Ask Eric: Valentine's Day and eggs

Editor's Note: Ask Eric is an advice column published every Tuesday. Anonymous questions are taken from this Google form. Questions are also taken both from The Collegian's Instagram, @thecollegianur, and via email, collegianaskeric@gmail.com. 

Hello all,

Well, here we are, another week, another column. Though this week is rather special because it is the week of the best holiday of the year, Valentine’s Day. Okay, so maybe it is not the best holiday, but I actually like Valentine’s Day, much to the surprise of all the people that know me. I think it is nice that people have picked a day to use as an excuse for expressing their love to others. While I am aware that the whole chocolate and flowers and cards thing is totally made up, I still think it is cute. I mean, I like flowers and chocolate, so this holiday is right up my alley. 

If you are one of those people who hates Valentine’s Day, buy something for yourself. To quote Lizzo, “I’m my own soul mate” and such. So let’s get in the holiday spirit by answering some questions, almost none of which have to do with love of any kind.

What should I give my girlfriend for Valentine's Day?

Something she likes. Okay, maybe that is a bit too short of an answer. But in all seriousness, getting something for someone that they will enjoy is the number one, and maybe only, rule of gift-giving. Flowers and chocolate and all of that normal stuff are fine if your girlfriend likes that sort of thing. If she doesn’t, look for something else. Get a big teddy bear, or socks if she likes them. If you have been listening to the things she likes for the previous days of the year it should be fairly easy to find a gift. If you have not, well, buy some chocolate and pray that she isn’t allergic. Side note, this advice applies for guys as well. I know most people don’t ask what a guy’s favorite flower is, but at least I like getting flowers and the like. So if you have a boyfriend, girlfriend, or some sort of significant other, get them what they like.

Thoughts on OJ?

I am personally a huge fan of orange juice. I do not drink it that often because for the most part coffee has taken over as my choice of morning drink, but I enjoy a nice glass of orange juice every now and then. Though the taste of orange juice after you have just brushed your teeth is, in my opinion, the greatest punishment for original sin that God has seen fit to smite us all with. 

Superbowl 2023 prediction?

At some point in the game, there will be some throwing, maybe some running, a little bit of kicking and a lot of advertising. 

I am going to the VMFA, what should I see?

The VMFA has a lot of exhibits that are always changing. That being said, right now there are a lot of things to go and see. I have been to VMFA probably about five times now. I think one of the most interesting ongoing exhibits is the Fabergé egg exhibit. For how few Fabergé eggs there are in the world, the VMFA has a fairly large number of them. I personally am not a huge art person, other than the history behind it, but from what I understand the 20th century art on display in the VMFA is rather good. My biggest suggestion is to block out an extremely large part of your day and go through the entire museum. You will not regret it. 

Well, that is all for me this week. Remember to keep sending in questions. The more you send, the more likely I am to answer them. As always, if you are having serious problems I suggest you contact CAPS. Finally, remember to take care of yourselves this week. I know we all get busy and sometimes it is easier to let our own wants and needs fall by the wayside. Once this happens it can be hard to pick ourselves back up. So I say drink some water, go to bed early, eat more than one meal a day and do something fun. 

Stay golden,

Eric Bossert 

Contact columnist Eric Bossert at eric.bossert@richmond.edu.