Issue #8, February 2004


Welcome to the month of love, 4thKingdomers. In this month's issue, you'll find a special addition celebrating St. Valentines day. I hope everyone finds it enjoyable.

Also, look for who made the Who's Who in 4thKingdom results. We should all give a big thank you to Starshyne for setting up this contest and everyone should give themselves a pat on the back for participating in the nominations and the voting process. No events would be notable without our members participation. We hope to see more of that in the future.

Thanks again to. She made the Superbowl fun and exciting and we've posted a list of the Superbowl winners. Congratulations to all you winners and again thank you for all who participated.
Happy Saint Valentines Day everyone! *aims cupids bow*
Bouchie, Shyla, and Kurt


Ask the Expert
Horoscopes
Poetry
Politics
Psychology
Sitting with Shyla
SuperBowl Winners
Who's Who Winners
World Map of 4Kers
Valentines Day Special Articles:
Did You Know?
History of Valentines
Quotes by 4Kers
Stories by 4Kers
The Day in History












Ask the Experts, by 4K-Know-it-all



Dear Advice Column.

I'm so terribly lonely. Even when I'm around people, I feel so alone. When I interact with them, I still feel alone. It's not fun. I'm scared. :(

From anonymous

Dear anonymous,

How in the holy hell of brimstone and fire can you possibly be lonely when this world is already overpopulated with diverse people? Go out and scoop someone up who shares your interests and presto, no more lonely nights staring getting lost in the glow of your computer screen.

Seriously? It sounds like you need a kind of help I am not equipped to offer. Have you tried seeking counselling and trying to get to the very root of your problem? As we all know, the humna psyche is a fragile thing in need of nurture and care. Before you can solve your problem, you have to ask yourself questions. Why do you think you feel the way you do? Could something have happened in your childhood that has caused this malfunction in social skills? Do you seek out people who share your interests? Do you seek out anyone? Could it be that you are spending time with the wrong people and that is why you are lonely even when they are around? Ask and answer these questions and you might find a solution to your problem.

In the meantime, my personal advice is that you get out and try to enjoy life to the fullest. Even if you're not happy, "fake it 'til you make it" is my motto. We make our own happiness, now you have to get out and make yours. Good luck.


Dear Know-it-All,

I am addicted to the internet and video games. I wake up and get online. I stay online or playing video games until I go to sleep. I don't know what to do. I think this might be a severe detriment in me growing up to be a normal accepted by society person. What should I do?

From technology junkie

Dear Junkie,

Ya think? Take it from me, if you keep going at this rate you're going to end up like all the other computer dweebs that inhabit this earth. Nowhere. You know why? Because you're not Bill Gates buddy, we've only got one of him and thank the good Lord for that, lemme tell you. It's not even like you're trying to advance technology, you just want to sit around and play with it. Do you have a job? Do you go to school? Got a girlfriend...or a friend? If so, those things are being seriously neglected. If you don't have any of those things in your life, right now might be a good time to ask the question "why?"

Get out of that house man! Smell the roses, even if they stink at least you did something other than look at a screen! Flowers are alive, they grow, they breathe. Tecnology doesn't and mark my words, technology will be the downfall of mankind and especially adolescence. Pretty soon we, as human beings, won't have to deal with eachother at all. And that, my friend, is when we will see a phenomenal amount of therapy bills from our robot psychiatrist and rampage running on our sky paved streets. Stop it before it happens. Get out. Be somebody.

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Horoscopes



Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) - Creative energies are high this month, so why not buy several hundred gallons of Play-Doh? See if you can build an entire office complex out of the stuff.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20) - Go to a rock concert this month. When all the kids hold up their lighters, pull out a flame thrower. Huh huh, cool.

Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Buy a box of ice cream sandwiches and back a truck over them. Take them back complaining that they're all smooshed.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - A happy smile often masks our true feelings. Unless our true feelings are happiness, in which case an angry scowl will do the job.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) - Four words: foil in the microwave.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) - Find someone who owns a padded toilet seat. Ask why.

Leo (July 23 - August 22) - A great month to memorize every line of dialogue from every Rambo film. Then you can whip it out at parties for a creative ice-breaker!

Virgo (August 23 - September 22) - Bumpy energies early in the month may need some smoothing out by mid-month. Try a cosmic iron with a planet-sized can of spray starch.

Libra (September 23 - October 22) - You may have some sort of misunderstanding this month; then again, you may not. It really depends on you and your mood.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) - Walk up to a random person this month and say, "You think you're such a know-it-all, don't you? Well, I'm a gnaw-it-all!" Then start gnawing on nearby objects.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) - Send lots of greeting cards to people you don't know. On each one write, "I'm really looking forward to my stay with you next week! And I'm bringing all my cats!"

