Wade on Birmingham http://wadeonbirmingham.com News, features and essays about Birmingham and Alabama Fri, 25 May 2012 06:43:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 an endless supply of ones and zeroes http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/z1O_iV_Wnho/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/25/an-endless-supply-of-ones-and-zeroes-haiku/#comments Fri, 25 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14736 The ink-stained wretches
looked at computers in awe
and with creeping dread.

• • •

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/25/an-endless-supply-of-ones-and-zeroes-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/25/an-endless-supply-of-ones-and-zeroes-haiku/ around sunset http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/b6rAB34KfN4/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/24/around-sunset-haiku/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14735 The duo played some
Beatles songs and hummed along,
sitting on the porch.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/24/around-sunset-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/24/around-sunset-haiku/ while her grandmother was under the knife http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/_f3pL3tflw4/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/23/while-her-grandmother-was-under-the-knife-haiku/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14734 Waiting for news from
the surgeon, the granddaughter
passed time giving blood.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/23/while-her-grandmother-was-under-the-knife-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/23/while-her-grandmother-was-under-the-knife-haiku/ The al.com 2012 front page redesign http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/_lUw6nrNBD8/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/22/the-al-com-2012-front-page-redesign/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 21:20:48 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14748 Online reaction to previews of a new look to Alabama’s biggest website

al.com 2012 front page redesign

Online reaction to previews of a new look to Alabama’s biggest website.

Storified by Wade Kwon · Wed, May 23 2012 18:02:40

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AL.com, the state’s biggest website, announced it was making changes to the home page and to its site navigation. Advance Digital, based in Jersey City, N.J., had already rolled out the redesign to sister sites in Michigan and New Orleans.
The new version launches Wednesday.
We’re remodeling your place: About the new al.com homepageEarly Wednesday morning, al.com will launch a major redesign of our homepages and navigation. Our goal is to continue standing out as the…
Comments show a fairly negative reaction. Concernedbr wrote, “Advance Digital should be ashamed of this turkey.”
• • •
To compare the designs, take a look at the front page of al.com, before the 2012 makeover …
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… versus the front page of Nola.com after the makeover.
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… and the new version of al.com.
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Early in-state Twitter reaction was … tepid.
.@aldotcom will be renovating site soon. Will be all AL/AU football & comments. All other content deemed irrelevant.Brian LeCompte
just saw the new @aldotcom redesign. I, um, wish them luck with that. #BIGFONTS #BRIGHTYELLOWchris
• • •

Reporter Michael Tomberlin also wrote a story for the Birmingham News on the upcoming changes: “The home page at al.com is undergoing its first revisions since 2008 as part of what officials say is the most far-reaching redesign since the site launched in 1997.”

The last major revision (that I recall) a few years back opened all stories to comments; previously, only blog posts had comments, while stories from the print edition had no comment option.
My story yesterday: RT @BhamNewsBiz: http://Al.com to unveil major new look for its homepage http://bit.ly/Koe5OvMichael Tomberlin
Al.com to unveil major new look for its homepageVisitors to the most popular website in Alabama will notice some major changes when al.com launches a new format on Wednesday. The home …
Comments were a mixed bag. Mixduptranslator wrote, “This just looks terrible. Horrible. It’s amazing that the same company that owns Ars Technica, Wired Magazine, and Conde Nast owns this upcoming monstrosity of a news site.”

• • •
Kyle Whitmire of Weld had a mini-discussion on his Facebook page about the design changes.
AL.com posts a… | FacebookRevamped design based on user feedback.
Kathy Chahrouri comments in the thread, ”AL.COM is such a JOKE for an online newspaper. Stupid commenters ARE NOT NEWS. It gripes me no end seeing headlines about what the stupid commenters are saying. GAH. Who thinks that is news? Except page-view-counters!”

