Paul Ryburn's Journal

Before I get started, let me congratulate the Arkansas Razorbacks on their 38-3 clobbering of Ole Miss this weekend. The Hogs absolutely killed the Rebels. Wonder if Ole Miss fan and fellow blogger Philip saw the game. Hotty Toddy dude! Better luck next year!

Now, down to business. A few days ago, I posted a question – I wanted to know why Asians always make the sign below when they have their pictures taken.

Regular blog reader Carmel, who used to teach in Japan, responded. She too had noticed this behavior, and asked her students why they did it. They couldn’t really give a good answer – they thought it was “cool” and thought Americans did it too. She pointed me to this Wikipedia article about the V sign which claims that the craze was actually started by an American, figure skater Janet Lynn. In the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, Lynn stumbled on the ice, but continued to smile and her demeanor made her an instant celebrity in Japan. In interviews in the following days, Lynn (a peace activist) repeatedly flashed the sign. The Japanese began to imitate the gesture in photographs, and it later caught on among other Asians.

(Now, keep in mind, that’s what Wikipedia says, not necessarily the truth. I’m annoyed with Wiki for making me look bad over the “pen” thing yesterday. Wiki also used to claim that a tube top can have a single strap around the neck, which is absolutely, positively wrong, but they’ve since corrected it. Just because you read it on the Internet, doesn’t make it true.)

Carmel continues, “I don’t think Asians have much control over the urge to make that sign when being photographed. It really is deeply ingrained behavior.” She also said that she tended to make that sign when being photographed in Japan (she wanted to “do as the Romans do,” an expression the Japanese love). When she came back to the States, she had to work hard to break herself of the habit.

So there ya go. Now ya know.

I’m in a very excited, creative mood these days, as a result of stuff going on at work. As you know, I work as a contractor for the city schools, developing Web and Intranet applications. We’re in the process of upgrading our development platform to ASP.NET 2.0/Visual Basic.NET 2.0, and it’s the most kickass web application platform I’ve ever seen. I can see all kinds of ways to improve some existing programs I’ve been working on at the city schools, and I also see a lot of potential for taking consulting jobs on the side, once I master ASP.NET 2.0.

A lot of the tools I want to explore fall outside the scope of work, though, so last week I bought an additional GoDaddy.com hosting account with Windows Server, ASP.NET 2.0, and SQL Server, so I have a sandbox to play in, a place where I can try things out without messing up any of my existing websites. Since then I’ve had a really cool business idea, to be set up on the new hosting account… gonna keep it a secret for now, but I’ll be talking more about it in the coming months.

If there are any programmers who want to learn ASP.NET 2.0, I recommend two resources: First, ASP.NET 2.0 Unleashed by Stephen Walther, a massive 2,000 page hardcover book that threatens to break my back when I carry it around in my backpack. It’s clearly written, thorough, and the examples work well to illustrate the new technologies in 2.0. Examples are in VB.NET, but if you’re a C# person, they have examples in that language on the CD included with the book. I’ve been through the first five chapters and already feel like I’m on my way to mastery. (By the way, I love Amazon.com. 40% off the retail price of the book, no sales tax. They estimated a ship date of October 24, but the book was waiting outside my door when I got home October 20.)

Second, I recommend this set of data tutorials on www.asp.net. They cover 2.0’s new structures for pulling data from a database and displaying it on a page. There are 35 tutorials in all (with code in both VB.NET and C#); so far I’ve done 10, and again, I feel like I’m on my way to mastery. Take advantage of these two resources, and you’ll be on your way to becoming an expert in ASP.NET 2.0.

I’m also teaching myself to write Blogger templates. By the end of the next month, I’d like to have my own, custom template, rather than relying on ones other people have created. And yes, I promise I’ll use a larger font when I do my template, so this blog will be easier to read.

Sorry for the nerdy post with all the techno-jargon, but that’s the main thing that’s been going on in my life this weekend. I have an answer to the Asian question, but I’ll do that in a separate post since the computer talk has probably chased away 80% of my audience by this point.

(Edited to add: The Romanian who sent me the video link e-mailed responses to my comments. See below.)

