As Grandmaster Arbiter of the fifth RVA Blog Carnival I can apparently roll however I’d like. Because I’m a nice guy — or a terrible man with a black and evil heart — I’m going give a little more exposure to those lesser known (to me) blogs. Make sure you check the bottom of this post for a concise rundown of posts by bloggers who already have full frontal good exposure.

First, some announcements. John’s been busy and just launched Richmond’s newest community blog: Hills and Heights serving Westover Hills, Forest Hill, Woodland Heights, Forest View Heights and Stratford Hills. Also, because Richmonder’s (this one included) have a mental break down when they see snow the Second RVABlogger Congress was “postponed.”

I, somehow, missed the class trip to the crater in Petersburg. This bums me out. Apparently that town is hopping with the funky fresh ideas (free public wifi!). Additionally they call their downtown “Olde Towne.” Awesome.

One thing that I didn’t miss in class was the bit about how Richmond invented slavery. But hey, we apologized for that and we have a new “we’re sorry” statue! Check out this great primer on all things reconciliation staute.

LBH, triathlons are hard. What could possibly be worse than training for one on vacation?

Does anyone else realize that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are needlessly turtles? Nothing in the plot has anything to do with them being huge mutant turtles. I never got a good answer about this from Susan when we went to see the new TMNT movie. I will tell you she seriously likes those turtles. It is kind of weird. Don’t say anything to her about it though.

I am too dumb to grok real poetry, but Poetry Is About Feelings is hilarious and just about my speed: “Poems about anything you want in ten minutes or less!” Like: “people who wear 80’s clothes.” Amazing.

The concise rundown previously mentioned

• Smoking in restaurants sucks, but maybe something is worse?
• Theresa Pollak Richmond’s matron of art.
• A review of Starr Foster’s “Confessions.”
• WTF, they have penguins in Africa? I mean I knew they did. DID YOU?!
• Ashland Coffee and Tea is great (and smoke free!).
• Some sweet videos from this year’s Slaughterama
• Snoopy has some fun with URL’s at the school board’s expense.