isn't it pretty to think so?

I refuse to be cynical about Valentine's Day. And frankly, I don't get why people are. I mean sure, ya there's the whole overdone bullshit consumerism argument. But I want to know what hasn't been somehow tainted by consumerism? The greeting card industry thrives off of every human experience possible. Even death is profitable.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's complete crap that restaurants charge more for a meal on Valentine's Day, and that girls have probably broken up with their boyfriends if they didn't do something cute enough. And that the whole day is (likely) really focused on heterosexual love. I've got my qualms with it. But, when you shave it down, what's wrong with a day devoted to love?

I believe in love. I love my parents. I love my friends. And ya, I've been "in love" before...I think. At least what I've been taught what love is based on various resources (my parents, chick flicks, The Cure). I'm sure my idea of love is totally skewed. But I think that's why people want to believe in it. When people believe in stuff, like when you believe in God or the tooth fairy or Santa, you're believing in something a little bit magical, something with superpowers. More powerful than you.

People don't kill one another for tangible things (except oil and other icky things). They kill for ideas. For freedom, nationalism, liberty...You can't touch any of these things. They aren't matter. (scientifically speaking) But does it matter? (figuratively speaking) People believe in these things whether they are "real" or not. And their reality, and what they live for is based entirely on these ideas.

So maybe the kind of love that I and all you other suckers believe in may be kinda like believing in unicorns. Everyone else thinks it's unrealistic, and maybe in a narrow way of thinking it is. But dreams are real. When I'm having a dream, it's so real to me at that moment. And I'd rather see unicorns and love in my dreams than any of the shit happening in the world right now.

So believing in "the one" is kind of like believing in God or Freedom. It's kind of a way of life. Maybe it's not tangible, maybe it's too idealistic, but it's something worth living for. The thought of not dying alone. Knowing that someone loves you for everything you are.

So, maybe I'm a sucker that bought into Valentine's Day, and maybe I'm silly for hoping that there is such thing as "the one", but heck, I can't help it, blame it on The Notebook.

Here's an excerpt from one of my favourite books, Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises:

“Oh, Jake,” Brett said, “we could have had such a damned good time together.”
Ahead was a mounted policeman in khaki directing traffic. He raised his baton. The car slowed suddenly pressing Brett against me.
“Yes,” I said. “Isn’t it pretty to think so?”

Jake realizes that him and Brett's relationship was nothing more than a dream. But it sure was pretty.


So for those of you who've read all of this. Here's a reward. A lovely little playlist.

I made these CDs for my roommates, note the shoddy artwork.