(02/15/2014) That’s right ladies and gentlemen, it’s Angst Away! The body spray that covers up your pure hatred of Valentine’s Day! Can you smell it? A day after Valentine’s Day the smell of romantic angst everywhere is starting to fade.
Look, I don’t have all the answers in life. I’m just a boy, standing in front of a computer asking you to read my blog, which in my world equates to love. If I get that little “like” click or God forbid, (gasp), a comment, I suddenly turn into Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah’s couch. Yeah, how’d that work out for you Tom?
Back to Valentine’s Day. Scrolling through my blog feed yesterday I saw/read more Valentine’s Day angst than I’ve ever seen. Some were trying to identify the perfect Valentine’s Day, some wanted to promote the even keel approach to showing love every day, and others decried the whole holiday as a giant societal “F you” to anyone who doesn’t currently have a romantic partner. (Yes, that’s Charles Manson and his new wife)
itheedread.jexebel.com
My thought is this: Jeez, lighten up everybody. Valentine’s Day is not out to get you. It’s not out to tell you anything about your life. Do you get upset around Labor Day because other people work harder than you? Don’t be an idiot. Your perspective is like a telescope. You only see what you choose to aim it at. Over the past several years most of American society has been completely nuts for The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, both very romantic shows. Well guess what? I don’t care. I’m sure they’re great TV shows, but they’re not a big deal for me. If people want to enjoy those shows, great for them. It’s fun to have something in common to talk about with others, but I don’t think I’m an incomplete person because I don’t watch them and I don’t stress if I missed the season finale.
Valentine’s Day should be treated the same way. If you don’t like it, change the channel, focus on something else. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’ve noticed a pattern. Valentine’s Day happens every year on February 14th, then it goes away, and guess what? You’re still here and so is everyone else. You’d better keep your guard up though because St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and those happy Irish folks are also out to make you feel bad because you don’t have a shamrock tattooed on your ass. (I’m not saying I do or don’t. It might just be an example.)
Like I said, I don’t have all the answers. I have a blog and my perspective. You have your perspective too, and you can change it if you want. Have a great weekend and if you liked #ThePhilFactor show me a little Valentine’s love by hitting the Facebook, Twitter, reblog, or other share button below. Make sure to come back tomorrow to read my interview with The Dating Doctor!
Picture Credits: themetapicture.com and o.canada.com
Good post, Phil!! To me, Valentine’s Day has always been about what love means to an individual. You can love your dog, surfing, your aunt’s cooking, whatever makes you feel happy. I know this isn’t the ‘typical’ way of looking at the 14th day of February, but as you said, you can look at it with whatever scope you choose. Well said, Phil!! Cher xo
You have your point of view and I have mine
You may have a shamrock tattooed on your behind
Either way on Valentine’s Day
I know they’re coming to take me away
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide
So I may or may not see you on the other side…
Publish a book of poetry already! You’re wasting your genius on comments on my blog.
Thank you Phil! You are too kind! I’m getting there.
Great post! I am glad I gave up caring about this holiday many years ago. I had to be in Target the evening of February 13 several years ago, and watching all the glazed-eyed men walking around trying to figure out what to buy from the leftovers was pathetic. It’s just a day on the calendar. Much better to be loving the year round. Then you have nothing to make up for on this manufactured holiday. Thanks for the post.
Thanks Gloria!
OMG!! You’re so right, Phil, what up with all this Valentine angst? Sometimes I think I must have a heart of stone. Anyhoo, I am going to remind my husband, who knows what a Valentine’s Scrooge I am, just how lucky he is not to be frantically running around searching for some proof of his adoration. BTW, we JUST discovered Breaking Bad a few weeks ago and are totally hooked. The acting is incredibly good.
And do you have a shamrock tattooed on your arse? Do you? These are things I need to know once they’ve been mentioned. I don’t. Mine’s a thistle. Ouch!
I do have a shamrock tattooed on me but I’ll never tell where it is.
I met your wife the other day and lost her email address. Do you happen to have it on you? Just wonderin’.
Umm…no I don’t have it. Darn!
I’ll wait for St. Paddy’s day. A few Guinness and there’ll be shamrocks everywhere and anywhere. See you then. 🙂
LOL sure, if you’re providing the Guinness I’ll be there.
I know…right? Here’s the thing: I have had v-e-r-y lonely V-days, and then I have had guys go all out, night on the town, ‘Vegas style. Put them all in a blender and what did I get, green gooey smelly stuff. All in all, I am cool just doin’ my thang, like on any other day. I do like the hearts and all, since hearts are a favorite shape of mine, but other than this and a few Conversation Hearts candies, no big dealy’o. If I am in an office, I enjoy making cool treats for everybody, but I have never been into the whole flowers, dinner, and especially proposals. Living in ‘Vegas for the last millennia, I have seen more weddings on this day than I would think possible. On the reverse side, I have worked in either the Family Court or with Divorce attorneys, so I see all those barfingly romantic weddings go under the Guillotine. Perhaps I am a bit skewed in my view, but…I don’t think so!
I think Valentine’s is lonely a lot because of the ridiculous expectations we put on it. If you’re in a good relationship every day is good. What is the green, gooey, smelly stuff you mentioned? Is it in the treats you make for co-workers?
All I can offer is…just be glad you didn’t work with me. LOL I think the harder a guy tries (in the same perverse thought, the more he spends) the worse the day is. The best ones for me where when we shared a simple dinner, perhaps even home-made or children’s cards. Although I do have to add, the first memory of a V-day for me included a boy in my class not only giving me the sweet/cute card, but trying to kiss me in the middle of class, and ending up on the floor with him on top of me. Perhaps I have been traumatized forever, scarred for life for this day. Yeah…whatever!
HA! I love your story of your first V-Day. It sounds just like my first clumsy attempt to woo a girl when I was 7 years old.