Chiwawa, Anchorman Rescheduled

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38104, Anchorman Rescheduled, Bicycle Memphis, Chiwawa, Cooper Young, Memphis Blog, Memphis Events, memphis tn, midtown memphis, Things TO Do In Memphis

A quick note. If you planned on attending the film “Anchorman” at Chiwawa tonight, the event has been moved to TUESDAY night at 8:00 due to threat of rain. Here is the information posted from Twitter.

“@chiwawamidtown: Tonight’s screening of Anchorman has been moved to tomorrow night due to the threat of rain. See you at 8 p.m. tomorrow night.”

There you have it. And due to the rain, I drove to work this morning.

See YOU back here for more movies and bikes. Cheers.

Gator Bicycle Tires, Cash Saver, Wings, Fryer, The Edge Coffee Shop, Flower Pot

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38104, Bicycle Commuter, Bicycle Memphis, Cash Saver, Cooper Young, Flower Pot, Fryer, Gator Bicycle Tires, Memphis Blog, memphis tn, midtown memphis, The Edge Coffee Shop, Things TO Do In Memphis, Wings

Weekend Midtown. Did YOU get out?

I realized today that I haven’t posted in a few days. Like I have said in previous posts, the summer is my most busiest time at work. And I have eight more weeks of hard work left. Saturday? Yes, I worked Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Brutal. Today (Sunday) actually felt like Saturday.

I did stop in at Cash Saver for a tour de cider.

$7 and change and “I” choose 6 beers. With many, many beers to choose from, it is difficult to make a decision.

So what have I been doing other than working? Gator bike tires.

Pricey ($50 each), but the tires are supposed to be excellent. I did read reviews of the tires and many people stated that getting the tires installed was rather difficult. “I can do it!” The first tire took 30 minutes to install. Wow, that was pretty easy. Then I installed the second tire. Yeah, they were correct. That tire was TOUGH to get on the rim. I spent ten minutes cursing at the tire. Finally the tire was in place and I took the bicycle out for a spin. Nice smooth ride. I feel much better riding with these new puncture resistant tires. I ride in some parking lots and side streets with glass everywhere.

Next up? Wings.

We purchased a $30 fryer to cook some wings.

The result? Excellent wings. Loved ‘em. We used Commissary spice to finish the wings off. Nice and sweet.

While out and about today, I noticed that The Edge Coffee Shop is closed. (By that I mean the sign is off the building and the patio fence has been taken down as well.) I did go by the place once to check it out.

I looked around the internet for some explanation as to why the place has closed and couldn’t find one. If anyone knows the story, send me a comment.

My wife picked up this nifty flower-pot.

The flowers are out of my garden. Those banana peels I left in the flower bed paid off.

If you are looking for something to do Monday night, check out Chiwawa Movie Monday. Starting at 8:00 p.m. the shop on Madison will feature the movie “Anchorman” (one of my favorite movies). See the complete list below.

Done! I’m beat. Doubtful I will get a bike ride in tomorrow because of the rain. I’m looking forward to Tuesday when I can try out my new bicycle tires. See YOU back here for more wings, bikes and beer. Cheers.

Train, Union Viaduct, Cooper Young Concert Series

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38104, Bicycle Commuter, Bicycle Memphis, Cooper Young Concert Series, Memphis Blog, Memphis Events, memphis tn, midtown memphis, Things TO Do In Memphis, Train, Union Viaduct

Two for Tuesday Midtown. It’s hot out there!

I started the morning early. Jumping on my bicycle, I reached the railroad tracks near Hollywood. And I saw this:

Trains, you block my path!

Yes, the train was just sitting there, not moving. I waited ten minutes before I gave up and headed north to Union. Have you ever crossed over the viaduct connecting Union to Walnut Grove Rd.? There is a reason why people don’t ride bicycles that way. First up, the not so bright motorists who may or may not hit you as you ride along the street. Secondly, if you dare to ride along the sidewalk, you get glass; lots of broken glass. The broken glass is EVERYWHERE. I have spoken to other bicycle commuters and they refuse to ride along the viaduct. Yes, I made it to Republic Coffee, but arrived later than usual. Chug that coffee.