• • •

I heard a lot of critical feedback on Twitter after sharing the news …
This is what @aldotcom will look like starting Wednesday … http://nola.com / http://mlive.comWade Kwon
@wadeontweets I’m guessing it’s because they’re all sister publications. I know NOLA is, anyway.Scott Wilson
@wilsonsway That is correct — Alabama is third in line.Wade Kwon
@WadeOnTweets Looks like Advance Digital is making a sweeping overhaul of their online presence.Scott Wilson
Yuck! RT @WadeOnTweets: This is what @aldotcom will look like starting Wednesday … http://nola.com / http://mlive.comEboni Thomas
@EboniDaScrooge They are doing it to make us better people. That is what I have been told to say.Wade Kwon
@WadeOnTweets @aldotcom when http://NOLA.com changed their site everyone complained via FacebookTeam NOLA-Ice
@NOLAIceBham Thanks! I found it: http://on.fb.me/KFGZgn / and this http://bit.ly/JduDaEWade Kwon
@WadeOnTweets YikesMike C
@WadeOnTweets YELLOW. YELLOW IS A CHEERFUL BRIGHT SHOUTY COLOR. LET’S MAKE EVERYTHING YELLOW.BitterOldPunk
@BitterOldPunk "HI, I’M A NEWS SITE. I WANT TO HUG YOU WITH MY BOLD FONTS AND BUMBLEBEE PALETTE. LOVE ME. CLICK ME."Wade Kwon
@WadeOnTweets I don’t want to be hyperbolic, but it might be the worst thing I’ve ever seen.chris
@Cin_D_Z @ditchell It’s a delightful punch to the face of headlines and itty bitty photos. Plus, everyone loves scrolling.Wade Kwon
Are they trying to reduce readability? RT @WadeOnTweets: This is what @aldotcom will look like starting Wednesday … http://nola.comageekgirl
@ageekgirl Wait till you see the mobile version …Wade Kwon
@WadeOnTweets ack! Talk about running yourself OUT of business.ageekgirl
Any improvement is good?! RT @WadeOnTweets: This is what @aldotcom will look like starting Wednesday … http://nola.comLK Whitney
@ditchell @WadeOnTweets I’m not sure the biggest problem w/al.com is the way it looks.Chance Shirley
• • •
Comments were somewhat negative from my Facebook post.
This is what… | FacebookSign Up Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
Ed Noles wrote, ”I think I’m digging the consolidated IA [information architecture] and the mega dropdowns… but why is it soooo yellow???”

• • •

For comparison, the rollout on Nola.com pulled in nearly 400 comments. Not surprisingly, they echo the early comments from al.com visitors.
About the new NOLA.com homepageWe are pleased to present a major redesign of our homepage and navigation. Our goal is to stand out as the most useful and responsive sou…

EddieIsDaBomb wrote, “There is no so much less actual CONTENT on the screen … huge images and headlines force you to scroll, scroll, scroll all over. A crime against usability.”

The announcement on Nola.com’s Facebook page also pulled in dozens of negative reactions.
Exciting news! – KM | FacebookOn Thursday, NOLA.com debuts a major redesign of our homepage and navigation. Prepare for a big change: Bold colors, less clutter and new…
The Birmingham News announced the updated al.com front page on its Facebook stream.
Guess what? Our… | FacebookGet the latest Birmingham, Alabama Local News, Sports News & US breaking News. View daily Birmingham, AL weather updates, watch videos an…
Al.com has not posted about the upcoming change on its Facebook page yet. Al.com posted about the change Wednesday afternoon on its Facebook page.
Have you noticed… | FacebookWhen we launch the new design for al.com homepages early Wednesday morning, it is is just the beginning of our work to make your place be…
Also, a look at how user feedback can help shape — or derail — new products and services on Birmingham Blogging Academy.
The perilous world of user feedbackGrocery IQ received hundreds of bad reviews after its latest app upgrade. I love users, even when they don’t love me or my company back. …
Birmingham designer Brian Krogsgard pointed me to this review of the redesigned Nola.com from Alabama-based designer Matt Thomas of WordPress company Automattic.
It Gets WorseThe state of web design in the news business has always been bad, but it seems to be getting progressively, demonstrably worse. It’s not …

