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Valentine's Day Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 08:24:00 AM EST
Tags: valentine's day (all tags)
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From our heart to yours, Happy Valentine's Day.

Now we need some Valentine's Day tunes - for love, and all the joy, despair, reckless abandon and hopefulness that comes along with it. A few that come to mind:

Bob Dylan: The Wedding Song (love the lyrics)

[More...}

Rolling Stones: Angie

Meatloaf: You Took the Words Right Out Of My Mouth

Along with his I Would Do Anything for Love

Bob Seger" Roll Me Away

Bob Seger: Someday Lady You'll Accomp'ny Me

Ancient Oldies:

Your turn, please add some more.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Valentine's Day Open Thread | 63 comments (63 topical)

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    Illinois Senate passes same-sex marriage law. (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by caseyOR on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 02:34:07 PM EST
    How appropriate for Valentine's Day. The bill now moves to the Illinois House.

    Republicans were opposed with some decrying this as an attack on straight marriage while others worried that businesses would be forced to close. Apparently, Illinois B & Bs and florists and other marriage related businesses would rather go out of business than rake in the money from same-sex weddings. Or so the thinking goes for some Republicans.

    "Businesses will be affected. Bed and breakfasts, florists, all those that are wedding-related, will be affected. They will choose to, most of them, dissolve their businesses. That's what happened in other states," said state Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon), drawing scoffs and laughter from supporters of the bill.

    I somehow doubt Illinois will turn out to be the one and only state where wedding-related businesses turn their backs on the profits to be made from same-sex weddings.

    Go, Land of Lincoln.  Equality Now!

    Valentine song: (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by DFLer on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 05:15:43 PM EST
    "My Funny Valentine" by Ben Webster

    or buy the album on Verve...and maybe somebody will get paid.

    And, of course, the inimitable (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by shoephone on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 05:42:13 PM EST
    Aretha. I Say a Litte Prayer.

    Dusty Springfield: (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 08:51:04 PM EST
    The Look of Love

    Parent
    I wish I had a valentine (5.00 / 3) (#31)
    by kmblue on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 06:04:27 PM EST
    there's nobody to say "Be Mine"
    is this day over yet, because
    can't praise a love that never was.

    Will you be my valentine? (5.00 / 3) (#34)
    by Robot Porter on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 08:30:06 PM EST
    I may not your, or anyone's, idea of the perfect valentine.

    But at least now you cannot say no one asked.

    Have a good one, KM!

    Parent

    Gen X represent! (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by bordenl on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 11:29:13 PM EST
    Sublime, What I Got

    Adele's "To Make You Feel My Love" is really wonderful-- may be the best version I have heard.

    A true Valentine . . . (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by nycstray on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 03:04:18 AM EST
    Nothing like the love of a dog . . .  :D

    Since no Valentine's Day would be complete (none / 0) (#1)
    by CoralGables on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 08:56:28 AM EST
    without a gun...

    Oscar Pistorius (The Blade Runner) is arrested on a murder charge in the shooting death of his girlfriend early this morning.

    "He thought she was a burglar and (none / 0) (#4)
    by oculus on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 11:21:44 AM EST
    shot her four times."  And the AP article I read stated that after law enforcement interviewed him at the police station, he walked away. Amazing.

    Parent
    He remains in custody (none / 0) (#6)
    by CoralGables on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 12:04:35 PM EST
    Reports of multiple domestic calls to the address in the past. Bond hearing was supposed to be this afternoon but the hearing has been moved to tomorrow.

    She was shot several times in the head and once in the arm from the latest, although not necessarily accurate report. Prosecutors to ask for no bail.

    Parent

    According to an AP update, ... (none / 0) (#11)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 01:09:32 PM EST
    ... Mr. Pistorius has now been charged with murder.

    Parent
    I Have a Feeling the Right... (none / 0) (#18)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 02:13:26 PM EST
    ...is going to go berzerk when they realize that in other countries 'accidentally' shooting someone is a crime.

    From what I read, they have to charge him because he did it.  What I can't find is whether believing it was an intruder is a valid defense, if that is what happened.  Not sure if the no bail thing relates in anyway of if that is standard in SA.

