Sunday, February 7, 2010

Groundhog Day, and why it is better than Valentine's Day


For a few years now, my family has been celebrating Groundhog Day, in a way that's different than other people do. Sure, we listen to the news, and find out if Wiarton Willie saw his shadow or not, but its more than that. There is cake involved. (cake in pic made by Offspring #1, who has just been accepted to pastry arts and management at George Brown College)




Here are all the things that suck about Valentine's Day
1. Single people feel left out.
2. Lots of money spent on useless stuff like overpriced, bad tasting chocolate and bouquets of flowers that die.
3. Douchebaggy boyfriends/husbands who don't get you those things mentioned in #2 make you feel bad.
4. Husbands who give you a rose made out of panties, that come from the dollar store, but they found in the parking lot at work, look bad. (true story)
5. Men get the short end of the stick on this holiday, with having too many expectations put on them that they just can't live up to.
6. Kids who aren't as popular as other kids don't get as many valentines and feel like crap.
7. Restaurants are overcrowded.
8. Hearts aren't really shaped like that.


Here are all the things that suck about Groundhog Day.
1. Nothing.

Really... What is bad about celebrating the coming of spring? With regard to the accuracy, Wikipedia say "Groundhog Day proponents state that the rodents' forecasts are accurate 75% to 90%. A Canadian study for 13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years puts success rate level at 37%. Also, the National Climatic Data Center reportedly has stated that the overall predictions accuracy rate is around 39%." While an accuracy rate of 39% is not great, it's not horrible.

There is no consumerism related to Groundhog Day (while, not yet, anyway). Valentine's Day, however, makes giving an overpriced gift equal being in love. We should show those we love how much we love them every day. Not with overpriced chocolate and packaged sappy sentiments, but with kindness and sweet gestures, like Groundhogs do.

8 comments:

Paul Michael Murphy said...

You'll get no disagreement from me. The smart husband sets the bar extremely low in the early years of his marriage.

Trust me on this one.

Monica said...

well, PMM, it must be a murphy trait. thanks for weighing in.

Anita said...

Husband and I usually make each other a card and that's about it...the cards traditionally have something to do with farting, which make them even more special.

P.S. If Husband runs for mayor, I will have to trash can this post. Remind me, will you?

P.S.S. I heart the cake!

Monica said...

i will trash it for you, Anita. just tell me when.

the poor little bugger has no legs. but he's freaking cute.

MG Higgins said...

I'm in total agreement. Hearts are NOT shaped like that and I think it's a crime to perpetuate this anatomically incorrect myth. Thanks. It feel good to get that off my anatomically correct bosomy chest. (The cake is really cool and congrats to Offspring #1!)

Monica said...

http://www.funnypicsoftheday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/smack945-1.jpg

MG Higgins said...

Exactly. :)

Monica said...

i wish i had found that image in the first place... i love it