Last Friday (14 Feb.) was Valentine's Day. However, not having a Valentine close by made it hard to really be up for that part of the day. Fortunately for me, work at the car rental branch kept me busy and focused. I also worked last Saturday morning. We got a bit of freezing rain before work last Monday, so I sprinkled some rock salt over the pavement. The weather warmed up a bit that day, and has really gotten warmer as this week has progressed. High temperatures reached 60 degrees F (16 degrees C) yesterday. This was most welcome.
Right after work last Tuesday (18 February), I headed to Calvary Presbyterian Church in Mehlville for the IPMS/Gateway meeting. We had our first contest towards Modeler of the Year, the Out of the Box contest, which I helped judge. (I had no contest entries this month.) Good turnout of models in the contest (about 30), and we had two first-time visitors.
Taking care of some personal business today on my off day from work. I'm attending the Missouri Aviation Historical Society's meeting tonight, and a trivia night tomorrow. I'll let you know about these events in my next post.
Later.
20 February 2014
13 February 2014
Reaching the Big 5-0
Last Friday (7 Feb.) was my 50th birthday. Mom & Dad had a card for me when I was at the breakfast table that morning. My co-workers served up a large decorated cookie. At home after work, I opened a package from my brother Doug and his wife Helen. It had a flight jacket from the California ScienCenter in Los Angeles, showcasing the Space Shuttle Endeavour that's on display there. It is a very nice jacket and I love it. My brothers Rick and Brian each sent me an amazon.com gift certificate, which I should have no problem using. (I ordered two documentary series DVDs, which arrived today, and still have some value left on those gift certificates.)
The next night, my parents threw a birthday dinner for me at O'Charley's in Mehlville. Five of my friends joined us for a nice dinner, especially nice as I had not seen some of these guests for some months. We all enjoyed each other's company.
Sunday (9 Feb.), I was at a house in south St. Louis for a seminar conducted via Skype on overcoming shyness. There were several other women there and it was a rather interesting session which lasted about 2 1/2 hours. I learned a few tips for overcoming shyness, and perhaps they may help.
Work this past week has been going well. We're all looking forward to the weather improving in the coming days, after another slight snow burst tomorrow.
Later.
The next night, my parents threw a birthday dinner for me at O'Charley's in Mehlville. Five of my friends joined us for a nice dinner, especially nice as I had not seen some of these guests for some months. We all enjoyed each other's company.
Sunday (9 Feb.), I was at a house in south St. Louis for a seminar conducted via Skype on overcoming shyness. There were several other women there and it was a rather interesting session which lasted about 2 1/2 hours. I learned a few tips for overcoming shyness, and perhaps they may help.
Work this past week has been going well. We're all looking forward to the weather improving in the coming days, after another slight snow burst tomorrow.
Later.
06 February 2014
Birthday Eve 2014
I had quite an interesting and fun filled weekend last weekend. After work last Friday night (31 Jan.), I headed to Dave & Buster's in Maryland Heights for a dinner with the Autism Asperger's Meetup Group. It was a nice dinner for the six of us who were there, with some nice conversation, and I stayed around to play some arcade games there. The next day, I had some nice time in Maplewood. First, sitting in my car, I called in my co-hosting gig on "Writer's Block," the monthly online show by Naturally Autistic ANCA Radio that I do. Host Tim Pylypiuk and I discussed the state of the written word today and folklore, and I talked about being an editor. A nice hour and available for download now at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/autistic-people-/2014/02/01/writers-block-10am-pstradio-drama-11am-pst-the-wishing-wizard.
Right after the show, I joined others from the Food Lovers STL Meetup for the first annual Maplewood Sweet Tooth Tour. We visited nine establishments--specialty cafes, food and drink stores, and a coffeehouse--getting samples from each place and checking in at each place on my tour ticket. It was really nice, we hit such places at Kakeo Chocolate, Foundation Grounds coffeehouse, Great Harvest Bread Co., Strange Donuts, and Pie Oh My! After the tour, I joined with four others for lunch at The Crow's Nest in Maplewood. Sunday (2 Feb.) was a quiet day at home.
We got more snow early this past week. That Sunday, after seeing the weather forecast, I made the decision to cancel Tuesday's IPMS/St. Louis meeting. Work has been good, although being outside in the freezing weather and getting snow and ice off the vehicles is no picnic. I said goodbye to one colleague who's transferring to the location at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
On my off day today, I got the license plates on my Corolla renewed for two years, got my laundry done, my checkbook balanced, and rested up. Back to work tomorrow.
