Better Than Friday - 282 (Patreon)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

The origins of the holiday are very interesting, please see #4 if you're curious.

I recently posted the latest installment of the Sexual Personae Series if you haven't had the chance. As I said in the review for Chapter 1, I was thinking the series would be approximately 12 videos, and as I said in the latest video, I'm planning on making 13, dedicating the final one to Paglia's chapter on Emily Dickinson.

Have a great weekend, and thank you very much for your continued support.

1. To Be Read: The Witnesses Are Gone by Joel Lane (Paid Link)

An eerie modern mystery recommended by friend and patron Mike Hill, thanks man!

2. "Blood and Sand" starring Rudolph Valentino

Rudolph Valentino was a major Silent Era Moviestar who died tragically young.

Years ago, by chance, I had the opportunity, through a longtime friend and patron of the show, to spend a night in Valentino's old house in the hills of San Francisco. I haven't watched the whole film, but that dance scene is great.

3. My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow

What must be one of the most famous Shoegaze tracks in history.

The drone duo Nadja did an exceptional cover as well.

Sounds like diving into an ocean during a hurricane. Stunning.

4. Lupercalia: The Pagan Holiday associated with Valentine's Day

Apparently, it is thought that Valentine's Day may have derived from the Roman Pagan festival Lupercalia.

The unjust execution of Saint Valentine, the Christian martyr for which the holiday is named, is believed to have been done on the 14th of February. Lupercalia was celebrated on the 15th.

Through his poetry, Chaucer was the first one to connect Romance to Valentine's Day.

Camille Paglia briefly mentions Lupercalia in Chapter 2 of Sexual Personae.

5. My Funny Valentine by Chet Baker, Live in Italy, 1959

Incredible footage. This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

Years ago at Valentino's House