Valentine's Day, Feb. 13Bth, and 8ft Teddy Bears.

[jackofallgeeks]

So it's Valentine's day.

I'm always a little bit amused by the significance that this day gets.
There's *a lot* of commercial attention, a bit of positive attention, and
mostly negative attention in my experience. One of my friends even referred
(half-jokingly, I'm sure) to today as February the 13B-th. I heard a
commercial on the radio that started out saying how nice it is to get your
sweetheart a diamond something on Valentine's day and ended with the
announcer yelling about how you're making him look bad. "Diamonds," it
said, "for when you care enough to royally screw your friends." I have to
admit being a little amused.

My trouble is that it just seems to get over-blown. I mean, stop and think
about that commercial for a second: diamonds? For Valentine's Day? Why? I
mean, aren't diamonds, you know, the sort of thing you get for an
engagement? Or a 50th wedding anniversary? Chocolates, sure, if she likes
them. Flowers have the same deal. Did you know there's a company that goes
around delivering 8ft teddy-bears? Who *wants* an 8ft teddy-bear? (That's
rhetorical, I don't really want to know.) And yeah, getting dressed up and
going out to dinner, and fawning over each other can be nice, but... I
mean, I guess, my point is, why today? Why not, you know, whenever?

A friend recently congratulated someone on their birthday for "completing
another dizzying lap around the sun." Valentine's day sometimes feels that
absurd.

Another friend has reclaimed the day as Love Day, and she takes time today
to remember and acknowledge everyone she loves. And I think that's valid
(though I'll keep the name "Valentine's Day"; I'm a traditionalist). I
would like to now name everyone I love by name, alphabetically. But I
won't. Because I'm sure to miss someone, and wow the drama, ne?

Plus, I have a meeting in five minutes.

Anyways, for better or worse, single or attached, with or without diamonds,
candy, or an 8ft teddy-bear, I hope you all have a good day today. And next
Tuesday, for no particular reason at all.

Comments

[bsgnome.livejournal.com]

Well, personally, (Saint) Valentine's Day is just another feast-day which I tend to ignore.

The name Valentine (LT Valentinus) is a form of Valentius, which literally means "Strong (One)".

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there are at least three Saint Valentines (all martyrs) listed in early Church martyrologies under the date of February 14th. Of these, next to nothing definite is known of any of them.

It seems that the traditions of St Valentine's Day extend from before Christianity altogether, as, apparently, it was believed that it was on February 14th that the birds began to pair, and so (birds being ominous) it was a fortuitous day for lovers. It just so happens that a saint (or three) named Valentine was martyred on this day.

For that reason (St Valentine's martyrdom) the day is St Valentine's Day, and for the other (the pairing of birds) it is (if you will) Love Day.

All that said, I'm perfectly willing to wish you a Happy Feast-Day, but as for the rest ... peh, it's fluff.