60 unread e-mail messages

That’s what I woke up to. Geez. It’s going to take me all day to catch up.

New Internet term that’s catching on: bacn (pronounced “bacon”). Bacn is mail you want to read, just not right now. It’s different from spam in that it’s not unsolicited – at some point in some way, you agreed for the mail to be sent. Examples of bacn in my Inbox right now: A daily pro wrestling newsletter, a summary of this week’s Memphis Business Journal, newsletters from several organizations around town that send me stuff to include in my blog, a note from TD Ameritrade on new tools to track my IRA, notification from GoDaddy that one of my domain names was automatically renewed.

The term “bacn” will likely make it into next year’s dictionary as an officially recognized word, as “spam” and “phishing” have in the past.

Met the MILF and more (early morning drunk post)

So, today I had lunch with my favorite blogger/MILF at Westy’s. I could tell she wasn’t in the best of moods, dealing with some personal stuff from earlier in the week that she hadn’t totally processed. So our conversation was not all it could have been… although, I agree, it was great to meet her. I think we’re going to be great friends once she gets her current situation handled. Also, her boobs were FANTASTIC. She suggested that next time, we meet at the Saucer or somewhere for beers, and I agreed. Excellent idea.

I had the wild rice dish with cheddar, mushrooms, bacon, and marinated chicken. Next time I think I’ll leave off the chicken. As I ate I was reminded of one of my favorite waitresses who says “cheese and rice” (rather than “J.C.”) when she’s upset. Everything in life relates to my waitresses somehow.

I dumped half the dish in a to-go box and walked the mile home with it. On the way 3 bums asked if they could have my leftovers, and asked for money too – lower than the estimates my favorite blogger/MILF threw out there. She said 6, I said 5.

Took a nap in the early PM, then got dressed and went to EP’s after stopping by the Saucer for one quick beer. Dressed up a little, with button-down shirt, nice jeans and a blazer. Just felt like it – I’m growing my hair out extra long for my Halloween costume once again and I thought the preppie dress would make an interesting counterpoint. There were a lot of people dancing at EP’s but for the most part I hung out in the upstairs watching it all with the bartenders and servers who had been cut. Really I felt like a fish out of water. I saw a lot of people on the dance floor who were big shots at the club and were taking full advantage of it, but who were nobodies (and knew it) anywhere else.

About 1 I got tired of it and started to walk home… hey, there’s McGuinness! So I went in and found one of my favorite Saucer bartenders, who had just got off, and another Saucer regular. Hung out with them for an hour and a half. I had hung out with neither of them previously, and it was very enjoyable to just chill out and have a beer and some good conversation, a 180 from the superficialness I had seen on the dance floor at EP’s earlier on.

Found out that EP’s is having a Halloween party on the 31st. Despite my less-than-perfect experience there tonight (not the club’s or band’s fault by the way, it’s just that the crowd sucked), I believe that one will be worth going to, simply because of the size of the venue (so it won’t get overcrowded) and because it will draw both Downtowners and people from other parts of the city.

New locals’ bar “Hoop’s Bar” to open in approximately 10 days. Details to come.

Also, Computer from Three 6 Mafia is working the turntables Wednesday nights at EP’s.

They’re supposed to come by and change my air filters tomorrow, and I don’t feel like being interrupted so I think I’ll take my laptop to the Second Street branch office to work. Look for me there in the early afternoon.

Drunk. Going to bed.

Meeting the MILF

After almost a year of knowing each other only through e-mail and remarks on each others’ blogs, I’m finally going to meet my favorite blogger/MILF today. She started working Downtown recently and we’re going to meet for lunch. We had planned to meet a couple of times in the past, but in each case she had to cancel. This time, it’s on. Reading her blog the past couple of weeks has been a real education into how the female mind works.

I just read a bulletin of hers on MySpace. Last year she dressed up for Halloween as a sexy witch, but she ended up modifying the costume and became Drunk Girl Doing Jello Shots In Her Underwear. I am SO looking forward to meeting this girl.

Bought the John Lennon glass last night at the Saucer. It’s white with “WAR IS OVER if you want it” in black, which is kind of a boring glass but nevertheless is significant because it’s a replica of the bulletin boards John and Yoko took out around the world in 1969. I sat at the window facing Second Street near the pool table and watched bums, as I tend to do on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. On Tuesdays, I sit in the inside room and hold the rail nearest the door for my trivia team. One of the Saucer employees seems to have figured out my routine, as lately I’ve had the same waitress about 80% of the time, despite her being one of 6 girls on the floor on any given night.

