Actually celebrating Valentine's Day!

This year I wanted to spread some happy and participate in the "holiday" in a genuine yet non-commercial way. I really wanted write personalised poems and do nice cards for people at work, like Katy did in What Katy Did. But poetry is hard. I tried the lazy option and tried to google some poetry, but no results. Finally yesterday, plotting with H about how to distribute Lindt balls most effectively, I thought that all we have to do is write "Roses are red, violets are blue" and then 2 short lines, for each person. On a pink heart stapled to a chocolate. For example, mine is

Roses are red
Rhyming is stupid
Orthodontists are cruel
Yay chocolate

H got
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Verisimilitude is cool
And you’re decent enough

S got
Roses are red
Nerds are cool
Waistcoats are awesome
And so are you

M got
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
Your backpack’s very big, isn’t it?

And so on. Some were sweet, some were in-jokes, depending on the person. I'm pretty proud of us. It's a fun way to do Valentines as a single person and it's not about being bitter or anti-commercialization. Even if a "holiday" is stupid, an affectionate gesture isn't, and it's nice not to be left out.

Puma Love Run

Puma Love Run. Meet someone fit. The weekend before Valentine's Day. Love the concept!

Wanted: Rental Boyfriend for Lunar New Year

I saw this article in the New York Times about a Chinese girl advertising for a boyfriend to take home for the Lunar New Year. So timely given that the Lunar New Year's Day and Valentine's Day fall on the same date this year.

I hope my parents don't ever give me that much grief that I would resort to those kind of tactics. But I hope I wouldn't. I would feel uncomfortable about the deception and dishonesty, but understand the lengths people go to stop other people's nagging!

(H/T to Alex for the article.)

Being a thoughtful couple

As I crossed the Harbour Bridge tonight by train, I thought, "If I were married, I would celebrate Valentine's Day the day before and spend V Day with a whole bunch of friends (single and married) so nobody would feel left out."

This year for me, Chinese New Year trumps Valentine's Day (well, CNY trumps everything). Next year, perhaps, we'll take the opportunity to get friends together.

Position Vacant: Valentine.

This temporary position, starting on the 14 February 2010 and finishing on the 15th of that same month, is ideally suited to a single man of good faith.

The applicant must possess good communication skills, an eye for the colour red, and a willingness to make a girl feel special. Displays of chivalry much appreciated.

Send your application by email to jelssie@fastmail.fm. Each application should include a 50 word description of your proposed Valentine tribute.

Applications close 9am on 13th February 2010.

If no suitable applicant is found, the position will be awarded to Elsie's mars bar slice in heart-shaped tin.

Vicarious Valentine.

It is impossible to avoid noticing V Day. I always fantasise a little bit about receiving a big bunch of flowers, or something poetic from an anonymous admirer*, or anything of a Valentiney nature… nothing ever happens.

So since there is no fun to be had with a real Valentine, "we shall have to be philosophers, Mary," and make our own blog fun!

Here is some sensible advice you girls might like to remember:

"It is face powder to catch them, and baking powder to keep them."

So simple! Things were perhaps much easier in the 50s.

Stay tuned for more!

*although I have spent this year spurning the poems and tributes of an unwanted weirdo admirer, so if I did receive something anonymous I would be cross and suspicious.