What other dungeon is so dark as one's own heart. What jailer so inexorable as one's self? -Nathaniel Hawthorne

Valentines Day. Bird's least favorite holiday. Most people who know the bird, know that I dislike this day. In fact, hate it. I have been single and coupled on many many valentines days but have always refused to celebrate it. There is just something that feels slimy about it all. Maybe it is the cheap stuffed animals and silk flowers, the crumbly chocolate and cheesy cards.

My argument against this holiday is that it is so commercialized. It isnt even about love, but about how you can get laid that night. About what you can buy so that you wont end up on the couch (does this turn into a couch??). It is about running to the store at 5:15 on your way home from work and picking up the last set of sorry looking flowers and picking out the first card that says, "To My Love." It is guys spending hundreds of dollars on a special night that, no matter how great, will never live up to his woman's expectations. It is about feeling like trash if you are single. Throwing parties with the "i am proud to be single" theme but really, deep down hoping against all hope that something special and magical happens.

Munpe Q asked me, how is this different then xmas. I reply that xmas has a back story to it. "So, Valentines Day doesnt?" No...of course not. So he tells me....google you jackass. No, he doesnt say that. But he should have.

The History of Valentines Day a nice little article written by the folks at the History Channel (and not one mention of world war I or II if you can believe it!). I wont go into it all here, read the story it is good, but suffice it to say, there is a back story. Several really...and some of them are very quaint.

Perhaps you are right Q. Maybe V-day doesnt have to be about giving roses and candy to your sweetheart. Maybe it can be a day to celebrate loved ones in your life. Whether they be sisters, or brothers, or good friends. The idea of reaching out and telling someone in your life that you appreciate them. That you are happy they are part of your world. That is something I can get behind.

And so, in a bold and daring move...i am going to semi-celebrate the dreaded v-day. There is still a strict ban on all things red and pink. On all heart shaped crap. On fancy dinners and goofy carriage rides. It will be a day celebrated with words only. Just a small tiny gesture that lets people in my life know that I care about them.

A tip to boys interested in courting that special lady. Dont do as the Romans do " the boys then sliced the goat's hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips."

Just gross...