My Tuesdays are usually paperwork days. Today was no different. I worked on paperwork all day long. Fun. Not. After a long day of work, I headed out for my ride home. The temperature? 97 degrees outside. Hot. Very Hot. Time to drag out the Camelbak tomorrow.

The heat kept many cyclists off the Greenline this evening.

The Cooper Young concert series returns tomorrow with the band Freedom (rock). Cooper Young gazebo; 6:30 – 8:30. Be there. Read more about the concert series here. Get a cold drink, sit on a patio and enjoy the music.

I got nothing else. My work days are very busy, and I make every effort not to lose my mind at this time of year. 8.5 weeks to go. See YOU back here for more bikes, coffee and music. Cheers.

Manic Monday, Chiwawa Movie Monday

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38104, Bicycle Commuter, Bicycle Memphis, Chiwawa Movie Monday, Commute Bicycle, Cooper Young, Manic Monday, Memphis Blog, memphis tn, midtown memphis, Things TO Do In Memphis

Manic Monday Midtown. What a day.

Yes, my day started rather early, at 6:30 a.m. I took the bicycle to Republic Coffee, again I chugged some iced coffee down, then set off east down the Greenline. I had my lunchbox AND messenger bag filled with work clothes for the week. I will say that I had some legs this morning. An hour later and I was at work. Nice HOT ride this morning. I did catch some good music when I changed the Ipod to “shuffle”.

My work day? Very busy. Paperwork had not been completed from last week, lost folders, missing paperwork, ect. Just when you think you have all of your ducks in order, the ducks scatter in all directions. It’s just like herding cats… or ducks.

The ride home was okay. The wind was blowing from the west, in my face. Thank you. Thank you very much. After a day like today, I just didn’t have the legs this afternoon. I did notice a ton of cyclists on the Greenline though.

I can always gauge how busy I was at work by checking the battery life of my Ipad mini. I charged the battery last night to 100%. When I left work, my battery was still charged to 100%. Which means I have yet to check the local news, national news, Lifehacker, CNet, Email, Facebook and many other websites. It is 8:00 p.m. and I have much to catch up on.

I did check Twitter this evening. Look at this:

Monday got you down? Check out some of the upcoming movies that will be featured at Chiwawas at Overton Square on Mondays. Starting at 8:00 p.m. YOU can view an excellent movie on the patio. “Anchorman”? I’m in. “Goonies”? Sign me up. “Breakfast Club”? I’m there. “Ferris”? Shake it up baby now. Sounds like a plan Stan. Read more from Chiwawas Facebook page.

Done AND beat. I’m pretty sure I will be asleep in two hours time. See YOU back here for more beers, bikes and movies. Cheers.

Trampled Under Foot, Levitt Shell, I Love Memphis Mural, Second Hand Rose Phone Booth, Room 237, Grill

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38104, Bicycle Commute, Bicycle Memphis, Cooper Young, Grill, I Love Memphis Mural, Levitt Shell, Memphis Blog, Memphis Events, midtown memphis, Room 237, Second Hand Rose Phone Booth, Things TO Do In Memphis, Trampled Under Foot

Sunday Midtown. As the song goes, “I’ve got something to say!” Lot’s of Midtown items, so let’s get started.

Last night a friend headed over to the Levitt Shell for a show. At the last-minute we decided to attend as well. The weather was perfect.

The act on stage? Trampled Under Foot. This group is good. Very good. Great musicians and great vocals. I picked up a beer by Sierra Nevada “Summerfest” and listened to some great music. As you can see by the photo, the event was very well attended. Glad we went.

I slept in late this morning. My wife went out for a walk in Cooper Young. When she returned, she had pictures of the neighborhood. The “I Love Memphis” mural in Cooper Young has something new added to it.

