Archive for the ‘Hunting!’ Category
Assassination Vacation — My Kind of Book
I just finished Sarah Vowell’s book Assassination Vacation, and let me tell you, it’s a trip. (Pun intended. Always.) The book follows Vowell as she travels around the U.S., her path determined by presidential assassinations and the history surrounding them.
Naturally, our delightful narrator is visiting a ton of monuments, landmarks, and — you guessed it — house museums!
Vowell’s perspective is hilarious and, frankly, super, super spot on. Her take on all the different styles of her tour guides — like the one who quizzes middle school girls on every obscure historical figure who relates to Lincoln, resulting resounding silence — is a delight.
I also appreciated how well Vowell uses specific, often trivial, elements of history to really paint a picture of the era. For example, when she’s talking about the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo (where McKinley was shot) she notes all the new technologies that were on display, including… a room full of preemie babies “demonstrating” incubators. Imagine asking a new mother now if you can borrow her underweight, premature infant to put on display.
I bring this up because we often try to emphasize the sensitivity (or huge, tremendous lack thereof) of Joel Chandler Harris’s time. It can be hard to illustrate the fact that we’re judging Harris with our current sensibilities — until you show them the piece of an elephant he received for being famous. Something makes me think PETA might try to get in the way of resurrecting that tradition. History is a whole lot of context, and Vowell uses it so, so well.
History geeks, non-fiction fans, slightly morbid folks, and those who appreciate the funny — this book’s for you. Thanks to my dear chum Rebecca for insisting that I read it (and not just because I fall into all of those categories).
Sidenote: I recently read “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” and let me tell you, these two pieces complement each other like you wouldn’t believe.
Previously: Inserting Modern Standards into Classic Literature — Cool?
Categories: House Museums, Hunting!, Road Trips, Shameless Promotion | Tags: assassination vacation, sarah vowell,
Atlanta Magazine, Patrick Burns, and the Wren’s Nest: Spooktacular, Kinda
The October issue of Atlanta Magazine features an article on paranormal investigator Patrick Burns, of Haunting Evidence fame.
(The article may look a little daunting online–my recommendation would be to pick up an actual, real-life copy. The design of Atlanta Magazine is quite impressive.)
You’re probably saying to yourself, “Geez, Amelia. All magazines feature some gimmicky spooktacular article in October. Why do I care about this one?”
Well I’ll tell you why, impatient reader. The Wren’s Nest is totally featured!
The Wren’s Nest hosted Patrick in late June. Kimberly Turner, journalist and Regator co-inventor, tagged along for a long, uneventful night at the Nest.
The most exciting moment probably came when Lain played audio from a different ghost hunting group. Turn up your volume and listen-
“Come Here”
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Creepy, no?
That said, there really wasn’t much more to report past that point–aside from the beautiful print Patrick gave us. Ta da!
Apparently he dabbles in infrared photography. (It looks way better in person. Lain and I… do not dabble in photography.)
Overall, I think this makes our place of business cooler than your place of business, even if I am scared to be here by myself.
Categories: Atlanta, Ghosts!, Hunting!, Mystery and Suspense, Shameless Promotion |
Audio of Wren’s Nest “Ghosts”
Occasionally we’re contacted by ghost hunters who want to snoop around the Wren’s Nest.
I’m not really “into” ghosts; however, the girl who initially approached me to ask about ghost hunts was pretty cute so I said, “Oh… alright.”
Listen, I never claimed to be a professional.
Since then, from time to time we’ve let ghost hunters check out the house, and the latest team just returned with their findings–mostly audio taken with very sensitive devices.
They seemed pretty pleased, and below I’ve included what I think are the two clearest and creepiest recordings they captured.
1. “Child up here”
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This audio was taken from our attic when, apparently, nobody was upstairs. The more muffled voices are from real people downstairs, but you can hear a much more distinct voice about :07 in.
2. “Come here”
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In this clip, two of the hunters are chatting with a dog barking in the background. Near the end you can hear a whisper that is much more clear than the rest of the audio. It sounds like it’s closer to the mic, but you might have to turn up the volume to hear it.
