Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Regator Launch Party Makes Us Feel Cool For Being Nerdy
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Awkward Introductions, Birds of a feather, Inappropriate Beer Drinking, Shameless Promotion // 1:58 pm
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.”
Comments: 7The Wren’s Nest Possibly Under New Old Ownership
Posted by: lain // Category: Awkward Introductions, Cruel Games, Good Questions, Ridiculous Demands, Storytelling, This is awkward, What Would JCH Do? // 10:09 am
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.)
–
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.
Comments: 14Amelia Needs to Remember That She is Probably Not Related to You
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Awkward Introductions, Whoops! // 2:07 pm
A few minutes ago I answered the phone, and the caller asked if Lain was available. Typical fare.
Atypical: he also sounded exactly like my cousin, who periodically graces The Nest’s telephone with his unique and sonorous voice.
So naturally my response was, “Unfortunately, you just missed Lain. (pause) Am I related to you?!?”
I am not very smart.
Unsurprisingly, it was not in fact my cousin, but instead a mildly confused and (thankfully) very understanding stranger.
Professionalism at its best, folks.
Comments: 4The Art Block
Posted by: lain // Category: Awkward Introductions, Future: fact or fiction // 3:09 pm
The Art Block is a two-week summer camp we’re trying out for the first time this year.
It’s a partnership between the Wren’s Nest and two arts organizations that are just down the block: Fly-By Theatre, an improv theater company, and Hammonds House, an art museum specializing in the African diaspora.
The camp is for middle schoolers.
The goal is for them to write, design, and perform a unique theatrical production based on a fairy tale. Students will write the play at the Wren’s Nest, design the sets at Hammonds House, and learn to perform and dance with Fly-By Theatre. They’ll be taught by professionals in their respective fields.
At the end of the two weeks, the kids will cap everything off with a performance open to the public.
What do you think?
I’m a little nervous, to tell you the truth.
It’s similar to when we started the Wren’s Nest Publishing Co. last year. We had no idea what we were doing. We had no idea if anyone would even bother to apply or show up. We had no idea if we could pull it off.
The Art Block is a little more ambitious because (a) the kids are a little younger, (b) there are way more moving parts, and (c) our funding so far is pretty minimal.
I mean, we even have to provide a healthy snack! Guh! Talk about high-maintenance.
Plus, the only reasonable place to host these kids is our office. My spirit excluded, there’s not much in here that the average twelve year old can break without trying too hard.
Want more? Check out the page we made for the Art Block.
Comments: 8A Wren’s Nest Public Service Announcement
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Awkward Introductions, Good Questions // 9:52 am
It’s easy to get confused about history. There are all sorts of dates and events to remember, and sometimes it can be really tough. But it’s important to be sure you’ve at least got the gist.
For example, the Emancipation Proclamation was a biggie. A biggie that took place 145 years ago and changed quite a few things in this country, to put it mildly.
(Miss Nannie, being awesome and free.)
Recently, Miss Nannie was asked, by an adult, if she was a slave. Nannie politely (and incredulously) replied that no, no she wasn’t.
The Wren’s Nest wants you to know that not all questions are good questions.
Comments: 3The Wren’s Nest’s New, Slightly Off-Putting Voicemail Message
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Awkward Introductions, Failed Attempts at Looking Reputable, Nonprofit Management, Technological Advances // 3:52 pm
We do not hate voicemail here at the Wren’s Nest. But based on the level of neglect we show it, our disdain for having to check it, and the fact that we frequently forget it exists, it would be fair to say we’re not exactly fond of it.
(Voicemail retrieval re-enactment, courtesy of our PBR-loving Executive Director.)
Email, however, we dig.
But people love leaving us voice messages, messages that then go unchecked for several days. We needed a solution.
I give you the New Wren’s Nest Voicemail Message, to be recorded in the next 11 minutes:
Thank you for calling The Wren’s Nest, Atlanta’s Oldest (and most exciting) House Museum and home of Joel Chandler Harris.
We are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 2:30pm, and are closed Sunday and Monday. We offer storytelling every Saturday at 1pm and by appointment.
Entrance fees are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, and $5 for children. For additional information, please visit our website at wrensnestonline.com .
If you have questions for the staff of the Wren’s Nest that cannot be answered by the website, please email us at amelia@wrensnestonline.com.
Email is the most effective and, more importantly, efficient way of reaching the staff of the Wren’s Nest. Feel free to leave a message here, but please keep in mind it may take us several days to get back to you. It’s not you, it’s us. We know our strengths, and voicemail isn’t one of them. Emailing is really the way to go. Seriously.
Comments: 5Thanks!
Welcome, Eduardo! Now get to work.
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Atlanta, Awkward Introductions, Burritos and Other Fine Foods, Victorious! // 11:56 am
Dear reader, I am excited to announce the newest addition to the Wren’s Nest family: Businessman Eduardo.
Though this picture makes him look half good, half evil, he’s been nothing short of delightful on this, his second day of work.
We set Eduardo up for a pretty grueling interview yesterday, and he passed with flying colors. It took place at the Best of Atlanta party, so Eduardo’s first challenge was to coolly order a free beer while being congratulated for his success. He didn’t even flinch. In fact, he was able to approach this task repeatedly.
(Feel the intensity of our victory!)
Eduardo’s second task was to eat very small foods, all delicious, while mingling with other triumphant Atlantans. He especially liked some sort of coconut contraption and the treats from another Best of winner, The Chocolate Bar, in little old Decatur, and once again impressed us with his skill.
Eduardo’s third task was to have the last name is Rodriguez, which he did effortlessly. Man, can you feel our diversity skyrocket? I can.
So, we think we’re going to keep him. Welcome, Eduardo. We promise there will be fewer glamour photoshoots tomorrow.
Comments: 2Decatur Book Festival Wrap Up
Posted by: lain // Category: Awkward Introductions, Uncategorized // 11:00 am
For those of you who missed the Decatur Book Festival this weekend, that’s too bad. It was off the proverbial chain.
The Wren’s Nest had a lot going on, so stay tuned to this very blog tomorrow. We’ll update with several posts, chock-full of pictures and snarky commentary.
Nevermind that the day after Labor Day is like the worst one ever labor-wise. We’ve got you covered.
Comments: 1Storytellers now online!
Posted by: lain // Category: Awkward Introductions, Marketing Tricks, Shameless Promotion, Technological Advances // 8:09 am
Yup, it’s true. Four out of our five storytellers now have video up on the Wren’s Nest Stories Page.
Since I don’t “know” “how to hook up youtube to this blog,” you’re gonna have to follow this link to our main site. I swear I’m not trying to make your life harder. It’ll be worth it.
Also, if any of you folks found yourself here because of what you read in the New York Times, welcome! By all means read on.
If you want a little background, here’s what we’re about–
Otherwise, this blog covers what happens when a few unqualified college grads are kinda handed a museum.
As always, I happily accept questions and contributions. In return, you’ll receive answers and thank you notes (and maybe even that fuzzy feeling you get when you know you’ve done something totally awesome).
Just let me know if I can help–lain@wrensnestonline.com, or feel free to comment below.
EDIT 3:06 PM - Oh, and I totally forgot — props to Will Wakefield who did the production on all of our storyteller videos! Thanks Will.
Comments: 8