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!!