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The Plug N Play Career of Filmmaker Andee Arches

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Sometimes you meet someone with so much energy, you have to take notice. That’s how it went recently when Andee Arches was helping out around the studio a bunch. Pretty soon, Kimberly Frost suggested I interview her. Andee is a young filmmaker, audio engineer, editor, and photographer. She’s currently working on a documentary called Sister Radio — you’ll hear more about that below — and she works super hard with a sense of purpose. Plus, she is fun to be around, so why not?

Immediately, I had a few questions about her. What is she about? Who does she want to be? Where did she learn all these skills?! I felt like her story could be one other young Richmond creatives would be inspired by — and I was right. Here is my conversation with her.

Andee Arches: Right now I’m a freelancer-slash-director of a documentary which I helped develop while volunteering for WRIR 97.3 FM. I have been volunteering since 2017 and was on the board of directors as a secretary. I’m still involved in there but am focused on this documentary.

R. Anthony Harris: You were born in the Philippines?

AA: Yes, I was born there and grew up there. I did half of my high school there, then moved when I was 15. We lived in the suburbs of DC, West Virginia for two years, then back to DC before I finally moved to Richmond.

RAH: You mentioned your work with WRIR, so I assume you love music. What do you like about American pop culture, music, and film? What interested you in that?

AA: It’s just the creativity of it all. You know, growing up in the Philippines, most of the American music that we would hear on the radio was commercial music. Without any internet access, I didn’t realize that there’s a completely different music culture that was happening here in America — the only little window that I could see that other music that was happening was through movie soundtracks.

When I moved to America, I found out that there’s a whole underground scene that was going on, and different types of creativity outside of commercial music. I just fell in love with it. And I started hunting down whatever interesting music that I could find — the more that I have not heard of something, the more that I like it. [laughs]

So that’s how that passion started.

photo by Kimberly Frost

RAH: And that lead you to your initial interest in [the local] independent radio station?

AA: I’ve always loved listening to it! I was introduced to WRIR by one of my friends, who was going to VCU. [I] used to come to visit Richmond a lot, and I would hear 97.3. Just the randomness of whatever they would play. Also, I was super crazy about krautrock, and there’s a lot of krautrock that I would hear there! [laughs]

I got involved because they had an audio workshop in 2017, a field recording workshop, for free. I was really into hiking and wanted to start my own collection of bird sounds. [laughs] So I went there and got introduced to other things that WRIR was doing. I just fell in love with it.

At that time, I didn’t really have any direction in life and thought that was a good thing to learn — radio production and DJing — and since it’s free, might as well just jump in it! So that’s how I got involved.

RAH: That’s amazing. And that led you into video production?

AA: Yeah, that led into video and it’s all happenstance.

I mean, before getting involved with the radio station, my passion really was photography. That’s what made me move here to Richmond — to get into the VCU Photography Program. But I didn’t get in. I just decided to stick around, and while at WRIR, I met Cameron Robinson, who was talking about video work. It kinda made me think. I was getting tired of photography. Like, there are certain niches that I like to take photos of, but I was tired of it, and I could never see myself doing portraiture. I thought portraiture was the easy way to make money, but that filmmaking is more creative. You can do a lot of things with it. So after listening to a couple of film theories, I’m like, “I should get into film.” I think it fits my personality of problem solving. We can just play around with it a lot more than photography.

So while I was at WRIR, the news and public affairs committee, wanted to do more run n’ gun kind of news in the city. In DC there was a Black Women’s March, and they wanted to take some video of it. So I volunteered, because I was about to get my own video camera around the same week that the Black Women’s March was happening. I did a bunch of shoots up there for the event and it wasn’t really great video, but I was able to compile three minutes of footage for it.

And then when there was an opportunity to create a documentary, Carol Olson, the President of WRIR, asked me if I wanted to take it — and I just took the challenge.

RAH: And you did the editing for The Black Woman’s March too?

AA: Yeah, I did. It took me, like, three days, because my laptop was like, 2012. [laughs] It was a lot of footage. It was mostly a rough cut, really, and was more like, “This is the ‘feel’ of the Black Woman’s March.” There is a marching band. People were very passionate about it. Those are the little shots that I was taking. We had journalists and they were trying to cover it as well, so I had shots of them interviewing people.

But yeah, that’s how it started.

