A Frozen Fortnight

The past two weeks here in the St. Louis area have seen sub-freezing temperatures. Just this past Friday afternoon (19 February) did the temperature break 32 degrees F (0 degrees C). At times, the wind chill factor dropped to as low as -20 degreesw F (-29 degrees C). In that time, we got approximately 6 inches (15.2 cm) of snow. This combimed with ice on the road to make travel difficult at times during that stretch. I stayed inside as much as possible during this fortnight, venturing outside only for work. It was tough sometimes at the car rental branch when I had to step outside, though having layers of clothing on helped. Last Sunday morning (14 February), I drove to STL Athletic Center (https://stlathleticcenter.com/) in Fenton, where I refereed four boys soccer matches played indoors. These were 7-a-side matches for under 10 and 11 teams, with me as the sole referee. They went well, for the most part, and I was happy to get back to refereeing with the spring outdoor season beginning next weekend.

Cold and snowy roads caused the Affton Elks to close their lodge (https://www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?LodgeNumber=2635) to IPMS/Gateway (https://sites.google.com/view/ipmsgatewaychapter/home) last Tuesday night (16 February), forcing the club to cancel this month's meeting. It would have been the first one I would run as president this year. IPMS/Gateway will try again next month, on 16 March. Off work last Wednesday (17 February), I went with my Mom that morning to Walmart (https://www.walmart.com/?&adid=22222222224226138098&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10387014087&wl4=kwd-64003623973:aud-808579512:loc-190&wl5=89382&wl6=&wl7=&wl14=walmart&veh=sem&msclkid=e96e7fbcffbe111c4aa51f8e5764484b) to shop for groceries and a new toaster. In the afternoon, I shoveled show off the driveway. Fortunately, the dry snow was easy to remove from the driveway and front porch.

The past two Saturday mornings had meetings of Missouri Professional Communicators (https://www.moprocommunicators.org/) that I attended via Zoom (https://zoom.us/). The General Meeting on 13 February featured two guests: Author Vivian Gibson ("The Last Children of Mill Creek") and life-writer Linda Austin ("Cherry Blossoms in Twlilight: Memories of a Japanese Girl."). They spoke about writing memoirs, using their experiences in suggesting how we could do similar written works. A Planning Meeting for upcoming meetings and activities was held yesterday morning (20 February). 

With the weather getting warmer this week, the snow and ice will melt away. Getting around on foot or vehicle will be much easier.

Later.

Mr. President (of IPMS/Gateway)

After work this past Tuesday (19 January), I went from work to Affton Elks Lodge 2635 (Elks.org :: Lodge #2635 Home) for this month's IPMS/Gateway (IPMS Gateway Chapter (google.com)) meeting. We had the final 2020 Modeler of the Year Contest, delayed from November, plus nominations and elections for this year's club executive board (e-board). I was one of two nominees for President, and members attending then voted. After jokes about possible voter fraud (alluding to the 2020 US Presidential election), I was announced as the winner. Outgoing President Rick Keasey (who could not run again this year due to term limits) said he would recognize the result and handed the office off to me after this night's meeting.

I previously served as club President a few years ago, but I am honored to be chosen again by my club mates to serve in this role in 2021. We continue to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has cut into meeting attendance and model contests around the country, but I am happy to accept the responsibilities of this office. Granted, I will also continue to serve as editor of the club's newsletter (The Arch Scaler News), run the club's public relations and social media efforts, and serve as Region 14 Coordinator for IPMS/USA (IPMS/USA | By Modelers... For Modelers). However, I feel I can handle all these jobs at once.

The meeting Tuesday night also had an interesting presentation by Jim Victor on pre-dreadnought battleships. It was a fine night and hope to see more in the months to come--with more attendees to boot!

Later.

Getting Out the IPMS Gateway Newsletter

Yesterday morning (16 January), I completed work editing this month's issue of The Arch Scaler News, the member newsletter of the Gateway Chapter of the International Plastic Modelers' Society (IPMS Gateway Chapter (google.com)). I usually get this out on a Thursday but delays in getting some content set it back until yesterday. Not having had a meeting last month, due to pandemic-related public gathering restrictions, and not much else in content meant this month's newsletter would be a thin one. Still, I was able to make it work.

After proofreading the copy, I took it to Office Max (Office Depot OfficeMax | Official Online Store) in Mehlville to run off three copies for those members without email access. After printing up the newsletters, and adding mailing address labels, I took the copies over to the United States Postal Service (Welcome | USPS) store at South County Center (South County Center | St. Louis MO (shopsouthcountycenter.com)). There, I bought stamps, which I affixed to the newsletters before putting them in the mail collection slot.