Twitter reactions from the Wednesday morning launch …

The new @aldotcom page needs more yellow. I’m not quite blind yet.Brian LeCompte
Seriously. That header bar popping back is annoying. Make it static. @aldotcomBrian LeCompte
so @aldotcom gets an overall positive grade from me so far on the new site, but as @flashpointblog pointed out…stop the floating header bar.Matt Murphy
OMG, anyone else seen the redesign of @aldotcom today? Colors are HORRENDOUS!!Brian Wright
@aldotcom Your new web design is awful. It is not user friendly.Maxwins Racing
Ewww @aldotcom! Change it back! #changeitbackEric Craig
Can appreciate the need for an updated look at @aldotcom, but it looks too much like the yellow pages.Chuck Tonini
So, I complain about @aldotcom yesterday and today it looks like its designed for an 8 year old. My opinion at work people.clickityclack
The new @aldotcom layout doesn’t really bother me. I’ve just got to make sure that I never look at it while hungover. #BRIGHTHunter Johnson
@aldotcom Ack! Not a fan of all that yellow on the homepage. Tone it down a little!Andrea Wright
#Huntsville peeps dislike the new @aldotcom design? Here’s your new bookmark: http://mobile.al.com/advhunts/index.htmεriç αtk¡ñ§
@MattScalici @aldotcom Don’t like the yellow.Zeke Byers
@AdamThompsonAL Now @aldotcom looks like one giant Yellow Book ad.Gina Smith
what in the world is this new layout on @aldotcom??! #BRIGHT is an understatementSeth Bryan
@WadeOnTweets @aldotcom Morning! The sis told me about it earlier. I am quite fond of it. Change is good!Shermika Dunner
@aldotcom I applaud the recognition that a site redesign was needed. However, the new design color scheme and fixed header is jarring.nathan claburn
@wadeontweets Couldn’t @aldotcom give us the better navigation w/o the ugly? Those colors will make us all go blind.Carl Carter, APR
Congratulations to @aldotcom on the new layout! Kudos from @KC_ProjectsKC Projects
@aldotcom new design looks really bad. #lookslikeshit #wtfyo http://instagr.am/p/K-Q8lQhlwG/Zac Uselton
Digging the new @aldotcom http://www.al.comChris Yow
Mindfuck of the day: The same company that owns/designs @arstechnica and @wired owns and designed @aldotcomJoseph Blake
The font on the new @aldotcom appears blurry around the edges on my display. Anybody else seeing that?Taylor Nichols
On my laptop, @aldotcom’s new header takes up the entire top half+ of the screen. And 1/3 of what’s left is ad space.Taylor Nichols
It’s so cool that @aldotcom’s header follows you down the page as you’re trying to scroll away from it so you can read your article.Taylor Nichols
I think I need sunglasses to view the new @aldotcom Also, does their web admin know there is a baseball tournament going on?Melanie Hatcher
I assume the new @aldotcom was designed with a stick on a plate of mustard by a three year old in 2003. @WadeOnTweetsMatt Davis
I’ll be using Google Reader to avoid this forced http://waybackmachine.org experience that is @aldotcom.Matt Davis
I’d love the new @aldotcom design if they could use more yellow, incorporate more nasty fonts, and sprinkle in some huge flash ads.Christopher Ware
@WadeOnTweets @SecondFront @aldotcom Tried it this morning. As expected, errors on the site. #crappysiteSteve Bottchen
What in the world happened to @aldotcom ? Did it hire a blind web/graphic designer for its new site? Is today April Fools…? #hideousNathan Payne
@deongordon @walkerdl y’all say tomato… i say tomato! @aldotcom’s redesign may be bad, but it’s better than it was! ijs…Iva Williams
I have no words for the new @aldotcom design…. looks I need to ONLY read RSS from now on.Matthew Sheets 
They might as well as just move this entire @aldotcom debacle to TumblrMatt Davis
The new @aldotcom site is a kick in my eyes’ balls.Ryan Harrison
@davidmurphree You’d think @aldotcomwould have a designer or just well a human look at it prior to launch.Matthew Sheets 
I’m pretty sure that the universal reaction online today is that @aldotcom’s redesign is the worst since Geocities went extinctJoseph Blake
Holy buckets, @aldotcom has changed the web site and it is dreadful! Might take the rest of the week to find what I’m looking for.Natasha J. Parker
@Dawn_Kent I was more impressed by the new http://al.com than I thought I would be. I am now interested in digging around it.sorensonbhm
@Dawn_Kent worst site possible, pushed loyal readers away Dick Phillips
@Dawn_Kent Like it. What went into choosing the yellow?Gary Lloyd
@GaryALloyd If they went w/ red or orange, they’d get blamed for being biased toward Bama or AU, right? Totally kidding, no idea. I’ll ask.Dawn Kent
@MattScalici thought I had accidently followed a link to http://yellowbook.com. Don’t mind change, but this is not an improvement.Curt Martin
@MattScalici I mean, if the goal was to wake my eyes up, then mission accomplished, pal.Hunter Johnson
@mattscalici are we sure that yellow is the optimum color for a news page? You know, "yellow journalism," what have yougreg dawkins
@MattScalici Yikes! What was http://al.com thinking!Marynell Ford
Jimmy Rane bought http://al.com?Mark P
If it doesn’t say http://al.com on the header, believe me, you don’t want it RT @TheAuburner: Jimmy Rane bought http://al.com?The War Eagle Reader
"I’d like it to be confusing. I want the colors to be puke-centric, and I want text everywhere." – some web guy at http://al.comAdam Kramer
