☕💘 COFFEE HOUSE: VALENTINE'S DAY IN AUGUST ~ ANSWERS ARE IN!

One of the things that can be disappointing about August is...Whoever's heard of special August coffee? There isn't any! But February...February...Do you smell that delicious Chocolate Raspberry and Chocolate Strawberry coffee rising in the air? Yes, you do! Because it's Valentine's Day in August and you're at Bricky & Nikki's Coffee House! Pete has his red apron with hearts on it & is stocking up the display case with frothy pink cupcakes and chocolate he made personally himself overnight while Nikki put her feather quill pen to paper & answered your Valentine's Day 2024 questions so that you can have an amazing Valentine's Day 2025! Are you fired up & ready to go for Valentine's Day?! If you weren't before, you will be now! I present to you the female half of the Rock 'n' Roll Agony Aunt duo known as Bricky & Nikki, NIKKI! 🍓☕

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1. FROM NICK JEPSON (@NickJ )

So, imagine......I'm with Mrs J, romantic restaurant, waiting for the starters to arrive, first bottle of wine half empty. Should I keep the mood and conversation alive by a) asking what special gift I could get her for special birthday this July, or b) surprising her by telling her I've booked us VIP tickets for a Rats festival gig in Swansea and borrowed a mate's tent for the weekend?

Your expert guidance could help in maintaining us through the main course.

NIKKI:

Hello Nick J.!

In order to answer your question, I have a couple of questions for you;

1. How much does your wife love music festivals and camping? (I love music, but some festivals can get a little hot, sweaty, and gritty. Camping definitely wouldn't be my thing since I always prefer to sleep in a nice, clean, and comfortable bed and shower every morning, in a clean and pristine bathroom.)

2. Is this festival something she has expressed interest in?

If she is as excited about the festival as you are, then by all means, it would be a great gift! However, I think ladies always appreciate it when a man shows that he wants to surprise her with something on her birthday that she would really love and enjoy. It can be hard at times to pick the perfect gift for someone, so it never hurts to probe a little bit to find out what would make her birthday as special as can be!

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2) FROM JOAN OF ARC (@JoanOfArc )

Will I ever have someone significant in my life again? Will I ever fall in love again? And will I get married ever?

NIKKI:

Dear Joan of Arc;

As a single lady myself, I often ponder the same questions. I am now 51 years old, I have several loves behind me, and I have yet to find "the one". I would like to believe that he is out there somewhere, but only a power greater than myself knows the answer to that. I have honestly reached a point where I have decided that if it's meant to be, it will be. I'm not implying that there aren't lonely moments, but more recently, I have started to appreciate this time that I have to myself.

I think that finding true love is something that will sneak up on you when you least expect it. I think it's similar to when you lose something and really, really want or even need to find it. For example, if I misplace something (a pair of earrings, a book, a CD, etc), if I tear my apartment apart looking for it, I will never find it. However, months later, when I least expect it, it will reappear out of nowhere.

Since I am also single, I don't know that I know the answers to your questions, but I do know this; when I am in all my glory, I am with my beloved dog and two cats, Boy George's voice is blasting through my apartment, and I am wearing my favorite and most comfortable clothes. That is me, that is when I am happiest, and that is when I feel like I glow. I am willing to hold out for someone who loves me for my true self. So, my suggestion, be you, do what makes you happy, go to places that bring you joy, and when you least expect it, love will find you!

3) FROM CHRISTINE MARX (@cmarx )

True story! My 92-year-old Mom has a neighbor that has a crush on her (even French kissed her hello by surprise!) He keeps calling her & asking her to come over for a visit and Mom, sadly for him, has no interest. How does she gently tell him she's not interested?

As a separate note, what's your advice for recovering when you realize you've been singing the wrong lyrics confidently in public? Of course this would never happen with a Rats tune!

NIKKI:

QUESTION #1

Oh my! Your dear mother! This is indeed an awkward and difficult position for your mother to be in. It sounds like her neighbor is being much too forward and no one should have to endure unwanted romantic advances. I think the way to handle it depends on a couple of things;

If your mother has a close friendship with her neighbor, then by all means she should let him down in a kind manner. She just needs to tell him that she is not interested in a romantic relationship with him.She needs to decline his invitations so that he will, hopefully, come to realize that she has no interest in him romantically. She doesn't even need to give an explanation. She should be able to live in her home in peace without worrying that her neighbor is going to make a pass at her whenever they see each other.

