Trying to Feel Up Lately

That business networking event I went to last Thursday night (21 July) at Cabanne House in St. Louis went well, although the turnout seemed lower than last year. Maybe this was due to the great heat. I did meet a few people for the first time and maybe get a good connection or two from it.

Last weekend was rather quiet. No games to do (I was glad of that!) and not much else happening. Just chilled out (literally).

Thanks to a high school classmate's tip, I applied on Monday with a university in this area for a marketing position. In that case, I went on their web site and filled out the application there. Hope to hear back from them soon. My classmate also sent me listings for other jobs she feels I would be good for. I will check those out in the next few days.

Yesterday, I drove to Crystal City, Missouri at midday to the district office of my congressman, Russ Carnahan. I wanted to speak to his staff about the current debt ceiling impasse and wanting the congressman to not support plans that hurt the lower and middle classes and not have the upper classes pay their fair share. The office was closed, though, so I left a letter in the mailbox by the front door. (I couldn't slip it under the door.) While there, I also met for the first time Bunnie Gronborg, who I had known through Facebook and who was also a supporter of progressive causes. It was good for Bunnie and I to have that short chat.

A couple of hours later, I met my Mehlville High classmate Llynda Combs-Walker, who was in town this week from her home in Virginia. We had a great hour-long conversation at the St. Louis Bread Co. location in Mehlville and got caught up on things. I told her of my situation of late (between jobs, little money, no love life), but Llynda was very reassuring in her words of encouragement and wisdom for me. She also said she's looking forward to our class' 30-year reunion next year.

I made the long drive early last night to Doug Barton's house in Foristell, Missouri for the IPMS/Gateway business meeting he was hosting. A rather low turnout, due to various personal matters for several board members, but we got some productive business done, including planning next month's general meeting.

This afternoon, I made the long drive to O'Fallon, Missouri (about 3/4 of the way to Foristell) to a going away party at Llywelyn's Pub. Tom Doll, Lake St. Louis resident and aviation historian, was moving to the western US to take care of a sick relative. Several of us in the Missouri Aviation Historical Society, which Tom co-founded, threw this party to wish him well with the hope that circumstances will permit Tom's return to our area in a few months. A good time was had by all.

I'll post this, then get back to watching the MLS All-Star Game on TV. The All-Stars are facing Manchester United at Red Bull Arena. Should be interesting.

Later.

A Heat Up and a Come Down

It's been real warm in St. Louis lately, to say the least. Temperatures this week have hit 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), with heat indices topping 100 F. I sure felt that heat last weekend while refereeing. I worked two under-17 girls games Saturday morning (16 July) in St. Charles, part of a college showcase tournament. The second game I worked--which started at 11 am-- had water breaks midway through each half, so players and officials could get some water or sports drink before resuming play. That was most appreciated. Sunday afternoon, I was at DeSoto Park in St. Louis for two men's games. No water breaks there, and it was hotter than the day before, but my colleagues and I were well-hydrated and felt no ill effects. While working those games Sunday, I missed seeing the FIFA Women's World Cup final on TV, but we found out through a colleague's smartphone that Japan beat the USA on penalties after drawing in extra time. Still, a good run by the USA women.

This past Monday, the temp agency e-mailed me to say I didn't get the technical writing job I interviewed for one week before. The message said the client praised my preparedness for the interview and how I performed during the interview, but decided to go with another candidate for this project. I thanked the agency for the kind words and asked them to keep me in mind for future projects.

I'm off to a business networking event tonight at Cabanne House in St. Louis' Forest Park. Hopefully, I can make a few new connections there that can help me in my career project.

Tuesday night, I ran the IPMS/Gateway meeting, after making sure the meeting room was cool enough for the attendees. It was our annual Slam Fest, where participants had two hours to assemble and finish a model, which would then be judged by a popular vote of attendees. There were six models completed and entered, including my A6M2 Zero. Although I didn't place in the top three, it was fun to do. I did win in a silent auction of kits donated to us, with two aircraft kits won for $1 each. Also, our new club shirts arrived. I ordered two of them, and changed into the gray one just prior to calling the meeting to order. They came out real good and I'm going to really enjoy wearing these shirts at club functions and out-of-town shows.

