Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Amelia Is Now The Program Director at the Wren’s Nest
Posted by: lain // Category: Mercenary Amelia Trace, Storytelling // 10:54 am
Some of you may recall that co-blogger Amelia has been a part-time mercenary for almost a year now. Well no more!
I’ve put in some serious research recently, and I’ve concluded that what this house museum needs is not someone who kills for money. No, what we need is someone to carry out our educational and artistic programming.
Surprising, I know.
And while Amelia looks the part of a super-tough mercenary, turns out she’s actually pretty well-qualified too.
She’ll be in charge of all sorts of things, check it–
- Storytelling
- The Art Block (By the way, we now have 12 kids signed up!)
- The Wren’s Nest Publishing Co.
- Future endeavors with Brown Middle School
- Any other crazy ideas we conjure up
She’ll also be blogging more often, now that she’ll be here every day. Phew!
All we have to do now is figure out how to pay for her. I suspect that she’d prefer payment in the form of “money,” but sometimes legal tender is hard to come by. Bright ideas welcome.
Comments: 7Amelia Crowned May Queen
Posted by: lain // Category: Mercenary Amelia Trace, Not As Cruel Games, Victorious! // 3:31 pm
It was a tight race, but turns out we’re really, really biased. Your favorite Wren’s Nest blogger Amelia is the new May Queen Champion for 2008.
Better luck next year, everyone else.
Previously– May Queens from 1909 - 1983.
Comments: 4Mocha Mysteries
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Mercenary Amelia Trace, Mystery and Suspense, Shirking Responsibility // 12:36 pm
Setting: Wren’s Nest Office
Players: Imani “Ice Cream Trunk” Harris (age 3), J. Lain Shakespeare (24), Mercenary Amelia Trace (24), Shorty Amanda (23)
(That’s Imani on the right, hanging out with Destiny at Wren’s Nest Fest. Imani insists on being called “Ice Cream Trunk.” Probably because she’s so sweet and confused.)
The Scene: Lain, MAT, and Shorty enter the Wren’s Nest to be greeted–at full sprint–by Imani, who is yelping and leaping, presumably with joy.
Shorty, meeting Imani for the first time, is taken aback. Though having heard the lore surrounding the legend that is “Ice Cream Trunk,” she is prepared to believe anything. Imani is in rare form.
The plot thickens when Imani’s enthusiasm not only refuses to wane, but also turns to rambling tales of ducks, cakes, and lost grandmamas with some dancing sprinkled in for good measure.
Lain, Shorty, and MAT’s mouths remain agape for the good part of 20 minutes. Where did this energy come from? How is she maintaining it? Why is everyone’s favorite three-year-old wearing lipstick?
But then, just as suddenly as our questions arose, they are answered.
On the windowsill, with the lipstick-marked straw: an empty cup of delicious iced coffee.
Jeri, one of our fine docents, had left it unattended, and Imani had stolen a sip or five, leaving evidence–her lipstick–all over the straw.
Imani denies any involvement with the coffee. But we know better.
Shorty is currently running Imani around in circles in the yard.
We expect Imani to fall into a gentle slumber sometime Tuesday.
Comments: 3Literacy is Delicious!
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Atlanta, Events, JCH, Mercenary Amelia Trace // 11:53 am
One of the greatest perks of what I like to think of as the Wren’s Nest Revival are all the neat literary connections that are being made and reaffirmed around town.
Connecting with the local literary community is loads of fun, and promoting education and literacy is like, a good cause or something. Joel Chandler Harris would have approved heartily!
It’s also a great way for Lain and I to get free food. So now, in chronological order, The Last Week and a Half in Literary (and Free Food) Pursuits:
1. The Duck and Herring Co. Radio Hour Beach Party (Habanero Key Lime Cheesecake)
(Ever wonder what a podcast looks like? Here’s Lain and Say, Sport in action.)