Everyone come check out the redesigned http://al.com!Wesley Sinor
@Birmingham_News I think the new http://al.com STINKS! I liked it the way it was. I have it as my home page, but that may change.David Green
Made my first visit to the "updated" http://al.com site and was almost blinded by the bright yellow color scheme.Ben Woolnough
@BhamBargainMom I can’t find your column with the new layout on http://al.com. I hate it alsoExplosive
The new http://al.com layout is pretty awful. The overuse of yellow being my biggest problem.Stuart Hartley
Spoiled the reveal of the new http://al.com by visiting http://nola.com yesterday. Good luck with all that, guys.Eric Turner
Best part of the new http://al.com? That postage stamp logo looking lost and confused in the upper left.Eric Turner
Have y’all seen the new look at http://al.com? It’s easier to navigate! And yellow!Elizabeth Hoekenga
http://al.com Please consider a change back Dick Phillips
The new http://al.com seems less professional. if these papers want to be considered serious they need to take a cue from NYT or WPZachary McAuley
@KaraKennedy please help http://al.com is the worst page now!!! Dick Phillips
@kammieavant Hated http://al.com before. Hopefully this will be easier to navigate, but it looks kind of "small town."Mariesa
My eyes are burning from the http://al.com redesign. Terrible.Laura
The new look of http://al.com sure is something to behold. http://blog.al.com/al/2012/05/about_the_new_alcom_homepage.html #ewBrian Krogsgard
Didn’t think it was possible to make http://al.com more unreadable than it already was. #hurtsmyeyesSusan Fillippeli
@WadeOnTweets To paraphrase a recently popular tune, http://al.com "got me scrollin’… I’m hatin’…" And why the YP yellow?Richard Kirby
I’m not a design nerd, and I don’t have much of an aesthetic sense, but wow. New http://al.com makes me want to tear my eyes out.Jason Gruber
I personally love the color yellow, so I like the redesign of the Press-Register website, http://al.com. http://www.al.com/mobile/Carol McPhail
I almost had a seizure when I looked at the new http://al.com site layout.Ross Collings
…and you thought the already horrible design of http://al.com couldn’t get any worse. The new layout looks like a cheap phonebook.Nico
Wow. http://al.com’s redesign is absolutely terrible. Just a complete UI/UX nightmare.Rob Peck
Wow. Really dislike the new http://al.com http://al.com website. Doesn’t work in standards compliant Opera web browser.Cain Markham
http://al.com. Navigation is a screen nightmare in firefox. I like the heavier use of yellow, though.Cain Markham
I don’t know how, but http://al.com has managed to make their website worse than it was. What a terrible redesign job.Chandler Parker
The only way the new http://al.com layout could be any worse is if all the font was in Comic Sans.Hays Latimer
The new http://al.com layout nice tho. They need to thank the person responsible. IjsBlkDollyParton
Dang. Y’all weren’t joking about how shitty the new http://al.com looks.Will Duncan
The YellaFella rides again! RT @TheAuburner: Jimmy Rane bought http://al.com?George Talbot
Gah, http://al.com has been hit with the same ugly stick that http://nola.com was. Oregon, New Jersey, your sites are next!Matt Thomas
@Dawn_Kent I was more impressed by the new http://al.com than I thought I would be. I am now interested in digging around it.sorensonbhm
OMG the new http://al.com is…yellow. #webdesignGabriel Tynes
Except for the blinding yellow color, the new http://al.com site has some cool new features. Good job! #just_switch_colorsMarlin Caddell
@Birmingham_News I only got a chance to glance at the new http://al.com, but it seems slick and modern.G Everett Reeves
@kammieavant The Yellow Pages called. They’d like their 90s site design back.digitaldemented
@kammieavant I think it looks like the yellow pages.Lori Merricks
@kammieavant all the yellow makes me feel like I’m at Waffle HouseSam
@kammieavant Anything is an improvementClark Virden
@kammieavant I love the "notice anything different?" You mean that I can navigate your site for the first time in 10 years? And it’s yellow.Mariesa
@kammieavant could use some more testing… http://pic.twitter.com/X4RUg5kXcraig justice
While al.com has not posted about the change to its Facebook page, that hasn’t stopped fans from sharing their thoughts there …
I could not love… | FacebookSign Up Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
I’m trying to think… | FacebookSign Up Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
Love the new color…. | FacebookSign Up Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
I’m not sure what… | Facebookundefined
DO NOT LIKE THE NEW… | FacebookSign Up Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
The new layout is… | FacebookSign Up Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
For what it is… | FacebookSign Up Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
So . . . how do YOU… | FacebookGet the latest Alabama Local News, Sports News & US breaking News. View daily AL weather updates, watch videos and photos, join the discu…
I like the new… | Facebookundefined
Wow, the new AL.com… | FacebookSign Up Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.
What do you think of the new al.com design? Leave a comment on Wade on Birmingham with your thoughts.

