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TODAY

Tuesday, March 19

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Fuel

Andrew / February 9, 2007 12:24 AM

We're making dinner together on Sunday, rather than going out for dinner for the big day. Roasted duck breast is the main course; we'll figure out the rest this weekend.

peanut / February 9, 2007 12:26 AM

jack shit, my friend.

Dragonslayer / February 9, 2007 6:03 AM

Working. Probably followed by drinking. A lot.

printdude / February 9, 2007 7:47 AM

My Wife!

Caffeine Free / February 9, 2007 8:11 AM

This is our first (and probably only) Valentine's Day in New York. We've decided it's probably going to be insanely crowded at most, if not all, restaurants. So we settled on a Thai place by our apartment, hoping it's not flashy enough for most people.

lindzray / February 9, 2007 8:11 AM

wishing and hoping....

Mikey / February 9, 2007 8:34 AM

I've never been one to do much for V-Day, but...

This is our first together, and since she is often exhausted and stressed from raising a five-year-old as a single mom while also going to school, I've decided to surprise her with a mini-get-away...

So I booked a room with a lakeside view at the "W" Lakeshore hotel for this Saturday (a couple of weeks ago, I discreetly snagged one of her swimsuits so as to not ruin the surprise). I figure we'll spend the afternoon swimming/drinking/relaxing and then have dinner at Wave (also located in the hotel), followed by drinks in either of the two hotel lounges/night clubs...

So for an entire 24 hours over what will undoubtedly be another frigid weekend, we'll never once have to leave the premises...

Taylor / February 9, 2007 8:39 AM

I think it's asinine people need a special day to do something nice for their significant other.

-m / February 9, 2007 9:02 AM

Taylor, it's not that they need it. It's just an excuse to do it on the same day as everyone else, to celebrate being happy. And in love. And I'm preemptively calling BS on anyone who calls it a "Hallmark Holiday," as it's actually a Catholic saint's day.

I plan to be as completely cliched as possible. I asked for flowers and chocolate. We'll do dinner and a romcom movie. I'm so looking forward to it, because we do more creative nice things on the other 364 days.

P / February 9, 2007 9:03 AM

Nice. Seven posts in and we have our first unsolicited judgement.

doug / February 9, 2007 9:14 AM

I will think about the infamous massacre

C / February 9, 2007 9:17 AM

Wrigleyville bar crawl.

Mikey / February 9, 2007 9:18 AM

Taylor -

If you look at it that way, then every holiday is asinine...

Why do we need one day a year to be thankful for all of our blessings?

Why do we need one day a year to spend time with our loved ones and exchange gifts (not for the sake of commercialism, but in the true spirit of giving)?

And why do we need one day a year for women to dress slutty and naughty and get drunk while guys dress as whatever and get even drunker?

Because these days are fun, and give us all an excuse to step away from the mundane routine of our daily lives, and celebrate something bigger than all of that...

jennifer / February 9, 2007 9:24 AM

won't be celebrating vday until the weekend, when I head down to chicago to see my love. so, on the actual day, will likely be shivering in madison, finishing a fellowship application.

and just a side note...I never understand why some people hate valentine's day. my grandmother would always buy us little heart-shaped erasers and a little box of chocolates, to which we would wake up to. that's really why I love valentine's day...showing everyone you love that you, well, love them. we all need that reminder sometimes.

Carrie / February 9, 2007 9:47 AM

Ok, so I don't really enjoy balloons or teddy bears or the usual valentine's day stuff, but this is my first year with someone to celebrate with, so we're going out for a nice dinner and some wine and that's that! (do i get an award for best run-on sentence?)

skafiend / February 9, 2007 9:58 AM

I plan on going through the motions... candy, flowers, blah blah blah.

...and then thinking about the person I wish I was REALLY celebrating it with.

dan / February 9, 2007 10:01 AM

I'll be doing your mom this valentine's day. don't worry, i'll be gentle.

ken / February 9, 2007 10:23 AM

Dang, "your mom" comment has been taken.

How 'bout -
2 chicks at the same time!