It appears that Mehlville High's Class of 1982--mine--will have a 30-year reunion next year. At least that's being discussed by myself and some of my classmates on Facebook. A planning meeting in September should help this reunion start to take shape.

Hope you all take care. Stay cool! Later.

A Ray of Hope

I had my job interview last Monday afternoon (11 July) in Granite City. I was at the firm for about 30 minutes, interviewed by two people: the manager responsible for this position, and a human resources person. I was among an unknown (to me) number of candidates for this temporary technical writing post. They didn't go too much into the nuts and bolts of the job (such as asking for my knowledge of SAP operations), but wanted to know how I can communicate a process to someone who's unfamiliar with it. I think this interview went well and they said they would let the temp agency know by Friday afternoon who they would select. I would know from the temp agency.

I did research on the firm and about SAP software in the days prior to the interview, and I sought advice from a few friends. One, who works at another industrial firm in Granite City, was particularly helpful in this regard.

Last Saturday, I worked seven games at a 3v3 soccer tournament in Maryland Heights. This was a local stop on a nationwide tour of 3v3 tournaments. These are played on small fields, with short game times (12-minute halves), enabling games to be played within 30-minute slots. These went well, for me. That night, I went to dinner at Pujols 5 Westport Grill in Westport Plaza. It was the St. Louis Singles Meetup Group getting together. Many of them went on to watch a comedy show at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, but I declined that and went home. I was trying to save some money.

Watched the FIFA Women's World Cup the past few days. Saw the USA defeat France and Japan beat Sweden in today's semifinals. The USA and Japan play in the final Sunday afternoon. I'll be on the pitch at DeSoto Park that day, officiating men's league games. I'll be sure to record the FIFA Women's World Cup Final for later viewing.

That's it for now. Later.

Some Good, Some Bad News Lately

Some good news came over the phone last Friday (1 July), when one of the temp agencies offered to have me interview for a temporary technical writing position with an industrial enterprise in Granite City, Illinois. It would be my first real experience in technical writing, but I said yes. The interview is this coming Monday afternoon (11 July). It would entail learning an SAP operation in the firm's offices, document the process, then work alongside an operator on the shelf floor doing the same process. Should be interesting. I'm setting aside much of the next few days getting familiar with the firm and with the system. Wish me luck!

This past weekend was rather quiet, apart from watching the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Copa America on TV. I didn't need a TV to watch the St. Louis Lions Saturday night: They weren't televised, but I did see them in person play the Kansas City Brass at Lindenwood University. The match ended drawn at 1, St. Louis equalizing just before halftime. It was nice to see.

Monday morning (4 July), I was in Webster Groves for that city's parade. I marched with Rep. Russ Carnahan and some of his supporters, several of who were riding on an old fire engine on the parade route. I walked the two-mile (1.2 km) route, helping hand out free candy to the kids along the route early on. It was real nice. Near the end of the parade, by Memorial Park, my friend Bill Michael said hi from the curb. We--Bill, his wife, young son, and I-- chatted briefly, before I returned to the parade. A fine time had by all, I think. I was at home with Mom and Dad that night.

Last night, I ran the IPMS/St. Louis meeting. A light turnout--only five members-- meant we had virtually no business conducted, but we did talk about some hobby news for a while.

This morning, I took my car into the service place to have them check the radiator. I had a radiator warning light go off on the dashboard the night before and I was concerned. They checked the car and the radiator was leaking and needed replacement. They got all done by end of business today, except for installing a new thermostat. The replacement part they got did not fit, so they had to get one for earlier in my car's model year. (It turned out the 2000 Saturn SL was in a split 1999-2000 model year, for some strange reason. The repair technician called in my car's VIN [Vehicle Identification Number] to the parts place, and that's why they had to get the older model thermostat.) That part won't arrive to be installed until tomorrow morning. This will set me back just over $600. Ouch! I've had quite a bit in repair costs in my car already. I would be better off with a new or slightly used car, but my uncertain job situation puts paid to that.

Not much else for now. Hope to have happy news to report Monday night. Later.

On Towards the 4th of July

Last Thursday morning (23 June), I had a late morning meeting with a financial planner, who had contacted me on LinkedIn. He basically wanted to get to know me more and what my career direction is to be, the better for him to help me. It was a nice meeting. That night, I went to a networking happy hour in Des Peres, but that wasn't such a good event. I never could get into the flow of things and hardly talked to anyone, so I left after a short stay.

