Archive for the ‘Awkward Introductions’ Category

KIPP STRIVE and the Wren’s Nest — The Fun Has Begun

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Yesterday was the very first day of the new writing program we’re doing with KIPP STRIVE Academy, and dare I say it went beautifully.  But before I get into that, some details to fill you in about what’s happened since we first introduced the program.

• We’re lucky enough to have friends in some high (internet) places, so the word spread quickly about the opportunity.  (See: phew!)  We’ve ended up with 16 volunteers to pair with 16 fifth grade students.

• Most volunteers are writers by profession, with a huge variety of specialties represented.  Journalists, novelists, legal writers, jacks-of-all-trades — you name it, we’ve got it.

• We had a couple of orientation sessions to meet the KIPP STRIVE staff members (Hi John!  Hi Ed!) we’ll be working with and to answer questions about the program.  Since Lain and I were involved, beer was served.

• Oh, and most importantly, the Kim King Foundation has graciously funded our entire project.  How cool is that?

Which brings us to yesterday.  The writers arrived at KIPP STRIVE — located at the old J. C. Harris Elementary building, fittingly enough — excited and confused about how to enter the building.

The answer to that question was, for the record, “through the door.”

Once we got over that hurdle, everyone received their space-age visitor pass and hopped over to meet the students.

For the tenure of the program, each adult/mentor/volunteer (still working on the language there) will be paired up with a student, and through these partnerships a beautiful story will emerge.  Or at least a story with correct grammar.  Needless to say, meeting partners was a big deal.

And y’all, boy howdy are the KIPP STRIVE kids awesome.  We had been reassured all the students would be enthusiastic, well-behaved, and eager to write, but “charming as all get up” totally should have been included.

At least one of our volunteers was pleased with the experience:

We did some little getting-to-know-you activities as documented by volunteer Jamie over at Chronicle’s blog.  Among other things, we found out that one student’s nickname is “Chalupa” and that the song “TiK ToK” by Ke$ha had few supporters in the room.

All in all, a successful meet-and-greet.  Nobody cried, and I don’t think there was one disappointed person on either side (though feel free to correct me, dream-crushers).

So yay!  Hopefully this means that I won’t spend next Tuesday with so much nervous energy I can’t pick up the phone on the first try.  No promises, though.

And, of course, thank you so much to all of our volunteers — we very literally could not do it without you.

Tote Bags are the New Other Kind of Bag

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After many a moon without them, we finally have tote bags back in our grubby little hands.  Welcome back, friends!

If you’re the type of person who carries things from one place to another, these tote bags will be perfect for you.  They not only hold things, but come with straps to keep your hands free and your shoulders laden with weight. Innovations!  Yes!

The totes come in a beautiful “natural” color and feature either Brer Rabbit in orange or our lovely logo in forest green.  Great for outfit coordination, they’ll prove the name of our museum is not actually “The Wren House” wherever you go.

These beauties are a steal at $7 a pop and will be up on our online store soon.  In the meantime, shoot us an email if you want one!

Tracy Jordan Accosts John Hancock on 30 Rock

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Last week’s episode of 30 Rock boasted this interaction between Tracy Jordan and a John Hancock reenactor interpreter guy:

We get a lot of this at the Wren’s Nest, especially on the phone — criticism of Joel Chandler Harris that’s (usually) more of an indictment of 19th Century culture. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, there’s a little bit of crazy sprinkled in for good measure.

Or, if we’re super-lucky, it’s all crazy all the time.

Nicknames for Joel Chandler Harris — Redhead — by His Colleagues at the Savannah Morning News

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• Pink-Top

• Red-Top

• Our friend of the ensanguined fore-top

• Molasses-Haired Humorist

• Vermilion-Pate

• Naughty Boy of the Savannah Morning News

Amazing insight into JCH’s life courtesy of Stella Brewer Brookes and her tome of greatness, Joel Chandler Harris: Folklorist.

