Posts Tagged ‘lain shakespeare’
I’m Not Really Leaving the Wren’s Nest in September
April Fools’, y’all. I appreciate the kind words though, both in the comments and on our Facebook page.
I know some of y’all might not like April 1st foolin’, but let’s be real for a second — it’s probably Brer Rabbit’s favorite holiday, and we have to represent. Trickery is in our by-laws.
Let’s consider this a trial run for when I do leave the Wren’s Nest. Though given your reaction, maybe I should leave now. After all, Akbar always says: “Sit down while they still want you to stand.”
Previously:
• Disney to Release Song of the South on Blu-ray and DVD in 2009
• Atlanta History Center to Acquire the Wren’s Nest, Move it to Buckhead
Categories: Akbar Imhotep, Brer Rabbit, Trickery | Tags: April Fools, lain shakespeare,
I’m Leaving the Wren’s Nest in September
The title pretty much says it all. I’ve accepted a job in Chicago, and they’ve graciously allowed me to phase out my duties here until just after the Decatur Book Festival.
When I started at the Wren’s Nest, my objective was to turn the organization around. Recall:
- • We didn’t have a website.
- • We didn’t have a brochure.
- • We had $112,000 in various debts to 19 different creditors.
- • We were only performing the Brer Rabbit stories 6 times per year.
- • We didn’t have any other programming.
- • The house — a National Historic Landmark — was kind of falling apart.
Today’s organization is very different from what I found in 2006.
- • We have a website courtesy of Lampe-Farley Communications. We also have a Facebook page and a Twitter account.
- • We have a sweet brochure courtesy of Huey + Partners.
- • We have only 1 debt now, and it’s a lot less than $112,000.
- • We performed the Brer Rabbit stories over 225 times each of the past 2 years.
- • We have a summer publishing program and are kicking off a middle school writing program next week.
- • We’ve put about $200,000 of work into the house.
Plus, people now know that the Wren’s Nest exists, which is helpful in terms of our survival.
In short, I felt like it was okay to start looking around for other jobs in fields where I’m better suited. I’ll always be involved at the Wren’s Nest in some capacity, but there are folks much better qualified for my position.
Over the next few months I’ll be working very closely with our board to develop a succession plan. Of course, I’ll keep y’all posted throughout the process.
It’s a little premature to thank y’all, but I want you to know that this blog and its readers have been such a great source of inspiration over the past few years. The Wren’s Nest is much better for your help, your comments, and your involvement. And I’m much saner for being able to have an outlet like this one.
So, thank you very much everyone. I really appreciate your help in making this organization viable again.
Categories: Very Serious Posts With No Funny Business | Tags: lain shakespeare,
Song of the South Anniversary on WABE’s City Cafe
Our local NPR affiliate WABE invited me to stutter speak on City Cafe the other day in light of the recent anniversary of Song of the South.
I sat down to speak with the indefatigable John Lemley about the controversy surrounding the film and its relationship with Joel Chandler Harris’s Uncle Remus stories. Listen to the podcast here.
Unfortunately, while at WABE I did not see Lois Reitzes and thus could not challenge her to a rap battle.
Categories: Atlanta, Disney, Joel Chandler Harris, Song of the South | Tags: City Cafe, John Lemley, lain shakespeare, lois reitzes, Song of the South, WABE,
Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2009 40 Under 40 — Lain Made the Cut!
For some reason, people really like Lain. Last night the Atlanta Business Chronicle even gave him an award, just for being younger than 40. I think. I wasn’t really paying attention.
Really, Lain won one of the coveted 40 Under 40 Up and Comers awards. There were over 400 submissions. I think it’s fairly obvious how many folks made the cut. The winners weren’t ranked, though Lain did win the award for “Only Person to Submit a Head Shot in Which They Are Wearing a T-Shirt.” Highly coveted.
This is especially noteworthy because Lain, former English major, got a C- in Economics. Hopefully that factoid made the print edition, which is on newsstands today. Sidenote: Lain was also probably the only winner when, speaking about buying the paper, remarked, “It’s really expensive — like, $2.00 a copy.”
Now, while it’s certainly special that Lain was inducted into a select group of Atlanta business types “to watch,” the real achievement of the evening was the gift bag. For real, check out the main prize:
IT’S A PADDED CALCULATOR! No more bruising your fingers on the tough plastic of lesser models, no sir! That’s what I look like full of love, for the record.
But lo, that’s not all. Let’s take a look inside, shall we?
Post-its! In colors! And in the shape of arrows! I am going to point to more stuff in the next month than anyone ever thought possible, so help me JCH. Yay to Lain and yay to gift bags!
Categories: Fame and Fortune, Shameless Promotion, Victorious! | Tags: 40 under 40 2009, Atlanta Business Chronicle, lain shakespeare,
Atlanta Magazine Features The Wren’s Nest
Find us in the October issue of Atlanta Magazine! We’re in between the angry letters about the Real Housewives of Atlanta and a feature about the director of the CDC.
Or, be our guest and check out the article online.
The print edition has a few more photos by Jamey Guy (awesome dude).
What do you think about the article?