Clichéd phrase, but life is short

My iPod is plugged into a neat little speaker gadget the parents bought me for Christmas. It is an alarm clock as well and randomly chooses a song to wake me up with. Today it was Butterfly Boucher's, "Life is Short." We've all heard it before, but most clichés are around because they contain some nugget of truth.

So yes, life is short. I'm not going to pretend that it was with this thought in mind that I gave coffee guy a piece of heart-shaped chocolate on V-day (thanks for outing me Vixen), but rather just say that it is the reason I've taken a more pro-active attitude in my life and with guys. Perhaps it was a corny thing to do, but hey, apparently I show my affection through chocolate candies. I didn't want him to read into it...just thought it was a nice gesture. And really, what's the harm in doing something like that? I've heard many men lament about the fact that making the first move is just too hard...so I do my part (when I can) to make it just a little easier. But while I may think that life is short and I should therefore be more pro-active with guys, I don't seem to have any problem wasting time when it comes to my obligations in life. However, I suppose I could argue that those aren't always the things that really matter in life, and that focusing on personal relationships is more important. Yes, let's go with that argument so that I can ignore the fact that I've just goofed off for half of the day.

V-day wasn't so bad. I wore a cute outfit (new pants!) and walked around with a smile most of the day (even when I walked 10 blocks in my heels because I took the wrong bus back from Cambridge). I didn't go to work last night but instead went to dinner with Vixen and Miss Iowa. They both have long-distance bfs, so I got the pleasure of their company. We went to Jae's for sushi, wine and pad thai. It was delicious. The waitress gave us a single red rose with our check, and I snagged it. Afterwards I went out and bought myself two presents: wine glasses and the 1st season of Grey's Anatomy. I was in bed by 11. I love myself.

Funnily enough, after my post the other night Vixen and I went back to FP to do some lesson planning. When I walked up the counter, coffee guy said, "No, you're cut off. I'm staging an intervention." I told him I only wanted water and would soon be cutting my ties with the crack in a cup. He didn't believe me. I had my last one yesterday. Not last latte ever, but for a while. He asked to see my I.D. and smiled as he predicted he'd see me today for some other coffee beverage. He will see me today, but I will not be ordering coffee.

We'll see how this goes; I don't expect the detox to be pretty. But I will still be spending time at French Press...in fact, I'm there right now and my favorite coffee guy just came in for his shift. :-)

PS: I leave for the Czech Republic 2 weeks from today!

I also leave you with a Valentine's Day poem written by Vixen...I'm sorry that it's one day late!

The Trite and Quasi-Magical Aspects We Attribute to Love
By Vixen

What is this thing that they call love?
This über-ultimate meaning of
All life and being on this earth
Our only goal, measure of worth?

Well, it’s February 14th, once again
And tens of millions of women and men
Will surely show their love undying
And let the cards and gifts go flying.

Dinner for him and flowers for her
Chocolates and jewels and candy, for sure
A heartfelt “I love you” is clearly sub-par
Exorbitant gifts are better by far.

But the humor is clearly not lost on me
When I walk by an open door and see
A girl who just got a big bouquet
From her “greatest” love on this “greatest” day.

Because what she won’t realize
Is that, as each red flower dies
She’s back to wanting more and more
From her poor bastard paramour.

Other girls just bitch about
Their lack of love and loudly shout
“No good men! None to be found!”
Although they’re actually all around.

Guys get drunk while they complain
About the gifts they bought in vain
“I gave her roses but so what?
She still won’t take it up the butt.”

To guys, I say, to each their own
But if all you want is to get blown
Then give your girlfriend flowers and praise
On more than just lame holidays.

And girls, you have to realize
It’s not that hard to please the guys
Boyfriend or not, the same is said
They’d be happy with gifts in bed.

Now, I hate to over simplify
Or either sex, to vilify
But it seems like this day is just
Commercializing basic lust.

Those who truly love should know
That this is just a day for show
The real magical aspects appear
On every other day of the year.

So, my friends, Happy Valentine’s Day
I hope it’s pleasing in every way
If not, I recommend drowning your sorrow
God bless alcohol, screw work tomorrow.