Month: June 2009

Last Thursday, my friend Shane took the Kookamonga Challenge at Kooky Canuck.  If he ate the 7 1/2 pound burger, including 4 pounds of meat, in an hour or less, he’d get it for free.  Over 2,000 people have attempted the challenge, but only 5 have been successful.  Nevertheless, we were rooting for Shane.  “He’s a big guy,” one friend commented.  “If any of us can do it, it’s Shane.”

Owner Shawn Danko delivers the burger to Shane.

Shawn introduces Shane and asks for a “READY, SET, GO!” from the audience.

Shane digs in

That’s a BIG burger.

Early on, Shane was making good progress.  He finished a quarter of the burger in 10 minutes and looked on track to win the challenge.

Kooky Canuck employee Meghan (not to be confused with Shane’s lovely wife Megan) takes a break to watch the Challenge.

Shane slowed down noticeably about the 30-minute mark.  After about 40 minutes, he indicated that he was done, with half the burger still to go.

As my friend Susie would say, “FAIL!”  He’s in good company though – 2,000 others have done the same.  I’m sure I’ll be back in Kooky Canuck sooner rather than later to take more pics.  Hmmm… Tuesday marks the 3rd anniversary of the day I met blog reader Mendi, at Kooky Canuck.  She had a tube top on at the time.

Just finished my next website.  Building a site that sells women’s shoes on my laptop at the Flying Saucer has caused me to get some funny looks from passersby.  Those sites pay my bar tab though.

Time to go eat.  May post again later.

Time to roll out my latest web shopping storefront.

Hobo Bag Boutique sells women’s hobo bags in a variety of colors, shapes, fabrics, and brands.  From Jessica Simpson to Vitalio Vera to COACH to zebra and giraffe print bags, this site has ’em.  As with most of my sites, it’s in association with Amazon.com. They handle the checkout and shipping, with their world-class secure checkout process and return policies, so your private information remains safe. I never see your name or credit card number; all I get is a notification of what items were ordered, and how much commission the store made for the sale.  I hope you enjoy the store.  This is another store where I’ve spent hours digging through Amazon’s categories, putting together a store full of items you might miss if you browse Amazon directly.

Big thanks, by the way, to Christina from the Red Rooster, who showed me an iPhone app Wednesday night that helped me zero in on small niches in women’s fashion.  I have between 6 and 15 more store ideas to develop as a result of using that app.  Christina, by the way, was wearing a tube top when she told me about it.

Let’s get to the other news… first of all, I now have a Facebook page I can link to.  It’s facebook.com/paul.ryburn

Steely Dan plays Mud Island on August 14, and tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.  Miley Cyrus plays the FedExForum on October 21.  Tickets available beginning today (usually they release them at 10 AM, as I type this it’s not 10 yet) at the FedExForum website.

The South Main Association is cleaning up South Main NOW, as I type this, through noon today (Saturday).  If you live down there, get out there and help them!  International meeting planners arrive in Memphis for their annual conference, so we want our city to look its best so they’ll throw some business our way.

In the CA this week:  Meet Andrew Coins, sous chef at the Peabody

Also in the CA:  The Horizon, the new apartment (formerly condo) building at 717 Riverside, is running into problems.

Also in the CA:  A judge’s ruling means a hip-hop club won’t be able to open in the old Pat O’Brien’s space on Beale.

In the MBJ:  Developer Phil Woodard is seeking a loan to purchase 456 Tennessee St., next to the Memphis Flyer buiding, and develop it into an event space similar to the Cadre Building.  There would also be 5,000 SF of office space.

Need some new suits?  Shelton Clothiers is offering a package deal of 2 suits, 1 blazer, 1 pant (or 3 suits) for $895, which is $300 off the full price of $1195.  Or, you can buy a single suit for $295.  Alterations are always free.  Offer good for a limited time.

Got lots more to post, including Kookamonga Challenge pics, a tube top dress pic, and pics of the Nuh-Uh Girl eating at Tuesday night’s art opening, so check back.