Okay, seriously, The Whole Nine Yards of Stereotypical Valentine's Action with the future wife - From chocolate to dinner to something shiny to cheesy bedtime lingerie.

s / February 9, 2007 10:29 AM

we don't really celebrate valentines day, so i think the 14th will just be like any other day. on the 15th, however, i'll go stock up on all the 75% off valentines candy at walgreens and gorge myself on it for the rest of february. yep, that's my plan.

p / February 9, 2007 10:32 AM

a) none of your business. "the game is to be sold, not to be told", to quote the esteemed author IceBerg Slim.

b)i do not approve of the appropriation of the letter V or the shortening of Valentine's Day to V-Day. V-Day smacks of something relating to vagina awareness day or some such thing. And yes i am aware that this could be construed as applicable to this holiday. it certainly would be to my friend's uncle, who told me once that everything in life revolves around "it". he also said all women had scandelous intentions and are never to be trusted and certainly not loved. that's why he preferred the company of hookers because "they're the only honest women you'll ever meet." ROMANCE!!!

c)i do not approve of designating whatever you feel like with whatever nickname you see from another town and apply it for your own. There are ppl running around calling 300 towns "P-Town". No. Palatine is not P-Town. Peoria is. And Aurora is not "A-Town", because Atlanta is. That is all. Thank You.

d) if the "2 chicks" guy chimes in on this thread i will laugh because it sounds funny today for some reason.

Mo / February 9, 2007 10:34 AM

Skafiend, your post makes me want to cry...for you and for your probably oblivious stand-in.

I have mixed feelings about Val Day. It's great that people can celebrate together being happy and in love and get to show it unabashadly. But on the other hand, it can also make single and lonely people feel pretty crummy. (I know not all single people are lonely, but those are the ones who probably don't feel crummy...that's why I stipulated lonely.) I'm usually in this camp most years.

That being said, my friend is having a cupcake tea party at her art gallery that night, so I'll probably go to that.

Peter / February 9, 2007 10:39 AM

I plan to spend the day reading over the details of my insurance policy, giving away a few special possessions to friends, writing a note to my family, visiting a sporting goods store, spreading a tarp on the floor of my apartment.

You know, the usual Valentine's Day stuff.

SR / February 9, 2007 10:46 AM

sadly, nothing much.

Shasta MacNasty / February 9, 2007 10:51 AM

Tapas with friends! Not because of the holiday, but because it's the only evening we could get together for the month. Sangria for everyone!

Marilyn / February 9, 2007 10:55 AM

Jennifer - I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, we had to exchange valentines in school. Each kid would count their valentines. Naturally, the unpopular kids got very few. That's why some people hate the holiday. It was a humiliation in their youth.

Everyday is great with my husband. Valentine's Day will be more of the same. He already gave me some beautiful micromosaic jewelry yesterday just beacuse he saw it. I've got the best fella in the universe.

Hal / February 9, 2007 11:00 AM

99% sure I'll be cooking dinner for my man at home.

Because that way, I get to have my fettucini alfredo with poached salmon (flaked and tossed in the pasta and sauce). Probably both of our favorite meal, with the bonus of being a) easy and b) appropriately pink.

eep / February 9, 2007 11:04 AM

That morning I will find the most obnoxious e-cards possible to send to my sister for Valentine's Day. She always gets me first, so I'm hoping I can at least out-obnoxious her. Heh.

That evening I'm getting off work early to meet up with my boyfriend, as we're taking off to Schaumberg to go to Mideval Times. Woooo! It's so cheeseball fabulous, I love it. We can go out to a nice dinner any day of the week, but this is something I'll actually remember. And it's not the usual Valentine's Day shtick, so this makes this even more fun.

For the record, this is the first time since college I've had someone to share Valentine's Day with. But for the past however many years, I've spent the day either with friends I love, or having dinner with my parents and grandma. It doesn't have to be about romantic love, you know. Platonic or familial love counts, too.

Allan / February 9, 2007 11:08 AM

Well I lost 30 pounds so I am feeling pretty sexy. I suppose working my man sausage is an option but that is not very romantic. Gorging on Popeyes chicken is tempting but job loss has impaired my spending habits but facilitated my weight loss. Buying myself a box of chocolates just isn't my style but within my budget. However I did see a nice teddy bear holding a heart at Walgreens the other day. Ah hell...working the man sausage it is. The hell with romance! I can't wait to hear what Spook is doing. She's so crazy and militant. I am sure whatever it is she is bound to predictably offend and outrage. Happy Valentines day baby.

emyduck / February 9, 2007 11:25 AM

on the actual day: getting together with a girlfriend because my husband will be busy making a feb 15 deadline.

we'll celebrate next weekend. i get flowers and gifts often enough, and we've been together long enough to get past the gushiness of the holiday. i'm just looking forward to the first real date we've had in a long time next weekend.

skafiend / February 9, 2007 11:29 AM

P.... quoting Iceberg Slim in connection with Valentine's Day is inspired/profane/funny as hell.

