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?

[Paul_Denton]

Cool :)

[darkangel82]

I've written several short stories, never shared any of them though.

[Paul_Denton]

I written two fan fics but never shared them. One is for Deus Ex which is the game where I got my FR screen name. The other is a tabletop mecha game called Heavy Gear.

[pcottraux]

Wow, your husband is the man. The most money I've ever made is about $150 per week. I worked as a pizza delivery boy last year for a little while. The store went out of business. My manager was going to work for a big company and promised to get me a decent job there. But then he gave me the slip. Not only did he never call me back about the job (I called him numerous times to no answer), I never got my last paycheck.

[Supernatural]

Check out my home page. The last picture on it is a picture of my niece. She is 20 years old now. Picture is when she was 18.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

At my very first job, I worked at a Yogurt shop. About three months later, the owner closes up due to bankruptcy. My next job was at another Yogurt shop, but I got fired after 3 weeks. After that, I got outta food, and worked for a record store (The Wherehouse) for two years, and it was all up-hill from there.

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

I LOVE Deus-Ex. I am a single-person-shooter FANATIC. I thought I recognized your screen name. I can't WAIT till Splinter Cell comes out...

[pcottraux]

GOOD GOLLY!!!!!

I mean, yes, your niece is very nice (grin).

[pcottraux]

Well, I hope it goes uphill for me, too. You have given me inspiration.

[pcottraux]

Hey, wow, a gamer!

[Paul_Denton]

AWESOME! Best game of all time. I play it every day :) I never get tired of it. I love shooters too. Especially ones with immersive stories like Deus Ex. I also like squad based shooters too such as Operation Flashpoint or SWAT 3.

[Supernatural]

She's single. How old are you?

[pcottraux]

21

[Paul_Denton]

She is very beautiful :)

[Supernatural]

Thanks. After seeing the winner of the Miss America contest this year, I think my niece is prettier. But, I'm prejudiced, of course.

She looks better now than she did two years ago.

[Lazamataz]

I'm going to make nachos (my butt is only as large as Rhode Island and I'm going for Kansas!) Wish I could share with you guys.

What, your butt?

;^)

[Maximus_Ridiculousness]

I am SUCH a nerdette----I even got the Splinter Cell paperbacks to read, along with the 24 paperbacks. You know what else was a good game was Max Payne, in terms of story line. Fantastic.

[Supernatural]

She is from Georgia. Where do you live?

[Paul_Denton]

I have to agree. *sigh* I'll probably never meet anyone.

[pcottraux]

I'm from Georgia, but right now I live in North Carolina.