Showing posts with label valentine's day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label valentine's day. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Post-Valentine's Day
Last night was not as bad as I thought it would be. Our steady stream of customers died almost completely around 7:30pm and we were able to start boxing stuff up for the mini-remodel today. Closing was terrible as we were $15.41 short. That makes a shortage the last three times I've closed. I would be worried if two of the shortages hadn't been verified by keyholders at the time of shift changes, before I even arrived at the store.
I had this feeling yesterday like everything was fantastic. The weather was so warm, about 65degrees, and I broke through my weight threshold at weight watchers after two disappointing weeks. I am officially down 32.8 pounds and can say that I weigh under 170lbs for the first time in over six years. I had promised myself I would buy the uber expensive Express Jeans I borrowed from my sister, over winter break, once I made it past 170, but now I am wondering if I should wait a bit longer. I don't want to spend $80+ on a pair of jeans I might only wear for another six months. Though they are having a buy one, get one 50% off right now....
I am in a very good place right now. Professionally, personally, emotionally, physically. And I just feel so positive about everything, I wish I could bottle it and sell it to people who are down on their luck. Part of me is worried that things will change again and I'll be on the downward side of things, but another part of me keeps thinking, "it's about time."
After work, I met up with my boyfriend for a couple of drinks to unwind from all the Hallmark stress. We had a great time poking fun at the different fitness commercials that came on the screens at Frisco Grille. (The Shake Weight is probably my favorite right now. There is just something very obscene about it.) We just had a great time, enjoying each other's company. Then, this morning he made me Eggs in a Basket for breakfast because he is just that awesome. I appreciate these little things so much more than if he'd shown up with a dozen roses or some other cliché of Valentine's gift giving. And the best part, is that I don't have to wait for one day out of the year for any of it.
A lot of my upbeat point of view right now comes from my own decisions and choices to make positive changes in my life. But I would be lying if I didn't say that a big part of it is just being with someone like my boyfriend. He treats me with respect and makes me feel great about myself. We obviously don't have the same range of knowledge, but he never makes me feel bad about not knowing something. Instead it's always an opportunity for discussion of the topic and a genuine conversation. I just hope that he feels just as positive about being with me and that I offer the same care and support that he always shows me.
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| ReRock Boot Cut Jean from http://www.express.com/ |
I am in a very good place right now. Professionally, personally, emotionally, physically. And I just feel so positive about everything, I wish I could bottle it and sell it to people who are down on their luck. Part of me is worried that things will change again and I'll be on the downward side of things, but another part of me keeps thinking, "it's about time."
A lot of my upbeat point of view right now comes from my own decisions and choices to make positive changes in my life. But I would be lying if I didn't say that a big part of it is just being with someone like my boyfriend. He treats me with respect and makes me feel great about myself. We obviously don't have the same range of knowledge, but he never makes me feel bad about not knowing something. Instead it's always an opportunity for discussion of the topic and a genuine conversation. I just hope that he feels just as positive about being with me and that I offer the same care and support that he always shows me.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
Yesterday was a nice day off. I was able to finish reading the book I borrowed from my boyfriend and start on the new one I bought at Barnes & Noble. I started to clean out my car and enjoyed the 50 degree weather with every spring-wishing-fiber of my being. I am done with the snow, DONE WITH IT, and I could smell spring on the air yesterday. Please, just stay like this for the next two weeks so my birthday is super awesome. Then, I met up with my boyfriend for dinner. (Though we realized we would have to make something at home since there would be a lot of VD Frenzy at all the restaurants.) We discussed the book, the new iPhone, and his alphabetical organization of his DVD/Blu-ray collection before curling up for the final disc of Fringe that had arrived from Netflix.
I did buy a box of Godiva chocolates from work before heading over. It wasn't a Valentine's gift per se, but it was a special treat we could enjoy together. When I arrived at his place with the gold box tucked under the borrowed book, is eyes lit up. He was like a little kid. (Godiva chocolate is his favorite, btw.) "What is this?" he said in that tone of voice that says he knows perfectly well what a gold box means. So we took turns selecting a chocolate and sharing it. It was a really perfect day off. Which helps to recharge the batteries for tonight's onslaught of half-crazed, last minute shoppers at Hallmark.
