Weathering the Storm

I've read the Bible's account of how it stormed while Jesus was crucified on the original Good Friday. This past Good Friday (22 April) had a major storm, with high winds and rain, plus a bit of light hail. The worst of the storm -- a series of tornadoes -- hit well north of me. I'm just so glad no person was seriously injured by those tornadoes. I was at a party at Fraley's in south St. Louis County, which several people I knew in high school had gathered. A few of them I have been in fairly regular contact, primarily through Facebook, but others I had not seen in years. It was neat, although the news about the storm did take an edge off things.
One of those Mehlville alums, Elena Billot (maiden name Arnavat), had asked through Facebook for a lift, as her car was destroyed in a recent crash. I volunteered to give her a lift to the party, and she accepted. I drove to her residence to pick her up, and took her to the party. I had not seen Elena in many years, and we both enjoyed ourselves at the event. I drove her back home, by which time there was just a light rain and slight winds. (The attached photo from Elena is of her and yours truly at that party.)
The next Day (Sat., 23 April), I was refereeing boys soccer in Maryland Heights. The games went real well.
Easter Sunday (24 April), I went to church with my parents, and enjoyed dinner at home. Just relaxed at home the rest of the day.
Monday (25 April), I went to The Creative Group office in downtown St. Louis to get reactivated with that temp agency. Hopefully, I'll get some assignment soon. (The previous Friday, I was reactivated by the other agency I've signed with, Creatives on Call.) I went to the monthly soccer referee clinic that night, where we had a discussion on employing common sense in our refereeing.
Tuesday night (26 April) saw me in House Springs, Missouri for the IPMS/Gateway business meeting, hosted by Brad and Julie Vaughn at their house. We had a light meeting among the officers present, and planned our May general meeting.
Last night (27 April), I was at St. Louis University High School (SLUH) in west St. Louis to run line on an under-14 boys Midwest Regional League match. It was pouring rain much of the night, so we were glad it was played on artificial turf. The game went well, despite not having as much light as we want on the field. (One of the field's light standards was blown down by a recent storm and improvised lights weren't ideal.)
Later.

A Road Trip, Then Car Trouble

Last Friday (15 April), I had a brief visit to Lola in downtown St. Louis for Stress Free Fridays. It's one of my favorite happy hour spots, and I enjoyed being there for the good times, including a nice band playing 70s and 80s r&b hits. I got home and got some sleep, for I was up just after 4 am the next morning.
Before dawn on Saturday, I got in my car and started driving to Kansas City for the IPMS West Central Missouri Model Fest show, which was held in the Gathering Place (multi-purpose hall) of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. It was a real nice show, with nearly 400 model contest entries, plus several vendors (including two from Metro St. Louis: Chris Merseal's CRM Hobbies, and Frank Ciccarella's Frank & Sons Tri State Hobbies). I had three entries in the contest. Neither were serious contenders, but that's not the point; the point is that I entered. Having bought six raffle tickets, I got lucky with two prizes (both model kits). I helped judge the armor entries in the contest, and there were some real fine models entered. While at the show, I also got to plug IPMS Gateway's Invitational on 10 Sept. in Eureka, Missouri. (Details at http://ipms-gateway.com.) I took a self portrait as the contest awards were handed out at the end of the show.
After the show, I made the drive home (just over four hours each way), and as I pulled the car into the driveway, the engine sputtered and stopped. I somehow got it restarted and pulled it into the driveway. The next day, I called AAA and -- after a mechanic looked at it and we gave the engine a test run -- a tow truck towed my car into a auto service place. I got it back late Monday afternoon, after having over $400 in repairs done to it. The service place mechanic told me I should think about getting a replacement car soon. After I told this to my parents, they said they would help me in getting a good used car. That's most appreciated.
The expense that will likely entail, combined with health insurance premiums (just been approved for a plan) and a lack of near term income forced me to cancel my further tae kwan do lessons, at least for now. I told the facility's grandmaster today of my decision, and he understood my circumstances. He immediately cancelled any further membership payments on my part, and hoped I would be able to rejoin when conditions improve. (He and the chief instructor both liked my efforts as a novice, and I told them I really enjoyed this and that my decision to withdraw had nothing to do with the facility, its instructors and with tae kwan do, but rather a case of bottom line economics.
Running last Tuesday's IPMS Gateway meeting, we weathered quite a storm outside (high winds and rain, and a possible tornado threat). Fortunately, the worst of the storm passed us by and we got through the meeting without incident.
To all my fellow Western Rite Christians, I wish you all a very Happy Easter this Sunday. Also, Happy Easter one week early for my fellow Eastern Rite Christians. Also, a belated Happy Passover to the Jews reading this.
Later.

