Romantic reality

<p>With Feb. 14 swiftly approaching, love-swooned couples are daydreaming of romance. Closet romantics are hoping for love. And singletons' hopes are pegged on Cupid's last-minute matchmaking.</p><p>But with love arrows swarming and secret crushes blooming, some are just plain stumped in the Valentine's Day department of planning.</p><p>For inspiration, try one of these 10 ideas, inspired by romantic scenes and plots from television and film.</p><p>Life imitates art, as playwright Oscar Wilde said. So this Valentine's Day, make romantic art your reality. </p><p><h3>`Sex and the City'</h3></p><p><li><b>The scene</b>: In HBO's "Sex and the City," Robert (Blair Underwood) declares his love to Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) with the words "I love you" spelled out in chocolate chips on a giant cookie.</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: Draw your affection on a cookie, or a cake, or even a pizza. If you aren't ready to say "I love you," shape a pepperoni heart on a pizza. </p><p><h3>`Wedding Planner'</h3></p><p><li><b>The scene</b>: In "The Wedding Planner," Mary (Jennifer Lopez) and Steve (Matthew McConaughey) view an outdoor movie at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: Watch a double feature at the Ocala Drive-In, 4850 S. Pine Ave. (Route 440). Gates open at 6:15 p.m. and shows start at 7 p.m. $4 per person, children 9 and under free. (352-629-1325)</p><p><h3>`Hope Floats' and `Serendipity'</h3></p><p><li><b>The scenes</b>: In "Hope Floats," Birdie (Sandra Bullock) and Justin (Harry Connick Jr.) slow dance to Garth Brooks' "To Make You Feel My Love." And in "Serendipity," Sara (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan (John Cusack) go ice skating at New York City's Rockefeller Center.</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: Rev up your endorphins and do something active together. Try roller blading, dancing, or one-on-one basketball. </p><p><h3>`Lady and the Tramp'</h3></p><p><li><b>The scenes</b>: Lady (voice of Barbara Luddy) and Tramp (voice of Larry Roberts) share a moonlit spaghetti dinner in "Lady and the Tramp." And in "The Truth About Cats and Dogs," Brian (Ben Chaplin) feeds Noelle (Uma Thurman) dessert, forkful by forkful.</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: Take your date to "A Night of Romance" at Steve's Café Americain, 12 W. University Ave., where you'll be presented with live love songs and a four-course dinner with dessert and wine.</p><p>The Valentine's Day show begins at 7 p.m. and is $45 per person. Call (352) 377-9337 for reservations and additional show dates. </p><p><h3>`Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'</h3></p><p><li><b>The scene</b>: In Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," John B. presents girlfriend Tina with an engagement ring inside a chocolate box.</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: When giving a boxed present - especially an engagement ring -- make sure the box is unconventional. The box can be chocolate, a little box inside a big box or a handcrafted box. </p><p>SUBHEAD IN COPYf=Garamond Bk *I* s=14 l=15'10 Things</p><p><h3>I Hate About You'</h3></p><p><li><b>The scene</b>: Patrick (Heath Ledger) proclaims his affection for Kat (Julia Stiles) in "10 Things I Hate About You" by singing "I Love You Baby" over his high school's public-address system while Kat is on the athletic field. He even bribes the marching band to accompany him.</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: Sing a love song to your sweetie at a karaoke bar. Try Joa Korean Barbecue Restaurant, 5847 SW 75th St., where you can rent a dinner room with a karaoke machine for $20 an hour. Hours: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Valentine's Day. (352-335-4633)</p><p><h3>`Down With Love'</h3></p><p><li><b>The scene</b>: Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) and Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor) look at the stars through a telescope in "Down With Love."</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: View a starry night from the observation deck at Paynes Prairie. Or, better yet, have a picnic dessert lit only by the stars.</p><p><h3>'Sweet November'</h3></p><p><li><b>The plot</b>: Sara (Charlize Theron) starts a new relationship every month in "Sweet November" and always moves on. But come November, she pegs Nelson (Keanu Reeves) and falls in love.</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: Plan out 12 months of romance. Give your valentine a year-long planner but before presenting it, write out love notes and romantic dates. Inscribe plans for long weekends away, breakfasts in bed and nighttime walks.</p><p><h3>'Out of Africa'</h3></p><p><li><b>The scene</b>: Finch (Robert Redford) washes Karen's (Meryl Streep) hair by the river in "Out of Africa."</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: Valentine's Day is all about showing your love, so pamper each other. Wash each other's hair, or give your sweetie a manicure or a massage. </p><p><h3>'Patch Adams'</h3></p><p><li><b>The scene</b>: Patch (Robin Williams) warms Carin's (Monica Potter) heart when he fills her room with balloons in "Patch Adams."</p><p><li><b>How to make this work for you</b>: Write down, on separate pieces of paper, 25 reasons why you love your honey.</p><p>Put each of these in a balloon, tie a ribbon around all the balloons, and present your valentine with this personalized balloon bouquet.</p>