Call for Haiku: 2010 Hot Tomato Haiku Contest
Ladies and Gents,
East Nashville’s Tomato Art Fest is almost here (August 14th), which means the 3rd Annual Hot Tomato Haiku Contest starts today! Last year’s category winners scored gift certificates to local eateries, and the Grand Prize winner took home an iPod Touch.
This year’s Grand Prize is even more grand: An iPad! (Yes, really!)
If you love tomatoes, poetry, and/or iPads, visit the contest page and enter by July 31st. And for more regular updates, become a Fan at our Facebook page.
(cc) Flickr user spisharam - AWAY
BookFool.com Flood Update 05-03-10
By now you’ve heard of the massive flooding in Middle Tennessee this weekend. This quick post is to let you know that BookFool is fine and Buybacks are proceeding according to schedule. Our Rhodes Buyback team had trouble getting out of Nashville this morning, but they are leaving town soon and should open their buyback later today.
We’re pleased to announce that our new warehouse is completely dry and the Command Center there is running at 100%.
Two full-time Fools had their houses flooded and cleanup has begun on that front. The most picturesque disaster was the collapsing of one of our backyard hills:
The hill before.
The hill after, part 1.
The hill after, Part 2.
Stay safe out there, people. We will post to our Twitter feed as updates become available.
How to be a Hip Freshman in Nashville: The Know
[Ed. note: This is part 3 of a 3-part series. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here.]
At this point, you know what to wear and how to act. Now you must know what to know.
PART III: THE KNOW
(cc) Flickr user Joel Bedford
Gnarly Gnashville gnowledge can be divided into a gnumber of subcategories. The following is a handy study guide. It may be prudent to keep this taped to your mirror for a few weeks.
Music:
Take a look at the city you live in. Music is oxygen. It’s important to always know a little bit more about music than everybody else. Here are some starting points:
- Animal Collective is the best band ever (for the time being).
- Anyone with the word “bear” in their name is worth knowing right now. See: Grizzly Bear, Panda Bear, Minus the Bear, Berenstain Bears, Bear Grylls.
- You are required to adore The Beatles and Radiohead. Be prepared to discuss favorite songs/albums. (Hint: In Rainbows is not your favorite Radiohead album.)
- Vampire Weekend is so last year.
- Significant local bands: JEFF the Brotherhood, The Kopecky Family Band, Shirock.
- Need further assistance determining which bands are cool and relevant? Make Pitchfork.com your homepage.
Movies:
(cc) Flickr user Mockstar
Independent films featuring unwashed actors with undiscovered talent and indiscernible plotlines are CROOSH.
- The Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore, The Life Aquatic…and anything else by Wes Anderson. He is Yoda.
- The Science of Sleep, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the White Stripes video with the Legos…and anything else by Michel Gondry. He is the other Yoda.
- Go to the Belcourt. Anything shown at the Belcourt is cool.
- A note about Garden State: You need to have seen this movie, but now you must roll your eyes at it. You now realize that the film is not the triumph it was once touted to be. Zach Braff, put your scrubs back on.
Books:
Scholarliness is next to hipness, which is next godliness. Think of yourself as an artsy intellectual now. Read books.
- Your first reading assignment: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. You will hear your own soul speaking from the pages. (Unfortunately, six months from now you cannot like this book anymore. It will seem “immature.”)
- Once you have moved on from Wallflowerdom, you may begin Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. Make sure to quote Salinger on your Facebook.
- Finally, you must familiarize yourself with the Literary Hipster Triumvirate: Dave Eggers, David Sedaris, and Chuck Klostermann.
(cc) Flickr user CarbonNYC
Sports:
Forget about sports.
Miscellaneous Tidbits:
- Know who Whit Smith is. Facebook him or something.
- Learn how to pronounce “Demonbreun.” (Hint: It’s not “Demon Bruin.”)
- Find out where the Moran rope swing is.
At this point, we’ve told you all that we can. You’ve got the Look, the Rec, and the Know. Now, you must venture out on your own. If you get lost, lick your finger and hold it in the air. The wind will guide you.
