Monday, February 12, 2007

Cawing & Pawing

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I think I'm about done with all the Valentine's fluff & stuff. I've just about gagged myself, which I take as a fairly clear sign to cease and desist. Maybe I can take just a leeeetle bit more. Then I'll stop.

In the Middle Ages, lovers began to celebrate St. Valentine's Day by exchanging love notes and simple gifts such as flowers. The idea of linking Valentine's Day with love during the Middle Ages was strengthened by the notion that birds began to look for mates during this time.

It was commonly believed in France and England that birds' mating season began on or about February 14th. This popular notion contributed to the idea that Valentine's Day be celebrated as a day of love and romance.

Geoffrey Chaucer, in the 14th century “Parlement of Foules," wrote:
"For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne's day,
Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate
.”

These popular verses further helped to create a festive and romantic image of Valentine's Day during the Middle Ages. Lovers, therefore, began to celebrate Valentine's Day by expressing love to their sweethearts with an exchange of love notes and gifts.

The first known Valentine is said to have been written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.

Historians also say that Saint Valentine of Rome sent a letter signed “From your Valentine” to his sweetheart who was the jailer's daughter a day before he was to be executed. This phrase is still popular amongst lovers.

Aren't you glad we don't live in the Middle Ages?Y

There's a line of off-the-wall greeting cards called Uncooked, which you can see for yourself at

http://www.uncookedland.com

These are not your mother's greeting cards. There are weird cards, and cynical ones, albeit the cynicism is countered by "an overwhelming sweetness that comes out sort of unexpectedly," according to the two women who own the company. One of the more out-there Valentine's cards reads, "It's Valentine's Day and I'm so happy we're together. But if you ever leave me I'll kill you. Like, literally, I'll stab you." One would-be customer likened that one to "cards for serial killers."

All righty, then.


There was this bit of weirdness at my house this morning. I was in my bathroom getting ready for work when I heard the dog bark. I went to see what she was barking at, and she was just sitting on the stairs, watching the front door. She'll do that if there's somebody at the door. I hadn't heard the doorbell ring, but I went to see anyway -- and I didn't see a thing. I went back upstairs, and the dog remained on the stairs -- letting out a little bark every few seconds. I went back down to the door and opened it to take a look outside, because something was getting her all stirred up. I didn't see a thing but a bunch of crows (technically called a murder of crows; I don't know why a crow pack is called that, but no wonder they're damn scary birds). They were cawing and making a lot of noise and the dog doesn't usually bark at birds, but that had to have been what it was. Weird.

In Twisted Linguistics today, we find these Words Gone Wild.

I am so greatfull – Much greater than when I am empty.

Very plesant – A better attitude than very meen, I’m sure.

Hubble, hard working bunch – Ever vigilant astronomers.

banes and noble – Cursed but still trying to sell good books.

Everyone else ack like – They’re all gagging, just like me.

dispertly need - Longing for something desperately disparate.

subgestions – Advice for planning subversive activities.

her ascent to the marriage – Wedding requiring the bride to climb a mountain.


What’s your Love Profile?

Caveat: This one lies big-time. For example, I have never scuba dived in my life.


Gemini - Your Love Profile

Your positive traits:

Your lively, outgoing attitude attracts people to you everywhere you go.
You can talk your way into - and out of - any situation you desire.
You're adaptable enough to flirt with anyone - and people tend to fight over you.

Your negative traits:

You get easily bored in relationships, and tend to jump from person to person.
You tend to be a bit of a player - and have a high tolerance for drama in relationships.
Not the most empathetic person, you tend to tell lovers to "get over" their problems.

Your ideal partner:

Is intelligent and quick witted enough to keep you interested.
Is a bit of a shape shifter, providing you with the variety you crave.
An open minded person, who's willing to have a non-traditional relationship.

Your dating style:

Exciting. If your date shows you a new experience (like Egyptian food or scuba diving), you're very happy.

Your seduction style:

Experimental: it's rare that you try the same thing twice.
Ultra kinky - you do stuff that's not even in books yet.
Hot and cold... sometimes you're just not into the whole sex thing.

Tips for the future:

Settle down a little. Sometimes good things come with time - so don't let people go so fast.
Acknowledge that you're a player and flirt. If your mate can't live with this, find someone who can.
Give your partner a little more attention. You don't have to be a social butterfly all the time.

