What's Happening with the Weather?

This morning, I woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground and freezing temperatures. This only five days after temperatures touched 70 degrees F.
Go figure.
Had some futsal games last weekend. Season's ending this weekend -- I have games tomorrow night. It's been pretty good, considering I (and my colleagues) had to learn a few new laws of futsal and it took a while to get used to them. It will be glad to be outside, though, and I have some games Sunday. (I had some scheduled for tomorrow, but they were called off. Perhaps concern over the weather.)
Tuesday, I can the IPMS/Gateway business meeting, hosted by Marion Morris. It was fine, as we planned out the March meeting and discussed some other business. Wednesday, I bought a car kit to do for the May contest and its Anything Yellow special category. Should be interesting. Already been gathering reference info on this subject.
I'm off to a trivia night in Oakville tonight. My referee assocation is hosting the event, which benefits the Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA). I'll let you know how it goes in my next post here.
Later.

At Last, Warmer Weather

The weather did pick up this week, and the last of the snow and ice was just about melted today. It certainly feels much better being out and about.
I was getting used to the new TV in my room. It's working out real well. Now I can watch HD programs on an HD TV. I just have to remember to call up the HD channels when I go to a station. The DVR/VCR is hooked up and working well.
Last weekend, I refereed futsal games on Sat. night at Omni in St. Peters and Sun. night at Christian Academy in Maryland Heights. They went well, although the last game I was scheduled for on Saturday was a washout, as neither team showed up. It would have been nice to have been told in advance it would be the case, but at least I'd get paid for being there. The season's almost done, and I have games this weekend. Then, it's looking forward to outdoor season.
Tuesday, I joined my Dad at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis for the Engineers Week luncheon. My Dad's a former equipment engineer and is a life member of the national and missouri societies of professional engineers. The luncheon's speaker was NASA astronaut Mike Foreman, who flew on two Space Shuttle missions. He showed video of the most recent of those, STS-129 last year, and talked about his background and how he became an astronaut. It was quite an interesting speech.
That night, I ran the IPMS/Gateway meeting at Calvary Presbyterian Church. Our first contest towards Modeler of the Year drew a good crowd of entries: 31 models, by my count, incluidng 10 in the Out of the Box special catetory for this month. My 1:72 scale Tupolev I-4 (Nakotne kit) was entered in the special category, but did not place. I was glad to have finished that kit that afternoon; it was a bear to assemble. I entered the 1:700 scale submarine USS Dallas (Dragon kit) in the Ships category and it took first place. I can't recall the last time I took first in a club contest, but I'm happy with the result. (Photos of those two models are attached.) At the meeting, we also firmed up the Same Kit Contest rules and distributed kits (1:48 scale P-51D Mustang by Revell) to the 21 members taking part. (I'm one of them.) The plan is for these kits to be completed and entered at the June meeting. Should be no problem for me.
Last night, I was at Van Goghz, a restaurant and bar in south St. Louis, for a meet up dinner. It was my first time at that establishment, and I liked it a lot. Their filet mignon dinner was only $6.99 that night. Very good value for the money, and the conversation among our group was very nice. I definitely recomment Van Goghz.
Later.

Another Year Older, and -- What?

I celebrated my birthday two days ago. Yes, I'm another year older, although my friend Beth McSpadden continues to insist I'm still a young chicken. It was a low-key day for me, although my parents took me out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse that night. That was nice, and we had cake when we came back home. Yes, I did blow out some candles on the cake before it was cut.
The day before, my Dad and I shopped by Best Buy. My parents decided to give me a TV set as a birthday gift, so we picked out a nice 22 inch LCD set. Not that the 19 inch tube set I've had for the past about 9 years was terrible, but it was nice to be able to upgrade to a set that would show HD programs to full effect. I used it to watch the Super Bowl and some old movies on Sunday night. The next morning, I turned on the TV, only it did not get the channel. We called the cable company and they sent a technician the next morning. Strangly, he found it was a matter of the output setting on the TV's remote control. D'oh! So obviously simple, yet under the radar for me. I noted down which setting to use for TV viewing and for playing and recording DVDs. Additionally, I bought an HDMI cable to hook up the TV to the cable box, for better HD reception.
Before all that, I got through another week of cold and snow-covered ground. Got some scale modeling done, with two models nearing completion for the IPMS/Gateway contest next week. Friday night, I enjoyed Stress Free Fridays at Ginger Bistro in the Delmar Loop. The next afternoon, I made a brief stop at Webster University to watch the first half of the men's basketball game vs. MacMurray and to take in the halftime ceremony, in which four former student-athletes were inducted into the university's athletic hall of fame. I chatted with two of the inductees, who I knew when I worked there 20 years ago, and with several other former student-athletes and student managers that I knew from then. I got back home, changed, and refereed youth futsal in St. Peters that night.
Sunday morning last, I was at church -- this time as an usher. I had never done this in a long time, but my parents and a few others said I did well. I may do more such ushering in the future, my schedule permitting.
Later.