    Parent

    My bet is that the police (none / 0) (#23)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 03:20:16 PM EST
    are finding it hard to believe that he accidentally put 4 shots into his smoking hot blond model girlfriend who he's had previous domestic "issues" with.

    Parent
    Police Spokesman... (none / 0) (#25)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 04:06:25 PM EST
    ...Denise Beukes concurs it would seem.

    Denise Beukes would not confirm the victim's identity, but said investigators were "very surprised" to hear media reports that the shooting was possibly a case of mistaken identity.


    Parent
    South Africa has had a real problem ... (none / 0) (#24)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 03:41:31 PM EST
    ... with violent crime, with its rate comparable or surpassing that in some of our worst cities or states in the U.S. 15,940 people were murdered in South Africa in 2010 (the year we were there), which is the equivalent of just over 40 people every day in a population of about 50 million residents.

    The primary difference is that in response to the carnage, the country's parliament has significantly stiffened its gun laws, which has actually reduced the crime rate dramatically from its peak in the mid-1990s, after the transition to majority rule.

    Parent

    Happy Valentines... (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 09:21:45 AM EST
    This one goes out to all the lovers who take us Out Of This World.

    May I suggest all you lovers set your mood with a little Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings tonight...and Let Them Knock.  Sonic Spanish Fly that one!

    And a couple more for the lovesick motherf*ckers like me whose Valentine is far away...

    Susan Tedeschi, It Hurt So Bad

    The Band, Katie's Been Gone

    A (none / 0) (#8)
    by lentinel on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 12:23:37 PM EST
    beautiful rendition of "My Old Flame" by Charlie Parker.

    Parent
    And to those couples who, ... (none / 0) (#12)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 01:28:53 PM EST
    ... like my late maternal grandparents, apparently aren't truly happy together unless they're willing to go for the emotional jugular as part of their routine, I dedicate Guns N'Roses, I Used to Love Her.

    Parent
    Kdog, I am envisioning you (none / 0) (#3)
    by oculus on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 11:17:09 AM EST
    as a celebrity DJ.

    So the wife and I finished up the (none / 0) (#5)
    by me only on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 12:03:56 PM EST
    Parenthood season this week.  There were these odd commercials from Microsoft.  The commercials were for their notepad.  In the commercials there is nothing said, just a bunch of jumping around.

    So I am assuming this is supposed to be cool or hip or something.  What is it mimicking?  Or is it just as stupid as I think it is.

    A (none / 0) (#7)
    by lentinel on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 12:20:33 PM EST
    beautiful rendition of "You Don't Know What Love Is" , by solo pianist Lennie Tristano.

    The Best Vday Song... (none / 0) (#9)
    by ScottW714 on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 12:24:30 PM EST
    ...eva, maybe not, but I love it because my day is on the 14th(different month), and like the song says, every day is the 14th.

    Andre 3000

    My name is Cupid Valentino, the modern day Cupid
    And I just want to say one thing:
    Happy Valentine's Day
    Every day the 14th!
    ...
    Ya won't believe in me, but you would fancy
    leprechauns or groundhogs.
    No thank you, Easter Bunny!
    There's all this talk about Santa Claus, but see
    love will rule reign supreme...
    Don' forget to send (none / 0) (#13)
    by KeysDan on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 01:37:09 PM EST
    a Valentine to parents.  Among favorites.

    Parent
    GOP filibuster (none / 0) (#10)
    by CoralGables on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 12:44:14 PM EST
    is apparently going to be in force for tomorrow's scheduled cloture vote on Hagel's nomination to become Defense Secretary.

    Word is there are currently 58 votes to end debate and move to a vote. All Dems, all independents, and three Republicans to vote yes. Two shy of moving forward as of now.

    Possibly (none / 0) (#15)
    by CoralGables on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 01:50:04 PM EST
    the John McCain and Lindsey Graham bluster may be coming to an end. That would make 60. The key, Lindsey fears a primary fight from the right in SC which in GOP circles means you can't agree with anything that Obama wants... ever.

    Parent
    Wow. (none / 0) (#14)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 01:39:30 PM EST
    Like, who saw that one coming, eh?
    :-P

    Both Harry Reid and the Republicans have apparently learned nothing from last year.

