Valentines Day for creative love birds
February 11th 2009 06:40
Valentines Day first became associated with romance when Chaucer penned a poem called "The Parliament of Fowls" in 1381 in the English High Middle Ages.
The Valentines day Chaucer spoke of was actually the one on May 2 rather than February 14, as there were many Saint Valentines celebrated on the Catholic lithurical calendar. The poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia, which occurred on the May 2 Valentines Day.
Here is a sample of Chaucer's verse. His choice to set the poem in a fictionalised historical context actually initiated a new era of commererating courtly love:
Say it is so and it soon will be.
Well when it comes to lovebirds at least.
Chaucer, the father of the English language, learnt early that if you build it they will come. In between popularising the writing of half of the words in the English dictionary, Chaucer managed to assign romantic traditions to a holyday (holiday) that previously had none. He did this by simply suggesting that the pre-Christian fertility festivities that honoured Nature could have been concentrated to a specific Saints day. He did this for the purposes of adding romantic weight to a poem.
This Valentines Day forget the cards and flowers and chocolates, cancel the fancy dinners, rethink the jewellry, lingerie and perfume. Do what Chaucer would do and inspire the object of your affection with something creative, something a little left of centre that will make the date memorable.
You dont have to be a famous poet to give a creative gift. And you certainly dont have to alter the course of history by inventing your own day of romance. You can harness the power of words, music and images by selecting a gift that proves you are capable of considering life, love, joy, and sentiment as a unique individual.
The kind of gift that shows you can think outside the square, and that you really do care.
Here are three ways to have an impressive Valentines Day:
1. A Live Stand-Up Comedy Show
Looks fade and personalities change, but showing off your good sense of humour could prove to be your most attractive quality. How may times have you heard the line "I just want to be with someone who makes me laugh"?
In Sydney this year Judith Lucy is performing her "Not Getting Any Younger" show at the Opera House Playhouse for two evening sessions (5PM and 8PM) on February 14. ($42)
Dave Hughes will also be performing two evening shows in Sydney over at the Enmore Theatre on February 14. ($38)
Check your local guides for comedians in your area.
2. A Pink iPod with Free Valentines Engraving
Make a gift of music by uploading special, romantic, or significant songs. Fill it full of music you like to remind your partner of you. Or fill it full of songs you know your sweetie bops to - it proves you pay attention.
A pre-programmed iPod is the modern day equivalent of a mixed tape, and an engraved dedication never goes out of style.
Engraving options for the iPod Nano (from $199):
We make the perfect duet.
Let's make beautiful music together.
To practice dancing at our wedding.
I love you in spite of your musical tastes.
abcdefghijklmnopqrst vwxyz. Missing u.
Love means I get to borrow this whenever I want.
Love is the greatest gift. This is a close second.
Remember, what's yours is mine.
This goes out to the one I love.
Engraving options for the iPod Shuffle (from $65):
A tiny reminder of how great you are.
Who needs jewelry?
A small thank you. Literally.
Now you can stop borrowing mine.
A small token of my appreciation.
For Jeff's ears only.
You are music to my ears.
I'm totally attached to you.
Say hello to my little friend.
3. Quirky, Flirty, Original & Edition Art Cards
Limited Edition or Original Art Cards can be bought from local artists as collectables, some for as little as $4.50. They are about the size as baseball cards or playing cards (2.5 x 3.5 inches) and usually come signed by the artist. Search for them on sites like Etsy.
If you are in Melbourne there is a Valentines Day Art Card Exhibition featuring the work of Scarlett creator Kate Lightfoot at 696 Sydney Rd, Brunswick (6-9PM).
To buy Kate's ACEO artworks CLICKHERE.
This post is just a bit of fun, if you want to see a serious suggestion about how to best spend your Valentines money read CherylJ's post HERE . . . an important issue for all Australians at this time.
The Valentines day Chaucer spoke of was actually the one on May 2 rather than February 14, as there were many Saint Valentines celebrated on the Catholic lithurical calendar. The poem was written to honor the first anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia, which occurred on the May 2 Valentines Day.
Here is a sample of Chaucer's verse. His choice to set the poem in a fictionalised historical context actually initiated a new era of commererating courtly love:
This noble goddess Nature was set upon a flowery hill in a verdant glade. All her halls and bowers were wrought of branches according to the art and measure of Nature.
And there was not any bird that is created through procreation that was not ready in her presence to hear her and receive her judgment.
For this was Saint Valentine's day, when every bird of every kind that men can imagine comes to this place to choose his mate.
...
This noble empress, full of grace, bade every bird take his station, as they were accustomed to stand always on Saint Valentine's day from year to year.
...
Nature, vicar of the Almighty Lord, who has knit in harmony hot, cold, heavy, light, moist, and dry in exact proportions, began to speak in a gentle voice:
"Birds, take heed of what I say; and for your welfare and to further your needs I will hasten as fast as I can speak. You well know how on Saint Valentine's day, by my statute and through my ordinance, you come to choose your mates, as I prick you with sweet pain, and then fly on your way."
