For getting a perspective on life in the Holy Land from a very sharp American Catholic priest whom I know, check out these Letters from Jerusalem. What makes it even more interesting is that he's working here.
I realize I'm a holiday behind the times, but if anyone wants to know the exactly how the St. Valentine's Day tradition arose, and I mean exactly, you might want to give this free lecture a listen.
And finally, thanks for Lenlow for leading me to the Art equivalent of the D.J. trainer.