RAH: You mentioned the documentary you’re working on. As a beginning filmmaker, how did you wrap your head around that? You just went from doing a three-minute clip to “we are gonna give you a documentary”? That’s a big jump, right? [laughs]

AA: [laughs] It was! Yeah. I’d say I was pretty ignorant when I said yes. I did not realize that documentary is–

RAH: …and I’m sorry Andee, for people reading this that don’t know — what is the focus of the documentary?

AA: The focus of the documentary is the importance of media representation, and: what does it actually take to bring in marginalized voices into the media? To bridge that big gap that we have as media representation. So that’s the basis of it. There’s still a lot in the works, so I cannot disclose any more information on that. But I did not realize that a documentary is gonna be this insanely hard.

RAH: And this is a full length piece?

AA: We are thinking maybe just an hour now, but it really depends. We were initially thinking it’d be 90 minutes long, but now we have realized it could probably do it in just an hour.

But my instinct was saying, if I’m going to create a documentary, I need to do as much research as possible. So when Carol gave me the assignment and the person who had the idea for the documentary was there — I just went ahead and interviewed him, on the same day, to get an idea of what the documentary is going to be.

On top of that I started having to learn technical skills with the camera. I did not know about the production side either, but definitely the research and the technical side, and I just started hopping into it.

RAH: And that’s been a little over a year now?

AA: It started in 2018, and then in 2019, we went to Mali, because part of the film is in Mali. I would say that’s my first real shooting experience. We shot for nine days and that was kind of like my film school in many ways.

RAH: Because you didn’t go to film school…?

AA: I didn’t go to film school, but I watched a lot of YouTube videos on film theory and technical film stuff.

RAH: Tell me about Secret Bonus Level.

AA: Oh, Secret Bonus Level is Noah Page‘s project. Secret Bonus Level used to be a 1-3am Wednesday show on WRIR. The initial idea for it is have a live band come into the station. Rappers could then cipher with them. But because of COVID, that had to stop.

It was maybe a year into COVID. Noah reached out to me with this idea to do a live stream show in her backyard. So around February or March of 2021, Noah, this guy Mayday, and I came together and figured out the technical aspects of how we could make this live stream as free as possible, as cheap as possible. We did a lot of troubleshooting. There’s a lot of trial and error and trying to figure out the flow of like having a show.

RAH: So let us go back. You have taught yourself how to do a live production, shoot and edit a documentary while creating journalistic pieces — all in the last two to three years?

AA: Pretty much.

RAH: Having talked with you before, I hope that someone will read this story and get involved somehow in the community and see how it can open doors. I hope that people can see that if you want to do creative things, you shouldn’t wait! Just start doing them and if you do them with passion, then that’s what your career is gonna be.

AA: Thank you so much!

RAH: I have one more question for you: what are you looking forward to in 2022?

AA: Oh my god. I mean, honestly, to make money out of this venture, have more opportunities to work, and collaborate with people. [laughs]

A big part of me is just like trying to finish this documentary, which is quite a big, big project, and I want to be able to move forward to other projects. But I really want to just establish some type of stability with all this because right now, all I am doing is all passion projects.

Right now, I’ve been freelancing as a PA on film sets. Sometimes I’d work for like, four or five days straight, and then I’m dead for two weeks. That does not pay the bills if I can’t work at all.

But yeah, I’d like find some stability with it. That’s, that’s my goal, right now, in 2022. And to just collaborate with people; more artists in Richmond.

RAH: So you’re saying if someone wants to collaborate or hire you — to hit you up? [laughs]

AA: Yes! Yay, thanks Tony!

RAH: Thank you Andee for taking the time to do this.

See more of Andee Arches’ work on Vimeo HERE
Also, you can give her a follow on Instagram HERE

Photos by Kimberly Frost

Princess Blanding, Sister of Marcus-David Peters, Announces Campaign for Governor

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Princess Blanding, a prominent public safety, mental health and racial justice advocate, has announced her campaign to run for Governor of Virginia in 2021. Blanding has entered the race as the candidate of the newly-formed Liberation Party, which will compete as an independent party in the November 2021 election.

Blanding is the sister of the late Marcus-David Peters, a 24-year-old high school teacher and alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University. Peters was fatally shot by a Richmond police officer in 2018 beside Interstate 64/95 while having a mental health crisis.