]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/22/the-al-com-2012-front-page-redesign/feed/ 9 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/22/the-al-com-2012-front-page-redesign/ beach countdown http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/lM8UgpgWN1A/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/22/beach-countdown-haiku/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 15:16:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14733 Sandy shores await,
once the bags are packed, the tank
is filled, the work done.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/22/beach-countdown-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/22/beach-countdown-haiku/ paralysis http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/CZHwXmpv4WY/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/21/paralysis-haiku/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14730 People parade by.
Everything happens without
guidance from within.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/21/paralysis-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/21/paralysis-haiku/ try, try, then give up http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/bShCyxz4fC0/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/20/try-try-then-give-up-haiku/#comments Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14714 Persistence can win
in the end, but surrender
can subtly subvert.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/20/try-try-then-give-up-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/20/try-try-then-give-up-haiku/ on the nature of sass http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/yDQCxuSIxJY/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/19/on-the-nature-of-sass-haiku/#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14713 Only later would
the gentleman come to learn
that her sass was love.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/19/on-the-nature-of-sass-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/19/on-the-nature-of-sass-haiku/ literature in stereo http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/NhbMaZgPRLs/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/18/literature-in-stereo-haiku/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14712 The author gently
unwinds his novel into
her waiting earbuds.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/18/literature-in-stereo-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/18/literature-in-stereo-haiku/ open, not closed http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/2y8t7imAQn0/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/17/open-not-closed-haiku/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14711 The best things in life
aren’t always free, but open
to all who seek them.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/17/open-not-closed-haiku/feed/ 2 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/17/open-not-closed-haiku/ what to do with ripe tomatoes http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/KldnBv6o-kA/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/16/what-to-do-with-ripe-tomatoes-haiku/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14710 Plump tomatoes blush
with naked abandon, as
they get downright sauced.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/16/what-to-do-with-ripe-tomatoes-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/16/what-to-do-with-ripe-tomatoes-haiku/ the boy in the mirror http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/8Ldsf6EmMZk/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/15/the-boy-in-the-mirror-haiku/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 15:52:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14703 Looking into the
glass, I spy a trembling lad
staring at the floor.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/15/the-boy-in-the-mirror-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/15/the-boy-in-the-mirror-haiku/ the war on learning http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/SkelQZlk32g/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/14/the-war-on-learning-haiku/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14702 Who can excel when
children fight viciously and
parents defend them?

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/14/the-war-on-learning-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/14/the-war-on-learning-haiku/ beginner’s curve http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/qjvflfyvr2k/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/13/beginners-curve-haiku/#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14676 Pressure for the slow
witted and tardy, racing
to stay average.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/13/beginners-curve-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/13/beginners-curve-haiku/ spas like us http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/DCaAWeJ_yf0/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/12/spas-like-us-haiku/#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14675 The mud is relaxed.
The towels, fluffed and piled high.
Bring us a chai tea.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/12/spas-like-us-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/12/spas-like-us-haiku/ gadget fever http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/aJECh6HA3Lc/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/11/gadget-fever-haiku/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14674 Shiny and new and
still in the box, beckoning
with beeps and flashes.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/11/gadget-fever-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/11/gadget-fever-haiku/ standards beyond standards http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/bOeKBGTZtHY/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/10/standards-beyond-standards-haiku/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14673 Perfection remains
an elusive minx, never
to be caught or tamed.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/10/standards-beyond-standards-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/10/standards-beyond-standards-haiku/ the need to play in a word sandbox http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/p9Aw12ds6Gs/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/09/the-need-to-play-in-a-word-sandbox-haiku/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 05:00:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14672 Syllables pour out
like grains of sand, building book
castles, word spires.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/09/the-need-to-play-in-a-word-sandbox-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/09/the-need-to-play-in-a-word-sandbox-haiku/ My day at Freshfully http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/J4BmM1JYDsw/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/08/my-day-at-freshfully-video/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 16:18:56 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14683 Working the grand opening at Birmingham’s newest grocery store