How to be a Hip Freshman in Nashville: The Rec
[Ed. note: This is part 2 in a 3-part series by Eileen and David. Part 1 is here. Part 3 is here.]
Part II: The Rec(reation)
(cc) Flickr user Darin Barry
Looking cool is only one third being Nashvegas. You must also act the part. Nashvillians have developed a culture based on doing trendy things. To be cool, you should do these things and act these ways:
1. Take your guitar everywhere you go. This is especially important on campus, where you will be meeting many other hip freshmen. Memorize four or five relevant songs by indie bands.
2. Attend shows. Go to every single show. You can never go to enough shows. This will build your cred as a cool individual.
3. Become a regular at an independent coffee shop. Learn your barista’s name. Forget that chain coffee shops ever existed.
4. When you meet a new person, ask them what bands they like. Nashvillians LOVE bands. We love talking about bands. We can’t get enough of bands. Most of us are in bands. Join a band. Start a band. Be your own band.
5. Spend a Saturday afternoon browsing used vinyl at Grimey’s or The Great Escape.
6. Use abbrevs. (“Abbrev” being the abbreviation for “abbreviation.”) Example: “Hey rooms, I’m gonna caf it for some fro-yo and maybs some coff. Meet me at the lib and we’ll stud for philos. Lates bro.”
7. Stalk Ben Folds and Jack White.
8. Ride a road bike like this:
(cc) Flickr user richardmasoner
This list contains only eight of the numerous trendy things there are to do in the Ville of Nash. Start by perfecting these and leave the rest to your brilliant, creative mind. We believe in you and your burgeoning hipness.
Stay tuned for the final installment later this week: THE KNOW.
How to be a Hip Freshman in Nashville: The Look
[Ed. note: Eileen and David teamed up on this 3-part series of posts. Part 2 is here and Part 3 is here. The photos in Part 1 are of them and their friends.]
This is our attempt to help college freshmen acclimate hiply to the supremely cool city of Nashville. In three riveting installments, we will reveal exactly what it takes to be the coolest kid in Music City. If you are a freshman, adhere to this advice with utmost seriousness. If you are not a freshman, print this out, pass it on, help a bro(ther) or sis(ter) in need.
PART I: THE LOOK
First impressions are uber-important, especially in Gnashville. This city is a quintessential locus of hipness. In order to fit in, you must understand that what you wear is who you are. You must look Nashville, you must dress Nashville, you must BE Nashville.
The overall look to emulate is the “thrift store chic.” This means buying clothes that look like they were purchased at a thrift store, but in reality, were bought at a faux-boutique, indie outlet. Think American Apparel or Urban Outfitters. Here are some suggestions, from the bottom up, to get you started:
The Shoes:
- Bros: Acquire for yourself some Vans. Multiple pairs. Various colors.
- Babes: Find some flats, or perhaps sparkly Jellies. Also, have at least one pair of pseudo-ankle-boot-things. Tell people you found them at Southern Thrift.
- Everyone: Buy some Toms. Forty dollars to look rad and be a good person.
The Pants:
- Bros: The skinnier the better. If you can squeeze into Levi’s 510s, buy them. Cuff them.
- Babes: Find some patterned tights or leggings to wear under a skirt or some shorts. Skinny jeans are also a must. It is good if they come up to your chest.
The Upper Half:
- Bros: Deep V’s to help you show off your rosary (also hip in certain sectors). A vest or two. No plaid; plaid is too hip right now.
- Babes: Also deep V’s. Baggy, awkwardly fitting dresses. Over-sized sweaters.
The Outerwear:
- Bros and Babes: Buy at least three Am Appy hoodies in varied hues. Everyone must also own a peacoat.
- Babes only: Rainboots with a fun/interesting pattern such as polka-dots, fishes, or umbrellas.
The Adornments:
- Bros and Babes: Buy a million scarves. Get a new piercing. Start saving for your first tattoo.
- Bros: Buddy Holly glasses.
- Babes: Your grandma’s glasses.
You must hurry. Outfit yourself now, because first impressions only happen once. And as a last though, consider choosing one iconic item that summarizes your personal outlook, like maybe a feather.
Check back soon for part two in kewlnezz: THE REC.
