Calendar That Are More Romantic

¶ … calendar that are more romantic than Valentine's Day. This is a day that can be used to show that special someone in your life just how special they are. At first, making a whole day wonderful and romantic can seem like a daunting task, but with a little bit of tender planning and some basic preparation, you can become a Valentine's Day wizard.

The day should start before your partner wakes up. There are few things more enjoyable than waking up to a breakfast in bed, and you will earn some serious Valentine's points with a nice omelet or a stack of pancakes and a hot cup of java. Try adorning the plate with a fresh flower or two, and you could also try writing an endearing morning greeting on the napkin -- it's these little touches that will be remembered for years and will really make the day special.

A short day trip is also a very nice idea. After breakfast, you can whisk your partner away to somewhere not too far (long drives are more conducive to putting people in a cranky mood, rather than a romantic one), but if you have mountains, the ocean, or a fun city to visit within an hours drive, the change of scene can really help stoke the fires of passion. Scope out the pace you'd like to visit ahead of time, just by researching on the internet or calling some local businesses, to make sure there's a nice place to grab a romantic meal and somewhere with some privacy -- preferably outdoors, weather permitting -- for the two of you to whisper sweet nothings to each other.

To wrap things up, nothing beats a romantic dinner at home. The right take-out is fine as long as it is served nicely -- taking the time to cook at the end of the day might not be part of your plans. Plus, staying at home leaves you closer to the bedroom...

Opposing Views

Slumdog Millionaire is now the winner of the 2009 Academy Award for Best Picture, and many critics and viewers agree with the Academy's decision. Citing the subject of the story -- the under-reported slums of Mumbai (formerly known in the West as Bombay) and the unequal changes that have been brought to India in the recent decades -- Western audiences have flocked to this movie as if it was the next revelation of the Messiah. Though the message of the film might be universally appealing, judging the film on its merits rather than on the feeling it attempts to instill in the audience shows that it comes up severely lacking in quality.

First and foremost, it is impossible to make a good film without a good script. The script for Slumdog Millionaire was not only predictable, but it was ridiculously heavy-handed. The insults thrown around in the opening scenes in the police station are perfect examples of the clumsy way the script makes it points -- it is a cliche and almost childlike rendering of oppression and rebellion.