Dionne Waugh, news writer
By the time you read this
I will be shopping at the Williamsburg Outlets with my family. So many stores, so little room left on my credit card.
Bill and John
Two of the smartest, kindest and most loving couples I know will be celebrating 25 years together next weekend. California, Vermont and New York already legally recognize such committment. Isn't it time Virginia got with the program?
Oh look! A parking spot!
It's been great to be able to find on-street parking this summer, being that our offices are three blocks away from VCU on W. Main Street.
Tubes tied
One of my friends is a mother now and another friend is due in November. Yet it still feels so weird to personally know people who intentionally got pregnant and are having babies. As for me, still don't have 'em, still don't want 'em.
So what if the tree limb is pushing down the power lines?
So I called Dominion Virginia Power more than a week ago to see if they'd come check out the tree branch that's weighing down the power lines behind my apartment building. They came by on a Saturday and left me a note saying they'd stopped by, but didn't do anything! It's pretty obvious a branch should be cut so why didn't they do anything? I told Dominion on the phone where the problem was and they said they'd take care of it. No one said anything about me needing to be there nor did the note say I needed to call them again. I sure hope they're coming back.
Greg Hershey, Veteran of the Culture Wars
Friends
A couple adopting a baby.
A mother grieving the death of her children.
Friend in rehab, again.
Friend I've lost touch with.
Friend with health problems.
Kent Jennings Brockwell, Co-Editor of Awesome
The "W" Word
Who knew planning a wedding was so hard and confusing? Luckily, there is something else "hard" to help ease the pain -- liquor. Lots of it.
The Easy Mojito Trick
Speaking of boozing, it's summer and I love a good mojito after work. Sometimes before work, too. But I digress. If you have ever tried to make one, you know that a proper mojito requires quite a bit of a hassle -- the muddling, getting the sugar to dissolve, the mint-in-the-teeth thing. Here's the solution. Make a mint-infused simple syrup. Stir one cup of sugar in one cup of boiling water. After it is dissolved, throw in an ungodly about of mint leaves. Let it steep for a good while. After it cools, put it in an old wine bottle. Now, all you have to do is mix the crushed ice, rum, club soda, lime juice and mint-flavored simple syrup. You are welcome.
BBQ 3000
Pensey's (the new badass spice shop in Carytown) has a new barbeque rub out -- BBQ 3000. It's awesome as a rub or to add to your favorite BBQ sauce. It doesn't have a lot of heat in it so you may want to kick it up a notch or two depending on your liking. Another reason to break out the grill -- priceless!
Feral Cats
Boy oh boy! Aren't they tasty!!!
Bogart's Lives
For some awful reason, Bogart's had to leave its home and it's amazing speakeasy-esque listening room. [Single tear] BUT, it's reopening seven blocks away. Viva live jazz and too many Jell-o shots!!!
Christie Newman, office manager
Bicyclists
You are NOT driving a car – so get out of the middle of the road or you will be my hood ornament!
Red Light Green Light
We have all played this game as kids -- so did every student in Richmond forget what this means?
Vacation
We all could use one -- I just can’t wait to finally take one.
Beards
Shave them already! It is summer, it is 98 degrees outside, yet many men still have their “winter coats” on their faces.
Shoes
Can someone find me the statute in Virginia that says it’s illegal to drive without wearing your shoes?
Karri Peifer, co-editor
Beards
I don't know what Christie's beef with beards is; I love them. But I sure do wish the mustache would make a comeback.
Richmond-haters
I'm over it. If you don't like this city so much, try a new one.
Neighborhood children
When did it become appropriate for neighbors to allow their children to roam freely in their neighbors' yards? And how do I make them stop?
Vacation
I want one too. Really I do.
Fireworks
Is there another way to celebrate Fourth of July? Like something air-conditioned?
Stephanie Brummell, staff writer
Manny-poo
I think my coworker (and best darn sales associate) Lauren Eubank and I, have an unhealthy crush on our Gold's cycling instructor, Manual (pronounced, Man-U-el, not Man-well). He rocks the casbah (and my hammys and gluts).
Dirty martinis
I read once (in my ultra-savvy, uber-metropolitan book, "City Chic") that every city girl needs to have a signature drink. And I believe I've found mine, at least for the summer anyway. You simply cannot beat ice-cold vodka smothered in olive juice. Mmm, mmm…delish!
The EVIL that is the scale
I feel like I live at Gold's Gym. I take classes every week and when I don't, I'm running. So why am I hitting a plateau? Someone jump start my weight-loss again please.
Godfrey's Brunch
I'm going this month, it just has to happen. As much as I love my Bloody Marys and omelets on Sundays at Sidewalk…I need a little drag show in my life; with Bloody Marys as well, of course.
"I love Beach Music…"
In less than a month, I will be sunbathing in Myrtle Beach for a week, with an exhilarating pile of books sitting on my right side and a cooler full of daiquiris on my left. It cannot come soon enough.