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.

A busy weekend, then a calm week

Early Saturday morning, I drove to Liberty, Missouri (northeast of Kansas City) for the IPMS West Central Missouri Model Fest show. It was very nice, with a new show high for attendees, contest entries (about 400), and vendors. I helped judge two armor categories and had a fine time there. I also got to meet some IPMS members from the Kansas City, Wichita and Des Moines areas who were at the show, and plug the IPMS Gateway Invitational this September. I drove home that night.
The next morning, I was at Jefferson Barracks Park refereeing Latin American Soccer League men's games. These were my first games in this league's season, and I was a bit apprehensive going in. They went pretty well, although the first game (my middle) did test my game control skills considerably.
Tuesday night, I ran the IPMS Gateway general meeting, where I gave a report on the Kansas City show and heard about the display we put on last Saturday at a veteran's home in St. Louis County. That display went real well and may lead to more projects involving those veterans.
Not much else happening this week, but got a call yesterday from my Census Bureau crew leader reminding me about the first training session this Tuesday morning. Looking forward to some full time work for a few weeks.
Later.

Some April This and That

Since April Fool's Day, I refereed and watched some soccer. The watching included two friendlies at the A-B Soccer Park in Fenton on 3 April: St. Louis U. vs. SIU-Edwardsville men, followed by AC St. Louis vs. Kansas City Wizards. Last Sunday (11 April), I was there to watch Saint Louis Athletica open WPS action with a 2-0 win over FC Gold Pride. The day before (10 April), I refereed two under-18 boys' games in Maryland Heights in a college showcase event. They went well; they were practically friendlies, intended for the players to show their stuff before college coaches in attendance.
You should notice something in new photos I'll have taken next week. Specifically, new eyeglasses. I had an eye exam done on 6 April -- the first time in about five years -- and the eyes are fine, apart from some nearsightedness in my left eye. I then ordered two pairs of glasses, which should come in the first half of next week.
I went to a networking event last Tuesday (13 April), where I got wind of a communications professionals networking group. That group has a meeting early next month, which I will attend, and maybe they can be of help to me in my job search.
Counting down the days until I start my US Census Bureau temporary job on 27 April, with four days of training. Should be interesting for about eight weeks.
Last Wednesday, I drove to Smartt Field, an airfield in Portage de Sioux, Missouri (St. Charles County) for a meeting of the Missouri Aviation Historical Society. It's a group that's been around a bit, and it was my second meeting I went to. I hope to see this group grow in the years ahead.
That's it for now. Later.

A New Post (NOT April Fool's)

Last Friday, I joined the Stress Free Fridays crowd at the Black Label bar in downtown St. Louis. First time there and I like the place. I even autographed a $1 bill that was taped to the bar's rear wall.
Rain late last week caused my Saturday morning games to be called off, but I did get in the games Saturday afternoon. It was a tournament played at Sportport and it involved younger youth teams (under-14 and below), which made a nice change of pace for me. I worked three games, all of under-8 to under-11 kids, and they went fine. However, a lot of rain overnight washed out my games on Sunday for that tournament.
I got good news by phone last Monday, when the US Census Bureau asked me to come back to them as an enumerator this year. I had worked in this job a year ago, helping lay the groundwork for the 2010 Census. I would be doing the same, including visiting households that did not mail their census forms back. (Our household did so last month.) Training for four days would be in the last week of April, then the work would run for up to eight weeks.
Last night, I worked two boys soccer games at the SLYSA Complex. I had an armful in the under 17 match, when I had to deal with a rather unruly team and coach. I issued nine yellow cards -- six to one team -- and they were mostly for unsporting behavior. I also warned both teams' coaches, separately, for stepping out of their technical areas. One coach did it again, and I dismissed him. They were irate, especially as the match ended in a draw, with the tying goal scored at the end of the time I was adding on waiting for the coach to leave the field area. I wrote up a report and turned it in to the league office this morning. We just can't have that kind of behavior among coaches in youth soccer. It sets a bad example for their players and just makes the referees' jobs more difficult.
Looking forward to Stress Free Fridays tomorrow night, and Easter weekend. No big plans, except to watch a pair of soccer friendlies Saturday night at the Soccer Park in Fenton. At 5 pm, St. Louis U. and SIU-Edwardsville renew the Bronze Boot Game, followed by AC St. Louis vs. Kansas City Wizards at 7 pm. Should be neat.
Happy Easter all my fellow Christians. Later.