The Memphis Tigers play the Tulsa Whoevers for the Conference USA championship today at 10:30. Game will be televised on CBS. Not sure where I will watch the game, or if I’ll even go to a bar to watch it. Not sure I want to get started that early in the day. If I do go somewhere to watch it, it’ll be somewhere in the core. Definitely not interested in walking farther south than Linden.
As much as I’m looking forward to seeing the Tigers win the conference title again, I’m just as excited about the Arkansas-Tennessee SEC Championship semifinal today at 5 PM. How sweet would it be if the Hogs deny Tennessee a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament! I don’t know which is more obnoxious, the Vols’ coach or their fans. I’d love to see the Razorbacks take them down a notch. The game time presents a bit of a conundrum of where to watch it, as normally I would remain on Beale for a while after the 4 PM parade. But there really isn’t anyplace good on Beale to watch a game… Tap Room, maybe, but the Tap Room bores me these days. I’ll figure it out. Win or lose, the Hogs are projected to get an invitation to the big dance. They’re being handicapped as about a #9 seed right now, with a possible move up to #8 if they beat Tennessee.
Hmmm… if the Tigers are a 1 seed and the Razorbacks are an 8 or 9… that would mean we could very well be watching a Memphis-Arkansas game in the second round next weekend. Talk about split loyalties. In past years I’ve always sided with Arkansas in that matchup, but this time I’d just about have to switch sides and root for the Tigers.
That other basketball team that plays in the Forum (you know, the one with the record that is just about the inverse of the Tigers’) is having Downtown Night this Monday. For the price of a ticket ($25, $50, or $75), not only do you get to see the Grizzlies lose to the Charlotte Bobcats, but you also get into a private pre-game St. Pat’s party at EP Delta Kitchen from 4:30 to 6:30. Unlimited food, beer, soda. Door prizes. Guest appearances by a member of the Grizzlies and members of the Grizzlies dance team.
The Sauce Boss is making a return to Blues City Cafe next Wednesday-Saturday, March 19-22. I’ve written about this guy before. He cooks gumbo on stage while he and his band sing songs about cooking gumbo. When the show is over, the gumbo is ready and everyone eats. Last time he came through Memphis, about six months ago, I recommended him and my friend Robert went and had a great time. Not surprised that a guy who grows corn on his roof would be into the Sauce Boss.
I’m going to be doing a video interview for a new show, “The Hoop and Tony Show,” sometime soon. Will post the link when it’s ready to go.
I KNEW it would happen. Yesterday I made the mistake of agreeing to go get lunch for two of the Saucer girls (see yesterday’s post). So about 6:30 PM yesterday I showed up to do my three plate beers and one of the new waitresses came over and said, “Paul, I want candy. Lots of candy. Go get me candy. There’s a chocolate store in the mall across the street. Go over there and get me candy.” I told her NO, as I had just sat down at the window with a full beer. She punched me in the chest. My BFF must’ve been the waitress who trained her. My friend Chris who was sitting at the window with me agreed to go. She wrote down what she wanted on a coaster, revising her order several times. Then she told him to pick up Starbucks for her and another waitress while he was over there. “It’s right next door,” she said. Geez.
Enjoyed sitting at the window. I think I’ll revive the Window Game next week.
Beer report:
Previous total: $649.25
Beers 118, 119, and 120 (but 113, 114, and 115 according to the Saucer):
Anchor Porter bottle $4.50
Cooper’s Premium Lager bottle $5.50
Black Dog Ale $4.00
Tip: $14.00 x ~30% = $4.00
Total: $18.00
Grand total: $667.25
Got tired early last night. I wrote in my journal notebook, “Drink a Red Bull about 7 PM.” But I forgot and paid the price. After 4 beers at the Saucer, I moved to Hoop’s Bar where I got food. Considered the meat pizza (get you some) and the new South of Heaven roll, but finally decided on Anna’s Egg Wolls. Drank 2 PBRs with them and by the end I could hardly keep my eyes open.
Talked to Coffee John for a while last night at Hoop’s and he brought up a good point. I was telling him how Mike King and I get an hour next week to train the new Downtown Security patrols, and part of our presentation will be a handout with color photos of 10 bums we think they should get to know. “You should include a picture of Scratchy too, with a note underneath it that says, ‘Don’t mess with this guy.'” He’s right. Scratchy is homeless (meaning, he does not have a home) but he’s not a bum (meaning, someone who panhandles). Scratchy is a good guy, never asks anyone for anything, just walks around all day scratching and checking to make sure his beard is still there since he last checked 1.5 seconds ago. We need to make sure the security patrols understand there are people down here who are homeless but don’t cause any problems, and Downtowners don’t have a problem with them being here.
Really looking forward to the all-day party at Big Foot tomorrow. It’s the “Sham-ROCK Green Carpet Bash” with 34 oz. green beer for $2, potato and prime rib soup, and a prize for the person wearing the most green at midnight. No cover. I’ve said it a million times, few people throw a party as well as Shawn does at Big Foot, some come on down. The brunch crew will start the day at Majestic (week 1 of 2) from 11 AM to about 1 PM. After that, I’m not sure if I’ll even bother with the Saucer – I may head straight to Big Foot. If I do go to the Saucer it’ll be my 3 plate beers and out. They’re in the doghouse with me this weekend because of their Monday night “special” where only Irish beers will be on Pint Nite, so I don’t plan on spending a lot of time or money there this weekend and none at all on Monday. What a dumbass idea and a way to create lots of new regulars for the Blue Monkey when it opens.
And now, I present to you GREAT MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF BIG FOOT. In June 2006, I attended Big Foot’s first birthday bash. I was, of course, blogging by then, and June is, of course, Tube Top Month in this blog. That night I met regular blog reader Mendi. Mendi had a tube top on. This concludes this edition of GREAT MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF BIG FOOT. Next time: A fight breaks out in the lobster tank.
Be sure to check out the current issue of Downtowner Magazine. Paul Morris, the new chair of the CCC Board, is interviewed. Paul is one of the young new leaders on the board who is interested in implementing new and creative initiatives to improve Downtown. He was one of the main people behind the hiring of the new Downtown security patrols which are training right now and will hit the streets in April. He was also my neighbor across the hall in my apartment building for 5 years. And he’s the uncle of Jeff who works at the Red Rooster.
My favorite blogger/MILF blogged that she’s looking for a server job. I pointed her in the direction of the Downtown Blue Monkey. MILFs always seem to do well at the Monkey.
Long post this morning. Time to hit Publish, shower and figure out where to go to view the game.