Be my Valentine

Since I last posted I've been busy. Curtains still up, I'm pretty sure they'll stay put now. I've turned my attention to other things. The bands I'm in are getting slightly more busy. Rehearsing a lot with one of 'em, generally for gigs. The regular gigging band - not so busy. Been doing photos for band too (the rehearsing one). Tomorrow is the day of reckoning, gig in the evening and photos during the day.

Doing the mannequin thing, as mentioned before. Hoping for some good results. We'll see.

I went to Dublin last week, for a friend's 30th birthday party. Had a great time, met some great people. Dublin is well worth a visit, and if you're near an airport, it can be quite inexpensive to get there (of course you need to put up with unreserved seating and enought leg-room for an umpah lumpah).

Today is St Valentine's Day. What does that actually mean? Is it just expensive meals out, overpriced cards, red envelopes, chocolates, flowers and a chance for shops/restaurants to make more money from over comercialism.

It seems to me that no-one actually knows what St Valentine was all about. Whilst in Dublin I went to the Guinness Factory, quite an enjoyable tour with lots to read and learn... and taste! I read there that "on March 17th everyone becomes Irish", this sign went on to explain that St Patrick's Day is a good excuse for people all over the world to drink Guinness and eat Irish food. Got me thinking, I wonder what Saint Patrick would have made of that? I've got no idea who he is - I know I'm a goolge away, but it seems somewhat cheating to indulge in something you have no idea of the meaning or political stance.

Saint Patrick may well have been a facist leader for all I know, and by quaffing Guinness and eating Soda bread, cabbage and spuds I'll be tacetly agreeing with his politics. I doubt he was a facist leader, I'm pretty sure they dont make saints out of facist leaders... But I don't KNOW they don't. Is it worth the risk?

So who was St Valentine? Where did the culture of annonymous cards creep in to our society? "Will you be my Valentine?" - this suggests they were a secret lover, maybe, or they thrill of a young lover?

When did we loes the "Saint" from Saint Valentines Day? Was that because of the "Saint Valentines Day Massacre"?

That's what it makes me think of... Dead people in Al Capone era Chicago... Which then makes me think of the film/musical "Bugsey"... Much more pleasent.

I'm opting out of Saint Valentine's Day. I don't need a special day to tell my wife and loved ones I love them. I'll tell them every day, and if I don't hopefully they won't forget from the last time I told them.

It seems there is a "cheap-skate" stigma attached to this kind of attitude, but I don't really care. Its not about money, its about a beleif system. Until I find out what it is I'm celebrating and endorsing - I'm not going to bother with it.

Take care

D