The mayor did show at the Jaycees’ meeting, but was an hour early. Also he related that he didn’t know what he was supposed to speak about. So he talked to the guys who were there early and then bailed before I showed up. Oh well, maybe someday I’ll get to chat with him about my concerns.

Last night Emily, the kids, and I went to the annual Hiltibidal picnic. John outdid himself again this year with the awesome fireworks display. I think he even got hired to do the Centralia city display. It amazes me that even though he is a guy who only does this type of thing once a year, his show gets such recognition that people want to hire him to do more.

Every year he keeps making the show better and better. I have no doubts that his show was better than the Mount Vernon city one will be. Mount Vernon’s show usually lasts 1/2 an hour at best, and John had at least 45 minutes of quality fireworks. There were ground displays, rapid shell deployments (missle-style), and of course many, many different standard shells of all shapes and sizes.

Great show John, and we look forward to it next year.

Tomorrow night I will get the pleasure of listening to the mayor speak at our regular Jaycees meeting. I’ll reserve judgement until he speaks, but I have a number of questions I would like answered for myself and the community in general.

Maybe he’ll actually answer them straightforward. If he does, it’ll be the first time I hear a politician do that.

For now I’m excited about the Cards’ game Saturday. My first trip to the new Busch Stadium, and likely the only game I’ll get to go to this year. I’m still antsy in the pantsy with excitement. Yeah, I know it’s stupid to say, but dammit I’m excited.

I can’t believe I went a week without posting on here. Frankly, it’s kind of hard to get the time when you belong to a civic organization, have a full time job, two kids, and a home to upkeep.

Needless to say I’ve been busy. I’m stirring things up a little bit on the Register-News forums I think. On there I must say that I’m sounding really negative lately, but that’s all I can come up with from my perspective. There are two major employers around here, and they don’t have very deep roots. For IT jobs, there isn’t much, if anything. That’s where my career lies, if I can find something. Pretty sure I’m going to start offering freelance support for computers. It’s not much, but maybe it’ll supplement my income and help with the bills.

The kids had a great time out at Board Day. They played in the pond, socialized with relatives, and enjoyed the fireworks display. Unfortunately I had to leave after an hour and a half to go to the Jaycees’ M-night. It was fun for everyone who showed. Not very many of us were there, but it was a beautiful summer night, so it was understandable. Still, the few of us who showed had a good time.

I saw David and Diana at Board Day. I miss them. I miss seeing everyone, but they are sooooooo far away, and David and I actually get along and can have intelligent discussions. At least I think he enjoys talking to me. Either way I like talking to him.

Well, I’m off to have spaghetti and “space-out” watching some TV with the family. We don’t get to spend enough time together.

Today I got invited to go to a Cardinals’ game on the first. As queer as this sounds, I’m giddy like a schoolgirl. I’ve been wanting to go to a game desperately, but tickets are damn near impossible to get considering it’s STL and the inaugural season. They’re along the right-field line behind the foul pole. Not too shabby.

This Saturday is Board Day. The tradition that never ends. It’s a nice get-together for the family to see each other. The kids have fun and I think the “grown-ups” do too.

Emily and I finally got to go out for an evening. Mom came over and watched the kids while we went to dinner with Jami and Danny. Emily and Jami had fun clucking like a couple of hens. I swear the two could talk for days and not be tired of talking. Danny and I played some darts after dinner while the girls talked.

The 9th Street Grill disappointed me on the ribeye. Last time we were there I had the fillet and it was wonderful. I guess everything can’t be perfect. Everyone else loved their food. The desserts are all made daily and the girls swear they are the best ever. Maybe I’ll have to try them sometime.

Most importantly Emily had a good time. I love that she’s happy. And I’ll admit I think Jami’s really fun. She’s great to hang out with. I wish JC and Monica could’ve come too, but I know how hard it is to get a babysitter. Maybe sometime soon.