Mo... yeah, it's like that sometimes. I blew it with the one I love (never thought I'd meet her so wasn't prepared for it), so I'm with someone else. And there's no point in telling her this, so it's best she remain "oblivious". Wouldn't it be cruel to tell someone "You know, you're my favorite second choice."? Not that I'm anyone's prize myself.

Anyway...

Allen... do they sell Valentine's Day cards that say, "...to my favorite man sausage..."?

Blagg the Axman / February 9, 2007 11:55 AM

Since my time as a boy in a monastery orphanage , the tradition of saints’ days has confounded me. That first night I laid on the cold, stiff bed I prayed to Vectrojha, patron saint of wind and swift vengeance, to deliver justice and succor to me after the violent deaths of my parents at the claws of bugbears. Yet no answer did I receive, not that night, not any. Soon my nascent faith shriveled, died, and faded as I toiled in the kitchens and fields. When I occasioned to hear another boy praying to a saint, I shook my head and turned away in disgust. When in service we raised up our hands in praise, I moved my lips, but no words did I utter. Hokum and rubbish, the lot of it.

lm / February 9, 2007 12:00 PM

I'd like to send Blagg a valentine.

In honor of St. Valentine, patron saint of political prisoners, I'll be visiting Amnesty International's webiste and sending some letters and emails in support of political prisoners around the globe.

fluffy / February 9, 2007 12:16 PM

I will be attending the party in my pants. I already RSVP'd.

Lody / February 9, 2007 12:21 PM

Hopefully getting some... it's been awhile and my b/f has no idea what he's in for... (evil grin).

Your Mom / February 9, 2007 12:25 PM

Leave me out of this.

b / February 9, 2007 12:40 PM

p- the only p-town that i've ever heard of is provincetown massachusetts. and considering it was the first place that the pilgrims set foot in the 'new world', i would assume that all subsequent p-towns are unoriginal.

Lex / February 9, 2007 1:16 PM

This is the first year in my 31 years of living that I have a valid Valentine and I am really happy - not that I have a Valentine, but that there is someone really awesome to spend it with.

The boy who gave me a box of candied hearts in the first grade gave me my best Valentines present, but I thought boys were icky at the time.

Going to the CSO and then out for a quick bite.

Skafiend, are you legally bound to the person you are with?

roderick / February 9, 2007 1:20 PM

Yes, I agree that the only P-town is Provincetown.

I'll be waiting for my fiancee to call me to pick her up from another 16 hour work day. Whee.

4point44 / February 9, 2007 1:24 PM

i'll be laughing. all the way to the bank.

Mo / February 9, 2007 1:42 PM

Skafiend:
"I blew it with the one I love (never thought I'd meet her so wasn't prepared for it)"

I'm curious what this means. Will you explain? And yes, it would be cruel to let your current g/f in on the secret. I'd say that happens all the time, that the one you are with isn't your first choice, and you may not be her first choice. But I guess the sad part for her would be that you're still pining for the other. I would hope that if I were my hypothetical b/f's 2nd choice, that eventually he'd realize how awesome I am and forget about the other. And if he didn't, I'd move on, because no one wants to remain 2nd choice, even if that's how they started.

are you sure there's no chance with this other girl?

oh, and back on topic, regardless of how I feel about Val Day, I always send flowers to my grandma and mom on Feb 14, and florists on Val Day are the biggest rip-off ever.

p / February 9, 2007 1:44 PM

ah, indeed, b- sounds like p-town, MA rests in an actionable position. i'll send some cease&desist notices to "southern-illinois." Although it's possible that the moundbuilders of cahokia lay an earlier claim with a village's name i can't recall. I'll research some old n.a. history texts. also-it 's entirely possible that our own city's nickname of Shy-Town has it's origins in allan's pants.

