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Mixed thoughts about that holiday in February

By Romina Cleary

January 16, 2006

San Diego--Well, January has arrived; it’s time to recuperate. It’s time to rest, forget about gift giving and being happy all the time. Take it easy. Forget about New Year’s resolutions—they were made to be broken, anyway.

Women, do what you like to do, be selfish. If the rain gets to you, indulge in a pre-Oscar movie binge. Hang out at home with your girlfriends, watch chick flicks and make butternut squash soup.

Guys, watch football with your friends, drink plenty of beer, eat potato chips with sour cream dip, and relax while you can. Do whatever the heck you feel like doing, celebrate the January lull, it won’t last forever.

---♀♂--- For many women, winter drags on. The sun sets early, spring is a long ways away, and there isn’t much going on, except for Valentine’s Day. For men, I’m guessing the Super Bowl is over and basketball season has just started and the dark clouds of Valentine’s Day loom overhead.

Many a guy has stated, “I don’t celebrate Hallmark holidays.” What guy needs the pressure of doing the perfect thing on Valentine’s Day? It’s the middle of winter, he’s trying to save money for his next adventure, or bull#%@& toy, and he’s fighting the winter blues.

Is he supposed to spend $100 on a bouquet of flowers when they’ll cost $50 the following day?

Speaking of Hallmark, for those without love in their life—or relationship—the card king certainly knows how to rub it in and make love’s forlorn feel more forlorn. Thanks a lot, Hallmark.

Yeah, Valentine’s Day is a forced holiday, but aren’t all holidays forced?

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Women, don’t expect your sweetheart, or any lovely chap who holds a candle for you, to read your mind.

Guys love to win and hate to lose. He won’t play with you if he doesn’t think he can win. If you are in a relationship, let him know what would make you happy. Don’t be coy about it. Don’t say you don’t need anything if you do.

One woman I know was asked by her boyfriend if he should send her flowers for Valentine’s Day. She told him, “I want whatever comes from your heart.” Guess what she got: absolutely nothing. What the heck is he supposed to make of “whatever comes from your heart?”

Tell him how to win. Be explicit. Not every guy has schooled with Don Juan.

---♀♂---

That day in February is coming. I’ll be back with ideas for how to get to it and through it.

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Romina Cleary writes about hair and grooming for Vyuz and is already disappointed with Valentine's Day '06. If you have any questions or comments about the subject, e-mail her at hair@vyuz.com.