Now that Conan O’Brian is the host, I may start watching more. I tuned in for his first show, and I liked it. I’m not watching as much TV as I used to, but it’s nice to know I have another choice other than Dave if the mood strikes me.

While watching Conan, I saw a preview of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. I usually don’t watch his show either, but since one of my favorites, Anne Hathaway, was a guest, I decided to watch.

Miss Hathaway is preforming in New York’s Shakespeare in the Park series this summer. She is playing Viola in Twelfth Night.

When Jimmy asked her how she prepared for a role where she disguises herself as a man, she said she had to admit that she stuffed a rolled up pair of socks down her pants and practiced walking around her apartment.

Anne said it did help her understand men better.

I think that this might be something all women should try. I’m not sure how helpful it really would be, but I have heard a couple of woman wonder what it was like to have something down there.

I believe we all understand that it isn’t the package that makes the man, but trying out the feel of a certain part of male anatomy may be educational for the ladies.

And while I’m more than willing to educate myself on what it must be like to be a woman, just don’t ask me to try to give birth.

How did February 14 become a day of love letters, flowers and candy?

One legend begins during the reign of Claudius II (268 – 270 C.E.). The large Roman Empire was always dealing with invasions or uprisings. It needed large numbers of soldiers in its armies. However, Claudius noted that the number of new recruits was waning. It seemed that most young men would rather fall in love and marry than volunteer to fight.

To increase the ranks, Claudius passed a law banning marriage. The Emperor reasoned that if young men were not able to take wives, they would be more than willing to fight for Rome.

Needless to say, he was incorrect. People still fell in love after all, and they wanted to get married. Wedding ceremonies were simply moved underground. This was very dangerous. Defying the Emperor would not only mean imprisonment, but also death.

Valentine, a Catholic priest, was very active in helping young couples tie the knot. He would arrange to meet the bride and groom in a secret place and then perform the ceremony. Somehow, Valentine was caught, and he was put to death on February 14.

Another story also involves another Roman citizen named Valentine. It is said on the eve of his execution, he sent a letter to his loved one and signed it "From Your Valentine." He was also reported to be killed on February 14.

The Ides of February (the 15th) was an important holiday for the Romans. It was the beginning of the the festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility and the beginning of Spring. Single men would pull the names of eligible ladies out of a jar, and they would be escorts to these women for the entire festival.

In an attempt to suppress the pagan celebration, the Catholic Church associated the day with the Virgin Mary, and the pairing of young men and women moved to the fourteenth, the feast of Saint Valentine, the patron saint of Love.

The tradition of pulling names out of jars continued well into the Middle Ages. After pulling their partners names, the young men would wear favors given to them by the young women on their sleeves. This is the origin of the expression "Wearing your heart on your sleeve."

Also during the medieval period, Europeans believed that birds returned to their mating sites on February 14. What better time to start the mating rituals of humans – the sending of love notes and giving of presents?

In the sexually repressed Victorian Period, sending a mass produced card on Valentine’s Day was a safe way to tell someone that you were interested in a romantic relationship. This later evolved into the giving of flowers and candy.

The true origins of Valentines are hidden in the cloudy past, but if you have a loved one, chances are you will express that love clearly on February 14 with a card, a bunch of flowers, a box of candy, or some other token of affection.