I've been wondering about sending valentines to myself. So far I've only got two, which means that each year, I've got fewer bunny love valentines than the year before. I must be pissing you off, one by one.

Rock on, self-Valentine! I do this with some frequency; that way, I know I'm getting what I really want.

Elsa's obligatory long story:

A bakery owned and operated by friends once produced gorgeous handdipped chocolate-covered strawberries as a Valentine special. With my afternoon coffee, I ordered two strawberries. When they asked which of the fancy little boxes I wanted, I said, "Oh, don't bother, I'll eat them here."

The two women working the counter laughed, until they realized I wasn't kidding. One said, "Oh. Um, I would never buy those for myself. They're so fancy."

They thought it was sad that I didn't have someone to buy those strawberries for me. I thought it was sad that they didn't feel comfortable buying something gorgeous for their own damn selves.

Guess who I still think is right? Plus, I got chocolate outta the deal. Mmm.

But waaaaay better than my strawberries was a gift from my friend/boss of ten years ago.

Her husband was out of town of St. Valentine's Day. Secretly, he called me and arranged for me to deliver a big splashy gift for her in his absence.

The same day, she popped back into work just before closing and presented me with a bakery box containing a local bakery's Valentine special: a dacquoise for two. OH MY GOODNESS. Yum.

It was spectacular, and really too big even for two. I asked her how we were going to split it, or would she like to come over for dinner and (drool!) dessert. She gaily chirped, "Oh, no --- this one's for you. Mine's in the car!"

That broad knows how to live.

My Valentine companions are a spinach cannelloni ready meal, a supermarket tiramisu and a Billy Connolly repeat.

I have a date with a six pack of moderately priced beer, a new book, and a rediscovered stash of black metal CDs. Yeah, I know you're jealous, people who are having "sex" tonight.

I just cleaned and sanitized the refrigerator top to bottom, in and out. Even pulling it out from the wall and cleaning the back, and tilting it back to clean the coils. Yeah, I know how to live.

Oh, and I'm having Pipeline Porter. Made with REAL Kona Coffee.

All my plans for stuff got roooooned.
Now nobody gets to see all the stuff i worked on for them again.
And no one got me a polar bear. You. So much for love.

And no one got me a polar bear.

You mean: no one got you a polar bear yet.

Yum. I just made myself a nice drink. It's tasty.

I'm having 20 flavors Jelly Bellys right now. Happy Valentine's, me!

Elsa, I'm definitely in the "buy chocolate-dipped strawberries for yourself" camp

Elsa, I have a similar story: A couple of years ago I was treating myself to a 'date with me' day--a good, smart but trashy mystery, a long, reasonably lubricated lunch at one of my favourite restaurants to savour with the book, and a lovely bunch of flowers to take home and adorn my place with. (I do this whether or not I'm single--it's one of life's great pleasures.) I was walking home when a woman walking the other way commented, "Wow! Nice bouquet! Who are they from?" "Me," I said, grinning. "Good for you! I think I might do the same thing!" We went our separate ways, smiling happily to ourselves. I hope she bought herself those flowers.

Ok, so the cat is washed, the cookies cooked, and i'm half naked and filthy.
i wish i'd had a chance to get myself something pretty.

I've just finished a Moon Pie, followed that up with a knockoff Rice Krispies Treat, and now I'm plowing through a king-size Take 5.

Oh my. You're jonmc's sockpuppet!

Who is this "jonmc" you speak of?