Valentine's Day: Romantic enough for a woman, but, made for a man

Do you dread this time of year? Do you find yourself downplaying Valentine's Day? Always making excuses for the lack of planning or creativity on your significant other's behalf? OK, not all men are incompetent and completely clueless when it comes to being romantic. But, some of us definitely belong in this category and deservedly so.

My grandmother used to say, "if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." This year, Valentine's Day may fall in that category. Or, perhaps, last year, your man overdid himself and this year you want to return the favor. If you are of the female gender and are in charge of being Cupid this year, here are few tips that the both of you will really enjoy. It's time to say "goodbye" to the typical reservations, chocolates and candles. These should have your guy bragging about your "Cupidness" Monday morning at the water cooler, as well as, to his buddies on the golf course or at the gym.

1. Rock Climbing: Talk about killing two birds with one stone. Whether you choose outdoor or indoor, this date will get you two going with a great workout. If you opt for indoor, you can be assured that this is the perfect "sporty" date for the beginner to the experienced. Want to make it more competitive? Race to the top and whoever loses...gives the first massage.

2. Winery/Brewery: Many towns now have wineries, breweries or microbreweries. This is a date that both men and women will enjoy. If you do have a brewery or winery near, make sure you go on the tour to learn the process. Learning something new is always fun to include in a date. Afterwards, a wine or beer tasting is equally fun to end on.

3. Bed & Breakfast (Man style): Often, when you use the word "bed and breakfast," the picture of French Country or doilies might pop into your head. A night away is not only fun for Valentine's Day, but, all throughout the year. To not exclude the more masculine tastes, some "B&B's" are built like log cabins. Another option is a stay at a ranch. Some ranches have rustic housing and activities that will be a blast for you two. One in my area offers up a "Cowboy for a Day" excursion that includes learning to ride, rope and wrangle cattle.

4. Cook Dinner: Two of my least favorite days to eat out are Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve. Many times, the restaurants are far too busy and understaffed. The food is not always the best and prices can be inflated since it's a special day. Take Valentine's Day this year to try out that new recipe. Or, perhaps, try out your kitchen for the first time. Even better, cook as a couple. The internet is saturated with very easy meals to the most complex. My suggestion: Do a search for "easy romantic meals." See where that leads you.

5. Manicure/Pedicure: I know what you my be thinking. "A mani/pedi for a guy's Valentine's Day???" Trust me on this one. And, this may be one you don't tell him where you are going first. But, this is so fun to do as a couple. It's also very relaxing and the perfect "mood setter" for the rest of the evening. Speaking of "mood setter," have you ever wondered why a foot massage is often referred to as "better than sex" or "orgasmic?" Apparently, the part of the brain that is connected to the feet lies right next to the part of the brain that is connected to the reproductive organs. I'm just sayin'...

Of course, it's not always the girl's job to plan everything. Especially, a romantic day like Valentine's Day. Perhaps, the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself" applies here. By creating this amazing Valentine's Day, you might be setting the tone for future ones to come. And, by including yourself in the festivities, you are guaranteeing a great Valentine's. No matter who plans it. Enjoy!

Michael Bloomberg, a marriage proposal, dating and romance consultant, is better known as "The Romance CEO" (www.TheRomanceCEO.com) and author of the Romance Rocks! monthly newsletter. Bloomberg has been seen on The Learning Channel, might have been photographed with a Supermodel and definitely writes a weekly column, Date Night, for the Fort Worth Business Press. @TheRomanceCEO is where you can follow him on Twitter.

Fort Worth Date Night: Built-in Tuxedo

BY MIKE BLOOMBERG

February 05, 2010

Do the names Burt Ward and Adam West ring a bell? When I was a child, I could not wait to get home from school so I could watch these caped crusaders fight crime every afternoon. These were the actors who portrayed Batman and Robin in the TV series.

Several movies have been made based on these comic book characters throughout the years. Often fighting evil wrongdoers such as Mr. Freeze, The Joker, The Riddler and, one of my personal favorites, The Penguin, played brilliantly by Burgess Meredith.

The Penguin was just cool. He had a little bit of swagger to him. Always carrying a sort of calm and laid back confidence while wearing a formal tuxedo. Much like that of a real penguin. Fortunately, for real penguins, they arrive donning the formal attire.

I'd be remiss if I didn't start talking about Valentine's Day. It's one week from this weekend. Sure, there are still reservations available at some great eateries around town. Or, you could opt to stay in an celebrate in a more private manner and cook for the just the two of you. Or, you could celebrate by giving her a penguin. Yep, I said it. A penguin.

Not only a penguin, but, an entire zoo. Well, you won't exactly get to keep a penguin, but, you can adopt one. This year, the Fort Worth Zoo is offering up some great packages for Valentine's Day. Four different packages, two of which include two very hip parties, one on Saturday, the 13th, and one on Sunday, Valentine's night, the 14th. Here are how the packages are broken down.