Oh yes, tomorrow. My birthday. The Big 5-0, if you can believe that. (Sometimes, I don't believe I'm that old.) Should be fun.
Later.
Right after the show, I joined others from the Food Lovers STL Meetup for the first annual Maplewood Sweet Tooth Tour. We visited nine establishments--specialty cafes, food and drink stores, and a coffeehouse--getting samples from each place and checking in at each place on my tour ticket. It was really nice, we hit such places at Kakeo Chocolate, Foundation Grounds coffeehouse, Great Harvest Bread Co., Strange Donuts, and Pie Oh My! After the tour, I joined with four others for lunch at The Crow's Nest in Maplewood. Sunday (2 Feb.) was a quiet day at home.
We got more snow early this past week. That Sunday, after seeing the weather forecast, I made the decision to cancel Tuesday's IPMS/St. Louis meeting. Work has been good, although being outside in the freezing weather and getting snow and ice off the vehicles is no picnic. I said goodbye to one colleague who's transferring to the location at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.
On my off day today, I got the license plates on my Corolla renewed for two years, got my laundry done, my checkbook balanced, and rested up. Back to work tomorrow.
Oh yes, tomorrow. My birthday. The Big 5-0, if you can believe that. (Sometimes, I don't believe I'm that old.) Should be fun.
Later.
30 January 2014
Busy Nights After Work
After working Monday (27 Jan.) at the car rental branch and a stop for dinner along the way, I attended the monthly soccer referee in-service clinic at Grand Glaze Branch, St. Louis County Library. The clinic this month had a video presentation on match situations and how to correctly deal with them. Some food for thought.
The next night, I went from work to CRM Hobbies in south St. Louis for the IPMS/Gateway business meeting, hosted by CRM Hobbies owner and IPMS/Gateway President Chris Merseal. We planned the February meeting and discussed some club business.
Work has been fine this week. Monday morning found me working out our branch in Ballwin, about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of my home branch in Ellisville. It was temporary duty that morning, as the vehicle service agent normally working there was away. I almost found myself going to another branch Tuesday morning to cover for a sick VSA, but my branch called back soon after I set forth to say I was not needed there and to return to the Ellisville branch.
On my day off today, I got my taxes done (signed, sealed, and e-delivered), and also cleaned my car and my laundry. Plus, I got some flyers run off and distributed promoting the IPMS/Gateway contest on 6 Sept. in Sunset Hills, Mo. More info at http://ipms-gateway.com.
I'm co-hosting Writer's Block, the monthly online radio show, this Saturday (1 Feb.) at Noon, Central Time (1800 GMT). Check it out here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/autistic-people-. The show will be archived for download soon after it airs. Hope you can listen in.
Later.
The next night, I went from work to CRM Hobbies in south St. Louis for the IPMS/Gateway business meeting, hosted by CRM Hobbies owner and IPMS/Gateway President Chris Merseal. We planned the February meeting and discussed some club business.
Work has been fine this week. Monday morning found me working out our branch in Ballwin, about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of my home branch in Ellisville. It was temporary duty that morning, as the vehicle service agent normally working there was away. I almost found myself going to another branch Tuesday morning to cover for a sick VSA, but my branch called back soon after I set forth to say I was not needed there and to return to the Ellisville branch.
On my day off today, I got my taxes done (signed, sealed, and e-delivered), and also cleaned my car and my laundry. Plus, I got some flyers run off and distributed promoting the IPMS/Gateway contest on 6 Sept. in Sunset Hills, Mo. More info at http://ipms-gateway.com.
I'm co-hosting Writer's Block, the monthly online radio show, this Saturday (1 Feb.) at Noon, Central Time (1800 GMT). Check it out here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/autistic-people-. The show will be archived for download soon after it airs. Hope you can listen in.
Later.
26 January 2014
Chowing Down, and Somewhat Off Line
A week ago Thursday night (16 January), I joined with about 12 others at Bailey's Range, a restaurant in downtown St. Louis, for a St. Louis Food Lovers Meetup. Bailey's Range features beef, chicken, pork, bison, and vegetable burgers, along with locally-sourced foods and natural ice cream. I had a great meal there, enjoying a smoked beef burger. This was my first Meetup with this group, and they really made me feel right at home.
Worked hard at the car rental branch that Friday and that Saturday morning, and relaxed at home that weekend. After work on Monday (20 January), I went to join the Monday Indie Movie Club Meetup in Frontenac. Meeting with our party at Panera Bread Co. in Plaza Frontenac, our group of about 20 then walked to the nearby Plaza Frontenac Cinema to catch the Italian film "La Grande Bellezza" (The Great Beauty), which recently won a Golden Globe Award (Best Foreign Film) and is an Oscar Nominee in that category. It's a comedy-drama about a journalist in Rome who's been enjoying the night life there until his 65th birthday and a shock from his past makes him take stock of his life. A rather interesting film, beautifully photographed. Our group generally liked this film. It was my first Meetup with this group, too.
