If you've ever experienced the post-Valentine's Day blahs -- the unfortunate result of cheap wine and For those unfamiliar with this important holiday, which is dedicated to finally working up the nerve to leave a bad relationship, here's a quick history:
The holiday was created by Barbara Davilman and Liz Dubelman, editors of the new book "What Was I Thinking? 58 Bad Boyfriend Stories", a collection of tales of the worst men ever dated.
Click here to read an interview with the editors about the holiday -- and some truly terrible boyfriends.
Hot Bod, Cold Heart
Alex Rodriguez This skanky Yankee came under fire for getting cozy with a stripper at a Las Vegas Scores (ew), and was rumored to be cavorting with Madonna before the ink was dry on either of their divorce papers. Jerkometer rating: 7
Getty Images
Mario Lopez Who knew that A.C. Slater was such a dirtbag? The buff "Dancing with the Stars" stud reportedly cheated on one lady friend with a Hooters girl, and his two-week 2004 marriage to Ali Landry ended when she learned of his bachelor party antics. Jerkometer rating: 8
Barry King, WireImage.com
Jude Law He may be gorgeous, and nobody can resist that accent. But you know what we can resist? Sleeping with our nanny. Jude? Not so much. He and then-fiancee Sienna Miller eventually broke up, obvs. Jerkometer rating: 7
Sony
Matt Damon In 1998, Matt Damon told Oprah Winfrey during an interview on her show that he was no longer dating Minnie Driver. According to Driver, that was the first she'd heard of their breakup. Jerkometer rating: 2 (He gets points off for good behavior since.)
Universal
Hugh Grant In 1995, Grant was infamously pulled over by L.A. police for lewd conduct with prostitute Divine Brown. Girlfriend Liz Hurley forgave him and even appeared on his arm at the premiere of "Nine Months" days after his arrest. Jerkometer rating: 9 (extra points for dragging Leno into it)
Dave Hogan, Getty Images
David Beckham What is it with married celebrities and the hired help? Although he has always denied it (and OK, so there's no proof), Becks was accused in 2004 of sleeping with then-personal assistant Rebecca Loos. Jerkometer rating: 3 (That shirtless picture inspires our goodwill, OK?)
Milk Processor's of America
Chace Crawford We know two things about the "Gossip Girl" boy: He's a total hottie, and he dumped Carrie Underwood via text. US Weekly reported in April, 2008 that the pair "mutually" parted ways via cellular phones. Jerkometer rating: 1 (hey, we've done it too)
Mark Von Holden, WireImage.com
Charlie Sheen Among other lowlights, Sheen "accidentally" shot ex-fiancee Kelly Preston, spent thousands on madam Heidi Fleiss and symbolically took a chainsaw to his wedding portrait with Denise Richards. Ew. Jerkometer rating: What comes after infinity?
E.J. Camp / CBS
Ethan Hawke We were sad enough when this brainy babe's artsy-smartsy marriage to Uma Thurman ended. But to then shack up and have a baby with the nanny to his kids? For shame! Jerkometer rating: 4
Mirimax / Everett Collection
Ryan Philippe Although never officially confirmed, rumors still swirl that Ryan Philippe's divorce from his all-American wife Reese Witherspoon had a little something to do with an on-set affair with actress Abbie Cornish, now his girlfriend. Hmm. Jerkometer rating: 6
Frank Masi, Paramount
How did you come up with Come to Your Senses Day?
Liz: We came up with the idea because we thought that women needed a holiday, a respite day where they could reflect on their relationships. If you're in the wrong relationship, you need to figure that out.
It's something that we have in common as women, but we often feel embarrassed about it. It's basically a time for women to get together and realize that we've all been through this [dating the wrong person].
Barbara: We take strength and courage from each other. I feel less alone when Liz shares her sto
ry. We're all trying to figure it out as we go along. It's great to laugh at yourself. Besides having heart-to-hearts with friends and doing some soul-searching, how can someone celebrate C2YSD?
Barbara: We're having simultaneous readings in Boston, Chicago, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles and Portland. We'll give away things, ask you for your stories; it should be fun and participatory.
What's the craziest story in the book?
Barbara: Mary Margarate Martinez wrote a story called "The Idealist." She once dated a porn star. Being a nice Catholic girl, she wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Liz: I like the story where this woman goes out with a yoga instructor and they get into this really intimate position and he adjusts her position during sex! She realized that he's not so enlightened as she'd thought.
We got all these from the Internet, Craigslist, Facebook, YouTube ... One of the things I found out was how many men were kleptomaniacs. They were just keeping souvenirs from their victims. There are two kleptomaniac stories in the book, but we had many times what could fit in the book.
