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

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.

The snow went south, so instead of six inches, we got about one. I'm not complaining. All talk of spring is making me extremely jealous.

Today's task is to craft a letter to the editor to respond to the stupid college local professors' (post 141, above) comments. Does anyone else wonder why it was okay to respond to the Pearl Harbor attack and to eliminate Hitler, but it's not okay to respond to 9/11 and eliminate another genocidal dictator?

Here's a letter from an Iraqi physician for your perusal:

I write this to protest against all those people who oppose the war against Saddam Hussein, or as they call it, the "war against Iraq". I am an Iraqi doctor, I worked in the Iraqi army for six years during Iraq-Iran war and four months during Gulf war. All my family still live in Iraq. I am an Arab Sunni, not Kurdish or Shia. I am an ordinary Iraqi not involved with the Iraqi opposition outside Iraq.

I am so frustrated by the appalling views of most of the British people, media and politicians. I want to say to all these people who are against the possible war, that if you think by doing so you are serving the interests of Iraqi people or saving them, you are not. You are effectively saving Saddam. You are depriving the Iraqi people of probably their last real chance get rid of him and to get out of this dark era in their history.

My family and almost all Iraqi families will feel hurt and anger when Saddam's media shows on the TV, with great happiness, parts of Saturday's demonstration in London. But where were you when thousands of Iraqi people were killed by Saddam's forces at the end of the Gulf war to crush the uprising? Only now when the war is to reach Saddam has everybody become so concerned about the human life in Iraq.

Where were you while Saddam has been killing thousands of Iraqis since the early 70s? And where are you are now, given that every week he executes people through the "court of revolution", a summary secret court run by the secret security office. Most of its sentences are executions which Saddam himself signs.

I could argue one by one against your reasons for opposing this war. But just ask yourselves why, out of about 500,000 Iraqis in Britain, you will not find even 1,000 of them participating tomorrow? Your anti-war campaign has become mass hysteria and you are no longer able to see things properly.

Locum consultant neurologist, London

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