Best color to attract mate: Sunny yellow

Best day for a date: Wednesday

16 comments:

Unknown said...

I got the same love profile as you. Hellllloooooo baby =P


Just kidding.

I would have to lean towards the spiritual for your dog's barking. My cats have caught "things" in my house before. I know I am sounding freaky right now, but I am serious. I believe animals can see a world we cannot.

Serena said...

Looks like it's you and me, babe. LOL.

Oh! I didn't even think of that. There is a ghost who lives here. Maybe that's what was making the pup skittish. I do believe animals have much more heightened senses than we do and can see into unseen worlds we can only imagine.

rkfinnell said...

***Aquarius - Your Love Profile***


Your positive traits:

You've got a ton of friends, so you have no problem meeting new people.
You're great at thinking up new things and activities to do with your sweetie.
You tend to let the little things slide in relationships... and focus on the bigger picture.

Your negative traits:

In relationships, it tends to be your way or the highway.
You can never open up completely to someone - you have to keep parts of yourself secret.
You're cold and reserved, which leaves your partner feeling unloved.

Your ideal partner:

Flexible, because you're not going to be the one to compromise!
Is smart and quirky with lots of weird interests... including you.
A true individualist who doesn't care what anyone thinks

Your dating style:

Stimulating. You prefer dates that explore a shared interest - like a lecture, muesum tour, or concert.

Your seduction style:

Wacky. Your wild ideas have your lover wondering what's next.
Insatiable - it takes a lot to satisfy your desires.
Varied. You're eager to try things as soon as you learn about them.

Tips for the future:

Bring a little responsibility to your relationship - like showing up for dates!
Compromise a little. It would kill you to do things your lover's way for once.
Be aware of your partner's jealousy. Even though you aren't jealous, realize your partner is sometimes.

Best color to attract mate: Sky blue

Best day for a date: Wednesday

Corn Dog said...

I laughed out loud at that card. I must have a sick sense of humor. The crow deal is unnerving. That's what happened at my house right before I found the two wings minus the bird torso on the side walk. Yeah, creepy.

Serena said...

CD, apparently I'm warped, too. I laughed at the card.

I haven't seen any bird parts (not since the hawk's last feast), but the crows are still out there. How much you want to bet if I checked the cable listings I'd find "The Birds" on some station tonight? LOL.

Scary Monster said...

Me didn't take the love profile test for the same reson me didn't take the kissing test; way too close to V-day.

Thanks for the comment on me latest post, much appreciated.

Crows often gather around a carcass so you pup might be telling you that there be something other than crows out there.

Serena said...

Scary, what are you giving Mrs. Scary for V-Day?

Ugh! I hope those crows weren't gathering to pick a carcass. I haven't noticed (or smelled) any poor dead thing lying around. I hope they're not sitting around waiting on ME.:)

Lee said...

Wow! I'm a Scorpio and my love profile is pretty spot on! Damn...where is my Valentine?? ;)

Scary Monster said...

That would amount to kiss and tell.Mrs. Monster wouldn't like that....

Serena said...

No kiss and tell? What a gentlemanly monster you are, Scary.:)

Lee, you've got your profile; now we've got to find you a Valentine. I could send you a slightly used one. Well, okay -- really, really used. Not a good idea. I'll keep looking.

puerileuwaite said...

We're both Geminis? Oh no. With our luck, you'd probably be cold when I'm hot, and hot when I'm cold. Wait. Nevermind. I'm never cold.

Serena said...

Pugsy! You're a Gemini, too? That means ... fireworks. Which means nobody's ever cold around us.:)

Camille Alexa said...

Best color to attract mate: Sky blue

like, as in ,littlebird blue?

Serena said...

But of course, Littlebird. Feeling blue sucks, but I'll bet S loves you in blue.

rkfinnell said...

I tried to click on the site for the cynical cards, but all I got was a bag of pecans. Pecans taste like dirt. I clicked on pecans and got a blank page.
My theory is I'm too cynical even for cynical cards. LOL

Serena said...

When you clicked on the sack of pecans, you weren't taken to a page with a welcome sign and a bird flying into it and knocking itself out? Must be some computer anomaly.