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) - Secretly replace all the light bulbs in your house with 15-watt bulbs. When family members start complaining, act concerned that they might be losing their sight.

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Poetry Section




Starshyne - Poetry contest Poetry Contest Winner

Things Not Seen
By: LiErh

Burn
For the pain a soul endures
Burn
For the love a heart adores
Burn
For the things that go unseen
Burn
For the filth you are told is clean
For the rage
For the fear
For the pain you seek
Burn
For all things mild and weak

Cry
For the pleasure you will never know
Cry
For the way things have to go
Cry
For the madness you feel inside
Cry
For the look on her face when she died
For the life
For the death
For the way things might have been
Cry
For the injuries you cannot mend

Live and Die
For the lies you believe
Live and Die
For the ideas you conceive
Live and Die
For all the sacred things
Live and Die
For the song that never sings
For the beginning
For the end
For all things in between
Live and Die
For everything you have seen


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Politics, by Temujin




Good evening kids and welcome to this edition's political commentary. This week: immigration and asylum, and also incapacity.

Here are some fun facts:
Average net immigration pre 1997: 50,000
Average net immigration post 1997: 150,000
Unemployment rate in Scotland: 70,000
Those permanently out of work due to incapacity benefit etc in Scotland: 276,000
Those aged between 18-25 and permanently out of work in the UK: 3,000,000

[Stats from the Daily Politics].

We are in the early stages of electioneering in Britain. The election will almsot certainly be on May 5th, and the Tories (Conservatives) have set out some of their major plans. I'll discuss one of these presently.

150,000 is a lot in net migration. This does not include illegal immigrants which, impressively, the government has managed to lose control of, despite us being a number of island. The Tories have smelt blood on this and are pursuing it as election policy (despite a failed attempt to do so in 2001 under William Hague). Today (26th Jan) Bair gave a pretty poor performance against Michael Howard (Tory leader) who asked him if immigration was too high, which he completely failed to answer.

The Tories plan to limit both immigration and asylum by setting quotas to be decided by Parliament and variable depending on world events. Now, immigration limits are largely acceptable to the public, especially when the then Home Secretary announces he doesn't know how many illegal immigrants are in the country. However, asylum quotas are far more contentious. Important facts are:

1) means withdrawing from the 1951 UN convention on refugees
2) it could mean turning away those genuinely in need
3) however, in light of 2) you must remember where the UK is. Short of a boat trip, you need to go through half (or more) of Europe to get here. Asylum seekers in fear of their lives will surely stop in the first safe port of call rather than going 'shopping'.

Labour's response has been to criticise an extremely small facet of the policy and not say anything at all about the rest, a good sign the policy is a strong one. The small facet they have attacked is that the Tories want to process the applicants outside the UK, but haven't specified where.

The argument about needing migrants for work is a persuasive one, and I certainly don't want the skilled wanting to work in undermanned key areas turned back. However, we should spend more time persuading those on 'incapacity' benefit to work again. Doubtlessly vast numbers deserve to be in that status, but equally certainly a huge number of them are lazy bastards who need to have their benefit withdrawn and replaced with the dole. I fail to believe that 3 million between 18-25 are incapable of working and as a result we need 150,000 immigrants (net) per annum.



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Psychology, by Temujin




This month's article will be less of a rambling essay than usual, and concerns an area of interest to many people: intelligence.

There are many different views of intelligence, with various factors being dividing lines. For example, as Spearman believed, is there just one underlying intelligence, which he termed g? Many differing sorts of test were conducted and he found a strong correlation between the results.

Or, as Catell & Hakstein and Catell & Horn believed, are there multiple intelligences?

Catell was a rather odd person, being mildly obsessed with intelligence, especially his own. Fortunately for him, he was something of a genius, making his obsession somewhat more reasonable. If you've ever done a MENSA entry test, it may well have been the Catell B. In investigations with Horn and Hakstein (separately not together) he thought that there were 6 facets of intelligence, 4 of which are less significant than the 2 main ones, which I will presently discuss.

The two most important intelligence types were crystal and fluid. Crystal intelligence is essentially knowledge-based and therefore heavily influenced by education. Fluid intelligence is raw thinking power and thus less malleable (but not independent of) environmental effects. Horn believed that both were based in heredity but influenced by environmental effects.

