the buzz log

Is romance possible with primary anxiety? This reading of distracted amor comes partly from a 402% spike in the query, "when is valentine's day." (Answer: February 14.) True, Valentine's Day is more than two weeks away, but traditionally the annual Buzz homage to martyrdom and love begins at this time.

Lookups, especially among ladies of all ages, have begun to register according to schedule, but the online allure for "valentine" is down 27% from this same time period in 2006 and 2007. The quest for "romance" has also taken a hit (-29% compared to last January). Good thing "love" remains relatively stable.

Politics can't take all the blame. Given the moody stock market and foreclosure downers, is it any surprise the only stimulus people are searching for nowadays is the economic kind? Ah, but take heart... all is not doom-and-gloom in the Valentine forecast. Take a look below at how searches stack up compared to 2007, and come to your own conclusion whether we're in a romantic recession or just a temporary lull.