Paul Ryburn's Journal

Yesterday was a good day, for several reasons.

First of all, I woke up and logged into my Amazon Associates account, which collects commissions from Mid-South Alcoholic Supply, Tube Top Boutique and my other stores. Discovered that I had earned more commission in the first 9 days of July than I had earned in all of June. Those stores started out paying for a couple of nights of drinking, and now they’re close to paying for a couple of weeks of drinking. Yay.

Then I went to work and got a new project. I’m off The Most Boring Project On Earth as soon as I tie up loose ends. Instead, I’m going to be working on cutting-edge projects using open-source software like PHP and MySQL. Really looking forward to that… I’ve used them for my own sites that I build on the side, but it will be my first chance to build enterprise-wide software using open-source tools.

After work, I went out and walked around for a little while… watched people walk to the Peabody rooftop party (didn’t go to it myself) and Country on Beale. Then I noticed one of Downtown’s regular bums waving a car into a metered parking spot at Main and Peabody Place. I took out my camera and put it in video mode, and recorded a minute-long video of him taking money for the parking space. Then I called the safety patrol. Unfortunately he saw me after I shot the video, and left the area.

Then I headed to the Saucer to catch the Dempseys. They played a great show last night… my friend from Monterrey, Mexico was there hearing the band for the first time. It’s always fun to watch someone watch the Dempseys for the first time, and just be blown away by how good they are.

Mid-way through the first set, the Saucer’s manager came and got me, and asked me to come to the office. I had an urgent phone call. It was the safety patrol, who had been trying to reach me, but due to the band I couldn’t hear my cell phone. The bum who I had recorded parking cars earlier was stupid enough to come back out, and they caught him trying to park cars on Beale by the Elvis statue. I ran down there and showed them my video, and he ended up in the back of a squad car. He didn’t go to jail because panhandling is a citeable offense only, but still, it sends the message that we’re tired of the scams these people run down here.

I returned to the Saucer in time for the second set, and discovered that I have a new candidate for BFF of the Month for August. Darbi who used to work there and her friend Kristin came over and said, “We have a proposition for you. Who says you can only have ONE BFF? Why not have TWO? We can both be your BFFs for August and have a BFF threesome.” Not a bad idea. They’re most definitely in the running for BFF for August. Attn Tanner who works with me: Kristin says what’s up.

Darbi, Kristin and I discussed now-dumped BFF 1.0 Meghan for a while. You know a phrase I never use to greet Meghan when I walk into Big Foot? “How’s it going, Meghan, are you working hard or hardly working?” No need to ask her that, because we all know what the answer is.

Darbi and Kristin also told me about a blog I should check out: Pretty in Pink Megan. If my blog is the epitome of Downtown, hers is the epitome of Germantown. To give you an idea what you’ll find there, her “about me” blurb says she’s a Southern gal in search of purpose, happiness, cute clothes, and that 2 carat cushion cut. Her profile lists her interests as shopping, dresses, her boyfriend, her Brussels Griffon puppy, yoga, traveling, and exercise. I think Darbi and Kristin expected me to hate her blog, but as someone who builds online stores, it actually could be useful to help me figure out what women are buying.

The Red Rooster sent out a MySpace bulletin entitled “are you riding the cock?” Heh… it’s a chance to win a free VIP party by sending them pics of you atop the giant red rooster that sits outside the club’s door.

I’ve decided what my next Web project is going to be (not work, stuff I do on the side)… I’m going to use the Drupal content management system to set up a store. I’m doing so for two reasons – partly because it will give me more flexibility than the store engine I’ve been using, and partly because I’ve wanted to work with Drupal for a while and this is a good excuse.

The sandals I ordered from Endless.com should arrive today. Maybe I’ll wear them out tonight.

Back to work. No idea what I’ll be doing this evening. Killian’s Red is the Fire Sale, which means the Saucer is not high on my priority list.

I just bought a cool new pair of sandals… they’re slides that are made in a village in Ethiopia, artisan-crafted, made with eco-sensible materials. And they were only 30 bucks! Found them at a store called Endless that sells men’s shoes and women’s shoes and women’s handbags and accessories. And they are offering free overnight shipping as a promotion, so I’ll have the shoes tomorrow.

