Question asked by one of my blog’s readers: Are any bars or restaurants going to open early for the St. Jude Marathon/Half-Marathon Saturday morning? The person who asked wants to come out and watch, but she and her friends don’t really want to stand outside in 40-degree weather the entire 2-3 hours. Will anyplace on the route be open early where they can take refuge? E-mail me at paul@paulryburn.com if you know of a place and I’ll pass on the information.
Just made a lunchtime run to Walgreens to pick up a toy for this Saturday’s Stumbling Santa Pub Crawl… and instead, I came back with 3 toys. What can I say, I’m an overachiever. 
Since the Saucer is matching toy for toy, that means Ronald McDonald House will end up with 6 new toys. If you plan on doing the pub crawl, remember that Ronald McDonald House cannot accept stuffed animals. I imagine that’s because many kids will be playing with these toys, and stuffed animals are germ magnets. Most other types of toys are okay.
For those of you who go to the Saucer for lunch, be sure to say happy birthday to Mrs. Pat in the kitchen… tomorrow is her 50th birthday.
More Saucer news: They’re doing a Beerknurd Appreciation Party, a private party for members of their UFO Club, on Saturday, December 12 from 5 to 7 PM. There will be a free buffet, you’ll get a pint of Stone beer, and you’ll be entered into a raffle for prizes. If you’re not a UFO member, you still have a week to join. You can get there anytime between 5 and 7, but I recommend showing up right at 5, before the Nuh-Uh Girl gets there and eats all the food. The Facebook event listing says this is Thursday the 10th, but I’ve confirmed that Saturday the 12th, as posted in the Saucer, is actually the correct day.
Finally the rain has moved out of here… think I’ll take the netbook out tonight and play a little poker while I drink beer. Been trying to get good at 7-card stud… I played it in college but am having to re-learn it because it’s a limit bet game and therefore very different from no-limit hold’em. I played for an hour yesterday and played way too many hands… lost a few dollars but it was an education. I’ll try to use better starting hand selection tonight.
I’m mentally preparing a post on the proposed panhandling ordinance with tougher restrictions… I know what I want to say, but lunch break is almost over, so it will be tonight or tomorrow morning before work before I get it typed. Happy Thursday and maybe I’ll see you out tonight.