Plans for the weekend:

  • Garry Goin and G3 tonight at EP’s. I’ll get there about 11.
  • Blessing of the Kegs at the Saucer tomorrow at 5, then a private party from 6 to 10, not sure after that. Possibly back to the Saucer to catch the West Tennessee Wife Swappers.
  • Raiford’s on Saturday
  • Brunch at McGuinness on Sunday

Florence Henderson to march the Peabody ducks tomorrow

Florence Henderson, who played Carol Brady aka “Mom” on the TV show The Brady Bunch, will march the Peabody ducks tomorrow afternoon. At 4:45 the hotel’s Duckmaster will present Ms. Henderson with a certificate naming her an Honorary Duckmaster and a Peabody rubber ducky. Then at 5 the two Duckmasters will march the ducks out of the fountain, down a red carpet, into an elevator, and up to the ducks’ cage on the rooftop.

The event is open to the public, and I’m sure the place will be packed, so if you want a good viewing angle, better get there by 4 and save your spot.

Oh how could I forget this… BEER RECOMMENDATION!!!

When I go out, I always stick four or five index cards in my back pocket. The reason for this is that I frequently hear good stuff to blog about, and if I don’t write it down there’s a chance I’ll forget by the next morning. Last night the index cards paid off.

Couple of years ago I was up on my building’s rooftop, and one of my neighbors handed me a beer. “Here, Paul, try this.” It was a brand called Yuengling I had never heard of. I popped it open and took a sip.

“That’s REALLY good!” I told him. “This may be one of the best beers I’ve ever tasted.” Then I paused for a moment and asked, “How come I’ve never seen this for sale before? Is it a new beer?”

“No, it’s actually made by the oldest brewery in the U.S.,” my neighbor told me. “They just don’t distribute this far west. Every time I know someone who’s traveling to the Northeast, I give them money and have them bring me a case of Yuengling back. It has a huge following among people who know about it. They call it ‘Vitamin Y.'”

“Too bad they don’t sell it here,” I said. “I’d sure like to see this beer at the Saucer!”

So, fast forward to last night. My team showed up for trivia, sitting at our usual spot on the rail. Over at the end of the bar, we noticed a garbage can filled with iced-down bottles of beer. We asked around and were told that it’s a promotion for a new beer they’re going to be selling – none other than Yuengling. In addition to the traditional lager, there’s also a light version and a black & tan. And sure enough, a few minutes later one of the bartenders climbed up on a ladder (I love it when they do that) and added the three Yuengling beers to the “Just Landed” board.

This morning I totally forgot about Yuengling when I made my “quick update” post, but a few minutes ago I walked by my kitchen counter and saw a folded index card that read “Yuengling.” See, those cards really do help.

Glad to be able to add some Vitamin Y to my diet. Here’s to good health!

At least two more posts to come today, one concerning a famous mom and the other having to do with my battle against Corporate America.

Well twist my arm

Just made my morning run to Jack’s Food Store for caffeine. On the way back I rode up the elevator with a neighbor of mine, who happens to be a member of G3, the house band at EP Delta Kitchen.

“Coming out to hear the band tomorrow night?” he asked.

Well, twist my arm. Damn it! Going out to a bar and drinking was about the farthest thing I had in mind for my Thursday night plans. But you know, it’s important to support my neighbors in their creative ventures. So you know what, I’m going to do it. I’ll go.

I’ve been staying out until 11:30 or so recently then going home to bed, but since rooftop party season ended EP’s has tended to be more of a late-night place. So, tomorrow I’ll probably get there about 11 PM and stay until about 1:30. While there I hope to get more info about “Hoop’s Place,” another reason I may be spending less time at the Saucer in the near future. More details to come soon.

Quick update: Aurora at "Bands, Beer and Bums," John Lennon glass night, Blue Monkey

There are only two more weeks left in the Wednesday night “Bands, Beer and Bums” concert series in Court Square. Progressive rockers Aurora will headline tonight’s show. Unfortunately the Center City Commission only releases the name of the band that will be playing; they don’t release the names of the bums that will be working the park, so that part of the show will have to be a surprise. The action kicks off at 5:30 and lasts for three hours. The low tonight is predicted to be a chilly 49, so you might want to bring a sweatshirt or windbreaker.

Don’t forget that a week from today, Wendy’s will be in Court Square from 10 AM to 3 PM handing out free burgers as part of a national promotional tour. Friends and I were discussing this last night at trivia – it’s obvious that Wendy’s didn’t do any advance scouting of the location, or they would’ve picked someplace else. They’re definitely going to have their hands full. I hope I don’t have any client meetings next Wednesday morning, so I can go down there at 9:45 and watch the drama that will surely unfold.

