Be My Valentine

(Originally posted on LAist on February 14)


While happy couples enjoy themselves a nightcap after an evening of romance, single folks ruminate on the heightened sense of loneliness that Valentine’s Day seems to bring. It sucks to be single tonight.

Or does it?

Last year at this time, this LAist writer was emptying his wallet for his girlfriend on a mildly extravagant evening around Chicago. This year? Slumming around downtown LA with one of my boys, catching some quality NBA action at Staples.

Which was better? Let’s take a closer look:

Dinner: 2006 – trendy French restaurant: $120.
2007 – dogs and beer: $20.

Entertainment: 2006 – champagne and jazz club: $60.
2007 – Clippers/Hawks tickets: free.

Gifts: 2006 – flowers, card, candy, other sentimental (read: cheap) gifts: $150.
2007 – lunch for the guy who hooked me up with the tix: $10.

Time: 2006 – researching restaurants, calling florists, tracking down obscure gifts…: immeasurable.
2007 – “Yo, wanna go to the game tonight? Cool, 7:00 by the Magic statue”: 10 seconds.

Advantage: single.

As for the game, the Elton Brand-less Clips blew a 15-point second half lead and lost 96-93 to lowly Atlanta in front of a half-full Staples Center. But the Clipper Spirit delivered an A+ performance, as always.