I’m pretty sure this also serves as a list of sweet nothings the Pecanne Log ladies whisper into Thomas Wheatley’s ears.

Part Two: What This Crazy Old House Has Been Talking About Lately

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And now more recent posts from @thewrensnest on Twitter!  See, I told you the wait would be short.  Dive in!

• Prime plot perfectly pictureworthy! Pity, paltry prospects for Ennis property.  Tis a Frank Lloyd Wright project, people!
  

• Looking for a sweet little ditty to sing on or around the first day of school? Give this charming tune a try!

• Air conditioning is great and all, but let’s be serious: not having it is no reason to raze an Addison Mizner mansion.

• THE ECONOMIST thinks Pres. Obama was born in the Briar Patch. They don’t have conclusive evidence though (KIDDING!).

• Yankee hipsters discover “new vintage.” How quaint! Like when a friend discovers Al Jolson.

• Looks like someone went and got themselves a lil’ ol’ makeover. PAPA LIKEY! http://andalusiafarm.org/

• National Historic Landmark plaque no longer in a corner on the floor? Check!

So: what do you think about putting all of these posts up here?  A good idea?  A bad idea?  An okay idea that really doesn’t affect your life that much?  Do tell!

Part One: We Don’t Want You To Miss A Historic Preservation-Related Thing

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Throughout the week, Lain and I post some pretty darn interesting things (to people who like historic preservation) on a little website I like to call Twitter.  Maybe you’ve heard of it.

We also know that some of you have not jumped on the Twitter bandwagon, and have thus missed those posts.

Not anymore, friend, not anymore.

We’re going to try to regularly round up recent tweets from @thewrensnest.  Expect more links than you can shake a stick at.  Oh, and just so you know, the museum itself speaks in first person on Twitter and has no shortage of opinions.  I hope you enjoy.

Some oldies but goodies to set the mood:

• Typing is hard. Because I’m a house.
• (On Super Bowl Sunday) Note to self: please do not catch on fire today.
  
• What happens when you have fresh paint on your outside and there’s a tornado warning? I’m about to find out.

• Drat! The humans found my 45 star flags. I still don’t trust that Oklahoma.

• ATL Alleycat Black History Bike Race used me as one of their checkpoints. Thanks, humans.

More (recent posts) to come shortly!

West End Tour of Homes Opening Concert at The Wren’s Nest

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Did you know the Wren’s Nest is hosting a concert this Friday?

You didn’t?  Well, surprise!  We are.  It’s the kick-off concert for the West End Tour of Homes, and will feature “great” Maria Howell.

I’m pretty sure the website means to say “the great” Maria Howell, since she is anything but large, but maybe it’s in the awesome sense, which would be legit.  I digress.

If you’re interested in spending a lovely evening in the Wren’s Nest amphitheater, you can buy tickets for a mere $25.  Plus, you get to bring your own dinner, which means macaroni covered in cheese dip for me!  Check out last year’s fun here — sadly, no cheese dip photos included.

And while the concert will be a delight and at the Wren’s Nest, don’t forget the Tour of Homes itself!

The West End is a historic district, after all, and many of the homes have been painstakingly maintained and restored. Reminds me of another house I know, in fact.  Here’s the AJC’s slide show for last year’s tour.

Hope to see you there — don’t forget your candleabra!

Overheard at The Wren’s Nest

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SCENE: THE WREN’S NEST OFFICE, POST-STORYTELLING

(FATHER and YOUNG SON have been chatting with AMELIA and LAIN about Song of the South and their tour.  FATHER and YOUNG SON prepare to leave.)

FATHER: (to YOUNG SON) Say thank you and goodbye!

YOUNG SON: Thank you!

FATHER: (gestures towards AMELIA) And don’t forget Miss Amelia!

YOUNG SON: (maintains his gaze on LAIN, speaks quietly) Thank you, Miss eemererrahh.

FATHER: (points at AMELIA)  No, no!  Her!

