Valentine’s Day was rather fun when I was a munchkin. Valentine’s Day was a pleasant little holiday. Its vivid reds, pinks, and whites helped the gray monotony of February. We had simple cards which we would drop into gaily decorated paper bags that were taped to our school desks. We could pick and choose our Valentine’s recipients (I recall giving a large heart to Eric R. – unsigned of course). For a treat, we had those little chalky hearts – you know the type – the ones with blurry pink writing saying such things as ‘hot stuff’ and ‘you cutie’.
Alas, Valentine’s Day became another “guilt holiday” when people are expected to provide expensive gifts and outings to show how much they love you. You are obliged to put out. I feel for the men who look glum trying to make sure they are ‘doing enough’. Their emotion is not happiness, it is ” I got to get this enough and right or she(or he) will kill me”. And the dinner better be awesome.
No fun in this.
Someone and I agreed we won’t be doing V-Day. Some of this is economics; some of this is the decision we don’t have to buy something to express love. We will order some carry-out and watch a campy lovey-dovey movie. Later, if we are not too tired, we may pantomime the story of Cupid and Psyche.
Happy Valentine’s Day to Spo-fans far and near, male and female, young and old.
17 comments
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February 13, 2009 at 7:07 AM
Jason
Happy VD Spo!
February 13, 2009 at 7:19 AM
A Lewis
Oh yes, I remember those little candies…do they still make them??? We’d giggle and laugh at whatever little saying they had on them. Happy VD, boys. Happy VD to you both.
February 13, 2009 at 7:27 AM
Ultra Dave
Finally some naked male flesh on Spo’s blog! Happy Valentine’s Day y’all.
February 13, 2009 at 7:54 AM
Shawn
Happy Valentines to SPO and all in SPO land!
February 13, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Raybob
Happy Valentine’s!
Wonder of wonders: my ex is taking me to Atlanta to see the Hilliard Ensemble 🙂 Not exactly a V-day present; it just happened to fall on tomorrow’s date. But I’ll take it!
February 13, 2009 at 9:54 AM
tigeryogiji
“Pantomime”?
Is that what they’re calling it these days? 😉
February 13, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Peter
Is that you fleeing the bed or are you stepping in and close the curtain at the same time?! Happy V-Day to S & M
February 13, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Peter
Oops now it sound like S&M, I mean Someone & Micheal 😉
February 13, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Greg C
A very Happy Valentine’s Day to you and to Someone.
February 13, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Laurie
No one has to buy my love, either.
That being said, I was quite thrilled today when the high school cheerleaders came in and sang to me and gave me a bag of candy and a note from “anonymous”.
🙂
February 13, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Mark
Whatever. Happy V day and blah blah. I’ve been single for ten years. Not bitter!
February 13, 2009 at 3:04 PM
rodger
You know…with your new MAC you can stream that pantomime. Just a thought.
Happy Valentine’s Day Spo!
February 13, 2009 at 5:43 PM
BentonQuest
Happy Valentine’s Day to You and Someone!
February 13, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Cameron
Happy Valentine’s!
Wow, your paragraph about writing valentines to your classmates really brings back memories! I had a lot of fun with that in elementary school. Then somehow it all stopped in Junior High. Everyone got so self-conscious and it wasn’t “cool” to send valentines any more.
Did you ever make “Valentine People” by cutting out a huge heart from red construction paper, then draw a face on it, then fold four long narrow strips of white paper one way and then another (like an accordion) for the arms and legs?
I can still smell the paste! Lots of my classmates loved to EAT it. 😛
February 14, 2009 at 12:05 AM
wcs
I totally agree with you about manufactured holidays and manufactured expectations for actual holidays. Yuck.
I think that if you spend most of the year demonstrating your love, there’s no reason get all stressed over one particular day.
Especially one that has been appropriated and twisted not only by the Catholic Church, but also by the church of American capitalism.
Whew, I’m glad I’m able to be so restrained with my opinions…
February 14, 2009 at 7:21 AM
Heather
You are the winner Spo!
Although check your email, there was an issue.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Oh and I had the contest pinned to the top of the blog, I even said so in bright red letters. The new stuff was below! *L*
February 17, 2009 at 8:38 AM
Steven
I always saw Valentine’s Day as a child’s holiday. As if it was a holiday that “helped us” say we cared for someone without being able to find the words to do so. 🙂 Hope you had an enjoyable one, regardless!