Lemondrop: Is there a sequel in the works?
Both: There is! We are also talking about a stage play, greeting cards, movies, and a TV show based on the real stories.
Happy C2YSD!
Tell us! Do you have an outrageous dating story? Leave it in the comments and we may run it in a future post (anonymously, of course).
Ten Super Sappy Hollywood Romances
The Bridges of Madison County
There isn't a camera on the market with enough soft-focus for these love scenes.
Everett Collection
The Notebook
All right! Jesus. You're a bird.
New Line
Ghost
Just a few notes of "Unchained Melody" and we unchain our lunches all over our laps.
Zuma Press
City of Angels
An angel falls in love with a woman, gives up his immortality for her... and then she dies.
Everett Collection
Up Close and Personal
An older, wiser journalist shows a cub reporter the ropes in love and network news... and then he dies.
Getty Images
Sweet November A sprightly, devil-may-care young woman teaches an uptight guy to live again... and then she dies.
Warner Bros
A Walk to Remember
Oh!.. She dies, too.
Warner Bros.
Love Story
So does she!
Everett Collection
The Way We Were
We WISH one of them died.
Everett Collection
Titanic Celine Dion! Celtic flutes! Awful dialogue! A tragedy of historic proportions indeed.
Zuma Press
Comments:
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Sunday 15 February
By Carmen
I was born in Rapid City, thank the Lord my Uncle Donald picked me up,
I grew up in Nebraska!
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Monday 16 February
By Vilma Blanco
Thanks for the article. Woman from my generation and culture were taught that we are to blame for things when a relationship goes wrong. It's not easy to let go of a belief system that we were practically inbred with. However, logic and emotions don't mix.
I was taught to be nice/kind/polite and always be on my best behavior in order to get a man and to change him to suit you. I have had many years to review my own parents marriage and how my mother treated my father and how he was as a man/husband, and frankly am glad I never married. My mother was abusive and I had to really catch myself and change for fear of going down the say avenue. However, it took me years to realize that I was attracting men who were not worthy of me and that I would settle for fear of being alone.
One has to work on one's self before actually being able to commit to someone else. This goes for men, too. Many men are brought up with the belief that a woman is to take care of them and fix all the problems in a relationship. Both men and women are not taught also to be responsible for their own sense of selves.
We grew up with the Sleeping Beauty/Prince Charming facade that all will be fixed when we grow up and get married.
Bad boyfriends exist, but trust me, there are bad girlfriends, too. We all have baggage, but this article can help women see that they don't have to submit or settle for something that is unworthy of a good women.
It is a wonderful feeling to be in love, but to also love the person you're in love with is even better.
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Sunday 15 February
By Samantha
I thought that your post was thoughtful and on the mark. I'm a person that believes that you have to love yourself before you can love others. It is better to walk alone than to walk with misery. I believe that. So, if we work on ourselves and have these great gifts, why can't we find someone to share them with. the sad truth is while some of us are enlightened, many are not. So, there comes a point where you may be exactly where you want to be emotionally, but does that leave room for compromise? A meaningful relationship with someone else? Where do you draw the line? Some may be self love, however, some of it may be fear.
Sunday 15 February
By PiltdownMan
The women posting are funny and insightful and have the capacity to look at their situations with a bit of humor. The few guys posting seem bitter. So Id like to be the one guy to not call women b*tches or demand that they be 'ladies'.
Instead might I offer the notion that humans are not monogamous creatures by nature and once we stop the very unnatural act of forcing both men and women to pick ONE mate and then jig saw this individual to suit our personal likes and dislikes we will find someone that we might surely choose to be with for a lifetime. We can actually buck nature. Men and women have all of history together to find the perfect stereotypical jabs at one another. Reading the same tired old stuff we say about one another over and over and the writer of the tired old gender dogma boring us over and over is so AOL. THis week I challenge you to count every article on AOL with regard to gender bias and at weeks end tally your findings. AOL is a gender war mongerer with troglodytes for journalists and editors.
Sunday 15 February
By kk
Sounds like Fred is a 2- on a really really good day!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am laughing so hard right now. The thoughts in my head about why he thinks he's such a gods gift to women stud is so so so funny. Sorry you haven't been laid in a long while!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh my god and thanks for making me laugh so hard!
Sunday 15 February
By SCHWARTZY
TOTALLY FATUOUS. MORE OF THE SAME. WASTE OF TIME.