Photo by Breon Corbett / Wild Bunch Photography Collective

In 2020, Blanding was a steadfast presence in Richmond activism, speaking at multiple marches and demonstrations throughout the city and campaigning with progressive candidates for local office, including Allan-Charles Chipman and Joseph Rogers. During the General Assembly’s legislative special session in August and September, Blanding helped lead efforts to pass several police reform bills with varying degrees of success. 

While the legislature passed bills including the Marcus Alert and a ban on no-knock warrants, Blanding expressed frustration with the outcomes of the special session, calling the version of the Marcus Alert “a diluted, ineffective bill,” and highlighting the failure of bills such as HB5013, which proposed the repeal of qualified immunity in the state of Virginia — HB5013 passed in the House of Delegates, but failed in the Senate.

In a recent ceremony honoring the passage of the Marcus Alert, with Governor Ralph Northam and gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McClellan in attendance, Blanding asked the Democrats to “take a moment to pat yourselves on the back for doing exactly what this racist corrupt system…expected you all to do.” Blanding went on to say, “Make the Marcus Alert bill a watered down ineffective bill that will continue to ensure that having a mental health crisis results in a death sentence.” 

In campaign literature released today, Blanding and the newly formed Liberation Party proposed a broad gubernatorial platform for progressive, equity-driven change in Virginia, including racial justice, environmental justice, education, housing, healthcare reform, LGBTQIA+ rights, food sovereignty, pandemic relief, and labor rights.

Photo by Keshia E / Wild Bunch Photography Collective

Blanding now joins a crowded field of 2021 gubernatorial candidates, including several prominent Democrats. Former-Governor Terry McAuliffe, Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, Virginia State Senator Jennifer McClellan (9th District), and former-Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy (2nd District), who resigned earlier this month to focus on her gubernatorial bid, have all announced candidacies. Delegate Lee Carter (50th District), has also filed paperwork indicating a possible run. 

In the race for the Republican nomination, which will be decided via a convention rather than a primary, former-Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Kirk Cox (66th District) is positioned against far-right provocateur and State Senator, Amanda Chase. US Congressman Denver Riggleman (R, VA-5) has indicated interest as well, but it is unclear whether Riggleman would run for the Republican nomination or as an independent. 

In Virginia, a candidate who loses a race for a party nomination is unable to subsequently run as an independent in the general election that year.

The Virginia governor’s race is one of just two in the country in 2021. The other race, to take place in New Jersey, will likely be a landslide in favor of Democratic incumbent Governor Phil Murphy.

Photo by Foster “Frosty” Johnston / Wild Bunch Photography Collective

The election will serve as a microcosm of nationwide political dynamics. Across the country, establishment Democrats like McAuliffe—a former DNC Chair and staffer for both Bill and Hillary Clinton— face current and future challenges from a new generation of diverse and dynamic Democrats. In Virginia, this is highlighted by the candidacies of three young Black Democrats, and the entry of Blanding as a third-party candidate. To date, no Black woman has ever been elected governor of the United States. 

Virginia’s Democratic landscape is further complicated by the potential entry of self-identified socialist Lee Carter, which is reminiscent of the 2018 upset by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, NY-14). Cortez created shockwaves in the Democratic Party, unseating Rep. Joe Crowley, a ten-term US Congressman who served as Democratic Caucus Chair in the US House of Representatives.

The contours of Virginia’s Republican race also reflect the dynamics currently at play within the GOP nationally. Chase has urged Donald Trump to “declare martial law” and pursue 2020 election conspiracy theories, while also stating that she will “never accept” Joe Biden as President of the United States.

The third-party campaign announcement of Blanding, an activist with considerable social justice bona fides, promises to further complicate the electoral calculus for Democrats. With McAuliffe’s 2013 victory during the Obama presidency as an exception, Virginia has elected governors from the opposite party of the sitting US Presidents in all elections since 1978 — ten of the last eleven gubernatorial races.  

Film Photo by Landon Shroder / Wild Bunch Photography Collective

This two-party jockeying and its impact on Virginia politics apears to be a critical impetus for the Blanding campaign. In a press release announcing her candidacy Blanding said, “The fight has moved from the streets and city government, to the state legislature where progressive change is imperative. Our time is now to create a future in which all Virginians see their values reflected in their leaders.”

And in a video on her campaign website Blanding promises to, “trust the science and use sound moral judgement as we transform the Commonwealth into a common good state that prioritizes clean energy, provides comprehensive health care for all, is economically thriving, ensures that Black Lives Matter, is gender inclusive, and guarantees housing security for all Virginians.”