And closer…

And now for something not so good. You know the British phone booth in front of the Second Hand Rose antique store on Central?

Yeah, the phone booth has been knocked down and broken.

Later in the day I saw someone load up the broken phone booth into a truck. I am “hoping” that the plan is to fix the phone booth.

At 1:00 p.m. I took the bicycle over to Otherlands Coffee Shop for some iced coffee. The stop was quick since I was on the way to the Brooks Museum. Today the museum was featuring the film “Room 237″. I do have to say that the theories behind the meaning of the film “The Shining” are interesting. Was “The Shining” about the genocide of the American Indians? Was “The Shining” about Hitler and the concentration camps of Europe? Was “The Shining” about human sexuality? Did the hotel layout make sense? (One woman mapped out the entire hotel from the film, room by room, on paper.) Were parts of the movie a dream? One film buff went to the extreme and superimposed the film onto itself, playing one film forward and the other backwards at the same time. And one commentator was convinced Kubrick airbrushed his own portrait into the clouds at the beginning of the film. (I couldn’t see it myself.) “Room 237″ is an interesting documentary. Glad I went to see it.

After the film, I made my way home and started the grill.

Steak and chicken people. All done right before the rain began.

What a weekend. I’m beat. See YOU back here for more grilling, movies and bikes. Cheers.

Republic Coffee, Community, Digital Estate Planning Game, Central BBQ Wings, Room 237 Brooks Museum

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Republic Coffee

Hello weekend, and just in time.

My day started after sleeping 12 hours. I needed it. The work week beat me up. I took the bike for a ride to Republic Coffee. The best rides? Those are the rides in which I can take my time. Love it. I ordered my ice coffee and had a seat. Guess what? My Ipad was not thirsty for coffee… of any sort. Yeah, I spilled some coffee on my tablet. The thing started to go crazy. (Same sort of thing occurred late last night. I accidentally hit a wrong button on the t.v. remote and the t.v. began to scream a “Metallica” tune full blast. “Turn down, turn down!” The remote didn’t work and pushing random buttons on the t.v. didn’t help. My wife walked into the living room asking what the hell I was doing. After a few seconds, she had the remote problem fixed.) I cleaned the coffee from my Ipad and read the news.

Like the t.v. show “Community”? Like the episode “Digital Estate Planning”? (You know, the episode where the actors were turned into 8-bit video game characters?) I LOVED that episode. Now we can play that exact game from the episode. Turns out that some folks developed the t.v. show episode into a playable game. “Journey to the Center of Hawkthorne” can be downloaded for free to your p.c.

Yes, I already downloaded and played the game. And yes, it is just like the episode.

After I finished my coffee, I headed out the door. I want wings! Central BBQ wings that is. But I didn’t want to wait in that 20 person deep line. Here is a tip; call your order in BEFORE you get to Central BBQ. Place a “to go” order. I biked from Republic Coffee to Central BBQ. When I arrived, I locked up the bike and bypassed those in line. I stepped right up to the side door by the cashier and gave my name. Yes, the wings were boxed up and ready to go.

You can even order a tea as well and take your food to a table. No wait and no fuss. To easy.

Just yesterday I was thinking to myself “I haven’t gone to the Brooks Museum for a movie in a while now.” As I was reading the Memphis Flyer last night, I came across an article. The film “Room 237” is playing Sunday 6/9/2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Brooks Museum. Kubrick? Check. The classic film “The Shining”? Check. Watch “Room 237″ and pick your favorite theory about the meaning of this classic horror flick. I’m going. This should be interesting.

For those of you playing at home, I can ride to get coffee, then head over to pick up some excellent wings, and go to a movie; all in 38104. Love my neighborhood!

Done. Time for a few drinks. See YOU back here for more movies, bikes, and wings. Cheers.

