Paul Ryburn's Journal

If you’re a fan of Georgia or Central Florida, I have a suggestion for tonight: There will be a Liberty Bowl team welcome party at AutoZone Park tonight at 6 PM. $25 admission, and both the ‘Dawgs and the Knights will be there. More info here. The welcome party is one of the first of the Liberty Bowl festival events that will be happening all this week.

Every time I hear the word “DAWG” I think of my friend John D now. Sorry, inside joke.

Other events going on Downtown tonight… the Grizzlies host the Toronto Raptors at 7… Pint Nite at the Flying Saucer with most drafts $3… I’m assuming Spindini is open tonight (not sure of that though) with their half-off pizza and wine… poker night at the Silly Goose, 9 PM… trivia at Huey’s at 9.

Seriously, WellWorx, was this really necessary?

Merry Christmas! I’m typing this post from the Legacy Hotel in Little Rock, wrapping up a 2-day stay here.

I spent much of the past two days setting up and playing with the Christmas present I got my mother – an iPad. I have to admit, up until now I haven’t seen the point of iPads. They seemed like big iPhones without the phone. However, for her, a wireless iPad was perfect – a chance to experience iOS without a monthly phone bill.

Now that I’ve played with it, I can understand their appeal. There are plenty of apps which are written specifically for the iPad, rather than being apps written for the smaller iPhone screen that also work on the iPad. She downloaded the app for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the local newspaper, and within minutes, she was reading the paper on her iPad. I don’t mean, she was surfing the Demo-Gaz’ website reading news stories – she had the actual newspaper, with photos, ads and all. She could zoom in and out, e-mail stories… very cool.

She also got the WeatherBug app. I have WeatherBug on my iPhone, but have to choose from multiple tabs depending on whether I want current conditions, radar, weather photos, or the forecast. The iPad has it all on one screen.

She got a couple of others – CNN’s app, which is designed for the iPad and has lots of photos and video, as well as People magazine which she subscribes to.

Is it enough to make me want an iPad? Not yet. With my apartment already cluttered with a MacBook, netbook and iPhone, I don’t see the need (yet) for a fourth Internet device, especially one that can’t (yet) get on PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. Definitely going to keep my eye on the iPad though. If the coolness factor goes up I may get one.

Thanks to a sweet friend in Memphis, I also brought my mother a grab bag of perfumes and other goodies, including two fragrances she loved but hadn’t seen in 20 years. She was thrilled.

It’s snowing in Memphis, so I’m going to make an early trip back while the sun is high and bright in the sky. Hopefully that’ll keep snow and ice from sticking to the roads while I’m on them.

I’ll do a blog post about the stuff I did Little Rock later, this afternoon maybe if I get back early.

Not because it’s Christmas Eve, but because there is possible winter weather headed toward the Bluff City.

MemphisWeather.net has an excellent StormView radar with a whole bunch of settings you can turn on or off. There’s a blog that explains what will likely be happening, and why. Their forecasts are generally more accurate than the ones on TV. You can sign up for weather alerts, and you can keep up with them on Facebook and Twitter.

If you haven’t got the site bookmarked already, tonight would be a good night to do it.

I forgot to mention this earlier and know it’s last minute, but Bar None, the chef’s pub in the former Circa space, is having their weekly poker night tonight at 7:30. It’s run by “Poker Jon” and has real chips, real felt, and increasing blind levels just like the tournaments you see on TV. Win first place and you get a Bar None gift certificate.

This is only the second week, so it might be a good chance to slip in and compete against a thin field before the poker night gets “discovered” and the crowd grows. Good luck to all who compete! I can’t make it this Thursday but maybe the next, I will.

I’ve been asked to blog the following, to help with your last-minute shopping:

“the little gift boutique, Alley Katz, on beale is going out of business…everything is on sale, 50-75% off. GUYS- if you need last minute gifts for sister, mom, girlfriend, wife, ME, etc… GO THERE! GIRLS- if you haven’t been, drive downtown. So much cuteness! Ornaments, wine glasses, picture frames, dish towels, candles, serving dishes, cook books, etc…”

Alley Katz is next door to Miss Polly’s and the King’s Palace patio.

Kooky Canuck is running a “Santa Special” today, December 23 – 99 cent Bud Light draft all day. I believe this would be the 12 ounce cups rather than the big 34s, but still, a great deal. Wish I was there drinking a few.

The Silly Goose’s 2nd annual Christmas Soiree happens tonight. Santa Claus, seasonal cocktails, live music, holiday punch, food specials. Party starts at 9 PM. Hmmmm… tonight is a weekend night for me… very interesting. Very likely I’ll make an appearance. Party starts at 9 PM.

Today’s big news is that the Memphis City Schools board has voted to surrender its charter, pending voter approval via a special election that will be held within 45-60 days. The surrender will effectively force consolidation of the city and county schools. This Daily News article is an excellent summary of how things got to this point.

The school board was in session until 11:30 last night hearing both sides of the argument. For a recap, get on Twitter and search for the #mcs hashtag. Plenty of reporters were tweeting.

Bar None kicks off a new Tuesday night acoustic music series tonight at 8. Kirk Smithhart will be joined by Chris Chew of North Mississippi Allstars fame. There is no cover charge, and $5 half yards of Bud Light. (John D: “Whaaaaaa? Half yards of Bud Light? Paul, I may have to leave trivia tonight after the first hour!”)

The Cardinals Caravan is coming to AutoZone Park Sunday, January 16. Fans will get to partake in a question and answer session with past and current St. Louis Cardinals players, as well as top prospects within the farm system. Afterward there will be a meet and greet autograph session, and there will also be an auction to benefit the Redbirds’ STRIPES and RBI programs. Doors open at 6 with first come first served seating, and the program will start on the park’s club level at 6:30. Hot dogs, soft drinks and nachos will be provided. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up. Also, the ‘birds store will be open 5-7 that evening with a 30% discount storewide.

Census data has determined which state will gain and lose House seats. Texas is the big winner, while New York and Ohio are the big losers. Details here.

Grizzlies play the New Jersey Nets tonight at the FedExForum. I like it when the Grizzlies have home games on Tuesdays. Trivia at the Saucer at 7.