Lizzy Walters
writer
Valentine’s Day began when St. Valentine, a holy priest in Rome, was beheaded because he continued to marry couples after Claudius II forbade marriage.
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Edmonton’s Valley Zoo will be hosting the speed-dating event Animal Attraction on Feb. 11 and 12.
Marriage was outlawed because the emperor believed soldiers would refuse to fight if they had wives.
Now Valentine’s Day is a shoddy commercialist tactic aimed at couples that will spend their hard-earned money on cheap plastic hearts and cutesy cards. For couples, Feb. 14 is a day of fun-filled extravaganza.
Love pairs are bombarded by cheap chocolate and tacky heart-shaped advertisements, but if you’re a single and hoping to escape the vomit-inducing sweethearts sure to venture out and publicly swoon over each other, here’s a few ideas.
Of course you could go with the old standby and drink yourself into a stupor; however, if you are brave and willing to deal with the face-sucking zombies, you need a game plan. The first step is to find some single friends to hang out with so you don’t end up as a third-wheel on an awkward movie and dinner date. Once you have a group you can implement plan B.
Go rollerblading, ice-skating, tobogganing or maybe play street hockey — anything that requires exercise. The endorphins from exercise will cheer you up. Then you could enjoy some hot chocolate and watch horror movies. You’ll be too scared to even remember it is Valentine’s Day.
Remember if you cannot stand being single, this might be your chance to ask out a long time crush or someone who just caught your eye.
It’s risky — a first date on Valentine’s Day can add an extra pressure because most couples around you will be committed — but with the right plan it can still be fun.
Find somewhere low-key, where you are less likely to find yourself surrounded by couples and heart-themed decorations.
Make sure you have an activity planned so you can a have more fun. Publicly embarrass yourself by singing karaoke, songs like “Smile” by Lilly Allen or “Heartless” by Kanye West. Monday night is Karaoke night at On the Rocks.
“What better way than to sing a cheesy song to a first date?” Rachelle Sandy asked, from the bar on Jasper Ave.
Also if you are not confident about your singing abilities The Druid is having movie trivia bingo and you can usually find people dancing at both establishments.
Other events going on in the city include a Sweetheart Stroll hosted at the Muttart Conservatory featuring harpists and hot jazz, a Valentine’s dinner at the Hotel Selkirk in Fort Edmonton Park and the Animal Attraction speed-dating evenings put on by Eight Minute Date and the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
Grab a friend and put your own spin on the date night.
If you are looking to host your own party, have singles that are looking for a relationship wear green, those who are undecided wear yellow and couples wear red. It will be sure to make the evening interesting.
Mind you, Valentine’s Day is on a Monday so maybe you should stay in, catch up on homework and sleep.
If you’re still itching to do something worthwhile and have a passion for activism, the Memorial March for the missing and murdered women of Edmonton is taking place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. starting at Sacred Heart Church. It may be the less optimistic option, but it’s a great way to give an otherwise empty holiday some meaning.