Cover image by Landon Shroder / Wild Bunch Photography Collective

COVID-19: What Virginians Need To Know

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As the number of cases grows in the Commonwealth, Virginia is taking new precautions to limit the spread. Here are the best resources with live updates on the virus. 

As the COVID-19 virus spreads internationally and disrupts daily life, the world has been in a state of anxiety and panic, not knowing what to believe or how to react.

This article is intended to keep residents of the Richmond area and the Commonwealth of Virginia accurately informed on the facts, and to update readers on how Coronavirus is impacting the world, the nation, and the state. 

RELIABLE SOURCES

Local, state, and federal Health Departments, as well as university medical schools, are providing up-to-date websites for facts and figures pertaining to the current state of the virus.

The Center for Disease Control has opened an entire page dedicated to updates on all aspects of Coronavirus. The site lays out crucial information on several topics: 

The World Health Organization also provides updated information on the status of COVID-19 under their diseases tab, labeled Coronavirus Disease 2019. This site provides videos explaining the virus, a “situation dashboard” visually showing areas with cases, the latest news on the virus, and a link where one can donate to help fight the spread. 

FACTS ABOUT COVID-19

This novel coronavirus, otherwise referred to as COVID-19, is a new infectious disease never before seen in humans before the recent outbreak. It is believed to have spread from food markets in Wuhan, China. Coronaviruses are a family of illnesses affecting both humans and animals, causing respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. SARS and MERS are other well-known coronaviruses.

COVID-19 and the flu are similar in many ways, but also have crucial distinctions: both viruses are transmitted similarly, result in similar symptoms, and can be prevented in similar ways through hand washing and limiting social contact. While antiviral medicines and vaccines are available for the flu, no effective medicine or vaccine is available at this time for COVID-19.

Current infection and death rates can be found updated at The Washington Post (unlike most of the Post’s content, this article is available for free to non-subscribers), and it’s widely speculated that many more are infected than currently reported. This is due to lags in testing, but numbers are expected to grow as more tests become available in the U.S. According to experts, each COVID-19 sufferer infects between two to three others — a rate of infection twice as high as that of the flu. 

COVID-19 is also acutely different from the SARS outbreak in 2003. SARS was a much deadlier disease, but also less infectious. There have also been no SARS cases in 17 years. 

Symptoms of COVID-19 are typically mild for most people, and similar to those of the flu. They include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other respiratory illness symptoms, as well as loss of appetite and diarrhea. The World Health Organization suggests that people with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

COVID-19 spreads from person to person when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes, or exhales onto objects and surfaces that another person touches. The virus can also spread if someone inhales droplets that are expelled by other people nearby who are infected. 

Many with COVID-19 only experience mild symptoms. It is believed that a person can have coronavirus anywhere from two to 14 days before they begin to show symptoms of the virus, according to the CDC.

Approximately 80 percent of people who contract the virus do not require serious medical attention. Those most likely to require medical attention include the elderly and those with underlying medical problems like lung disease, heart disease, or diabetes. 

COVID-19 IN VIRGINIA

Total cases reported in Virginia: As of March 19, there are 94 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Virginia, resulting in 19 hospitalizations and two deaths. Current numbers here.

For accurate information on how coronavirus is impacting the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Health has provided a resource for COVID-19 in Virginia. This page shows a map, statistics of the number of people tested, and confirmed cases by locality. It also hosts the latest information on what the state health department is doing for businesses, schools, community partners, individuals, and travelers.

The News Center at VCU Health provides updates on how the medical center is monitoring and handling the situation. Other top-level medical schools also give reliable information on the virus, including the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, the Coronavirus Resource Center from Harvard University, and the Coronavirus Information page from the University of California at Berkeley. 

Gov. Northam declared a state of emergency in Virginia on March 12, one day after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global pandemic. The first case of COVID-19 in Virginia was detected on March 7. 

COVID-19 WORLDWIDE (UPDATED)

Situation reports are released by the World Health Organization daily, and they can be found here to view the most recent information.

Most countries have taken extreme measures to combat the virus, such as quarantines and travel restrictions. All 50 U.S. states have at least one confirmed case of COVID-19.

All foreign nationals from China, Iran, Canada, and most European nations are barred from entering the U.S., along with anyone who visited these countries within the last two weeks. U.S. citizens who return home must come through one of 13 designated airports. 

COVID-19 IN THE U.S. 