My day at Freshfully

Working the grand opening at Birmingham’s newest grocery store

Storified by Wade Kwon · Tue, May 08 2012 12:12:36

Gray skies are dreary but balloons are cheery! http://instagr.am/p/KKsay-Lxux/Freshfully
My friends Jen Barnett and Sam Brasseale launched their business Freshfully in 2011, a Birmingham-based site where shoppers can order boxes of produce, meat and pantry items, all from Alabama farmers.
Last week, they opened their first grocery store as the winners of Occupy Avondale, a contest offering 6 months free rent in a retail space across the street from Avondale Brewing Company.
I spent a few days volunteering in the Freshfully market to help them with their grand opening. Take a look at all the great community activity from my first day on Thursday …
•
Emily Brown gave the rundown on all 3 days’ worth of cooking, music and more for the grand opening celebration.
Freshfully – Birmingham | Freshfully Grand OpeningFreshfully Grand Opening. May 3-5, Avondale. By: Emily Brown | Posted on: 04/ 23/2012. C31641rorhe9d709. Thanks to all of our supporters…
My friend Tamika Moore of the Birmingham News shot a terrific gallery of photos from the grand opening, including the founders Sam and Jen. (Read Marty Swant’s accompanying story.)
Freshfully opens Avondale market | FacebookFacebook
Slinging radishes, serenading shoppers. (@ Freshfully w/ @atticusrominger) http://4sq.com/JWEPIXWade Kwon
We saw a steady (sometimes overwhelming) stream of shoppers and residents throughout the grand opening. At one point, the store became flooded with well-wishers for the official ribbon cutting. In addition, the Birmingham News, ABC 33/40 and Fox 6 were on hand to cover the ceremony.
Ribbon cutting! http://pic.twitter.com/kr0sDPm7thePiècedeRésistance
Freshfully Market Ribbon Cutting | FacebookFacebook
Congrats to the @freshfully team on their ribbon cutting today! Come down and try the local tastes. Yum http://ow.ly/i/BsAoBirmingham Mtn Radio
Occupy Avondale winner @Freshfully’s @jenbarnett being interviewed for grand opening. Congrats!MainStreetBirmingham
Before opening each morning, I helped sort the produce, ensuring that only the best ones filled the bins. (Not to worry, the leftovers went to shelters and compost bins.)
You won’t see shoppers at supermarkets sharing their finds often, but you will at Freshfully. They are genuinely excited to show off the market’s locally grown and made wares. (See more photos from fans on Freshfully’s Facebook page.)
Grand opening @freshfully http://instagr.am/p/KLIWtVMo_H/Mallory Brasseale
@scottschablow @MezzoEnekes Eat your heart out. Bought it @Freshfully. @BelleChevre http://pic.twitter.com/LHrQvbAxSheree Martin
Let us indulge in lettuce. #Freshfullydee
Cute AL basket I got for free at Freshfully http://instagr.am/p/KLlGL9K1Sf/SayBre Photography
Getting some local produce at Freshfully! @ Freshfully http://instagr.am/p/KLflv2JnNe/Ryan McAnulty
Officially for sale at Freshfully in Birmingham http://instagr.am/p/KLgGdMq1QJ/SayBre Photography
The celebration included community members giving out free samples, discussing their products and enjoying the happy crowds wandering the aisles.
The Shindigs food truck parked out front, helping to promote its new box lunches to be sold at Freshfully. Other restaurants such as Urban Cookhouse and Chez Lulu also have grab-and-go meals there. The Chez Lulu turkey sandwich was delicious — I wolfed it down in about 3 minutes on my very short break that day.
The Shindig’s truck is here! Also, get a dollar off a beer at Avondale Brewing with your Freshfully receipt!Freshfully
Plus some steamed buns from @ShindigsTrucks! @ Freshfully http://instagr.am/p/KLiQ_XpnOt/Ryan McAnulty
We have grab & go lunches! @ Freshfully http://instagr.am/p/KK4BDuLxif/Freshfully
Right now at Freshfully: music by Bert Trotman, Birmingham Mountain Radio live, and free Indie Candy!Freshfully
Out at the grand opening of @Freshfully! Stop by do meet our founders and farm manager! http://lockerz.com/s/206206948AVAIL
One of my favorite finds was Pièce de Résistance. Syrah Gilley, founder of the McCalla-based specialty cookie company, came by to show off her latest batch.
She decorates each sugar cookie by hand, and the results are spectacular. I was blown away by the logos for Avondale Brewing and Freshfully on the treats (and they went fast).
photosyrahgilley
Freshfully cookie display! Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by and helped celebrate the Grand Opening!… http://fb.me/1QzjS7U9hthePiècedeRésistance
Freshfully opens Avondale market | FacebookFacebook
OK, these are too cute– and yummy! Delicious ABC sugar cookies at Freshfully, hand made by Syrah Gilley of the… http://fb.me/1JmzPoXlwAvondale Brewing Co.
OK, these are too cute– and yummy! DeliciousFacebook
Being a neighborhood market means seeing neighbors stop by, of course. What better way to celebrate Freshfully’s debut than with friends old and new.
Fab @freshfully market stocked w/ Alabama goods! "Checked out" by @wadeontweets & @bjessicabush http://instagr.am/p/KLTQQCTWby/JamiesRabbits
@JamiesRabbits "checked out", ey?? I knew @WadeOnTweets Had a thing for you! @Freshfully is where it’s happenin’!ObjectivityRach
Le Grand Opening! (@ Freshfully w/ @solepixel) [pic]: http://4sq.com/K4Bk1kPierce
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Grand Opening! (@ Freshfully w/ 2 others) [pic]: http://4sq.com/IIOCDcbrian dichiara
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What could be better? @ShindigsTrucks and @CantinaonWheels dinner, @AvondaleBrewing beer, and @Freshfully’s grand opening.Jason Horn
GREAT first visit to @Freshfully. Super friendly staff, awesome products and finally got to chat with @WadeOnTweets and @FinerGrind, too!Amber Roberson
Now we’re having Jason Grover from Fridays on My Mind and Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale cocktails!Freshfully
Hot tea with local honey I bought at @freshfully on Tuesday. Mmmmm. #warmsthecocklesSherri Ross

