Paul Ryburn's Journal

At trivia last night, someone ordered a sandwich.  Not long after it came out, the Nuh-Uh Girl swooped in like a pigeon and asked, “Are you going to eat that pickle?”  Then she dipped it in ketchup and ate it.  Here’s a pic.

She then said, “Hey, don’t knock ketchup until you try it!”  She thinks everything’s better with ketchup.  No, everything’s better with bacon.

I have four or five more things to post about today, so check back.  I’m going to type as many posts as possible before I leave for work and save them in Drafts, then put them up throughout the day.

Mpact Memphis has a few opportunities and events coming up that I wanted to mention on the blog.

First of all, they’re looking for a Program & Event Planning Intern. Click the link to read complete details, but as a quick summary, you’d be working with MPACT leaders to reserve venues, coordinate volunteers for events, purchase food and materials, and maintain event data.

It’s an unpaid internship… why would you want to do this for free? Simple – because of the connections. You’d be working with some of the city’s most promising young leaders in the Executive Director and the committee chairs. You’d also get to know people who run the city’s best venues, most well-known nonprofits, etc. Yeah you’d be working for free now, but I bet it would pay off big in the future. Plus Mpact is a flexible organization, and Gwyn the executive director would be a great person to work with.

Now, let’s talk about a couple of Downtown Mpact events, the type the intern would help plan. First up, next Tuesday, October 13, Mpact is holding a happy hour at South of Beale. The new menu will be out by then, so come give it a try and wind down the day with a cocktail and friends.

Then they’ve got an event Saturday, October 17 which sounds really interesting… it’s Downtown at Bangkok Alley, which is quickly becoming my favorite restaurant (had edamame and two sushi rolls there Friday night). This night of food, fun and entertainment kicks off at 8, but really gets going at 10 – MPACTinis and tasty tapas. Mpact gets a portion of the proceeds, so come support. Hmmm food-related event… I’ll have to bring the camera, because I suspect there will be opportunities to photograph the Nuh-Uh Girl eating.  Plus there’s a very good chance I’ll end up at either Bardog or Paula & Raiford’s later in the evening.

Just got home from work.  Going to catch up on Twitter then head to the Saucer for trivia.

Taking a quick afternoon break to post info I received from the Peabody on their New Year’s Eve party.  They say it will be two parties in one:

The Wild Side
Saving Abel with Al Kapone and DJ Mark Anderson’s Party Train
Location: Grand Ballroom

The Scene
Andy Childs with DJ Bobby Smith and John Felix Trio
Location: Continental Ballroom, Lobby, Corner Bar

Sounds good… NYE is so far away that I haven’t thought about it at all, but this is probably the first time in 5 years I’m going to give serious consideration to the Peabody. Their rooftop parties improved a lot this year compared to what they were in the past. Hopefully they’ll bring that level of improvement to their NYE party as well.

Back to work… another exciting afternoon of renaming and redirecting files.

Update 2:14 PM: I just received an e-mail from someone who parks in this garage.  The attendant told him Central Parking will be closing it tonight after it clears out.  There’s no word yet on alternate locations for the garage’s monthly customers.

… and this time it’s not because of bums pretending to be parking attendants.  This Action News 5 story says that the ceiling of the 62-year-old structure is starting to fall.  Several people had their vehicles damaged, and they could have been injured if they’d been there at the wrong time.  If you’re coming Downtown to the Rendezvous, Cadre Building, Paula & Raiford’s, or other area attractions, you may want to look elsewhere for parking until the garage management gets this fixed.

Update on my Big Mac combo meal lunch:  My health guru AL has already seen my post about it and has texted to voice her disapproval.

If you’re into cigars, fine food, and wine, you may want to make reservations for the Smoking Up High Cigar Dinner, to be held Thursday, October 15 on the rooftop of the Madison Hotel. $75 per person (plus tax and gratuity) includes the food and beverage parirings listed below, and one cigar from Havana Mix. Mike Candebat from Vignoble Wine Distributor will be on hand to discuss pairings. Here’s the event schedule:

6:15-7 PM – Passed hors d’oeuvres, mojitos, and cigars. Bring your own cigar or purchase on-site.

7:05 PM – dinner service begins.

First Course
Arkansas Rainbow Smoke Trout with Applewood Bacon Vinaigrette and Smoked Caviar
Prinsi Chardonnay

Second Course
New Orleans Seafood Gumbo
Le Rive, Nebbielo

Third Course
Veal Osso Bucco
Prinsi, Calvario

Dessert
Key Lime Shooters
Assorted House Made Truffles
Dark Roast Coffee with Domanier Cognac L’Orange

Call 901-333-1224 to make reservations.

Update on my lunch from McDonald’s:  Because I upgraded to the large combo meal, I got four Monopoly game pieces.  I was hoping for a $1,000,000 instant winner, but instead I got North Carolina Avenue, Indiana Avenue, States Avenue, and Pennsylvania Railroad.  Wonder if any of those are the “scarce” pieces.

I have two more posts already typed up.  When I feel like I need a minute or two’s break this afternoon, I’ll log in and post them.  Check back.

Eating lunch as I post this… today’s lunch is a Big Mac combo meal.  Just had to mention that in case my health guru AL is reading.  “Do you want to upsize it to large?” they asked.  Does a fish like water?

If you have metalwork you need repaired, this weekend is your chance… Repair Days will be this weekend, October 9-11 at the Metal Museum. Metalsmiths from around the country will be on hand to solder, sharpen, fix dings, remove dents, re-tin cookware, and repair garden furniture. Estimates for repair work are free, and all proceeds benefit the Metal Museum. Visitors with repair receipts receive free admission to the museum during the event.

In addition to repairs, there will be other fun stuff going on at the museum all weekend. Friday at 7, there will be a Master Metalsmith Demonstration. Saturday will be Family Fun Day, with casting, jewelry making, and blacksmithing demos. In the evening, there will be a gallery talk with Master Metalsmith Elizabeth Brim, a live auction, and music by DJ Witnesse. Elizabeth Brim will be back Sunday morning for a tech talk.

Plans for tonight:  Trivia at the Saucer at 7.  The team has been smaller lately but I kinda like it that way… seems like 8-10 people is ideal.   Got several more posts in the queue, so check back.

Rio Loco has Pollo Loco Tapatio on special for under $10 all day Sunday.  That’s a huge portion of chicken breasts topped with cheese, bacon, and mushrooms, along with beans with cheese, rice, sour cream, guacamole, pico, and lettuce.  Plus chips and salsa.

If you’re single it’s enough to have leftovers for Monday.

If you’re a couple it will easily feed you both.

I made the mistake of thinking it wasn’t enough and getting the beef nachos with it.  Was that ever unnecessary.

Sitting here at Pint Nite at the Saucer… Just checked Facebook and saw that South of Beale just had a tasting for their new menu items. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl showed up. Parmesan encrusted mozzarella, poached pear salad, and shrimp & grits were mentioned among the new choices. Menu launches Wednesday.

I saw on Twitter that the Memphis Redbirds will have a party in their clubhouse from 6 to 8 Thursday evening to celebrate their PCL championship.  “Free food and drink + catch on the field,” read the tweet.  Sounds like a good event to bring the kids.  Plus, free food?  Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Midtown Yoga will open a Downtown location at 91 S. Front next Monday, October 12.  For more info check out this Memphis Business Journal article, and check out the new location’s schedule here.