I hoped to post tube top pics, but instead you get pics of trees that have been felled by the storms that just rolled through here.  I came home to find trees down outside my apartment building at Madison and Main, and there are also trees down in Court Square.

Made it safely home… I had a haircut appointment at Rachel’s at 5, and obviously I was about 10 minutes late for that.  I stayed off the 240 near Airways, knowing that would be a mess.  Took Airways north to Ketchum which turned into Ball which turned into Norris where I could get on the 240 much more safely.  Was OK after that.

I also just received an update on Facebook that the windows have been blown out of D’Edge Gallery in South Main.  I hope none of the artwork was damaged.

Added 6:10 PM:  Via Twitter, I’ve learned that southbound Danny Thomas is blocked at Vance due to a tree down.  There’s also something, possibly a roof, in the intersection of Fourth and Vance.

Here’s what’s happening on the Thursday night party circuit tonight.

Jessie James and Garry Goin and G3 will play the Peabody rooftop tonight. Garry Goin and G3 were the excellent house band at EP Delta Kitchen for most of the time it was open. $5 cover, hors d’oeuvres buffet, cash bar, ladies free until 8.

Lynn Cardona will be on the rooftop of the Madison with a wide selection of jazz and soul standards, plus neo-soul originals. Doors open at 5:30, $7 cover, cash bar, tapas menu. (Edit: Just got word that this has been canceled due to inclement weather that is expected to move through the area tonight.)

For post-rooftop entertainment, look no further than the Saucer, where The Dempseys will play starting at 9:30 PM. $3 cover, 70 beers on tap and another 125 in bottles, hot waitresses in miniskirts.

The Dempseys will play the Madison rooftop next Thursday, by the way. I believe that may make them the only band to play the Madison and the Peabody rooftops in the same season (they’re booked to open for Cowboy Mouth at the Peabody on July 23).

The Red Rooster will name another Chicklette of the Week and give away a prize to the winner of their “You Got the Look” contest. I think it’s a Coach purse, although I’m not 100% sure about that. From what I’ve seen and heard, the Rooster has the best male/female ratio of any post-rooftop party, so guys would be smart to bypass the club in Peabody Place and continue south to the Rooster.

My agenda includes a haircut at 5 (it’s been 12 weeks… can barely see to drive), then at 6:30 I’ll head to Kooky Canuck to watch my friend Shane attempt the Kookamonga Challenge. If he can finish their burger (4 pounds of beef, 7 1/2 pounds with fixins) in under an hour by himself, he’ll get it for free and he’ll get a spot in their Hall of Fame.

Hey, maybe I just figured out why Kooky Canuck keeps Meghan on the payroll… to ensure that people lose Kookamonga Challenges. Listening to her run her mouth induces a vomiting reaction in most people.

After the challenge is over I’ll hit the rooftop if it’s not raining, then the Saucer for the Dempseys’ first set.  Hmmm may go to the Rooster tonight too… with their “you got the look” contest going on, it might be a good night for some tube top watching.

I’ve had a couple of people respond to my post on Wednesday night at the Red Rooster, saying, “The 25 cent PBR and Miller Lite is awesome, but there’s a cover? If there’s a cover charge I’m not going.”

I don’t get that. Look, let’s do a little math here. I drank 8 PBRs last night. That means my total cost would have been the $5 cover + (8 x 25 cents) for beer = $7.00 before tip.

Compare that with Calhoun’s, a bar Downtown known for cheap PBR. Suppose I had gone there for 8 beers instead. My cost would have been $0 cover + (8 x $2) for beer = $16.00 before tip.

Even if you were to have as little as 3 PBRs, you’d still come out ahead – $5.75 Rooster vs. $6 Calhoun’s.

So, who cares if there’s a cover? You make it back on the beer.

Nothing against Calhoun’s by the way, they’re a great place to hang out too.  They were just the logical bar to use for a comparison, since PBR is involved.

I had fun last night and plan on going back next Wednesday. Hopefully Christina started a trend and there will be lots of tube tops there next week.