I may not make it to the “Bands, Beer and Bums” concert tonight, and if I do I won’t be there for long. It’s John Lennon glass night at the Flying Saucer. I’ve seen the glass – this year they’re going with a “WAR IS OVER if you want it” theme. Glasses go on sale at 7, but this is one of those weeks where you better be there by 6:50 and tell the waitress or bartender that you want to get one the minute they go on sale. They’ll be gone in less than 10 minutes. Since this is not a glass night sponsored by a brewery, I believe there’ll be an extra charge for the glass, usually in the $3 range. (Don’t take my word for it on that price though, I don’t work there.)

My trivia team The Rapscallions had a rare finish out of the prize money last night, due to Pete asking some really stupid questions. (Stupid questions = ones we don’t know the answer to)

Here’s a link to a Memphis Business Journal article about the Downtown Blue Monkey, which is soon to reopen. As with the old bar, they’re doing all the work themselves, in order to recreate some of the atmosphere of the old Downtown Blue Monkey that made it feel like a home away from home. Unfortunately that means the completion date has been pushed back again – I had heard October, but they’re now saying it will open around Thanksgiving.

The Monkey’s opening will shake up the lives of a lot of Downtowners. It will definitely alter the Sunday brunch crew’s schedule, and the Saucer may even lose its status as my #1 hangout.

Thaddeus Matthews has new information about the Taylor Bradford murder. He says it was more than just a robbery – a love triangle existed involving Bradford and one of the accused murderers. Once again the CA got scooped by a blogger.

In other news: Nine hot girls who I’ve never met before want me to be their MySpace friend. WOOHOO! I’m POPULAR! And they all have webcam sites they want me to visit. For a small fee, of course. I better get the credit card ready! I’ve heard some of those sites install spyware and Trojan horses on people’s computers, but these seem like really nice girls, so I’m sure there won’t be a problem. Obviously I have a lot of web surfing to do, so I better hit Publish and get busy!

Hollywood Disco (Raiford’s) update

I’ve been told that the cover charge at Hollywood Disco will drop back to $10 effective Friday, October 12, and will remain at that rate except for special occasions when it will increase to $15. AWESOME news. Even at $15 it’s definitely worth it but that would definitely put a hurtin’ on the old wallet if I plan to go every weekend. Which I do.

For $10 you can go to Raiford’s, or you can go to Alfred’s. That’s like being able to eat at Chez Philippe or Denny’s for the same price.

I’ve also been told they’re installing an ATM, so that their customers who run out of cash don’t have to (heaven forbid) quit drinking. (Edit: I’ve been told this won’t happen for about 2 more weeks, so bring plenty of cash if you go in the meantime)

Wonder how much the nearby Green Beetle has seen their business increase since the Disco reopened. Dancing at Raiford’s followed by a very late-night burger at the Beetle… now that’s a winning combination.

I plan on going one night this weekend. Right now I’m leaning toward Saturday. Friday I have a private party to go to from 6 to 10 where there’s free beer… I have a feeling by the time the time comes to go to Raiford’s, I’ll be too pooped to party. So it looks like Saturday’s the day.

Tuesday update

Extending my pseudo-vacation in honor of Columbus Day, I spent yesterday afternoon exactly the way I like it – sitting in the window of the Flying Saucer, drinking Dos Equis Special Lager with friends. We were watching traffic on Second Street, and before long we were wondering… which would we see more of, cars turning the wrong way onto one-way Second Street, or bums? As it turned out it wasn’t even a close contest. We counted 4 wrong-way cars and 11 bums during our stay there.

At 7:30 several of us closed our tab. “Where are you going?” asked the waitress.

“EP’s,” I told her. “They have a free food buffet for Monday Night Football. Free hot wings, meatballs, and chili dogs. Beer specials too.”

“Oh really?” she said with excitement in her eyes. “Will you bring me a to-go plate?” Yeah, restaurants that put out free appetizer buffets just love it when you ask for a to-go plate. And they really love it when you ask for a to-go plate for someone who isn’t even there, and therefore not paying for drinks or anything.

“Yeah! I’ll bring you one!” I said, trying to match her level of excitement and putting on my best lying voice.

So we headed down to EP’s. Food buffet was once again excellent. They took my suggestion of not putting the hot dog buns in the warmer – they had them off to the side in a basket. The chili they make to go on the chili dogs was again some of the best I’ve ever had. We grabbed a table close to the TV. People were sprawled out at the tables and couches between the bar and the TV. Everyone looked like they were watching football in their living room. It was great.

Earlier in the day it looked like my favorite blogger/MILF might meet me up there, but right before I left the Saucer I checked my e-mail on my phone and there was a message from her, saying she doubted she’d be able to make it. Oh well, that may be a good thing… our tastes in pro football teams are polar opposites. We’d probably end up wrestling on the floor of EP’s, fighting about whose team is better. Then again, if we did maybe I’d get to cop a feel.