Interestingly, they correlate quite closely (0.6) which is high, but not high enough to reasonably suggest that they are the same thing. In addition, crystal intelligence increases with age, as a rule, and fluid intelligence increases, peaks in the early twenties, then declines. If they were the same then an approximately equal trend of increase and decrease would be expected.

Furthermore, it has been conclusively proven that anyone's intelligence, even someone who is colossally stupid, can be increased by education, to varying degrees. This is an overpowering argument for education for all and also that intelligence is not solely genetically embedded, fatally displacing any view of a master race of geniuses. You are likely to be about as smart as your parents, but it's entirely possible to be far smarter or far more stupid.

So, to conclude, a basic intelligence level is probably handed to use on a genetic plate, but from then on our parents and latterly ourselves can take our education both in and out of school in both hands and teach ourselves to be more intelligent. By reading and thinking more than the bare minimum, we can increase our intelligence from a base level to above average or even further. So, if you change your behaviour in just one way having read this, I suggets this: critically think about what people tell you. If a politician says something do not accept it. Think of their motivation, what they think the impact will be and who their intended audience is.

Anyway, having rambled for the last paragraph and a half, I shall finish here, and I hope you found this month's article quite interesting. ^top




Sitting with Shyla by Shyla



S) Hello and welcome to Sitting with Shyla. I'd like to introduce our member spotlighted for this issue, Miss Jaxommikal. Welcome, Jax.

J) Thank you for having me here today Miss Shyla!

S) No thanks necessary. Let's start off with your a/s/l, ma'am.

J) Sure thing. I'm currently 24, am still a female last time I looked and live in St. Louis.

S) You check every now and again? *wink* Tell us, are you merrily married or swinging single?

J) Well in my mind I'm pretty much married. I've been in a great relationship with the same wonderful woman for almost five years now.

S) That's fabulous. On a side note, I just want to say that I truly believe that one day you will have a marriage recognized by the majority of people and the minority will be a very small amount.

J) Thank you so much, too bad you don't have the power to change it for me!! I'm waiting, for now patiently for that day.

S) How did you find out about 4thkingdom?

J) Honestly it was a random click on a link in someone online journal. I wound up being asked to fill out an app and was accepted. Funny how fate works out, this is my fave site now!

S) Then can we surmise that you're enjoying the website? Tell me your likes and dislikes (if any) of 4thKingdom.

J) Oh I love this place! I was hooked when I learned I get 'paid' just for visiting! So I love the icons and lotto options. I really just love the whole set up of this place. I love being able to have a conversation with so many different people from so many places that normally I'd never had the opportunity to meet. My only real complaint is when people nit pick over little stuff on here or harp at Four to do this or do that faster. I think a lot of people don't really realize what it takes to make this site happen. So to complain about some of the things I've seen just seems ungrateful to me.

S) I agree. How did you come up with your username, Jaxommikal?

J) It's the name I originally planned to give to my first born son. Jaxom for my grandfather Jackson and Mikal for my father Michael. Once I had come out and was faced with needing a drag name I figured I use it otherwise I might not ever get too. It's funny being around people that call my grandfather his full name instead of Jack, cause I think they are saying Jaxom!

S) Oh, that's very clever. What's this about drag? One of your hobbies? Include them all if you will ma'am.

J) I was once an award winning Drag King. (It's the same thing as being a Drag Queen. I'm a female that dresses like a man.) I haven't done it since moving to St. Louis though. I'm a huge video game nut and spend a lot of time on my PS2. I'm an even bigger sports fan. You'll find me rooting my home teams on all during football and baseball seasons. I also enjoy movies, art, music, dancing, shopping, exercise, cooking, theatre and sleeping!

S) When you're not out having fun, what are you doing to earn the big bucks to pay for all that fun?

J) Nothing that I enjoy! I've worked for the same supermarket company for almost four years now. I'm a jack of all trades and have worked in pretty much every department. Right now I'm in the seafood dept.

S) Do you have career plans for the future?

J) Yes, I'm trying to get some grants to go to ITT Tech. The plan is to get my Associates Degree in Multimedia and then go another two years to get my Bachelors in Web design. I don't want to sell fish forever ya know?

S) I understand and good luck to you. What are five things you just HAVE to have with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?

J) First off I'd want my 'wife' with me, you all may think I'm sappy but I need someone to talk too!! 2nd would have to be something to read ... third would have to be a lifetime supply of Mt. Dew ... fourth would be generator to run my tv, play station and radio and last would be my cell phone to call all my friends and tell them how nice the weather is on my island

S) If I were asking your friends about you, what would they tell me?