That afternoon, I emailed the newsletter to the rest of the membership, as well as some other parties. The latter include area hobby shops, IPMS/USA (IPMS/USA | By Modelers... For Modelers), and chapters in IPMS/USA Region 14, which includes IPMS/Gateway and for whom I serve as its Region Coordinator.

IPMS/Gateway holds its next meeting this Tuesday night at Affton Elks Lodge 2635 (Elks.org :: Lodge #2635 Home) . They will hold nominations and voting for this year's officers, the final 2020 Modeler of the Year Contest, and a presentation on pre-dreadnought battleships.

Later.

New Printer/Scanner/Copier; Website Possibilities

Last Wednesday afternoon (6 January), I drove to the Best Buy (https://www.bestbuy.com/) store in the Chesterfield Commons Shopping Center (https://www.mallscenters.com/malls/missouri/chesterfield-commons). I went there to pick up a new Epson (https://epson.com/usa) Expression Premium XP-7100 printer/scanner/copier. I had ordered it online the day after Christmas. This replaces an Epson Stylus NX430 I had been using for over eight years, and which was showing its age. Bringing it home, I unpacked the box, checked out the comonents, then assembled it and connected the device to the wireless network. Then, I made a few test prints with it, and was most impressed. It has a faster print speed compared to the NX430, including with color prints. Also, in making two-sided prints, I don't need to print one side, then refeed the paper to print the other. On the XP-7100, it does that automatically. I also like how the individual color ink cartidges, including one for black photo as well as the standard black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The newer device is much easier to connect with the WiFi network than the NX430. The XP-7100 will work great for me.

My priority this week is putting out this month's newsletter for IPMS/Gateway (https://sites.google.com/view/ipmsgatewaychapter/home), but then I want to move on setting up a website for posting my work samples in public relations, writing, and editing. I feel such a site would help me in my search for a job in those fields. Debbie Reinhardt, my colleague in Missouri Professional Communicators (https://www.moprocommunicators.org/), sent me some ideas earlier this month. They include Wix (https://www.wix.com/html5bing/hiker-create-wix?msclkid=dead3e2727c41e5f425461d09e4bf92d&utm_medium=cpc), which has a free website version I could use. She's used that in developing the organization's new website. Debbie also suggested Weebly (https://www.weebly.com/lp/websites/dual-tst?c=mkt_w_chnl:semb_geo:US_prtnr:bng_camp:B-S-Brand-EM-US_campid:329829766_ag:weebly_agid:1278732246754097_kw:weebly_mt:e_dvc:c&msclkid=a8ec231c96a716c427617ceb2cf6eba0&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B-S-Brand-EM-US&utm_term=weebly&utm_content=weebly), which also has a free setup and various templates to select from in developing a website.

I should have a decision on the website to go with by the end of January. Any input you may have in this matter is much appreciated.

Later.

Into 2021 at Last!

Wednesday (30 December), on my off day from work, I took an online recertification course on refereeing soccer. It's part of the annual process, which usually includes an in-service clinic; however, the pandemic ended that clinic, and all the process was done online. I began with amodule on the law changes and a quiz about that that I had to pass with a perfect score. I did pass, on the third try. I then took the test on the Laws of the Game, which I did pass with flying colors. It's an open book test, but the way some of these questions are phrased meant it wasn't easy. Finally, I gave proof that I passed the renewal of my SafeSport certification. This is for any issues of misconduct (such as physical and mental abuse, and secual harassment). Earlier in the week, I sent the state youth referee administrator a self addressed stamped envelope, so that he can send me my 2021 referee badge after I completed the recertification process.

After an abbreviated workday at Enterprise (https://www.enterprise.com/en/home.html) on Thursday (31 December), I came home for dinner with Mom. We also watched TV waiting for Midnight and the chance to ring in the New Year. Just before Midnight, Mom and I stood by our front door, reading to welcome 2021 with noisemakers. I had a cowbell I received a few years ago when volunteering at a road race, while Mom had a put with a spoon to beat against it. After confirming that it was midnight (using my smartphone), we stepped out onto the front porch to yell "Happy New Year!" and make noise. Some neighbors across the street did the same thing. While we were making noise, some fireworks were being set off in the vicinity, which added to the festive mood. After all that 2020 had going on--the pandemic, economic downturn, racial strife, and a contentious election season--it's great to enter a new year with hope for a better future for all.