Sleet and Snow and Cold Today

After having gotten out from the snow that fell here on 20 January, last night we got some sleet, followed today by some snow. Some more snow and sleet to come tonight and early tomorrow. Roads were real slick, and I had no place to go. (The IPMS/St. Louis meeting tonight was called all this morning, by the Thornhill Branch Library, which was closed today.) Hope I can get out a bit tomorrow.
Since my last blog post, I went to a dinner in University City on 20 Jan. put on my St. Louis United FC, a soccer supporters group (www.stlunitedfc.net). They screened the documentary Pelada for us. They'll meet again later this month. Two days later, I went to a Meetup of singles in Crestwood that discussed online dating web sites, with their pros and cons. I also got some praise for my profile on one of those sites. I refereed some futsal the next night in Maryland Heights.
I had my monthly referee clinic in west St. Louis County on 24 Jan., in which offside was discussed at length, with the help of an audio/visual program. The next night was the IPMS/Gateway business meeting, held here at my parents' house. We (the club's executive board) planned the February meeting (Tue., 15 Feb.) and discussed some other club business. I was at Renee's Bar & Grill in University City for Stress Free Fridays on the 28th, and refereed futsal in St. Peters the next night. I was back in U. City on Sunday, the 30th for an informal meeting of the Meetup group that met in Crestwood just over a week before.
Hope the weather's nicer by my next post, and by my birthday next week. Later.

Snow Day Today

I woke up this morning to quite a bit of snow on the ground, with more falling. I would say my parents and I got about 6 inches (15.2 cm) of snow by now, with a bit more coming down by this evening. Just over a week ago, we got a bit of snow here in St. Louis. That melted by the first half of this week, but now we have fresh snow covering the ground, including our backyard. (See the photo I took this morning.)
Despite last week's snow, I did make it to the Highlands Brewing Co. in Kirkwood last Tuesday night (11 Jan.) for the monthly Yellow Tie networking event. It was a pretty nice happy hour, enlivened by seeing an old Webster University colleague, Gina March, who I have not seen in person for nearly 20 years. She was doing well as we got caught up on things. We've been in touch online, but it was good to see Gina. I asked her to tell her husband hi for me and she said she would.
Last Friday night, I was in west St. Louis at The In Spot for Stress Free Fridays. I've been to that establishment a few times before and really like the place. Had a nice time as usual with Stress Free Fridays.
Last weekend, I made two round trips to Omni Sportsplex in St. Peters and back, in about 36 hours. This was for refereeing the Midwest Regional Futsal Championships. I worked three games Saturday night, then six more Sunday morning and afternoon. They went well, generally, and the out of town teams especially appreciated the efforts of myself and other referees in calling the games. I'm scheduled to referee this Sunday night.
Tuesday, I drove to the Delmar Loop for a lunch meeting with Darlene, one of my Stress Free Fridays friends. She asked me to help her with a few small brochures she's putting out for her organization. I agreed and will get the materials soon to get going on these. (This meeting was originally to have been on the previous Tuesday, 11 Jan., but was pushed back a week due to the snow at that time.)
Also on Tuesday, I ran the IPMS/Gateway meeting in Mehlville. This was our annual Swap and Sell and Kit Auction meeting, and we had a great turnout of people. Several members and guests brought kits and related items to sell or trade, and I auctioned off kits and related items to benefit the club's picnic and banquet later in the year. It was good fun and we raised some money. I ended up with three kits I won in the auction, all for $5, and I also donated several items that were auctioned off. I host the monthly club business meeting this coming Tuesday night.
I hope all of you are safe where you are. Take care & talk to you later.