I know I probably just killed work productivity in Downtown Memphis for the rest of the day, posting a link to a store that sells women’s shoes. Happy surfing!

If you work Downtown and feel like taking your wife or girlfriend some fresh flowers tonight, there’s a vendor selling them on the Main Street Mall across from Court Square.

It’s Thursday.  What’s going on tonight?

• Thanks for Nothing on the Peabody rooftop, 6-10 PM.  $5 cover, ladies free until 8.
• Elmo & the Shades on the Madison rooftop, 5:30-10:30 PM, $7 cover.
• Jazz and blues on the River Inn of Harbor Town rooftop, 6:30 PM.  Also Ladies’ Night at Tug’s restaurant downstairs, with half-price drinks for ladies.
• Patio Party with Q107.5 and Garry Goin and G3 at EP Delta Kitchen
• The Dempseys at the Flying Saucer, 9:30 PM, $3 cover.
• Afterglow at the Red Rooster, ladies get in free, chance to win a trip, prizes.
• Eric Hughes Blues Band at Ground Zero, 8 PM.
• ’80s for the Ladies Night at Hollywood Disco (formerly Raiford’s), doors open 9 PM, mixed drinks and quarts of Bud Light available.
• People who suck at Club Atlas
• Trivia night at TJ Mulligan’s Pinch, 8 PM.

I’ve been forgetting to mention that the Peabody is doing industry-themed networking nights in conjunction with its rooftop parties.  This week it’s the health sector, with doctors, nurses, med students, pharmaceutical salespeople, and medical device professionals especially invited.  You can also visit www.peabodyrooftop.com and upload your party pics, with winning pic to be selected to win a weekend stay at the Peabody.

Anyone going to the Peabody rooftop?  I’m considering stopping by for a couple hours before I head to the Saucer for the Dempseys.  Shoot me an e-mail (paul@paulryburn.com) if you’re going.  I’m in the mood to go but the rooftop kinda sucks when you don’t know anyone there.

Possibly back later today with another post, we’ll see.

(end of post)

Just to clarify, Nikki Tinker does not write speeches for Meghan, my former BFF.

The Center City Commission will hold a public forum on Tuesday, July 22 at 5 PM, where concerned citizens can ask questions and speak their mind about the proposal to re-open the Main Street Mall to traffic.  The event will be held at the Memphis Convention Center’s Riverbluff Room, located on the mezzanine level.

Comments will be limited to 2 minutes per person.  They will be used in evaluating the CCC’s plan for Main Street.  If interested in attending, RSVP to taylor@downtownmemphis.com.

I attended the South Main Association meeting at Ground Zero last night, and it paid off.  My business card was one of three pulled from the fishbowl, and I won a Ground Zero T-shirt and hat.

Before the meeting, I talked to one of the members of the other major neighborhood association down here, the Downtown Neighborhood Association.  He said their August meeting will be a good one to attend, because Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin will be there.  Good chance to talk to Director Godwin about panhandling, cruising, and other issues that affect Downtowners.

The Memphis Farmers Market still needs volunteers.  Check their website for details on how to get involved.  They sell fresh produce every Saturday in the parking lot next to the train station on GE Patterson from 7 AM to 1 PM.  This Saturday:  Ah shucks, the corn’s in, music by Davis Coen, a presentation by Delta Pecans, and info on the connection between sodium and high blood pressure.

SMA is still doing their Trolley Tour night cookouts with free burgers, hot dogs, and Boscos beers for members, but they’re shortening the time frame to 6 to 8 PM, shutting down as the last hour of Trolley Tour starts.

A South Main home tour is being planned for June 21, 2009.  Volunteers and committee chairs are needed.  Hit southmainmemphis.org to connect on this project.

There’s also talk of having a South Main at the Redbirds night in August.

The main presentation involved meetings SMA has had with artists involving “dead spots” in the neighborhood.  These are spots that have not been redeveloped yet, and which people may not want to walk by (example: Chisca Hotel).  They are talking about hanging art in these spots as a temporary solution, to make them more visually appealing until they can be renovated.

