In case anyone missed this golden nugget buried in Squiffy’s last post on how we spent our Valentine’s evening at Dunedin’s Otago Museum, I have a very special announcement to make:

As adjudicated by a high-ranking Otago Museum official, I am the 2009 winner of the “Most Romantic” award. There are a few people that I’d like to thank: my Mum, Dad, sister and brother. My friends, workmates, Scout leader, school teachers et al. You’ve made me who I am, and this award really belongs to you.

Not in a million years, would I–or anyone who actually knew me–have ever imagined that I would win such an award, but the judges have spoken and their decision is final: I am the most romantic man. Never again shall I have to take criticism from any girlfriends about how unromantic I am, because… I am the most romantic man!

In this time of financial belt-tightening, I’ve once again proved that it’s possible to be frugal whilst remaining romantic. For Valentine’s day this year, I got Claire a box of out-of-date chocolates. They were well past their best-before date, so I managed to barter the shopkeeper down to a very reasonable NZ$5 for the lot. And I ate just under half of them once the box was open.

Just remember: Regardless of what people might say, I am the award-winning most romantic man!