Sorry I haven’t been blogging much this week. The past 7 days have been filled with drama and I just want to forget about it all and eat some turkey.
First there was the can of worms I opened when people e-mailed me complaining about Downtown Dining Week hours at some restaurants, which thankfully has been smoothed over somewhat. Then there was the uninvited guest at my birthday/plate party, which I’m still pretty livid about.
Sunday I caught one of our regular professional panhandlers, who we’ve nicknamed New Sharp Dressed Bum, out doing his thing. He’s one of the few we’ve never been able to identify by name, and as a result he has mostly flown under the radar. Since panhandling is now illegal Downtown except in designated areas, I called the Downtown safety patrol when I saw NSDB approach people. The good news is, they caught him, I ID’d him, and we got his name, which has been turned over to CCC safety director Larry Bloom and to Col. Shemwell of the Downtown Precinct. The bad news is that New Sharp Dressed Bum threatened me, and I have reason to believe he’s capable of carrying out his threats, so I really have to watch my back when I walk around now.
Tuesday morning I had “XP Anitspyware 2011” pop up on my work computer and tell me I had viruses. I knew immediately that “XP Antispyware 2011” was NOT my friend – it’s malware that runs a fake virus scan to trick you into buying the “full version,” which installs even more malware. Any program with a similar name and a logo with the Windows colors on a shield is malware too. It has many names. So, thank goodness it did not do serious damage because I caught it in time, but I had to get with our IT people and figure out what registry keys and files to delete to get that sucker out of there. That wasted my entire morning and was why there was no Tuesday lunchtime post.
And then during the day Tuesday, I heard details of heated arguments that took place at a Monday night election meeting of a neighborhood organization I belong to. Since I don’t technically live in the neighborhood boundaries, I’ll refrain from publicly taking sides. However, I do want to throw out a word of caution – I see this organization heading down a slippery slope if they stay on the course they set Monday. I’m afraid they will experience in 2011 the dissension and strife that another organization, the DNA, experienced during the tumultuous “Tommy V years” of 2007-08. I hope they can pull it together. It’s a great association and a great neighborhood.
So anyway, drama, drama, drama, sick of all the drama. I’m back now, though, and I’ll try to resume my regular blogging pattern.
Shelton Clothiers and Christine by Shelton Clothiers are having two Thursday night open houses in December, on the 2nd and 16th. In addition to 20% off purchases at both stores, there will be food, wine, giveaways, and sampler treatments from Mona Spa. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.
I found another good Twitter account to follow if you’re job hunting – @JobsMemphis. This morning they tweeted that UPS is hiring part-time package handlers and delivery people, if you’re looking to pick up some extra Christmas cash.
Today’s Whining & Dining blog is full of useful information. It has a few paragraphs about Jason Dallas, the new chef at Chez Philippe. I’m sure the Nuh-Uh Girl will be quick to make his acquaintance and let him know she’s available if he ever needs someone to try samples. The restaurant has also announced that it will have a tapas menu in its lower tier and the Peabody lobby bar from 9 PM-midnight Friday and Saturday.
The Whining and Dining blog also has a list of restaurants that will be open for Thanksgiving tomorrow.
Kooky Canuck is having a Turkey Tip-Off today. 99 cent Bud Light draft all day; turkey dinner $5.99 for lunch and $8.99 for dinner. Includes fresh roasted turkey, garlic roasted mashed potatoes, green beans, roll, and cranberry sauce. Hmmm that may be an option after I get off work – this post is running so long that I may not have time to go out for lunch. Not that I want to face holiday eve traffic on Goodman Road much anyway.
On Foursquare? Did you get felt up by the TSA while you were traveling? There’s a badge for that.
I got my Conquistador badger on Beerby yesterday for completing 25 Mexican beers. I think it kinda sucks that I have to drink 10 of the Amber version of Dos Equis to get the “Stay Thirsty, My Friend” badger; I much prefer the Lager. With extra limes.
I will remain in town for Thanksgiving weekend. Tomorrow is the start of one of our three big yearly national tournaments at work. You may remember that I got to travel to the last one, in New Orleans. I’m not going to this one (in Orlando), but I have to be where I can get to a computer quickly to assist our tournament directors in case they have trouble uploading results. The Spring 2012 tournament, by the way, will be in Downtown Memphis.
Not that I mind being “stuck” in Memphis much, because Thanksgiving weekend is a big party weekend. Tonight is “Turkey of the Year” glass at the Flying Saucer. Every year they select a newsmaker and designate that person or organization as the year’s biggest “turkey” and put them on a glass. I won’t give away the surprise, but I will say that this year’s turkey killed thousands of its fellow birds through negligent practices somewhere south of here.
Speaking of the Saucer, they open at 5 PM tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Needless to say, I will be at the door with my nose pressed against the glass at 4:59.
They’ve told us the office closes at 3, so I’ll see you early for Happy Hour!