Archive for the ‘Failed Attempts at Looking Reputable’ Category

International Museum Day — 90.1 WABE’s City Cafe Interviews Lain Shakespeare

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John Lemley, the famed voice of WABE’s City Cafe, stopped by the Wren’s Nest the other day to talk about memory in museums.

Because, as we surely all know by now, “memory” is the theme of this year’s International Museum Day. City Cafe is doing it up right — all this week they’ll interview plenty of other folks about memory in Atlanta’s museums.

John and I talked about my favorite artifact in the Wren’s Nest, pictured above and below. Brer Fox escorts Brer Rabbit to jail for stealing vegetables, and Brer Rabbit drops the evidence along the way. It’s an intricate Bavarian wood carving from the early 1880s. Plus, their heads pop off to better use as a humidor for tobacco.

The piece illustrates just how revolutionary these African American folktales really were. It was the first time animals walked, talked, dressed, and sassed like humans in American literature. Uncle Remus was like Aesop 2.0.

These stories were also the first serialized narrative in children’s fiction, where the animals exist in a kind of alternate universe. There’s no beginning, middle or end to the story. Brer Rabbit was like jumping from Turner and Hooch to The Wire overnight. It’s no wonder Harris had received this gift from Bavaria about 18 months after Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings debuted.

I’ll spare you more. That’s where City Cafe’s “A Visit to the Wren’s Nest” comes in.

MARTA’s Controversial Yellow Line

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Photo courtesy of Hyku / CC BY 2.0

Yesterday the AJC reported that MARTA is in some hot water with the Center for Pan Asian Community Services regarding its (relatively) new “yellow” line that terminates in Doraville. Since part of the yellow line runs through an area with a sizable Asian population, some have taken offense.  Here’s MARTA’s rail map, for reference.

Creative Loafing contributor Andisheh Nouraee has taken the opportunity to tweet about the controversy (1, 2, 3):

This reminds me of two things –

1. The time my friend criticized this blog for use of the phrase “calling a spade a spade.”
2. The time that “tar baby” has been appropriated as a racial slur.

Did you know that “spade” is derogatory in some circumstances?  I didn’t.  Did you know that “tar baby” is derogatory in some circumstances?   Probably so.   Does that mean I’m insensitive for calling “a spade a spade” or retelling the most famous African-American folk tale or riding the yellow line to Doraville?

Unless my token asian friends tell me differently, I’m just going to assume this is being blown way out of proportion.  As the article points out, MARTA isn’t exactly blameless here and had some warning about potential unease, but let’s be reasonable: does this mean the stop lights along that same corridor are red, racist, and green?

What about when we tell “The Wonderful Tar-Baby Story” in our (predominately African-American) neighborhood — is it more racist here than if we told it in (mostly white) Avondale?  No — that’d be like saying the crackers at Kroger in Alpharetta are more racist than the crackers at Kroger on Cascade Road.

Yellow is a primary color, y’all.  It’s also a Coldplay song.  And, yes, it’s also a slur.  But just because a word is sometimes hurtful doesn’t mean we should banish it to the depths of the Disney vault, never to see the light of day again. It’s a slippery slope, folks.

Related: Tar Baby in Classic Saturday Night Live Sketch

Victorian Christmas Addendum — Do You Know How to Work a Camera Effectively?

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You may have noted in my last post that I said the house never looks as good as it does at Victorian Christmas.  You may have also noticed that the picture attached could be best described as “craptacular.”

For reasons unknown, we just don’t have any great pictures of the house all dandified in Christmas garb.

Instead, we have these.  Man, we’re terrible!

But wait — are you also terrible?  No?  You say you object to being called terrible because you are, in fact, actually good?  I’m not convinced.

I do know how you can prove it, however.

You should come take pictures at the Wren’s Nest, during Victorian Christmas.  Then, when you send them to us, we’ll say things like, “This is fantastic!” or, at the other end of the spectrum, “This reminds me of our old pictures.”

If we’re thoroughly convinced of your talent, we’ll offer you a fine looking t-shirt in exchange for your photos.  We may even use a sharpie to write “Wren’s Nest Official Photographer” on the back.  Everyone wins.

What do you say?

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.

Decatur Book Festival Pictures and a Happy Blog

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Hey look at this!  I mean, for real, this.  Our blog.  Look at it.  Looking better, right?

Thanks for your patience with our blog; there was many a kink to be ironed out, but now everyone can be happy again.  Especially since we have Decatur Book Festival pictures for you!

This is what Lain and I look like when we’re not in front of our computers.  You know, uneasy.

As a reminder, though the pictures are posted on Facebook, you do NOT need a facebook account to view them.  Just click on this link, sit back, and enjoy.

The Wren’s Nest Updated Its Site Design and Now Our Blog Looks a Little Goofy

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We’ll fix the goofiness soon, promise.

In the mean time, do you have any questions, comments, or concerns?

Wren’s Nest Publishing Company Visits the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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On Tuesday the Wren’s Nest Publishing Co. and I (henceforth: “the gang”) visited the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for a tour and an InDesign tutorial.

We were lucky enough to meet all sorts of important people.  Our tour guide was one such important person — Daily Lifestyle Reporter and all-around champion, Jamie Gumbrecht.  She’s peeking out below on the left.

While I do not have any more pictures, I can and will regale you with a few stories.  Ready?  I hope so.

Asking the Tough Questions

Jamie and the gang walked in on a meeting between Julia Wallace, Editor-in-Chief, and James Mallory, Senior Managing Editor.  Mallory introduced himself by saying (in essence), “This woman is in charge and currently stomping all over my suggestions.”