Add The Tap Room on Beale to the list of places that don’t officially offer wireless Internet, but where you can mooch off the unsecured network of someone in the neighborhood. Connect to “belkin54g” – should get you two bars out of five, which is perfect for all but hardcore gaming.

One of the Romanians who was here this summer – the itty bitty blonde who worked at the Flying Saucer – was reading my blog this morning and apparently thought some of my posts did not cast Romania in a flattering enough light. So she sent me this YouTube video entitled The World Without Romania. Click the link and see what sad shape we would all be in if Romania had never existed.

Edited to add: Okay, I just watched the video. They claim that we’d all be using pencils if not for Romanians, but I searched the Wikipedia article on “pen” and nowhere does it credit anyone from Romania as having anything to do with the invention. It mentions that a Hungarian invented the ballpoint pen, and perhaps they figure since Hungary is right next door, no one will notice if they take credit. (The Romanian responds: “And by the way,the inventor of the pen IT IS A ROMANIAN,he’s name is Petrache Poenaru.” I looked him up on Wikipedia and she’s right; he invented the fountain pen in 1827. Apologies for the earlier incorrect information.)

The video also claims Romania invented the jet airplane. True, according to Wikipedia, but it also says that the Romanian jet aircraft assembled in 1910 crashed during its first and only demonstration. It does not mention development of a successful jet aircraft (in Germany) until World War II. (The Romanian responds: “and the plain that Henri Coanda built it flu,yes it crashed but because of the lack experience of the builter,because it was THE FIRST jet plain ever built,but it flu.” Fair enough. Me personally, I’d prefer to fly on a plane that doesn’t crash, but to each his own I suppose. Wonder if ValueJet had any Romanians working for them?)

The video goes on to mention that Romania has the hottest women in the world (I won’t dispute that), and then they talk about Romanian beer. However, among the beers they show Pilsner Urquell (which is actually brewed in the Czech Republic) and Peroni (which is an Italian beer). As a former Beer Goddess, you would think the girl who sent me this video would have caught these inconsistencies. (The Romanian responds: “And about the beers,just because your are an alcoholic,doesn’t mean is making you an expert towards beers concern.And I think I know a little bit more about european beers than you,and I know were that beers come from.But nobody said in the video that does are all romanian beer.And in the end who the fuck cares about some beers.” Well, I guess I just assumed that because it was a video about Romania, that the beers pictured would be Romanian beers. My apologies for making such a silly assumption.)

Hands On Memphis and Volunteer Memphis, two of the very best ways to get plugged into the Memphis volunteer community, are merging. The name of the new organization has not been determined at this time. Hands On’s site has more information on their homepage.

I haven’t worked a whole lot with these organizations, because I’ve been so involved with Mpact the past few years. However, many of my friends volunteer with them regularly, and they have told me it is a great experience, where you meet a lot of cool people and give back to the community at the same time. Check out Hands On’s and Volunteer Memphis’ current projects and see all the ways you can make Memphis a better place. There’s something for everyone.

(Edited to add: Bumped back to the top because I now have an answer to this question. Be sure to scroll down if you haven’t checked this weekend’s posts, which include Volunteer Memphis and Hands On Memphis merging, and reasons why Romania is the greatest country EVAR!!!!!!!!!! Scroll down to the end of this post for updated info)

So last night I got bored and started surfing the web… and I came across one of those personals sites, one that claimed it was the best at helping people from all over the world meet. So I clicked their Search button, and you can probably guess which country I searched for first. But there weren’t many Romanians on the site, probably because it’s rather expensive to become a member.

So I picked another country at random… Japan. And I noticed that in about 60-70% of the Japanese women’s profiles, there was at least one picture of them doing this:

Now, I remembered back when I taught at the U of M, I had a Chinese grad assistant, and one time I took a pic of her and she made that hand sign too. So I started searching for Chinese girls on the personals site, and sure enough, most of them had at least one photo of them making that gesture. Next I tried Thai girls. Same thing. Vietnamese. Same thing. Taiwanese. Same thing.

What’s the deal with that? Why do Asians always (or at least, often) make that gesture when they have their picture taken?