The cold, snowy and icy weather of early this past week (including considerable winds) caused IPMS/Gateway to postpone its meeting by one night, to this past Wednesday (22 January). We had our annual Swap & Sell, where members could sell or trade their model kits and supplies, plus our annual Kit Auction, which raised money for the club's picnic this September. We had a good turnout for our meeting, including three first-time attendees (all of whom joined our club that night), and a reporter from the South County Times, who's doing a story about our club. That should run in this week's issue.
Thursday morning, on my day off work, my computer acted up, so I took it to the Geek Squad at Best Buy. The technician said it looked like it had a lot of viruses and would have to take it in to correct that. He thought I would be without my computer until early this week; however, they called yesterday afternoon and it was ready. I have it back now and it's running fine. In the meantime, I used my smartphone and my parent's computer to access messages and websites.
Later this afternoon, I'm off to yet another Meetup, this time in Richmond Heights. I'll fill you in on that in my next post.
Later.
Worked hard at the car rental branch that Friday and that Saturday morning, and relaxed at home that weekend. After work on Monday (20 January), I went to join the Monday Indie Movie Club Meetup in Frontenac. Meeting with our party at Panera Bread Co. in Plaza Frontenac, our group of about 20 then walked to the nearby Plaza Frontenac Cinema to catch the Italian film "La Grande Bellezza" (The Great Beauty), which recently won a Golden Globe Award (Best Foreign Film) and is an Oscar Nominee in that category. It's a comedy-drama about a journalist in Rome who's been enjoying the night life there until his 65th birthday and a shock from his past makes him take stock of his life. A rather interesting film, beautifully photographed. Our group generally liked this film. It was my first Meetup with this group, too.
The cold, snowy and icy weather of early this past week (including considerable winds) caused IPMS/Gateway to postpone its meeting by one night, to this past Wednesday (22 January). We had our annual Swap & Sell, where members could sell or trade their model kits and supplies, plus our annual Kit Auction, which raised money for the club's picnic this September. We had a good turnout for our meeting, including three first-time attendees (all of whom joined our club that night), and a reporter from the South County Times, who's doing a story about our club. That should run in this week's issue.
Thursday morning, on my day off work, my computer acted up, so I took it to the Geek Squad at Best Buy. The technician said it looked like it had a lot of viruses and would have to take it in to correct that. He thought I would be without my computer until early this week; however, they called yesterday afternoon and it was ready. I have it back now and it's running fine. In the meantime, I used my smartphone and my parent's computer to access messages and websites.
Later this afternoon, I'm off to yet another Meetup, this time in Richmond Heights. I'll fill you in on that in my next post.
Later.
16 January 2014
Learning to Say No
Last Thursday night (9 Jan.), I was at Shameless Grounds in St. Louis' Benton Park neighborhood for a workshop put on by Sex Positive St. Louis. I was on how to say no to a partner or potential partner in a good way. About 36 of us were there and we took turns asking people of the opposite sex questions of an intimate form and each time we were to say no in whatever way we thought best. It took me a bit of time to catch on, but by the end of this exercise (about 1 1/2 hours), I found myself really enjoying this activity. I hope this can be put to good use soon.
Saturday was a socializing time, with back-to-back-to-back events. It started in mid-afternoon in Ballwin, when my one rental car branch colleague hosted our branch mates and their significant others for a reception. It was nice, not too loud, although being without a date did make it awkward for me. We then headed to Spazio in the Westport area for our firm's area party. That was much louder for my taste and I did not really feel happy there. Still, it was interesting to chat with some colleagues I worked with at my branch who are now at other branches.
After that, I was off to Vincenzo's Restaurant in Ferguson, Mo. for the IPMS/Gateway banquet. That was a very nice affair, with about 25 of us in the restaurant's private room. After a nice Italian dinner, we heard from the president of the Jefferson Barracks POW-MIA Museum, who spoke about his museum and how our club's displays there during the museum's dedication last spring were a hit with visitors. The club also presented a pair of awards. Overall, a very nice time for me.
Work has been going well, helping make sure our customers are taken care of in an excellent manner. Since I'm working this Saturday morning, I worked a shortened day last Tuesday (14 Jan.), coming in late that morning. The improving weather during the week was most welcome, as virtually all of the snow we got the week before has melted.
