Thursday, May 8, 2008
Joel Chandler Harris MADE The Office
Posted by: lain // Category: Inappropriate Beer Drinking, Joel Chandler Harris, The Office // 11:20 am
Earlier this year, the staff of the Wren’s Nest directed you to an awesome Uncle Remus name drop on The Office. Please recall–
Recently, in a series of mind-boggling coincidences, evidence has linked Joel Chandler Harris not only to the themes and jokes of The Office, but also to the professional development of its cast.
In short–Joel Chandler Harris MADE The Office.
Curious? Read on.
The other night I was hanging around Twain’s Billiards and Tap, obviously researching the friendship between Joel Chandler Harris and Mark Twain. (You may recall that Joel Chandler Harris also MADE Mark Twain.)
From across the bar an acquaintance recognized this executive director diligently taking notes. We had a brief discussion–
Her: “Say, do you know the television show ‘The Office’?”
Me: “I don’t really have time for this.”
Her: “Do you know Kevin from The Office?”
Me: “Look–I am very busy.”
Her: “Do you know that he grew up in Atlanta?”
Me: “Yes, yes, as did fellow cast member Ed Helms. I noted it in my blog several months ago, thankyouverymuch. Now if you don’t mind, I’m busy drin–researching.”
Her: “Wait! Did you know that in 6th grade Kevin from The Office performed in a school play based on the Uncle Remus stories?”
Me: “Lady! Pleas– No, no I did not.”
Her: “Did you know that an encore performance of that very play was performed on the stage at the Wren’s Nest?”
(Probably not the same performance.)
Me: “Get. Out.”
I thanked her for the information, and promptly returned to my research.
Now, if we can assume that…
(a) Joel Chandler Harris created both the character Uncle Remus and the now-museum home The Wren’s Nest,
(b) Kevin from The Office’s professional career got its start in a 6th grade play that was based on the Uncle Remus stories and performed at the Wren’s Nest,
(c) Ed Helms, who also grew up in Atlanta, has also quite probably visited the Wren’s Nest,
(d) This one time the writers from The Office used “Uncle Remus” as a punchline,
…then we can safely deduce that Joel Chandler Harris MADE the second best show currently on television. (The first best is definitely Rock of Love. I mean 30 Rock. One of those, anyway.)
What’s that?
You say Ricky Gervais made The Office? Please.
Stephen Merchant? Nope.
Mindy Kaling? Come on! Be serious.
It was Joel Chandler Harris people, Joel Chandler Harris. Clearly, royalties are in order.
In closing, thank you to Mark Twain who inspired (one might say made) Twain’s Billiards and Tap, which supplied the venue for this fortuitous meeting and inspiration for this blog post.
And thank you again to Joel Chandler Harris who inspired (ahem) Mark Twain.
Comments: 0Why We Love Nannie
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Inappropriate Beer Drinking // 10:37 am
Nannie’s quote of the day:
“Day two of those little monsters! I need a beer with some sugar in it.”
Comments: 4Robert Frost House Vandalized
Posted by: lain // Category: Historic Preservation, Inappropriate Beer Drinking // 7:59 am
Our friends at babygotbooks reported on the Robert Frost House Party a few weeks back, but it’s just now that the New York Times has released a thoughtful article complete with an audio slideshow.
In summary–a group of teenagers got together with about 150 beers, a few bottles of liquor and some recreational drugs. They broke into the home and had a party. That white stuff is the residue from a spent fire extinguisher.
This incident also happens to be titled “Lain Shakespeare’s Worst Nightmare.”
Particularly chilling in the Times article is the kid at the end who shows the opposite of remorse.
(That beer pong table totally isn’t regulation size.)
Near the end of the article, one professor makes the point that vandalism like this gives us pause for reflection and inspiration for further celebration. It sure does. Even working in the field, I often wonder–why do we preserve homes of authors? Is it a worthy endeavor? Who cares about the man’s house, isn’t it his works that are important?
The article’s author, Dan Barry, sort of answers those questions by artfully linking the poetry of Robert Frost to the actions and words of the people involved. They’re a reflection of the landscape themselves, and their words echo the poetry of Frost.
Incidentally, this morning I strolled up to the Wren’s Nest to find that someone or something has tried to take the our screens off the windows.
They were strewn about the porch.
Not that the screens were historically accurate in the first place, but we had planned to take them down when we were good and ready, thankyouverymuch.
Related, especially to the Frost business: An Arsonist’s Guide To Writers Homes in New England.
Comments: 1Great Fun, Unless You Were Looking for a Surprise.
