Current mood: Full of cynicism
Music Playing: The Decemberists, Picaresque
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a Valentines celebration just as much as anyone, who wouldn't a day full of love, gifts, chocolate and sex!? Because that’s all this fictitious holiday is about. Unfortunately, there are the occasional Valentines Day's where you can't help but play the devils advocate, be an ultimate cynic, and bash on this day of "love."
Things were much easier when we were kids; you made or purchased your valentines cards that you very carefully put inside the special valentines day pouches that you made to attach to the front of your desk, and of course you made a very special card and included some very special candy for that cute guy/girl that you had a crush on. Everything was butterflies and roses, and there wasn't any heartbreak or money wasted on expensive, ruinous Valentines plans.
It's really quite disgusting when you think about it, how commercialized Valentines day is (or should I say extortion day); even in our youth, we are supposed to buy candy and cards for our schoolmates. Now as adults, the sky is the limit; chocolate, lingerie, flowers, jewelry, candles, and expensive dinners. It is as if Valentines is the one-day out of the year where everyone has an opportunity to be the greatest, most charming lover. What about the other 364 days out of the year? You can be a total asshole boyfriend, but some how, on this one-day in February, you become prince charming because you got some flowers and dinner reservations at her favorite French bistro in town. Don't get me wrong here...I am the epitome of a hopeless romantic and I've had my share of big, romantic surprises, but the difference is, I would go out of my way to try and one up myself each time I did something, regardless of whether it was Valentines day or not. How about surprising her on say a Tuesday in the middle of November!? But the majority of you assholes out there make out like bandits by remembering that your girlfriend likes roses? Give me an f'ing break! Her favorite flower isn't roses, its lilies, but you get away with roses, cause its Valentines day! And don't think I've forgotten about you ladies...you act as if this is a holiday for you, all you need to do is to show up, accept the flowers and put something sexy on at the end of the night. Lets not forget that according to general research on dating behavior, the period between the December holidays and Valentine's Day is National Break-up Season when people are more than twice as likely to think about breaking up than at any other time of the year, so Valentines day works as a make or break day for lovers... but then again, even if your lover is capable of pulling off some sort of romantic feat, it's all just a ruse, a temporary fix to your already diminishing relationship. (Ouch that one hurt... but alas, tis true)
On a side note, I have to applaud Victoria's Secret for their strategically placed ad during the Super Bowl. The bowl is always the first week of February, which is just weeks before V-day; if you're going to exploit the commercialism of the holiday, at least make the effort of some marketing genius to understand that there are millions of dumb asses out there, who have yet to plan ahead for V-day.
I don't present this cynicism for the simple fact that I have no one to spoil this Valentines Day, it's because it truly is a holiday that has become overly exploited by the United States marketplace. I challenge you to do something incredibly romantic and memorable for your partner without spending a fortune; without flowers, without chocolate; do something original and see how much more appreciated it is received, because sometimes it's the simplest things that make the greatest impact. Flowers wither, and candy will rot your teeth, so where’s the romance in that?
What would Saint Valentine (or Valentine's I should say) think of all this madness of credit card tenders at Hallmarks, See's and florists across the nation? According to thebostonchannel.com American males will spend an average $135.66 on V-day related items this year, while women will spend $68.64. Some sources say the Valentine linked to romance is Valentine of Rome, others say Valentine of Terni; either way, the holiday was established for Christian martyrs named Valentine, and there were in fact 11 recognized Valentines day by the Catholic church. The day only became associated with romantic love in the circle of Chaucer, during the tradition of courtly love, "For this was on seynt Volantynys day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [choose] his make [mate]."-Chaucer, Parlement of Foules.
On this day, also know as "Singles awareness day," I will celebrate the fact that I have something pink to enjoy...Brut Rose of course!
