Keep things interesting this Valentine’s Day by doing some role playing with your partner. Let the other person shoulder the burden of exaggerated expectations this year. Or, given tomorrow’s holiday, indulge your POTUS fantasies. Veto or mandate stuff at will. Like, “Make love, not war.” Let’s arrange a bouquet of headlines:
“Valentine’s Day flowers aren’t exactly the best gift idea”: This article details the ways in which women are “disappointed” with the gifts they receive (Or lack thereof. Flowers alone are not enough, according to this poll.) Really, ladies, go ahead and switch roles with the people who disappoint you. It might be instructive.
“In Japan, it’s the guys who get the love — and chocolate — on Valentine’s Day”: To be fair, it’s not just men who get the treats from women, but their family and coworkers as well. Women get their turn on March 14, White Day, when men can return the show of affection, or not, as the article notes. (Here’s betting White Day candy sales pale in comparison to Valentine’s Day.) But the Japanese tradition does have some things worth emulating beside the giving of traditional romantic chocolates:
Giri-choco is “obligatory chocolate” you give colleagues to smooth the day-to-day office routine. And Jibun choco is what you give yourself just because you deserve it. And you definitely deserve some Jibun choco after giving so much Giri-choco.
“An increasing number of hotels are saying ‘Sorry, but kids aren’t allowed’?”: Ah, more cultural differences. You know these hotels are not located in the land of Disney. According to the article, hotels in Germany, Spain and “elsewhere in Europe” are resorting to such bans. “I feel annoyed by the mere presence of children,” one 33-year-old German woman told the Wall Street Journal. Well, with Germany’s population growth at about zero, if the woman can just hang on for a couple of more generations, she’ll have one less annoyance with which to contend. Hang tough till then.
“Broncos would like to know Peyton Manning decision before March 9”: Like he has to think about it? How often does someone get the chance to retire on top, complete with a fairy tale ending? Come on, Peyton, don’t Brett Favre it.
“People are being super mean to Tim Cook about his blurry Super Bowl photo”: Of course they are. “Being Super Mean” seems to be an Internet mission statement.
“Stormwater ruling favors builders, local governments”: You mean it doesn’t favor the health of people, fish or the environment? Shocking! Be sure to try the crab cakes with the zingy polluted drainage remoulade.
“$3.7 million in 3 months: I-405 tolls rake in more than 3 times expected income” and “Report says I-405 tolls made traffic worse, WSDOT, other group disagree”: That all sounds about right. Traffic is worse for those who can’t afford the tolls, but those who can afford them are spending a heck of a lot of money. So naturally WSDOT believes everything is okey-dokey.
While WSDOT sings “Freeway of Love” go ahead and eat all the chocolate you deserve.
cmacpherson@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