I did buy a box of Godiva chocolates from work before heading over. It wasn't a Valentine's gift per se, but it was a special treat we could enjoy together. When I arrived at his place with the gold box tucked under the borrowed book, is eyes lit up. He was like a little kid. (Godiva chocolate is his favorite, btw.) "What is this?" he said in that tone of voice that says he knows perfectly well what a gold box means. So we took turns selecting a chocolate and sharing it. It was a really perfect day off. Which helps to recharge the batteries for tonight's onslaught of half-crazed, last minute shoppers at Hallmark.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Conversations Overheard
Today, my sister called me before work to share an interesting interview she'd heard on the radio, Marc Rudov was issuing his fifth annual dare to men to boycott Valentine's day. Now I've been to his website and a lot of his rhetoric is very harsh, but I have to admit he has a point.
He points out that all the commercials for Valentine's day are geared towards men buying for women and he's absolutely right. The best example he has on his site is the JCPenny ad featuring men in the doghouse. It has its moments, but there is this underlying commentary that there are certain expectations in society. Rudov's site isn't the most appealing to women, he tends to focus on how women use men for their money, etc. But he does point out in one of his articles that the injustice is towards both men and women; that there is an entire generation growing up and learning that certain behaviors are acceptable. Rudov points out that teaching young men and women that expensive gifts and "forced generosity" are expected in exchange for certain privileges creates an acceptable form of prostitution. It teaches men not to respect women as equals and women to accept this secondary status in exchange for goods. It produces this mass hysteria that if you don't find the right gift or expression your lover will deny you. That's not what love or relationships should be about.
My female co-worker asked me the other day what I was going to do for Valentine's day and I said that I didn't think we had any plans. I have to work at my second job that day and I just don't feel the frenzy to do something. (If I were single I think I'd be in a frenzy about making sure I did something with my single friends so I didn't feel left out, but that is another issue altogether.) My co-worker was appalled, "But you have to do something for Valentine's day!" No, actually I don't. It was this moment when I ceased to care about the holiday. As you may recall, from one of my previous entries, I was unsure whether I should get something or not. I don't like being told I have to do something, call me contrary, and I will go out of my way to do the exact opposite.
Rudov doesn't seem to favor marriage, at least not as he perceives it in current society, and after a conversation I overheard at work today I wonder if he doesn't have a point. The same female co-worker was talking to one of our male co-workers about what he was going to get his girlfriend for Valentine's. He said he wasn't sure and my female co-worker offered to help him. She started off with asking him how much he wanted to spend and offered $100 as a starting point. I couldn't believe it. I guess my male co-worker declined that amount and my female co-worker started lowering the cost. When she got below $50 she got this tone to her voice and asked my male co-worker if he was serious. Again, I couldn't believe that there were these expectations.
When the female co-worker was asked what she was doing for Valentine's, she went into detail about the things she wanted from her husband but said that she was planning a gag-gift for him. Again, here is that double-standard that is present in society. She eventually talked my male co-worker into finding a day spa or incredibly expensive restaurant and instructed him to buy flowers and some sort of sexy underwear. This is exactly what Marc Rudov is talking about on his website! The guy is buying the food, flowers, pampering for his lady and the idea is that sex will be guaranteed at the end of it.
I don't know about you, but I would be insulted. First of all, I'd rather buy my own sexy whatever as I want to make sure I am comfortable no matter what. (Comfort and confidence is the number one key to feeling and being sexy.) Second of all, that is something that should never be assumed just as one should never assume that expensive gifts will be lavished upon one's self. My guy prefers to pay for dinner or drinks and I certainly appreciate it, but I never expect it. And I make a point to pay for the movie if he bought dinner, or the wine if he bought the groceries for dinner at home, etc. Sometimes, I like to take him out and treat him. Though I have to admit this happens less frequently than I would like, but he understands. The minute you start taking something for granted is the minute you stop appreciating it. I don't ever want him to feel like I don't appreciate him and the things he does or that I am taking advantage of him in some way. I think this is where the boycott Valentine's day comes from more than anything else. One should never take advantage of another human being for any reason, real or imagined.
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| "Nomance Day" from The NoNonsense Man |
He points out that all the commercials for Valentine's day are geared towards men buying for women and he's absolutely right. The best example he has on his site is the JCPenny ad featuring men in the doghouse. It has its moments, but there is this underlying commentary that there are certain expectations in society. Rudov's site isn't the most appealing to women, he tends to focus on how women use men for their money, etc. But he does point out in one of his articles that the injustice is towards both men and women; that there is an entire generation growing up and learning that certain behaviors are acceptable. Rudov points out that teaching young men and women that expensive gifts and "forced generosity" are expected in exchange for certain privileges creates an acceptable form of prostitution. It teaches men not to respect women as equals and women to accept this secondary status in exchange for goods. It produces this mass hysteria that if you don't find the right gift or expression your lover will deny you. That's not what love or relationships should be about.
