We should have rent control. The biggest complaint about outsiders coming in is that they raise the cost of living. Building more housing is great, but long-term residents should be able to keep their homes. When the lady next door who has been in there 17 years cant afford the rent and some DC tech bro moves in, then you repeat this pattern for the whole block you have an aspect of Richmond that is now dead and give credence to the sentiment that people from NOVA are strangling us.

I will sound old and crochety here, but I no longer know or speak to almost any of my neighbors. I have been in the same spot nigh on a decade now and used to know and communicate with most of the block. We would garden together, I would salt the steps for people in winter etc.. I only know the few hangers-on at this point. I have tried starting a conversation with the people next door and you'd think I was asking for their kidneys.

I should also add that I moved to RVA from NOVA in 2010 as an 18y.o VCU freshman; which is as stereotypical an experience as I can craft. Although it was some time before I would tell people I'm from Richmond because it takes some time to feel that way. Now I don't think anyone would say I am not a Richmonder (and go fuck yourself if you do.)

You aint gettin any younger, and the world aint getting any calmer

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply.html

This is very tough. If I could snap my fingers and end up anywhere for an afternoon… the swiss alps. That shit is unreal. I did not think such beauty could exist in the world. It feels like visiting the elves.

But for a longer period of time… I have never not had fun in Prague. Yeah obviously Amsterdam is dear to my heart but that feels more like a home than a travel destination.

Utsira, Norway takes 2nd place for a day trip teleportation.

Top of my list… probably South Africa or New Zealand.

You?

The wood work and sturdiness of it all. Beams bigger than me, brick and stone walls 3’ thick. Its also just very cute

I always wondered why he was Flanders as a kid. Turns out it is a street in Portland, which I imagine may have its roots farther down in the region of Belgium.

Anyway, feels like Im wearing nothin at all

Shout out to none of you asking me art questions (with one reasonable exception)

Feels like a good date

Bah-humbug

Yeah dutch definitely is not very useful. I’d choose french if I was gonna re-learn one of the two you states previously. Unless you want to spend a lot of time in Flanders or Nederland

If you put some work into it I am sure it would come back quickly. I was great as a kid then lost pretty much all of it until my mid-20s when I put some effort in. Came back quick

Of course. Lier, Gent, Antwerpen, Wevelgem, and Deinze

Well. They each have their own governments and languages so your joke doesnt really work here. We’re tearing ourselves apart within the same government and language. This is more like you made the US and Mexico the same country.

I re-read LOTR trilogy last month always a great one. Currently going through the collected essays and letters of Hunter S. Thompson

Countryside

Lil snow last night, otherwise cold and quasi-sunny. Hows rva?

Considering they are asking questions about American cabinet member positions I doubt she knows or give a shit.

Nope, not unless you count the bitchy neighbor. Just old as hell and makes normal old house noises.

My father (american) married my mother (belgian) in Belgium and she came over with him to start their family

Translating here. “You know, the Dutch always say Belgians are stupid.. but sometimes, we really are stupid”

But nah in more practical terms, probably wash your face. That woman looks astounding for 93.

And your grandma? If you knew her

Oh. 6 hours aint shit. Thats a movie and a long stare out the window. Cant account for injury though, you could have a host of strippers, unlimited cheescake, and champagne in 1st class seats and that flight would still be a bummer.

Always. Generally an A330-300. I also find that the stated flight times are given with a generous cushion and we normally come in earlier. But yes a little slower than the jumbo’s I flew in my youth.

Domestic is easy and boring. Get pre-check, pick an airline that is logical and get them points on company dime.

Little, old, sweet, and classy. Your storybook white-haired grandma.

What was their experience of the war?

Depends if you are domestic or international, I am assuming you are flying as well? If so pick an airline and stick with it, those perks really add up and make the whole thing enjoyable. I can not tell you how many times my fast-pass through Amsterdam security has saved my ass, as well as the private check-in. On top of that the lounge is nice.

As far as packing goes, light. I almost never go anywhere with more than a back pack. Why the hell would you need more than a weeks worth of clothes and why are you bringing your whole bathroom? How often have you been anywhere where you could not find toothpaste and soap? The only thing I stack up on is socks and boxers. All the socks.

Dealing with checked luggage is just adding time and weight at both ends. Unless you really need it, which is pretty much only for long trips, skip it.

Where you going?

I take about 10 trans-atlantic flights a year, and a bunch of smaller ones. I havent watched a movie on the little chair screen in probably 8 years. I also have never really slept on a plane. I just cant.

My go-to is Civ V on my laptop. Its perfect if there is in-seat power which my standard KLM 652 AMS-IAD usually has. I also generally download a show to my ipad as a back-up or read.

If all else fails I am not above just staring at the seat in front of me like David Puddy. Planes are a vortex of space and time, everything seems forever and then its over and the memory is basically erased. So I can just zone out and essentially just be.

I just got a Switch, I’ll probably give that a whirl next flight.

What was your last flight?

Cold and calm. I always equate it to The Shire and Belgians very much like Hobbits. They have their creature comforts and are a bit grumpy, gossipy, and petty; but overall a lil bit adorable and sweet.

Whats your favorite non-RVA place in Virginia?