So here we are, the allegedly most romantic day of the year. How has it been for you guys? My husband and daughter have gone on holiday to Cyprus (they've been playing in the snow on Mt Olympus today) so I'm here celebrating it alone. Not that we ever do much for valentine's anyway. I have a very nice glass of red wine in front of me, although I very much doubt that I will be able to empty the bottle alone. So I wish you all the best for Valentine's day, and am chugging some virtual rioja your way.

Bah! Humbug! I got dumped Valentines day last year by my boyfriend of 10 years for a girlie about 14 years younger than we are (39 and 40). Sorry - rant over now!! I'm still a believer in romance(and to prove I'm not a complete and utter grouch)- so for valentines day, here are a couple of links to 2 Mark/Princess fics I've written (sappy, romantic) "The Present" - in which a certain Condor decides to Take Steps: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2779865/1/ and "Revelations on the Dance Floor" in which Mark finally manages to do the right thing by his girl. http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2792068/1/ Megs

Will someone explain this business of relationships to me? Im still not sure.

I can't explain relationships. There seem to be a rush of scientists popping out of their labs to inform us about things, including the ones who say that the flush of married joy only lasts two years - oh wait, only one year. However, I spotted this today on Ananova and it amused me.

Scientist gets to the bottom of love The 'heart' symbol used to represent love is actually based on the shape of female buttocks, according to a scientist. Pscychologist Galdino Pranzarone, who studied the origins of Valentine's Day, says the symbol is inspired by a woman's bottom as seen from the rear. Prof Pranzarone, of Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, told Discovery News that he analyzed "essential literary and speculative evidence from mythology and secondary sources." "The twin lobes of the stylized version correspond roughly to the paired auricles and ventricles of the anatomical heart," he said. But he added that the organ "is never bright red in color" and its "shape does not have the invagination at the top nor the sharp point at the base." Pranzarone indicated that the ancient Greeks and Romans could have originated the link between human female anatomy and the heart shape. The Greeks, he said, associated beauty with the curves of the human female behind. "The Greek goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, was beautiful all over, but was unique in that her buttocks were especially beautiful," he said. "Her shapely rounded hemispheres were so appreciated by the Greeks that they built a special temple Aphrodite Kallipygos, which literally meant, Goddess with the Beautiful Buttocks. "This was probably the only religious building in the world that was dedicated to buttock worship."

Buttock worship? I reckon there's a lot of non-religious time dedicated to that I can't quite work out where the pointy bit at the bottom of a heart shape is supposed to match up to a woman's bottom.

I always thought it was the silhouette of a pair holding each other close and kissing. Love is ... a lot of work and a good deal of luck. It's like a house. You can put as much new paint on it as you want, but if the timbers weren't nailed right, it'll be unstable. Likewise, you can get the best kiln-dried lumber and put them together perfectly, and screw drywall taping or the paint job. Sometimes city sewer backs up. Sometimes the wind breaks the windows. And, regardless of how good it's built, it takes regular maintenance. When it works, though, it's priceless.

A very good analogy

I had a wonderful day spent with my fiance.

Never had a Valentine's Day card ever and I think it's just stupid as you can be romatic any time and any day. So what's the point celebrating it on the 14th Feburary?

It's a day that you make a point of it telling and showing your partner how important he/she is, rather than just they know it. It's like a fresh paint job. Having said that, we rarely celebrate on the day. But we still celebrate it.

Its when the birds start mating, Metaliant.

^ I got a valentine's card from Sky this year, saying wouldn't it be a lovely way to say I love somebody to refer them and let them get their sky half price for 3 months. Ah, those advertising agencies. They did the same at Christmas too. It doesn't make me love them any better.

Originally posted by Ronin Its when the birds start mating, Metaliant.

Pervert. Puts action figures from vulgar position into very vulgar position.

Originally posted by CricketBeautiful It's a day that you make a point of it telling and showing your partner how important he/she is, rather than just they know it. It's like a fresh paint job. Having said that, we rarely celebrate on the day. But we still celebrate it.

As I said, you can make a point of telling your partner how important he/she is on any day. I personally think the 14th is a waste of time and money.

Originally posted by Metaliant

Originally posted by Ronin Its when the birds start mating, Metaliant.

Pervert. Puts action figures from vulgar position into very vulgar position.

Eagles do it in the air!!! Megs (who's been very busy writing smut today)

Do Eagles do it with Swans in the air?

Originally posted by Metaliant Do Eagles do it with Swans in the air?

Come to that, do Eagles do it with Condor's in the air? (thus spake the Ken/Joe slasher in me) However, I'm not going to be the one who takes her life in her hands to ask about either scenario. Pissed off Eagle wouldn't be NOTHING to pissed off Swan or Condor. Actually - probably if you asked any incarnation of the Eagle that question using those exact words, he'd probably just look confused.(you know, that rather adorable, confused helpless look he gets that usually ends up with a hand being run through hair) Yup. It would definately be either Swan or Condor after you. Question: would you rather die by Yoyo or Shuriken?

Originally posted by Madilayn [QUOTE]Originally posted by Metaliant Do Eagles do it with Swans in the air?

Come to that, do Eagles do it with Condor's in the air? (thus spake the Ken/Joe slasher in me) Good god don't tell me..........no don't bother. I don't think I won't to know.