Edited to add Sunday night 10/22/06, after about 11 beers at Sleep Out Louie’s, the Tap Room, and the Flying Saucer (from where I’m posting this): Regular blog reader/Asian studies major Carmel, who used to teach in Japan and was also baffled by this behavor, sends the following, from Wikipedia:

“During the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, figure
skater Janet Lynn stumbled into Japanese pop culture
when she fell during a free-skate period—but continued
to smile even as she sat on the ice. Though she placed
only 3rd in the actual competition, her cheerful
diligence and indefatigability resonated with many
Japanese viewers, making her an overnight celebrity in
Japan. Afterwards, Lynn (a peace activist) was
repeatedly seen flashing the V sign in the Japanese
media. Though the V sign was known of in Japan prior
to Lynn’s use of it there (from the post-WWII Allied
occupation of Japan), she is credited by some Japanese
for having popularized its use in amateur photographs.

Through the 1970s and 1980s in Japan, the V sign was
often accompanied by a vocalization: “piisu!” This
gairaigo exclamation, which stood for “peace”, has
since fallen into disuse, though the V sign itself
remains steadfastly popular.

The V sign is also commonly used in anime and Japanese
live-action shows. When characters show this sign, it
is often accompanied by an exclamation of “Vui!”
(pronounced “vwee!”), an exaggeration, or possible
slurring (see Engrish) of the English pronunciation
“vee”.

Perhaps due to Japanese cultural influence, the V sign
in photographs has become popular with young Koreans,
Hong Kongers, and Taiwanese as well. The sign is
ubiquitous in Taiwan and is closely associated with
the English word, “happy”. Print and television
advertisements read “happy” with hands waving while
displaying the V sign, and the average Taiwanese
person will invariably give that word as the meaning
of the sign.”

Before we get started with the content of this post, I’m pleased to bring back a semi-regular feature: The ’80s commercial jingle that is currently running through my head.

Sakes alive (sakes alive).
Sakes alive (sakes alive).
Only Mazda’s got a brand new truck
for fifty-eight
ninety-five (ninety-five).

Obviously this jingle is quite old, because if Mazda really had trucks for $5895 I’ll be running out to the dealership about now. All right, with that out of the way, let’s get down to business.

There are two good events to put on your calendar for Wednesday night, October 25. First of all, Mpact Memphis is having its fifth birthday party on the rooftop of The Lofts, at the corner of GE Patterson and Tennessee (one block west of Front). Party will last from 6 to 9 pm and everyone’s invited – you don’t have to be a member to attend. Reasons why this is worth putting on your calendar:

• FREE ALCOHOL!!!
• Free food
• They’ll be giving away door prizes, including a Grizzlies opening night game package, an old-school Atari II video game system, Elvis CD, Justin Timberlake CD, BB King CD box set, The Office Season 1 & 2 DVD set, and a Grey’s Anatomy Season 1 & 2 DVD set.
• They’ll be announcing their “Mpact Makers” awards – come see who in the 21-40 set has been making a difference in the community.
• Crowd tends to be professional and motivated – so it can be a good opportunity to network and make some business connections.
• Mpact isn’t a dating service, but the fact is, the majority of Mpact members are single, and judging from the friends list on Mpact’s MySpace page, attractive. So it could be a good chance to meet someone in a different environment than the bar scene.
• Party will be held on one of the best rooftop decks downtown – views of the river and the city
• Live music by YOKONO

The Mpact party is where I will be Wednesday night. I wonder if local MySpace legend The Mexican Wolf will show up for this one… last time they had a Lofts rooftop party, he was there.

Now, there’s also another excellent event which will be happening downtown at the same time (6-8 pm), and I hate it that I’m going to have to miss this one… The Reba Russell Band will be playing the closing night of the Court Square Concert Series, which has been moved to Jefferson Davis Park (Riverside at Jefferson).

Friends who attended last week’s event told me that Jefferson Davis park is an idea venue for this kind of show – plenty of room to spread out, lay down picnic blankets, etc. They said that last week’s band (North Mississippi Allstars) drew a huge crowd, probably the largest in the series’ existence. And best of all, they told me that the bums (who had become something of a problem when the series was held at Court Square) were practically nonexistent at Jefferson Davis Park.

So if the Mpact party isn’t your thing, come out to the park and hear some good live music. Thanks to the Center City Commission for putting on the series this year – it’s been a smashing success.

