Paul Ryburn's Journal

As most of you know, I’ve been telecommuting the last few months, taking web design projects on a contract basis. Last week I mentioned that the projects have been drying up, and it may be time for me to get back into the world of full-time employment. Today it occurred to me that I ought to use the biggest networking tool/advantage I have – this blog – to job-hunt. So, if you don’t mind, please take a minute to read the description below, and if you know of anything that sounds right for me, please e-mail me at paul@paulryburn.com and let me know. Thanks, I appreciate it.

– For the past three years I’ve been developing websites in ASP.NET/VB.NET with a SQL Server backend (and Access for a few smaller projects). I’ve worked with Visual Studio and both SQL Server 2000 and 2005. I have written DTS packages for SQL Server in the past to run scheduled jobs and to import data from other sources.

– I have also done sites in PHP/MySQL on a consulting basis and for myself as affiliate marketing sites. Although I’ve worked primarily with ASP.NET professionally the past three years, PHP is more or less a similar concept, different syntax, and I’m sure I could handle professional PHP development quite nicely as well.

– At past jobs I’ve been praised for outstanding communication with non-technical clients, and for good documentation. Part of this is because I taught at the U of M for five years (computer literacy and math) and got used to talking to people who don’t have an expert level of understanding.

– I tend to think I write well. Other people apparently do too, as this blog won the Memphis Flyer’s Best Blog award for 2007.

– In the early part of the decade I took an inventor’s idea and programmed it as a stand-alone application using Visual Basic 6. Took it from a prototype idea in Excel to a complete software program, including documentation via Help files and training manuals, and creating a custom installer.

– I know enough graphic design to get by and make a website attractive, but it’s not my strongest point. So if a position has graphic design as its #1 duty, I’m probably not a good fit for that one.

– Although I’m wild and crazy and speak my mind freely when I’m writing this blog, at work I’m a complete professional, and always keep in mind that when I’m there I’m representing the company I work/contract for. Actually, I consider the “blogger” side of me an advantage, as it shows that I’m more well-rounded than the typical programmer/computer guy.

– If education matters, I have a Master of Science in Computer Science (actually Mathematical Sciences, but all 34 hours were in Computer Science courses) from the University of Memphis, and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science/Mathematics from Rhodes.

So there you have it. You can check my resume for more details on my work history. I’m open to anything – permanent, long-term contracts, or short-term projects that you may have. I’ve been primarily looking for ASP.NET or PHP web development work, but if you know of other opportunities where my creative talent would be a good fit, I’d be happy to consider those as well. Again, thanks.

Mpact Memphis will celebrate its 6th birthday Thursday night, October 25, at 6 PM at the Monarch at 5400 Park. The event will be held in the common area and poolside patio, and Mpact will provide complimentary beer, wine, and hors d’ouevres.

They’ll also unveil their Mpact Maker awards, where they honor members of the community in Mpact’s age range who have made a difference.

Free for Mpact members, $5 for non-members. They’re requiring members to show their membership card at events now, so be sure to bring yours. More info at Mpact’s website.

Yesterday I saw a lot of special task force police cars and Secret Service cars heading down Second toward the Civil Rights Museum, and this morning as I made my walk to Walgreens they had Madison blocked off in front of the Madison Hotel.

Here’s what’s going on: The president of Liberia is in town. Liberia’s president is a woman, by the way. Wow, a little country on the west coast of Africa is more progressive in that respect than the U.S. Hopefully we’ll catch up in 2009.

I heard a rumor that if you eat lunch at McGuinness on Mondays, and you dress in a red polo or light gray polo, black slacks, black belt, black socks, and black shoes – please note that they have to be POLISHABLE shoes, that’s very important – you’ll get 30% off your bill.

Why? Because Monday is Uniform Monday at AutoZone, whose headquarters are a couple of blocks away. The outfit I described above is the corporate uniform, so if you go in McG wearing that attire they’ll assume you work at AutoZone and give you the company discount.

RiverArtsFest, the new arts festival on South Main that will replace both the South Main Arts Festival and Arts in the Park, needs volunteers. An application and more info can be found here. The fest happens this weekend, Friday from 6 to 9 and Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 6. Please show your support if you can, either as a volunteer or a patron. This looks to be a signature event for Downtown for years to come and will establish Memphis as important hotspot for the arts in the South.

Missed FreeWorld by six minutes yesterday… tabbed out at the Saucer at 10:24 and decided I was too tired to continue. Dammit. Might’ve made it if something other than nasty-ass Red Hook Porter had been the fire sale.

Pint Nite tonight. Of course, I’ll be at the window playing The Window Game. We’ve added two new categories – RUP (really ugly people) and buses. Not surprisingly, RUP wins just about every day.

