Paul Ryburn's Journal

The new number was voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) through a company called TextNow.

Turns out many websites that use 2-factor authentication won’t send 2FA confirmation codes to VoIP numbers. That makes the new number practically worthless to me.

I had a chance to earn some money doing remote work. But the website which connects workers with work requires a phone number for 2FA and it can’t be VoIP.

I am so frustrated. I am incredibly grateful for everything the Union Mission has done for me the past year, but it’s time to move on. But it seems like every time I get close to earning money regularly, something like this VoIP thing comes up and knocks me back to square one.

Last summer I had my most viral article ever on Medium. It paid out in September, just as the weather was getting nice.

I stayed out of the Union Mission approximately 17 of October’s 31 days. It was wonderful. I reconnected with friends. I had some good meals and gained back a little bit of the weight I lost.

But then I spent most of November in the hospital. And my phone got stolen in December. I haven’t had a. viral article since. The weather is getting nice again and it sucks that I don’t have the resources to enjoy it as I did last October.

That’s enough griping for now… thanks for reading… ON TO THE NEWS…

The Grizzlies are back in town, and Downtown Wiseacre will hold a pregame pep rally for them Saturday. Attendees will have a chance to win two tickets to the game. The Grizz Girls, Claw Crew, and Grizzline will be there. Food and drink specials and samples of award-winning Sky Dog beer.

Stax Music Academy students invite you to relive the sounds of Stax Records tonight at 7 at the Cannon Center. The performance will include a tribute to Sam & Dave.

Jazz Meets Broadway, a night of classic Broadway hits, comes to the Halloran Centre Saturday evening.

Old Dominick will hold its annual crawfish boil Saturday 2-5 PM. Live music, drink specials. Get 1 lb. of crawfish plus all the fixings for $16 plus tax plus service fee. Or, get all you can eat plus one cocktail for $48 plus tax plus service fee.

YOGA! Puppies! Join Streetdog Foundation and SANA Yoga Saturday 2:00-3:30 PM at the Memphis Made taproom for Puppy Yoga. $25 fee includes one beer. Tickets: https://givebutter.com/SDFyoga Bring your own yoga mat/towel/water.

By the way, Memphis Made has $5 pints of Purple Drink in the taproom while supplies last.

Ghost River at Main and Crump will host a spring fever market Saturday noon to 5. “A market of vintage goods, plants, arts, oddities & more.” Easter egg hunt!

Action News 5 reporters experienced firsthand how unreliable MATA is.

Room in the Inn seeks a volunteer coordinator.

Honor our first responders with a grill-out Saturday at Cordelia’s Market. 11 AM to 1 PM.

Memphis Tacos and Tequila Festival happens Saturday noon to 5 at Butterific Cafe.

I think I’m gonna stay out of the Mission tonight and go to South Main Trolley Night tonight. Or South Main Night Market, whatever it’s called now. Perhaps I’ll  see you there.

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Can you tell from my recent posts that I have considerably more zest for life than I did a few months ago?

Back in December, I was deeply depressed because my phone and laptop had been stolen. That made it nearly impossible for me to express myself creatively and stay in contact with my friends. I had to rely on the computers at the public library. But due to the contrast between the library’s hours and the Union Mission’s hours, I could either write my blog or get in free to the Mission on any given day, but not both. That’s why there were weeks when I made only 2-3 posts, and they were short. I hated that. I love writing for all of you.

My phone and computer have been replaced, and I’m back to 6-7 posts a week, many of them in the 400-word range as opposed to 100.

So, yeah, my zest for life is back. With that zest, though, comes a new source of frustration.

I’ll continue in a future post… but now… ON TO THE NEWS…

The Grizzlies are back in action at Oklahoma City tonight at 7 PM. TV: FanDuel Sports Network and locally on Action News 5

There are a couple of pretty cool Grizzlies giveaways on back-to-back nights next week:

Monday, March 31 – 6:30 tip vs. Boston – free Grizzlies 30th anniversary watch to the first 5000. I can’t recall the Grizzlies ever giving away a watch before.

Tuesday, April 1 – 7:00 tip vs. Golden State – free Jaren Jackson Jr. hoodie to the first 3000 fans. Awesome free gift, wrong time of year? …Seems like a hoodie giveaway would be more appropriate in November.

