Oh, No! Not Again!

If you didn't know it already, it's the eve of this day in honour of a martyred saint who was very much in love with himself.

I think.

But please tell me that you're not about to let the merchants and restaurants milk your hard-earned money by succumbing to their ridiculously priced romantic treats.

I read somewhere that a very 5 starred hotel in a neighbouring country has come up with something ridiculously ingenious to cash on this stupid day by offering this package deal costing $40K which encompasses being picked up in a limo, put on a helicopter for a swoop over the city and served a 6-course gourmet dinner. No takers yet but well, who knows? Someone may be crazy or rich enough to surprise his stupid girlfriend.

I hate this stupid day. I hate it because it's yet another useless day that gives the greeting-card industry more work. I hate it because I shouldn't have to add a specific day (specific, besides Christmas, anniversaries, and birthdays, of course) to buy yet another gift to show my feelings.

And then there's the issue of the "message" sent by the gift. CDs are too impersonal, clothes aren't worth the effort, flowers, chocolate, and anything pink has been rendered a cliche. Don't even get me started on the legions of useless stuffed animals holding hearts that get thrown in a corner of a bookshelf and gather dust and bacteria for the next decade.

All I can say is, I still cringe at the sight of couples savouring their candle-light dinner in a packed restaurant, whispering sweet nothings to each other within earshot of the next couple bearly inches away. And what about those waiters scurrying about. Doesn't seem very romantic, does it?

I said it before and I say it again, lets heed Emperor Claudius II Gothicus command and sign the order for the axe to swing.

For the rest of you out there, go ahead, have agood one and you stink!!!