and ska-pone- thanks. any occasion (much like love) to celebrate the works of iceberg slim is a wonderful gift. Airtight Willie And Me is one of the greatest short-story collections i've come across. Truly a welcome patch on the quilt of americana. A GB Book Club featuring one of his works would not be at all out of line. I used to do readings of his works in my apt. and it always went super. I believe my roommate peed on himself once after "be gone you flat-backin' alabaster jasper."

and don't be scared of candlelight and settin' the mood right. nice dinners are great and should be engaged in but if you have no $ buy a candle and talk silky. despite big daddy kane's assertion that "a romance with no finance is a damn nuisance," romance does not reside in the wallet but in the minds and hearts of those intent on the happiness of another. Put on some velvet teddy bear sounds or perhaps the velvet fog mel torme and make passionate love to 2 chicks at the same time, or someone who, rightly so, enjoys fettuchini and poached salmon, or your current gf while secretly thinking of someone else, or the best fella in the universe, or to yourself, or your wife who likes duck (put some raspberry chipolte sauce on the side there playa), or a stressed baby-mama (your plans sound awesome), or, of course, with my mom.

i cant believe these people are going to make me sit at this desk for 3 more hours...

Love,
p

Miz M / February 9, 2007 2:12 PM

V103 Vday Slow Jam featuring Kem at the Cadillac Theater. Haaaaaaay!

skafiend / February 9, 2007 2:40 PM

Skafiend, are you legally bound to the person you are with?

No.

"I blew it with the one I love (never thought I'd meet her so wasn't prepared for it)"

I'm curious what this means. Will you explain?

Well, as far as the "wasn't prepared for it" thing: all my (young) adult life I was convinced I never wanted to get married or have kids. Wanted to be "free and easy" my whole life. So when I met this woman, just figured this was someone else I was dating. Didn't take it seriously (wanted to do my thing when I wanted to, etc.). Only after the final breakup (about a year and a half ago) did I realize this was the person I wanted to spend "the rest of my life with" etc., etc. etc. Of course it was too late.

are you sure there's no chance with this other girl?

Tried to see if that was possible, to explain that I "get it" now and that I'm serious. Ready to pour my heart out. About two months ago. Got cut off before I really even started. "No." Felt like dying right there.

Boy all of that sounds like a cliche....

I'm seeing the other person because... well, I don't know for sure.

My biggest fear is seeing her with someone else that she really likes (loves). Holding hands, kissing, married, etc. ... she lives not too far from me so it's a good chance it could happen... I'm pretty sure it would hurt more than anything I've ever felt. It already does.

"Eternal Sunshine of the Sp0tless Mind" doesn't seem like such a stupid "chick flick" to me anymore...

Anyway... happy Valentine's Day

miss casual / February 9, 2007 2:46 PM

hopefully getting extravagant gifts and professions of undying love from a myriad of smart, handsome, witty admirers.

probably drinking a bottle of champagne with my favorite single people and falling asleep early.

practical spence / February 9, 2007 3:05 PM

Taking the old lady to Mon Ami Gambi on a $100 gift certificate card I won at a Christmas party. Also, I'll probably buy her an appliance ...you know, something that really shows how much I love her for less than $50.

RN / February 9, 2007 3:38 PM

Seeing Midlake at Schuba's!

Lex / February 9, 2007 4:05 PM

Skafiend, I admire you for trying to get her back. It's a bitter pill, but at least you tried.

skafiend / February 9, 2007 4:32 PM

Lex...

thanks

tony / February 9, 2007 4:34 PM

On the subject of grade school Valentine's Days past:

I Choo-Choo-Choose You!

JB / February 9, 2007 4:37 PM

Skafiend:
I was in a similar situation a few years ago. While I never got over the love or friendship I had with the person I "blew it" with, being with him taught me not simply about the types of things that I appreciated in a man, but more importantly, about the kind of partner that I wanted to be.

I tried hard to put those lessons in practice with other men (to no avail--it was like watching a two-year long parade of douchebags), and in the meantime he fell in love with someone else.

At some not-very-discernible point after that, I accepted that he was happy and that I was grateful for having had the chance to be with such an incredible, mature, emotionally generous and loving man.

A couple months later, I met someone who had strikingly similar positive qualities and, a few more of his own to add to that!

I'm finally in love again.

