Monday, February 14, 2011

St. Valentine's Day - One Man's Perspective

Today is the day where men send roses to the ones they love.

But it wasn't always like that because today is the day when the slaughter/martyrdom of a number of guys unlucky enough to be named "Valentine" (or Valens, or Valentinus). I suspect that if they'd changed their names, their fates would not have led to such an unfortunate fate on such a date as this one. ;^)


And who can blame men for taking out the demand for chocolate covered strawberries, wine, wine glasses, a fancy meal, flowers, etc. that is levied on them on this day? Heiromartyr Saint Valentine (Bishop of Interamna, Terni, Italy), Saint Valentine the Presbyter, (St) Valentinius, a Roman who died in Africa and the Greek Orthodox Saint Valentinios could have all led happy and productive lives if not for their advocation of fancy dinners. Do you know how difficult it is to get a dinner reservation on THEIR day? Do you know how frustrating it can be for men - men who are threatened with the prospect of being 'cut off' if they don't observe the day?

If you took a poll of men (hooked up to a polygraph so their integrity wouldn't be questioned) and asked them what fate all of the St. Valentines deserved, I'm guessing that they'd say, DEATH!

During the Great American Depression, things got so bad that the St. Valentine's Day Massacre took place as men fought for prime seating at peak hours at one of Chicago's most exclusive restaurants. At least that's my take on it. There are other interpretations by people who wanted to sensationalize the spontaneous battle as a "gang fight", but we all can discern the truth.


7 comments:

Unknown said...

I have found at least three "St. Valentines". One was killed by the Romans for marrying soldiers after marriage was banned for them by one Roman Emperor. Another was killed for smuggling prisoners out of Roman prisons. Where are the "defenders" of our faith today? They are few and far between. See Alan West's CPAC speech--on that subject--very cogient.

Coffeypot said...

I don’t understand the importance of this day to woman. Hell, they don’t give us beer or wings on Opening Day of Baseball. No flowers on Opening Day of Deer Season. They won’t even let us enjoy a good football game or NASCAR race or porn. I don’t get it.

Opus #6 said...

They say Chicago is a rough place. I guess it has always been thus.

LL said...

Coffeypot - You're right. No woman that I know honors the opening of deer season.

Opus - That's what happens in the Windy City when you want a place to sit and eat a stake.

Scott - It's a martyr's day -- somehow symbolic in the present day's celebration.

darlin said...

LL, as a redneck Albertan the ritual goes like this in regards to deer hunting. You say goodbye to your man, off he goes into the wilderness after he stops off to purchase a box of beer for the celebration AFTER the deer is killed. He camps out for a few nights, upon his return he brings home his kill and the real reward is that the woman cooks his meals for his efforts. A few nights with some buddies pays off, he gets to eat for the remainder of the year and never has to set foot in the kitchen! lol

LL said...

Darlin ;^)

Az said...

lol lol. Heres hoping that you had a great Valentines Day... or that you at least survived it :D

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