Who the fudge would spend $9,000 on an engagement ring!?

[LostInAnomie]

That's what that one "priceless" credit card commercial says the guy spent on his fiance's ring.

What kind of douche bag would blow that much cash on a ring!? And, what kind of douchier bag would want their man to spend that kind of money on a ring!?

[BreweryYardRat]

1. The upper-upper class.

Stupid fuckers.

[Richard Steele]

42. Or certain brainwashed upper-middle classers...

...like a friend of mine, who shall remain nameless.

$9,500 for a 3/4 carat diamond in platinum. Crazy.

[BulletTrain1964]

64. And here I've got a 3/4 carat aquamarine in a platinum setting

that cost less than $100. I'm gonna have to change the stone to a diamond and sell it on e-bay :bounce:

[jimquilty]

68. I have been on DU since 2000

and have done so bc i like to stay on top of the real "news" and I rarely reply. I find the premise of this attack on engagement rings in poor taste. Diamonds are a commodity and, hence, can be an investment. Moreover, the attack angle of some of these respones assumes that someone that would spend in excess of x (whatever some deem obscene) does not equal if not exceed that $ level they give to other charitable orgs. I grew up in a Catholic worker house started by my parents and I paid my way through college and law school and was able to buy diamonds beyond what some of you consider obscene and give a lot of my time -- value wise as legal counsel as well - so the judgmental nature of this is out of line.

[unpossibles]

180. good for you. Diamonds are one of the bloodiest industries out there for one thing

My wife and I agree that not only are diamonds not something we wanted to invest in, but that we'd rather spend money on something more useful like a house downpayment.

[Karenca]

75. Your comment is rude.

nt

[dolo amber]

2. The kind of douchebags who have that kind of money to blow

:shrug:

[LostInAnomie]

3. Well, they need a good punch to the balls.

Both balls.

[dolo amber]

4. One would certainly hope they'd want to put

their money to better use...but then reality sets in...

Earned it, free country, own bootstraps, yadda yadda yadda... :eyes:

[WCGreen]

34. And then claims the poor should just stop whining and pull themselves

up by their bootstraps....

[LeftyMom]

5. People who should not be permitted to breed.

Spending that much money on a completely useless object, even if you've got it to throw around, is utterly fucking retarded.

[REP]

77. Good Thing I'm Sterilized, Then - My Ring Cost More Than That

You have your own idea of useless, I've got mine. I've also got a lovely engagement ring. And a fiancee in the same area code!

[SammyWinstonJack]

162. !

:evilgrin:

[Phillycat]

188. Oh, DAMN.

LOL!

[Karenca]

78. ??

never mind :shrug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

6. people who have the money for it. if you make over $250,000

have no kids etc. i think 9000 wouldnt seem so much to you.

[Momgonepostal]

9. it certainly is possible, but I doubt it

I'd have a tough time spending that kind of cash on a sparkly bauble that doesn't do anything, no matter how much I made.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

11. honestly if i had that kind of disposable income, i would spend it on things that amuse me

and jewellery amuses some people.

much like cars.

[Momgonepostal]

7. The deBeers ad used to say something like...

"Is two months salary really too much for something that lasts forever?"

I say YES!

I got a gold band and a computer. LOL

[ProfessorGAC]

168. They're Promoting Three Months, Now

I saw the poster when i took my wife's 25 anniversary ring in to have the setting inspected. Yep, they're trying to suggest an engagement ring should cost a quarter of year's salary.

The Professor

[Momgonepostal]

170. See, that's unreal!

And with simulated diamonds getting better, will they really be worth anything in years to come?

I would NEVER spend 3 months salary on a ring.

[MonkeyFunk]

8. somebody with the money...

and inclination to do so, I imagine. Or should there be a legal limit on engagement rings?

[LostInAnomie]

10. Yep

$8.00

If they want something nicer they are a gold digger.

[JVS]

30. as a symbol of my undying love I give to you this Wendy's classic triple combo meal

may it's calorific goodness contribute to a thickening of your thighs that we can look upon fondly in old age

[GirlinContempt]

69. That's the most romantic thing I've ever heard

[JVS]

139. I'm just a sentimental kind of guy

[petronius]

177. $8.00 is fucking obscene! It's just piggish flaunting of wealth at the expense

of us down-trodden proles. Filthy rat-bastard richie-riches!

Now, I gave my wife a $5.00 engagement ring - that's an acceptable and socially responsible price. Anything more than that is sickening consumerism...

;)

[bleedingheart]

12. ask that about any luxuries...

cars that are uber expensive
really expensive stereo systems...the tuner can be as much as $2000...
landscaping
vacations...

