THE GUILD 2-10-2003 8 things never to do on Valentine's Day

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

8 Things Never to Do on Valentine's Day

By Devon McCollum

Valentine's Day is upon us again. Cupid is circling with his little bow and arrow, waiting to see who he can match up. If you get lucky and he matches (or has matched, as the case may be) you up with someone special, you need to be sure to do something romantic.

The Internet is loaded with fun Valentine's Day ideas. We all know that a quiet dinner at a French restaurant is a great way to celebrate the evening, but what about the special things that you shouldn't do?

Don't forget the day. It sounds silly to think that someone could forget it's Valentine's Day, but rest assured, they can. Men and women alike can get busy and lose track of the date. Make a note, mark your calendar, write it on your hand. Forgetting the date is unacceptable.

Don't be cheap. Valentine's Day should be the day that you celebrate your love for another person. "It's the thought that counts" is fine for Christmas, but it's the gift that counts for Valentine's Day. Some people try to say that they don't believe in commercialized holidays... and those people are usually cheap.

Don't buy a generic gift. Finding a gift for the one you love can be difficult. It is common to wait until the last minute to buy the gift, which will dramatically decrease your chances of finding a decent one. Do not buy a generic gift. A special gift with a little thought and effort will go a long way.

Don't forget to make reservations. Valentine's Day is the holiday based around reservations. You've got fancy dinners, romantic getaways, and possibly a masseuse. The nice places always book up quickly, so don't expect to squeeze in without a reservation.

Do not mention or spend any time with your ex. Ex-lovers are nothing but trouble. Even the thought can drive your current date crazy - no matter how cool they may act. Nix the ex for at least one day and focus on your existing love.

Don't forget to cater to their needs. Valentine's Day is not only about love. It's about showing affection and catering to your love's every whim. So hop to it... breakfast in bed, specially packed lunches... here it comes.

Don't take them to the same boring places. On this special day of extravagance, don't take your date to the same boring place as usual. Try a new restaurant or setting for a change. If it turns out to be boring, too, you would have never known unless you tried it!

Don't stay home alone and sulk. So you don't have a Valentine? Big deal. Neither do tons of people in your area. Go out and have a good time with some friends and maybe you will meet a good date for next year.

Next: More Valentine's Do and Don'ts

Copyright 2003 Fun Online Corporation.

Suggest an article.

[Iowa Granny]

Temps stayed above the freezing level all day,, still no ice here. We are to get 8 to 10 inches of snow overnight. It has drizzled or rained here most of the day.

I bought 4 cans of Steno to warm up food if the power goes off, and a truck load of batteries so I can listen to the radio.

We have rural water, which doesn't rely on an electric pump, so water should not be a problem. I have a decent supply of stuff, and am prepared for whatever the darkness brings tonite.

[lodwick]

heheh - nice to see ya up there.

What's news with Dell dudes?

This is why I now buy locally, from established companies that I can haul the offending part to their doorstep and get something done, face to face, without the agony of going through customer no-service and all their tedious voice mail options.

Is Dell aware of whom they are jerking with?

[Endeavor]

Hey - weather the same here. Glad to know you have plenty of water. If things get bad, I'm coming over but will of course bring my sunny sense of humor and ability to cook the best steak you ever tried. (Humility, unfortunately, is not my strong suit.)


Glad to hear you made it to your mtg and back in one piece.

[MaeWest]

Does anyone know what antibiotics would be good to have on hand in case of a smallpox/whatever epidemic that would keep you in isolation and prevent you from going to a medical center?

[mountaineer]

That's why Mr. M and I play golf together.

[Endeavor]

Smallpox is a virus, Mae. No antibiotics will prevent it. Here's a website: http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v281n22/ffull/jst90000.html

For other biological agents which are susceptible to antibiotic therapy, I imagine the fed/state/local health departments have prepared and would be making appropriate medications available to those with likely exposure.

Hope that helps.

[lodwick]

Solid thinking there M!

Ya gotta love KY's ad on Moonstruck this evening pimping their new Gell.

Good timing KY.

[MaeWest]

Thanks. My scenario involves a smallpox outbreak. If there is a pox outbreak many of us would choose self-imposed isolation to avoid exposure. But what happens if someone in your family gets an infection (bladder, hangnail, whatever)? You wouldn't be able to go to a medical center without risk of pox exposure. Seems like keeping some basic antibiotics at home would be a good idea.

[Iowa Granny]

Endeavor, can you help us remember the compounds that are required to make your own Cipro? I heard a guest on a talk show state the formula. He suggested most high school chemistry labs would hold the contents necessary to 'make your own' (assuming you trusted the Chemistry teacher)

I have been thinking about this tonite,,, (bad weather does strange things to the brain),, I've even come up with my own "Dream Team" whom I would appoint to do the mixing: The two local veterinarians, the local Physican's Assistant, and the Chemistry Teacher.

