Friday, April 11, 2008
Pollen is Attacking the Wren’s Nest
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Atlanta, Kudzu and other bizarre plants, Weather Concerns // 11:59 am
Check out the wisteria on our well trellis. In the words of our Executive Director, it’s on and poppin’.
But don’t let its beautiful facade fool you. This wisteria (and every other lovely plant that is currently exclaiming “spring! wahoo!”) packs a deadly punch.
Meet my new nemesis, pollen. Note that “extremely high” is over 120. I’m no math whiz, but 3,243 is at least… 4 times that.
Before I spent a spring in Atlanta, I was only allergic to cats, and I assumed that was because they are evil and I am pure of heart (stop laughing, Mom). But now, well… let’s just say Claritin-D and I have a very intimate relationship.
Though I will admit: when my eyes aren’t watering, it is all quite pretty.
Except for this.
(Nannie’s car and its lovely yellow dusting.) (Gross.)
Comments: 4We Are a Window-Fixing Success!
Posted by: Amelia // Category: Mystery and Suspense, Weather Concerns // 3:23 pm
I know you’ve all been on the edge of your respective seats about the state of our windows since our last post.
In the second attempt to beat the rain, and thus damage to the Wren’s Nest, Lain and Eduardo set up a ladder on the roof — and didn’t fall to their deaths!
On top of that, it looks like they actually fixed the window.
Comments: 3Victorian Christmas Recap
Posted by: lain // Category: Birthdays, Brer Rabbit, Events, Uncategorized, Victorian Christmas, Weather Concerns, West End, What Would JCH Do? // 2:41 pm
For those of you not from the south, it may come as a surprise to you that it actually gets pretty chilly here in the winter. Sunday, however, was a little different.
Bright, sunny, 75 degrees, and we hosted a Christmas party. Bizarre.
Even more bizarre is that at one point it started raining. For those of you not from the south, it may come as a surprise to you that it still rains here, too. Who knew?
Anyway, we planned for about 75 people, and more than twice that showed up. It was a great success, a little circus-like, and certainly light on pictures since the staff was running hither and thither.
Here’s what we did capture–
In keeping with the day’s weirdness, we brought some crazy stuff out of the attic.
Here sit Uncle Remus and the Little Boy, part of a “diorama” donated by Disney for the premier of Song of the South.
Admittedly, they’re terrifying. I guess that’s what happens when you sit up in the attic for a few decades.
We have my mom to thank for a wonderful afternoon. Well, her and the unflappable Lee twins.
Hey, check out that ye olde Victorian punche.
Miss Woodie told stories for a little while as a crowd gathered ’round.
By the time she was done, there wasn’t much room to sit on either side of the porch.
It happened to be Joel Chandler Harris’ birthday. I cut the cake into the smallest squares imaginable.
It went quick. Lauren, you can thank me later for including this picture.
That’s all we got, unfortunately!
If anyone wants to send in some pictures, I’d be happy to forward it to our team of editors. It may just make it on the blog.
Comments: 7It’s Hot
Posted by: lain // Category: Cruel Games, Weather Concerns // 3:56 pm
Did you know the Wren’s Nest air conditioning works in, like, just about every room but this one?
Did you know that if it’s above 95 degrees I wear t-shirts and athletic shorts to work?
Did you know that if it’s below 95 degrees, I still wear whatever I want to work?
Anyway, it’s too hot for blogging, and this past weekend’s vacation has left me with a desk piled about five feet high. Regular blogging will return tomorrow.
Comments: 3Wren’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: 7bring on the hype: wren’s nest fest 2007
Posted by: carson // Category: Brer Rabbit, Events, Fame and Fortune, Shameless Promotion, Weather Concerns // 5:40 pm
Friday, June 8th has officially made the 10-day weather forecast! That’s how we know the big day is almost here.
Even if it is a balmy 89 degrees next Friday, the 10% figure is low enough to keep Lain sleeping like a baby for the next 9 nights. My fingers will dutifully remain crossed all week. On Thursday, I’ll ask Marshall how his telltale joints are feeling. And that will be the last word on the weather.
In the meantime, allow me to BRING ON THE HYPE!
According to my intuition, Lain’s undying (and largely unfounded) faith in my event planning skills, Jeri’s infallible foresight, and Star’s optimism, I can say with confidence that this June 8th is going to bear witness to the best Wren’s Nest Fest on record.
[EDIT: Not only are we going to have hundreds of little kids ravaging our food table and making bunny ears out of Burger King hats, but we have a birthday to celebrate! Wren's Nest Superfan David Sokol (WNSDS) will be turning 24 on this very special, multi-purpose day. We'll be sporting those bunny ears for you, Dave!]
In addition, WNF flyers are flying Br’er Rabbit all over town. Hundreds of letters have been mailed. Mama Shakespeare’s kitchen is piled to the rafters with cupcakes and icing. Ponies are being groomed and bridled somewhere in rural Georgia. The bunnies are… being born (specifically for this occasion). We’ve got postings on Atlanta Buzz, About.com and Atlanta INtown!
And if you were even debating whether or not to attend: here’s a sneak preview of our LIMITED EDITION Wren’s Nest Fest 2007 t-shirt, going to print as you read this!
We’ll have them in youth and adult sizes, plentiful and affordable. Get ‘em while they’re hot (and it’s hot) on June 8th! Every kid, parent and senior in Atlanta will be sporting one come Saturday, June 9th. In fact, I predict their popularity will go so far as to exceed the popularity of gaucho pants.
“Is that even possible?” says Lloyd Farklenkuh.
“Entirely, especially if they’re worn together!” replies WNIC.
Comments: 6Thunder! And a few weddings
Posted by: lain // Category: Shirking Responsibility, WNIC, Weather Concerns // 10:59 am
You know what’s terrifying?
Weddings.
On Monday I received one of those “save the date” postcards for a wedding, and then yesterday I received an invitation to an entirely different wedding. On Saturday the Wren’s Nest is hosting a wedding.
It’s making me nervous.
(see? nervous! …with our wedding grounds in the back.)
There are way too many details involved! Take the invitation for instance. Someone chose the paper, the font, the date, the location, and they probably even chose who they were getting married to. That’s a lot to worry about.
On the invitation I got yesterday, I didn’t even recognize who had sent it to me. John Clark Bolinger? Who is this person? I had to call my mom and ask, “Do I know who John Clark Bolinger is?”
The answer was, “Yes, dummy,” but this is exactly what I’m talking about! Details!
Who knew that my friend named Bo had these two other names before his real name, and his real name wasn’t even Bo? I’ve known Bo for 19 years, and this came as a genuine surprise.
And my guess is, surprises occur at weddings all the time. For example, my first Wren’s Nest wedding is Saturday. And guess what? Currently the forecast says 30% T-Showers, whatever that means. Gulp. Surprise!
The weather is perhaps one of the more predictable variables in this equation, too. What else can go wrong?! Everything, is my guess.
The good folks at Rhodes Hall (an excellent wedding venue, by the way, that employs folks who know what they’re doing) have provided us with some great advice, but I think experience will be the best teacher on this one.
Which is exactly why I’m skipping town this weekend and leaving the wedding to Marshall and Jeri and Star and Carson. One of them is already married, and the other three are chicks, making them instinctively better at wedding stuff than this guy.
Thanks y’all! …and have fun.
Comments: 6