Month: April 2026

The Ziploc bag containing my shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, and phone charger was stolen overnight. If anyone would like to donate money so I can replace those items, I’d appreciate that very much. Please see the links in the footer of this post.

My new Chromebook, my iPhone, and my wallet/cash/ID were NOT taken. This could have been a disaster of a morning and I’m so blessed and thankful it wasn’t.

Thumpdaddy is the headliner at tonight’s Peabody rooftop party. $15 to get in / $40 VIP.

Caitlin Cannon and Stacy Antonel play South Main Sounds tonight 7-9.

It’s $2 PBR night as the Redbirds host Indianapolis. First pitch 6:45.

There will be an electronic dance music Riverbeat afterparty at Wiseacre Downtown Saturday beginning at 10 PM. Andy Chance, FERB, DALE, Delyrius, Obiscuithead, Nodus Defect, RaXx.

If you wanna hear a 103-year-old, 5-foot-tall saxophone, you needta gitchass to Hotel Pontotoc Saturday night to catch Little Rock duo Monsterboy LIVES.

The Kentucky Derby is Saturday. Coverage on NBC 1:30-6:30 PM with the race starting about 5:57.

Sun Studio ranks as a top U.S. attraction on TripAdvisor.

Staying at the Mission tonight to rest up for this coming weekend. Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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Winning Flying Saucer trivia? $50 bar tab.

The entire room erupting in cheers when you’re announced the winner? Priceless.

I bombed at the “one hit wonders & music legends” trivia they had for the main 7 PM game… but I came back for the 9:15 speed round and took first place in that one.

I have to spend the 50 all at once. That should be enough for a Sputnik Monroe burger made with a turkey patty + side salad, a Saucer Bratzel, and 3 beers.

Here’s a preview of the next Saucer giveaway:

On the walk down there, I noticed that Bloom’s Asian bakery at Second and Union is back open. They were closed for remodeling for some time.

Catch live local comedy at People’s pool hall on Beale every Thursday night.

Don’t forget, there’s a Madison Avenue pub crawl this Saturday:

ESPN reports that the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will expand to 76 teams, with 12 First Four play-in games.

Momma’s had to cancel its songwriter showcase last night due to the nasty weather. It’s been rescheduled for the Cinco de Momma’s party next Tuesday.

Last night’s rain has turned today’s Redbirds matinee vs. the Indianapolis Indians (feather, not dot) into a doubleheader. First game first pitch 12:05.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

I got a nice surprise this morning! About 7 I was sitting in Court Square, on my phone prepping today’s blog topics for all you fine folks. A man rolled up to me and asked, “Are you hungry?”

Indeed I was!

He handed me an individual-sized spinach quiche, a protein donut, and a banana. It was a marvelous breakfast and the quiche was PIPING HOT to the point that I could barely pick it up with my fingers. Thank you, sir!

Not everyone has had such good dining luck this week. I heard that two women got in a fight yesterday at the Downtown soup kitchen, causing organizers to shut it down prematurely and leave about 40-50 people in line hungry. That’s a common experience for the homeless, one or two people who can’t act right ruining a good thing for everybody.

I am so GRATEFUL I make enough in tips from this blog to never have to deal with soup kitchens. To anyone who has ever made a donation via one of the accounts in these posts’ footer, THANK YOU.

Max’s Sports Bar is starting a board games & beers night every Monday. BTW, congrats to their staff on 2nd in the grape stomp at Wine Race.

Those Birds in red are back in town, hosting Indianapolis tonight for a 6:45 game.

Shala Yoga has opened in Harbor Town.

Ground elk is now available at Cordelia’s for a limited time. $10.99/lb.

Downtown Nutrition now has Butterfly Breeze – the taste is sweet berry up front, with a citrus twist on the back end of each sip.

St. Jude has several job openings – barista, part-time station chef, floor finisher, and environmental services attendant.

Happy Gilmore will be the free Wednesday movie this week at Slider Inn Downtown. 7 PM.

C.R.E.A.M., a bodega pop-up experience, comes to The Pinch Thursday-Sunday.

MemphisWeather.net says to expect strong storms to move in from east AR after 3 this afternoon and last into the early evening. This will not stop me from playing one-hit wonders & music legends trivia tonight at the Saucer.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

I didn’t attend Beale Street Wine Race, but I was told the event was once again a shell of what it was pre-COVID, with only 8-9 teams competing and only 4 entering a contestant in Queen of the Vine. Nevertheless, if I’d known Max’s Sports Bar had entered a team, I would have gone down there to cheer for the locals.

Yesterday I learned about two museum oddities a day’s drive from Memphis: the Gangster Museum of America in Hot Springs and the Museum of Death in New Orleans.

TV show to check out: Family Plot: Gardening in the Mid-South. My friend Jill who works in the greenhouses at Memphis Botanic Garden has been on it several times.