I have 'dog earred' all the seed catalogs and nearly memorized the latest issue of the Talbot's catalog. I suspect Cabin Fever will set in within the next couple of hours.

[mountaineer]

More weasel nations heard from:

Austria on Friday lined up with other European Union countries opposing U.S. plans for a possible war in Iraq by saying it would not allow American troops to cross its soil on the way to the Middle East unless the UN Security Council approved a resolution authorizing military action.

Citing the country's neutrality, the defense minister, Herbert Scheibner, said the troops would not be allowed to cross the country by road or rail, and military overflights were also banned. "Should there be a new UN mandate, we would have to reconsider," he said.

The U.S. defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, complained that Austria's action was adding several days to the journeys of American soldiers on their way from Germany to Italy, but government officials in Vienna complained that he failed to recognize that as a neutral country, recognized as such by the United States in 1955, it could not become involved in military preparations. full story

[MaeWest]

IG, we must be thinking alike. Some kind of worst case scenario imagination syndrome. The thought of what could happen if some of Dr. Germ's concotions were unleashed is unnsettling. The Wall St. Journal had an article with a scenario from "Dark Winter" - first pox is released, and then another type of virus is released, and then the threat to release yet another if we don't capitulate. The entire country would shut down. Arghh...excuse me while I go curl up in a fetal position under the bed.

[mountaineer]

Pass the Cipro, I'm feeling a little under the weather.

[Endeavor]

Mae,

First off, I am not an M.D. My venue is the animal world. That said, I wouldn't begin to advise you or others as to what antibiotics you/they should keep on hand. Other than the fact that it would be practicing medicine (human) w/o a license, here are some practical factors:

1. Antibiotic sensitivities - in essence, antibiotics that might be perfectly safe to the larger population may cause a serious/fatal reaction in a percentage of the population.

2. Antibiotics left over from other illness events, over time, can lose potency/efficacy.

3. People w/o the proper medical background may take whatever they've got left over in the medicine cabinet, which may be totally inappropriate/ineffective/dangerous, etc. against the current ailment OR with other medications you may be on now but weren't when the antibiotics were prescribed.

I'm not trying to jerk your chain and not answer you. I am trying to explain why the answer is complex, and is best answered by your personal physician.

[Endeavor]

Gran -

Please scratch all ideas about generating your own Cipro.

Instead, rely upon your physician to call you in a prescription should you need it. Trust me, you don't want to be taking any substitutes, no matter the chemist. Nor do you want to trust your life to a non-professional's ability or, lack thereof, to compound the correct drug.

Folks, if you are truly concerned, then do the prudent thing. Talk with your personal physician and discuss a plan for access to antibiotics in the event of the need to do so.

Some of the very problems we now have with antibiotic-resistant organisms are due directly to the inappropriate/indiscriminate use of antibiotics in the past. Please don't add to that.

[Endeavor]

Austria, other than the Von Trapp's, also welcomed the Germans into their country. I'm unimpressed with them and will add them to the boycott list.

[Endeavor]

Mae,

One last thing regarding your specific concern - you may want to identify a pharmacy in your area that has "drive-up" capabilities - that would minimize your exposure to others while getting your drug needs met in the event some apocolyptic event were to occur.

I think everyone's imagination is working overtime due to the higher threat alert. While I'm not attempting to minimize appropriate concerns, I also think we have to remember that none of us knows how long we have on the planet. Don't spend whatever time you have left consumed with fear. Get a plan and then enjoy your life. (soapbox put away)

[Iowa Granny]

Good Morning, everyone! Drifted Snow is all about,, there's a 3 ft drift across the driveway. I can see bare ground and drifts where the security light will allow me to see.

My 7:30 meeting has been canceled,, I'm waiting to hear about the 10:00 am meeting.

E, you have given good advice about war preps. I tend to prepare for the Worst Case Senerio. I was assuming there would be no mail service and no contact with the outside world. There is no pharmacy in our little town,, the nearest one is 20 miles away.

[Timeout]

Morning, IG. It's spring here...all the windows open, spring cleaning today.

Bob Novak has this little snippet:

"Behind closed doors at last weekend's Republican retreat, Vice President Dick Cheney delivered an extraordinary attack on Bill Clinton's preparation for the terrorist threat. Cheney addressed Republican Senate and House members at the Greenbrier resort in White Sulfur Springs, W. Va. He contended the former president failed to address terrorism, deepening the current crisis."

That's all there is. I'd love to hear more.

[Iowa Granny]

I can guarentee you this,,,, we will only learn more, if they decide we SHOULD. I am really impressed with the ability of the Administration to keep the wraps on the info they don't want out.

A snowy good morning to you, gal. The snow is coming from the East. Generally, our weather patterns move West to East. I don't know what this all means, but there is a half foot of snow on the patio and there is no sign of it letting up.

[lodwick]

Grab yourself a hearty breakfast - stay warm.