If they are simply just neighbors and they don't share a close friendship, she should, again,tell him that she is not interested, but she needs to be firm about it. No one should attempt a passionate kiss with someone when they haven't received signals that it is okay for them to do so. I imagine this may be causing your mother some stress and she shouldn't have to deal with that. Personally, if one of my neighbors made such a passionate advance at me, I would be horrified. . It just wouldn't be appropriate and I would most likely try to avoid that person. He needs to respect her feelings and never try that again!

QUESTION #2

This question made me smile and it made me think of our mother. She loved singing along with music - at home, in the car, and at concerts. Our mother was a super cool and hip mother! She, along with our father, took us to many concerts when we were too young to go by ourselves. My mother also chaperoned a Depeche Mode concert and a night at "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" when my friends and I were just a bit too young to go without an adult being present. Our mother loved the music we loved and our parents took us to so many shows; Culture Club, Billy Idol, Thompson Twins, OMD, and many, many more! I even caught her dancing to "Anarchy in the UK" once! In fact, she was so hip and cool, that she stood in line with me to get Culture Club tickets starting at 5:30 am back in 1984. Singing along to music, whether they were the correct lyrics or lyrics that were all her own, made her so happy! My sister and I would laugh whenever she made up her own words. She would ask "is that what he/she is singing" and then resume singing her own lyrics. She didn't care! She was having fun and that's all that mattered. Personally, if you realize you've been singing the wrong lyrics confidently in public, just OWN IT, and be proud! Music is to be enjoyed!

4) FROM TRACEY GIBBO (@tracey.gibbo )

My question is, what is your go~to album (not Boomtown Rats) when you want to relax? XX Thank You X

NIKKI:

Greetings Tracey!

In order to be completely relaxed, I need to feel content and cozy, and warm and fuzzy! Therefore, I love to put on one of two Harry Connick Jr. CDs; "Other Hours" or "Occasion" . I feel like I am in a coffee house (Bricky and Nikki's, of course) and wearing a big, oversized, pumpkin colored sweater with the cuffs of the sleeves ending halfway down my hands. A colorful scarf will be around my neck to keep me extra warm in the autumn or winter air. My sweet dog, Nigel, and my two dear cats, Winifred and Fiona are by my side. I will be reading a book that feels just right in my hands, and drinking a special, signature flavored coffee that's topped off with some whipped cream and nutmeg or cinnamon. The fire will be roaring, and as I sit there, Harry Connick Jr.'s tinkly piano fills the coffee scented air! That to me, is the utmost in relaxation and contentment....pure bliss!

5) FROM FORMER COUNCILLOR ELI ( f@Former Councillor Eli )

I'm planning a Valentine's Day dinner for my beautiful wife of 29~years. What do you recommend I include on my music playlist for the evening?

Sending love from Florida, USA,

Former Councillor Eli

NIKKI:

Hello Eli! I know Valentine's Day is behind us now, but here are some lovely songs which I personally recommend that you play for your wife on Valentine's Day in 2025;

“Better Love” - Hozier

“Could it be Magic” - Barry Manilow

“The Promise” - When in Rome

“Always” (Erasure - both the album track and the dance version)

“Melt with You”. - Modern English

“I Could Fall in Love with You” - Erasure

“Levitator” - LP

“Love is Love” - Culture Club

“Feel Like I Won the Lottery" - Boy George

“Golden” - LP

“Be with You” - Erasure

“Come Undone” - Duran Duran

“”One Like You” - LP

“I’m Here” - Matteo Bocelli

“Annie’s Song” - John Denver

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” - Elvis

6) FROM DELBOY DENMARK ( @delboy denmark )

My question is, what is the best Rats song for Valentine's Day?

NIKKI:

Hi, Delboy! When I read your question, I immediately thought of something my sister, Jennifer, says all the time:

"The Boomtown Rats "Against The World" is the most romantic song in the world because what in the world could possibly be more romantic than "You & Me Against The World?!" Nothing. "

She says it just like that & I have to say I agree! "Against The World" is the best Rats song for Valentine's Day! It's not your average Valentine's Day playlist song & that's exactly what's so great about it! Bob Geldof gets right to the point in his lyrics! The one you love will know they're all that you need! Happy Valentine’s Day! 💘

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🧁☕ HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE! 🍩☕

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