Not only did we hear short stories, sing songs about being broke at Atlantic Station, and officiate (well, Lain, anyways) a breath holding contest, but we sampled one of the highlights of the DHCo.’s Warm Weather Field Guide, the Habanero Key Lime Cheesecake. Let me tell you something, folks: you haven’t lived until you’ve felt your mouth actually taste confusion.
2. Roy Blount Jr. at the Margaret Mitchell House (Fruit and mini-sandwiches)
Roy Blount Jr. is a funny guy. If you have the chance to see him do, well, anything, I suggest it. After reading from his new book, Mr. Blount fielded questions from the audience, most of which focused on his move to the cold, cold North. In fact, the amount of interest in the differences between living in the North and South led Lain and I to believe that the next Wren’s Nest fundraiser could simply be us sitting somewhere and talking about where we’ve lived. Any takers?
3. Wordsmith’s Grand Opening Weekend Extravaganza (Pastries and Coffee from Pastries A Go Go)
Wordsmith’s is a brand-spanking-new bookstore in Decatur that is, to use to words of their articulate emcee, “awesomerest”. Great atmosphere, neat book selection, and a full table of delicious treats. What more could a (practically fainting with excitement) MAT ask for?
Comments: 5Wren’s Nest Fest = Booyah-Worthy Success!
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Events, Mercenary Amelia Trace, Shirking Responsibility, Storytelling, Victorious!, WNIC, Weather Concerns, West End // 12:04 pm
Well folks, looks like it’s time for my very first Wren’s Nest blog post.
WNIC has left some gargantuan shoes to fill, but with the official Wren’s Nest Intern Changing of the Guard Leapfrog ceremony behind us…
I feel confident that the great times are only just beginning.
Speaking of great times, Wren’s Nest Fest 2007 was a success! I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say it was the greatest pony riding–bunny petting–moonbounce jumping–popcorn munching–storyteller listening–cupcake decorating–face painting– hotdog eating–hula hooping event the West End has ever seen.
Despite a gentle sprinkle every few hours, the weather held up nicely. A great time was had by attendees of all ages, save for a few wee babes who were clearly overstimulated by the awesomeness surrounding them. They’ll come around in due time, I’m sure.
We also had some fantastic volunteers, all clad in the lovely Br’er Rabbit/Sofia Coppola/Wes Anderson- inspired t-shirts, who especially made our day (and scores of hot dogs) possible.
Y’all have been awfully patient, so I’m just going to let the pictures do the talking and shut up already. Enjoy! (Read on …)
Comments: 7Say, Sport Interviews Shakespeare
Posted by: lain // Category: Events, Mercenary Amelia Trace, Uncategorized, WNIC // 6:37 pm
The other day I was interviewed by the editors at Say, Sport regarding my super-human breath-holding skills.
While our interview isn’t completely related to Wren’s Nest business, discussed topics include the breathing habits and bathing suits of Joel Chandler Harris. You might be curious, that’s all.
Read the full interview here.
Finally, check out this very blog tomorrow throughout the day. Wren’s Nest Intern Carson and Mercenary Amelia Trace will be posting pictorial updates of the greatest Wren’s Nest Fest ever!
Comments: 4Wren’s Nest Fest: Carson’s Last Day
Posted by: lain // Category: Events, Mercenary Amelia Trace, WNIC // 5:53 pm
Here’s another reason to come to Wren’s Nest Fest:
It’s Carson’s last hurrah! Yes folks, after Wren’s Nest Fest, Wren’s Nest Intern Carson is off to sunny California for training before she leads high school students around the mountains and lakes of Peru.
And she doesn’t even speak Spanish!
You’ve got today, tomorrow, and Friday to catch her before she leaves.
So…what are we going to do?
Replace her, that’s what!
You got a sneak peak last post, but let me formally introduce you to the next Wren’s Nest Intern: Mercenary Amelia Trace!
While I cannot promise that MAT will be as good of an intern as WNIC, I can promise you that her hair is curlier, which is a plus.
(Here they are loungin’ under our well trellis. You’d never know that they are mortal enemies.)
Feel free to welcome her–amelia (at) wrensnestonline.com.
Comments: 10