...
Saint Valentine, throned aloft,
Thus little birds sing for your sake:
Welcome, summer, with sunshine soft,
The winter's tempest you will shake!
And there was not any bird that is created through procreation that was not ready in her presence to hear her and receive her judgment.
For this was Saint Valentine's day, when every bird of every kind that men can imagine comes to this place to choose his mate.
...
This noble empress, full of grace, bade every bird take his station, as they were accustomed to stand always on Saint Valentine's day from year to year.
...
Nature, vicar of the Almighty Lord, who has knit in harmony hot, cold, heavy, light, moist, and dry in exact proportions, began to speak in a gentle voice:
"Birds, take heed of what I say; and for your welfare and to further your needs I will hasten as fast as I can speak. You well know how on Saint Valentine's day, by my statute and through my ordinance, you come to choose your mates, as I prick you with sweet pain, and then fly on your way."
...
Saint Valentine, throned aloft,
Thus little birds sing for your sake:
Welcome, summer, with sunshine soft,
The winter's tempest you will shake!
Say it is so and it soon will be.
Well when it comes to lovebirds at least.
Chaucer, the father of the English language, learnt early that if you build it they will come. In between popularising the writing of half of the words in the English dictionary, Chaucer managed to assign romantic traditions to a holyday (holiday) that previously had none. He did this by simply suggesting that the pre-Christian fertility festivities that honoured Nature could have been concentrated to a specific Saints day. He did this for the purposes of adding romantic weight to a poem.
This Valentines Day forget the cards and flowers and chocolates, cancel the fancy dinners, rethink the jewellry, lingerie and perfume. Do what Chaucer would do and inspire the object of your affection with something creative, something a little left of centre that will make the date memorable.
You dont have to be a famous poet to give a creative gift. And you certainly dont have to alter the course of history by inventing your own day of romance. You can harness the power of words, music and images by selecting a gift that proves you are capable of considering life, love, joy, and sentiment as a unique individual.
The kind of gift that shows you can think outside the square, and that you really do care.
Here are three ways to have an impressive Valentines Day:
1. A Live Stand-Up Comedy Show
Looks fade and personalities change, but showing off your good sense of humour could prove to be your most attractive quality. How may times have you heard the line "I just want to be with someone who makes me laugh"?
In Sydney this year Judith Lucy is performing her "Not Getting Any Younger" show at the Opera House Playhouse for two evening sessions (5PM and 8PM) on February 14. ($42)
Dave Hughes will also be performing two evening shows in Sydney over at the Enmore Theatre on February 14. ($38)
Check your local guides for comedians in your area.
2. A Pink iPod with Free Valentines Engraving
Make a gift of music by uploading special, romantic, or significant songs. Fill it full of music you like to remind your partner of you. Or fill it full of songs you know your sweetie bops to - it proves you pay attention.
A pre-programmed iPod is the modern day equivalent of a mixed tape, and an engraved dedication never goes out of style.
Engraving options for the iPod Nano (from $199):
We make the perfect duet.
Let's make beautiful music together.
To practice dancing at our wedding.
I love you in spite of your musical tastes.
abcdefghijklmnopqrst vwxyz. Missing u.
Love means I get to borrow this whenever I want.
Love is the greatest gift. This is a close second.
Remember, what's yours is mine.
This goes out to the one I love.
Engraving options for the iPod Shuffle (from $65):
A tiny reminder of how great you are.
Who needs jewelry?
A small thank you. Literally.
Now you can stop borrowing mine.
A small token of my appreciation.
For Jeff's ears only.
You are music to my ears.
I'm totally attached to you.
Say hello to my little friend.
3. Quirky, Flirty, Original & Edition Art Cards
Limited Edition or Original Art Cards can be bought from local artists as collectables, some for as little as $4.50. They are about the size as baseball cards or playing cards (2.5 x 3.5 inches) and usually come signed by the artist. Search for them on sites like Etsy.
If you are in Melbourne there is a Valentines Day Art Card Exhibition featuring the work of Scarlett creator Kate Lightfoot at 696 Sydney Rd, Brunswick (6-9PM).
To buy Kate's ACEO artworks CLICKHERE.
This post is just a bit of fun, if you want to see a serious suggestion about how to best spend your Valentines money read CherylJ's post HERE . . . an important issue for all Australians at this time.
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Just a little bit of memory for me about a particular Valentine's Day. Many years ago I received a card for Valentine's Day from a young American woman I had met in my travels.
I thought this was rather odd but an American woman I worked with years later told me that Americans send Valentines Day cards to ALL their friends...not just mates.
I thought this was very interesting.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
well thats kind of nice - that way noone feels left out!
ive heard Valentines Day spoken of as "singles identification day" but i think its more of a day where wives get to guilt an additional presents out of their husbands
thanks for the comment
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
yeah it kept saying it couldnt display the page and then i couldnt view any pages on Orble for awhile
gremlins . . .