I said good things about the Red Rooster’s new plans for Wed night building up to tonight, but I’ll let you in on what I was really thinking – “I bet they’ll draw 7 people.  No one goes out on Wednesday.”

I was wrong.  They had a good-sized crowd there for 25 cent PBR and Miller Lite and to play Bar Olympics.  There was a $5 cover at the door, but considering I had 8 PBRs at a quarter each once I got inside, I didn’t mind that much.  I played two games of beer pong and lost to Shane and Megan both times, but I had an excuse – Terry was my partner.   Then I pitched a few rounds of cornhole with sand bags rather than corn bags.

Here are some pics:

Here’s a pic of me with Christina.  Christina has a tube top on.

Billy and Mikey playing cornhole.

All of us enjoying 25 cent PBR

Lots of news today… but before we get to the news, it’s time to roll out my latest site.  This is not one I’d ever shop at myself, but I’m guessing that the people who shop at Tube Top Boutique will like it.

Consumer PINKtronics sells pink electronics, appliances, and musical instruments.  I guess the original idea for this site came a few years ago when I was hanging out with Ptolemy Kat at Sleep Out Louie’s, and she was all excited about her pink phone.  Since then I’ve noticed how a lot of women go crazy for pink MP3 players, pink laptops, and that kind of stuff, and I decided that would be a good niche for a store.

As always, this is done in association with Amazon. They handle the checkout and shipping, so you’re protected by their best-on-the-Internet secure payment system.  I never see your name or credit card number; I only see a notification that items were bought (and I earn commission on them from Amazon).

The Orpheum will have a brief fashion show before the screening of Sex and the City this Thursday, June 11. Outfits from Shelton, Muse, and Runway Boutique will be featured. Also, Itta Bena will be in the lobby handing out coupons for discounts or specials.

JAWS is the Friday night, June 12 summer movie at the Orpheum, and individuals and families are invited to bring in their best vacation photo to be entered in a raffle. Winner will get a one night stay in the KING suite in the Hampton Inn Downtown.

Teeth for Tails is this Friday at Main Street Dental. You can buy a $100 bleaching tray with all proceeds going to benefit animal rescue. There will also be free hot dogs and ice cream, and a $5 per ticket raffle. Items that can be won in the raffle include a $500 Main Street Dental goody basket, Malco movie tickets, a $100 Capriccio gift certificate for dinner for two, a $25 Memphis Pizza Cafe certificate, a $20 Huey’s gift card, a $50 Tug’s/Currents gift card, a one night stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton valued at $150, a Shelton Clothiers Pink Pig baseball cap, a $25 Kooky Canuck gift certificate, and Waterford Crystal pieces valued at $215.

I’ve blogged from time to time about MPACT Memphis, an organization that is a great way to network, socialize, meet other young leaders, and get plugged into volunteer opportunities. If you’re a Downtowner who is interested in learning more about MPACT, you can do so at MPACT 101 next Tuesday, June 16, at Bardog Tavern at 6 PM. You’ll be able to drink a PBR at Happy Hour prices (for the first hour anyway) and enjoy some of Chef Demietrie’s fantastic food as you learn about MPACT. I’m not real active with them anymore, but I was on their board in 2004-05 and am still a huge fan of the organization.

I saw on Twitter that the Nuh-Uh Girl is interested in learning about MPACT… they must be serving free food at a lot of their events lately.

Guess I should get dressed up for this art opening at the Majestic tonight… of course, “dressed up” for me means I’ll put on a solid colored Hawaiian shirt with my shorts and flip-flops, instead of the “NO BUMS” or “I LOVE ROMANIAN GIRLS” or Hoop’s Bar T-shirt that I’d probably wear otherwise.  Hey, at least it’s an effort.

I’ll be at trivia before 7.  There’s also an SMA meeting at Pearl’s tonight, but it looks like I’m going to miss that one.

