Chicken Soup for the Valentine-less Soul

What is Valentines Day? Some say it's a day honouring St. Valentine, the patron saint of getting it on, and dates back to many centuries ago. It's a day to honour love.

But it is actually a day in which cards, candies and gifts are bought for one's significant other, in hopes that their significant other may allow them to release oxytocin and vasopressin into their systems, making their brain patterns appear as though they are snorting cocaine. On this day, they are essentially 'buying' their significant other and hoping to get 'lucky' so that these love chemicals may be released into their system. Therefore, all the money spent on Valentine's Day is actually drug money and thereby, immoral…

While Valentine's Day may be 'fun' for couples it is no fun for us singletons. And no, singleton does not equal ugly loser, it just means that no one is good enough for our awesomeness.

Everyone expects us, the urban singleton's to scoff at the valentine rituals and write them off as the corporate conspiracy conceived by candy makers, florists, lingerie stores, and jewellers to get people to spend money on junk, that it is. But we're not bitter.

What do we do instead? We discard the black clothes, the tissues and the obsessive chocolate eating and show the world how lucky we really are. Freedom, baby!

Grab your highest heels and your tightest mini-dress/ your funkiest converse high tops and… hmm what do guys wear… your bad fashion choices and head out the door! Grab a bunch of your single friends and party like a rockstar. Head out to a restaurant or crash one of those many over-priced DJ couple nights at the posh hotels.

Or have your very own party at home. Set up a sound system up on the roof and turn up the music, grab some 'refreshments' and invite all your single pals for an unforgettable night your going to forget about come tomorrow.

Much rather stay in? You could invite a friend or the girl/guy you've been crushing on (if you've got the gonads for this one) for a movie night. You can bust out the funnies or go for action movies/thrillers or classics that you've never seen before. Get some caramel popcorn and/or takeout and binge in front of the TV cuddled up under the blankets.

Want to go a-la Monica & Rachel & Phoebe and have a boyfriend/girlfriend bonfire? Well, you cant, its not environment friendly, there's enough poisonous gasses in the air without your stupid ex's love letters/pictures/trash emitting new ones, thank you very much. You can, however, RECYCLE. Not only are you getting rid of the BS from your previous failed relationship but you're also being green! The environment thanks you for that.

Who's the most fun to pamper? Yourself, of course (unless you're a depressed emo wannabe, then this does not apply to you). Indulge yourself and get a mani/pedi/ massage combo or be daring and get a new look. Then take the brand-spankin'-new you out on the town to show off.

Want to do something adventurous? Go see the Mirpur zoo and be one with the wilderness or something just as adventurous.

But the best cure for v-day blues? Retail-therapy. All the money that you saved by not buying your 'significant other' (rolls eyes) a stupid Apple product or something equally dumb, can be used to buy something nice for yourself! Hit Banshundhara Mall and go on a spree, while you're at it, you can treat yourself to a movie too. This writer hears Jaago is pretty good. Rather focus on someone else other than yourself? You're certainly a better person than yours truly. Want that warm fuzzy I'm-such-a-good-person feeling in your tummy to numb the nasty and TEMPORARY I'm-a-pathetic-loser bile? One word: volunteer. Find a homeless shelter or an old home, or just go to the many non-profit organizations that need your help.

Or just park your behind on your computer chair and send sarcastic valentine e-cards to your other single friends.

And as for me? I've got a date with the night, 'Pulp Fiction' and my girl-power playlist. If any hot guy wants to join me, please drop by!

And if you do, I like sunflowers.

By Musarrat Rahman

VDC celebrates its annual debate festival

"May the power of humanity defeat terrorism, may victory come to peace, harmony and love”- with such an important and contemporary message as their theme, Viqarunnisa Debating Club celebrated its annual twelve day long Bangla debate festival from January 19 to 31, 2010. The festivities were organized under the title “Sandalina Prothom Alo Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club 5th Children's, 15th inter-school, 5th inter-college and 13th inter-club Debate Competition”.

Prothom Alo and Kohinoor Chemical Company Bangladesh Limited jointly sponsored the whole programme. The festivities started with a colourful inauguration ceremony chaired by Ms. Rokeya Akhter Begum, Principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. Mr. Anisul Hoque (Sub-editor, Prothom Alo) and Mr. Zafar Ahmed (Excecutive Vice President, KCCBL) were present as special guests at the ceremony. The Debate fest officially began with the chief guest Prof. Dr. A. K. Azad Chowdhury's (former chancellor, DU) formal opening speech and announcement.

