Justin Hand

WOOHOOOO! I missed last years dead fest but not again! I was so jealous of all the ghoulish makeup jobs and loads of blood that was spread around. I still have my contacts ready to go so it’s Zombie time. Check out their myspace page at MEMPHIS ZOMBIES. There will be a cool after show at Ernestine and Hazels post-walk. The fun starts at 6:30 at the New Daisy or come early and you can get done up by a professional make-up artist, how cool!

Here’s what you need to know:

Just like last year, we’ll be congregating in front of the New Daisy on Beale Street, starting at about 6:30. The plan is to step off heading toward South Main at 7:15. For those of you wanting to come early to get hardcore “zombified” by our excellent makeup artists, come to the pay lot adjacent to the Plush Club at 5 p.m. Last year there were plenty of people who needed help with their makeup so the earlier you come, the better chance you have of getting a badass job done on you.

Those of you wanting to become second-generation zombies (via a hearty devouring by the first-generations) should come clad in crappy clothes marked with a duct-tape X. Just like last year.

The route has changed slightly but is a bit more simple than last year. Basically, we’re trekking down Beale, then taking a right on Second, left on Peabody, left on Main and trekking down to Ernestine & Hazel’s, where we’ll be having an after party.

I’m by no means am a Basketball fan but when your city’s team, with one exception, has an unblemished record, it’s hard not to want to participate. Ive been apart of the last two sweet sixteen / elite 8 game celebrations only to watch their elimination, preventing them from making the final four. All that changed this year and I was over come with pride for the University of Memphis Tigers. Unliked by most in the other divisons and by most refs, im sure you can agree, they persevered. Practically undefeated, the Tigers past not only to the Final Four but on to the Championship game against Kansas. At the start, the Jayhawks appeared to have our number, covering Rose like a blanket and managing to get Dorsey fouled out. CDR and Rose come back in the second half to get a 56-49 lead against the Jayhawks. It was in our grasp. You could practically taste the victory and how sweet it would have been. There we were with only seconds left on the clock and we had all but accepted the trophy when Kansas gets the ball after a mishapped shot and catches a once in a lifetime break with a “shot in the dark” 3 pointer and only 2 seconds left on the clock… BOOM. A bomb might as well have gone off in the San Antonio stadium. Kansas took it into overtime with an eventual win of 75-68.

I don’t think I have ever felt this bad about something I was watching on tv, especially a sports game. The tigers had managed to bring together alot of Memphians for something to cheer for. It was great. I have seen people walking down the street just to show off their spirit with giant tiger claws, pointy fingers, and covered in tiger gear. Shit, I even bought a shirt or two myself. The whole city seemed to be united, if you will, for the Tigers. It truly makes me sad to see this pass as a loss for U of M. They deserved it. The worked hard for it. It was a great game. As it is a sad thing, I still can put my chin up and say I’m proud of the tigers. I think they also should be proud of themselves. We as a city should continue to support them as they are the champions of Memphis. They have proven themselves time and time again, showing the rest of the country that we are a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations Memphis, you are #2 in the country and thats not bad at all but just remember, and I can honestly say,you’ll always be #1 to us!

G O T I G E R S!