Valentine's Thoughts

At the beginning of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Jim Carrey makes a comment about Valentines Day.

"The day is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap."

While I wouldn't say I necessarily subscribe to such a belief - I mean honestly, not everyone feels like crap on Valentines Day. I think it's more of a statement coming from the set of individuals undergoing an unpalatable state of emotional desiccation on this particular holiday. Not that it's unusual; it's a similar person set that sinks into untenable stupors with the advent of the Christmas season. The primary feeling? Loneliness. With such satellite emotions as Bitterness, Resentment, and Self-Loathing, to name a few.

One could argue that it's not really the onset of any holiday that leads to such states of dejection. Instead, the feeling is a characteristic of the human condition. We are lonely, by and large, and resent the shroud that covers the eyes of those who claim to be in love - thus ordaining for themselves an antonym state to our own.

Truthfully, I wouldn't consider myself a member of either aforementioned group. I would instead sort myself into the class of individuals who tend to ignore the holiday and consider it yet another day - as it pertains to our own interests. I could look at the bright side: "At least I'm not wasting money proving my 'love' to someone who should already be aware of it." But that's a sentiment dangerously close to the resentful mindset of the angry lonely folk. Valentines isn't supposed to be about money, it's meant to be an opportunity - for expression. "I want to express my caring for you by showering you with gifts on this arbitrary day." Because, it seems as though we require a reason to be expressive - day to day living, and the common acts of love, generosity, and kindness involved - just aren't effective enough.

So all of you couples out there, go out and enjoy yourselves - express your appreciation on this day. At the same time, do yourselves a favour and take special note of the rest of the year too. It seems silly, at least to this man, that Valentine's Day should be the only day to recognize and appreciate your union.

For myself, I think I'll spend the evening with a new acquaintance of mine. One that I've been getting along with famously. Havana Club Rum.