Previously–Liveblogging Ghost Hunts
…and nope! We’re not allowing any more ghost hunters in here for a while yet. Sorry!
There Will Be Blood and Wren’s Nest Seating
Amelia and I saw There Will Be Blood last night with the Asian Cajuns. It was intense.
(Approximately as intense as Daniel Day-Lewis’ mustache)
It’s also a phenomenal retelling of the rise and fall of a distinctly American patriarch. Citizen Kane comparisons have been bandied about quite a bit, and it’s hard to disagree.
Aside from celebrating adaptations of ancient stories and sharing roughly the same time period, There Will Be Blood and the Wren’s Nest have a few other things in common. Namely, our chairs.
(Clearly, I am happy to be part of the show.)
If you find yourself at Tara watching the film, look closely during the scene in the fancy restaurant and try not to blurt out: “OMG those are the chairs in the storytelling room at the Wren’s Nest!!!”
You can find the same chairs in the chapel in Alfred Hitchcock’s second The Man Who Knew Too Much.
Speaking of retelling stories, it’s amazing that Hitchcock was able to make the same movie twice. It’s also amazing that the trailer is more or less simply Jimmy Stewart talking out of character.
Categories: Historic Preservation, Hunting!, Ridiculous Demands |
Go, Mordecai!
“He could destroy us! We would be blind, with holes in our shoulders!”
“Look how ominous he is. Just biding his time, waiting to kill. I wish he were whistling.”
“His legs are as thick as my wrists!”
“Do you think when he was born he realized what he was and just said ‘YESSSSS.’ ?”
Were these comments made about Joel Chandler Harris, dear reader? Of course not, don’t be stupid.
But they were made about one of his home’s recent visitors, a terrifying hawk. According to an eye witness (Lain) his wings were “the span of a Cadillac”.
While we may be prone to exaggeration here at the Wren’s Nest, this much is true: there was a hawk, it was outside, and Lain and I watched it stalk the most stupid/thrill seeking squirrel of all time. For 15 minutes.
The Decatur Book Festival Post(s) will be yours soon, but with all this excitement, how can you possibly expect us to blog?! Wait.
Categories: Birds of a feather, Birds other than wrens, Hunting!, Shirking Responsibility |
Ghost Hunt 2007, part 5
Full disclosure: I’m afraid to come into the Wren’s Nest alone at 10:00am on a sunny day.
That, friends, is because I am the weenie to end all weenies. I am the weeniest weenie that ever weenied. Thus the fact that I am at the Wren’s Nest at 11:36pm on a ghost hunt is not only a testament to my commitment to this house, but also my own stupidity. I shall not sleep for days.
Luckily, I am not alone in my stupidity. Other than Lain, who is pretty okay, this ghost hunt – oh wait, have I not mentioned we’re conducting a Friday the 13th ghost hunt? – also involves other friends of the Wren’s Nest, who stand at varying levels of bravery/stupidity.
At the moment, the good folks of Ghost Hounds are going from room to room with a psychic (I think?) who is telling us things about the rooms that we already know, but that she doesn’t. Gack!
11:48pm: oh god oh god. The doorbell just rang. Who the deuce was that?!
11:49pm: Ghost hounds say it was someone living. I have no proof. In the meantime, they’re asking if anyone is pregnant. Lain, do you have something to share with us?
11:52pm: I’m not sure how I feel about this ghost business. But I do know how I feel about this frightened business.
By the way, there is a live webcast and you, dear reader, can find it here:
[EDIT: The webcast has been archived here. Just scroll down a little.
It's long and sometimes static-y, but why wouldn't you want to see Lain discussing ghosts with a psychic and Patrick Burns, star of the television show Haunting Evidence?
(Patrick Burns -- big time ghost huntin' celebrity)
Also present is Reese Christian, currently writing a book about ghosts in Georgia.]
11:59: The conversation here is filled with statements like “that was the chair!” and “oh no, that was a person!” I mean, really. How often do you need to clarify that.
12:45: The web chatters are not only asking questions, but making claims about happenings in the house. I’m going to need a briefer about paranormal perception. It works across the sea? Christine from Australia says so.