J) That I have good hair and I dress nice!! Umm ... That I'm willing to help anyone who really needs it. I'm loving and compassionate to everyone, even those that I haven't met yet. I wear my heart on my sleeve and even though I may forgive, I will never forget.

S) What's your motto or quote for life?

J) Live everyday to the fullest or you haven't lived to the hype."

S) Heh, that's good. What do you hope to accomplish before you die?

J) To travel to all the places I've never seen and want to, and to be as much in love with my 'wife', if not more, my last day as I was the first day I met her. And to one day be Crohn's free.

S) I hope these things happen for you. What's the wildest thing you've ever done?

J) Honestly nothing much. I've been sheltered living in the mid west! As of right now it's TPing someone's house and egging some cars. But I will be in Vegas in a little bit over a month!!

S) Oh my, well I hope you get a bit more action! ;) One last thing...what's your favorite 4k board?

J) I know you're only going to let me pick just one ... So I'm going to have to go with Random, just cause you really never know what someone will put on that thing!!

S) True to that. Thank you jaxommikal for taking the time to let the members of 4thKingdom get to know you. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

J) It's been fun and an honor! Just that I love this site and I love talking to new folks so anyone can PM me anytime and I promise I'll PM you back!

S) Great! Remember folks, you heard it first...right here.. Sitting with Shyla.

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and the SuperBowl Contest Winners are...



Ghost won $125
aPerfectCadence won $125
Quietassassin won $50
Greg won $50
Jaxommikal won $50
GMOW won $50

Thanks everyone for participating and look forward to more fun stuff in the future!

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Who's who winners!! by Starshyne



Most influential: Four Degreez
Best advice giver: shyla
Flirtiest: Red Maiden
Best personality: shyla
Cutest couple: TIE- Phaze84/Gamik86 and Davijai/Ladygiggles1980
Most likely to end up in jail: drifter
Most likely to be famous: SpacedInvader
Most talkative: TIE-Temujin and jenfrank86
Most active: shyla
Best poet: jenfrank86
Best newbie: k_jank
Best pic, male: kurt
Best pic, female: sian
Best overall poster: Sovawanea
Funniest poster: TIE-Rashind and Temujin
Best all around: shyla
Most dependable: Bouchie
Most controversial: shadow
Best 4k spirit: StarShyne
Most likely to succeed: Samael
Most intelligent: TIE-Four Degreez and tallman
Most unforgettable: Temujin
Most interesting: tallman
Most underrated: greg2583
Best debater: Samael
Most likely to make a million: ghost5-0
Most mischievous: Red Maiden
Most talented: Aether
Most cheerful: StarShyne .

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Did you know? by Shyla



- 2.2 million marriages take place in the United States annually. That breaks down to about 6,000 a day.

- 138,600 marriages were performed in Nevada during 2003. So many couples "tie the knot" in the Silver State that it ranked fourth nationally in marriages, even though its total population that year was 35th.

- 25.3 and 27.1 are the estimated U.S. median ages at first marriage for women and men, respectively, in 2003. The age for women is up 4.3 years in the last three decades. The age for men is up 3.9 years.

- The proportion of women 20 to 24 years old who had never married more than doubled between 1970 and 2003 — from 36 percent to 75 percent. Changes were also dramatic for men — the corresponding rate for men in this age group increased from 55 percent to 86 percent.

- 54% and 57% are the percentages of American women and men, respectively, who are 15 and over and currently married.

- There were 4.6 million cohabitating couples who maintained households in 2003. These couples comprised 4.2 percent of all households, up from 2.9 percent in 1996.

- There are 118 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) who are in their 20s for every 100 single women of the same ages.

- There are 33 single men (i.e., never married, widowed or divorced) age 65 and over for every 100 single women of the same ages.

- 24.6 pounds of candy per capita was consumed by Americans in 2003; it is believed a large portion is consumed around Valentine’s Day. Candy consumption has actually declined over the last few years; in 1997, each American gobbled more than 27 pounds of candy a year.

- The combined wholesale value of domestically produced cut roses in 2003 was $52 million for all operations in 36 states, with $100,000 or more in sales. Among all types of cut flowers, roses were second in receipts to lilies ($70 million.

- There were 28,914 jewelry stores in the United States in 2002. In February 2004, these stores sold $2.4 billion worth of merchandise — a much higher total than in the preceding month or succeeding months.

Data courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau

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The History of St. Valentines Day



Where did St. Valentines Day come from? There are many theories and ideas but there is little doubt that the question is still asked today. However, I think most agree that this holiday of love contains glimmers of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

Some people believe there were three different St. Valentines, all of whom were martyred in death.