Will possibly move to EP’s for Monday Night Football with free chili dogs, hot wings, and meatballs at 7:30. Indianapolis at Jacksonville tonight. Go Jaguars! Kill Peyton!

In case you missed it yesterday: Arkansas 44, Ole Miss 8.

Somebody done got they ass whooped.

(Edited to add: Middle Tennessee State 24, Arkansas State 7. But there’s certainly no shame for A-State in losing to an acknowledged football powerhouse and national championship contender like MTSU. Go Indians!… or whatever you guys are calling yourselves now… heh.)

I’m gonna be on TV! The new episode of Definitely Downtown, to air next Sunday, October 28 at 11:05 PM on ABC 24, features a segment about my friend Robin’s condo. Robin lives in Barton Flats and has a beautiful view of the river. A big part of her life Downtown is hanging out with her friends, so she asked about 8 of us to meet on her rooftop for wine and snacks so the TV show could document that part of her life. After the camera crew took off, none of us wanted to leave! It was a gorgeous 80 degree day and we had great company and a great view of the river.

As a result, I didn’t make it to the Saucer until almost 6:30 PM, which for a Saturday is probably a record late appearance, at least in recent times. Two friends of mine tried to get me to go see the Black Crowes on Mud Island – “They’ll rock your face off!” – but it’s been a long week of staying out late, and I just didn’t think I had enough gas in the tank.

They left, and I was joined by my friends Mikey, The Nuh-Uh Girl, Frank, and Ken. My initial plan was to have a beer or two then leave, but when I found out what band was playing – Aquanet – I knew I had to stay. Aquanet is the ’80s hair band cover band that plays the Saucer about once a month, and they are awesome. They have two requirements for songs they play – the songs have to be from the ’80s, and the band singing them has to have long hair. So we got plenty of Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison, Bon Jovi, G’n’R, and lots of stuff like that. They did make one exception to the long hair rule, to play a Billy Idol song, which is a good exception to make.

They were even better than I remember. I’m about to give them the highest compliment I possibly can – they are as good as The Dempseys, although in a completely different genre of music. And they packed the place out like no other band ever has – not even the Dempseys. It was standing room only and packed like sardines. And there were GIRLS there! The male/female ratio was 50/50, much better than a typical night at the Saucer. They pulled one of the benches back to create a dance floor, and the Nuh-Uh Girl and I went out and danced to several songs, appropriate because we both totally have the hair to rock out to ’80s hair band music. Outside the window a big crowd of locals, tourists and a bum or two gathered to watch the show.

After the end of the first set we all tabbed out and most of the gang went home. “I don’t want to leave yet! They’re too good!” said the Nuh-Uh Girl. So we reopened our tab and lasted midway into the second set, at which point hunger and drunkenness finally won out.

Aquanet’s website says they’ll be at the Hard Rock on Halloween night. Wish I could see them again, but there’s no way I’ll make it to that one. It also mentions a Flying Saucer appearance on November 3, but I checked the calendars of both the Downtown and East Bumblefuck Saucers and didn’t see their name for that night.

However, I did see The Dempseys on the calendar for the Downtown Saucer for this Thursday, October 25, so you know where I’ll be. Then again, that’s most like where I’d be even if The Dempseys weren’t playing.

I still wish the Saucer would do my “buy the beer, keep the waitress” idea. I ran this by my friend Wayne and he said, “Yeah, but they’d run out of waitresses quickly. Then they’d have to import some more of your Romanians.” I like Wayne’s thinking there.

So now it’s Sunday morning and I just made my morning run to Jack’s to buy caffeine and a newspaper. One of the bums tried to sell me weed on my walk down there.

Today is our second of two weeks doing brunch at McGuinness, then next Sunday we’ll be back at the Majestic. This time I think I may actually be hungry enough to do the Irish breakfast, a big platter featuring imported Irish meats. My friend Lee tried it last Sunday and it looked really good. After that it’ll be time to go to the Saucer, sit at the window and watch bums, and watch Pete and Clay play pool to try and determine who is the second best pool player in our group, after me of course. I am NOT going to tire out by 5 like I did last Sunday. NO SHOTS. This time I’m going to try to go the distance and make it to Blues City for FreeWorld at 10:30. Not sure that will happen – for reasons I won’t get into I didn’t get to sleep until 3 last night, so I’m once again tired today – but I’m damn sure gonna try. This is likely one of the last Sundays when I won’t have to be somewhere the following morning, and I want to take advantage of my freedom.

Sometimes I mean to go to FreeWorld on Sunday and end up switching to Plan B… hang at the Saucer ’til 9:15 then stumble over to Wang’s for Paul’s Drunkass Food to take home. I think the big Irish breakfast will be able to curb my cravings for Chinese food in the evening this time.

