saturday: cupid

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1) In this song, Sam Cooke enlists the help of Cupid, the Roman god of love, to help him get a girl. In Greek mythology, the god of love and lust has a different name. Do you know what it is?

Eros, the literal love child of Aphrodite and Ares. It’s a little weird, the way language used his name as the foundation to words such as “erotic,” as in many depictions, he’s portrayed as a young boy always with his mother by his side.

2) Sam Cooke was inducted as a charter member into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The museum and hall are located in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland is proud of the six major museums featured on its website. When did you most recently visit a museum?

It’s been a while, but most recently was probably the Hawai’i State Art Museum in Honolulu.

3) Sam went to Wendall Phillips Academy, the same Chicago high school Nat King Cole attended. Can your high school claim any noteworthy alums?

I went to two high schools, in Potsdam and Norwood, NY. From Potsdam, we have several. Here’s a few.

• The Gigolo Aunts (an alternative band)
• Craig Conroy (retired NHL from the Calgary Flames, now GM)
• Trevor Scott (former defensive end in the NFL)
• Lucinda Chandler (social reformer and author in the 1800s to early 1900s)
• Jason Sutter (drummer for Cher currently, also Smash Mouth, Marilyn Manson, among others)

4) “Cupid” was released in 1961. One of the major news stories of that year was the death of Ernest Hemingway. Have you read any of his works?

A few, when forced in school. Not my cup of tea.

Since February 14 was Valentine’s Day…

5) Sweethearts, those small heart-shaped candies printed with messages like “Be Mine” and “Kiss Me,” are top sellers this time of year. Did you enjoy them as a child? Do you enjoy them now?

I don’t hate them, at least the good ones. The no-so-good ones are like heart-shaped chalk.

6) While Valentine’s Day is popular in Mexico, it’s celebrated a bit differently than it is here. For our neighbors to the south, it’s a day for love and friendship, with no distinction between romantic, familial or platonic love. Do you tell your friends you love them? Or do you reserve “I love you” for your partner and family?

Love in all forms is important to acknowledge. I will tell anyone I love that I do, regardless of relationship dynamic.

7) In Poland, Valentine’s Day, or Walentynki, is often celebrated with a gift of “tea and sweets” — a tin of black tea paired with candy. Do you more often drink tea or coffee?

I drink both. Hot coffee and iced tea mostly. But I do like hot tea as well.

8) One of London’s top accounting firms did a study and reports that in England, Valentine’s Day is a 52%/48% affair. 52% of the participants planned on buying at least one card or gift, while 48% did not expect to spend anything on Valentine’s Day. This year, were you one of the 52% or the 48%?

I scrape in barely at the 52% mark, although Valentine’s Day has never been a big deal to me.

9) A similar study in Rome showed that today’s young lovers would prefer to share a romantic experience on Valentine’s Day – a stroll through the gardens of Villa Borghese was a popular choice – than exchange gifts. Would you rather do something memorable for Valentine’s Day or receive something you can retain as a keepsake?

See #8! It’s just another day. I feel like it’s more important to show you care every day, in big ways and small. I think people put way too much romantic significance on the day. It’s fun, sure, but it’s not the omen of all things good or bad in a relationship. And there’s no shame in the game for being single, which I think Valentine’s does shame in a lot of ways.