The White House has advised people to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, and to stay at home. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam instituted a ban on gatherings of more than 10 in the Commonwealth, which mainly applies to places like theaters, restaurants, and gyms. Law enforcement personnel have the power to enforce it. New York Gov. Cuomo announced on Monday that gatherings would be limited to 50 in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Non-essential services such as restaurants and theme parks have been closed across the country. 

Most K-12 schools, in addition to colleges and universities, have resorted to online teaching to avoid classrooms gatherings. Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia initially intended to stay open despite the outbreak, until the governor limited gatherings.

Congress and the White House are currently considering coronavirus stimulus packages, which would include anything from cash payments (ranging from $1,000 to $2,000) to Americans to corporate tax cuts intended to boost businesses affected by the outbreak. 

PREVENTION AND PROTECTION 

There are simple steps for people to take in order to reduce their chances of getting COVID-19. Thoroughly washing your hands and keeping them away from your face is the first precaution to take. Hand sanitizer is effective when you’re unable to wash your hands, but should not be the sole means of cleansing. Keeping a distance of at least six feet between yourself and others is recommended as well, in order to prevent breathing in droplets from others sneezing or coughing within spreadable reach of the virus.

Although many people have resorted to wearing disposable surgical masks for protection, these masks are not recommended. They don’t fit tightly, and may allow tiny infected droplets to get into the nose, mouth, or eyes. 

Taking antibiotics (which only protect against bacterial infections, not viral infections like coronavirus) and wearing multiple masks are also ineffective methods to protect yourself from COVID-19. It is still safe to order online packages, because the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low — and so is the risk of catching the virus from a package that has travelled, and been exposed to different conditions. 

Stay up-to-date with the latest information via the Virginia Department of Health, CDC, and World Health Organization. And stay safe out there, Richmond.

Best Of VA Missed Connections November 27 – December 3

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This week’s Missed Connections is all about the river hangs — and I gotta tell y’all, it seems like a bit late to me. I know this is a southern city, and it stays warm pretty deep into the fall, but nonetheless, post-Thanksgiving seems a bit late for a barefoot day at the river. And yet here we are — not only is some guy running around with no shoes at the James in the final days of November, but someone else is getting ready to full-on canonize the guy… or at least his feet. Stay weird, Richmond.

That’s not all we’ve got for you this week — no no, not by a long shot! Too often when someone in MCs is talking about “trees” you know they’re just trying to score some weed, but this week we’ve got a couple of actual plant nerds fluent in Latin species classification names making a connection at the greenhouse. How can you not love that? Meanwhile, usually when someone talks about a dream cashier, you figure that means they were the cashier of their dreams. But hey, plot twist — all it really means is that they talked about dreams with their cashier. Are we really speaking the same language out here?

Meanwhile, we’ve got proof that Richmond really does appreciate all kinds of people — at least one person this week is trying to track down a panhandler they met. And not just to buy them coffee, either, though it does seem the ideal way to a gas station spanger’s heart.

Finally, there’s not much more depressing in this world than having to take a Lyft to the urgent-care spot… so I guess the real question is: does getting a Missed Connection from your driver make it better or worse?

Get that checked out, Virginia.

Barefoot guy at the river

Would like to wor$hip your feet.

You said my goatee was on point (Richmond)

You are a sexy little blond at the apartments at Hull St Rd and 6th St and you had a friend with you. I could tell you wanted to play with my beard and i would love to let you. Hit me up and tell me your girlfriends name so i know it’s you.

Thinking about that Christian guy

I used to know this guy who was struggling with his feelings for other guys. He had issues with his faith vs his feelings. I was kind of in the same boat. I wonder if he’s still thinking about it. I know I am.

Thinking of you

Seems totally pointless to post here but was thinking of you just now and wanted to reach out. Hope to hear from you. Wishing you the very best as always. I hope you are doing well.

Mr. Bad Timing

Home Depot dream cashier (Ashland)

I told you about a dream I had. I left completely bewildered that I told you about it. You must think Im crazy.

Lumber Store Man (Midlothian)

You were on the phone walking the aisles talking. You passed by several times. You were very cute. You were wearing your blue work uniform with your name on it. Each time you passed I made eye contact. Definitely would like some man fun with you.