Reply
Sunday 15 February
By Angiebaby
Hmmm. Why not call it "Do It, And Do It Now" Day? Come on, we women know on Feb. 13th that it's not working, and he's got to go. But anyone with a heart waits until after the 14th. So, on the 13th, you know it's over, but he thinks all is swell. On the 14th, you give it your all before the big day (tomorrow), as in the works... dress up, smile as you pull out your own chair again, and listen to his endless chatter about everything under the sun, except you. You even pick something cheap from the menu, not only because he tells you to, but because you feel sorry for him in advance for getting dumped tomorrow. After you get home, you give him the old "one last time" lovin'. (aka a mercy f**k) Then you send him on his way, and wake the next morning by starting to count down the hours until you have to look at him again, unless you do it, and do it now. If not, you'll get close to more special holidays which are not conducive to giving him the "big" news. You can give up guilt for Lent. All in favor of "Do It, And Do It Now" Day, just do it, and do it now!
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Sunday 15 February
By jma
I, for one, am fed-up with AOL's stories and articles that constantly Male-Bash.
According to AOL's writers, men are responsible for everything bad, rude, thoughtless and / or tasteless that happens to women...while women are the ever-oppressed, ever-misunderstood darlings who can do no wrong....
Don't get me wrong,...I know lots of good females and a fair share of complete putz guys...BUT the rampant generalization by the AOL writers that men are a scourge on womenhood and a stain on society are biased, are usually presented out of proportion and out of context, and are often downright lies or, at best, one-sided perceptions...
Maybe AOL needs to hire some OBJECTIVE female writers...women who don't have a chip on their shoulders or who aren't so totally seeped in militant feminism...
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Sunday 15 February
By susan thompson
I sure do wish the person who broke my heart on Feb 14 had read this. Not only did I find out that he has been seeing someone else for months, she also showed me the big frigging diamond ring he bought for HER not me. I have been right there with him through thick and thin for 2 years. He even gave her the one long stemmed red rose that I gave him for Valentines Day. And men wonder why women 'flip'. It will be a good long time before any man has the opportunity to hurt me again, if ever!!
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Sunday 15 February
By Tom
For those of you that are in a "Happy" relationship, share the joy! Make special moments wearing lingerie from http://getyourpantiesinabunch.com Featured items are always on sale.
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Sunday 15 February
By T Garrity
Woman woman woman........Are you kidding me? Try being in a married relationship where the woman of your dreams "forgets" everything from your birthday, anniversary, etc.......Not all the time which makes it even worse. it's when she remembers.
Well, this Valentine's Day I "forgot" and the looks and attitude I got is just unreal. What's good for the goose........
For years I thought it was just the way she was, now she can get a taste of her own medicine. It hurts, it really hurts and the worst part is I feel guilty for having to do it. yes, I am supposed to be the "mature" one and rise above it all,, but enough is enough.
All I hear are woman crying over men who don't care....walk in my shoes for one day. I dare you.
I deserve SO much more and offer so much more. Sure, two kids is a handful, but so are the two dogs she just brought home one day, and now a cat to boot. It's like she wants to complicate things as much as possible so as not to focus on our relationship. I set up dates, I light candles, I try what I can and like the three bears, it's either too much, or too little. She once told me that when I light candles for foreplay it's like I'm asking for too much when she can only give a little at that time. So, I wait and try to read her mind, body language, ovulation time, etc. What the hell is wrong with me? I make a very good living, I care, I participate, she wants for nothing, I consider myself good looking (sometimes) and I have a fairly good sense of humor. Our close friends have told me to "run for my life."
I have been struggling with Seizures for the last 3 + years and when we met with a very renoun Doctor, her cell phone went off and she spoke to whomever for a good part of the meeting.....Imagine if the roles were reversed? There is a very good possibility that the physical problems with my TLE are triggered by stress......i feel eventually this is going to kill me. I even insisted marriage conseling and the meetings have been rocky, to say the least. The last meeting i would not commit to another meeting. I'm about to consult a lawyer before it's too late for an almost 50 man to start over.
HELP!
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Sunday 15 February
By Dorothy
Well, last year two days before Valentine's Day I called the person I was seeing for a year to clarify why he was not trying to stick up for me and even himself with his kids and not let his one daughter constantly be rude to me.
Well, he told me that I was good for right now and that his kids blamed me for what happened on thanksgiving. I left on Thanksgiving because that same daughter was rude to me, and he just sat there like a lump and never stuck up for me.
So, I'm just concentrating on having peace of mind, I am also a firm believer in what goes around comes around.
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Sunday 15 February
By Arnold
It's interesting that this ''holiday'' is apparently designated for women. What about M-E-N who have had hellacious relationships with a belle from hell?? Men aren't the cause of all problems in relationships- lets reference those women who shamelessly take advantage of the guy they're going out with: excessive demands, control and guilt games, and going from "I'm in love with you" to "I'm numb and feel nothing for you" over night, or using their looks to manipulate and use men- the line from ABBA's "Dancing Queen"- "you're a teaser and turn them on/ leave them burning and then you're gone''.
