Those of you who hate Valentine's Day may be interested in the rant [link] in my LJ.

I just had an awkward multicultural moment, because my cousin Steve was too lazy to remove the For Sale sign from his mom's car when she decided not to sell it. (She thought she could get by without one, and she misses it, but won't drive in winter, so it sits in my driveway until she puts the insurance back on and gets a parking lot space at her retirement apartment.)

A family of hispanics came by and saw it through the parking lot next door and I had to explain that it was no longer for sale, and they wouldn't/couldn't/didn't act like they believed me.

I finally gave up and went and woke up my cousin Steve. By the time he ambled out there 10 minutes later, they were gone.

All I need is for people to peg me as a bigot. If I were one, I guess I wouldn't mind, but....

Ginger, that was wonderful. "Nothing says love like cleaning up after a sick cat."

Ginger, why are you not writing professionally and getting paid for stuff like that? Because that's one tight, wry, weary, cleanly-written kick-ass essay.

Hee! Ginger, that was great, and truer words were never spoken than that cat line.

For me, the answer to enjoying holidays, is to ignore the commercial world. I haven't seen one ad or one commercial for Valentine's Day stuff. Well, I probably have, but I do not remember one. I'm good at setting my brain to MARCIE, sometimes.

I'd say I get tired of the commercialism of it all, except I've so tuned it out, it doesn't ping me (well, at Christmas it does some, but mostly when it pings, I flip it off). But I also get a little sad at all the sadness and anger. I think maybe, that's because my kids are little, and so happy to celebrate anything. They're probably really celebrating life. It's a little contagious where holidays are concerned, even the Hallmark ones, and things like April Fool's Day and Groundhog Day.

I walk past a Hallmark on my way to work, but I've learned to tune it out.

Oy. So far today, I've dropped a painting on my foot, an air conditioner on my hand, and opened a door onto one of my toes. I think I'm done packing for the weekend.

Ginger, why are you not writing professionally and getting paid for stuff like that? Because that's one tight, wry, weary, cleanly-written kick-ass essay.

It's kind of you to say so. I do write for a living, among other things, but not essays. I'd like to sell some essays, though, and I'm thinking I'll use my Live Journal for practice and to get some feedback.

Ouch, Jessica. Be careful. It should come as no surprise to anyone that I sprained my ankle moving. I suspect I'll be moving in hell.

Nicely written, Ginger! I try to celebrate the holiday while ingoring all the retail outlets telling me HOW to celebrate the holiday, if you know what I mean. Except the little hearts with sayings on them--I love those. Not because they're delicious, which they totally aren't, but because they are Candy!With Writing!That is Goofy!

I'll be getting together with Kristin and the NYistas for V-day. There may be candy, but probably no hearts or flowers...

Loved the essay, Ginger.

Oh gods, I'm so tired. Can someone walk up the street for me and get egg noodles? Thanks.

aw, Jess. Moving fatigue. It's the worst. If I could get egg noodles for you, I would.

RE: Valentines Day. Tom and I celebrated the first year we were together, at dinner at our favorite (now closed) restaurant. I felt it was to make up for the previous Valentine's Day we spent together, not dating yet, both relatively recently single, bitter, and whiskey drinking drunk. So with that karma all balanced out, we ignored last year's Valentine Day, and this one as well, quite cheerfully.