Smart Meter Public Meeting, Memphis Greenline

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38104, Bicycle Commute, Bicycle Memphis, Cooper Young, Memphis Blog, Memphis Greenline, midtown memphis, Smart Meter Public Meeting, Things TO Do In Memphis

Finally Friday Midtown. And it couldn’t get here soon enough.

Thursday wore me out! After a hard day of work, I had to deal with a customer on the phone. This customer didn’t believe statements I made about Tennessee State Law. It AMAZES me how many people have a driver’s license, yet do not know state laws. LOOK IT UP! State laws are easy to find. READ.

To make matters worse, I couldn’t sleep last night. As tired as I was, I kept tossing and turning. “I couldn’t sleep at all last night.”

Today? Took the bike to work early this morning. I stopped in at Republic Coffee and “chugged” an iced coffee. No time to read the news, gotta run!

I later learned today about a “Smart Meter” public meeting. Good thing I didn’t attend the meeting. Wish I had attended. I want to see these idiots in person. I can’t believe all of the nonsense that is coming from the mouth of… you know it… Janis Fullilove. (My FAVORITE politician… NOT!) Yes, Chinese hackers are targeting your smart meter. I am SURE they are. Your smart meter could get a computer virus. I am pretty sure most of the people attending could not spell the word “V-I-R-U-S”. Idea. If these smart meters are installed, maybe I could sell “antivirus” software for “smart meters”. Pay ME $20 a month and you would have access to a webpage that states “No Virus” every time you check your meter. Janis could be my first customer. Really. Read more about the fools here. (wmctv)

As I was riding home, I was passed by a cyclist who recognized me. He rides from Baptist East then north past Shelby Farms. Our paths cross occasionally. He noticed I had a new bike helmet. I told him about my new bicycle.

We chatted a bit about bikes. Good ride home.

Yes, I’m beat. See YOU back here for more beers, bikes and smart meters. Cheers.

Cleaning the Greenline, Jimmy Buffett Cover Band

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38104, Bicycle Memphis, Cafe Ole, Cleaning the Greenline, Commute Memphis, Cooper Young, Jimmy Buffett Cover Band, Memphis Blog, midtown memphis, Things TO Do In Memphis

Waffle Wednesday Midtown.

Took the bicycle to work today. I also took my small broom with me as well.

As I came to Holmes St. bridge, I found three different sections of glass along the Greenline. Even stranger was that the glass was made up of three different colors of glass; green, clear and brown. It was as though someone put glass along the trail on purpose. I hope I am mistaken. I spent a few moments sweeping the glass from the trail. After I swept away most of the glass I continued on to work.

Riding home this evening, I stopped again along the Greenline to sweep away glass from the trail. At the Poplar / Humes intersection, I waited to cross the street. After waiting a bit, I noticed the signal lights were out. Great. After thinking I would NOT get across Poplar, the traffic slowed and I was able to cross Poplar.

I arrived home and immediately changed clothes for the Jimmy Buffett cover band at Cooper Young.

We stopped in at Cafe Ole and sat on the patio and listened to music.

Cheap drinks and easy entertainment. Nice way to end the day. See YOU back here for more boat drinks. “Wastin’ away again…” Cheers.

Memphis Greenline, Bicycle Underwear, La Michoacana, Robbie and The Bandanas, Cooper Young Music Series

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38104, Bicycle Memphis, Bicycle Underwear, Bike To Work, Commute by Bicycle, Cooper Young, Cooper Young Music Series, La Michoacana, Memphis Blog, Memphis Greenline, midtown memphis, Robbie and The Bandanas, Things TO Do In Memphis

Two for Tuesday Midtown.

Monday? Manic Monday to be sure. My work day was slammed. When I arrived home, I discovered that my wife had rented the movie “Jack Reacher“. No, I have not read any of the books in the series. How was the movie? The acting was so-so. The story was very good. The film was a good mystery. Check it out.

My wife also picked up some underwear. Bicycle underwear, for me. To much information?

Urban Outfitters, if you dare.

