Paul Ryburn's Journal

It’s looking like I’ll have to remain in Memphis for Thanksgiving this year, rather than going home to Little Rock to see my mother as usual. I’ve done Christmas in Memphis before (got snowed in one year) but never Thanksgiving. I’m actually looking forward to it.

I need to post the snowed-in Christmas story sometime, but I have to leave for work soon. That was one of the most fun weekends I’ve had Downtown.

Time for the long commute to work.

At Hoop’s Bar, they had South Park on the TV, with sound. Cool. I haven’t had a bartender to watch cartoons with since Maurice from the Tap Room left. That makes me want to spend more time at Hoop’s.

Does anyone else remember that Snoopy’s Snow-Cone machine commercial? I’m pretty sure it was ’70s. God. I’m old.

Welcome to my blog mofos! I just got home and am lit the f up. Therefore this is a DRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRUNK POST!!!

We’ll start with a little reader feedback:

Don’t you think that if you’re going to be the “Downtown blogger” that you ought to give all Downtown businesses equal time? I mean look, you cover some Downtown bars and restaurants way more than others. How about a little fairness?

Aight. Point taken. Therefore, here’s a recap of tonight:

I started the evening at the Peabody lobby for one of their very reasonably priced drinks. Then I moved on to the Mesquite Chop House for some fine dining. That reminded me that my next stop needed to be Swig, because bars and restaurants with “Gentlemen, please remove your hats” on the door are just completely awesome. They really are. Then it was on to Spindini to rub elbows with the beautiful people. On the way back to Beale, I stopped to hand a homeless looking man a dollar when he tried to aks me a question, then I hit the street to end the night with dancing at Alfred’s, and then (of course) Plush Club. Would’ve hit Club 152 but Rhoney G wasn’t performing tonight. Started to head over to King’s Court to crash then remembered, I live down here.

Most of you probably figured out real quick that everything in the paragraph above is a total lie. But lying is okay if it serves your purposes. Right?

Now let’s get on to the REAL recap. Walked down Second toward the Westin. Noticed that Second Street Shoppers convenience store is applying for a beer license and they have their hearing November 21. Mixed feelings about that. On one hand, they’re really nice people, have greatly expanded their inventory, and I want to see them succeed. On the other, beer sales will draw some very entertaining people to the area. Entertaining if you enjoy watching episodes of COPS.

So my plan for the evening was not to go to the Saucer. After hanging out there for close to 8 hours yesterday and having a FORTY dollar tab, I thought, this is ridiculous. If I’m going to spend that kind of money a night I need to circulate. So I went to the Daily Grill for apps and who was the bartender… a former Saucer Girl, in training. I can’t get away from that place, even when I try. I had the Side Kicks (mini-burgers) and popcorn shrimp with Cajun tartar sauce, for a total $5.90 food expense. Not bad. My bartender told me that she had to sample the entire menu as part of training, and tonight was steak night. Can I get a job there? John D: “Do you get to sample the Bud Light?”

While there I watched out the window I watched three bums walk south on Third. I guarantee you they live on Abel, St.Paul or one of the other streets in the SoFo district southeast of Main and Vance. They’re not homeless.

Oh! Quick story before I continue the recap. I have cousins. Cousins I didn’t know I had. They found me on MySpace and messaged me. So now we’re MySpace friends. I’m far and away the youngest member of my generation in the family, but these are second cousins once removed and fairly close to my age (32 and 22). They plan on traveling to Memphis soon and we’re going to hang out. I’ve never really hung out with family before at like, a bar or anything, so this should be interesting.

So anyway, then I headed on to Blues City for the Dempseys. We’ve reached the point in the year where they throw a few Christmas songs in – nice. They also threw in some Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer in the middle of one of their rockabilly songs and Bradley D danced. I stayed for the first two sets and ended up hanging out with Scooter Billy and Warehouse Kris.

Then I crossed Second and hit Hoop’s Bar, and I also wandered into EP’s and listened to Computer do his Wednesday night thing for a few minutes. And then I was done. I headed home up Main Street, and in the window of Jolly Royal I saw a new bedding/mattress set with a stuffed sheep lying on top. If I could’ve figured out how to crack Royal’s alarm, I would’ve gone inside and given Mr. Sheep some butt lovin’. But I guess that’s why they have security measures. I’m sure I’m not the first to think about that (a few readers are bowing their heads in shame).

And that’s Wednesday evening. Coming up Thursday: More Dempseys, this time at the Saucer. I’ll probably make it through the first two sets, then head over to Hoop’s Bar for a nightcap.

Know what’s awesome? Due to the lack of commute I’m STILL going to get 7 1/2 hours sleep and make it to work on time.

I’ve decided to do a double dose of The Dempseys tonight and tomorrow. They play Blues City tonight at 8, and the Saucer tomorrow at 9:30.