7 cats (Chester)

I was talking to you today and you had on a blue straight outta pencils shirt on with black sweatpants. I would love to talk to you more. I was working at a store in Chester and we was having a conversation. You probably won’t see this. But a little about our convo is you was single and guys be wanting you to just jump on it and not anything else. So tell me what store I met you in. Never got your name. You also work with a vendor for the store that’s how you got your cats.

Great Big Greenhouse (Richmond)

Woman in black near the Spathiphyllum and Epipremnum. I believe you had Sansevieria on your flat cart. We coincidentally parked next to each other. Let’s be plant friends.

Kroger – Jeff

You were looking for molasses and we engaged in a brief conversation. I felt there was some chemistry there. I was too nervous to offer my phone number or ask for yours. I highly doubt you will see this ad. But if by some rare twist of fate that you happen to stumble upon this ad and reply, then I’d like to converse further.

But first, please indulge me and provide some identifying information so that I know that you were the guy I spoke to. For instance, what was I wearing? And where did I say I was from? Or tell me something to help me identify you.

Guys looking for women…??? (Everywhere)

Have any of you actually connected with a female???? 

I mean really connected..not just a few x-rated texts or emails???

Getting Coffee, reading a book? Watsons? (West/End, Short Pump)

I was getting coffee in the West End….. You’re the white woman who was reading a book with a big, white “Watsons” in the title. You’re book didn’t look like fluff. Give me a shout if you’re down.

Acura salesman (West broad)

You know you were flirting hard earlier today.. hope you sell me something!!

Early morning ride

Rideshare early in the morning…. you complimented my natural hair. You said you like to go dancing & should show me the city. You cut hair also 

I hoped you’d find a way to get in touch

Lyft passenger to patient first. (Fan)

Your name begins with k. Don’t wanna say more for your privacy. Remember me?

ODC beautiful tatted guy (RVA)

dear diary, 

We met at ODC after 2 AM. You were ridiculously attractive, long hair, good beard, 6’2, had two tatted sleeves but your long shirt was covering them. I got you to come back to my apartment with me & it was amazing EXCEPT I never got any contact info from you 🙁 I think your name was Tristan but my friend said it was John. the fact I’m even writing this is hilarious but you were so handsome.

Mesmerized (Short pump)

I whispered in your ear that I was mesmerized by you. I told you I would be back next Friday to see you. I came, but I had to leave early. You probably dont look at these, but I figuired I would try. If its you just let me know where we saw each other. Hope this works!

missing (Charlottesville)

Missing my lg as of late, I hate that you had to move away to be with your husband. Maybe one day you will be able to confide in him your true desires, instead of sneaking around. Be good Princess maybe fate will bring you back to me

Chatted at Target (Westchester)

Should have asked for your number, beautiful African-American lady in Target the other day that I chatted with.

Starbucks near Carilion (The bridges)

Hey, you were with another talking.. between 12-2 today Saturday 11/30. We made eye contact several times.

When you walked out you saw me in my vehicle. Not sure why you didn’t come to the car instead you went around the corner… interested.. hmu.. tell me something you would know

YMCA (Richmond)

Hey, I know u catch me staring at you all the time when I see u working or working out!! Would love if you are actually into guys lol..

food lion/gym girl (Rocky mount)

Hey Idk if it’s anything to it or if it even could be. Idk who the guy you go to the gym is. I don’t believe it’s your ol man. If I thought I wouldn’t even try this. But if it is my bad. I seen you today I drive the blue f-350. Idk if you see this message me respond tell me what’s up?

Teddy Bear

Any women lose a big ol teddy bear?

Anytime Fitness You’re From MD

We kind of trained together today and agreed to train together tomorrow. You’re visiting from MD. Would like to take you out while you’re here. What did we agree to train together if you’re interested?

Single mom looking for man at Hamilton (Richmond)

We sat next to each other at Hamilton at the Altria on Friday night, the 29th. I was there with my two daughters and you were there alone. I’m guessing you’re in your early to mid-50s. I found you very attractive, and your lack of a ring did not go unnoticed.

older lady lowes black friday (louis)

you said I look like a guy you dated in high school. let’s chat

Sheetz

Saw you in sheetz on rt 10. Wanted to say something but to shy. You had on all black reply with what I was talking about or what I was wearing

Exxon off Chamberland ave (Richmond)

Wondering if you still stand in front of Exxon pan handling . You are a nice looking guy friendly Said your name is Le’Shawn. See this let’s grab some coffee. Later man.