She also picked up some dessert. La Michoacana has sweet frozen treats.

If you have never stopped in at La Michoacana, go! You can find the place at 4091 Summer.

Yes, I took the bicycle to work this morning. I stopped in at Republic Coffee for an iced coffee to go. Yeah, I just threw the coffee in my bike basket and took off down the Greenline. As I neared the Holmes St. bridge, I noticed glass along the trail, in several places. Doh! I HATE glass. To fix the glass problem, I purchased a small broom.

The broom is small enough to fit in my bike basket. This should do the job. It is not the first time I have swept the Greenline. I use the Greenline daily. I might as well help take care of it.

Tomorrow? Music at Cooper Young. “To get the party started, Robbie and The Bandanas, a three-piece combo playing Jimmy Buffett songs will play June 5.” Wear your loudest, most colorful shirt and grab a margarita from Cafe Ole. Sit back and listen to the music folks. 6:30 (at the gazebo), see YOU there.

Sweet Grass Next Door, Bike To Work, Langford Market, Cooper Young Music Series, Robbie & The Bandanas, Jimmy Buffett, Matthew Reilly, Ned Sublette

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38104, Bike To Work, Commute Bicycle, Cooper Young, Cooper Young Music Series, Jimmy Buffett, Langford Market, Matthew Reilly, Memphis Bicycle, Memphis Blog, memphis tn, midtown memphis, Ned Sublette, Robbie & The Bandanas, Sweet Grass Next Door, Things TO Do In Memphis

Weekend Midtown. Hope you enjoyed it. My weekend? Interesting.

Friday evening after work we headed over to Sweet Grass Next Door for a birthday dinner. We ordered the fried egg sandwich.

As usual the sandwich was very good. I also ordered some dessert; angel food cake with strawberries, with a hint of mint. The dessert was also very good.

Saturday morning I took my bicycle to work, 13.2 miles. When I arrived at work, my boss wondered why I was at work on Saturday. I guess our signals were crossed. I thought I was working Saturday. I stayed at work a few hours, taking care of business, then headed out the door at 11:15 a.m. As I reached Shelby Farms, I noticed the wind had picked up. Halfway up the park, a cold front moved in. The temperature dropped 10 degrees in seconds. By the time I reached the top of the park, the rain started coming down. Luckily I had a poncho to put on. I have cycled in the rain in the past. Not the most fun experience, but it is only water.

Speaking of riding, this week marks the start of THREE years riding my bicycle to work. When I first started to ride to work I thought I would only ride two days a week. Then I just started to ride every day. All’s it takes is planning. Take today for instance. I washed my clothes and packed my work clothes in a messenger bag. Since I was going to work this afternoon, I took all of my work clothes with me for the week. Easy.

Today we went for a walk in Cooper Young. A few new items in the neighborhood. The old garage across from Central BBQ is now gone. The property will become a restaurant. Right now the empty lot is a big mud pit. There is also a new shop located next to Urban Outfitters.

If your into women’s clothing, now you have a new place to shop ladies.

The Cooper Young Music Series is about to begin. When? Wednesday’s; 6:30 p.m. at Cooper and Young. First band up? “…Robbie and The Bandanas, a three-piece combo playing Jimmy Buffett songs will play June 5. The concerts take place at the gazebo at the intersection of Cooper Street and Young Avenue.” Me? I am hoping to attend. If you can’t see Buffett, see the cover band, drink a margarita and sing along. Read more about the series here.

I finished a very good book today. “Scarecrow Returns” by Matthew Reilly is a page turner.

The book is a “bubble gum summer read”, but exciting nonetheless. The next book that I started reading is “The World That Made New Orleans” by Ned Sublette.

If you enjoy history, this book is excellent. I have learned many things, just in the first few chapters. If you are interested in how New Orleans became New Orleans, read this book.

Remember, I have another ten hard work weeks left in the summer so posts may not show up daily. That’s just how my summer rolls. See YOU back here soon. Cheers.