My female co-worker asked me the other day what I was going to do for Valentine's day and I said that I didn't think we had any plans. I have to work at my second job that day and I just don't feel the frenzy to do something. (If I were single I think I'd be in a frenzy about making sure I did something with my single friends so I didn't feel left out, but that is another issue altogether.) My co-worker was appalled, "But you have to do something for Valentine's day!" No, actually I don't. It was this moment when I ceased to care about the holiday. As you may recall, from one of my previous entries, I was unsure whether I should get something or not. I don't like being told I have to do something, call me contrary, and I will go out of my way to do the exact opposite.
Rudov doesn't seem to favor marriage, at least not as he perceives it in current society, and after a conversation I overheard at work today I wonder if he doesn't have a point. The same female co-worker was talking to one of our male co-workers about what he was going to get his girlfriend for Valentine's. He said he wasn't sure and my female co-worker offered to help him. She started off with asking him how much he wanted to spend and offered $100 as a starting point. I couldn't believe it. I guess my male co-worker declined that amount and my female co-worker started lowering the cost. When she got below $50 she got this tone to her voice and asked my male co-worker if he was serious. Again, I couldn't believe that there were these expectations.
When the female co-worker was asked what she was doing for Valentine's, she went into detail about the things she wanted from her husband but said that she was planning a gag-gift for him. Again, here is that double-standard that is present in society. She eventually talked my male co-worker into finding a day spa or incredibly expensive restaurant and instructed him to buy flowers and some sort of sexy underwear. This is exactly what Marc Rudov is talking about on his website! The guy is buying the food, flowers, pampering for his lady and the idea is that sex will be guaranteed at the end of it.
I don't know about you, but I would be insulted. First of all, I'd rather buy my own sexy whatever as I want to make sure I am comfortable no matter what. (Comfort and confidence is the number one key to feeling and being sexy.) Second of all, that is something that should never be assumed just as one should never assume that expensive gifts will be lavished upon one's self. My guy prefers to pay for dinner or drinks and I certainly appreciate it, but I never expect it. And I make a point to pay for the movie if he bought dinner, or the wine if he bought the groceries for dinner at home, etc. Sometimes, I like to take him out and treat him. Though I have to admit this happens less frequently than I would like, but he understands. The minute you start taking something for granted is the minute you stop appreciating it. I don't ever want him to feel like I don't appreciate him and the things he does or that I am taking advantage of him in some way. I think this is where the boycott Valentine's day comes from more than anything else. One should never take advantage of another human being for any reason, real or imagined.
Monday, January 31, 2011
January 31st
Wow...one month of solid blogging. Not all of it has been interesting or easy to do. Hopefully next month will be a little more interesting with the planning and celebrating of my 30th birthday. But I hope that I can keep this up for the entire year as it will be interesting to look back on at the next milestone.
It is officially 27 days until my birthday and I am getting very excited for it. Though there are other obstacles before then. Namely, Valentine's day. I am in a confusing place on this one. I have been dating my boyfriend for several months now, almost 8, and this will be the first Valentine's day we've encountered. He has previously stated that he doesn't really "do" V-day because he feels it's something you shouldn't have just one day for. Meaning that doing special things and showing someone you care about them shouldn't be relegated to just one day a year and should be something you do all the time for your honey. And, to be perfectly fair, he does just that. But I don't want to get nothing for him and then find out that he did get something for me. Also, I don't want him to feel obligated to get me something if I get something for him. It's a balancing act of sorts.
At the second job yesterday, my co-workers were talking about it. To be honest, I don't know that I want anything in particular. I just cleaned out my storage unit and a lot of my personal "baggage" I don't have a need for any more "stuff," you know? I am working very hard on my weight watchers and have successfully lost 32 pounds so I don't really want any candy to tempt me into bad habits while I'm trying to lost the other 15-20. All the ladies at work were trying to decide what they would buy their significant other from our store. I don't mean to belittle what we sell, but it's all useless. Maybe I am not the romantic I once was, but I just don't see how getting a journal for your beau and filling out the first page for him is going to be useful. Unless of course, you know for a fact that he is an avid journaler and this would be a welcome gift. Maybe a mix CD with songs that make you think of him would go over well if you had similar tastes in music. Actually the mix CD isn't a bad idea. But the giant Teddy Bear we sell for $100 is a terrible waste of resources. I am definitely more of a buy me a season of my favorite show, or a movie we saw together. Something that will still be useful years down the road.