Hmmm… what to do between now and 8… think I’ll head down to the Daily Grill for some of their $2.95 mini-appetizers which aren’t that “mini” at all. Haven’t been there in a couple of months. Maybe a Big Foot Beer if I still have some time to kill.

Was going to make a run to Bookstar and Target tonight, but there are T-storms moving through and I don’t feel like driving in it. My poor car must wonder if I’ve abandoned it. It’s been two weeks since I even saw the car.

Had a good breakfast this morning – the “All Wrapped Up” breakfast burrito from Elliott’s. It has egg, ham, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese. They cut it in half, which is a good idea because it’s easily big enough for two people to share. I had to throw half of mine away because there was no way I could finish it.

No word on the identity of the homeless man discovered Downtown earlier today.

Time to eat!

(Edit: BREAKING NEWS: Memphis Police just found a body behind the Plush Club. No more details at the time of this post. UPDATE 2:50 PM: MPD believes the body to be of a homeless man who died of natural causes.)

This is going to be a short one, as I want to get back out and get some photos of bums.

Rickey Re-Peete just got sentenced to 4 years and 3 months and prison for his conviction of taking bribes while he was on the City Council. He served time once before, in 1989, on a similar charge. It’s a good thing there’s now a state law preventing convicted felons from running for office, because when he gets out I have no doubt the citizens of Memphis would be dumb enough to elect him again.

This isn’t Downtown news, but I’ve been asked to announce that the first Shelby Farms Public Conservancy Forum is tonight at the Memphis Botanic Gardens from 5 to 7.

Mayor Wharton will hold a press conference in support of the Salvation Army bell ringers this afternoon at 3:30. Money goes toward homeless shelters, drug and alcohol rehab, utility assistance, food pantry and children’s programs. They’re looking for volunteers who want to have fun ringing bells. I got invited to the press conference (wow, I’m like a real journalist or something!) but can’t go because I have to work.

The Rapscallions took third at trivia last night, starting off our collection toward Rapscallion Party VI at $10. That also starts the clock ticking, giving us until February 13 to have the party.

To my new friends/blog readers I met last night: Great meeting you and playing the Window Game with you. Too bad we only got about 15 minutes in before the place closed. If you want, shoot me an e-mail and we’ll meet up and play again sometime.

Time to go chase some bums. Happy afternoon everyone.

– Hungry? Print out this coupon and you can get as many 99-cent roast beef sandwiches as you want at Arby’s today. It’s good today only though. Thanks Otto for the information.

– Here’s a link to a Memphis Daily News article about developers bringing new apartments to Downtown. New units are being converted at 60-62 S. Main and 91 S. Front. GOOD! We need more apartments down here. Not everyone wants to buy. The article presents numbers backing up the hypothesis that the Downtown condo market is becoming saturated.

Dammit… now I’m going to get chewed out the next time I go to the Westin. Again.

– Anyone got links to good websites for VB.NET programmers to learn C#? I need to get on that. Otto told me about a tool that will convert VB.NET code into C# but I really need to be fluent in both languages.

– So, my co-workers read my blog. Not sure how I feel about that. Of course, it’s my own fault for mentioning the blog in the interview, and linking to it from my bio on the company’s wiki. Actually, it’s a really cool bunch of people, so I don’t guess it matters. If it was a bunch of tight-ass corporate types, I’d do everything possible to keep them away from the blog. Just wondering what they’ll think when they see a post entitled “Drunk post” and dated 2:37 AM one of these days. Of course, now that I’m working, the nights when I stay out until 2:37 are few and far between. Note that I didn’t say nonexistent. There are people who could keep me out that late.

– I need some new clothes to wear to work! Since it’s a very laid-back, casual place, I’ll probably go see my friends at Shelton Clothiers sometime this week, and pick up some shirts I could wear either to work or out to a club like EP’s. The thing most people don’t realize about Shelton is that they carry more than just suits – they have really nice casual attire too. I want something that looks nice but won’t be ridiculously out of style in a year. Glad I don’t really hang out in places where people get all uptight about having the latest hip, trendy shit on. Well, I guess some of the crowd at EP’s does, but I’m so comfortable there that I don’t even worry about it. Maybe I’ll hit up Muse too. I like American Apparel’s stuff but it looks bad if you weigh over 125 pounds. Closer to home there’s Mitchell’s and Family Dollar… just kidding.

– Sean/Shawn/however you spell it: Nice meeting you and playing The Window Game with you yesterday. Sorry to hear about your bad experience on Union Avenue. I think I may post a list of recommended places Downtown to get a good steak sometime.

– Trivia tonight at the Saucer. I already walked by and checked out the Fire Sale: Woodchuck Amber. That, by the way, is my beverage of choice when I hang at McGuinness. So if I stop by McG after the Saucer, then what will I drink? Hmmm. It’s a Grizzlies game night, so I think I’ll wear my Grizzlies baseball cap. And just for shits and giggles (there’s a Mikeyism I forgot to include in his birthday post), I think I’ll turn it backwards. Bicycle Bobby: “The only people who should wear their hats turned backwards are catchers!”

