This diary is for the reluctant and the procrastinators among you; generally known as men. Fess up. How many of you are ready for that day that happens this Wednesday? Yep. That's what I thought. Well, I'm about to give you a little help. Now I know that not everyone has someone significant in their lives, but there are many ways to show love and affection to all around you and that is what I am trying to help you with this evening.
I abhor the crass commercialization of just about every holiday in this country anymore. The older I get, the higher the ante seems to be to 'enjoy and celebrate' the major holidays with anything resembling simplicity. That why I like to K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simply Sweetie. Much like the TC diary I did a couple of months on Romance Tips, this one focuses on low or no cost possibilities for this holiday fraught with tension and expectations. So lets see what I can do to help you have some fun while you K.I.S.S.
I have a tendency to look for ways small ways to show love or gratitude. A little love note tucked here or there is one of my favorite things in the whole world. The element of surprise and delight can never be discounted and to me is far sweeter than a grand expensive gesture.
First up is WIKI for a general overview of Valentine's Day. One of the things that caught my eye was the suggestion that the holiday be used to give donations to favorite charities. That is a nice way to honor someone you care about and help someone else at the same time. Something worth thinking about! Further along on the page is a list of how and when the holiday is celebrated in other countries.
Next up is a guide to all sorts of categories for ways to mark the occasion. Valentine's Day Guide Scroll down for all sorts of links.
Can't write love notes? Go here.
350+ ideas for ways to celebrate. Go here
More ideas. Go here
For an inexpensive night at home. Go here
Family fun ideas. Go here
Activities for kids. Go here
Free e-cards for Friends. Go here
Free e-cards for Family. Go here
Free e-cards for those in the military. Go here
Single on Valentine's Day. Go here, here and here
Another excellent site for singles. Go here
For a short video clip from the History Channel on the origins of Valentine's Day. Go here
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From this site a story of the possible origins of the day.
Valentine Day History
There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.
Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.
Since 180 million roses and 14 billion dollars are spent on this holiday I thought to save you a few dollars while still leaving a lasting impression with those you love. Whenever and wherever you can, show your love and gratitude. After all, that is free and feels so good to give away.
On with the show.......
My Selections:
Diary: See how useful it was to demonize him?
By: Jerome a Paris
condoleaser posts a clever picture that leads to this thread. Read the whole thread to get the reference. Friend of the court's comment is especially witty.
TomP and Jerome a Paris converse and reflect.
David Mason draws some startling conclusions.
LithiumCola is in the 'zone' once again.
Diary: Hiding in Plame Sight: The Blockbuster Story No One Is Reporting From the Libby Trial
By: Swopa
Dallasdoc asks a question and speculates possibilities.
Mad Kossack has several fine informative comments in the thread.
FishOutofWater on where the fingerprints lead.
Thaddaeus Toad ask the a $64 question that I would dearly love answered.
leveymg has a tight and tidy explanation of proof of conspiracy. Excellent 5-star comment.
goodasgold has a story about how decisions are made by the media these days. This comment left me speechless!
Diary: Sub-prime Mortgage Market Problems Increase
By: bonddad
New Deal democrat has some well-thought out opinions on the subject.
Diary: The Jimmy the Greek Standard: What Must A Pundit Say to Have His Mike Cut?
By: davidsirota
Dallasdoc cites they tell anything but the truth.
GTPinNJ takes dead aim at the question.
chumley list a roll of the shameless non-apologizers.
RandomGuyFromGermany on conclusions set before reasoning as a guidepost for puppets pundits.
Diary: A sucker's guide to unclassified reports
By: smintheus
inclusiveheart on why rhetorical obfuscation is wearing thin.
Open Thread
Harmonious shares the letter he wrote to the DSCC.
Here is a funny comment from the Ghost of Frank Zappa. I don't want to tell the the title of the diary because it will spoil the surprise! Just think a blast from the past.
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From OrangeClouds115
Diary: You Are What You Sweet: Valentines With Heart
By: CSI Bentonville
CSI Bentonville and I agree that Lashe's information on flowers in the two comments is straight-forward and easy and very well put together
From bronte 17
nolalily has an exquisite diary on New Orleans and I don't know how to save it other than rescue it through top comments. So, here's a comment from her diary:
Several visits later, I was on the St. Charles streetcar, in a summer dress and no panties when I felt every molecule in my body shift from "tightly fit" to "loosely floating". It was at that very moment that it dawned on me: I could live here. A childhood friend of my husband's moved here about 8 years ago. He astutely observed, "People in New Orleans have fuzzy outlines. They're all soft. Like a Monet. Not like people up north where they have more definate outlines."