Legend OneHordeCleaned=This story alleges that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. The ruler Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, so he outlawed marriage for young men, his would be better soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the order, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Legend Two=There have been stories accounting to another Valentine helping Romans escape from prison where they were continuously tortured.

Legend Three=This last legend contends that Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. During an imprisonment (crime unknown) it is thought that Valentine fell in love with a young girl who visited him, she may have been his jailor's daughter. Before he died, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed "From Your Valentine." A phrase we still use today.

However, I read something that was much more romantic. The story of the ancient Romans honoring Juno, the Queen of the Romans Gods and Goddesses on February 14th. She was also recognized as the goddess of women and marriage.On the eve of the Feast of Lupercalia (which would be feb 14th), young girls wrote their name on a piece of paper which was then placed in a jar for each young man to draw a name. After each young man had chosen a name, the coupled pair spent the duration of the festival together and sometimes even ended up in love and married.

Whatever the case, Valentines celebrations seemed to have been around for quite some time, so please, everyone enjoy this special holiday. I know I shall. ;)

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How do you feel about Valentines Day? Hear views from other
members...from bah humbug St. Valentine...to helloooo cuuupid!



I haven't had a memorable Valentine's day yet, every time I've been in a relationship over Valentine's day it's been total anticlimax. This year for instance, my fiance is going back home 4 days before Valentine's Day for at least a month so we're just spending as much time as possible together prior to him leaving.
Overall I don't put much stock in Valentine's day, as long as I'm with the person I love, or even if I know I have their best wishes, I'm happy. There's opportunities every day to show how much you love your partner, it doesn't need to be restricted to Valentine's day.~arwen~

I love all holidays, and this one is no exception! I like the excuse to shower my sweetie with affection...not that I need an excuse! ~jackie joy~

Originally I tended to think of it as just a gambit to try and sell more cards, and stuffed animals, though rather lowly about it. Then when I met gamik and we started to go out I got into the spirit of it and honestly rather enjoy trying to find something nice for her and getting her flowers, and the whole thing. I Think it’s a bit romantic and sweet. ~Phaze84~

Valentines day is what you make of it. Of course it's nice if you have a significant other but it's a bit more difficult if you're like me and you're typically single come February 14. I know some folks that dress up in all black and brood around all day and I know some that use it as a good excuse to ask out that person they've had their eye on. V-Day may be a bit over commercialized, but other than that the holiday is what you make of it. ~Coach Z~

Valentines Day is the one day of the year that is so advertised that a single guy dating has no excuses for forgetting. You might forget an anniversary, but there is no way to forget Valentines day. It’s unforgivable. There is no way for you to make plans on this day in advance or not be prepared for. I think most guys will break up with a girl before Valentines day; because they know they are screwed when that day comes. Most guys can't play a girl through this date. The one flower or box of candy will not satisfy a girl for this date..especially if you haven't been sincere the whole time. Guys don't want to spend the money or time on the girl they are stringing along. I guess "the players" are revealed on this day. ~GMOW~

I'm not such a big fan of V-day, anyway. I've never had a nice Valentine's Day. Even when I'm actually dating someone, something always ends up going sour, and ruining the whole day. So, for that reason, I don't even bother with it anymore. ~Samael~

Personally love Valentine’s Day, and always have. As a kid I looked forward to making my little mail box for my desk and passing out all my little cards. As an adult even if I didn't have a Valentine I still loved the feeling surrounding the day. I'm a little weird like that. Now I love it even more because I get to use that one day to treat my girlfriend even better and make her feel super loved like she is. I don't do it because I feel I have to, I do it because I love to do it. I personally don't do just candy and a roses, everyone does that. I usually get her some new candles (she loves candles), red and white carnations, candy hearts (they are her fave candy), and a few other presents. If I have to work in the evening like this year I will put all of this out on the bed on top of rose petals with a homemade card. I think more personal touches are more important than just running out and buying some boxed candies (unless they really like em), and some over priced roses. ~jaxommikal~

I don’t really have any sad valentines stories...I think valentines day is a silly commercial holiday. you don’t need to spend money to show someone you love them, and you should show them everyday of the year! ~KiTTeKaTT~

wish I had a good valentine's day story....other holidays, sure, but valentine's has always been almost boring. either there's no one, and it's just another day, or there is someone and there's some flowers and maybe some dinner and that's that. ~aether~

always thought that Valentines Day was a lot like Thanksgiving except instead of getting a turkey, you get something else’s...~ghost5-0~

