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12 February 2002 (Tuesday): in protest

First rant here at the last embassy. Brace yourself.

Soren and I are boycotting Valentine's Day. This was my idea. I'm sick of seeing all my guy friends (i.e. the vast majority of my friends) either moping because they're single or stressing because Doom is imminent. I swear, who gave women the right to demand diamonds and roses and a candlelight dinner? Where's the reward in that, on either side? Sheesh.

Corporate-sponsored holidays always make me a tad queasy. All that manufactured obligation. All that pressure to fit the picture some marketing campaign paints for us all: happy non-dysfunctional gatherings full of laughter and wine and expensive presents, all those breathless "Oh, you shouldn't have!"s and "How did you know?"s floating through the cozy (and tastefully decorated) living room. I'm not saying there isn't a place in life for such moments. I'm just saying they should come from the heart if they're to happen at all, spontaneous gestures of some overflowing affection, rather than something you did because Bloomingdale's and the florist told you to.

But you know...I don't think I'd object to Valentine's Day quite as much if it weren't such a one-sided event. There are Appreciation Days for mothers, fathers, teachers, veterans, and so on and so forth. December is sort of a Life In General Appreciation Month (though Christmas has become the most insidiously commercial holiday of them all). It makes sense that there's an Appreciation Day for lovers. But why should it fall to the men to do everything? A relationship is a two-way street, a mutual adventure/struggle/gift, and it seems only fair that celebrating it should involve giving on both sides.

Still sucks for singles, though. No getting around that. Hence, the boycott. Solitude is just part of life sometimes, and nobody should be made to feel guilty about it in addition to being lonely.

What do gay couples do on Valentine's Day? Anyone care to enlighten me?

posted by enjelani @ 10:13 AM PST

Replies: 1 comment

Bobble-head Syndromes:

*nod**nod**nod**nod**nod*

*pause*

*nod**nod**nod**nod**nod* s'more

Couldn't... agree.... more...

posted by syndromes @ 05 07 2002 12:57 AM PST