And that’ll do it for now – hold on, I’m getting an alternate version of the commercial.

Sakes alive (sakes alive),
Sakes alive (sakes alive).
Only Mazda’s got a diesel truck
For sixty-seven
Ninety-five (ninety-five).

I’ll update the Halloween list later this weekend.

Congratulations to the St.Louis Cardinals on defeating the New York Mets tonight in Game 7 of the playoffs, to make it to the World Series. As long as the Cardinals are alive in the post-season, the Flying Saucer has Blue Moon on sale for $2.50. I’m hoping to see the Cardinals take the World Series in 7 games, with each game going at least 13 innings. The Saucer is going to be seeing a lot of me the rest of this month. Not that they wouldn’t otherwise.

Walking home tonight, I encountered a bum doing his usual schtick. “You all right?” he asked. “Where you from?”

“I’m from Nobummania!” I replied. “I’m from Bumgoawayya!”

Apparently he had heard of those countries and didn’t like them, because he started cussing me out. Can I help my ethnic origins? Prejudice must be eliminated from the bums downtown. Let’s just make it legal to kill them, that’ll do it.

Drunk. Going to bed.

Lots to cover today. This post is going to be all over the frickin’ map, so let’s get rolling.

– If you’re looking for something to do tomorrow night (Friday, October 20), classic country band Papa Top’s West Coast Turnaround will be performing at the Hi-Tone. I’ve never sat through their entire set – only caught a few minutes of them at outdoor festivals – but friends of mine who have been to their shows have said they’re a hell of a good time. If I can’t find anything closer to home to do, I may hop in the car and head out to Midtown to hear them.

– Saturday there’s a big party at Stax Museum, a fundraiser called Staxadelic featuring ’70s costumes and music. I probably won’t make it, because the $100-per-person price tag is a little steep. I’m sure it will be a blast though… I’m half-tempted to go ahead and put on my platform shoes, drop a Ben Franklin on Stax, and boogie down to some funk, soul and disco. I’ve certainly spent that much and more this year on causes not nearly so worthy… Romanians

– Sunday night is the finals of the Miss Gay America 2007 cross-dresser pageant, to be held at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts/Memphis Cook Convention Center at 6:30, tickets $25-30. I remember when this happened last year – I had the typical straight-guy reaction of, “Well, I could never go to something like that, it just isn’t manly, and besides, what will people think?” The next day, I had several people (both gay and straight) tell me that it was one of the funniest, most entertaining events of the year.

Hmm… let me think about this for a second… who’s likely to be there? Lots of gay men, and lots of women. Who’s not likely to be there? Lots of straight men. That means the straight men who possess the balls and the open mind to go to this event have the odds heavily in their favor for meeting women. If I can get a female friend to go with me as a wingwoman, I just may have to give the pageant a chance.

– For those who haven’t heard that term before… a wingman/wingwoman is someone who goes out with you for the purpose of helping each other meet the opposite sex. A good wing helps you infiltrate groups, talks you up, keeps the other people in the group occupied while you talk to the person you’re interested in. And, of course, you provide the same service for your wing in return.

In fact, there’s a site called Wingwomen.com that provides this service for a fee (currently $75 an hour). It’s based on the notion that it’s easier for a guy to meet attractive women if he’s already with an attractive woman. You can get on their site and sign up to find a wingwoman in your area. I have to admit, this was a pretty smart idea. It’s been around for a couple of years and has been featured on national news magazines.

– Good article in the CA on Steve Cohen today. It points out that he supported bills to limit campaign contributions and legislators’ perks from lobbyists. He also sponsored legislation that required public servants to disclose conflicts of interests. Common Cause, a nonpartisan group that pushes for government accountability, has twice given him their “Bird Dog” award. Cohen is exactly the kind of person I want representing me in Washington. Lobbyists, fat-cat corporations, and good-old-boy politicians have a lot to fear if he makes it to Congress.

