We were supposed to leave early in the morning to go out west, but we discovered the previous night that we didn’t have enough fuel money so we couldn’t. Let down #1.

Instead of going out west, we thought we’d go out for lunch. I knew of a great restaurant that I’d been dying to go to for a long while now, so I kept it a surprise as to where we were going, and took Talia there. We got to the front door and I was like “THIS IS IT!” and then “oh damn, it’s closed”. Let down #2.

We decided to try another restaurant because the specials on the board out the front were really well priced. We got inside, took a seat, had a look at the menu, then ordered the special, only to be told that the special was only for wednesday, thursday and friday. We left. Let down #3.

We were supposed to see Nonna that weekend, but couldn’t because we were supposed to go out west. Now that we were home, we could go see her over at my Mum’s place. Excitedly, we drove over to say hello, only to find out that she cancelled coming up because of car issues. Let down #4.

We wanted to invite Rachel and Aaron over to watch Godfather, or play Guitar Hero or something that night. They were busy having dinner elsewhere. Let down #5.

I mean, I think most of us have, at one stage or another, had a gripe or two with this Hallmark Holiday. Of course, it’s different when you’re married, or in any sort of romantic relationship for that matter.

For the record, and your entertainment, here’s how me and Talia’s Valentines day went.

The beauty of the whole thing started the day before, when I told her that we were just going to skip Valentines day this year – we’re too busy and it’s too much effort.

We woke up early in the morning, so Talia could get ready for work. Little did she know, I had contacted her boss (her Dad) and organised the day off for her. As she woke, I presented her with a ‘Day Off Work’ certificate, and then told her she could use the ‘Snuggle Ticket’ which I had placed in her drawer, to sleep-in with me.

After we got up and ready, we prepared for her regular beauty treatment appointment at Skin at Chancellor. Before we had a chance to leave, I gave her my present – a canvas. Those who know my wife knows she loves to paint, but hasn’t had a chance to in a while.

Then we went to Skin, who I had called earlier and told to swap her regular treatment for a massage and a manicure. So Talia had a little pampering for a while.

Then we went for a picnic, and I picked out picnic foods that brought back memories of ‘the good ol days’ when we used to picnic a lot. After that we went to the Goodlife Cafe and had coffee. It was nice and relaxing and it made us feel like a regular pair of lovebirds.

That’s it for the romantic part of the day. The rest was just tea, conspiracies, conversation and dinner, mostly at Melody & Graham’s house.

Oh, and yes, there was a little hanky panky, which I graciously left out.

Now, as my loyal readers (all two of you) would know, I’m not completely into blogging boring experiences like that, rather, I prefer to focus on a message or an underlying principle. This blog isn’t what did I do today, it’s about what did I learn today.

So, I’ll wrap up the night quickly. Dinner at Wok on the Wild side = 7/10 (I’m a hard marker). Really good not great food, perfect portions, bad not terrible service, below average atmosphere. The girl didn’t open our wine, pour it, or put it in the ice bucket, I had to do that myself, but I still got charged corkage which I was pretty upset by.

Keep reading, the moral of the story is close.

The company was good though, and it’s great to get to know Carmen as Jeff as a couple.

A walk around Mooloolaba, then cake and tea at our place, and some great ‘getting-to-know-you’ conversation. Talia and Carmen went into the other room, and Jeff and I got to have a good chat.

I guess the important thing that I took from all of this, other than the good times, conversation, and closer friends, was this:

I’m much more partial to tea, since watching the Avatar series.

Catch me later.

17.10.07 – Luke

Today was all about shopping. LOTS of shopping.

We bought so much, I can’t remember everything, but we both got new bags – real cheap.

We’re a bit worried about getting everything home, so the bags are ‘carry-on luggage’.

We kinda hope that we’re not stopped by customs, as we have a few iffy wooden items. Also iffy, a B.B gun I bought for Chubb.

We bought screw drivers, and I took it apart and will pack it in different suitcases.

So it was mostly just presents yesterday. We had a nice lunch, and some Naan bread for dinner.

We’re both looking forward to going home.

17.10.07 – Talia

2day we did lots of shopping. Luke went psycho in the night claiming ‘tiredness’ and he was just talking funny and being crazy :/ .

We did lots of shopping the the day though. For the last few days I’ve been feeling sick and today wasn’t an exception. Naan bread for dinner. Yum! Lots of presents and an email check.

xox