I hope you soon will be too.


skafiend / February 9, 2007 5:05 PM

JB...

thanks. I'll keep that in mind. It's just hard to realize that you had the perfect person for you and now it's gone and never coming back. And I can't do that "we can still be friends" stuff. Not that I'm bitter (far from it). It's just that I can't sit there and laugh and joke and sit that close to her and act like everything cool and not be able to hold on to her for as long as I can. She understood me. She "got me". No one else has so far...

Anyway... It's Friday and it's 5 o'clock. Time to go home...thanks for all the advice/support

Peace out

Leelah / February 9, 2007 6:57 PM

Going out with the girls... it's what I've done the past few years (since boys stopped liking me.)

Kim / February 9, 2007 11:03 PM

My lovely boyfriend is cooking a surprise dinner for me for the second year in a row. Last year's affair involved chocolate fondue and homemade bread. Who knows what this year has in store?

President of the Most Practical Gift Club / February 10, 2007 9:51 AM

practical spence, I think I found your appliance store:

http://www.early2bed.com/

Satisfaction guaranteed!

Nayru / February 10, 2007 12:43 PM

Nothing. My b/f already made it very clear to me that he doesn't participate in any Valentine's Day-related giftbuying or restaurant visiting as he thinks of it as a superfluous celebration. Which leaves me wondering why I tend to fall for guys like him, this being already my second anti-Valentine match while I, as the romantic soul I consider myself to be, would be pleasently surprised by a small gesture like a single flower. Too cheesy perhaps?

jasmine / February 10, 2007 1:05 PM

Flosstradamus with Matt & Kim at Subterranean. I've always wanted to see Floss. and M&K is one of my current favorites.

I'm pretty excited, actually.

jaye / February 10, 2007 2:08 PM

my honey and i are going to mccormick and schmicks for an early dinner and then to see boney james @ the chicago theatre and then shakin our tails.

JT / February 10, 2007 4:24 PM

I do ask my husband to participate in Valentine's Day, only because while he's mentally romantic, he doesn't tend to make gestures.

That said, I'm easy about it. I'm perfectly happy to spend an evening with some take-out dinner and a DVD. Unfortunately, he's working a lot so I'm guessing he won't be home for us to do anything together.

I did buy him his favorite treat (dark chocolate), and might find some goofy little thing to pick up; either that or framed picture of our kids for his desk.

And I'm Momming the Valentine's Day parties at my kid's schools, so it will be a fest of puffy heart stickers and junk food for all!

michael / February 10, 2007 9:25 PM

Nothing short of the best for my baby....

more of the same.

Same as it ever was.

missmolly / February 10, 2007 9:39 PM

going to a private party early and going to a local bar a little later with friends. should be a good time!!!

v-tines day is overrated and lame...and not just because i am single.

nu / February 11, 2007 12:04 PM

Probably yelling at my boyfriend for something that's not his fault. Should be fun.

eliina / February 11, 2007 8:24 PM

Also going to the Matt and Kim show at Subterranean. Woot!

Meems / February 11, 2007 8:54 PM

Going to a restaurant called Chianti in my new city San Diego, and entertaining my boyfriend with something I picked up at Frederick's of Hollywood over the weekend when I went to LA (weird freakin city).

Crobar / February 11, 2007 10:51 PM

Valentines? Sit outside my ex-girlfriend's window all night long, with a bucket of KFC (original recipe).

christian / February 12, 2007 9:18 AM

Most likely I will be working all day doing what ever it is that I do, then I'll make my way home through the frozen tundra to read some books and such.

Or cleaning my WWII era sniper rifles, whichever feels right.

ChicagoJman / February 12, 2007 11:47 AM

Ok, I'll be the first to throw the idea out there. I'm single, have no plans, and it's pissing me off. Anyone want to meet up and comiserate? I'll buy the first round!

emmy / February 12, 2007 12:04 PM

Don't tend to have a good track record on that day.

My parents got divorced on Valentine's Day when I was in 4th grade. Literally, at the court screaming at each other over money on Feb 14. And although I'm no longer bitter about their divorce, I'm still a little 'eh' about the day. The next year we were in a car accident. And a couple years ago an ex called me to tell me how terrible of a person I was. Not real fun.

I think I'm just gonna lay low.

Jen / February 12, 2007 2:47 PM

My friend and I (we're both single) are Inviting some friends over....I think some of you know them:

Jack Daniels and a couple of nice guys named Ben&Jerry.

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