From righteousbabe
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (!) left an amazing comment in her diary today. By the looks of things, she was actually answering comments herself. Very cool.
From sardonyx
Dallasdoc gives a lesson in hardball appropriations in the third paragraph of this comment in Major Danby's diary Can Bush stay in Iraq based on the 2001 AUMF?
I sure hope the Democrats are planning something like this. The subsequent thread has some good strategizing and back-and-forth.
Dallasdoc again in Maccabee's diary The Coming Fall of The Right Wing, starting an excellent but depressing thread with How much are they taking with them?, with a note of optimism from boilerman10 and a good summation by noweasels, among others.
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Tonight's Top Mojo is brought to you by: BeninSC Thank You Ben!
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Top Mojo - excluding search-identifiable tip jars, first diary comments and C&J comments (Welcome to the Wes Clark Show!):
1 Optimum Resolution --- Wes Clark - 313
2 An enemy? --- Wes Clark - 137
3 Bargaining --- Wes Clark - 103
4 Threat --- Wes Clark - 101
5 Congressional leaders --- Wes Clark - 100
6 I'd never heard of the Dixie Chicks --- CalifSherry - 87
7 Confrontation --- Wes Clark - 87
8 Vulnerable --- Wes Clark - 86
9 And it works in every field --- Jerome a Paris - 85
10 The modus operandi is the same --- Jerome a Paris - 83
11 Poor Faloofah Lad --- Crisis Corps Volunteer - 83
12 don't you mean their minds slamming shut? --- RumsfeldResign - 80
13 Hey, Bill O! You're Still Number One... --- Battling Maxo - 77
14 Leverage --- Wes Clark - 76
15 the pardon won't come for a while --- Mad Kossack - 71
16 Read his book --- Wes Clark - 71
17 I can breathe again --- notimportant - 65
18 House Democrats Will Not Compromise On This Vote --- Congressman John Conyers - 61
19 Yeah, now Kerry's speaking much more freely... --- lowkell - 61
20 I have a hard --- eastvan - 59
21 heh --- Politburo - 58
22 I know, I know -- it was a meta-joke --- Major Danby - 58
23 Do you see the effect you have --- ms in la - 58
24 It seems...Libby had to lie to the grand jury --- annefrank - 58
25 I'm glad the user blogrolls have gone over well. --- ct - 57
26 Yes. --- kestrel9000 - 57
27 Legality and legitimacy --- Wes Clark - 55
28 And then we IMPEACH --- Alegre - 54
29 There is a Senate version, McCain-Schumer --- vassmer - 52
30 Chris Hedges book --- Wes Clark - 52
Top Mojo - everything included:
1 Critical issue --- Wes Clark - 622
2 Suck on it Bill-O... --- KingOneEye - 338
3 Optimum Resolution --- Wes Clark - 313
4 Tip Jar - February 12 --- Jerome a Paris - 255
5 Tips --- Cenk Uygur - 238
6 That sound? --- Maccabee - 198
7 Tip jar --- occams hatchet - 184
8 Please --- the choice is yours - 148
9 An enemy? --- Wes Clark - 137
10 OUT OF IRAQ NOW --- catjo - 119
11 Hmmm... if Libby's willing to take the fall --- Dallasdoc - 109
12 Bargaining --- Wes Clark - 103
13 Threat --- Wes Clark - 101
14 Congressional leaders --- Wes Clark - 100
15 Tip jar for the unC team --- terminal3 - 96
16 I'd never heard of the Dixie Chicks --- CalifSherry - 87
17 Confrontation --- Wes Clark - 87
18 Vulnerable --- Wes Clark - 86
19 And it works in every field --- Jerome a Paris - 85
20 Poor Faloofah Lad --- Crisis Corps Volunteer - 83
21 The modus operandi is the same --- Jerome a Paris - 83
22 don't you mean their minds slamming shut? --- RumsfeldResign - 80
23 Hey, Bill O! You're Still Number One... --- Battling Maxo - 77
24 Leverage --- Wes Clark - 76
25 tips flames and no cowpies unless they are dry --- testvet6778 - 72
26 the pardon won't come for a while --- Mad Kossack - 71
27 Read his book --- Wes Clark - 71
28 Tip jar --- AAbshier - 67
29 I can breathe again --- notimportant - 65
30 So? --- Big Tent Democrat - 62
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