I don't like valentines day. I would rather any sweet gestures come from the heart and his own imagination than some predefined notion of chocolate and candy on an assigned day. Plus, if you don't have a valentine it just gets depressing. ~Esseilte~

How I feel about it?? It’s a day the card companies and chocolate manufactures made up because their isn't a holiday from the beginning of January to the middle of April making Business quite slow. ~Gamik86~

Eh...I don't think I have an interesting V-day story...maybe the fact that I've purchased 14 cards and 3 teddy bears this year. I do plan to surprise my mom at her work(which is 2 hours away from my school) on Monday. I definitely think Valentine's Day has been commercialized a bit too much, but I still do think that the world needs at least one day to celebrate love. ~greg2583~

hate the holiday. why do you need a special day to tell some one that you care for them? I would buy them something ANY day of the year if I cared for them enough. I’m bah-humbug when it comes to this holiday! ~quietassassin~

a sad story for a valentine day.... sure : I've always been single for valentine days.....~herkan~

I encourage people to look out for performances of the Vagina Monologues around this time of year. College groups are give the go ahead for V-day performances (they can be anywhere from late Jan to early March) of the material to raise money for charities that work to end violence against women or offer support to survivors. ~Sovawanea~

I think it's nice to have a day dedicated to romance and celebrating the person you love. We're all so busy, it's easy to get caught up in things and lose the romance... it's good to have a day like Valentine's day. ~blood roses~

I know everyone says that each day should be a celebration of love with your partner but after with you've been with your partner for awhile, things can tend to get mundance, the bigger things become the smaller things and the smaller things can go unrecognized. I enjoy Valentines day...I love the color read. Everyone else seems to have their own special day, even the tooth fairy, so why shouldn't partners get a special day to say I love you in a formal way...? ~shyla~

I feel that the idea of a day where you do nothing but appreciate the person who you happen to be dating is absurd. Everyday should be that day. No special occasion should be needed. However, I must say that Valentine's day undoubtedly is a day that causes people who are normally too scared to ask some one to do just that. Its a day for being risky with love. So while the couples that already exist have a pointless day where they are obligated to spend money on eachother, those who are searching for a soulmate have a day where it is alright to be silly and romantic and try to obtain that which they have been searching for. ~ggiarmo~

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And now...a few Valentine stories from the lucky
and unlucky Valentines of 4thkingdom.



My first year at college, I met a girl named Megan, and we started hanging out a bit, and I just thought she was awesome. So, we went out a few times, and things seemed to be going very well. Over the course of a few weeks things seemed to be going very well. We'd go out a few times a week, and we'd hang out and watch movies, or grab lunch. So, one day we're talking, and she tells me that she really likes how things are going, and that she thinks of me as a potential boyfriend, and I'm feeling pretty good about this. So, Valentine's Day is coming up, and I decide that I want to do something really nice for her, because she's never had a good Valentine's Day. I decide to make her a card by hand. It took me five days to make this card, and it turned out just amazing. I wrote a romantic poem in calligraphy on the inside, and used gold pen to highlight the edges of the letters... it was really a nice card, if I do say so myself. Then I got a small vase and painted it, and got a rose and a small box of chocolates, and I got her room-mate to let me in on Valentines Day, and set them up so that she'd find them when she got back from class, then I left.

She stopped by my room on the way back from class and asked me if I wanted to get lunch, and I said sure. We head back to her room, and she opens the door and sees the card and the flower and such. She picks up the card, and reads it, sets it down and says "Oh. Well. That's nice. I'm going to lunch." Then she just walks away. So, I was pretty crushed, because she was clearly so disinterested in the card. So, the next day I stop by and we're hanging out, and I ask her about it. "So, what happened yesterday? I mean... that wasn't really the reaction I was hoping for when I gave you the card." She told me that she thought it was really sweet, but that it seemed a bit much for a friend. I asked her what she was talking about, and she said "Remember last week when we talked about this? And I told you how I thought of you as a potential boyfriend? And we decided that it would be good to just be friends?" I said that I remembered the conversation, but that I did not, in fact, remember us deciding to just be friends. Apparently, when she said I was a potential boyfriend, I was supposed to understand that to mean that we were just going to be friends.
~Samael~

Last year Feroze promised me a major Valentine's Day romantic lunch, yummy yummy, and all that jazz. I had to work in the morning, and we didn't want to go to dinner because of the crowds, in addition to my pregnancy making me very, very tired. So he told me he'd found a place and I asked him if he'd gotten the directions off of the internet. He said yes, picked me up from work, and we drove...and drove...and drove...all over the streets of Bethesda! Could not find the gosh darn restaurant anywhere! Finally we decided to go to Houston's, which is kind of an upscale steak joint. It was really crowded and we were waiting next to a cute little girl--who threw up all over the floor, my ankle, her mom, etc. After that appetizing little prelude, we got our food, and I couldn't finish mine--I gave it to a homeless man on the way back to the car. As we were driving away, we spotted, ONE STREET OVER, the restaurant we were supposed to go to--but guess what? It was closed!
~jackie joy~