I have known people who belittle people for buying $200 worth of annuals for their yard...because the folks who didn't have the extra cash saw that as a waste...

It is all relative...

[XemaSab]

17. Landscaping is fun

and it's something to share with the neighborhood.

Last year I probably spent 500 bucks on plants for the yard. Mostly native, drought tolarant perennials, but I got a few fun annuals and other stuff in there too. I figure it makes my mom's house look nice and attractive for the neighbors more than half-dead crabgrass. :eyes:

That being said, people have different values and spending too much money on a ring, a McMansion, a car, or a first-class ticket... doesn't do anything buy make me :eyes:

[bleedingheart]

21. but it is perspective...I love gardening...

however my mother thinks that the money I have spent on landscaping over the past 10 years is a waste of money. She complains all the time about how wasteful it is...

I have a friend who bought a McMansion...I was happy for her (although it is not something I would do..I hate to clean)...however in her case she loves to be home all the time. Doesn't like to go many places and is constantly having parties and stuff at her house. She really loves it..and in a way...how much different is that from me with my small house and my big garden...

I agree there is excess...but for excess...I think the $30K+ rings I saw when I was in Chicago would take the cake...I am sure that some of the ones I saw were even worth 10x that...they were houses on platinum settings.

[XemaSab]

22. The whole diamond industry is a big f***ing racket anyways

A big house, or a nice garden... people want these things and they don't need marketing.

Diamonds, OTOH... it's all a bunch of DeBeers propoganda. Any guy who would give me a diamond (barring an heirloom) would not be the guy for me. :P

[MonkeyFunk]

18. exactly

but some people just LOVE to judge everybody else's personal choices.

[Deja Q]

13. Somebody who thinks divorce is a fallacy meant for the greedy...

:yoiks:

[wildhorses]

14. if i am doing my math right

according to 'their' calculations...2 mos salary, right?

so then someone who makes $54,000 (54k) should spend that much on an engagement ring:shrug:

[AlCzervik]

15. i'd rather have money for a down payment on a house or for grad school.

[CatholicEdHead]

16. Someone with means

At least my fiance said at the onset that she would feel uncomfortable wearing a rock that costs $5K much less $10K.

[RetroLounge]

19. Someone who can't get laid otherwise

:shrug:

RL

[La Lioness Priyanka]

46. i dont think so.

someones partner may just like jewellery. if lisa ever makes a lot of money i want big sparkly things. if she doesnt she will still get laid. and loved.

[uppityperson]

20. Mine's worth about that, but is a family heirloom so am stuck with it

can't sell it so it is actually worth nothing. Except to insurance co or someone who robbed me. I am sometimes embarrassed to wear it, but it was Mr. UP's great grammas. If I were to buy one, would get what I have for trips, a $5.00 sterling silver GoodWill ring.

[Katherine Brengle]

23. THANK YOU! Every time I saw that commercial I wanted to puke. nt

[Nicole]

24. Someone who has the money & wants to spend it?

How people drive $20K+ cars when a $500 beater would get them where they need to go?

I wouldn't spend that much on a ring myself nor would I ask someone else to buy it for me. I wouldn't refuse it though, based on cost only, if it were offered.

[jobycom]

25. Someone who wants to. Besides, who spends cash? This is America

[JVS]

26. some pantload who should be put against the wall when the revolution comes

[LostInAnomie]

28. DAAAAAMMMMMMNNNN!

Someone get this guy a heart. I'm too cheap.

[Richard Steele]

66. Dude- shhhh!

Too soon! :evilgrin:

[JVS]

142. What is this supposed to be kept under wraps?

The wall off errrm, honor and tremendous fun. That's the wall I meant!

[crim son]

27. I know any number of people who have rings costing that much

or more. They can afford it, just like they can afford their $55K vehicle (which won't last as long as the ring) and their second house on the Cape. Nor would I characterize these people as "retarded". While I agree that it's a ridiculous amount to spend, if I married a man who made $200K a year and he wanted to buy me such a ring, I wouldn't stand in his way. No way, not me.

P.S. There are rich democrats too, and some people here seem to resent the hell out them.

[Katherine Brengle]

29. Eh, I still say it's gross.

Though to each their own.

Mine cost, shall we say, significantly less than that lol and it's lovely... and I'm not afraid to wear it when I go places...

:shrug:

Rich people are fine by me as long as they give back to the community.

[bleedingheart]

31. I didn't want a ring when I married my husband..

he had been married before, we were going to be starting out and an expensive engagement ring sounded like a bad idea. So I figured a nice plain band would suffice.

