Dear Abby, I Don't Like My Friend's Boyfriend

October 17, 2017 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Humor, Life In Your 20's, life lessons

A few weeks ago, I drove up to DC to visit my friend. After lunch, we decided - that is, my friend decided - we needed to drop by her boyfriend's apartment go pick up a gift card she had left there. The last time I visited my friend, I had met this boyfriend and he had accused me of cheating at Monopoly. Now I am not the purest of souls, but I am not so depraved as to cheat at a board game. And so what if I had? Send me to jail.

I braced myself on the ride to his apartment. When we walked in, I felt a concentrated effort on his part not to make eye contact. I forced out a hello, and he stared at me.

"Hi," he said timelessly.

Happiness

October 10, 2017 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Life In Your 20's, life lessons

Happiness is one of the largest misconceptions for my generation. We’ve generally been told that if it makes you happy, then you should do it. Happiness seems to be an utmost goal. Our Constitution says it. Sheryl sings it.

In fact, we shock people when we say we aren’t happy. A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post where I said I wasn’t happy. I forgot I even wrote these words and became surprised when the post dropped and a number of friends reached out asking, “Are you really unhappy?”

The Squatters of Hanover Avenue: To Kill a Mouse

October 02, 2017 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Humor, Life In Your 20's, life lessons

I first saw our newfound tenant on a June night. I had been living at my place for just about a year, and we had only entertained human tenants until this evening. A couple of nights before, I detected evidence of our friend: While eating dark chocolate raisins, I found a few pieces with teeth marks. Of course, I didn’t immediately think, Teeth marks! But I wondered, Hmm, I wonder how the dispensing machine did that.

Two days later, I walked into our pantry and saw a mouse scurry across the shelf and into the cereal boxes. I think I screamed. I definitely jumped.

But I was not disturbed. Growing up, I raised rodents. I owned a hamster and two guinea pigs. Mice are cute. My only repulsion is, they’re dirty. They once carried the Black Plague.

As Told Over Little Saint

October 01, 2017 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Sara's Column, Richmond Brunch Review

Last Sunday Sara and I had the opportunity to experience Little Saint, the newest offering from the owner of Max’s on Broad, Tarrant’s Café, and Tarrant’s West. This past week was Little Saint’s soft opening (and proceeds went to support VCU Massey Cancer Center; you know we had to give that plug). We’re so glad we made it in, because this place is going to be hopping once they fling wide their doors.

Little Saint is a deliberate departure from the upscale aesthetic of the Max’s and Tarrant’s family, and it’s reflected both in the setting and the pricing. Think lots of sunlight, hanging plants, and sun tea basking in the windows. This joint promises to be the new mecca of social media influencers. Just look at my own Instagram from this past week.

A Retelling of my Weird Harry Potter Dream

September 29, 2017 by Sara Woznicki in Humor, Life In Your 20's, Tweets and Mascara, Leisure, life lessons, Sara's Column

I'm one of those people who remember a lot of their dreams. I usually don't tell people about my dreams because who really cares about other people's dreams? But this one I vividly remember AND I promise you this it is hilarious. I told two crowds of people to test it, and decided it's actually funny, perhaps even blog post worthy. I hesitated for a bit because of the turn it takes, but ran it by Cazey who thought it was appropriate. Jury is still out if my Mom will think that too.

So.... moving on from my fear that you might then decide I'm a psychopath, because that was my first thought. Well, second thought upon waking up.

A Taste of the UNOS Soiree 2017

September 27, 2017 by astoldoverbrunch in Cazey's Column, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column

October 6th is less than two weeks away! And why is that relevant? UNOS, the United Network for Organ Sharing, is hosting its 9th annual Soirée, which we will be attending. There's lots of reason to attend the Soirée, starting with the mission.

What is UNOS?

UNOS (pronounced you-nos and not uuu-nos, you know!) is the matchmaker between available organs and those who need them. A lot goes into the matching, taking into consideration time, geographical location, blood type, age and more.

A Letter from the Frontline of a Dissertation

September 25, 2017 by Cazey Williams in Humor, life lessons, Life In Your 20's, Cazey's Column

The days are growing shorter again. Another winter is approaching. My comrades say each year only gets darker. They’ve begun to ration our coffee intake. Something about our pulses being too fast and causing too much anxiety. I’ve tried to steal some and hide it with my stash of dark chocolate, shot glasses, and dreams and despair.

I don’t know when I’ll make it home again. When I signed on for this, they told me it would be four years. In and out. It seemed so doable. Now, I’m not so sure. August marked the end of the fourth year. There was no celebration. I did take a week of personal time, but I felt judged for leaving my desk.

The Future with a Capital F and a Bigger Question Mark

September 19, 2017 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Life In Your 20's, life lessons

I’ve always known I will graduate and there would be a next chapter. I’ve written about it many times—probably too many times. But it’s also been this distant thought, a known that seemed forever far off. My next step never seemed pressing. While I have juggled many ideas of my future, I haven’t had to choose the next exit to take on the road of life. Sure, I’ve adjusted speeds, made maps, and changed the radio station, but I haven’t had to say my destination. I’ve just said I’m going west and thrown out some cities’ names.

“I’m heading to LA,” I’d say one week, and by the end of the week, I’d be saying, “I’m actually going to Santa Fe.” And on Monday? “I’m going to Anchorage!”

Well, that’s no longer the case. Last week I learned of a deadline. My funding expires in June. I graduate in June. The email didn’t say the latter, but that’s what the former means.

The Mistaken Twin Brothers

September 12, 2017 by Cazey Williams in Cazey's Column, Humor, Life In Your 20's

My brother and I are often confused for one another. Despite being five and a half years apart in age, we look identical give or take 3-5 years. The cashier at the Chinese restaurant where my family regularly gets takeout always asks whether I am the younger or older brother. I want to ask, What do you think? Who has deeper crow’s eyes? Who will need Botox sooner?

She is not the only person who confuses us. My grandmother has suffered memory problems the last few years, and I often find myself being called by my brother’s name and asked how is school going – or where am I in school. Conveniently on the former, I still am in school, so I can balance the act of being both my brother and myself. “School is going well,” I say. Am I answering for myself or my brother? Not even I am sure.

Help! I Got a Haircut I Hate, Now What?

September 07, 2017 by Sara Woznicki in Humor, Leisure, Life In Your 20's, life lessons, Sara's Column, Social Media, Tweets and Mascara, Young Professionalism, Work

In between jobs (yay, I got a new one!) I got a haircut. It seemed like a reasonable thing to do: new job, new me. I bought a trusty Groupon haircut, and was on my merry way. I didn't even think much about what I wanted. I always get a bob that's longer in the front than it is in the back. I think it makes me look regal and thins out my face a bit. However, I'm down for something new: new job, new haircut, new me.