Funny thing, actually, that valentine’s bugger is. My balls are in a vice for valentines day. My girlfriend seemingly innocently asked me 3-4 weeks ago, well away from the day, what I thought of it. I took it as casual intellectual fare. I responded with my true feelings. Bad idea. Most people hit their heads when I tell them, but... I had to be honest with her! Honesty is the best policy! I hate valentines day. I hate it I hate it I hate it! Then again, I don't like to celebrate any national holidays. Now you see why my balls are in a vice. She really wants to do something, but only if I do. I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't.
~kurt~

A few years ago I broke up with my boyfriend around June. The following January, we started talking again and hanging out every once in a while just as friends. He comes over one Friday, and neither of us realized that it was Valentines day. I had gotten the biggest zit in the middle of my forehead, and had tried desperately to disguise it with make up. That didn't work so well. At dinner, my brother said, "Hey, Triclops, pass the bread." I was mortified. My ex started laughing so hard, and then told my brother that Buddha was a more appropriate name. I could have killed them both.
~Esseilte~

Well, I'm a member of the Indiana Army National Guard. Back in May, my unit got activated, and in July, we came to Afghanistan, where I am currently. I got married to my wonderful wife (who is actually a new member of 4th) in April, shortly before I got activated. It’s been rather hard spending most of the first year of our marriage away from each other, and of course, with V-Day coming up shortly, it isn't going to be any easier. So really, my Valentine's Day story is a lack of a true Valentine's Day. I'll get to call my wife, if I'm lucky, but other than that, I'll just be looking at my pictures, thinking of her, and waiting to go home to her.
~LiErh~

February 14, 2000. The calendar indicated that I had been with my girlfriend for about two months, or a month and a half depending on how you count it. By this point in time I was beginning to have serious doubts about our relationship, wondering if perhaps I was with the wrong person. For this day, however, those doubts were put aside. We celebrated the day at her house, and even now I can hardly imagine the effort she put into making it all work out. She had done some research and prepared for us a lasagna dinner. Her family helped her set up the dining room for the two of us to eat together. She had spent the previous few days laboriously preparing gifts for me. It was all one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me. Too bad the relationship didn't work out ...February 14, 2001. With my last romantic relationship now a distant memory, Valentine's Day was no longer a day to celebrate my own romantic status and instead to deal with everyone else gloating about their romantic status, as I saw it at the time. I declared war on the Holiday and a crusade akin to that of Ebenezer Scrooge against Christmas, even saying "Humbug" when the subject of Valentine's Day arose.

It was, however, very difficult to maintain the pretense of bitterness and rage when my dear friend Lori gave me a card to lift my spirits. February 14, 2002. I was preparing for another Valentine's Day of holing up when, in a conversation with someone I respect very much, he suggested I write someone a Valentine's Day card. That someone turned out to a girl I had a crush on for a while. As it turned out, after I gave her my sorry excuse for a card, she rejected me on the grounds that I had developed a reputation for being somewhat desperate. Can you imagine? February 14, 2004. Yes, I know I skipped 2003. Nothing notable happened that year. 2004 really isn't worth listing either, but here it goes. A friend, who I had suspected for several months was attracted to me, gave me a Valentine's Day card. I was really excited, since I liked her too. Maybe she would be interested dating?! Ah, but I don't know for sure. Maybe she was just being friendly. So I did what I usually do in situations like these, and I remained indecisive until it was too late. There you have it, Pepper's Concise History of Valentine's Day. What will February 14, 2005 hold for me? The Magic 8-Ball says, "Don't break out the cologne quite yet."
~pepper2000~

My ex-husband and I used to work for the same company. I was very good friends with my supervisor, and my husband hated him! Needless to say, he was just jealous. So one Valentines day I made Valentines for all my co-workers on my shift, and one that was a little naughty for my husband. Well, I accidently gave the semi-naughty one to my supervisor! My supervisor thought it was hilarious, and he shared it with everybody. I, too, thought it was funny, even though it WAS very embarrassing. My husband failed to see the humor in it. He actually thought I did it on purpose. He's an idiot, and we're no longer together. But I don't pas out Valentines at work anymore...LoL! ~frayed~

Last year, my boyfriend told me he'd gone out and bought me a sexy red and black teddy as a gift, right? I didn't even know there was anything by that name other than the bear *blush* Night before Valentine's, he sent me a picture over the internet and I'm sitting here going, "Oooooooh dear."