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Good Questions, Inappropriate Beer Drinking // 4:47 pm
Hello, there. You’re looking nice today. Perhaps it is the glow that comes from knowing it’s Friday. Perhaps you are thinking about Chinese food for dinner, Mom. Or! Perhaps it is that smart Wren’s Nest t-shirt you are wearing. Lookin’ good!
(Brer Terrapin could be yours in a matter of days!)
Now, while the fronts of these t-shirts tend to be the attention-getters, it pays not to overlook the back. Literally!
That’s where our sponsors are!
I see the effects of some of our sponsors on a daily basis (thanks Rentokil!), but frankly, I wasn’t sure Stone Mountain, one of our biggest sponsors, even existed until this weekend. Giant mountain? Near Atlanta? Then why can’t I see it?!* Nice try, wiseguys.
But it looks like it really does exist. And how!
Lain and I hiked/wandered around the aptly named Stone Mountain Park last weekend, which I would especially recommend if you’re into things like water and leaves, like I am.
(Look at that water! And those leaves! Beautiful.)
If you’re into the War of Northern Aggression or the War Between the States (or the Civil War to folks from my neck of the woods), I would also recommend Stone Mountain for it’s giant, crazy, temporarily abandoned carving of Confederate generals. Nutty.
(Our lighting technique is questionable, and thus true to form.)
If you’re more into beer than the Confederates, perhaps you would be interested in the Decatur Beer Festival, the debauchery-laden shameful step-sister of the oft-mentioned (on this blog at least) Decatur Book Festival.
I’ve had my fill of Confederates carved out of granite. Thankfully, I’m nowhere near beer capacity. See you there!
*I still don’t have an answer to this question.
Comments: 3Three Quick Notes
Posted by: lain // Category: Atlanta, Inappropriate Beer Drinking, Failed Attempts at Looking Reputable // 12:36 pm
1. We’re featured in the current Georgia Blog Carnival, which is an excellent introduction and gateway for blogs around the state. If you’re looking to figure out what other blogs are like, mom, this might be for you.
2. Later this month at Wordsmiths, Decatur’s most internet savvy and extracurricular activity prone independent bookstore, The Wren’s Nest and Baby Got Books will welcome Brock Clarke, author of An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New England.
3. Excellent blog Drifting Through the Grift gave the Wren’s Nest a nice shout out recently. Also, if you scroll down the main page and look closely, you may spot a certain Wren’s Nest board member hanging out at Moe’s and Joe’s.
(Picture courtesy of Atlanta Time Machine, courtesy of GSU Special Collections)
Perhaps Handy, like the Wren’s Nest staff, and can appreciate a $3.25 pitcher.
EDIT: There was a fourth “quick note” but it got a little too long for this post. Check back a little later. My apologies for the inappropriate pings!
Comments: 0Danke for the good times, Helen
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Marketing Tricks, Inappropriate Beer Drinking // 1:49 pm
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!
Comments: 2Decatur Book Festival in Pictures, Part One
Posted by: lain // Category: Storytelling, Events, Inappropriate Beer Drinking // 1:40 pm
As previously noted several times, Team Wren’s Nest attended the Decatur Book Festival over the weekend.
Cool shirts, huh? And yes folks, Amelia really is that short.
When you get a booth at these festivals, it’s like 10′x10′, and kind of stuffy. So while everyone else is out enjoying the festival, you’re enjoying it from a prison cell.
This was more or less the view from our very own prison cell.
Things are just getting cranked up, and later in the afternoon the square was flooded with children, parents, and that guy who comes to all the festivals dressed in a hula skirt.
We made good use of our time, however, selling books and being cool, like we are.
(Outdoorsman Matt is doing most of the selling here.)
Meanwhile, we sent our storytellers out to ramble around and tell stories.
See Donald?
He looks like he’s choking himself, but it’s just a story, folks. During the morning, the shadiest spot was right here in front of Birdi’s. Everyone who had been walking along the shops on the square stopped to hear Donald. It was great.
Later that afternoon, the sun went behind the trees, and Akbar found a better spot–
Either Akbar (standing) or Curtis (sitting, in the red shirt) would start telling stories with about two people listening. By the end, everyone had gathered around.
Sure, the Decatur Book Festival is all about books. But even more so, it’s about telling stories. I’m glad we could take part. By the way, if you missed the festival, you can catch clips of our storytellers on the Wren’s Nest main page, just so we’re all up to speed.
More pictures are on the way, but in the mean time if you want to read more about the festival, check out Decatur Beth’s Cup of Coffey Blog or read about Tim’s experience at Baby Got Books.
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