weaktwos

Alright, let us go back in time to AD 270 to the "Woman Empiyah"(as I affectionately like to call it). Valentine was a priest who was arrested under Claudius the Goth. He confessed his faith and then spoke disparagingly of Jupiter and Mercury. The Romans were easing up a bit, because probably a few years earlier, that was grounds for killin'. But, maybe like the Goth's modern day representatives, Claudius was more morose than murderous. Valentine was committed a magistrage named Asterius. Valentine converted him and his family via some handy-dandy illness curing. Then Claudius got pissed because healing is so...not Goth. He was beheaded.

Now, around the same time, under the same emperor, there was a Bishop with the same name. I imagine both these Valentines had issues getting each other's scrolls. He was beheaded as well for converting some other folks to Christianity.

Wikipedia reports another Valentine that was located in Africa.

Paganly speaking, mid February was the season for pagan fertility rituals.

Warren Ellis sends us some information about the event, as well, as many of you have posted in your journals today.

Englebert goes on to write that because birds began to pair around February 14th, the custom of sending Valentines was born.

And now, to present day, the legacy of these Valentines is a mixed bag. Those who are in a relationship feel pressure to do something romantic around this date. Those who are not in a relationship feel a need, much like Claudius the Goth, to behead the Valentines. (well, not really, but they do whine a lot).

There are some that feel that Valentine's Day is a female-centric event, because men supposedly do not favor the traditional red and pink confections and treasures. As darness mentioned, it has been suggested that March 14th become the Atkins friendly Steak and Blowjob day. Which leads me to suggest that while Valentine's day is a day to celebrate love, Steak and BJ day celebrates true love.

S and BJ day was supposedly established by Tom Birdsey in 2002. To Birdsey and his ilk I say, "Up Yours! Keep your chocolates and flowers between your knees, if you have to, and give ME a filet mignon and oral sex, Stud Puppet."

So, where do we go from here? How can you top Steak and BJ day? What shall we celebrate on April 14th? Asparagus and Cuddling Day?

And how do I feel about St. Valentine's day? I've always thought it a disease that happens to other people. I like romantic surprises throughout the year as opposed to a planned commercialized event when the price of flowers likely goes up.

That being said, I love you all, and not just on February 14th or, historically speaking, "Beheadarama".