He shows up at my school the next day just at the very end while I'm still in my student assistant class (I did grading and crap). Wouldn't have been a big deal, except the teacher was a good friend of mine AND my parents'. I nearly hit the floor! But it was a bear he brought to class at least ^-^ Still, I nearly died for a few minutes in there!

Aside from that, I figure it's silly. It's an over-commercialized excuse for guys to get into trouble with their girls, and for girls to go around bad-mouthing their guys. If you want to do cute presents, you've got all year, right? ^_^ ~Ethereal Zephyr~

A couple years ago, my fiance and I actually rescheduled Valentine's Day. The day was looming closer, and we had no money to buy gifts, flowers or gorge ourselves on overpriced fixed menus, not to mention, we were both scheduled to work that night with no hope of requesting off. We looked ahead at the calender, and requested off work for the same day, and managed to have a completely stress free Valentine's Day on February 24th. Neither of us really cared that the date was different, in the end, it's taking that one day out of the year to spoil each other that's really the point. ~Domino~

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. It's a time of love and love is the greatest gift of all! It's a time to be with the one you love and a time for romance. Valentine's Day is the most special day for couples. I'm so happy to have someone to spend all my Valentine's Days with. I consider myself extremely lucky and I am very thankful! This year will be my 4th Valentine's Day with my boyfriend. The best memory of V-day that I have is from our first Valentine's Day. He got me a kitten that I had been begging for and I named her Valentine. :) And I made him a scrapbook of our memories that took me weeks to make. He was so happy when he looked through the scrapbook for the first time. He looked at me in that way that only he can and he got tears in his eyes when he realized how much time I spent on his gift. It felt so good to know that he appreciated it and he realized how hard I worked. My boyfriend is so special to me and I love him more each and every day. I'm so happy to be spending another Valentine's Day with him this year. Happy Valentine's Day!! :) ~StarShyne~

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This Day In History by Shyla



What's been happening on February 14th throughout the years? Couldn't find much in the way of love and romance and cupid with his bow and arrow. However, I ad libbed a bit in the parenthesis. Don't take it seriously, it's all in fun.

1859- Oregon became the 33rd state in the United States (it later became known as the oragami state, for all day long, the residents of oregon would spend their time making valentine oragami)

1896- Edward Prince of Wales, who would later become King Edward VII, became the first member of the British Royal Family to ride in a motor vehicle. (He was said to be on a lovers tyrst with a woman who would bring much scandal to the royal throne..luckily no one caught him with his lover..Gerald)

1920- The League of Women Voters was founded (the league of the women voters? on valentine's day? let's be serious.. there were a lot of women feminists with not much to do..do you think they were really talking about voting...or even talking?)

1929- Members of Al Capones gang killed rival gang members in the St. Valentine's Day massacre (it was rumored that Bugs made a pass at Capone's lady the year before on this same day, he got his just desserts, doncha think?)

1962- The first televised tour of the White House airs. First Lady Jackie Kennedy hosted the tour. (another lady bored with nothing to do, perhaps her mother was a member of the infamous "league of women voters)

1989- Iran's Ayahtolla Khomeini issued a fatwa, calling for the death of Salman Rushdie, the author of The Satanic Verses. (here is a man who doesn't celebrate this day of love and romance)

1989- Shortly after rolling over Michael Dukakis to become the forty-first president of the United States, George Bush set about compiling his first budget. On February 9, 1989, the former Vice President submitted a budget of $1.16 trillion, including an estimated deficit of $91.1 billion. While hardly small numbers, Bush's budget and defect projections seemed like improvements over his predecessor, Ronald Reagan. During his last two years in office, President Reagan submitted budgets that climbed over the then unheard of trillion mark, and in 1988, he projected that the deficit would climb to $129.5 billion. However, any notions that Bush would restrain federal spending or reign in the defect proved to be wishful thinking: in 1992, the president submitted what proved to be his final budget, which estimated a deficit of $352 billion.(umm yeah, what'd you expect? and on valentines day no less. kick the single people while they're down why don't you?)

2001- The Kansas Board of Education reversed it's 1999 ruling and restored evolution to the state's science curriculam. (but do they recognized valentines day? damn commies)

2003- Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal, was euthanized because of incurable lung cancer (she lived for something and died because of that something, but what does that have to do with Valentines day?)

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