Paul Ryburn's Journal

Last night the group gathered at the Saucer for our most massive party ever.  Over the past three months we won $475 in Saucer gift certificates at Tuesday night trivia.  We also had another $100 for finding the Easter Keg last month.  Team member Chad had his plate party last night, adding $100 more for a total of $675.

We always invite the trivia masters to our parties.  This is the first time in several parties that both Pete the Trivia Guy and Mikey the Trivia Guy have both been able to attend.

A couple of days ago, I had a talk with Bicycle Bobby.  “We may need your help,” I said.  “This tab is so enormous that I’m afraid we’ll die if we don’t get some people in here to help us drink it.”  Bicycle Bobby immediately offered to step up and help us take care of the problem.

Chad did something rather unusual:  He finished 200 beers to get a plate without paying full price for any of them.  Every one of them was a Pint Nite beer, or Fire Sale or happy hour, or were purchased with a gift certificate.  In the pic above, Brittney announces Chad’s accomplishment.

The group watching the unveiling of the plate

Happy Chad

Chad wasn’t the only one having a plate party last night.  Here’s Brittney announcing Minnesota Dave’s plate.

After the party ended and a stop on Beale, I was ready to call it a night, but Lana and Sarah convinced me to come in Kooky Canuck for a beer.

Full photo album (34 pics) here. My camera seems to have trouble adjusting to lighting conditions at the Saucer.  Big thanks to Jessica, who did an AMAZING job as our server.  Several times, right as I finished the last sips of my Dos Equis Lager, she walked up with another one.  Also big thanks to my teammates who tipped generously.  I am proud to be around people who understand the importance of taking good care of our servers and bartenders.

And now it’s Sunday Fun Day.  Not hungry yet, so skipping brunch, but I’ll be at the Saucer at 12.  I’m sending “good Fire Sale” vibes that direction…

Sausage biscuit (note that there are TWO patties on it) and hash browns topped with cheese and mushrooms

John Bragg of Circa grilling some sliders

Storefront of the new women’s boutique, Christine by Shelton Clothiers

Bluff City Backsliders

Allergies still killing me.  Probably as bad as yesterday morning, but without the added stress of a screaming alarm clock.  I’d go see a doctor, but I have a feeling I’d be told that consumption of large amounts of alcohol aggravates allergies.

MPACT Memphis will celebrate its 9th birthday Tuesday night with a happy hour at Bardog Tavern.  If you’re a member, there will be an open bar from 6 to 7, free appetizers, an open bar from 6 to 7, birthday cake, an open bar from 6 to 7, a chance to get plugged in to local nonprofits, and an open bar from 6 to 7.  If you’re not a member, click here to become one or to learn more about MPACT.  Attn trivia team:  There’s something about “open bar from 6 to 7” that makes me think I’ll be late getting to trivia.  Free appetizers?  Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

If you’re a fan of Brazilian culture, there’s an “I Miss Brasil” party at TJ Mulligan’s Pinch tonight from 9 to 2, featuring Brazilian music, drinks, and dance.  No cover, but there will be a tip jar for the dancers.

The City Taste is putting together a “Memphis on the Rocks” party Thursday, June 24 at 409 S. Main.  It’s a casual, end-of-the week party with great food and great drinks, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Memphis YWCA.  To learn more click here.

After 65 years, Lansky Bros. at the Peabody has put together a book outlining its history.  The 144-page coffee table book is called Lansky Brothers: Clothier to the King.  Among the many stories you’ll find an account of how Lansky became clothier to its most famous customer, Elvis Presley.  You can pre-order through the link; it’ll be in the store late next week.

I’ve received info about the things that will be happening at South Main Trolley Night on Friday, but it’s probably worth a post of its own.  For now I’ll just say that it will be one of the biggest Trolley Nights in a while.

Outta here.  Big party tonight.  There may very well be photos.

“omg omg omg the pbody rooftop is doing a jerzy shore nite i bet there are going to be lots of hott guys there i need to schedule a 6 hour tanning session to get ready then i need to buy a new outfit wall mart is having a sale”

Yep, it’s true… on Thursday, June 3 (not this coming Thursday but the next one), the theme of the weekly Peabody rooftop party will be Jersey Shore.  PBR and Sparks will be the featured beers, and the food buffet will consist of Coney Island hot dogs, cheddar popcorn, and onion rings.  In VIP there will be fried clam po-boys, fried fish fingers, and wheels of cheddar cheese.  The Mudflap Kings will be on stage, although I don’t think the band has anything to do with the theme.