Wonder if my favorite blogger/MILF will make it to EP’s in two weeks, when the Colts play Monday Night Football. She has Peyton Manning wallpaper on her MySpace page. I’d like to see Peyton’s face on toilet paper.

Chef Michael Patrick saw me and stopped by to say hello. “Hey Paul, I see you posted the Majestic’s wine dinner on your blog, would you mind posting ours too?” I said sure and he handed me a sheet of paper. Here are the details:

Wine dinner @ EP Delta Kitchen Tuesday, October 23 at 7 PM
Montaudon Champagne
Poached salmon wrapped in egg with smoked green tomato butter

Au Bon Clumon o5
Braised veal loin apple emulsion, and goat cheese

Qupe Los Olivos Cuvee 04
Seared lamb loin, onion fennel compote, cherry glaze

B R Cohn SryCab 04
Grilled venison, blackberry molasses reduction

Peter Brum Eiswein
Apricot Caramel Nut tarte

$50.00 per person

At halftime I decided I was ready to go back to the Saucer. I bought my first beer at the Saucer’s bar, then a few minutes later my favorite window seats opened up. I went back to the Second Street window and got the same waitress.

“Where’s my to-go plate?” she asked.

“Well,” I started, “by the time I left it was halftime and the food was picked-over and had been sitting out for a long time. So I didn’t get you a plate from the buffet.”

“Oh,” she said, disappointed.

“But,” I followed, “When the chef found out that the to-go plate was for _____ from the Saucer, he said, ‘Paul, I’ll make her an extra special plate. A duck quesadilla and a lobster pronto pup, and the first three food items for the upcoming wine tasting.'” I pulled the menu out of my pocket and showed it to her, so it all looked legit. “I told him I thought you’d be done working about 10:30, 11:00 or so, and he said he’d have it ready for you, just come by EP’s and say you’re _____ from the Saucer and he’ll give it to you, free of charge.”

“REALLY?” she said, lit up like a Christmas tree.

“Reeeeaaaaalllly,” I said with a smile that was TOO big, so that even she would be able to figure out I had been lying.

Finally she got it. “You’re mean,” she said. “You always disappoint me. Besides, I don’t think I’d like the food on that menu. So many big words that I don’t understand.” Yeah, that menu was just loaded with big, confusing words. Like “salmon,” for example. How does EP’s expect to get anyone to come to their wine dinner when they use obscure language like that?

I told her next time I’d just drive through McDonald’s and pick up a hamburger for her instead. “THAT’D BE GREAT!” she said. Mmmmkay then.

In the news this morning – Memphis Police pieced together evidence in the murder of football player Taylor Bradford, and their work eventually led to four people confessing. Great work by MPD. As a former teacher there, that murder got to me a little – if I were still there, he could have been one of my students.

Also in the news – you can own a piece of history! The former home of state senator/convicted felon John Ford and his ex-wife Tamara Mitchell Ford goes on the auction block today at 11, due to foreclosure.

All right… time to bring my self-imposed vacation to an end. That means the Saucer won’t see me until about 6 PM today. Gonna work on a few projects between now and then, maybe at a coffee shop in Midtown. The company that has been giving me consulting projects is not giving me anywhere near full-time work these days, and I’m starting to accept the sad fact that I may have to return to the rat race. So I’ll be updating my resume too and putting together a list of recruiters/headhunters in the area. The good news is, my programming/web dev skills are in high demand, so if I decide to return to the world of work I should be able to do so relatively quickly. Hopefully not TOO quickly though… Halloween is approaching and it’d be nice to have November 1 as a recovery day.

Happy Tuesday everyone. As always, if you don’t have anything to do this evening, drop by the Saucer and allow my team to kick your ass at trivia.

Quick post

Not much to post about today, just two quick notes:

– The Majestic Grille will host a wine dinner Wednesday, October 24 featuring Patrick’s cuisine and the wines of Rodney Strong Vineyards. You can go to the Majestic’s website and get their contact info if you’re interested in attending the dinner.

– The UPS Store at 99 S. Second, across from the Peabody, has gone out of business. Mailboxes have been moved to Second Street Shoppers, the convenience store next door.

Other than that, not much going on. Brunch yesterday at the Majestic was great, food was even more enjoyable without filthy cigarette smoke. The smokers not only whined about not being able to smoke, but they brought a book containing an essay by a whiney smoker. Next Sunday is the first of our two weeks at McGuinness, which has gone non-smoking as well.

Pint Nite at the Saucer from whatever time I get up there this afternoon until 7:30, then we’ll walk up to EP’s for Monday Night Football. Then either back to the Saucer for more Pint Nite or home to bed, depending on how tired I am by that point.