Workouts and An Online Radio Interview

I was back to refereeing soccer last weekend. Saturday, I worked four matches (all of under-14 boys) at a showcase tournament in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The four matches had teams from Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska and Missouri, and each had their own challenges. Overall, they went well.
Sunday afternoon, I was interviewed online about my editing work, on the Blog Talk Radio program Autistic People, People First. The hosts interviewed me over the hour on my experiences working as a publications editor, and how my Asperger's syndrome has factored in my work. It went very well and I am very happy with this interview. You can download the interview and listen to it on your computer by going here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/autistic-people-/2011/04/10/anca-sundays--with-special-guest-interview-editor-bob-delaney
Sunday night, I worked one under-14 boys soccer game at St. Louis U. High in west St. Louis. It was a Midwest Regional League match involving two local teams, which was scoreless until one team scored the only goal late in the match.
Tuesday morning found me at a financial services firm in Creve Coeur for a Yellow tie networking event. I chatted with a few people there -- some I've known, others I met for the first time. One of the latter said she knew someone in PR that I should meet with and would get back to me on that matter. (She hasn't yet, as I write this.)
I was at the martial arts studio on Wednesday midday for taekwando. Afterward, the headmaster offered me to join up and start going twice a week, instead of once a week has I had. I agreed and will be doing so in the coming week.
Been making minor repairs on a model today, getting it ready to take to Kansas City, Missouri this Saturday for the IPMS West Central Missouri show, Model Fest. I'm looking forward to it; it's a neat event and it's also a great way to promote IPMS Gateway's Invitational in September.
Later.

A Successful Campaign Ends, and Tae Kwan Do Begins

Tuesday night, I was at the Seven Gables Inn in Clayton to celebrate the election of Jake Zimmerman as St. Louis County Assessor. Along with other volunteers, I had placed hundreds of phone calls on Zimmerman's behalf to likely voters in the days leading up to the election, and on election day itself. They helped pay off in Zimmerman's comfortable victory margin over his opponent, Chip Wood. I'm gratified that I could play at least a small part in this success.
The past two Wednesdays found me at a martial arts studio in Oakville taking my first lessons in Tae Kwan Do. I had won a gift certificate at the soccer referee trivia night last February for a month's lessons at the facility, so I decided to give it a shot. It was an eye opener for me, never having tried any martial art before, and all the stretching made me a bit sore afterward, but I stayed with it and the instructors there are most helpful. I'll be back and take this as much as I can.
A week ago (31 March), St. Louis United FC had its monthly dinner at The Pasta House Co. in U. City. They had a buffet dinner, a raffle for some prizes, and a screening of the documentary "Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos." I lent the DVD to the group, and it was well received by this crowd. Some men who either played with or against the Cosmos during the late 1970s/early 1980s were there to share their stories. A fine time had by all.
Back to soccer refereeing Saturday afternoon and evening, and Sunday night. This Sunday afternoon, I'm on an internet radio show, from 2 to 3 pm (CT); that's 1400 to 1500 hours CT on 24-hour time. This program is Autistic People, People First, presented by Naturally Autistic ANCA on Blog Talk Radio. I'll be interviewed about my editing work (including for Naturally Autistic magazine), and how having Asperger's syndrome affects my work. You can find out more on the show here: http://www.naturallyautistic.com/radio-show/. I'll hope you tune in and join in the chat room or call in with your question during the show. They will have the program available to download after the show, in case you miss it when it airs.
Before I go, my parents Harold & Joan Delaney celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, 6 April. The three of us went to dinner at Bristol Seafood Grill in Creve Coeur, Missouri and had a wonderful time.
Later.