– This morning I received an e-mail from New Path, a progressive organization that was key in getting Tomeka Hart elected to the Memphis School Board, District 7 two years ago. They are known to support candidates who will put the public’s interest (and in the case of school board candidates, the children’s interest) ahead of their own personal interests, which is a breath of fresh air for this city. They are supporting the following candidates for the school board:

• Betty Mallott, District 2
• Martavius Jones, District 4
• Sharon Webb, District 6

Their site is currently down, but once they get it working again you can visit New Path’s site for more information about these candidates, as well as info about New Path’s mission. In the meantime, if anyone wants the info sheet they e-mailed me about these candidates, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll forward it to you. Let me just say that I know the founders of New Path personally, and their stamp of approval in local races is all I need to see. I know the candidates they support will do right for the community.

– Just days after the Air America radio network filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, its cofounders Anita and Sheldon Drobny have launched a new liberal talk radio network. It will be called Nova M, and will begin broadcasting on October 30 with markets in Phoenix and Little Rock, with more to be added in the future. Former Air America talk show host Mike Malloy will host one of the shows on the new network. The Drobnys sold Air America in 2003 and therefore are not affected by the bankruptcy.

– This morning I saw flyers advertising the U.S. Beer Drinking Team, and figured I’d pass on a link to their website. Their merchandise is available in one of the finest stores in all of the city – Circle K – so they gotta be the real deal. This is a team I’m certainly qualified to be on.

Reminds me – the other day I was talking to regular blog reader Suzy/Susie (not sure of spelling) and she asked, “What’s a triathlon?”

“Running, swimming, and biking, I think.”

“Well, if they got rid of those and instead had a triathlon where you drink three different types of beers, then I could be a triathlete!”

– And that’ll do it for now. I’m learning about even more Halloween parties and will again update the list in a couple of days.

Here’s an updated look at what’s going on around town (and especially downtown) for Halloween. If you know of more events e-mail me. I’ll update the list every few days.

Fri-Sat, 10/20-10/21: Playhouse on the Square, a local theater, will be renting costumes. Prices are $20-50 except for the Elvis jumpsuit which is $150.

Sat 10/21: Masquerade/costume ball benefitting Friends for Life at Central Station, Main at GE Patterson.

Friday 10/27: My apartment building’s party

(Edited to add: I forgot, this night will be South Main Trolley Tour night too. Not sure if they’ll be doing anything special for Halloween, but regardless, it’s a good place to score some free drinks)

Saturday 10/28: Halloween party at Dan McGuinness. I hear they’re going to be giving away a home theater system for their costume contest.

I’ve also heard Atlas will be throwing a good party Saturday night. According to the guys who were sitting next to me last Sunday afternoon at the Saucer, the Atlas party got pretty wild last year. They mentioned something about females at the party with tape covering strategic areas and not much else. Hmmm.

The Chicken Tractor party at Newby’s, which I’ve heard is good, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to make out with regular blog reader Mendi.

Just found out today that the 450 Stonewall party is indeed happening, Saturday 10/28 at Off Beale Live. That’s at 616 Marshall in the same building as the Downtown Dolls strip club. Their site has last year’s info but nonetheless is worth checking because they have pictures of hot babes in slutty outfits.

Sunday 10/29: Uptown is having a neighborhood chili cookoff, pumpkin carving contest, and house decoration contest from noon to 6. Unlike everything else mentioned here, this one is kid-friendly.

Monday 10/30: Uptown Haunted House, 6-8 pm, at Uptown Square Apartments (formerly Lauderdale Courts), 252 N. Lauderdale.

Tuesday 10/31: Parties at Sleep Out’s and Bluefin. “Spooky” team trivia night (and the hottest Beer Goddess ever to set foot in the place) at the Flying Saucer.

And, one more. This is a private party but I can’t help mentioning it. On Friday the 27th, Ptolemy Memphis will be having its Halloween party. They will be holding it at the University Club, or the “U-Club” as they call it. University Club members are also invited.

I’m not kidding. They call it the “U-Club.” It’s on their site. See the October calendar.

Hold on! Wait a minute… I’m picking up a telepathic transmission. What is this? It seems to be a conversation from the U-Club Halloween party on the 27th.

“Hi-ho! Skip, it’s been a long time, almost a fortnight since we last parted ways.”

“Cheerio, Jenkins, old fellow! And might I add, you are looking mighty natty in that Halloween costume this eve! Dressed as a polo player, I see!”

