Tales from the Steppes

2004-02-11

12:27 p.m.
VD stands for venereal disease or...

I am definitely of two minds on the whole Valentine's Day thing. I think the opinions could be charecterized as the concept and the practice of what has become a Hallmark moment.

I don't think the ideas behind Valentine's Day are so horrible. I think most of us get caught up in our daily lives and do not take the time to reflect upon the meaning of our Significant Others. So being reminded once a year to move beyond the mundane isn't so bad. And for those of us that actually are romantics, it allows us to express ourselves at least once a year without fear of disdain. I mean it's ok, it's just for Valentine's Day. The recipient can easily minimize whatever they are being presented with, whether it be romantic or frivolous. Definitely a B-list holiday, but still not bad. Compared to President's Day, it down right rocks.

But then there is the sorry reality of the day. It has been twisted into an excuse to buy, buy, buy. Cards, flowers, jewelry, chocolate, etc etc.

Especially the card thing. What gives with all the mandatory cards? I understand that the school systems don't want any child to feel bad, but this is ridiculous. Over the next two nights, I have to make certain that I have ~150 cards signed and addressed. That is 30 in YM's daycare, 30 in MM's school class, 30 in MM's afterschool class, 30 in EM's school class, 30 in EM's afterschool class. These are the compulsory cards. Are they exchanging cards at ballet on Friday? Don't know yet.

I have at least two batches of rice krispy treats to make for various parties on Friday. Friday night, I will escort at _least_ five children the Valentine's Day Dance at the school. Where I will stand around and try and look like I am enjoying myself. This is after a morning at work, afternoon at school, and evening feeding all of these kids. But I am a patsy and will do it. Maybe a beer with dinner will ease the pain of hearing Britney Spears and 'NSYNC blared at loud volumes.

After all of this, I am supposed to feel romantic? I don't think so. I think the only odes I will be writing will be to birth control.

The funny thing is that I am a fairly romantic person and if this holiday can make me feel this forced, it seems that people that are not naturally romantic might feel like a gun is to their head.

This year I have bought the SU an Edward Tufte poster on the cognitive style of Powerpoint (http://www.edwardtufte.com), very funny, and a viking kitten tshirt (http://users.wolfcrews.com/toys/vikings/). Not very romantic, but then he doesn't like that sort of thing at all. He would probably prefer that I get him a garage door opener to roses. Sigh. I suppose I will paint or draw his card to satisfy myself, but chances are good it will not mean any more to him than if I were to go buy one. But we'll see. He has surprised me before.(And no, he isn't reading this. While he knows that I have a blog somewhere, he has no idea where. So don't tell him.)