Archive for October, 2007

Wren’s Nest Awarded Cash-Money

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So, I’m watching Scrubs on television right now. It’s funny for several reasons, but mostly since it’s one of those highlight shows where they just recycle old material, but they’re simultaneously pointing out just how lame that is.

No offense to Amelia’s last post, but since I feel so bad (well, not really that bad) for forgetting the camera yesterday, and since Amelia has basically recycled that same “news” today, I’d like to present you with some UNBELIEVABLE SEMI-BREAKING NEWS–

The Wren’s Nest has been granted $50,000 for capital improvements to the house.

Whoa.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the grantmaker has challenged the Wren’s Nest–gauntlet style, of course–to raise another $80,000.

You know what happens if and when we raise that $80,000? We get ANOTHER $80,000.

Pretty cool, huh?

I feel better, anyway.

And see? We do more than just blog around here.

Strike Two

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Yesterday Lain posted about being pooped and forgetful.

Unfortunately, not much has changed in the last 24 hours.

Due to a busy workday at job #2, I didn’t get a chance to check the Wren’s Nest blog yesterday (sacrilege, I know) and didn’t realize Lain had left the camera at home.

Thus prepared for a day of picture captioning and blogging, I now find myself without the camera, head filled with captions-to-be. Le sigh.

Luckily, Imani is here to keep me on task. Between searching through my purse (“so, so funny”) and watching Bugs Bunny (Imani’s current favorite here) we’re managing to salvage this picture-free day. Phew!

Taking A Break!

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Phew!

After a long weekend with the League of Decency concert and Oakland Cemetery’s totally awesome Sunday in the Park, Team Wren’s Nest is whooped.

Either that, or I have locked the camera with this weekend’s pictures inside my house, while simultaneously locking myself outside of the house. Your pick.

Thus, check back tomorrow for pictures and a recap!

In the mean time, check out reactions from the always trustworthy, terribly astute, and impeccably-dressed Asian Cajuns.

Public Relations and the Lack Thereof

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When I came to the Wren’s Nest last year, I didn’t know much about P.R. I still don’t.

One time Carson asked me how to write a press release and I punched her in the face. Not out of anger, mind you, but out of frustration–I wouldn’t even know where to begin!

Ironically enough, when the Wren’s Nest receives compliments, we’re almost always complimented on our P.R. skills.

It’s funny to me because I think I learned everything I know about P.R. in elementary school–a little thing I like to call “if you don’t know what you’re doing, get someone else to do it for you.” I’ve found out that in the real world, if you’ve got something remarkable, it’s actually pretty easy.

(We’ve got bears and forests in the city! Remarkable!)

Either way, we’re excited for tomorrow night, assuming it doesn’t rain.

And assuming the barbecue doesn’t run out. And assuming the band shows up. And assuming we don’t have too many people. And assuming we don’t have too few people.

Hoo boy.

Addendum

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Hey, cool most recent post, Lain. And great job updating the About Us section; after four long months and three long weeks, Amelia and Matt (respectively) are finally recognized!

But not all of the Wren’s Nest staff was so lucky.

I thus present to you: Imani’s missing bio.

Imani has been alive for three years and has already lived a fuller life than anyone you know. When Imani’s not busy fetching the mail or making us laugh with her trademark combination of excitement and incredulity, she can often be found curled up on a card table, fast asleep. Imani doesn’t know what the 80s are and Brer Rabbit “is her buddy”.

Imani chooses Microsoft Paint over email, thank you.

And… exhale. I feel so much better now.

Website Updates

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Perhaps some of you have noticed a few changes on the official Wren’s Nest website (the very website you’re looking at, no longer separate from the blog). Perhaps some of you have never even been to our official website (true no longer! You’re here!).

These changes reflect hours and hours of hard work put in by our talented web folks. I think they’re doing a fine job.

Really, all we did at this here office was take pictures for our updated About Us section.

Now’s your chance to refresh your memory re: the new-new website and let us know what you think. Got an opinion? Shoot it our way.

Danke for the good times, Helen

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As you may have noticed, the look of the blog has changed a bit, and will probably continue to do so for the next few days.

While there was nothing wrong with the former look, we wanted to incorporate the blog into the website. By joining them together we will make them doubly powerful, and power is really all we care about here at the Nest.

In my experience, however, the goal of a makeover is usually appeal, not power. So what do you do when you’re kinda unappealing, but are looking to gain the favorable attention of, you know, everyone?

If you’re Helen, GA, you turn yourself in to a faux-Bavarian Alpine Village. Of course.

Lain and I very purposefully stumbled upon Helen during our travels through North Georgia this weekend. As far as we can tell, the folks of Helen looked at each other one day and said, “Hey, you know what would really help tourism? If we pretended we were a Bavarian Alpine town and had three months of Oktoberfest.”

I imagine that everyone then hoisted their beer steins amidst cheers of “Ja!”.

It’s unclear whether the Bavarian theme is a nod to Helen’s residents or a nod to the profits of beer sales, but I’m sold.

(This used to be the corner of Main and Pine.)

Currently, Helen falls somewhere between Bavarian tribute and giant, ongoing theme party.

(When we first saw these Lederhosen-clad men, they were seated near our table, also enjoying a pitcher of beer. It was a little disappointing when I realized they we performers and not just really, really into lederhosen.)

If authenticity is your thing, Helen may not be the place for you. But if you’re into places like Hansel and Gretel’s Candy Shoppe (you would think that those two would have a bigger aversion to candy than anyone, but that’s just me), Helen is a must-see.

Not even a big-time chain like Huddle House (dear people from where I’m from: apparently this is a big-time chain) can resist the pull of the Bavarians! Hooray, Helen!

Photographic Genius

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I know you’re all very curious why we haven’t posted in a couple days, and luckily for you, I’ve got two very good answers.

1. Mercenary Amelia and I were up in Blue Ridge, GA over the weekend for the Georgia Literary Festival.
2. I’ve been writing (and Amelia’s been skillfully editing) for other publications.

Don’t believe me? Pick up a copy of this month’s Atlanta INtown paper. Or better yet, read it online. Our article is on page 24.

And not only was the article published, but yours truly has quickly risen from amateur photography bumbler to full-blown professional.

Yes folks, two (count ‘em: two!) of my photographs were published.

(This one didn’t make the cut, but I feel it is representative of the style I’ve adopted: open the sun roof of the Volvo, stick the camera out, hope for the best.)

Mere months ago the only thing I knew about cameras was how to break Amelia’s, how to send it to Nikon, how to wait patiently, and how to avoid discussing photography, lest Amelia remember that I broke her camera.

And now! And now I’m not just an Executive Director, but an Executive Director / Professional Photographer.

All this versatility, and no mention in Georgia Trend’s Top 40 Under 40 that I received just today in the mail? And no pictures of the competition, either? For shame, Georgia Trend, for shame.