The next day, I was in downtown St. Louis to view exhibits of Marine Week St. Louis. I first went to Ballpark Village, just north of Busch Stadium, where I saw several items on display. They included a MV-22B Osprey tilt rotor aircraft, a CH-53E Super Stallion heavy transport helicopter, and an M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. I then walked to the Gateway Arch grounds, where other equipment and displays were set up. It was really interesting and I took quite a few photos there.

Saturday afternoon, I was at Chill Frozen Yogurt in Clayton for a singles ice cream social. It was my first time at this place and the first event with the St. Louis Singles Meetup Group I had been to since last March. It was a nice time and I enjoyed some good frozen yogurt and nice conversation with other participants. That night, I was at Amsterdam Tavern in south St. Louis to join other soccer fans in watching on TV the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final being played in Pasadena. (Not so nice: Mexico overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the USA 4-2.) It was a good fun environment.

At the monthly soccer referee clinic Monday night (27 June) at Grand Glaize Library, I was volunteered to help lead a panel discussion of game situations and the correct way of dealing with them. It was a good discussion that benefitted all of us there.

Last night, I hosted the IPMS/Gateway business meeting in our kitchen and family room. We planned next month's general meeting and discussed other club business for about and hour.

Not much today, except for mowing the front lawn. This weekend, I hope to attend one of the St. Louis Lions matches (either Saturday or Sunday), and on the 4th of July, I'm planning to march in the Webster Groves parade that morning. Should be interesting.

Later.

A Little Bit Happening

I did finish my P-51D Mustang model early yesterday and entered it in the Same Kit Contest at the IPMS/Gateway meeting last night. It was one of seven entries in the contest's Out of the Box category; there was only one entry in the Anything Goes (highly modified) category. I didn't win, but at least I got it entered and we did have a nice bit of interest in this. This was the first time our club's done the Same Kit Contest, and the IPMS/Gateway board will study this to improve upon for next year.

I refereed Sunday morning (19 June) in the swamp (sorry, on the pitch) at De Soto Park. There was some standing water in spots on the field, and muddy patches as well. I was truly wet and my boots were muddy by the time that game ended. Plus, I dismissed a coach for his irresponsible behavior. (He kept dissenting at my decisions against his team.) The second game, in which I was an assistant referee, went much better in comparison.

I have a pair of networking events tomorrow -- a one-on-one meeting in the late morning, a happy hour that night. We'll see how that goes.

Later.

An Edit Job Done Well

Late last week, I completed the copy edit, proofreading, and fact checking contract job on a book manuscript. It was a history book written by a woman who had, with her husband, played with me in a trivia night a few weeks ago. I returned the edited manuscript to her, on both a hard copy and a file saved on a thumb drive, last Tuesday morning in Chesterfield. She was very appreciative of my efforts (this was her first book, although she had written several magazine articles before), and said that should make it easier when she turns this over to her publisher. I'll withhold further details on this until it's published.

Took in a conference call with the Naturally Autistic ANCA magazine and radio show staff last Friday night. We have things going you'll hear about in due course. I ushered in church last Sunday morning, the first time in about two months, and it went well.

Got some painting and decaling done on my P-51 Mustang model, which should be completed in time for this Tuesday's IPMS/Gateway meeting. It will be my entry in the Same Kit Contest. (Info at http://ipms-gateway.com) Hope to see you there.

Speaking of IPMS/Gateway, I wrote my column last Monday for the newsletter, and yesterday I ran off some flyers for our Invitational on 10 September and delivered them to Checkered Flag Hobby Country and Schaeffer's Hobby Shop.

This morning, I met a bank executive for coffee at a St. Louis Bread Company location in Town & Country. He and I connected through LinkedIn, and he wanted to know more about me and my career aspirations. He had some ideas to help.

Tonight, I'm off to the St. Louis United FC dinner meeting in U. City, and Sunday morning I'm back refereeing soccer in downtown St. Louis. Yes, my heel's much better now.

Before I go, I took some photos of myself this morning to use on my social networking sites. Some of those photos I have been using for my profiles date back to last November, and I feel I need something more up to date.

Later