Memphis and I are in a whirlwind romance. We met this summer. I moved from St. Louis and wasn’t looking for anything serious, maybe just a quick fling. Now? I’m head over heels.
Recently, when an article (yes, I’m bringing that up again) described Memphis as miserable, I became irrationally angry.
As I skimmed over it, I made some commentary to anyone close enough to listen. “Miserable? What? Chicago and Miami made the list? This is ridiculous…” Then I read the article.
Ok, so maybe they did ACTUALLY base this on fact and did ACTUAL studies…but I’m not convinced, sorry Forbes. No, Memphis isn’t perfect and we have our issues, but we are far from miserable. The researchers conducting the study don’t see what I see.
They’ve never seen the skyline of downtown from northbound 1-55. And how, on a good day, the light catches the 240 bridge and the river just right, making the whole city sparkle at 9 a.m.
They’ve never walked into BarDog and felt like they stepped into a scene from Cheers. Or watched tourists stumble down Beale St. from the comfort of a bar stool at The Flying Saucer.
Yes. They’ve never been to Minglewood Hall or the HiTone and felt the heart of the city pounding in the floors during a concert.
They haven’t made friends who make them feel at home in a city where a few months ago, they knew no one (thank you MPACT) and the City Mayor doesn’t know them on a first name basis (actually, he refers to me as “Missouri,” but I’ll take it).
Perhaps they don’t how committed our Chamber, The CCC, Live from Memphis, LaunchMemphis, Leadership Memphis and various groups are to making Memphis wonderful.
No, they don’t see what I see.
They haven’t witnessed the crowded streets of happy theatre-goers after an Orpheum performance or how the sleek new Playhouse on the Square at the corner of Union and Cooper rivals any theatre in New York.
They haven’t had a chance to run the trails of Shelby Farms on a perfect summer day with their dog panting along at their side. And they probably haven’t seen the tiny houses welcoming you to Cooper Young or known how a beer at Boscos or a dirty martini at Silly Goose can just make life a little better.
They obviously haven’t been to the Zoo.
I’m sure someone is going to read this and think “lame,” “cheesy,” or “who is this girl?” I don’t care…Memphis and I are in love and I don’t care who knows it! (my Ron Burgundy moment for today). Things are pretty serious and we’re thinking of taking our relationship to the next level.
Maybe we’ll make it Facebook official.
I completely agree, I’ve been to and lived in much more miserable cities.
What do you think about starting a campaign, a video series, whatever, to show the folks at Forbes that they are wrong? Giving them the real taste of the midsouth. All the things you mentioned above, plus a night out at the Rollerderby, jamming until the early hours at Wild Bill’s or mixing sweet tea and Gus’s Chicken on a hot Saturday afternoon? I’m down for it!
I think that sounds like a great idea! Live from Memphis and I Love Memphis’ Kerry Crawford would probably love to be involved as well. Let’s talk: pmcdowell@mpactmemphis.org
I second this emotion. Great article!
As an not-so-recent emigrant I have to say that I am just now beginning to love this city, and I’ll take the opportunity to gently remind everyone that Live From Memphis has several video series already celebrating many aspects of the Memphis experience.
Not the least of which is my own Mind Over Memphis series focusing on Memphis non-profits.
Having said that, I am up for any new projects people want to put together.
http://www.livefrommemphis.com/
http://www.livefrommemphis.com/mindovermemphis
As a native Memphian, I really appreciate your sincere and kind thoughts on a new place that you are calling home for right now. I run into people all the time who live in a place their entire life and can only talk about negative things within the City. Hats off to you for enjoying and relishing in all the best that Memphis has to offer. I know that we are not perfect, but it’s certainly a place that I am proud to call home.