Does your first date signal "keeper" or "cast another net"?

Today, MSN Dating and Personals united this pair of articles under "Finding the One". His read: 10 sure signs she's a keeper (a.k.a., She's a keeper!). Hers said: 6 First-date signs he's Mr. Right (a.k.a., First date signs he’s a keeper).

Those articles evoked memories of dates I've had and those of my friends. We've got tons of tales to tell about belles and beaus whose first date behavior signalled either "keeper" or "cast another net".

I'm sure you have stories worth sharing, too.

If so, I invite you to share them in a series of intimate conversations I'm planning for a few million listeners and me. They'll air during episodes of my upcoming talk radio and podcast programs.

Whether you're shy and commitment phobic, or demonstrative, even exhibitionist, not to worry. We can engage on any number of levels of involvement. You could:

• Emulate Cyrano de Bergerac by submitting your story, tips and advice for my team and me to report for you;
• Speak your own piece, live on air;
• Keep me, by serving as a paid sponsor, and, in return receive public displays of gratitude and promotion of your products and services;
• Serenade, and otherwise tantalize all involved, by submitting original AND RELEVANT (!) music, poetry, script, love potions, recipes for romance, and other products and services for consideration.

[NOTE: my team and I reserve the right to select and edit submissions at our discretion, and intellectual property rights to transcripts and recordings of my broadcasts and other media will be held by original creators and 360 MERIDIAN, LLC.]

Here's how to reach me. Email ltolliver AT 360meridian DOT com, or phone or fax (01) 309 279 7528.

Kissing and Telling: My Valentine's Day program was a public display of affection

On Valentine's Day, USPS representative Tony Musso and actor-radio host Steve Pal (nee Stephen Plaushin) joined the WVOX engineers, listeners and me for a lovely show. There was something for everyone, whether looking for love or in love, lovelorn or about to tie the knot, distant lovers or chocolate lovers. Content included kissing and call-ins, telling of tales and history, serenading and songs, advice and confessions.

Steve, by the way, is starring in Welcome to Norway this Saturday, February 17 at 3:00 PM and invites one and all to come. The play, by writer-director Robin Anne Joseph, is being presented in Series F of the Riant Theater's Strawberry One-Act Festival.NYC. In the play, "a woman [played by Laura Maggie Kramer] discovers a powerful lesson about life's destinations and how to accept it." - source: the Riant Theater Website

Now, about the Valentine's Day Lisa Tolliver Show. The broadcast included:

MUSIC

We played...

• "Can't Hide Love" (from Earth, Wind & Fire's The Eternal Dance, Volume II)
• "Dedicated to the One I Love" (The Shirelles)
• "I Love My Daddy" (from Hubert Laws' track on the CD 101.9 Presents Columbia & Sony Jazz Collection CD) - which I dedicated to my late father
• "Love You to the Letter" (from Anita Bakers' Compositions CD)
• "On the Radio" (from Donna Summers' Endless Summer: Donna Summer's Greatest Hits CD)

We serenaded listeners with selections from:

• "Take a Letter, Maria" (R. B. Greaves)
  
• "I Just Called to Say I Love You" (Stevie Wonder)

We discussed relationship songs mentioning letters, stamps and mail, such ...

• "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" (by Fred E. Ahlert and Joe Young and sung by many artists)
  
• "The Letter" (Box Tops)
• "Love Letters in the Sand" (written by J. Fred Coots, Nick Kenny and Charles Kenny and performed by various artists)
• "Please Mr. Postman" (Marvelettes)
• "Return to Sender" (Elvis Presley)
• "Sealed With a Kiss" (by Peter Udell and Gary Geld and recorded by various artists)
• "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" (Stevie Wonder)
• "Twistin' Postman" (Marvelettes)
• "Yesterday's Letter" (98 Degrees)
• "You Send Me" (Sam Cooke)

TALK:

Love at the USPS...

• Love Stamps and other romantic trinkets at the USPS Store
• The Valentine's Day Re-Mailing Program at the USPS Post Office in Loveland, USA, which Crew's Nest Holidays reports:"creates a special and one-of-a-kind cancellation stamp every year in order to celebrate Valentine's Day and the romantic name of Loveland, Colorado."
• The Love and Kisses campaign (offering sweepstakes and other sweet somethings) sponsored by USPS and Hershey (commemorating the 100th anniversary of Hershey's Kisses)

Information and advice, such as...

• Valentine's Day history and facts, courtesy of Crew's Nest Holidays (which provided the image, above right) and History.com.
• Love-themed libations, such as those tagged "bride," "honey," "kiss," "lip," "love," "romance," "sex," "sweet," "Valentine," and "wedding" at DrinkNation.com.
• How to write a love letter.
• Many lovers get married on Valetine's Day (and other holidays), but divorce divas say, "don't do that." (If the relationship sours, the holiday will forever serve as a painful reminder). On the flip side, many vengeful spouses also file or serve divorce papers on Valentine's Day.
  
• Why, on holidays, it's better receive than to give engagement rings.

WHAT WE DIDN'T GET TO:

I'd be insulted if anyone ever sang or dedicated either of these popular songs to me:

• "I Love You Just the Way You Are" (Billy Joel) - specifically:

I don't want clever conversation
I don't want to work that hard.
I just want someone to talk to
I want you just the way you are.

• "My Funny Valentine" (Rodgers and Hart) - :

Your looks are laughable, unphotographable.
Yet, you're my favorite work of art.
Is your figure less than Greek ?
Is your mouth a little weak ?
When you open it to speak, are you smart ?
But don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me.

I love you for listening! SWAK

The USPS-Hershey pairing gives new meaning to Sam Cooke's single ("You Send Me")

Although this may seem surprising, it's true: the United States Postal Service (USPS) has always been somewhat sweet. For centuries, the agency has delivered love letters and packages worldwide. In 1973, it began courting customers with "Love" series stamps and affectionate trinkets,

This Valentine's Day, though, USPS has revved up the romance. The Postal Service has united with Hershey to beget a sweet orgy of "affectionate confections."

The USPS-Hershey coupling is no undercover affair. Here's an example of how the involved parties are publicizing their pairing:

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day With Love and Kisses—Hershey’s® Kisses®, that is! This year the United States Postal Service and the Hershey Company have teamed up in honor of the 100th anniversary of Hershey’s® Kisses® Brand Chocolates with a commemorative stamp, sweepstakes, and more. See what treats are in store!

We'll talk about this treat, the ties between USPS and Black History, and more on tomorrow's Lisa Tolliver Show. Listen live from noon 'til 12:30 P.M, Eastern Time on WVOX 1460 AM and www.wvox.com or phone the call-in line: (01) 914 636 0110. My guest will be Tony Musso, Manager of Retail, Westchester District, USPS.