L.A. Boondoggle

So for the special day my girlfriend and I joined another couple at the Santa Monica Hooters near the Promenade.  We thought it would be funny to perform such a blasphemous deed and sure enough we had a blast.  The girls weren’t bitchy like the time I went to the one in San Diego and our two waitresses were quite attractive.  After dinner we joined another couple and headed to Diddy Riese in Westwood because their Ice Cream sandwiches are the best cold desert I’ve ever had.  Plus, they cost $1.50 each, so come on.  I know what you’re wondering, and my combination of choice is: Chocolate White-Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough Ice Cream.  Now I want another.  Thanks.

Being a male, Valentine’s Day is pretty much the only time during the year I’m able to pencil in thoughts of romance.  Unless, that is, you count the entire time between the day after Christmas and February 14th when grocery stores are choking you with candy and flowers of every variety, for which you’re supposed to exchange money so as to not look like an un-romantic prick.  Even the girl who cuts my hair got on my case about it, and she wasn’t even planning to see her boyfriend that day.  Granted, they were in the middle of a fight, but isn’t the point of the holiday to focus on the positive aspects of a relationship?

I would like to see a change in tide which removes the commercialism from all holidays so people can actually focus on the reasons for said holidays.  With Christmas for an example, even if you’re not religious you know damn well retailers worldwide guilt you into buying useless garbage your loved ones don’t need.  They could care less that ultimately you’re just driving yourself further into debt.  But, oh, the extra sky miles and reward points!  Yeesh.  Personally, my favorite part of Christmas is the food.  Yes, the food must be bought at a store (unless you slaughter and prepare your own pig/cow/turkey/camel/elephant/zebra/whatever) but I’ve seen studies proving that holiday stress is caused not just by delayed flights and familial conflict, but by the mountain of concern created when you don’t know the perfect gift to buy someone.  At least gift-giving used to be personal - now look at the proliferation of the gift card!  “I don’t care enough to get to know you and therefore your likes and dislikes are a mystery to me.  Here, have the equivalent to a $50 check that’s good at only one store.  Merry Christmas I love you!”

Oh yeah, Valentine’s Day.  I think it’s ridiculous and unfair that guys are made out to be assholes if they don’t spend their hard-earned money on someone else.  There.  Maybe when Steak-and-Blowjob Day is as prevalent as Valentine’s Day my attitude will change.

Besides, love makes you as loony and disfunctional as a psych-ward patient!

Now, throw some artistry into the mix and you’ve got my attention.  Below is a fantastic video I happened upon that says without words a number of the feelings one experiences when dealing with the matters of love.  Enjoy.

My further thoughts on this wonderful piece are:

• Sweet origami swan
• I’d love to see a ‘making-of’
• The video would probably have lost a lot of value had the two leads been extremely attractive
• While obviously very inspired, the video exudes a cheezy punch-drunk haze which one can reasonably assume is intentional given the subject matter

Lastly, a light-hearted conclusion to a somewhat pessimistic post (sorry) involving Valentine’s Day greeting cards you wish you could give to people but could only do so if you made them yourself. 

Peace!

---