Sunday update: Hoop’s is gone, survey website, roller derby fundraiser, and more

It’s true.  Last night was Hoop’s Bar’s last night, and EP’s is already closed.  I stopped by about 10 for one last PBR can.  The place will be sorely missed.

It’s just unbelievable that EP’s/Hoop’s is gone.  This time last year EP’s (Hoop’s didn’t exist yet) was PACKED.  The Thursday night parties were a must, with the club loaded with hot girls… it was unusual for me to leave before 1:30 AM on Thursday nights, which made for some rough Fridays but it was worth it.  Fridays and Saturdays were jam-packed as well.  There’s no way I would’ve thought the doors would be closed a year later.  I could write an entire post discussing the reasons why, but what’s the point.  Thanks to Hooper, Tony, Ross, Colin, Michael Patrick, and everyone else involved with Hoop’s over the past year for all the great memories, and thanks to EP’s management for always taking good care of me, and for your help chasing bums off Beale Street.

Paul Myers, the marketing guru who is the inventor of the Buy Paul a Beer concept that I shamelessly stole, reported this morning on a good site that may be of use to some of you… Ask500People, a site where you can pose a question and survey 500 people around the world.  The surveys appear on high-traffic sites – Paul asked a question and had 27 responses within half an hour.  This could be very useful in business/marketing.  You can get code to display the results of a survey on your web page or blog, and you can get a widget to display surveys on your blog.

There will be a black tie gala and fundraiser at Dish on Saturday, October 18 to benefit Memphis Roller Derby.  (Can’t believe I just typed “black tie” and “roller derby” in the same sentence.)  Called the “Derbytante Ball,” the ticket prices ($15 single/$25 couple in advance; $20/30 at the door) include dinner and beer.  There will be a cash bar if you want liquor or wine.  DJ Steve Anne will DJ, and my MySpace friend Tom Prestigiacomo will emcee.  Awards will be handed out to roller derby team members and notable fans.  Visit memphisrollerderby.com for more info.

I had someone suggest that I dress up as a certain Downtown bartender for Halloween… it’s a great idea, but part of my Halloween costume is being totally in character.  If I wanted to portray her accurately, I wouldn’t be able to drink.  Which pretty much rules out that costume.

I didn’t make it to the Downtown Olympics yesterday… was busy trying to find a WordPress template for my latest website creation, and I had to make a run out east to Target to buy a new garbage can.  I’m really proud of my new garbage can.  Anyway, I ran into the chief judge of the Olympics later on in the evening at the Saucer, and he said the event was very well attended, filling the back room of E&H.  He noted that the synchronized drinking event was the best.  I’m sure the official results will be posted on Memphis Limelight sometime soon.

I stopped by Bookstar yesterday, and flipped through Hot Chicks with Douchebags, the book.  Very entertaining… it explains how to spot a ‘bag (stuff like popped collars, hand signs, showing off really ripped abs, overly gelled spiky hair, etc.), offers advice on what to do if you’re dating a ‘bag, how to de-douche yourself.  I considered buying it but decided to wait and order it from Amazon instead, where I can get it for 5 bucks cheaper and combine it with other books to get their free Super Saver shipping.  The author of this book should’ve attended Thursday nights at Club Atlas this past spring; he could’ve got enough photos for an entire second book.

Guess I’ll wear my Hoop’s Bar shirt today in memory… brunch is at the Majestic but I probably won’t make it in time, so I’ll meet up with the gang at the Saucer for Pete’s weekly ass-beating at pool.  I see he’s at #195 on his UFO Club quest; I wonder if he’ll have them put “Pauly beat my ass at pool AGAIN” on his plate.