Monday, February 05, 2007

Birthdays, Roses, and Sacrifice

Well, Christmas, New Year’s, and now the Super Bowl have passed. What does that leave us with? Winter. Cold, dreary winter. I guess there is some consolation. The next three Wednesdays, mark big events.

This Wednesday, the 7th, marks the 42nd year that I have been roaming around on this big blue marble. But how big of an event is that? I mean there is no significance in turning 42. Turning 40 or 50, yeah, those are milestones, but 42? Pffffffft. On top of that, my B-Day is on a Wednesday in the dead of winter. The high temp on Wednesday will be 19 F. with snow. Boy Howdy!! Maybe I’ll throw on some shorts and fire up the grill. Anybody up for a cookout!!? Or, I could call Ryan O’Neal up and see if he’s free. Nonetheless, I will have a few people wish me happy birthday, and that’s always nice, but as far as excitement, I’m not holding my breath.

Now next Wednesday, the 14th, is Valentine’s Day…A day which honors St. Valentine, who in ancient Rome went around secretly marrying young lovers. If I had been the Emperor, I would have chopped his addle-minded head off, because I am so benevolent. Oh sure, he thought he was doing a great public service by marrying folks. I don’t see where he ever got married. Public service my ass, it was more like The V-Man was a ne’er-do-well nuptial maker spreading the Satanic ritual of marriage. In later years, his cousin, St. Alimony, really took the fun out of life.

Nonetheless, men are expected to buy something for their significant other, be it flowers which will quickly die, chocolate that will attach to their ass, or diamond earrings. Word of caution ladies, if you get diamonds of any sort, chances are it’s because he felt guilty for giving roses to his mistress. Please, don’t ask me how I know this.

The following Wednesday, the 21st, is Ash Wednesday, which ushers in the Lenten season that culminates with Easter Sunday on April 8th. Traditionally, Catholics are supposed to give up something that they really like for these 40 some days. It is a sign of sacrificing. While I am no longer a practitioner of Catholicism, just as I did last year, I am giving up meat for the entire time. Although it was difficult, I was successful last year and lost about 10-12 pounds during the time.

I will still eat fish, but no beef, pork, or fowl etc. Those who know me know that this is not an easy task, but giving up something that would be easy is not the point. If I were to give up brussel sprouts, people would laugh. I hate brussel sprouts. Giving up sex would not be a sacrifice, seeing as I am involuntarily at that point anyway. But meat, yes that is not easy. I guess the only more difficult for me to give up would be smoking.


Unfortunately, if I did refrain from smoking, people would probably be killed by me in a fury of withdraw. The killings would kinda detract from the purpose of the season. But I guess Jesus did take one for the team resulting in his brutal death, so maybe violence is part of the season. Nahhh, it’s not worth the struggle.

Where am I going with all of this, you ask? I have no frickin’ idea, and I guess oft times that’s how many of us feel at this time of year. There are no distractions. It is just you, your thoughts, and a cold gray sky. I guess that can make a person uncomfortable and cause the winter blahs to set in. So if you feel like this, please know that you’re not alone, and in just a month in a half or so we can all go outside, breathe in some warm spring air, and pass a smile on to a budding tulip. Yeah, I can dig that.


Cheers!!

22 comments:

Desert Songbird said...

I can tell it's been a while since you were part of The Church. We don't give up things for Lent anymore; now we do good deeds (like the Jews and their mitvahs). Oy vey! How touchy feely we've gotten! In lieu thereof, we also "give up" bad behaviors. My kids attempt to give up bickering at each other; usually, they're not successful past Day One. Sigh.

I'll have to think of some way special to mark your #42; I still can't admit my true age. Oh, it's 35....erm....yeah, that's it!

Big hugs and kisses coming your way! You can be my Valentine, darlin'.

Schmoop said...

My family members who continue to practice Catholicism still give something up for Lent Songbird. I am shocked DS, you dont look a day over 29!! I'll send you a virtual glass of Stoli and Cranberry juice for Valentine's Day...

y.Wendy.y said...

The only thing I could give up is smoking but that's not even worth thinking about - no not thinking it at all - dunno where the idea came from....anyway it's gone now.

I'm not blah-ey....it's Feb and nearly Spring and it's a warm mild winter...nyah nyah nyah....

btw - if a chap gave me diamonds because he's bonking someone else, then I'd go out and personally find him more mistresses...heh!

Schmoop said...

Well, I am glad to hear that someone is warm...or am I? Tsk tsk tsk, diamonds for mistresses!? Shocked, shocked I am !!

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

See now Wendz is the kinda gal I always wanted to meet. Someone who would go out and find me some more hootchie and all I have to do is buy her diamonds (ya know that cubic zirconium stuff is almost impossible to tell from the real thing - unless you go to get it appraised.
Wait??? Don't have to give anything up???? This whole being Catholic thing has changed since the nuns beat me with wooden pointers as a small child.

Schmoop said...

I guess that wouldnt be too bad Bond. Diamonds for sex. I'll tell ya, Catholics today are a bunch of wussies!!

Unknown said...

Okay Matt -- you did meat LAST year already! I think you should give up the Rose, since cigs are outta da question. :)

Schmoop said...

Nobody is taking away my nippy bottle!!

Unknown said...

Well Matt baby, I guess I'll see you in hell. ;)

Odat said...

Blah, blah, blah, blah....
is how i feel too....
Good luck with the meatless stuff....
Peace

Liz Hill said...

Ah--the pensive rumination. That birthday wearing on you Sugar? You are a stronger man than I am Matty--no way am I giving up meat ;-)

jillie said...

Well incase I don't get around to it...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!!! EAT DRINK AND BE MERRY...42? You're still a punk...lmao
;o)

Schmoop said...

We'll share a cocktail while blazing in the nether regions Allie!! Cheers...

Thanks odat, and just tell yourself that Spring is right around the corner.

Not worried about my Birthday TB, but just once, cant it be sunny and 75 while I am celebrating it?

Thanks Jillie, and I hope to be remain a punk well into old age!!

Desert Songbird said...

Well, it's 75 and sunny here where I am, so come on down!

And, yes, why do you think I continue to practice Catholicism? It's pretty easy for wusses!

This "doing mitzvahs" must be a Southwestern thing - ya know, we're pretty laid back down here.

Desert Songbird said...

Oh yeah, thanks for the virtual drink, but it would taste better if I had someone to share it with me!

Schmoop said...

Sounds good Songbird I'll be right down and I'll bring two straws.

Unknown said...

Giving up smoking? No way! Rose? No way! Meat? For a few weeks, okay... but I´d have a loosemeat sandwiches before facing this fear!

I´m afraid I can´t send any sun... it´s cold and drizzling in my part of the world... but I´m sure: Sun is only a fifth... LOL

Cheers!

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Cheesy said...

MattM~~ We have a BBQ for my feb 8th babies! But when they were younger we celebrated their 1/2 b~days at the lake for their friends lol.....

Feb babies RULE!

Schmoop said...

Sanni, you speak such words of wisdom...I will be certain to gorge on Loosemeat Sandwiches before exiling myself to a meatless desert for 40 days...

Anonymous: My site is already dynamic, but thanks.

Hiya Cheese...Yeah Feb babies rock but that is just to keep warm!!

Cheesy said...

Wanna roll too?? lol

Schmoop said...

Nothing like a nice hot roll!!