I finished my Medium article: What it’s Like Living in a Homeless Shelter, an examination of my day-to-day life at the Memphis Union Mission. I wrote this article because I refused to give the Mission a try for weeks longer than I should have (particularly, the last half of December and the entire month of January).
Out of fear of what I might find at the Mission, I wandered the streets of Downtown Memphis all hours of the night, staying up without sleep 4-5 nights in a row. I started hallucinating. I started sleepwalking. During one of my sleepwalking episodes, I walked away from my backpack, losing my belongings including the MacBook Air I used for two years to type this blog.
That was the breaking point. I had no other choice but to give the Mission a try.
And I discovered there was nothing to fear. The Mission is safe, the meals it serves me are nourishing, and I’m getting plenty of sleep. No more hallucinations.
I will eventually move on to a more permanent place, but the Mission has made a fan of me for life.
I’m working on a second article, tentatively titled “10 Kind Deeds You Can Do for Your Homeless Friend (and 3 that are not so kind).”
And now, let’s get on to the news.
Today is National Poultry Day. Gus’s, Uncle Lou’s, and Pirtle’s would be my suggestions.
Today is also the first day of spring.
From the DM: Money could be taken away from Memphis Tourism (the convention & visitors bureau) in order to allocate more funds raised from the hotel-motel tax to FedExForum renovations.
Speaking of renovations: The DM has a timeline for Liberty Bowl renovations. The first phase will wrap up before the Tigers’ first kickoff this fall.
This Friday is your final chance at fish pudding as the Calvary Waffle Shop wraps up for the year.
The Grizzlies lost in overtime to Sacramento last night, 121-111.
Remember that shooting that occurred around 310 Beale (formerly Jerry Lee’s) this past weekend? The dispute that led to it was over a spilled drink. Ridiculous.
Terrace at the River Inn on Mud Island will be closed today for a private event.
Bishop is having a wine dinner tomorrow night. You get a welcome glass of wine and four courses with pairings. $85 plus tax, tip, and any bar tab you run.
That’s it for now. Back tomorrow probably.
I gratefully accept tips!
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn
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