Wallace asked the gang if they had any questions.  Here’s how it went:

WREN’S NEST EDITOR: So, what do you think of the AJC redesign?

AJC EDITOR: What do you think about it?

WREN’S NEST EDITOR: It reminds me of USA Today.

AJC EDITOR: Is that a good thing?

WREN’S NEST EDITOR: (pregnant pause) No.

It’s a tad surreal to see the Editor of one of the most respected newspapers in the country defending her decisions to a high school junior.  Apparently the AJC editors should consult the Wren’s Nest Publishing Company editors before moving forward with anything else.

Auspicious Encounters

We settled in to learn all about InDesign from the lovely Melissa Angle, Senior Designer, who was nothing short of amazing.  I know this because even I could follow what she was demonstrating.  That, my friends, is saying something.  She was kind, generous (instructional packets!), funny, and patient.

On our way out we caught Pulitzer Prize winner Mike Luckovich in the midst of satirizing Jon and Kate, pen in hand and everything.  Half-finished illustrations are tops!

Here’s the finished product.

Finally, Managing Editor Bert Roughton asked the gang if they had read any good submissions yet.  One answered, “No.  The one I read was REALLY bad.”  I think he offered her a job on the spot.

Thank You

Can I just take a moment to appreciate the generosity of the (very important) folks who took time to hang out?  Good golly.  Melissa and Jamie, y’all have a box of cookies coming your way.  The rest of you can mooch off of them.

Thank you all again!

Behavior Problems

Unfortunately, our hosts at the AJC weren’t the only jaw-dropping element of our time there.

I know that my concept of manners and good social graces are different than those of a 16-year-old, and I have to judge appropriately.  On the other hand, would you walk into the AJC while eating french fries?  Would you think nothing of arriving 20 minutes late?  Of picking at your nails while the Editor-in-Chief spoke to you?  Sadly, I could go on.

I have no question that each and every one of our editors knows how to behave themselves when it’s called for.  So why didn’t they think this was one of those times?  It makes me uneasy about cashing in all of our favors for a gang that will appear not only disinterested, but ungrateful.

Sticky as Brer Rabbit Molasses, this situation.  Any advice, other than prolonged yelling and/or foot stomping?

Ravinia Club Fundraiser Tomorrow, Proudly Serving Wren’s Nest Libations!

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Way back in February we presented a contest — name a Wren’s Nest themed adult beverage and win a bag of… things. To say the very least, it went well.

And now — well, tomorrow from 5:30pm – 8pm to be exact — the inspiration for this contest is upon us: the Wren’s Nest fundraiser hosted by the Ravinia Club.  All proceeds from the (cash) bar on the evening’s featured specialty drink benefit the Wren’s Nest.  Heard of it?

Now, before I get to the drink-christening, allow me to convince you to join us at the Ravinia Club:

• Everyone is welcome!  What a nice sentiment!
• Usually when you toast the Wren’s Nest, people have no idea what you’re talking about.  Tomorrow you’ll be in knowing company.
• I bet you love prizes.  You’ll find tomorrow’s raffle — fine wines, tickets to sporting events, massage gift certificates and more — so delightful.
• Wren’s Nest Rambler Akbar Imhotep will be spinning yarns throughout the evening.  If you haven’t seen Akbar yet, now is the time to hang your head in shame.
• Complimentary hors d’oeuvres mean you can stuff your face while pretending to be super classy.  At least that’s what I’ll be doing.

Are you sold yet?  I hope so.  You don’t even need to buy tickets; you can just show up and enjoy a…

Marga-Remus!

You may also enjoy 3 – 8 of them.

Yep, it’s a margarita, which our inside sources tell us the club makes deliciously.  It also has “Remus” in the name, which makes it themed and super clever.

So, we’ll see you there, right?  Here’s a map to the Ravinia Club.  Join us at 5:30 – 8 pm.

Any questions?  Leave ‘em in the comments.

Brer Machete

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Hello faithful readers!

Apologies for the recent lack of posts.  A combination of travel, the start of our publishing company, and Wren’s Nest Fest‘s rapid approach has kept my brain on the fritz.

Lain, however, is unapologetic.

Anyhow, we’re back with a bang.  Behold:

Yep, that’s a machete.  I stumbled upon it today in our pantry.  It’s hanging with a mop.

Nannie, cool as usual, said “Oh, that thing?  It’s been here forever.”

Spring Break (Woo!) Storytelling Extravaganza at the Wren’s Nest

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That’s right, the Wren’s Nest is hosting a Spring Break (Woo!) Storytelling Extravaganza!  Between April 7th – 10th join us for storytelling each day at 12 pm.

Even better, it’s buy-1-get-1-free admission!

Storytelling will be outside (weather permitting), and everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic lunch.  Tours will follow the performances or the lunches.

To prove how serious we are about this excellent excuse for getting the kids out of the house, we even wrote a press release. If you exclaimed “Big Time!” you were right.

Our track record with press releases is spotty.  For proof, check out the press releases under our “News” tab — proudly updated last in 2007.   It’s odd, because we have written press releases since then — we just didn’t make them public.  Pretty savvy, I know.

Just in time for Spring Break (woo!), we’re turning a new leaf.   You should come celebrate this new side of the Wren’s Nest with us at, say, the Spring Break (Woo!) Storytelling Extravaganza between April 7th and 10th at noon.  Just an idea.

Oh, and if you’re all “boo-hoo this is for kids only,” pull yourself together and listen — it’s also during your lunch break, goofball.