We’ve now gone into the attic (bad web reception), the hall, and the front parlor. In the hallway, a spirit was, ah, detected? like, 3 feet to my left. Was I brave? Heavens no.
1:06am: The great thing is, the Ghost Hounds are cracking jokes, making fun of each other, having a grand old time. Someone has made the comment “Fear the living, not the dead”. I’m not sure where that puts me, confidence-wise.
1:11: The ghost hunt is over? I have survived? The Ghost Hounds are now discussing ghost hunting celebrities? It’s all true.
Looks like Friday the 13th served us well, and Saturday the 14th had little to offer. Apparently, over 100 folks were tuned into the webcast, all jazzed and brave. Maybe that’s because they weren’t here. Though with that many fans, perhaps the Wren’s Nest will become the new hot spot for ghost -excuse me, spirit – enthusiasts from all over. We’re certainly not complaining.
Categories: Ghosts!, Hunting!, JCH, Mystery and Suspense |
Ghost Hunt 2007, v4.0: Ladies Night
You heard right. It’s ladies night at the Wren’s Nest.
(That’s me on the hood)
And these aren’t just any ladies–they’re ghost huntin’ ladies!
All nine of them just waltzed in, and it’s about time, too! I get nervous here by myself after dark. Nothin’ like a pack of ghost hunting babes to keep me warm.
Stay tuned for live updates.
10:08 PM: Feeling good, settling in. Just a few hours ago I was judging our youth poetry slam here at the Wren’s Nest, and now I’m ghost hunting on ladies night. Does it get any weirder? (more…)
Categories: Ghosts!, Hunting!, Ladies Night, Uncategorized |
Ghost Hunt 2007, Chapter III
It’s not quite dark yet, so I’m not quite terrified yet, but let me tell you what–Carson is hiding under her desk, rocking back and forth, and trembling a little.
(Carson is the one in the glasses)
Luckily for you, she’s got her laptop under there and is prepared to post live updates on Wren’s Nest Ghost Hunt 2007, Chapter III: This Time, It’s For Real.
Keep it locked, and we’ll keep you posted throughout the evening on the Wren’s Nest ghosts, the Ghost Hounds, and everything bizarre that happens along the way.
[For those of you following on facebook, this post will probably stop here. More awaits you at wrensnestonline.com/blog]
9:38 pm, Lain – Okay, so maybe Carson wasn’t as scared as I’d thought. She made her way not only out from under the desk, but out of the room, too…about forty minutes ago.
And she hasn’t come back.
Gulp.
Actually, she has. But only to tell me that (more…)
New Old Safe Deposit
According to the mail I received today from Bank of America, the Wren’s Nest has a safe deposit box.
That’s funny.
The Wren’s Nest doesn’t have a safe deposit box. Nor is it on Gordon Street. This is Gordon Street:
(Thanks to the superb Atlanta Time Machine)
I made a few phone calls after opening this letter. Turns out the Wren’s Nest opened the safe deposit box account in 1974 when Abernathy was indeed called Gordon. Bank of America didn’t get its own address right, either.
No one has looked in the box since 1993, but — amazingly – someone has paid the $35 each year to maintain it.
So what’s in the box? Locks of Joel Chandler Harris’ hair? The remains of a long deceased family pet? Losing tickets from the racetrack? More than $35?
According to BoA, I’ve got two options since the key is long-gone:
- Pay $35 to maintain the box and not find out what’s inside.
- Pay $185 to maintain the box and find out what’s inside.
Ridiculous!
How could I possibly choose anything but option #2? Any bets on what may be in the box?
Categories: Cruel Games, Hunting! |
Wikipedia: friend or foe?
Today I’ve decided to clean up / create the Wikipedia articles on Joel Chandler Harris and the Wren’s Nest.
It’s been a lot harder than it sounds.
In my favor: intimate knowledge of the subject matter, readily available resource material, and a Wikipedia username. The last of these, by the way, is remarkably easy to obtain.
The biggest problem with Wikipedia, however, is the high level of distraction handed to you on a silver platter. The links in any given article are helpful, often thorough, and 100% effective in leading me elsewhere. (more…)