happy valentines day to all, and to all a good night

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone -- hope you've had your fill of candy hearts and decadent chocolate. I am celebrating by having a blog-a-thon -- that is, I'm reading a ton of blogs and seeing how everyone else is celebrating. The singletons are complaining about the "Hallmark Holiday," and those with significant others are posting dinner plans. I guess we can't all be hot computer geeks who can have her cake and eat it too.

Anyway, a colleague of mine pointed out that Valentine's Day (the westernized version) has spread around the world. Iraq and Taiwan stores are peddling the red and white kitsch, and my uncle in Iraq told me today over the phone that some people on his staff bought him some valentine's candy. "I didn't even know you could get that over here -- I guess I should leave the base more often," he said. "Even though it was not the finest chocolate in the world, I still enjoyed the treat. St. Valentine visits the desert, indeed."

I did a google search for "Iraq Valentines" and came up with a florist directory for the major Iraqi cities. It's actaully very interesting -- I should have known beforehand so I could have had flowers sent to my uncle at Camp Victory. (I don't think they would allow flower deliveries, but still, it's the thought that counts.)

Anyway, hope all is well with you guys. Good or bad, Valentine's Day is almost over...