Allergies nearly killed me this morning, so I called in… didn’t think my cubicle mates would appreciate listening to me sneeze 100 times.  The Walgreens version of Claritin-D has finally kicked in, and after a long nap I’m somewhat better now.  Unusual for it to be 3 PM before I pop open the first Mountain Dew of the day.  Anyway, that’s why there was no lunchtime post sometime between 11 and 2 today.

Inbox is approaching 100 messages again, and I see several things in there that look like they need to be in a future post… will go through them shortly.  But first, I think it’s time for another nap.

Last night the Bluff City Brewers did a presentation at the Saucer.  Terry the manager called me over to meet them.  “It’s not hard at all to make your own beer,” they told me.  They went over the steps, and there were about two of them.

“So, let’s say there was a style of beer I liked,” I asked them.  “Maybe, cherry wheat.”  I love Sam Adams Cherry Wheat.

“You could brew it easily.  Just follow the steps and add cherry extract,” they told me.  “It would probably cost you $50 to make 48 bottles.  That’s about a dollar a bottle.  As compared to what it would cost here at the Saucer, which is…”

“WHOAAAAA!” Terry interjected.  “Let’s not sell him too hard on homebrewing.”

But you know what’s funny?

Look what the guy on the right is drinking.  That’s a “Paulie Lager,” a Dos Equis Lager with 8 limes.

I learn and I teach.

I had a blog topic ready to go tonight, but it will have to wait.  The only thing I feel like doing right now is extending condolences to the families of the two West Memphis PD officers who were killed in the line of the duty today, and get-well wishes to the two other officers, the sheriff, and the deputy who were injured.  I don’t know anyone on the West Memphis police force, but through the anti-panhandling efforts Downtown I’ve met many who serve for MPD, and I know first-hand there are some fine folks in uniform taking care of us.  I’m sure it’s the same way across the river.  Terrible, terrible incident and I wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

Every year, zombies invade South Main and Beale Street the last Friday in May. This year, the zombie march will happen Friday, May 28, starting at 6:30 PM. Unlike previous years, they will begin on South Main, rather than ending there, and march up Main and down Beale Street. The 28th is also Trolley Night, so there will be plenty to see in South Main.

You can show up to the march pre-zombified, or you can have them do it for you. If you want to be attacked and turned into a zombie by the masses, wear clothes you don’t mind getting messed up, and mark yourself with a clearly-visible X made with duct tape.

Complete details about the Zombie Massacre can be found here.

I’ll have more details on other Trolley Night events coming soon. This looks like it’s going to be one of the biggest Trolley Nights ever.

(Edit: The show will be at the Orpheum.)

Spinner.com is reporting that Robert Plant will kick off his tour with his new band, Band of Joy, in Memphis. July 13 is the date.

That name might ring a bell for those familiar with Led Zep history… he sang for a band called Band of Joy 1966-67. When Jimmy Page recruited Plant for Zeppelin, Plant told Page he had to hear the drummer from his former band. That drummer, of course, was John Bonham.

Home from work.  Few quick things before I head to the Bluff City Brewers presentation at the Saucer.

There’s a new group on Facebook called “Downtown Trash Challenge.”  They’re trying to get 5,000 people who work Downtown to commit to picking up one piece of trash each during the work day.  Think how clean Downtown could be if the group hits its goal.  They invite you to take pics of the trash you pick up, and post to the group.  No item is too small to be picked up.

Hear the Memphis Symphony in a non-stuffy environment tomorrow night… leave your tie at the office and come to The Warehouse at 36 G.E. Patterson for a performance tomorrow night, Thursday, May 20.  Works by Grieg, Strauss, and Tomasi, and for the second half the Symphony will be joined by special guests classical fusion group String Theory and Memphis’ own Susan Marshall.  Doors at 7:30, performance at 8.  Wine, beer, and laid-back snacks will be served.  $25 general admission, $15 with student ID, teenagers and up only please.  If you’ve never been to a show or party at The Warehouse, I cannot describe what an awesome space this is.  You’ve got to see it.

If you’re planning on hitting trivia at the Silly Goose tonight, you won’t find it… they’re moving it to Thursdays at 7.  Prizes from $50 gift certificates down to $10.  Gonna be interesting to see how that works out, with trivia the same night as rooftop down the street.

Poker in the Underdog Room at Bardog tonight, 7:30.  Free lesson at 7 if you don’t know how to play Texas Hold’em.