The Memphis Flyer’s cover story this week is about the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum’s move to 126 Beale. Though not in the entertainment district proper, the museum will be an anchor of Beale Street.

Former Memphis Tigers men’s basketball head coach Josh Pastner has a new job. UNLV has reportedly hired Pastner as head coach on a five-year contract. Best of luck to Josh. He definitely has the mind for the game. I think getting out of the South will be key to his success.

Today is International Whiskey Day.

Today is also Major League Baseball’s Opening Day.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T., a tribute to Aretha Franklin, is at the Orpheum Sunday, March 30.

It’s time to CALL THOSE HOGS!!! 10 Arkansas vs. 3 Texas Tech at approximately 9:09 PM. TBS, truTV.

The Metal Museum is looking for a guest services assistant and a retail gallery manager.

From ABC: Check to see if you have unclaimed cash. 1 in 7 Americans do.

The Lobbyist is opening a new outdoor bar.

Elvis Presley Enterprises seeks a digital content specialist.

Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but 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

Those of you who are just here for news, who are not personal contacts of mine, can skip ahead to ON TO THE NEWS… below.

Yesterday, for the second time in three months, I missed out on an opportunity to earn money because I didn’t have a working phone number. I was so incredibly frustrated. I’m sick and tired of having almost no money, staying at the Union Mission. I desire something better for myself .

I think I found a solution. I found a company called TextNow that gave me a 901 phone number. Unlike Google Voice, I did not have to have an existing number to get the new one.

I can use the new number to text ONLY WHEN ON WI-FI, because I currently do not have cellular service. That limits me to about 7-10 AM on weekdays, a little longer on weekends – you see, the Union Mission where I stay at night does not have Wi-Fi. Still, having a working phone number a few hours a day is for better than nothing.

FRIENDS- email me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com if you want the new number.

ON TO THE NEWS…

Wiseacre’s Sky Dog Lager was recently named the best light beer in the U.S. at the Great American Beer Festival.

Slider Inn Downtown hosts Taylor Swift Music Bingo this Thursday at 7.

Memphis Farmers Market’s opening day is April 5. Salon has named a must-have item at farmers markets… shrooms.

Paris has voted to make 500 streets pedestrian.

A Yelp-like app called ShelterBridge allows the homeless to review shelter service, meals, etc. PLEASE add the ability to review and rate guest preachers from local churches who preach at shelters!!!!!

The National Civil Rights Museum could lose its federal funding. Thanks Elon!

The Grizzlies got a W over the Utah Jazz last night, 140-103. That moves Memphis up to 4th in the West, a half-game behind Denver and ahead of the Lakers.

The City Council is moving forward with a hotel-motel tax increase to fund FedExForum improvements. Those are important to keep the Grizzlies here.

MPD has shared new Downtown safety initiatives.

The monthly Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting is tonight at historic Conwood Flats, 711 N. Front. Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery will speak. Free wine and food for members.

Today is National Make Up Your Own Holiday Day. Happy PBR Day everyone.

Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but 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

Many of you are aware I once worked for a nonprofit that sanctions a card game called bridge. The company just wrapped up its 11-day spring North American tournament in Downtown Memphis. People came from all over the continent and even the world to play.

There’s a third-party public message board the bridge players use to discuss common topics in their world. I’ve been monitoring the message board to get a sense of what attendees of a large convention think of our fair city. Toward the end of the tournament, I saw the following post:

“Enjoyable time. Only complaint is the constant smell off (sic) weed. Heaven forbid if you wore cologne or perfume. But smell like a weed factory? Perfectly acceptable!!”

I’m not a bit surprised to read this comment. Can I tell you a story?

One day last October I was walking past a Downtown business, a business that’s something of a cornerstone of the neighborhood. It’s a business that appeals to children as well as adults. As I walked past the business, several teenage employees wearing their company uniforms were standing outside the business passing a pipe around. The smell of weed was overpowering.

Now, I am not anti-marijuana by any means. I think it should be legal to smoke.

But I also think people need to exercise more common sense when smoking it. Can we PLEASE

• Not smoke weed in or around venues that appeal to kids;
• Not smoke weed when representing an organization, for example, wearing their uniform;
• And for heaven’s sake, if you plan to enter a public space right after smoking weed, PLEASE give yourself a moment or two outside to air out!!!