YOUNG SON: (terrified wide eyes) —–

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Flawless!   But seriously, do people have children for any reason other than to laugh at them?

Previously: The Wren’s Nest Possibly Under New Old Ownership

Regator Launch Party Makes Us Feel Cool For Being Nerdy

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I don’t know if you heard, but Lain and I write a blog.  Some people even like it.

And lucky for us, some of the people who like it started a new website called Regator, which basically collects awesomeness from the whole wide internet and then says, “Hey!  Read this why dontcha!”*

(Photo courtesy of ohsnapkid.com.  More photos from the event here!)

That’s Lain and me with Regator’s mascot, Reg (note: Lain and I both minored in posing).  Regator hosted a launch party at Paste Magazine offices in Decatur and invited bloggers who they like.  That’s my understanding, anyhow.

In truth, all I know is they sent the invite to Lain for the both of us, but then only my nametag was printed.  Success!

The night was full of awkward introductions (example: “I read your blog all the time and just think you’re the coolest… err, I mean, nice to meet you!) and open bar advantage-taking, so everything pretty much evened out.

Awkward adoration aside, it really was neat to meet the faces behind the words.  The Asian Cajuns were delightful as always, About Town‘s Elizabeth is a real live nice person, and the ladies from Dad’s Garage and Out of Hand theater were a treat.  Though you might know them from their “work” at “Google.”

Thanks to the Regator team for hosting this delightful soiree, and hi to everyone we met!  Sorry I don’t remember your names!  Free drinks!

* Lain adds, “Regator is like Google Reader meets Digg, and their baby is adorable, quick, and easy to use.  If you’re into that sort of thing.”

The Wren’s Nest Possibly Under New Old Ownership

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SCENE: THE WREN’S NEST, LATE AFTERNOON

(Gallant executive director LAIN SHAKESPEARE prepares to leave the Wren’s Nest when the doorbell rings.  CRAZY WOMAN IN PINK, who had been seen mysteriously rolling a suitcase around in the back yard, appears at the door. LAIN does not know she is crazy.)

LAIN: Hi!  Are you here for a tour?

WOMAN: Yes!  May I come in?

LAIN: Actually, we closed at 2:30.  And normally I’d let you come in but I’m running late.

WOMAN: Aha!  Will you be open tomorrow?  And how much does a tour cost?

LAIN: Yes, and it’s $8 for adults.

WOMAN: Would you charge me if I said this was my house?

(LAIN cannot respond to this question and stares vacantly for nine beats.)

LAIN:  …yes, I think I would.

WOMAN:  But this is my house.  I built it.  So you’re going to charge me to see it!?!

LAIN: (voice cracking) …oh?

WOMAN: Yes, I built this house with my husband and my brother.

LAIN: (pointing to the house) Are we… talking about… the Wren’s Nest?

WOMAN: Yes!  In fact, I have things planted all around the house.

LAIN: Things?  What kind of things?

WOMAN: (ignoring this) When my husband and I divorced, we decided to keep this house as neutral ground.  So we can both come here.

(LAIN squints real hard, as if it will make this woman make sense.)

WOMAN:  At least, that’s the way it is until I can move all my stuff out.

LAIN: What kind of stuff do you have in here?

WOMAN: (smiling wide) My Ouija board.  And Jumanji.  Have you ever heard of Jumanji?  Say, is this house haunted?

LAIN: Ma’am?  I don’t think so.  Do you have somewhere you can stay?

WOMAN: This is my house.

LAIN: Yes, but I mean for toni–

WOMAN: (emphatically, but with a smile) My house.

(LAIN and WOMAN exchange awkward goodbye, ending the most confusing conversation that has occurred on the premises in recent memory.)

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EDIT, 1:59 PM:  (Editor’s note–In my rush to get everything down on paper, I totally forgot the wackiest part!  Please forgive, and you can insert these lines anywhere above where it makes sense.)

LAIN: So, um, what’s your name?  How long have you been in the neighborhood?

WOMAN: I am the mother of time.