i know you thought about it

It's not too late to add your six-word love story here. You know you want to try it. And I can't wait to read it.

summing up love

A couple of years ago Smith magazine asked people to sum up their life story in six words, and submit their "six-word memoirs" for publication. The resulting collection, Not Quite What I Was Planning, was a fun read-in-the-bathroom sort of book, not that I read while I'm in the bathroom, because I don't, except for sometimes the newspaper. Anyhow. There were some good submissions, for instance:

"We were our own Springer episode."

"Never really finished anything, except cake."

"Near-death experiences are my forte."

Then the other day I heard on a radio show that Smith has published a new collection this year, called Six-Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak. They read several excerpts from the book, and then had people call in to give their own shot at condensing their love story into a six-word sound byte. Some of my favorites:

"He sees the me I don't."

"Loved him. He died. Love didn't."

"Love makes calculus seem like cake."

"Young love, then kids. Thanks, God!"

"I groom for her, no others."

"Surprise! It gets better with age."

"Our prison visitations were surprisingly romantic."

"He loves me anyway. Go figure."

So folks, it's almost Valentine's Day. Let's celebrate. Can you sum up your love story or your thoughts on love, in exactly six words?

My shot:

get excited

It's kind of like Oprah's "Favorite Things" episode, except with less squealing and crying. Also you should know up front that I'm not giving anything away. So basically it's nothing like the Oprah bit. You're still welcome to scream and cry if that's your thing.

I give you: Lex's Favorite Things At This Exact Moment (TM).

Favorite grocery store: Aldi. Will the day ever come when I make it through the aisles at Aldi without causing a scene? Perhaps. But until I can get control of myself, you'll recognize me as the one stopping to marvel with every item I put in my cart. "We need eggs. What? 79 cents? Shay! Hey, Shay! Did you see this?! Large eggs are 79 cents. 79 cents!! I'm not joking."

Favorite card game: Set. It's kind of nerdy. I am in love with it. Shay hates it. Will someone come play it with me?

Favorite snack: Stacy's pita chips. "Simply Naked" is the best of all the flavors, and not just due to its slightly scandalous name. Oh my heavenly snack. These are delicious.

Favorite day of the week: Wednesday. I actually have time to exercise. The crossword puzzle isn't too hard. It's a good day for me at work, schedule-wise. Shay has late class but I eat dinner with him on campus in an eatery that is almost always empty except for the two of us. We sit and talk for an hour over food. It's nice. Wednesdays have gotten good reviews lately.

Favorite voice: Ray LaMontagne's. It's gritty and smooth at the same time. How is that possible? I do have to conjure up my own picture of what he ought to look like when I hear his music, though, because his actual physical appearance is unappealing. The Jesus-era facial hair does not seem to be working for him.

Favorite phrase: "I'm just saying." Actually I think this phrase is silly, but I find myself saying it all the time these days. I guess it's my subconscious favorite now. What does it even mean?

it's still just once a year, right?

This is pitiful. A thousand people freezing their butts off waiting to worship a rat. What a hype. Well, it used to mean something in this town. They used to pull the hog out, and they used to eat it. You're hypocrites, all of you! You have a problem with what I'm saying, Larry? (from Groundhog Day)

I watch it every year. Yes, every year. And while half of me finds it annoyingly stupid when watched with such frequency, the other half of me still appreciates its charming message about turning your worst day into your best day, by looking beyond yourself. It's tradition, anyhow.

These creepy-but-cute creations

are another February 2nd favorite. We made a lot of them this year. You've got to spread the Groundhog Day love, you know?

(Do you want to make them too? I know you do. They aren't that hard to replicate. But if you want, you can click here to be enlightened with more detail.)