Valentine's Day and The Black Death

We are fast approaching one of the most paper-wasteful of the Hallmark holidays on our calendar. A day that is not remembered by what was given or received, but by how those gifts compare to what others get around you. A day founded during The Middle Ages, an era that started off well, but ended with the Black Death, war and economic strife. A day thought to have been based on a the story of Saint Valentine, who was rejected by his mistress and was so heartbroken, he stabbed himself in the chest and sent his "still-beating heart" to her to show is "undying" love. Ironic, and a bit disgusting, but this is why we send heart-shaped crap to one another, as a tribute to the Temple of Doom-like gesture that Saint Valentine so thoughtfully acted out.

It is approximated that nearly one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, which makes Valentine's Day the second largest greeting card holiday of the year, only second to my birthday. It is also estimated that men spend twice as much money than women each year on this holiday. While I think commercialization is important, and responsible for most of my better physical features, I can't imagine what other gifts aside from chocolate, roses, heart-shaped boxes, jewelry and mixed tapes (is that just me?) they are going to have to push this year to try and get men to throw money away on such nuisances, when they can barely pay for their own necessities these days.

I do believe a romantic thought or two should be applied to this upcoming Saturday, February 14th, especially if done with originality (and includes a ten-pack tanning package), but this year, V-Day is gonna be a tough day for everyone. Given how hard I work at looking busy in the office, I need to save that little cash I do make, as do our men, so my vote is to forgo a lavish love fest this year, and go back to the small stuff, the little things that used to matter like fondue and feety-pajamas.

Feeling warm and fuzzy this year doesnt have to cost much, involve ripping out your still-beating heart and mailing it to your date, nor does it have to involve a mixed tape because where the hell do you find a tape deck anymore? This year, during a spiraling recession, late Middle Ages-like Valentine's Day, it should be more about what this holiday has always has been about, and I think somehow we have forgotten: Absolutely nothing.