This morning there was some discussion on my brunch crew/trivia team’s private e-mail list about Sunday’s Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest, and the Nuh-Uh Girl raised a good point that I want to mention here: GET THERE EARLY. It starts at noon, and unless you enjoy standing in very, very long lines you better get there not long after the festival starts. Last year I counted 93 people in line for crawfish about 1:15 PM. The line stretched nearly a city block.
My plan is to get there right at noon, get a bucket of crawfish, and find the best people-watching spot I can find on the grass and sit there and eat. A lot of my gang heads up to the rooftop of Barton Flats to eat, and that’s definitely a great plan but I have to be right in the middle of the action to be happy. At events like Rajun Cajun I tend to go into “festival mode” and bounce around from group to group talking to people all day.
Walked down to CityHouse at noon to get my hair cut… while down there I confirmed that Earnestine & Hazel’s is indeed serving Soul Burgers for lunch from 11 to 2. I wanted one very badly, but didn’t have time to eat after the haircut, and besides the event I’m attending after work will have very good hors d’ouevres, so I want to be hungry for that.
I also peeked in the door of the new Blue Monkey and it sure looks like it’s very, very close to completion. I didn’t get a thorough look, but what I saw reminded me a little more of the Midtown Monkey than the original Downtown Monkey did.
Still trying to figure out how I’ll rearrange my evening tonight. Grrr… I have to admit I’m a little annoyed with EP’s for putting “April 17 – the Dempseys” in their ad in the Flyer. If it’s a private party, details of it should not appear in a public ad. Also, the entertainment page on their site contains listings for March 2008. I’ll probably hang out a little longer than planned at the private party I’m attending after work, then hit the Saucer. May wander over to the Peabody for their rooftop party, or may just go sit at their lobby bar and people-watch. Red Rooster is still on the agenda for later.
I haven’t been to Raiford’s in two months… hmmm maybe Saturday. That means I’ll stay out late and be tired for Crawfish Fest the next day, but I’ll deal with it. No brunch for me this week on Sunday. It’s Majestic week 2 in the rotation for those who plan on going.
Oh speaking of Crawfish Fest… current forecast is high 77. Suggested attire: TUBE TOPS. Obviously suggested only for women, though. If you want to be famous on the blog, wear a tube top and find me (I’ll try to remember to wear the T-shirt I have on in my profile pic, so I’ll be easy to spot) and I’ll take your picture and post it sometime during the month of June, which is Tube Top Month. Actually, I’ll extend that offer not just to Crawfish Fest, but any time you see me. I carry the camera with me everywhere I go.
My BFF’s birthday is next week. I guess I should buy her a present but have no clue what to get her. Her mini-me quit the Saucer so I can’t ask her advice, and her friend Brittney’s only advice was, “don’t be a cheap-ass like you were when you bought my birthday present.” If you have suggestions as to what I should get my BFF, e-mail them to paul@paulryburn.com. Quick profile of her for those who haven’t met her: About to turn 22; hobbies include flipping people off, cussing people out, and getting really wasted. What else… um, I don’t know, I think I saw her do a crossword puzzle one time. My BFF and I had discussed putting on our matching shirts (with pic of her flipping me off) and going out drinking sometime; I could pay her tab all evening in lieu of a present, but that could set a dangerous precedent, as she’d start expecting me to pay for everything every time we hang out.
Or maybe I just won’t get her anything.
Here’s a link to a Commercial Appeal article about Mpact Memphis’ Civics 101 and Advocacy series. The first event of the Civics 101 series is next Tuesday 5:00-7:30 PM at the Hope and Healing Center. Three speakers will discuss how to get involved in Memphis politics without ever running for office, how to serve on government boards and committees, how to get involved in local politics and issues from the ground up, and they will present on a step-by-step guide on how to have an impact on an issue that is important to you.
Back later (possibly tomorrow) with info on a very unusual performer appearing at the Rooster this weekend.