Friday evening update: Handling-Panhandling in the news and other notes

First and foremost, check out the news story Eyewitness News 24/30 did on our Handling-Panhandling group. They interviewed the group’s co-founder Mike King, a Downtown business owner, and a tourist who was hit up within 5 minutes of being in Downtown Memphis.

I just got home from the first night of my high school reunion, held in the River Market district of Downtown Little Rock. I walked a good mile tonight, all around the district and elsewhere downtown, and did not even see a bum. No panhandling whatsoever that I could perceive.

I heard that Little Rock did have panhandlers/bums up until recently, when there was a Tae Kwon Do convention here in town. There were about 10,000 Korean guests and they even built a structure in Riverfront Park for the event. Around that time all the bums mysteriously disappeared from Downtown Little Rock. That was three weeks ago. Wasn’t that about the time panhandling got significantly worse in Downtown Memphis? I can’t prove anything, but I’m just saying.

I think it’s time to share the wealth. Let’s round up all the bums and put ’em on a one-way bus to Germantown. Hell, let’s send ’em some pigeons, too. Let them enjoy all the fruits of Downtown Memphis.

There are places within 3 blocks of Little Rock’s River Market district where you can park for $2.25 all day. Not for one hour… ALL DAY.

Went to the Little Rock Flying Saucer after the reunion event was over. Something called “Skinny Dip” from Fort Collins, CO was the Fire Sale. I didn’t notice it until after I ordered a Blue Moon – $4.25 for a Blue Moon? That’s 50 cents more than Memphis. What’s up with that?

Next Wednesday’s “buy the beer, keep the glass” night is Duvel, which indicates they have Duvel on tap. If that’s the case, I know a guy who needs to move to Little Rock. He really really really needs to move.

Trivia Bowl at the LR Saucer is on Tuesday as in Memphis, but it starts at 8:30. Maybe Memphis should implement that start time… it would weed out the “waaaaaah I can’t stay up late” babies.

I’ve got to say, the waitresses at the Memphis Saucer are considerably hotter than the ones at the Little Rock Saucer. And even though I haven’t seen the Little Rock trivia guy, I’ve got to say… okay, Little Rock would probably win that one.

None of the waitresses from the Little Rock location are from Romania. That sucks.

The band took the stage at 9, and within the first four songs they played that “oh my my, my my hell yes, got to put on that party dress” song. Is that the official song of the Saucer worldwide? Other than the Dempseys I’d be hard-pressed to think of one Saucer band who DOESN’T sing that song.

Here’s a big problem I have with the Little Rock waitresses – you know those aprons they wear, to hold their coasters, wallet, etc.? Well, in Little Rock they tie it around the BACK of their skirt. This is a problem because the apron is usually longer than the skirt – it blocks the view. What’s the point of going to the Saucer if you don’t at least have a CHANCE of seeing some panties? I don’t get that.

On the way home I drove through Taco Bell. $5.44 for a Mexican pizza and two bean burritos? Isn’t that a little bit high?

Home in Little Rock now. My mother has the thermostat set on 75 and I’m about to broil. I keep mine on 67 in the summer. Air conditioning is one area where I positively refuse to be environmentally friendly.

There must have been 15 billboards between Memphis and Little Rock that quoted scripture or mentioned Jesus.

That’s all for now. Not sure if I’ll be posting tomorrow or not.