JMA in his comment hits it right on the head when he says AOL needs more objective writers who give equal time to both genders and points out that there's an excessive generalization of men as the scourges of womanhood. Let's face it- many women have used, deceived and broken the hearts of men in deliberate and totally uncaring manners.
Maybe Spanky and Buckwheat and the other Little Rascals weren't far from the truth when they formed the He-Man Women Haters Club
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Sunday 15 February
By Janet
Sorry Arnold. You sound like an articulate and intelligent man. Believe me, there are women who aren't teasers,who will truly appreciate and value you!
Sunday 15 February
By a
Hey, Arnold, there are women who are unlady-like, yes. But anyone who posts this: Maybe Spanky and Buckwheat and the other Little Rascals weren't far from the truth when they formed the He-Man Women Haters Club, would you consider a man???
Sunday 15 February
By a
I think there are a helluva lot of women who are used and abused by their male counterparts than men who are used by women...unless the man is rich. But that's another story. Women are raised to nurture and physically made to hold in not pour out, like men are. Here is the problem. I don't think women can help themselves in wanting to be loved because they are made to love. So instead of crying that this man jilted me or that man used me, think more on the lines of I am fulfilling my womanhood and men are simply not fulfilling their manhood...rather, they are escaping into me and I will not let that happen. Don't be ashamed that we are women and that we behave as true women. Be grateful for the fact that we haven't lost touch of our true nature as these men we speak of have. The problem does not lie within us. The problem lies in men simply not being men.
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Sunday 15 February
By Arnold
Let's also not forget about women not being LADIES.
Sunday 15 February
By Arnold
Hey "a" : regarding my reference to the He-Man Women Haters Club from the Little Rascals....I'm not even going to dignify your remark with a reply
Sunday 15 February
By Juanita
Okay,get ready for the worst date ever! I am a still-young widow who had been dumped by a LTBF. So I tried online dating... the man was a widower and seemed pleasant. Asked me to dinner,when he discovered it was my birthday. All I wanted was company and to hear about his recent trip to Ireland. Well... first of all, as we sit stuck in a corner of a restaurant,he whips out a filthy,sticky photo album of his dead wife. (BTW, I am not a snob, but a date should wear a clean shirt.) So I politely flipped thru the book. He asked to see mine and I told him I don't carry one. He argues that I must! Now I am thinking of leaving,but haven't eaten much all day and am diabetic,so I am feeling woozy. He takes forever to order appetizers and then the fun begins. He announces,very loudly, that he thinks he "killed his wife"! People are watching and listening... A girl at the next table jumped up and moved her chair away from us. So I say,gee wouldn't you know if you killed her? And he goes on to tell me they had been searching for her "G SPOT" for years, and finally found it... then she rolled over and apparently died,during her sleep. Horrible situation,but I am stunned. All I could think to say was "I guess she died happy!" Ouch! I regret that,but my brain was fuzzy by then. In the meantime, he has eaten every greasy,fried,appetizer and has sauce running down his chin. (I am a nanny and had to fight the urge to wipe his chin) While eating, I was dodging "food rockets" as he talked and food shot out of his mouth at me. Oh,he did offer me the last onion ring and then burped over it....I would rather starve than eat it. It has been an hour and our oysters are unavailable. No crackers,sugar packets, I am seriously in need of food. My date announces he is full anyway and doesn't need an entree. Huh?
He does mention,in an even louder voice, that he hasn't had sex for 9 years. Wow,what a charming thing to say at our first (an last) date!
He leaves for the bathroom and I am trying to decide if I should run or be polite and wait to say good-bye. He appears and says,"I have something to show you". He starts backing up to my face (I am against a wall) and I asked him what the hell he was doing! He starts fumbling with his jeans and starts pulling them down... "I have something you have to see" he says... By now, I am all done with being patient and polite and I give him a push and tell him to pull up his jeans. He is disappointed as I failed to notice his boxer shorts have chili peppers on them and match the chili sauce bottle(on our table). ??? I drove around for an hour,so he wouldn't figure out where I live and he never saw my car. My guess is he has been alone a few years and has lost his social graces,but he scared me.
My LTBF and I reunited after that. He thought I was kidding when I told him this story.
My daughter asked if anyone had ther cell phone out,during my "date from hell". She thinks it should have been on YouTube! LOL
Janet
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Sunday 15 February
By John
So is February 15 also "KTNBTTC" Day, or is that another day? By the way, that's "Kick the Nasty B*t*h To The Curb" Day.
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