Song currently stuck in my head: “Shot through the heart, and you’re to blame… you give love a bad name.” Thanks Aquanet for that.

I just learned that RAIFORD’S will hold Halloween costume contests both Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27.

Oh. It’s. On. Like. Neckbone.

Raiford’s daughter Paula does an excellent job serving up the 40s, but you know, the Disco may find itself with an extra waitress one of those nights. If you know what I mean.

If you’ve ever driven through the North Parkway – Danny Thomas – Jackson/Auction intersection and tried to make a turn, you know what a total clustermess it is. The city is finally doing something about it. This weekend they will close the intersection and realign the streets. Coming from the east, North Parkway will now feed into Auction, and Jackson will feed into Mill. North Parkway west of Danny Thomas will be closed as part of the St. Jude expansion.

Check this article in the CA for more info.

Wonder if that’ll turn Mill into a major thoroughfare through Uptown.

Fox 13 ran a story about Sunday night’s Downtown crowbar beating incident. Here’s a link. The report says that Roy Dunbar aka “Flower Man” will be charged with aggravated robbery rather than attempted murder, because the robbery charge carries stiffer penalties. Fine. I don’t care what you charge him with. Just get him off the streets for a long, long time. PLEASE.

Eyewitness News has a story about the attack as well. They report that Dunbar is a career criminal who has been in and out of jail on charges of burglary, breaking into cars, and assault.

Yesterday I also heard about another bum who branched out into activities a lot more illegal and dangerous than panhandling. Wednesday night this guy was apparently mad at the world and decided to express himself by throwing bricks at cars. The police were called and he was hauled off to jail. Good riddance, yet again.

Recap of the day yesterday: Had some website updates to do. Got most of them done, then decided about 3:30 to go hang out at the Saucer for a couple of hours. Which really meant, I decided to go hang out at the Saucer for five hours. Came home, tried to resume my work, but my Internet connection was having problems. I’ve heard I’m not the only Downtowner who has had problems with Comcast this week. So after a while I gave up and went back out, first to McGuinness and then EP’s. Got my second wind at EP’s and totally could have closed the place down, but a little after 1 I got a weird vibe from someone I thought was a friend, and decided the best thing to do was to just leave.

Computer: Good meeting you last night, and please send me details about your Wednesday night gig, will be happy to help get the word out.

I’ll also post details about EP’s Halloween party soon – just gotta download the pic from my camera.

Speaking of Halloween – this is how the Halloween parties Downtown are looking so far:

Friday the 26th: My apartment building’s party. Sorry, this is a private party. Although, exceptions can be made if you’re female and hot. Atlas (inside Jillian’s) has their party on the 26th as well.

Saturday the 27th: Flying Saucer, and last I heard McGuinness was leaning toward having their party on this date. That would be good because they’re right across the street from each other.

Wednesday the 31st: EP’s. Usually Big Foot does their party on the 31st, although I don’t have official confirmation on this.

Any other parties to add to the list? Is 450 Stonewall happening this year? Their website hasn’t been updated since 2006. Even so, their site is worth visiting to browse all the pics of hot babes from previous years.

Plans for today: Continue the project I couldn’t get done last night, now that Internet is working again. Mid-afternoon I’ll head to the Saucer, where a Trappist monk brought in all the way from Belgium will bless the kegs at 5:30. Okay, he’s not really a Trappist monk, but if you drink enough you won’t know the difference. Later in the evening I plan on going to my happy place – Raiford’s. In fact, I may go to my happy place BOTH nights this weekend. Drinking a 40 and acting a fool sounds like just what the doctor ordered for Professor Paul right about now. I didn’t make it there last weekend, so tonight I’ll probably debut the new, improved gold disco outfit.

The good thing about the blessing of the kegs is that it happens at the bar, which means I’ll likely sit at the bar, and not be tempted to sit at the outside window for hours and hours and get drunk and play The Window Game. Yesterday’s results, with the game taking place from 3:40 to 8:30: 24 bums, 20 police cars, 7 cars making left turns out of the center lane. One car turned left out of the RIGHT lane, and I didn’t even have a category for that so I counted it as two out of the center lane. Watched Estes and Sherry panhandle on Second for a while. Sherry is the pregnant female bum, and Estes is her boyfriend or husband or whatever.

DAMN IT!!! I just checked the weather, and for the third year in a row the weather looks lousy for Halloween party weekend. Lows of 49 both Friday and Saturday. Warm weather is definitely preferable for Halloween, because it’s more conducive for females to wear skimpy, slutty costumes.

My favorite blogger/MILF is invited to my building’s Halloween party if she’ll dress up as Drunk Girl Doing Jello Shots In Her Underwear again.

All right, time to wrap this up and get some work done. Looking forward to a great weekend.