The ***OFFICIAL*** Friday/Saturday Night Singles' Thread <BR>Feb. 10 and 11, 2006

2.10.06 | apackof2

[apackof2]

The ***OFFICIAL*** Friday/Saturday Night Singles' Thread

Feb. 10 and 11, 2006

Pitch hitting for Scott tonight and Ok, ok I know, it early but what the heck!

The History of Valentine's Day

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today.

Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Did You Know?

- 192 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion. (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research)

- Nearly 60 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the observance, making Valentine’s Day a procrastinator’s delight. (Source: Hallmark research)

- There are 120 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages.

- There are 33 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) age 65 or older for every 100 single women of the same ages.

2.2 million marriages take place in the United States annually.
That breaks down to more than 6,000 a day.

- 145,800 marriages are performed in Nevada during 2004.
So many couples “tie the knot” in the Silver State that it ranked fourth nationally in marriages, even though its total population that year among states was 35th.

U.S. Census Bureau

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

But how ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?

FOR DISCUSSION ONLY

Remember:

This is a thread for singles, not a thread about the misery of singleness --
no moping allowed! :-)

Favorite romantic song, movie, poem, photo, story?

[RockinRight]

Absolutely!

[Darkwolf377]

Good night.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

You could turn the TV off.

Now that's an idea.

Hey. Wait. Is there really going to be IJ4???? I LOVE IJ.

[pcottraux]

Yes, there is (movie guy alert--I know everything about the industry).

The early production has been a struggle for many years. They couldn't find a script they liked. Now, they have a script they like, and with Spielberg finished with Munich, it's just a matter of getting everything together and getting started. I don't think Sean Connery will be returning, though.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

So what DO you do for a living? I've always wondered. I see your creative cartoons twice a week.

[pcottraux]

So what DO you do for a living?

Oh, dear. The question I always dread.

I'm currently unemployed. I've been out of school for a while, and have been trying to decide what to do with my life. It's been sort of a drifting process, but the days are turning into weeks...

I've been looking for a job for a loooong time with no results, so I think I'll just do whatever I can find. My biggest inspiration is to become a writer, so I would work on that in my spare time while working until it takes off.

The cartoons are sort of a hobby. I can honestly say if I did them every day, it would be like working a full-time job.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

No need to feel 'dread' for being unemployed. What was your major? I only got an AA degree for liberal (gasp!) arts, but I did pretty well for myself. I took a lot of art courses and stuff at college, and I ended up going into secretarial work. Go figure.

[pcottraux]

Wow, I don't feel like too much of a freak now.

I also have only an A.A. My major was English (liberal arts I guess).

I wanted to go into advertising when I got out, but that didn't work out. Then we moved to North Carolina, and I thought maybe my 2-year degree would help me. But so far it hasn't.

[Paul_Denton]

Hi

[Paul_Denton]

LOL I have no college education at all.

[pcottraux]

Hello.

I'm going to have to be leaving shortly.

[Paul_Denton]

what is IJ4?

[Paul_Denton]

I am sorry for getting here late. POwer outtage.

[pcottraux]

Indiana Jones 4

[Paul_Denton]

Hello. Long time no see lol

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

My husband doesn't have any college degree. He works for a major investment firm now and makes pretty good money. He also joined the army reserves right out of HS at the age of 17. He had to have a parent sign his enlistment form.

[Paul_Denton]

I am working on a novel and a short story too.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

Hi Paul,

IJ4 is short for Indiana Jones 4.

[Paul_Denton]

NO Maried people are welcome too. Marajade, who is married used to post here regularly.

[Paul_Denton]

It sure is, I won't go to sleep till 8AM. But I've been working on my computer and damn if the time don't fly by... I need a new hobby besides writing...

Same for me. I am a night owl too and I do my writing in the wee hours of the night/morning.