You work at St. Catherine’s (Richmond)

Name starts with an A. I believe I’ve seen you on here before, and we met in person once. I wonder if you would be up for anything given your situation and what I have heard about you

Yesterday at Panera drive-thru

Yesterday around 10:30 am I went to the new Panera in Westchester Commons and used the drive thru. You were a stunningly beautiful red head. You took my breath away. I was in a black SUV and wasn’t alone. If you have any interest, message me. I never do this but what the hell.

7-11 on rt33

We met this morning we chatted for a bit I told you how old I was if you see this and interested get back to me

Most beautiful asian

Saw you at your job laughing and smiling outside I would assume with your co workers. You were wearing a black long dress, Definitely saw a tattoo on the shoulder. Just wanted to let you know you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I’m to shy to talk to you so I really hope you see this

Cute blonde girl in the Watkins nursery dump truck (Midlothian)

You were that cute blonde and I was the guy who got that blue truck moved for you. The least thing you could do is meet me for a drink…..😉

ACAC Thanksgiving day short pump (short pump)

grey hair, glasses, red tee and white shorts with weight training gloves on, on fitness floor in the morning. hope to make a missed connection with you.

Female employee at Publixx yesterday around 1:45pm (Mechanicsville)

I was the older guy, you bagged my groceries. You said you were helping to cook for Thanksgiving, then going to a friend’s to drink. Wish I had let you bring groceries to my car like you offered. Would love to learn more. Hope to hear back if you are interested. Tell me your name so I know it’s you.

Tennis mom (VB)

Looking for the tennis mom that posted earlier looking for a friend. You sent your contact info and your post was taken down. I’m still interested…

Graig (Shockoe Bottom)

Graig, i just have to say you are too cute with your glasses and man bun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carlos (Chester)

I lost your number! We meant at McD’s on 10 Saturday morning. Please contact me!!!

Dollar General rt1 Sunday night

Cute girl in grey or blue car, I was in a white car.. tell me the make if interested in me….

J RODDY WALSTON AND THE BUSINESS @ THE NATIONAL

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Heading into Destroyers of the Soft Life, the fourth LP by J. Roddy Walston and The Businessset to be released September 29 via ATO Records, JRWATB pursued a brighter, more nuanced sound that teased out the band’s latent pop sensibilities without skimping on energy or attitude. As you press play on the opening track “You Know Me Better”, anthemic guitars scream out of buoyant, hooky lyrics as Walston’s chugging piano supplies a persistent heartbeat. The “bar band” sound of the past has been replaced by an aspirational, booming cacophony that could fill stadiums.

Instead of the raucous bombast JRWATB manifested on their breakout hit album Essential Tremors, the band’s leader had certain rules he was determined to follow on Destroyers of the Soft Life. One was: “Speak/sing clearly, no hiding behind mumbles.” Another was, “D.I.Y. but hi-fi — record ourselves as much as possible but have it sound amazing and full.” The final, most important, rule was, “Nostalgia is a cancer — acknowledge that you are in the present.”

BUY TICKETS

Best of VA Missed Connections October 23 – October 29

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Halloween’s almost here, but this week Missed Connections is more about kicking dope rhymes than it is about costumery. If you can come up with a more creative couplet than one that pairs “beautiful” with “cuticles,” you just might find the hottie of your dreams.

Sexist stereotypes and extremely obvious marijuana references won’t win anyone anything except maybe a call from a narc, but painting secret-admirer mash notes on rocks and leaving them at your crush’s front door certainly might get you some attention. Meanwhile, it might be time to sweep the bathroom floor — the remnants of last week’s haircut seem to have attained sentience, and are making debatably threatening Craigslist posts about you.

If all else fails, maybe you can cure your loneliness at Kroger. If nothing else, it’s objectively the best grocery store chain in the city, so you’ll at least be able to get some good deals on produce.

Snack hard, Virginia.

The time is 4:20 (Stafford, VA)

Where are you Mr. Green?? The time is 4:20…Do you know what I mean? Extra for delivery

Lyft Rider-You were a witch

Saturday night. you and a friend were witches. You are the WM. Remember me?

What is it about?

Crazy women that make them lousy in relationships but the best in bed?

JJ1CZ (Costco)

One HOT MAMA, wished we could have spoken

Liv works at samsclub col. Hghts (Colonial heights)

I think your name tag said Liv. But you work at Sam’s Club you look incredible. Jaw dropping incredible I just wanted to let you know. Even though I am sure you already know that. If you happen to read this hope it brightens your day.

