A few things for Valentine's Day 2006

For those who celebrate the day, Happy Valentine's Day. For those who would rather it never existed, may it pass swiftly without much incident, or better yet, may you have a great time with other single friends laughing at those who do celebrate it. Here are a few things for Valentine's Day:

For those of you looking for some good books. Here a list of romantic comedies and a list of Valentine's reading ideas. Overbooked has a nice list of various links under Romance for readers which may be of interest as well.

A couple of short articles on Valentine the saint here and here. Actually, there was more than one saint named Valentine.

I can often count on the Census Bureau to put together a little sheet of facts on holidays. They have a press release for Valentine's Day. Just to give you some curiosity, here are their facts on greeting cards:

Valentine’s Cards
180 million
Number of Valentine’s Day cards exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research)

Nearly 50 percent
Typically, the proportion of all Valentine’s Day cards purchased in the six days prior to the observance, making Valentine’s Day a procrastinator’s delight. (Source: Hallmark research)

For readers who hate the holiday, and I can certainly see reasons why, the Liquor Snob blog has posted a list of 14 Top Reasons Why People Hate Valentine's Day. The list was part of a contest. My personal favorite is Number 5:

5. The big gesture is not what demonstrates true love. True love is getting up early to make his coffee, or letting her lay with her head on your shoulder, even if your arm does fall asleep. It's my grandfather warming the sheets on my grandmother's side of the bed every winter night for sixty-seven years so that she never had to climb into a cold bed. That is true love, and it should be every day, not once a year. – Michelle Wallace, Refugio, Texas

Amen, Michelle.

Susie Bright, the sex guru and writer, also had something for those who may dislike Valentine's Day. She invited readers of her blog to "play a little Valentine's Game: I invite you to post in the commments below, and describe the WORST, SHITTIEST, WEIRDEST, or JUST_PLAIN_BAD Valentine experience you have ever had. It can be on the giving, receiving, or indifferent end of it all." Readers certainly obliged her. Go take a look and read some of these stories. Again, look at the comments after reading her post.

And for those of you who like, or may be seeking, things on a more spicier side, here is a small "Horny Valentine's Gift Guide" from the Fleshbot blog. This one has adult content, so if you are easily offended or sensitive, or it's against your beliefs, avoid it. If on the other hand, you are fine with a little playing around in bed (or the couch, or the kitchen counter, or. . .well, you get the idea), go take a look.

A quick addition, or too good not to post it as well. The Happy Villain of Happyville Library shares Warm and Fuzzy Valentine's Day with a list of pleasurable decadent things. Hey, I am all for revenge as well, after all, it is a dish that is best served cold.