“Well, thank you, old sport. And you… I must admit, I have been attempting to solve the mystery of your costume all evening. Let us see… you’re wearing a rectangular piece of paper over your body… with what appears to be a portrait of Ben Frankin… the number 100… and wording that reads, ‘Series 1884.’ I must confess, old chap, I haven’t the foggiest.”

“Come now, come now. Surely you recognize OLD MONEY when you see it!”

(titters) “Ah, yes, yes! My sides are literally splitting with amusement! And let me tell you, I did need the humorous diversion.”

“How so?”

“Well, I’m afraid I almost had a row with old Billingsley over there… I told him that, at the risk of appearing tendentious, he was a lock to win the U-Club Halloween costume contest. He had it down perfectly… Niles Crane, the character from that program ‘Frasier’ that comes on the telly. The look, the mannerisms, the je ne sais quoi, everything perfect. But I told him that, and would you believe his retort, that he would not deign to wear a costume at all to this event, that he was attired in street clothes and had just come out for a cognac!”

“Ho ho. Jolly good yarn, old chap.”

“Well, old boy, it’s been splendid, but I must be going. Ta ta, now.”

“Toodle pip!”

Hope you enjoyed the privilege of that telepathic look inside the “U-Club.” And, having typed that up, I’m off to bed, full of $2.50 fire sale Blue Moon at the Flying Saucer. Toodle pip!

Today’s lunchtime post comes to you courtesy of the free Wi-Fi at Otherlands. They’re having a benefit for the Cooper Young Association, a Fall Fest, this Saturday from 8 PM to midnight. Cover is $10 and there will be free live music, free beer, free Camy’s pizza (YUM!!!), and free Celtic Crossing dessert while supplies last, as well as a cash coffee bar. Proceeds to benefit the CYCA’s beautification projects. Sounds like a good time.

I heard one of the people working the counter here at O-lands say that they now have tuna salad and turkey melts. Cool! Glad to see them adding menu items to appeal to the 90% of the city that is not vegetarian.

Here are a few more pics of the early morning downtown fire Friday, October 6. These are better than the ones I posted. Thanks to my neighbor Bo for providing these. First two are of the Court Annex building, and the third shows the embers raining down, threatening to catch all of downtown on fire (you may need to click on that pic to view it full-size to see the embers). Pics were taken from the rooftop of 10 South Main.

The Internet is a wonderful thing. This morning I was sitting in my cubicle at work, and a thought popped into my head – “Hey, I wonder whatever happened to that guy who played for the XFL and wore that ‘He Hate Me’ jersey?” So I typed “he hate me” into the search box on Wikipedia, and this article came up. I learned that He Hate Me (real name: Rod Smart) went on to become a special teams star for the Carolina Panthers from 2002 to 2005. The article also explains the origins of the nickname. See? Surfing the web makes you smarter.

Here’s an election prediction for you: The Democrats will win all the toss-up Senate races, gaining a majority of 51 to 49. But between Election Day and the day the new Senate convenes, Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman will change his party affiliation to Republican, giving the Republicans a 51-50 majority in the Senate (since Vice President Dick “-Head” Cheney votes in the case of a tie).

Dining With Monkeys blogger Stacey Greenberg has a good food feature on p.64 of this week’s Flyer. The feature is basically an extended version of what she posts about in her blog – dining out with her kids. If you’ve never read her writing, check out the article, and her blog.

My trivia team The Rapscallions ended up tied for third last night, but lost the tiebreaker question – “How many vertebrae does a giraffe have?” Team member Narmi claimed he came up with the correct answer – 7 – but what he actually said was, “7 in the neck and probably another 225 in the back.” We got a team consensus of 84 and lost. I did get a question right because of the Sixties book I bought last week – what state did RFK represent in the Senate? (answer: NY)

There’s a flyer on the wall here for a band called Mudgrip that plays ’60s boogaloo and soul at the Buccaneer every Tuesday at 10:30. Sounds interesting… maybe I’ll stay sober at trivia next Tuesday so I can drive out to the Buc and check them out.

That’s it for now… back to Cubicle Hell. Gonna do some shopping after work tonight, so probably no going-out downtown. I’ll be back in full force tomorrow, though.