Today is my off day, and I saw my podiatrist this morning. He had good news that my tendonitis has gotten much better and that I should be fine. No need to see him, he said, unless it really flares up, and surgery is needed (although he emphasized that is a remote possibility right now). Getting my laundry done, and taking care of some other household chores. Off to a Meetup in downtown St. Louis tonight.
Later.
Saturday was a socializing time, with back-to-back-to-back events. It started in mid-afternoon in Ballwin, when my one rental car branch colleague hosted our branch mates and their significant others for a reception. It was nice, not too loud, although being without a date did make it awkward for me. We then headed to Spazio in the Westport area for our firm's area party. That was much louder for my taste and I did not really feel happy there. Still, it was interesting to chat with some colleagues I worked with at my branch who are now at other branches.
After that, I was off to Vincenzo's Restaurant in Ferguson, Mo. for the IPMS/Gateway banquet. That was a very nice affair, with about 25 of us in the restaurant's private room. After a nice Italian dinner, we heard from the president of the Jefferson Barracks POW-MIA Museum, who spoke about his museum and how our club's displays there during the museum's dedication last spring were a hit with visitors. The club also presented a pair of awards. Overall, a very nice time for me.
Work has been going well, helping make sure our customers are taken care of in an excellent manner. Since I'm working this Saturday morning, I worked a shortened day last Tuesday (14 Jan.), coming in late that morning. The improving weather during the week was most welcome, as virtually all of the snow we got the week before has melted.
Today is my off day, and I saw my podiatrist this morning. He had good news that my tendonitis has gotten much better and that I should be fine. No need to see him, he said, unless it really flares up, and surgery is needed (although he emphasized that is a remote possibility right now). Getting my laundry done, and taking care of some other household chores. Off to a Meetup in downtown St. Louis tonight.
Later.
09 January 2014
So Cold and Snowy!
I was supposed to have co-hosted Writer's Block on Naturally Autistic Radio last Saturday (4 Jan.), but it was called off the night before by my co-host. We'll try again next month.
Early the next morning, the snow began coming down. By nightfall, we had about 12 inches (30.5 cm) of snow on the ground. I made four trips during the day to shovel snow off the driveway. i went in turns because the snow kept coming down during the day, aided by wind that blew snow onto the driveway. At least I got it in reasonable good shape by the next morning.
That Monday (7 Jan.) was one cold day for sure. We had a high temperature of about -5 degrees F (-20.5 degrees C), with the wind chill as much as -30 degrees F (-34 degrees C). Burr! I dressed in layers for work and stayed outside only as much as absolutely necessary. Despite the cold and snow, our car rental branch kept things going fine, although we did deal with some cancelled reservations early in the week. Still, our morale is good.
Tuesday night after work, I drove to Mark Twain Hobby Center in St. Charles for the IPMS/St. Louis meeting--the first at its new venue. However, I was the only one who showed up. Most likely the weather was to blame. I hope we get more people at next month's meeting.
On my off day today, I got a state inspection for safety and emissions for my Corolla, whose license plates are due to expire at the end of next month. The car passed the inspection. I also ordered some business cards I can use for business networking. They should be printed up for me in about a week or two.
Off to a workshop on dealing with rejection in interpersonal relations. I'll let you know how it goes next time.
Later.
Early the next morning, the snow began coming down. By nightfall, we had about 12 inches (30.5 cm) of snow on the ground. I made four trips during the day to shovel snow off the driveway. i went in turns because the snow kept coming down during the day, aided by wind that blew snow onto the driveway. At least I got it in reasonable good shape by the next morning.
That Monday (7 Jan.) was one cold day for sure. We had a high temperature of about -5 degrees F (-20.5 degrees C), with the wind chill as much as -30 degrees F (-34 degrees C). Burr! I dressed in layers for work and stayed outside only as much as absolutely necessary. Despite the cold and snow, our car rental branch kept things going fine, although we did deal with some cancelled reservations early in the week. Still, our morale is good.
Tuesday night after work, I drove to Mark Twain Hobby Center in St. Charles for the IPMS/St. Louis meeting--the first at its new venue. However, I was the only one who showed up. Most likely the weather was to blame. I hope we get more people at next month's meeting.
On my off day today, I got a state inspection for safety and emissions for my Corolla, whose license plates are due to expire at the end of next month. The car passed the inspection. I also ordered some business cards I can use for business networking. They should be printed up for me in about a week or two.
Off to a workshop on dealing with rejection in interpersonal relations. I'll let you know how it goes next time.
Later.
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