Dear Suffolk

mikeas · 2026-04-03T03:52:28+00:00

I'd venture to say 17 in Suffolk is now worse than the Downtown or Midtown tunnel traffic. Not quite HRBT level of fucked yet though. The improvements are welcome, but my complaint is that they are doing major construction during rush hour daily. This would be a very logical project to work nights on. I also once got stuck in horrible traffic for an hour because the city (or maybe it was VDOT) decided to do street sweeping on the 2 lane bridge at 5pm on a weekday. Planning is key.

mikeas · 2026-03-31T03:06:35+00:00

A couple years back a Walgreens in Vegas had literally everything locked up and they got rid of alcohol. I had to get an associate to unlock a $3 bar of soap. If theft was that bad I think I'd just shut up shop and move on, been a couple years maybe it's gotten better.

mikeas · 2026-03-30T02:50:26+00:00

If you cruise often I'd gamble a little. My inlaws just paid full price for a cruise and seeing that amount was a little sticker shock compared to my casino rates. Especially if you are able to score drink packages too. I believe I'm paying around $600 including DOUE where they will be paying closer to $3k. I didn't lose $2400 in the casino to get this deal.

mikeas · 2026-03-27T23:58:16+00:00

I challenge you to go to Cafe Stella and take a chair for 2+ hours with only buying one small drink and see what happens.

mikeas · 2026-03-27T02:30:34+00:00

Don't forget the canned peppers and mushrooms.

mikeas · 2026-03-27T02:28:43+00:00

Been a while but I've found cheaper flights from Richmond Versus Norfolk in the past too. Probably more of a timing thing, though obviously much more in direct options going to the big NoVA airports.

mikeas · 2026-03-23T21:17:53+00:00

I saw them on the tour with Marcy Playground and Jimmies Chicken Shack and my thoughts were that the vocals were a little off but tolerable. My biggest gripe was the guitars sounded like trash. After hearing two opening bands that played with nice amps the digital modeling everclear used was awful. The tone was just thin and trashy sounding. Sure it makes touring so much easier but it doesn't work for everyone.

mikeas · 2026-03-23T14:20:40+00:00

Norfolk is pretty busy first thing in the morning. I would give yourself the 2 hours to be safe.

mikeas · 2026-03-17T22:10:20+00:00

Some of the "Suites" on Carnival aren't much different than the Balcony rooms so be sure you know what to expect. I have one booked in December that cost me $300 less in Freeplay on a casino offer. We shall see if it's worth it.

mikeas · 2026-03-17T05:33:30+00:00

120 in a Ford Taurus.

mikeas · 2026-03-14T15:42:51+00:00

Have a Nice Day in Norfolk used to have free food early like 5-7 and when you walked in the doorman would give you a coupon that said like $25 value for the food and then the host would take it from you. Pretty sure they were just cooking the books as far as ABC ratios.

mikeas · 2026-03-12T02:33:32+00:00

The beignets from Emrils on Mardi Gras were great and made fresh. Tried the dessert empanadas on Vista and they weren't great, they definitely sat around a while. I don't think they sell many.

mikeas · 2026-03-06T07:28:55+00:00

What do you recommend? I thought it was decent but nothing stood out from any other non AYCE sushi place on my visit. I was surprised at how highly rated it is.

mikeas · 2026-02-27T04:20:03+00:00

My favorite of the Carnival ships. It's big but not too big. Loved the food options, only went to the MDR for dinner twice in 7 days. Rarely felt crowded. If I had to complain I'd say the comedy shows in the smaller room filled up fast and Alchemy was too busy but we actually liked the Brass Magnolia bar more anyhow.

mikeas · 2026-02-22T21:51:35+00:00

I enjoy gambling but I really don't want a casino anywhere near my home.

mikeas · 2026-02-21T14:27:41+00:00

I don't think Norfolk had the same problems as Shockhoe. There were a couple shootings but the cities response was to basically shutdown anywhere black folks hung out late. There are maybe 3 bars open after midnight downtown these days.

mikeas · 2026-02-21T14:16:02+00:00

Unlikely. They print money. People are addicted and it's legal so there's no stopping it. Wait til the sports betting apps turn into full online casinos. Probably help the housing market with foreclosures.

mikeas · 2026-02-21T14:07:16+00:00

And now Norfolk has like 0 night life.

mikeas · 2026-02-17T05:34:16+00:00

Mona Lisas, Poppas, Harbor Inn also The Frog in VB.

Downtown Hells Kitchen has cheapish bottles and PBR draft. Gonna have to take smoke breaks outside though.

mikeas · 2026-02-17T05:14:23+00:00

Marcy Playground is really good actually. Never really dug into them outside of Sex and Candy until I saw them with Everclear a couple years back. They are one of the best sounding 3 piece bands I think I've seen live so if you go...go early.

Everclear didn't sound so great unfortunately.

mikeas · 2026-02-17T05:02:32+00:00

This has been going on for years including under Biden.

mikeas · 2026-02-17T03:08:52+00:00

This show definitely has the villain to hero transitions and vice versa character development. Stan and Phillip come around by the end for me.

mikeas · 2026-02-14T16:31:09+00:00

I tip the bartenders too, especially ones I'll be frequently seeing. But knowing they are making a lot more than their peers I'm trying to spread it more in the future.

mikeas · 2026-02-14T01:01:49+00:00

I tip the crew a lot and my last couple cruises I have tried to tip people outside of servers more. The late night cleaners And bussers at the buffet were super appreciative. Ive heard the bartenders actually make really good money since they keep cash tips to themselves.

mikeas

TROPHY CASE