Martin's Musings

I tried. Really I did.

Call it denial if you want, but I really was trying to keep a positive attitude for Valentine’s Day today. I wore a red sweater, I wished people a happy holiday, I went to my favorite take-out lunch place (the Italian Cafe, on Broad Street), listened to my favorite music, and I generally was in a good mood.

But you know what? Work, in all its varying forms, got in the way. Things I had planned on didn’t materialize. People gave me attitude when I tried to understand their confusing emails. It all added up and turned really annoying. And then some people who should know better started to tell me about what good boyfriends they had, and how I could learn lessons from them, and suddenly I got all crabby and pissed off. Yes, I know to send flowers to my girlfriend on Valentine’s Day. Don’t you think I would have done that if I had a girlfriend? No need to remind me that I’m single — again, sigh, still — thank you very much. And then I ended up being in the office until around 7:30, because God forbid I should have a life outside of work.

So … a hell of a day. But, the good news is that another Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Emphasis on gone. Thank God it’s over. Yes, when it comes down to it, I really hate Valentine’s Day.

True story: This morning I was telling a coworker that I have a date tonight, with myself. Just then, another coworker walked by and said, “I know your date. Make sure you wear protection.”

Not sure why I’m sharing that story. Just thought it was funny.

So here are my thoughts about Valentine’s Day: If you’re single, like I am, that’s no reason to be mopey and hateful and resentful of all those out there who do have someone special in their lives. Instead, spend the day like I do: spend it doing things you love. Have a good breakfast, go to your favorite lunch place, email and/or call some of your favorite people, watch a favorite movie, listen to your favorite music, eat dinner at your favorite place, eat sweets (including, as I do, a nice piece of cake), and generally, just be good to yourself. Because really, as Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young said, “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.”

And that’s my token cheesy sentiment on this Valentine’s Day 2006.