They passed out sheets of paper and asked for ideas for murals, that reflect members’ image of the neighborhood.  Based on these ideas, 20 murals will be painted by interns which the UrbanArt Commission has until July 1.  All the murals will be 4 feet by 8 feet and will be hung outside, in a window, on a building wall, or wherever else they seem appropriate.  They will be plywood and outdoor-durable, and one or more murals will be hung in each identified dead spot.  If you have ideas for mural content, go to www.southmainmemphis.org and give them your thoughts.

Some of the shops of South Main will have a sidewalk sale this Saturday.  Although we usually think of South Main as the block around GE Patterson where you’ll find stores like Muse, the sale will extend all the way to the north to the Main Street Mall, where Shelton Clothiers will participate.

Two political candidates showed up to work the room, Otis Jackson for General Sessions Court Clerk and Ray Butler for county trustee.

Ray Butler told us that, in addition to elections for his office, early voting begins for the Congressional primaries on July 18 (primary day is August 7). 

That’s the news for now.  Is EP Delta Kitchen still doing half-price appetizers from 4:30 to 6:30?  Think I may stop by there after work.  I haven’t had any of Chef Michael Patrick’s food in quite some time.  That’s the downside of Hoop’s Bar opening… since November I’ve hung out almost exclusively there to eat and drink, and haven’t wandered over to the other side (EP’s) much.  Think that’ll be the plan for after work… I can sit at the front bar and watch bums out the window.  Probably Saucer afterward.

A horse carriage was struck by a pickup truck last night on Front Street about 10 PM. The driver is in non-critical condition at The Med.  His horse received minor injuries and the dog was uninjured.  The driver of the pickup truck was charged with failure to maintain a safe lookout.

I just added a new category to my Mid-South Alcoholic Supply store. This year I’ve seen a lot of people playing cornhole, a game played with two wooden platforms facing each other, each with a hole. Each player stands by one platform and attempts to toss bags filled with corn (so I guess it’s technically incorrect to call it a bean bag game) onto the opposing platform, and ideally through the opposing platform’s hole. It’s an outdoor game similar to horseshoes, but more fun and easier to score. I’ve seen people playing it at BBQ Fest, the South Main Trolley Tour, and other places around town this spring and summer.

It isn’t a drinking game per se, but I’ve never seen it played by anyone who did not have a drink in their hand. So I went ahead and added a cornhole category to Mid-South Alcoholic Supply, where you can buy cornhole boards, cornhole bags, and accessories like scoring stands with drink holders. Cornhole is very popular among college campuses, and the store sells cornhole platforms with popular college logos, including the Arkansas Razorbacks and Tennessee Volunteers (I couldn’t find one for the Memphis Tigers, sorry). Perfect for tailgating season, which is coming up soon. There are also standard cornhole platforms not tied to particular teams.

Off to the South Main Association meeting in a few minutes. As usual, I’ll take notes, and hopefully have a report typed up on the blog sometime tomorrow.

Just took a walk down the Main Street Mall and noticed that the restaurant at 51 S. Main is now closed and is available for lease.  This was the home of a breakfast/lunch spot whose name I cannot remember.  (Renee’s maybe?)  They served burgers and also had a focus on healthy food.  Not sure why they didn’t make it but the place is now closed.

If you’ve been thinking of opening a restaurant in Downtown Memphis, this might be a good one to check out.  Here are the details of the place, as posted on the window:

• 2000 sq. ft.
• Freezer/Refrigerator
• Tables & Chairs
• 14 ft. hood system
• Fryers & Griddle
• Charbroiler
• Steam Table
• Refrigerated display case
• Salad and sandwich units
• 100% turn-key operation
• Seats approximately 50

Contact phone numbers are 901-531-8497 or 901-409-0975.  This would probably work well as a breakfast/lunch or lunch-only operation.  It’s on the Main Street Mall with lots of office buildings within a 2-block walk.  Not sure how well it would work staying open for dinner, since there’s no parking connected to the business, although I would love to see someone give it a try.  It’s less than half a block away from the Union Avenue trolley stop.  If not a restaurant, it would be a great location for a coffee shop, and that might be something that actually work there staying open evenings.

Hope someone grabs this space and does something with it soon.  Downtown employees can always use another option for eating out for lunch.