So, in the past week, two [EDIT: three] sets of friends have announced their engagements. Cue the "ring by spring" jokes. Cue the "getting your MRS degree" jokes. Cue all the little condescending jokes made by people who are already married. Students here feel a lot of pressure to get married -- and Valentine's day is coming up in less than a month.

What's with Valentine's Day, anyway? As A. J. Jacobs put it, "It's a cruel concept, Valentine's Day. It's as if they had a holiday to celebrate rich people or attractive people. Miserable and alone? Sorry, this isn't your day."

Rich Person's Day? Now that's a concept. "Buy something you can't afford and give it to the person you know who needs it the least!" I'm sure Hallmark could even come up with some great cards to let that Special Rich Person know you're thinking about him or her.

Expensive cards.