Or buy me something that will convey the sentiment without adding to my clutter. Like Flowers. They are simple, elegant, thoughtful and don't last more than a week. Flowers bring cheer to any room on these dark wintry days and promise that spring is just around the corner while showing that you care. Candy is also an acceptable option, tempting though it may be, but please refrain from a huge box. Or something with an significant amount of thought. For example, if he were to show up with a collection of the new Sharpie Fine Point Pens in multiple colors tied like a flower bunch, or something similar, I would know that this person understood me. Throw in that new Stone Paper Composition Book I saw at Target the other day and it's a done deal. Of course, I need more pens and paper like I need a hole in my head but you get the point.
But there is all of this frenzy around the holiday that I just don't understand. Why does it have to be a test for your loved one? Why do we have cards at Hallmark that are bigger than my any scrapbook could possibly handle? Is bigger really better or just overcompensating? People are stressing about getting dinner reservations to resturaunts that are going to be crowded with people trying to have a romantic moment admist rushing wait staff and loud background noise. It's like setting yourself up for failure. Of course, no one really wants to be the person without plans on this day of days either. And by plans, I mean someone to have sex with afterwards.
It is officially 27 days until my birthday and I am getting very excited for it. Though there are other obstacles before then. Namely, Valentine's day. I am in a confusing place on this one. I have been dating my boyfriend for several months now, almost 8, and this will be the first Valentine's day we've encountered. He has previously stated that he doesn't really "do" V-day because he feels it's something you shouldn't have just one day for. Meaning that doing special things and showing someone you care about them shouldn't be relegated to just one day a year and should be something you do all the time for your honey. And, to be perfectly fair, he does just that. But I don't want to get nothing for him and then find out that he did get something for me. Also, I don't want him to feel obligated to get me something if I get something for him. It's a balancing act of sorts.
At the second job yesterday, my co-workers were talking about it. To be honest, I don't know that I want anything in particular. I just cleaned out my storage unit and a lot of my personal "baggage" I don't have a need for any more "stuff," you know? I am working very hard on my weight watchers and have successfully lost 32 pounds so I don't really want any candy to tempt me into bad habits while I'm trying to lost the other 15-20. All the ladies at work were trying to decide what they would buy their significant other from our store. I don't mean to belittle what we sell, but it's all useless. Maybe I am not the romantic I once was, but I just don't see how getting a journal for your beau and filling out the first page for him is going to be useful. Unless of course, you know for a fact that he is an avid journaler and this would be a welcome gift. Maybe a mix CD with songs that make you think of him would go over well if you had similar tastes in music. Actually the mix CD isn't a bad idea. But the giant Teddy Bear we sell for $100 is a terrible waste of resources. I am definitely more of a buy me a season of my favorite show, or a movie we saw together. Something that will still be useful years down the road.
Or buy me something that will convey the sentiment without adding to my clutter. Like Flowers. They are simple, elegant, thoughtful and don't last more than a week. Flowers bring cheer to any room on these dark wintry days and promise that spring is just around the corner while showing that you care. Candy is also an acceptable option, tempting though it may be, but please refrain from a huge box. Or something with an significant amount of thought. For example, if he were to show up with a collection of the new Sharpie Fine Point Pens in multiple colors tied like a flower bunch, or something similar, I would know that this person understood me. Throw in that new Stone Paper Composition Book I saw at Target the other day and it's a done deal. Of course, I need more pens and paper like I need a hole in my head but you get the point.
But there is all of this frenzy around the holiday that I just don't understand. Why does it have to be a test for your loved one? Why do we have cards at Hallmark that are bigger than my any scrapbook could possibly handle? Is bigger really better or just overcompensating? People are stressing about getting dinner reservations to resturaunts that are going to be crowded with people trying to have a romantic moment admist rushing wait staff and loud background noise. It's like setting yourself up for failure. Of course, no one really wants to be the person without plans on this day of days either. And by plans, I mean someone to have sex with afterwards.
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