Strange Weather of Late

A week ago, it was above 70 degrees F here in St. Louis; however, by Sunday morning, it was freezing with 3 inches of snow on the ground. What gives here? Strange spring weather.
It was a rather quiet week. I did work on a car model I'm aiming to complete for the May IPMS/Gateway contest. I've got the body painted and gloss coated for decals to apply on it tomorrow. I ran the IPMS/Gateway business meeting last Tuesday night, in which we got the April meeting planned and discussed a bit of other club business. Thursday night and Sunday afternoon, I worked a phone bank for Jake Zimmerman's campaign for St. Louis County Assessor in the April 5 election. I'm working for the Zimmerman campaign now, and will be doing phone bank and other get out the vote efforts between now and next Tuesday's vote.
Friday night, I was at Level 2 in University City for Stress Free Fridays. They had a raffle to help someone with his medical bills. I got lucky and won a T-shirt and a bottle opener. Not big prizes, of course, but it's the thought that counts.
Got in a bit of shopping at CRM Hobbies last Saturday afternoon, as well as dropping off flyers for the IPMS/Gateway Invitational, which were most welcome by the shop.
Hope we have some improved weather this week, especially with the Cardinals' home opener Thursday afternoon.
Later.
(The self-taken photo was of me on the front porch Saturday afternoon.)

A Restless Couple of Weeks

The weekend prior to St. Patrick's Day was rather interesting. On Friday the 11th, I went to a dinner at Malone's in Bridgeton with a Meetup group. Had a nice time there. That Saturday and Sunday, I was refereeing in a youth soccer tournament at Sportport. I actually missed my first game assignment on Saturday, due to a communications mix-up, but after that, things went well for that weekend.
On Tue., 15 March, I ran the IPMS/Gateway meeting. That went well, with a decal demonstration and a "beauty contest" (with a strong turnout of models).
On the mornings of Thu. the 17th and Fri. the 18th, I was at a job search workshop in Webster Groves. I sat through programs on career resources, resumes, networking, and interviews. Much of these info I had heard before, but some was rather new to me. There were quite a few people there (about 70, I estimate), which should tell you about the times we're in now.
Thu. night, I worked a phone back on behalf of Jake Zimmerman, Democrat for St. Louis County Assessor in the 5 April election. I'll be doing some more such calls for Zimmerman's campaign between now and the election.
Saturday morning, I was at Mueller Field in St. Charles officiating Midwest Regional League u-14 girls games, which went well. I had a couple of GSLS u-12 girls games at the Soccer Park yesterday morning. No problems with either contest.
Now, on to another week. Take care. Later.

Sorry It's Been Awhile,...

The trivia night on Fri., 25 Feb. at Andre's was a good night. Especially, because the team I was on repeated as champion, getting 75 of 100 questions correct. Some of these were more challenging than last year, but I was able to help as much as I could with my tablemates. The big winners, though, were the Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA), which receives the proceeds from this event.
Wrapped up my season of refereeing futsal on Sat. night, 26 February. That was OK. Worked the start of the spring outdoor season the next day, and did more games the following weekend (5-6 March). Going fine so far, although the weather has been on a major up-and-down trip the past two weeks.
Ran the IPMS/St. Louis meeting on 1 March at Thornhill Branch Library. We showed off a few models completed or in the works. I have three models in various stages of construction, all aimed at the May IPMS/Gateway meeting's contest. More on those in future posts.
Last week, I proofread some more pages for my one friend's workplace. I went through the batch over three days. No major glitches were found; just a few minor grammar and punctuation issues.
Last night, I was at Amini's Rugs & Game Room in Chesterfield for the monthly Yellow Tie networking event. It was nice, meeting a few people there for the first time and (hopefully) getting a step closer to finding a job. Then, I went to the Barnes & Noble store in Chesterfield that I worked at just over four years ago to browse and enjoy cheesecake and coffee in the cafe. Also chatted with a colleague from when I worked there, who's still there. She told me she's one of the few people left from when that store opened back in mid-2006.
That's it for now. Later.