Into 2011

I had a rather low-key New Year's Eve. Just spent it at home, watching a marathon of Marx Brothers movies on Turner Classic Movies. I was in bed just after midnight. I was just too tired to stay up much longer. New Year's Day, I was at the County Government Center in Clayton for the inauguration of County Executive Charlie Dooley, and three other officials. It was the first time I attended a political inauguration and I found it a very nice ceremony. After the swearings in and brief speeches from the officials in the County Council chamber, there was a reception just outside that Chamber.
Sun., 2 January started with a brunch at Crepes etc. in the Central West End with the MeetUp group on human sexuality. It was a nice affair, with about nine of us present, talking about matters of love and sex. I then went home to change and drove to Christian Academy in Maryland Heights to referee four youth futsal matches. It makred my first use of the referee watch and the red long sleeve referee shirt, both of which Doug and Helen (his girlfriend) gave me for Christmas. Both items worked brilliantly.
Tue., 4 Jan., I ran the IPMS St. Louis meeting at Thornhill Branch Library and that was fine. The next night, I refereed two boys' under 18 soccer matches at the Anheuser-Busch Center (Soccer Park) in Fenton. They were a bit challenging, in keeping players in line when they were acting up, but we got through both games OK.
I enjoyed Stress Free Fridays on Fri., 7 Jan. at the Cotton Club in Kinloch. Had a couple of beers, a vodka shot, and got in a bit of dancing. I made it home OK, though. The next night found me in St. Peters, refereeing more youth futsal games. They went well.
Later tonight, I'm off to a MeetUp of St. Louis City residents and friends in Soulard, although we're supposed to get some snow tonight and tomorrow morning. The weather forecast is calling for three to six inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) of snow by midday tomorrow, when I have a lunch meeting in the University City Loop with a friend regarding a work project of her's. Don't forget the milk and bread!
Later.

Once More for 2010

Just under six hours remain in the year 2010 as I write these words. Let me get in one more blog post before 2011 arrives.
On Friday 17 December, two IPMS Gateway clubmates and I came to Gravois Bluffs Shopping Center in Fenton, Missouri. Y98 radio was hosting a marathon broadcast that day, and this was the opportunity for our club to donate our $451 raised in the past year to the US Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots. I presented the check to the USMCR on our behalf and the Marines were very pleased to receive the money. Thanks to the generosity of club members and Gateway Invitational attendees (due to the club's 50/50 raffles, silent auctions of kits, and the big raffle at the Invitational), some Metro St. Louis children had a Merry Christmas with a toy under the tree. (Tom Bogacki took the photo you see here of me holding the check with two of the Marines.)
That night, I went to Stress Free Fridays at Palomino Lounge on Delmar in west St. Louis. Had a fine time with the gang.
The next day (18 Dec.), I refereed futsal at Omni in St. Peters, Missouri that afternoon, then went home to change and then to DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton, Missouri for the IPMS Gateway banquet. It was a fine event, with good food and company. I was master of ceremonies and didn't do too bad, I think. In that capacity, I presented our Ron Foulks (Modeler of the Year) and Bob Stroup (Outstanding Achievement) awards. Tom Bogacki won the former and Tony Kirk the latter, although Tony could not be present, due to the funeral of his stepson earlier that day. The banquet's featured speaker was Sgt. Clarence Cherry, a B-17 Flying Fortress waist gunner who flew 29 missions over Europe in World War II. He served in the 100th Bomb Wing (Heavy), 8th Air Force in England. It was fascinating to hear Sgt. Cherry's tales of the missions over German-held Europe and the stateside training that came before and after his combat tour.
IPMS Gateway's meeting on 21 Dec. was memorable for me on two counts. One, I was reelected president by acclamation for 2011 (no other candidate stepped up). Two, I won a raffle prize in our big kit raffle held at the December meeting. I selected a two-ship kit.
The good health slipped from me Christmas Eve morning, when I woke up to vomiting. I caught stomach flu and was bed ridden for almost all that Friday and much of Christmas day. Not the best of time to be sick, for sure. I had to back out of a luncheon date with my good friend from high school Tim Popp, who was in town for the holiday. I was well enough to open presents Christmas morning with my parents. Among the gifts I got was a new day planner binder (the one I had dated back to 1994 and showed it), and a new watch I can use for my soccer refereeing. It was a nice Christmas, otherwise.
On a sad note, my sister in-law Linnea Hauge died Saturday morning after battling breast cancer. She was 46 years old and was a sister of my brother Brian's wife, Gretchen. I met Linnea at Brian and Gretchen's wedding in 2000 and she came across to me as a bright and nice person. So sad to see someone like her taken away well before her time. RIP, Linnea, and my deepest condolences to everyone near and dear to her.
Having recovered from the stomach flu, I ran the IPMS Gateway business meeting Tuesday night (28 Dec.) at Mike George's house in Florissant, Missouri. We planned our January meeting (the annual Swap & Sell and Kit Auction), plus determined the special categories for our 2011 contests towards Modeler of the Year. Check out the club at http://ipms-gateway.com.
The last two nights, I was at the Immacolata Catholic Church's gymnasium in Richmond Heights, Missouri. The 2nd Annual Mary McDermott 3rd Grade Basketball Tournament was held this week, with girls and boys teams from Immacolata and other Catholic parishes playing. Mary McDermott was the daughter of my friend, Bill McDermott, graphic designer and St. Louis' Mr. Soccer. Mary died from a heart ailment in 2008, aged only 24. All proceeds from this event benefit the Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. It felt good to show up and support this most worthy cause.
Anyway, that's it for 2010. See you in 2011! Let's all hope it a very good year for all of us.
Later.