    Professional courtesy: (none / 0) (#16)
    by oculus on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 01:53:10 PM EST
    NYT

    LOL... (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 02:16:51 PM EST
    That's a very diplomatic way of saying different rules different fools.

    The EMT should at least get her own get out of jail free card for use at a later date...and somebody teach that prosecutor how to drink! ;)

    Parent

    This former city employee (none / 0) (#22)
    by oculus on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 02:55:42 PM EST
    lucked out re assigned judge:

    Inspector of crane gets probation


    Parent

    Your link did not work, Teresa. (none / 0) (#20)
    by caseyOR on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 02:23:25 PM EST
    So, here is another link to Adele singing the lovely Bob Dylan song Make You Feel My Love.

    And I agree, it is nice to see a singer who just sings the songs.

    Beautiful. (none / 0) (#27)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 05:36:47 PM EST


    Parent
    That song just kills me. (none / 0) (#32)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 06:10:37 PM EST


    Parent
    someday (none / 0) (#64)
    by TeresaInPa on Thu Feb 21, 2013 at 07:25:32 AM EST
    I will learn how to embed here.  Thank you


    Parent
    Less for romance than sheer artistry (none / 0) (#28)
    by shoephone on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 05:38:24 PM EST
    I Want To Be Happy. Recording by Don Grolnick, with a totally kicka$$ solo by Mike Brecker on tenor sax.

    Speaking (none / 0) (#30)
    by lentinel on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 05:54:15 PM EST
    of sheer artistry....

    My Old Flame  Charlie Parker

    You Don't Know What Love Is  Lennie Tristano

    Parent

    Today marks the 84th anniversary of ... (none / 0) (#33)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 07:18:00 PM EST
    ... Al Capone's becoming the undisputed kingpin of the Chicago underworld.

    And Chicago (none / 0) (#41)
    by jbindc on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:02:43 AM EST
    has resurrected Public Enemy Number 1 - the first since Capone.

    Parent
    I'd have named as Public Enemy No. 1 ... (none / 0) (#45)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 12:52:53 PM EST
    ... the Chicago city project inspector who tried to shake down my cousin for a bribe three weeks ago, in exchange for authorizing the permit that would allow his company to dig the foundation for a new building near Wrigley Field.

    People like him are the reason why so many people are inherent cynics, and have little or no faith in government.

    Parent

    Twisted Valentine (none / 0) (#36)
    by ruffian on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 08:57:35 PM EST
    Warren Zevon.

    step right up!

    Two love songs I really like (none / 0) (#37)
    by Peter G on Thu Feb 14, 2013 at 09:45:49 PM EST
    Simon & Garfunkel, "For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her"
    Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight"

    Ditto re Clapton. Although when (none / 0) (#61)
    by oculus on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:24:40 PM EST
    I learned he wrote it while he was waiting endlessly for his sign. other to decide what she was going to wear it wasn't quite as romantic.

    Parent
    Russia was hit with a meteorite tonight. (none / 0) (#39)
    by caseyOR on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 01:26:31 AM EST
    A meteor disintegrated in the sky above central Russia, in the Ural Mountains, sending fragments to earth. Windows were shattered over the area. So far, the reported injuries are mostly cuts from the shattering glass.

    Watch the video at the link and listen to the, well, it sounds like a huge sonic boom, from the meteor.

    News is sketchy right now. There should be more info in the morning.

    The sky is falling.

    It's now being touted as ... (none / 0) (#58)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 03:22:52 PM EST
    ... the biggest rock to strike the earth since a meteor plowed into Siberia in 1908. Further, it apparently unleashed more energy than the North Korean nuclear test earlier in the week, causing more than 1,000 injuries and damaging 3,000 buildings in the city of Chelyabinsk.

    Don't forget your umbrella this afternoon.
    ;-D

    Parent

    Lapierre/NRA stoke the fires of paranoia (none / 0) (#42)
    by Yman on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:53:51 AM EST
    For anyone who missed it, LaPierre is once again stoking the fires of paranoia among the conspiracy theorists.

    Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Riots. Terrorists. Gangs. Lone criminals. These are perils we are sure to face--not just maybe. It's not paranoia to buy a gun. It's survival. It's responsible behavior, and it's time we encourage law-abiding Americans to do just that...

    LaPierre writes that this "Stand and Fight" effort involves a "four-year communications and resistance movement." As part of this effort, LaPierre writes that a stronger NRA is necessary "to resist the coming siege" and states:

        "Every gun owner should be an active member of the NRA. Every gun owner should be sure that every member of his or her family is an active member."...

    LaPierre concludes that it is of paramount importance that supporters "buy more guns than ever" and "grow the NRA more than ever":

        We will not surrender. We will not appease. We will buy more guns than ever. We will use them for sport and lawful self-defense more than ever. We will grow the NRA more than ever.

    Lions and tigers and bears, (and zombies?)... oh my.

    The gun industry donated up to $38.9 million to the NRA from 2005 to 2011. Gun manufacturers gave millions more in 2012, with one holding a yearlong promotion in which it donated a dollar for each gun sold.

    Thank goodness... (none / 0) (#43)
    by kdog on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 09:16:37 AM EST
    I'm not law-abiding, because I'd just hate for LaPierre to think I am behaving irresponsibly by choosing to be unarmed;)

    Parent
    Dude, this bud's for you: (none / 0) (#46)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 01:05:20 PM EST
    Jimmy Buffet, "We Are the People Our Parents Warned Us About" and "Why Don't We Get Drunk / Sweet Caroline."

    Have a great three-day weekend. It's my birthday on Sunday, so we're going to Hilo tonight after the legislature recesses for the weekend. I'm making a presentation at a nonprofit seminar tomorrow morning, and we're meeting Younger Daughter late tomorrow afternoon for dinner, and then we have the rest of the weekend to hang out and have fun and do whatever we want in our favorite Small Town, U.S.A.

    Happy National Furniture & Mattress Sale Day Weekend, everyone! Aloha.

    Parent

    Two excellent choices from two great shows (none / 0) (#48)
    by CoralGables on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 01:25:07 PM EST
    Miami Marine Stadium for the first and Fenway Park for the second.

    Miami Marine Stadium was easily the most perfect setting ever for Buffett. It still survives today but has been out of use since Hurricane Andrew. The Live By The Bay show from 1985 can still be found on PBS at times.

    Parent

    Damn... (none / 0) (#44)
    by kdog on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 11:25:11 AM EST
    I thought I was a degenerate, I got nothing on former San Diego Mayor/Jack in the Box Heiress Maureen O'Connor...who won and lost 1 billion dollars playing "mostly" video poker.

    The truly amazing part is she was up big at one point...playing Joker Poker!?!  Losing it all back and then some...that's oh so predictable.  Bill Bennett and O'Conner should hook up.

    The truly sad part about it, though, ... (none / 0) (#47)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 01:24:09 PM EST
    ... is that Herroner ran through all her money, and then proceeded to fleece her late husband Robert Peterson's charitable foundation, The R.P. Foundation, of a further $2.1 million, which forced it to declare bankruptcy and close its doors.

    Ms. O'Connor pleaded not guilty yesterday in federal court to wire fraud, for transferring $449,000 from the foundation's accounts to her own, but then struck a deal with the judge so that if she pays back the foundation, the charges can be dismissed.

    I'm not quite sure what that sort of deal entails or even what it's called ("Deferred Acceptance of Guilt"?). If Jeralyn or Peter could perhaps further explain what this sort of deal is, and what the court is requiring Ms. O'Connor to do -- time permitting, of course -- I'd appreciate it.  

    Parent

    Of course... (none / 0) (#49)
    by kdog on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 01:37:14 PM EST
    the stealing is the only sad part about it...I just can't believe how she was ever up so big to have lost a billion gross (net loss 12 mill and change)...playing freakin' video poker!  Some of the worst odds in the house.

    I don't know what the lawyers call it, but if she can pay the money back the victim (in this case the charity) is whole, so I call it a fair resolution without putting a human being  in a cage...aka a big win all around as far as the criminal justice side is concerned.