– Blogging from home today at lunch. Time to take the laundry out of the dryer (I love this job!) then head back to work.

– Saturday night there will be a big art party at 574 S. Main from 7 to 10 PM. It will be Lantana Projects’ Class of ’07: The Best Artwork of the Year party, featuring work by Lea Alexander, Elizabeth Alley, Susan Best, Sarah Boyce, and Dwayne Butcher, as well as about 30 more artists. $5 cover gets you entertainment by DJs The Defective Agency and Mind at Large. I’ve been told that this was one of THE parties on the arts circuit in Memphis last year, with about 1,000 people showing up. Put this one on your calendar – sounds too good to miss.

– There will be a follow-up discussion of the Jena 6 incident at the National Civil Rights Museum Thursday the 15th at 5:30 PM. Hear personal accounts from the Jena protesters, and discuss how the incident can impact Memphians locally. Guest panelists include Veronica Coleman-Davis, Mrs. Maxine Smith, and Dr. Darryl Tukufu.

– Memphis Blues Society will hold a Battle of the Bands this Thursday and Friday, November 15 and 16. The winner will advance to the International Blues Challenge in February 2008. In particular, please come out and support my friends Crash Kole and the BlueSouls, who have played Pearl’s and E&H Downtown and have a great sound. They deserve to make it to the IBC. (Edit: Forgot to say WHERE it will be – that’s kind of important. It will be at Neil’s, 1835 Madison, both nights.)

– Looks like I’m going to have to get on Walgreens again for letting the bums hang out in front of their store. As many of you know, I use Mountain Dew to fuel my brain cells during the day. My new office is about equal distance from Jack’s Food Store and Walgreens. So yesterday afternoon I took a break and turned right toward Walgreens for a Dew… then I saw four bums hanging out in front of the store begging, and turned back around and went to Jack’s. The economic impact of panhandling.

– One of the waitresses at the Saucer has given me a new nickname: “Pauly Pocket.” I spent hours wondering WTF she was talking about, then I got home and started Googling. Discovered there’s a line of dolls called Polly Pocket. Great. So I’m being compared to a small, plastic doll. Her reasoning is that I have long hair like the dolls do. Female logic at its finest. Really, I think this waitress is just jealous that I pay more attention to her little friend than I do her, and is trying to get herself noticed.

Trying to cut back on the drinking now that I have a job. So, I only had 8 beers at Pint Nite last night before I tabbed out. Then I decided I wasn’t back done and reopened my tab for one more. At least I stayed out of the double digits.

Tonight: The Rapscallions whoop some more ass at trivia, and begin collecting certificates for Rapscallion Party VI.

Time to go to work.

New job is going well. First day stuff, installing software on my machine, reading documentation about the company’s product.

Went out for lunch. I remembered seeing a sign that read “Italian Beef” with a really great looking Italian roast beef sandwich on it somewhere Downtown. Couldn’t remember where. Wandered for several blocks, was just about to give up and go to Lenny’s, which is in the ground floor of my office building. Then I saw it – it’s at the Mexican counter at Sam’s Hamburgers. This is the one in the 100 N. Main building, not the other one at Main and Madison. So I got a 6-inch Italian beef sandwich plus chips and drink for $5.44 including tax. Not bad. Definitely a lunch I’d recommend.

Heh. I’m going to love working at this place. Wandered around a little this morning while they were installing software. Opened the company’s fridge and there was an 18-pack of Bud Light. NICE. John D: “Wha… wha happened? Paul, where can I pick up an application?”

Back to work. Stay tuned and keep your calendar clear for this Saturday – will be posting details of one of the biggest art gallery parties of the year, to happen in the South Main district.

So the new job starts in a little over an hour, and here are some words I thought I’d never type – I’m ready for work. The past month of partying has been fun, but I’ve gotten into something of a rut and am ready to start being productive again. I’ll get to work with some great people, learn C# and build some great products, and as for the long commute to work, I’ll just have to deal with it. The recruiter told me to show up at 8 the first day, which means I’ve got to leave the house no later than 7:58 this morning.

In the news: The Colts lost for the second week in a row, and Peyton proved why he is overrated. I predict we’ll be seeing “Is Peyton washed up?” stories in the sports mags by year end. My favorite blogger/MILF sent me a “don’t even go there” e-mail as soon as the game was over.

Had a great conversation with a friend yesterday. Other than that, not much to recap about Sunday.

Tonight after work: Pint Nite. Should be there by 6, hopefully earlier than that.

Normally I don’t do reposts, but this one has been requested many, many times. This was taken at Sunday brunch at Sleep Out Louie’s in August 2006, with John D hiding because he doesn’t want people to know he drinks crappy beer.