Penguin Pals - $40

This package includes $25 "advocate" level adoption benefits, plus photo - Personalized Adoption Certificate - Animal Fact Sheet - One Zoo publication - 4x6 color photo11" African black-footed penguin plush animal Gummy penguins from Dylan's Candy BarWrapped up in a red gable box and tied with grosgrain pink ribbon and penguin scallop-edged sticker

Love Birds - $75

$50 "sponsor" level adoption benefits - Personalized Adoption Certificate - Animal Fact Sheet - One-year subscription to Zoo publications - 4x6 color photo11" African black-footed penguin plush animal Gummy penguins from Dylan's Candy BarTwo general admission Zoo passes to visit the penguins! Wrapped up in a red gable box and tied with grosgrain pink ribbon and penguin scallop-edged sticker

Penguin Party - $175

February 13, 2010 at 7 p.m.$50 "sponsor" level adoption benefits - Personalized Adoption Certificate - Animal Fact Sheet - One-year subscription to Zoo publications - 4x6 color photo - 11" African black-footed penguin plush animal - Milk chocolate penguin from Schakolad Chocolate FactoryWrapped up in a red gable box and tied with pink grosgrain ribbon and scallop-edged penguin sticker Invitation for two to the February 13 Penguin Party, which includes: - Passed Hors d'Oeuvres and seated dinner - Open bar - Interactive game - we'll need audience participation! - Meet and greet with our penguins - Photo with one of our penguins by photographer Jill JohnsonPlus, each couple will get to take home from the party: - A bottle of "Little Penguin" wine - An African black-footed penguin favor box filled with gummy penguins from Dylan's Candy Bar

Tux Club - $250

February 14, 2010 6 p.m.$50 "sponsor" level adoption benefits - Personalized Adoption Certificate - Animal Fact Sheet - One-year subscription to Zoo publications - 4x6 color photo - 11" African black-footed penguin plush animal - Milk chocolate penguin from Schakolad Chocolate FactoryWrapped up in a red gable box and tied with pink grosgrain ribbon and scallop-edged penguin sticker Invitation for two to the February 14 Penguin Party, which includes: - Seating for two at your own table - Passed Hors d'Oeuvres and seated dinner - Open bar - Interactive game - we'll need audience participation! - Meet and greet with our penguins - Photo with one of our penguins by photographer Jill Johnson Plus, each couple will get to take home from the party: - A bottle of "Little Penguin" wine - An African black-footed penguin favor box filled with gummy penguins from Dylan's Candy Bar - A keepsake Valentine's Day ceramic plate with hand-painted penguins

The Valentine’s Penguin Party and Tux Club invitations are for two adults, 21 and over only. No exceptions. The parties have limited availability and historically sell out quickly, so don’t wait to order.

Want to do something outside-the-box this year for the most romantic weekend of the year? Do you want to be just the average couple or do you want to be the pair that your friends refer to as the "cool ones?" Do you want to be arrested for committing a relationship crime and not planning a great Valentine's? If so, and you see the Bat Signal in the sky next weekend, you know who they are looking for.

For complete details on the Fort Worth Zoo's Valentine's packages, please visit: www.fortworthzoo.org

What's your Schlotzsky's?

There are many questions, comments and pressures that come with the title of "The Romance CEO."  The pressure being that, since I am single, people often wonder if every date with me has to rival an episode of The Bachelor.  Perhaps, a helicopter ride to lunch or a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of downtown to a privately catered dinner.  And, during dinner, Michael Buble serenades us with his hits.  The answer to this is a categorical "Uhhhhh...NO!"

 

While these amazing dates make for great TV, they don't necessarily define romance.  We often hear the phrase, "don't sweat the small stuff."  When it comes to romance, I believe that "the small stuff" is exactly what you should focus on.  In a recent article, I mentioned Valentine's Day being an important day.  While you should do "something" for your special someone on this day, picking up flowers from the grocery store at the last minute, fighting crowds in a restaurant and grabbing a box of chocolates in the checkout line does not equal romance.

 

It's what you do the other 364 days out of the year that count.  The "for no reason" gifts and the "just because" cards are the manna from heaven.  These are the nuggets that will have her or him bragging about you at the gym, at the watercooler and at the hair salon.  Whether I'm meeting with a client, doing an interview or speaking to an audience, the one thing I always stress when it comes to a marriage proposal is that it has to be all about HER.  The marriage proposal has very little to do with who is doing the asking and everything to do with who is being asked.  When you are in a relationship, this should be your mantra every day of the year.

 

And, don't worry that you'll be taken advantage of.  The favor will be returned.  Haven't you heard the expression "Do unto others as you would have done unto you?"  This is so true in relationships. 

 

During a recent trip to the gym, I got engaged (no pun intended) in a conversation with a fellow yoga buff after class. She's a woman in her 30's, but appears much younger.  She is the type of person who lights up when you talk to her and thoroughly enjoy being around.  She's married with one child.  So, I asked, "Do you have big plans for Valentine's Day?"  Without missing a beat, her huge blue eyes got bigger, her face lit up and with an overjoyed grin, said, "This is the best story!"  She proceeded to tell me that this time last year, they were doing some major construction on their home, particularly, an outdoor patio.  They finished late in the day on Valentine's Day and were starving.  Yoga Girl ran to Schlotzsky's, picked up some food, returned home and they ate it by their brand-new outdoor firepit.  Fast forward exactly one year to this Valentine's Day.

 

"Do you have big plans for Valentine's Day?"  The plan was to relive last year.  "We are going to pick up Schlotzsky's again and eat it by the firepit."  And, when I asked what they were eating, she was ecstatic to share they get a large "Original" and split it.  They have now created a memory and a tradition.  Even though money is no option, this annual experience is now something that means the world to them.

 

So, I leave you with this thought...  When you feel the pressure of "doing it right" or planning the perfect date, there is not a template.  Take the pressure off and know that there is not a universal perfect date.  What makes it perfect is that it is specific to just the two of you. With that said, the next time you go to plan a Valentine's Day date, a birthday celebration, an anniversary, a weekend away or a date for no reason at all, ask yourself, "What's YOUR Schlotzsky's?"