    Parent

    She was up a billion at one point? (none / 0) (#50)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 01:39:30 PM EST
    If so, I smell a rat.

    Parent
    Linkage... (none / 0) (#53)
    by kdog on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 02:01:39 PM EST
    At one point, O'Connor was ahead by more than $1 billion, Iredale said, but she suffered even greater losses. The attorney added that her net loss was in the end was $13 million.
    Link

    Though degenerate gamblers are notorious for lying about such things...rule of thumb is won big really means won a little, won a little really means broke even, broke even really means lost a little, lost a little means lost a bundle, lost a bundle means can you buy me something to eat?

    Parent

    I meant it sounds to me like the game owners (none / 0) (#54)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 02:06:47 PM EST
    smelled a whale and rigged the game.

    But then maybe I'm just being cynical.

    Parent

    A little gambling insight here (none / 0) (#57)
    by CoralGables on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 03:05:39 PM EST
    reading the articles carefully, she was never up a billion and she didn't lose a billion. It's guessed she bet about that amount over time meaning her losses would amount to close to the percentage of the house take on that type machine.

    They guess her losses at about 13 million making it doubtful she ever got close to putting a billion through the machines but still likely somewhere between 250 and 350 million. Much less if she was at Indian casinos.


    Parent

    Do you agree w/ a local gambling (none / 0) (#51)
    by oculus on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 01:50:06 PM EST
    "expert" that some gambling game choices are for extrovert competitors and others are favored by solitary souls such as "grieving widows"?  And, if so, why does that male poker icon hide so thoroughly under his hat?

    Parent
    Link to air quote source: (none / 0) (#55)
    by oculus on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 02:17:37 PM EST
    UT

    Parent
    Poker Players... (none / 0) (#56)
    by kdog on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 02:59:04 PM EST
    hide behind hats and shades to try to hide their tells or their lying eyes...not to be anti-social.

    I don't know about the expert...common sense that social gamblers would prefer games with other players to be social with, and anti-social gamblers would prefer solitary games like slots...I don't think that is any revelation.  

    I'm a little weird in that I prefer social games, don't care for slots at all...but in the case of social blackjack or caribbean stud I like a table all to myself the best...to speed up the game in caribbean, and to avoid the knucklehead hitting on 13 with the dealer showing a 6 in blackjack.

    Parent

    Why does that bother you, dogman? (none / 0) (#59)
    by NYShooter on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 05:48:36 PM EST
    I see that all the time at the 21 tables, players ridiculing other, inexperienced players. I mean, it's their money, and doesn't affect you at all. That just doesn't sound like you, my man.

    I gotta laugh though when an agitated Hot Shot,  after the inexperienced player takes a hit when he/she shouldn't have, and then "Rocky" busts he yells out, Je$us Krist! you're stupid move stole my King, and I busted because of you!!

    Parent

    Oh I would never... (none / 0) (#63)
    by kdog on Tue Feb 19, 2013 at 02:23:33 PM EST
    ridicule or voice my displeasure with another player's play...but it does effect other players, there are only so many bricks in the shoe Shooter.  But of course, it's their money and they can play any way they want.

    That's why I just prefer rockin' the blackjack table solo, for a few other reasons as well...makes it easier to keep a half-arse count, and speeds up the game.

    Parent

    Baseball prettyboy Mike Piazza trashes ... (none / 0) (#52)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 02:01:06 PM EST
    ... a living Dodger icon in his new book "Long Shot", thus probably ensuring that he'll now be forever booed by Dodger fans throughout the Southland for merely driving on the freeway.

    Word to Piazza: Most media outlets maintain extensive archives, and the public record as maintained by KTLA clearly does not support your spurious contention about Vin Scully.

    Happy Birthday Donald... (none / 0) (#60)
    by fishcamp on Fri Feb 15, 2013 at 08:07:31 PM EST


    Mahalo. (none / 0) (#62)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Feb 16, 2013 at 01:01:33 AM EST
    We're waiting for the plane to Hilo, and will arrive there about 10:00 p.m., local time. They just started pre-bosrding families with small kids, so I better power down. Aloha.

    Parent
    Valentine's Day Open Thread | 63 comments (63 topical)

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