Additional coverage …

Review of FreshfullyOn Wednesday before the Digital City movie event I went to visit Freshfully. This new business in the Avondale area of Birmingham feature…
Freshfully celebrates Avondale openingBIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Two days after it opened its doors for business in the historic community of Avondale, Birmingham-based grocery st…
Freshfully opens its doorsThe owners of Freshfully won the Occupy Avondale contest and received six months free rent in the new store.
I posted 13 photos on Facebook in the album "Freshfully Market Ribbon Cutting" http://fb.me/1QtJdcLwnBuy Alabamas Best
A look inside the Freshfully market in AvondalePosted: Thursday, May 03, 2012, 9:13 PM Freshfully, a market for Alabama farmers to sell their local produce, cheese, meats, nuts, honey …

Additional photos

Wade and Ms. Peanut Felicia Jackson!
I’m not saying that Wade Kwon is doing …Facebook
Wade with Freshfully marketing director Jessica Bush.
Just dropped in (finally) to @freshfully, and look at who I ran in to.. @bjessicabush @wadeont @ Freshfully http://instagr.am/p/KOK8-bBfMp/LK Whitney
Wade and Jen
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See the post at my site with a bonus video. And see more photos in my Facebook album.

Video: A look inside the Freshfully market

]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/08/my-day-at-freshfully-video/feed/ 5 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/08/my-day-at-freshfully-video/ lines on a map http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WadeOnBirmingham/~3/D_i9Uxs35lk/ http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/08/lines-on-a-map-haiku/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 13:06:55 +0000 Wade http://wadeonbirmingham.com/?p=14669 The squirrels run rampant
across political zones
and property lines.

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]]> http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/08/lines-on-a-map-haiku/feed/ 0 http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2012/05/08/lines-on-a-map-haiku/