The calendar says May 8, but for me this is December 24. Tomorrow is the most wonderful time of the year: LOAD-IN!!!!! The Moody Ques have a 7:45 appointment to drop off equipment at Tom Lee Park. The scaffolding is already up, and team vice-president Clay sent out an email saying he needs six people tomorrow to help unload the smoker, grill, and bathrooms. Of course “Mr. Load-in” immediately hit the Reply button and typed, “COUNT ME IN!!!!!” However, before I could hit the Send button a second email from Clay came in, addressed to me rather than the whole team.
“Paul, I know you were looking forward to being in the park tomorrow morning, but we need you to be at Bardog at 11 AM to hold down the fort and handle any team business that comes up there. This is too big a job for one man so I am going to ask that you take John D with you. Yes I know you could get to the park at 7:45 and still make it to Bardog by 11 but I need you and John to be well-rested. Please don’t argue and be willing to make this sacrifice for the team.” Dammit… guess it will be Sunday before I get some dirt under my fingernails.
Yesterday evening, Clay and head cook Frank had a BBQ planning session at the Silly Goose, where they sought advice from two trusted and valuable resources: Majestic Grille co-owner and chef, Patrick Reilly; and “Mr. Load-in”. Frank, head of the all-new cook team for 2015, commented, “If I get 55th in shoulder I will have done better than the two cook teams we’ve had the past three years.” Aim for the stars, Frank!
In BBQ Fest news, Memphis in May has announced that Biz Markie will perform Saturday, May 16.
It’s Irish Heritage tonight at the Redbirds. First 2000 fans will get a limited-edition Redbirds T-shirt, compliments of Silky O’ Sullivan’s. There will be Irish music and you can get your photo taken with Silky’s famous crown and throne. Block party at 5 with $2 Irish green beer, first pitch at 7:05.
Let’s Get Sweet on Mom is the theme at the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday. You can find lots of gifts for Mother’s Day at the Market, including potting plants, jams, pottery, cookies, soaps, lotions and Spring’s best flowers. Big day at the Market, with a chef demo and two cookbook signings. At 10 Felicia Willett of Felicia Suzanne’s will give a cooking demo, making her Tasso Shrimp recently demo’d on Little Rock’s THV11. From 8 to 11, Jennifer Chandler will sign her book The Southern Pantry Cookbook: 105 Recipes Already Hiding in Your Kitchen, and Justin Fox Burks will sign his book The Southern Vegetarian. At 9 kids can make flower recipe holders. Music by Paul Waits 8:30-10 and Jeff Hulett 11-12:30. 7 AM to 1 PM, under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.
I’ve made it to 4 of the 5 markets this year, but due to my duties as “Mr. Load-in” it is extremely unlikely I will be there tomorrow.
Jason Wexler of the Grizzlies tweeted that there is heightened security by the NBA during playoff games. If you want to be in your seat by 7 for tomorrow’s game, plan on being at the arena by 6:30.
Interesting CBS News article: Some color runs are scams.
All right. For the next 9 days this blog won’t operate on its normal posting schedule. There will still be plenty of posts, but scattered throughout the day. From Thursday to Sunday there will be BBQ Fest recaps and pics. Four more hours and I’m outta here!