Baron Von Opperbean, the immersive experience opening next month on Mud Island, is hiring.

Today is National Prime Rib Day.

J Woods, the new sports bar on Mud Island, will open as soon as it has its liquor and beer licenses. Construction and permits are done.

MemphisWeather.net posted that the thunderstorms will begin around 2 this afternoon and reach their peak 12 AM-3 AM. Don’t worry – I’m not crazy enough to stay out in this! The Union Mission will get 6 of my dollars here in a bit. Good night to be there, because Kirby Woods is the sponsoring church for dinner. They bring good food.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Shall we start off with something controversial this fine Sunday morning?

By one of my fellow writers on Medium:

Why I hate Paul (and the religion he made up)

Meaning the apostle Paul, not me. I haven’t made up a religion. Although, that sounds like it would be fun.

Shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and the Trumpster, J.D. Vance, and Cabinet members had to be evacuated. Everyone is OK and a suspect is in custody.

Memphis Tigers offensive tackle Travis Burke is headed to L.A. The Chargers selected him in the 4th round of the NFL draft.

Action News 5 has a look at new concert venue Grind City Amp.

Today is National Pretzel Day.

Main is completely blocked off at Union, even the sidewalks.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Automatic Slim’s is now opening at 9 on Mondays for brunch, in addition to Saturdays and Sundays. Call in sick to work and go get a Red Velvet waffle and some mimosas.

There’s a Corvette show on Beale through 3 this afternoon.

Grind City Amp has its grand opening party today. Free, all ages, live music, food trucks, art market.

Gray Television seeks a news reporter for Action News 5.

First Horizon seeks a marketing data enablement manager.

B2K and Bow Wow play FedExForum Sunday night.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Happy Friday! I spent Thursday evening at Earnestine & Hazel’s, as I often do. A couple of pieces of news about the haunted dive bar:

• They plan on adding dart boards (I think they said 3) upstairs
• They were phasing out Lay’s potato chips and phasing in Brim’s, in order to support a local brand

I picked up a restaurant tip last night. If you like soul food at The Four Way, try The Rockin Chair at 1542 Elvis Presley. My friends think it’s even better and Uber Eats will deliver it Downtown.

The Milwaukee Bucks are hiring former Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins.

There will be a moth party at River Garden Saturday evening. Say what?

Isn’t there a local drag queen called Moth Moth Moth? I wonder if she’ll be there.

Cooter in the news: A magnitude 4.0 quake struck the Missouri bootheel yesterday.

Lasr night’s BBQ on Beale community dinner was well attended.

Soul & Spirits’ annual Manes on Main party is set for Saturday, May 9. This event will celebrate lagers with limited beers and a special re-release. Good Groceries and Ritzie’s BBQ will be the food trucks on site.

Are there ANY Downtown teams competing in Beale Street Wine Race this Sunday? Other than Beale Street bars.

Today is Arbor Day.

Jasper Float Spa in The Washburn seeks a spa manager.

The Hyatt Centric seeks a director of finance and a food and beverage manager.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Willie Moore’s cafeteria on N. Main near Adams is now offering Willie’s Big Breakfast for $9.99 from 8 AM to noon. That includes

• 2 meats – choose from bacon, sausage, bologna, smoked sausage, turkey sausage
• 2 sides – choose from grits, hash browns, toast, pancakes, rice
• 2 eggs your way

Random thing I heard at the bar this week: In Yuma, Arizona they have huge jackrabbits that run around all over the place the way squirrels do here.

I finally got to try the Morphy, the new muffuletta pizza at Memphis Chess Club.

White sauce, mortadella, ham, pepperoni, green olive + pepper bruschetta, gruyere. The Carlsen is still my fav pizza at MCC, but the Morphy comes in a very close second. Will purchase again.

FORMER MATH TEACHER PRO TIP: Never get an 8″ pizza at MCC. Come hungry, or bring a friend, and get the 12″ instead. Let’s use the new pizza to illustrate why.

8″ MORPHY ($14)
Area = pi * radius squared
= 3.14 * 4 * 4
= 50.24
Price per square inch = 14 / 50.24
= about 28 cents

12″ MORPHY ($18)
Area = pi * radius squared
= 3.14 * 6 * 6
= 113.04
Price per square inch = 18 / 113.04
= about 16 cents

So the 12″ Morphy is nearly twice the value the 8″ is. The math is similar for the other MCC pizzas.

The Morphy, BTW, is named for 19th-century New Orleans chess player Paul Morphy.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the Grizzlies are unlikely to move to Nashville, although he would like to see them play some games there. LeBron James turned heel on Memphis earlier this month, suggesting a Grizz move to the country music capital.

A bomb threat cleared out Bass Pro at the Pyramid yesterday morning.

UK Parliament is considering legislation that would ban those born in 2009 or later from purchasing tobacco products FOR LIFE. King Charles is said to support the proposed act. I would be ALL IN for a law like that in the U.S.

Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. has declared for the NBA draft, where he is considered the number-6 prospect. Go get him, Grizzlies! Spend some future draft picks to trade up if necessary.

The 2026 NFL draft starts tonight with coverage on NFL Network, ESPN, and ABC.

Max’s Sports Bar has its final crawfish & shrimp boil of the season Saturday. Doors at 11 with the first batch out of the cooker at noon.

Front Street Deli now has scratch-made cheddar bread.

Follow Downtown’s new vintage store on Instagram at takos_secondhand.

Muddy’s Bake Shop is being sold to Belltower Coffee & Studio, which has a booth at Memphis Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Bardog rolled out a new happy hour menu last week. What’s on it?

• house-fried mozzarella with marinara
• sauteed & blackened Maryland crab claws
• hand-battered & fried firecracker shrimp
• Cremini mushroom pate on crostini with gorgonzola

5-7 PM weekdays with $1 off draft & domestic beers, wells, and house wine.

Yesterday I spent the night at the Union Mission, where I replaced the jorts with cargo shorts with lots of pockets. Tonight I’m gonna stay out and go see London and Tony at E&H.

Back tomorrow with a Frupdate.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Chess pie squares at Memphis Chess Club! They’re decadent!

Mike tells me the price may be going up soon, so get ’em for $5 while you can.

Hey, you know, that chess pie sample Mike gave me Saturday tasted familiar, despite being a new item. I just figured out why… the taste and texture were similar to the gooey butter cake that is often a dessert special at Bardog.

Brunch menu starting Sunday at Kuya. They’ll be serving some of their dinner menu too. 11:00 AM-2:30 PM. MIMOSAS!

I mentioned watching classic 1983 Price Is Right Sunday at Loflin Yard. Barker’s Beauties have Wikipedia pages:

• Dian Parkinson
• Janice Pennington
• Holly Hallstrom

Pretty cool: 3D, real-time tracker of all the satellites orbiting Earth

Alabama Shakes play Grind City Amp tonight.

DJ Lyelack provides the music at Hump Day Hangout 6-9 tonight and every Wednesday at the Moxy Hotel. Drink and food specials.

Movie nights are back on Wednesdays at Slider Inn Downtown. 7 PM. Tonight it’s Raiders of the Lost Ark.

There’s a pharmacy residents conference at the Renasant Convention Center Thursday and Friday.

Elevation Memphis headlines Thursday’s Peabody rooftop party. 6-10 PM, $15 to get in, $40 VIP.

There will be a benefit for Beale Street Caravan Thursday night at 126 Beale (former Hard Rock). Live local music, Old Dominick cocktails.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Last week I took some days off from posting, with a vague explanation about upgrading equipment.

I’m now ready to explain that in detail.

I GOT A NEW CHROMEBOOK!!!

Well, not “new,” technically. It’s a refurb. But in my experience, refurbs often turn out to be better than new.

Never mind the technical details – let me share some of the BENEFITS of this new device as compared to my old HP laptop.

• The VERY FIRST THING I did was go to settings and turn off trackpad-tap-to-cliick. Goodbye 5 accidental mouse clicks per sentence I type.
• No more backaches lugging around a nearly 10-pound laptop. The Chromebook weighs about 3 pounds.
• Unlike the old laptop, the Chromebook has a WORKING battery. So I can sit in any seat I want in Memphis Chess Club, not just seats next to a power outlet.
• And that battery lasts 8-11 hours. On nights I don’t spend at the Union Mission, weather permitting, I stay up on a park bench on the Main Street Mall and write. (and some nights I see The Ratter!)
• The mouse pointer doesn’t randomly jump around from place to place.

In short, this little Chromebook has affected my quality of life in SUCH a positive way!

You know, as a homeless person, I’m not supposed to be happy. But I AM. Against all odds.

Sure, there are times when I’m TEMPORARILY unhappy. Like when I stay out at night and torrential rain hits at 3:30 AM. Like when the guest preacher at Mission chapel takes 70 minutes to deliver a message that could have been finished in 3 minutes.

But overall, I am happy.

I refuse to be like so many of the Mission’s clients and sit in that f-ing building all damn day long and bum cigarettes and wear a hoodie over my head when it’s 95 degrees out.

I’m happy living in the real world.

And I’ve drawn considerably closer to God/The Universe/All That Is since becoming homeless.

A lot of the credit for that goes to my fellow writers on Medium. There are some fabulous spiritual writers on that platform, people who get it that humankind is undergoing an awakening.

The fact that I’m living in the time of that awakening is one of the reasons I’m happy.

I’ve got my Chromebook and I’ve got my jorts and I’ve got my Medium subscription. It’s gonna be a fabulous summer.

That’s as much as my Parkinson’s-affected hands can stand to type at the moment. But I may post a Part 2 to this in a week or two.

Back Wednesday around 1 PM with the daily news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com