The weekend was a time spent home for the most part. I did drive Mom to Chick-fil-A (https://www.chick-fil-a.com/) in Mehlville to pick up dinner to go last night (2 January). Today, I took an online futsal referee recertification course, which included learning about the law changes for this season, taking (and passing) a quiz on those law changes, and taking (and passing) a test on futsal laws. I am good for another year and hope to get some games in this season just underway. I should also be getting a 2021 futsal referee badge in my mail, again through a self-addressed stamped envelope sent last week.

It's back to work tomorrow morning.

Later.

Christmas 2020

Christmas Eve (24 December) was an interesting day, starting with a shortened work day at Enterprise Rent-a-Car (Rental Cars at Low, Affordable Rates | Enterprise Rent-A-Car). Much of the time was spent helping ferry vehicles from various home city branches to the St. Louis Airport Branch. That went well, and I returned to the Ellisville branch to take care of detailing matters until we closed at 3:00 pm.

Then, I visited my friend Laura, delivering my annual newsletter to her. We chatted for a bit before I left to go home.

After dinner with mom, we opened our presents that were under the Christmas tree in our living room.

I bought my mom some Estee Lauder (Estee Lauder | Beauty Products, Skin Care & Makeup) perfume and skin treatment, which she really liked. I received some books, including two history works my brother Rick got me. (I bought a book off of Rick's wish list from Left Bank Books (Left Bank Books | Customer Service | Community Service (left-bank.com)) and shipped it to him.) I also got new slippers, two pairs of cargo sweatpants, a calendar, and a casual shirt. It was a nice Christmas for my mother and I.

Christmas Day was spent at home. I relaxed there, watching TV for the most part. The next day (26 December), I ran some errands, starting with getting a haircut at Great Clips (Haircuts for Men, Women, & Kids | Great Clips Hair Salons).

Then, I drove my Toyota Corolla to Jiffy Lube (Car Maintenance - Oil Changes, Tires & Brakes | Jiffy Lube) for an oil change. After that bit of car servicing, I began shopping for a new three-in-one (printer/copier/scanner) for my home office setup. The three-in-one I had the past eight years needed replacement. I shopped at Office Depot and Office Max (Office Depot OfficeMax | Official Online Store) and at Best Buy (Best Buy | Official Online Store | Shop Now & Save). None of the model I was interested in was in stock, so I ordered it on Best Buy's website after I got home. It won't be delivered until the middle of next week, so I will use my mom's printer when necessary.

Back to work tomorrow morning, as we enter the last week of 2020.

Later.

 

2020 Small Business Saturday; Christmas Tree is Trimmed

 

Yesterday (28 November), after a nice Thanksgiving holiday two days before, I mostly hung out at home. That afternoon, I received in my mail a large envelope from my IPMS/Gateway (IPMS Gateway Chapter (google.com)) colleague Rick Keasey It had some club flyers Keasey designed and printed off for me. (He finalized the flyer design after the IPMS/Gateway business meeting this past Tuesday night.) 

I took these flyers, along with some flyers advertising the 2021 IPMS/USA National Convention (2021 IPMS USA NATIONAL CONVENTION (natslv2021.com)) in Las Vegas, to four St. Louis area hobby shops. In order of my visit, these shops are: Checkered Flag Hobby Country (Checkered Flag Hobby Country) in Mehlville; Schaefer's Hobby Shop (Schaefer's Hobby Shop - Arts, Crafts, Beads, & R/C | Schaefers (schaeferhobby.com)) in Sappington; North Central Hobbies (North Central Hobby (nchobby.net)) in Overland; and, Mark Twain Hobby Center (Mark Twain Hobby Center (hobby1.com)) in St. Charles.

 

At each stop, I also made a small purchase--usually of model paint or a paint brush--to support these shops on Small Business Saturday. Also, making these purchases makes it easier to get the stores' cooperation in displaying our flyers for their customers to look at and hopefully pick up. I and IPMS/Gateway's e-board felt it was important that we get these flyers out to the shops with the start of the Holiday shopping season. Of course, it will be seen how much foot traffic is in these shops with the pandemic restrictions in place for the time being.

IPMS/Gateway's meeting scheduled for 17 November was cancelled, when Affton Elks Lodge 2635 (Elks.org :: Lodge #2635 Home) closed the hall to us due to these restrictions. Hopefully, the restrictions will be eased in time for our scheduled meeting on 15 December.

Today, after lunch, I helped my mother to decorate the Christmas tree in our living room. (The tree was put up on Thanksgiving.) We installed a strand of lights around the tree, then hung up ornaments from our collection. Mom and I also put up  a Nativity scene and some other Christmas decorations in our house.

 

Back to work tomorrow morning.

Later.