The twelve day long debate competition was divided into a few categories. Children's debate included participants from classes 5 to 7 in 20 separate teams. The inter-school level (classes 8 to 10) had 30 teams whereas the inter-college and inter-club sessions received 20 teams each. Traditional 'Barowari' (instant topic) debates were also held. VDC Konishko won the championship at Children's level, IDC-2 (Ideal Debating Club) at inter-school, VDC Proggya at inter-college and GOD- Abir (Group of Debaters) claimed the champion's title at the inter-club competition.

The debates generally took place all day long but there were also some interesting workshops in between. Renowned debaters like Mr. Abdun Nur Tushar, Mr. Shudip Ranjan De and Mr. Hasan Mahmud Biplob Babu supervised these interactive workshops and took part in question-answer rounds with young debaters. Also, a friendly 'Mohora Bitorko' took place between renowned debating individuals on the eve of the main event, which worked as a source of inspiration for the young audience.

The festivities came to an end on Jan 31 with yet another gorgeous ending ceremony where VNSC Chairman and invited guest Mr. Rashed Khan Menon revealed to everyone the ceremonial cover of the club magazine 'Shunrit' (15th publication). The programme ended with result announcement and award distribution among the winners and participants.

VDC is going to celebrate its annual English Debate Festival from March 25, 2010. Interested individuals or teams are requested to contact club authorities through formal procedures. For further information, the club President can be reached at [email protected]

By Raisa Rafique

Bhalentine Ispicial

Thanks for tuning into our Valentine Special album review by none other than DJ E-R-O. Please listen to the commercials firsts; it was very hard roping them in. Oh the horror!

The first place in this year's top chart has been occupied by none other than the heartthrobs Zombie Brothers “When you poke me in the eyes”, surprisingly popular among the male species this time around. For your delicate ears, we present the following verses, yearning for your pleasure:

Ooooohhh yea ooooh yea
“If your eyes are always searching
Can you ever find a food-court?”
“I've been looking for that big one,
I can never pay on my own.”
Pizzas may take the place of loving you,
There's gotta be a million reasons why it's true.

When you look me in the eyes,
And ask me to pay the biiiiiiill,
I pay it alright,
When you're right here by my side.
Then you poke me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I pay the cab as well,
And you poke me in the eyes.
Movin On , I start to realize,
I can't make my tomorrow
I can't hold my wallet up high,
And it's all because you're by my side.

Tears are flowing out of your eyes, aren't they? I feel like crying every time I hear it. Oh my wallet, where art the money inside thee? *sniff, sniff* (Commercial break, subsiding into the howl of tears)

Now moving on straight to the number two in the top charts. “You're beautiful” by James Sharp from his solo album “Back to asylum”.

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel
Of that I'm sure.
She was fighting on 'er cell phone.
She was with another man.
But I won't pity 'em at that time.
'Cause I've got no plan.

Love is beautiful, Love is beautiful
Love is beautiful, it's true.
You will fight; you will break,
But never put life at stake
you'll never get it back to you.

Yes, she caught my eye
As I walked on by.
I could tell from her face that she was upset
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But I wish them lovers all the best.

Love is beautiful, love is beautiful,
Love is beautiful, it's true,

Melancholic.
Although the next song might not have positioned itself in the Valentine top chart, it still remains a fan favourite. I hereby present the Classic, the exceptional, the funniest, the one full of laughter and love, the iconic song from the ….. I ain't gonna tell you. That's a quiz and the winner will get a remix album of these outstanding songs. (Just Kidding)

I got a gal, always late
Every time we have a date
But I love her
I'm gonna ask her
Is you is or is you ain't my baby?
The way you're actin' lately makes me doubt
You is still my baby-baby
Seems my flame in your heart done gone out
A woman is a creature that's always been strange
Just when you're sure of one
You find she's gone and made a change
Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Maybe baby's found somebody new (Baduledey-dondeedee)
Or is my baby still my baby true?
Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Maybe baby's found somebody new (Badulu-daludu-deydulu-doda)
Or is my baby still my baby true?

Priceless! Now who can tell me where it is from? It ain't that hard people.

By Ero Senin