Valentine's Day: A labor of Love?

With Valentine's Day falling on Monday, this weekend is primed for romantic dinners, flowers, Hallmark cards, and, maybe, a little nookie.

I don't know what it is, but I'm the most anti-Valentine's Day person that I know. Maybe it's because I've always struggled with buying gifts for the woman in my life.

My modus operandi has been: If I haven't told you that I love you all year long and bought you a gift or two, then why do I need to go all out on February 14? Shame on me, then.

Some people might say that it must be a "guy thing" for not liking or being into Valentine's Day, and that may be partly true, but, in all honesty, I think it's because men always get screwed out of receiving cool gifts.(This is the reason why men buy themselves "toys".)

And, if you're a male that works in an office where the women outnumber the men, then you get tired of the one-upwomanship that takes place.

You know the game: Women keep golf-like score cards of which lady receives the largest Teddy bear, box of chocolates, long-stem roses or an elaborate Edible Arrangement that can be shared & gloated over while being eaten. (Extra points go to Barbara for pulling off a hat trick!)

So, in the spirit of Valentine's Day, tell the people that you love that you love them, and leave the rest up to God. (You'll save yourself a ton of headaches.)

Local Advertising: Does it reach it's intended audience?

I spotted this Boys & Girls Club van and in looking at the advertisement on the rear doors, I wondered if this type of marketing works in Worcester?

Now, I've been to the "Give Kids a Fightin' Chance" charity boxing event at The Palladium, and, I must say, I had a great time. I probably wouldn't have gone if it were not for a friend buying me a ticket.

Typically, I would have made a donation and skipped the event in order to spend time with the family.( All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Worcester)

But, back to the question at hand: Does local advertising reach it's intended audience?

Some of the marketing materials that I see in Worcester are good, but lack pizzaz, and, more often than naught, the message is buried so it takes a moment to find the Who, What, Why or When.

For example, if you pick-up the current issue of PUSLE (http://thepulsemag.com) you'll see the advertisement (page 13) for the 9th Annual "Give Kids A Fightin' Chance" event, taking place on Thursday, May 5, 2011. What I can't figure out is how much tickets cost, where I can buy tickets or what time the event starts?

So, what do you think when you see an advertisement promoting a local event?

Persistent Snow Removal

 

With the cold weather giving us a brief respite, I decided to take advantage and remove a "snow bank" that had piled up to about 4-feet high.

I started this project yesterday and put a MAJOR dent in it before the rain started to come down heavily, and before I broke my snow shovel.(I took that as a sign from God that it was time to stop.)

So, the first thing I did this afternoon was hit Home Depot to buy a new snow shovel, a half moon hoe a/k/a/ The Ice Breaker, and ice melt.

It was time to get back to work.

Three hours later, today, you see the finished project in the second picture.

While I still have some more snow to remove, looking at the before and after pictures makes me feel good about the 7-hours, in 2 days, that I've spent shoveling.


Now, I can enjoy the Superbowl and use the Big Shamrock-endorsed Icy Hot patches to soothe my aching arms and back!

But, I'm not complaining, seriously, because as my 90-year-old grandmother says, "Don't complain because no one wants to hear that shit!" And my response is, always, "You're right Grandma.....you're right."

Go Packers!