The Grizzlies are still on the road, playing the Utah Jazz at 8 PM. The race for playoff seeding is tight and every game counts. TV: FanDuel Sports Network

Fun fact: James Garfield , our 20th president, had a dog named Veto.

Yesterday I was watching ESPN, and analysts were discussing how this is not a year for Cinderella teams in March Madness. Indeed, 10 Arkansas is the only double digit seed left. Go Hogs, and (I feel dirty for typing this) go Coach Cal.

Today is International Waffle Day. Automatic Slim’s is the place to celebrate. They serve brunch 11 to 3 weekdays including waffles several different ways. Don’t worry, I won’t tell your boss if you celebrate with a $3 mimosa too.

LEO Events seeks a sales & marketing coordinator.

Trolley Night returns to the South Main Arts District this Friday 6-9 PM. Live music up and down the street, discounts, drink specials.

You’ve heard about bands that are one hit wonders. What about two hit wonders?

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but 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

Houston rapper Sauce Walka was identified as the victim injured in the shooting outside the Westin Saturday afternoon. The other victim, Memphis rapper Sayso P, said to be Walka’s protege, was killed.

The bridge (card game) tournament that was in town at the Renasant Convention Center wrapped up yesterday. Notable: Bob Hamman, 86, of Dallas was co-winner of a pairs championship, his 55th North American title. He won the first of those 55 the year The Rolling Stones got together.

WWE icon The Undertaker is 60 today.

WREG explores how geography leads to severe weather in the Mid-South.

There will be an expungement clinic at FedExForum on Saturday, April 5.

CA writers have a look at their favorite BBQ in Memphis.

StyleBlueprint talks with Emily Mutchnick, co-owner of JEM Fine Dining in The Edge.

Sweet Sixteen dates/times/channels:

• 10 Arkansas Razorbacks vs. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 9:09 PM Thursday, TBS/truTV
• 6 Ole Miss Rebels vs. 2 Michigan State Spartans, 6:09 PM Friday, CBS
• 3 Kentucky Wildcats vs. 2 Tennessee Bumbling Bozos, 6:39 PM Friday, TBS/truTV

Today is National Cocktail Day.

I had a bizarre dream last night that Drew from Memphis Made was crowned King of Brewers. I got to attend his coronation at the taproom and we called him “His Most Drewest Drew.”

Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but 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

If you missed the three crawfish boils in the southern part of Downtown yesterday, don’t worry, you’re not out of luck for the year. Max’s Sports Bar has announced, weather permitting, it will host boils by Glaze Hardage Saturdays at noon through the end of April. Glaze cooks the best mudbugs in Memphis.

How bout them HOGS! 10 Arkansas upset 2 St. John’s yesterday to advance to the NCAA men’s Sweet Sixteen. Next up for the Razorbacks: vs. 3 Texas Tech. A highly winnable game against an old Southwest Conference foe.

Unfortunately 2 Tennessee has managed to stick around. The Vols will play the winner of today’s 6 Illinois vs. 3 Kentucky game.

6 Ole Miss plays 3 Iowa State in the round of 32 tonight at 6:45. TV: truTV

There was a shooting outside the Westin yesterday about 2:45. One person died and another was injured. The shooting is said to be targeted, not random. One TV station is reporting that musicians/rappers may have been involved.

Thunderstorms are a possibility in Memphis this afternoon from about 2 to 7.

The Grizzlies have lost Brandon Clarke for the rest of the season due to a PCL sprain in his knee.

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but 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

 

As I was blogging yesterday about Easter being on 4/20 this year, I got a Facebook notification announcing Beale Street Wine Race for the following Sunday, April 27.

Wine Race is a giant day of debauchery centered around a competition among metro Memphis restaurants. It consists of

• An opening parade with floats
• A Queen of the Vine beauty pageant
• A grape stomping competition
• A wine relay race, 4 people per team

The event is held in Handy Park, right across from Wet Willie’s, and many Call-a-Cab daiquiris (containing 190 proof grain alcohol) are consumed over the course of the day.

So, anyway, I returned to my blog post about Easter being 4/20 – the third Sunday of the month. And I thought, “Houston, we have a problem.” Well, not Houston, but Downtown Memphis.

You see, there is another day of debauchery, Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest, that typically happens the third Sunday in April on Riverside Drive.