Your your the voice inside my head (Virgina beach)

I miss you, now I am acting like a punk clinching the tissue. We said I was just for fun, no attachment or trying to get serious. Then I got to know you, and you intrigued me being so mysterious. Things happen and everything got so delirious so I am trying to reach back to you because my heart is searching so furious. We use skate and make love I would always give you back rubs. Holding you nice and tight, maybe once day me and you can once again see a sunset cause you are my sunlight. You know who you are beautiful message me so I can get all up in your cuticles.

Sorry to disturb you friday (Innsbrook)

Sorry about that. Friday I was having my lunch in my work parking lot out near capital one and parked in the back to eat. Didn’t realize anyone was in the car but I saw the two of you climb up from the back seat and you took off. Sorry to be a blocker!

Walmart

Have you stopped thinking about me yet? I saw you watching me the whole time despite being with someone else.

Split ends (Ok)

Cut.
Cut me off.
Trim me down.
Look at me laying
On the floor.
Powerless.
Sweep me
Into you pan,
And look at me
One last time
Before you tilt
Your wrist
To banish me.
Deplorable.
Wash away the
Rest of me
And start
New.

“Love Rock” (Chesapeake)

On Wednesday October 23rd, a stone painted white on the top and words written in purple, red, and gold was found on top of my mailbox. I’m aware that rocks are passed around randomly all the time in this community with cute messages on them. I find really small ones around work once in a while. Except this time, I don’t believe it was from a stranger. They obviously knew where I lived. I believe the rock was a message for me. I am not sure whether to pass it on or find the person that left it. It is a mystery to me that I want to solve. I believe it was a message of love. If it was you or you know who it was, please reach out and give me an answer. I have never received anything like this before in my life, obviously this is a special and unique gift. My heart wants an answer. I need to find out why they have left it for me. This rock is more like a stone that was from my own garden or someplace by the water. It’s about 3-4 inches long and has some weight to it. The following words were written on it:

“Your love is golden!”

Girl dancing in the yellow beetle (Ashland, VA)

You were so cute dancing in your car. I tried to get your eye, but we were going about 85 on the interstate. I’m staying in Ashland, VA tonight but don’t live in the Richmond area. Just wanted to let you know how good your energy felt. Made me put on some music and dance myself. 😉

Were you driving a new or old beetle?

Kroger m4w (Short pump)

Was that a connection? We kept sharing looks. I wanted to talk to you but you kept driving after leaving store. What was I wearing?

Kroger

You had glasses. Black shirt. Hair in a ponytail off to the side. Tattoo on your left arm. Very pretty woman. You were at the doors talking to employees. I was the guy at customer service. Kinda stared at you.

The Pulse Bus (Willow Lawn)

You were the short haired blond woman with four friends on the Pulse bus today around noon. You got off at Willow Lawn. You are smoking hot. I wanted to say something to you but I didn’t want to interrupt the conversation you were having with your friends.

I’d like to have a cup of coffee or a cocktail with you.

Tell me what had on.

Like skin girl working at Pizza Hut (Hopewell)

I wanted to ask for your number but I don’t usually like asking while someones at work. But here I am regreting not asking. Tell me what’s on the screen.

Orange shoes & sweater, camel silvers and a little pick up at WaWa

WaWa W. Broad-

You were wearing orange tennis shoes and an orange sweater. You bought camel silvers, complimented my shirt and drove off in a little pick up truck. You are SO cute.! Hope to hear back.

April at Wawa (Fredericksburg Virginia)

Hoping you might see this we talk this morning you said you was getting off in 15 minutes I said jump in the little white truck I’ll take you home like to talk with you more

Golds Gym Swiftcreek- Colorful pant… wears a hat

You are a blonde WF… I typically see you early morning. I’m typically leaving as you come in. I noticed you looking at me while you were on the stairmaster. What do I look like? 😉

Walmart (Sheila lane)

I helped you at the self checkout. You have beautiful hair … well…beautiful everything. If your interested in grabbing some food, go for a walk or catch a movie , let me know. To know its you, tell me how i helped.

American Family Sauna

We were in the sauna at the same time, made eye connection several times. Can provide more details and description. Both WM. Email me.

Richmond Airport

I asked if you were lost.. and you said?

Saucys (Petersburg)

We had a good convo the other night and would like to grab a drink sometime. I should have said something at the time but by the time I went to you were leaving.