And I despise all of the jewelry store ads. I swear, they're everywhere. I now hate them all.

I hate those "Every kiss begins with Kay" ads....

I got the heart-shaped cakes, too. I made one for DH's birthday this year, because I remembered how. I think I had a "Lincoln's Birthday" themed party once - pin the beard on the president, that sort of thing.

Wii! Woo!

except for the fact that he sent me a card that said "I wouldn't even have sent this, but I knew you'd be mad if I didn't do anything"

The last boyfriend did this. It was as crass as it was incorrect...which sort of underlined the whole "I'm not really bothering to know you" phenom with a line brighter than I could ignore.

Don't get me wrong. I've had some truly lovely VDay, Bday and anniversary events in my life. The great stuff of stories. I just object to the forced march of commercial romance. If you don't feel it, you don't feel it. Pretending you do is such a waste.

I'm right next to Vortex and Maria watching the Jared store burn. The Leo diamond? Why do I even KNOW about that? Brainwashing. That's why.

Hey, how do people shake off the unsettled feeling after a really bad nightmare? My brain was very evil to me last night, and I am *still* feeling twitchy and scattered.

Well, it was one of the reasons why he wasn't the guy I was going to spend the rest of my life with. He was a wonderful guy would bring flowers unexpectedly, etc. but, to him, his "principle" that VD was crap was more important than my feelings.

Hey, how do people shake off the unsettled feeling after a really bad nightmare?

I get into a safe space, close my eyes and try to remember the nightmare. For me, the thing that's scariest is the unknown, so if I can pin it down, I feel better. I am always scaredest of that thing hovering just beyound vison, perception. YNMV.

Hey, how do people shake off the unsettled feeling after a really bad nightmare? My brain was very evil to me last night, and I am *still* feeling twitchy and scattered.

I listen to "Starfish and Coffee" by Prince and "Spirit Voices" by Paul Simon a good half-dozen times each, and then I read the chapter in A Little Princess where Sara awakes from a sorrowful sleep after a wretched and cruel evening, and finds her miserable little garret transformed by unseen, loving hands into a snug, cozy wonderland of late-night tea and comfort. All that, and a cup of cocoa if the weather is appropriate, provide some degree of antidote to brain-venom. I'm very sorry your brain mistreated you so badly last night. May tonight be worlds better.

"principle" that VD was crap was more important than my feeling

That's a sign - esp when your talking valentine's day - I think your immortal soul is not in any danger if you come to a compromise on this one

I read the chapter in A Little Princess where Sara awakes from a sorrowful sleep after a wretched and cruel evening, and finds her miserable little garret transformed by unseen, loving hands into a snug, cozy wonderland of late-night tea and comfort.

oh man that just made me cry.