekend, I stayed inside as much as possible. Saturday, I was in Troy, Illinois for a IPMS Gateway Meet & Greet at A&R Paints & Crafts. There were five of us there for about four hours, working on models and meeting with customers to promote our club and hobby. It went very well, I thought, and the shop owner was sure pleased to have us.
I did venture outside on Sunday, refereeing men's soccer that afternoon. My middle was a rough one, with one team fouling and otherwise causing mischief, and the other team complaining all game. I had to make a report on the players I sent off, which I duly sent in the next day to the league office.
Back to IPMS Gateway: I hosted the monthly business meeting last Tuesday. That was fine, with much discussion of our upcoming Invitational in September. Yesterday, I was at Pujols 5 Westport Cafe for a Fair Saint Louis volunteer rally. I received my volunteer shirt and my assignment for the fair: vendor services, on Sunday morning, 4 July. I helped sell beer and soda last year, so this should be no big problem for me. Looking forward to the fair on the Gateway Arch grounds 3-4 July.
Later.

Update (No Goalkeeping Howler Edition)

Unlike Robert Green, I will endeavor to firmly stop all shots my way. (More on that later.)
Last Saturday, 5 June, I tuned up for the FIFA World Cup by watching the USA-Australia friendly from the Amsterdam Tavern in St. Louis. It was my first time at that place, and find it's a great place to have a beer or two and watch soccer on TV. That was considering I was there in time for the 7.30 am kickoff, after a night of drinks and socializing at Lola in downtown St. Louis the night before. It was the weekly Stress Free Fridays stop, and it was enjoyable as always.
Sunday morning, after attending services at Calvary Presbyterian Church and the start of Calvary's annual picnic, I got home and then went to Mehlville High School for two boys' soccer games. It was the last match day in the SLYSA season, and I was in the middle for an under 16 match. Just after the match ended, one of the players (who I had cautioned for dissent in the second half) used an expletive in criticizing my refereeing. I showed him the red card for the foul language. His coach apologized to me and gave me his card, which I turned in with the report on the incident the next day to the league office. True, it was the last match of the season, but I felt it still needed to be recorded and let the league handle it from there.
Monday afternoon, the installer came to the house to install AT&T U-verse for our TVs, internet and landline phone. My TV was hooked up and so were two of my parents' TVs, including a large-screen HD set. We now have a larger number of channels than we used to have with Charter, plus I now have a wireless connection for my internet. The downside is not being able to record on my DVDs copywrited programming.
Wednesday night, I went to the In Spot lounge in west St. Louis for the bi-weekly Single2Mingle get togethers. It's a chance for singles to meet up while playing a variety of board and card games. It was my second trip to this event (I was there two weeks before), and although the organizer said it was a bit dull (these events are hit-or-miss), I had a nice time there.
Friday night saw me in St. Louis' Soulard neighborhood for the first get together of the StraightUp Hook Ups Meetup group. It was just myself and two ladies, including the organizer, but it was a nice time at The Porch, a wine store. We and a few other customers sampled seven wines and enjoyed some grilled meet and vegetables. The three of us had a fine time together and can't wait for the next meeting of our group soon.
Friday morning, I began my vigil by the TV set and the computer to follow the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. I'm avidly following all the action, including that of the USA. I was at the Soccer Park this afternoon with about 300 other soccer fans for a watch party for the England-USA match in Rustenburg. What a match! The English jumped to a 1-nil lead four minutes in, but the Stars and Stripes equalized in the 40th minute on Clint Dempsey's shot and Robert Green's unsuccessful save on said shot. That was a howler for sure! The match ended 1-1; the USA won a point, while England lost two points. Looks like the Americans have a nice start on their World Cup tournament.
At the watch party were Frank Borghi and Harry Keough, the goalkeeper and a defenser, respectively, for the USA the last time they met England: the 1-nil USA upset 60 years ago, at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. I knew Harry rather well and I had met Frank some years ago at a soccer banquet. It was marvelous meeting with two St. Louis and USA soccer greats.
I'll be watching World Cup action in the morning, then officating Latino men's games in the afternoon. Later.

It's Looking a Lot Like Summer Now

Just came inside a few minutes ago after cutting the lawns (back, then front). It's warm and humid out -- the usual for late spring and summer here in St. Louis. I officiated some boys soccer games last weekend, which were played on artificial turf. It made it easily 10 to 15 degrees warmer than the air temperature. Somehow, we all got though those games fine. Youth season's about over -- just two games Sunday afternoon (also on artificial turf) for me until August. Can't wait for the FIFA World Cup to start in 7 days from now.
My census work is almost done. Got in some more visits recently but had no luck with contacting several residents. Yesterday, I was told I didn't have to visit those places again, that it would be brought up with the apartment complex's higher ups. I may go to another block in need of visits, but am on standby for now.
Last Monday, I attended the Greek Festival at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Town and Country, Missouri. They have this every Memorial Day weekend and it's a fun time to eat Greek food and enjoy Greek music and dancing.
I ran the IPMS St. Louis meeting Tuesday night, and will run and give a presentation at the IPMS Gateway meeting in two weeks.
That's it for now. Later.

Happenings Lately

The past two weeks have seen me on my work with the Census Bureau. I can't go into specifics, but the 2010 Census work is progressing. Visited a number of residences yesterday and got some household interviews done. Hope to keep up the good work in the week ahead.
Had some soccer referee assignments the past few weekends. Last Wednesday, I worked an under-17 boys league game for which I was getting my annual maintenance assessment. It went well, I passed the assessment, although the assessor had a few areas for me to work on. (Fair comments all.) I have games tomorrow morning. The youth leagues spring season ends early next month, and (apart from men's league Sunday games) that's it until August when the new season starts.
I ran the IPMS Gateway meeting last Tuesday night. Had a pretty good turnout for the contest, with its "Seats Two" special category. I had a two-seat aircraft model entered, although it wasn't a serious contender for placings. At least I got the two points (one for entering overall, one for entering in the special category) for Modeler of the Year, which is important.
Last Thursday afternoon, I was at Busch Stadium for the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins. I bought the ticket last weekend using a discount code I got when I ordered a combo meal at McDonald's. The Cardinals came from behind to win this game, 4-2. Despite the overcast skies, I really enjoyed the game and being at Busch for the game. I had parked at Union Station and took the Metrolink train to and from the game.
Sad news to end this entry. My godmother, Harriet Schwable, died last Wednesday at age 68. She had some health problems in recent years, but she is now at peace. My parents and I attended a memorial service for her this morning. Her husband George, daughter Glenda, son-in-law Jeff, grandson Tyler, and son George (Bud) were there. We were glad to be with them in this time. My Mom especially was a long-time friend of Harriet's and our families really enjoyed each other's company. I have fond memories of her and her family's friendship. I dedicate this blog entry to Harriet's memory.
Later.

May Days Are Here

The last week of April, I completed training for enumerator work with the US Census Bureau. Myself and others around the country are visiting households who did not mail in their census questionnaires in late March or in April. I started the canvas work this past week. I can't comment on specifics on that work, but it is progresssing and hope to have this all done by the last week of May.
Also been working some soccer games. Spring youth season ends early next month. Games mean more as the season winds down, so I need to be especially alert. I have some games later today and tomorrow.
Not much else happening of late. Hope to have more to write you soon.
Later.