Except, that is, when Easter falls on the third Sunday of April. Then they move Rajun Cajun to the fourth Sunday. I did a little research and confirmed, yes, that is what will happen this year.

Rajun Cajun and Wine Race are going to happen concurrently in 2025.

I’ll make the same comment I made last time this happened – OMG this is going to be a SHITSHOW. Riverside Drive and Beale Street are going to be lined with red lumpy vomit, the result of mixing crawfish and Call-a-Cabs.

On to the rest of the news…

I hate to say “I told you so” about Colorado State, but… I told you so.

10 Arkansas vs. 2 St. John’s, 1:40 today, CBS. Pitino meets Calipari once more.

7 UCLA vs. 2 Tennessee, 8:40 today, TBS, truTV.

The Memphis Redbirds host the St. Louis Cardinals at AutoZone Park Monday in the first Battle of the Birds in 6 years. The Redbirds have their AAA opener Friday in Louisville and their home opener on April 1.

RIP George Foreman. I owned one of his grills.

The I-55 bridge will be closed this weekend.

St. Jude seeks a supervisor, food service.

The Juice Mane Health & Wellness Festival will happen in Tom Lee Park Saturday, April 5.

Crawfish boils today at Max’s Sports Bar (noon), Momma’s (all day until they run out), and Ghost River’s South Main location (1 PM).

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but 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

Yesterday as I was typing my Thursday blog post, someone pointed out that Easter falls on 4/20 this year.

Who’s gonna have a different kind of grass in their Easter basket?

Who’s the bunny gonna bring some of that wacky tobacky?

Who’s more interested in lighting up some doobage than eating Marshmallow Peeps or Cadbury Crème Eggs?

Today is National Crunchy Taco Day.

The Ginger’s Bread & Co. is coming to the Downtown core in a two-story location next to City Market.

Residents of the 99 Front apartment building may have been exposed to lead.

An unnamed upscale Downtown restaurant seeks a sous chef.

Take a walk across the river tonight to support those with Down syndrome.

Read the history of Mud Island

10 Arkansas upset 7 seed and preseason number one Kansas last night. The Hogs next face 2 St. John’s on Saturday.

Break out your orange gingham shirts, Bozo wigs, and clown noses: 2 Tennessee has survived to reach the second round of the NCAA tournament. They’ll face 7 UCLA on Saturday.

GO MEMPHIS TIGERS! Back tomorrow with more news.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
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An 1867 townhouse in Victorian Village is for sale. 4 BR, 2.5 BA, could be repurposed as an AirBNB, a restaurant, or offices.

AP looks at Penny Hardaway’s growth as a head coach.

Watch March Madness 11 AM-5 PM Friday at the Sunset Canopy in Tom Lee Park. Memphis tips off at 1.

World Ballet Company: The Great Gatsby comes to the Cannon Center tonight.

Let’s all turn on TNT at 5:50 and root for those Wofford Terriers to pull off a 15 seed-2 seed upset of the Tennessee Vols. Ournaments are so much better once you get rid of the “T”.

Also today: 10 Arkansas vs. 7 Kansas, 6:10 on CBS.

Back tomorrow probably.

This blog is free to read, but 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

That WIND!!! Good day to fly a kite.

It’s National Poultry Day. I recommend you celebrate with a short drive to Thomas and Chelsea for some Jack Pirtle’s chicken. Get you a two-piece with some of their delicious gravy and a biscuit. Or, if you prefer, get chicken livers.

It’s also the day after Ariel’s birthday.

Did you know Cordelia’s Market is under new ownership? Erica & Robert want to meet you at Toast to New Beginnings Thursday 5-7 PM at the Mud Island grocery store. Drinks and snacks will be served. Champagne toast at 5:30. Take a free commemorative glass home with you.

Old Dominick Distillery will host a Special Event Expo Thursday from 5 to 8. You can talk to more than 20 local vendors you might want to hire for your upcoming event: caterers, florists, photographers, DJs, and more. Cash bar. Free and open to the public.

Memphis Tiger PJ Haggerty is a second-team All-American.

Explore Harriet Tubman’s teenage home

It’s Pinto vs. Vega vs. Gremlin vs. Beetle in this 1971 Car & Driver review

The Grizzlies are in Portland for a 9 PM game. TV: FanDuel Sports

This blog is free to read, but 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