Sitting here eating my lunch and the weekly e-mail arrived from Sole Restaurant & Raw Bar in the Westin.  If you go there to eat, you need to get on their mailing list… at the bottom of the e-mail was a coupon for $7 off.  You can go here to request to be added to their list.  Great food and I know that there’s at least one bartender there who looks fantastic in a tube top, although I don’t think it’s part of her work uniform.

I love my iPhone.  I can check what happened on Monday Night Raw last night while I wait for my hot dogs to be ready at Mr. Rusty’s Taste of Chicago.  Thanks, by the way, to the blog reader who e-mailed and recommended Mr. Rusty’s.

Tonight I plan on going to the opening of the “Painted Things & Apron Strings” exhibit at the Majestic Grille.  It features the work of Carolyn Olivia Dodson King, and there will be free hors d’oeuvres featuring the produce of Dodson Farms.  There will also be a wine special – 3 tastings for $10.  All works are for sale, and the Majestic Grille does not take any commission from sales – all the money goes to the artist.

I’ve already been told that the Nuh-Uh Girl plans on showing up for the free hors d’ouevres.  I’ll bring the camera.

That’s not the only reception on Main Street tonight though… down the street, the Center for Southern Folklore will celebrate the launch of the new “Taylor Made” exhibit, celebrating the work of Reverend L.O. Taylor.  The exhibit will showcase films, photos, and recordings made by Rev. Taylor from the 1920s through the 1960s.  Special guests will include Beverly Bond, director of African-American Studies at the U of M; Michael Taft, head of the archive at the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, and Martin Fisher, manager of recorded media collections, Middle Tennessee State University.  The Center acquired the collection in 1977 and is proud to be able to display and preserve it for future generations using digital technology.  The celebration runs from 5 to 8 PM tonight.

Tickets for Troops asked me to give their June 18 fundraiser Cigars Under the Stars (Memphis Zoo, 7 PM) another mention.  They were mentioned on page 8 of last week’s Memphis Flyer and will be in the Calendar section this week, and they will be featured at Live at 9 on Friday, June 12.  For more info about the party, and about Tickets for Troops’ mission, check out their website.

If you’re a member of the military, police officer, firefighter, or EMT, you can get in the Hard Rock free Saturday night, June 13 to see Joan Red, Sixty to Zero, and After the Storm for their “Joan Red, White, and Blue” event.  All other guests $5.  18 and up, doors at 9:30, music at 10.

Then on Sunday, they’ll have the “Burger Badge Bash.”  If you’re a police officer, firefighter, or EMT, you can get their 10 ounce Angus beef burger, normally $12.95, for only 71 cents.  Civil officials are encouraged to park their police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances in front of the cafe.  Both of these events are part of the Hard Rock’s Founders’ Day – the Hard Rock was founded on June 14, 1971.

Got another tube top pic on the camera (actually it’s a tube top dress pic)… I’ll upload it to a future post.  I need more pics of tube tops!  Don’t be shy about wearing tube tops and asking me to take pics for the blog!

It’s 12:09 AM and I’m drunk.  Here’s a pic of Amanda in a tube top.

Here’s a pic of what people are doing with classic 1970s cars these days:

Here’s a pic of Bardog’s new delivery vehicle.  If you’re between the river and Danny Thomas, Adams and Linden (may be off by a block but that’s approximately it), you can get Bardog’s awesome food delivered to your front door. 275-8752

Random stuff I heard dept:  My friend Pete told me the reuben in Westy’s is the best reuben he’s had in a long time.  He says that includes Philly, where he has connections.

I also heard that Calhoun’s had an awesome shrimp boil yesterday afternoon and will be doing it every Sunday.  $9 for about a half pound of shrimp, corn on the cob, taters, garlic, sausage, etc.

I won $25 at a bingo game at work today.  Then I ran up a $26.25 tab including tip at the Saucer.  Then I paid $4 for another beer.  Then another one.  Then another one.

I have to be at work for a 7:45 catered employee breakfast.  Whoops I shouldn’t post that or else the Nuh-Uh Girl will try to print fake company credentials and show up for free food.