Then we went to visit his family and my sister in law was so rude to me about the fact that I didn't have a ring...and that it must not be a "real" engagement. I didn't give a shit but his family had been rather rude to me because they didn't want him to marry me...

so....he goes out and buys me a ring that was much larger than hers...(mine is under a carat)...

I thought it was dumb but he wanted to do it and he could afford it.

So...next time we go out with her (we were married by then)...

She nearly swallows her tongue.

Later after two troublesome childbirths (I had heart problems)...he bought a ring wrap for the ring.

I wear them all the time.

However what I truly adore are ethnic pieces, artistic pieces...etc I have boatloads of amber jewelry which is my favorite..

[AlCzervik]

32. i'm going to post some pics for you tomorrow of the jewelery my sister makes

i think her things are really beautiful. she uses amber and other stones like that.

[bleedingheart]

35. I would love to see it!

please pm me with a link because...if I am working I don't want to miss it!

[AlCzervik]

37. here they are, i hope you can see them.

Her friend is a photographer and took the pictures for so she can make a catalog.

[bleedingheart]

41. I love those pieces...

is it very expensive???



I recently discovered this jewelry...

http://www.patricejewelry.com/

however it is pricey...

[AlCzervik]

43. well she doesn't make a lot of pieces but she did earring and necklaces

for a wedding party, 4 bridesmaids and the bride and i think she charged them about $100 a set. She uses fairly expensive material but really doesn't factor it into the price, right now she makes it because she really loves it.

[bleedingheart]

44. well she does beautiful work

and I wouldn't mind a catalog myself...

[AlCzervik]

47. if they finish it up i'll send one to you, she made me a beautiful ankle bracelet

that i wore for months on end but being the graceful water buffalo that i am i snagged on something and it broke, she's making me a new one though and when i get it i'll you a pic.

[bleedingheart]

49. thanks!

[auntAgonist]

55. I would love to know how to order from her.

her work looks beautiful


aA

[AlCzervik]

57. she'd be blushing so much right now! If you ever want something you can

email me and i'll let her know, she makes things by request many times.

[Katherine Brengle]

45. Spite is an excellent reason lol.

Seriously, that sounds like something I would do... glad you are okay!

[bleedingheart]

48. I chuckle about it now...

cuz 14 years later...it still seems to drive her nuts...

:evilgrin:

[crim son]

33. And they often do.

My BIL's family has owned a manufacturing plant for decades. The last fifteen years or so, because of foreign competition and healthcare costs, the company doesn't profit like it once did. I have personally watched and listened to him agonize about how to keep the place going because his employees depend on him, and the entire family has seen their compensation go down so that their workers continue to get cost-of-living increases, maternity leave etc. etc. These people CARE, and they are democrats. Then I have Stephen King down the street who donates millions upon millions to various causes both locally and worldwide. As you know, he is a vocal dem. We should not castigate these people who have both the drive and the financial wherewithal to help our cause. I'm not wealthy but until recently I was comfortable... not while volunteering to help out local dem candidates however. There is a distinct prejudice against the white collar professional and his/her ilk and while I guess I understand it, democrats must be able to distinguish the friend from the enemy. IMHO.

[bleedingheart]

36. I know a lot of "rich" democrats who are keen on sharing the wealth

however they do enjoy their money.

One good friend of mine has traveled all around the world..has been everwhere from the Artic to Antarctic, from Russia to Australia...

her husband and she are great folks and contributors to democratic causes...but they enjoy the fruits of their labor...her husband and she are self-made people.

[crim son]

40. Thank you. These are the people I'm talking about.

They exist!

[JVS]

141. Well if you'd let them know my address so they could share it with me, I'd be much obliged

[Missy Vixen]

79. crim son, you rock

>democrats must be able to distinguish the friend from the enemy<

What a brilliant (and very true,) statement.

Julie

[Karenca]

51. crim son --- you said what I could never understand!

"There are rich democrats too, and some people here seem to resent the hell out them"

I always wondered why that is so?. :shrug:

[Book Lover]

166. You really wonder why people resent the rich? Really?

Did you ever pay attention in literature class? Or a psych class? Or history class? Or simply observe human nature? Jealousy and resentment of the kind of power that money provides. It ain't rocket science.

[Karenca]

179. No, I never did pay any attention in class.

Nor do I observe human nature.


How can I get to be as smart as you?

[Midlodemocrat]

54. Thank you, crim son

:applause:

[auntAgonist]

56. well said crim son

:applause:

I don't see anything wrong with it IF people can afford it. It seems that if you have money, you're despised from both sides. (often).

aA
:hug:

[xmas74]

62. I know someone who spent 12 on their engagement ring.

They have a nice house but not too nice (no McMansion by any means), decent cars but nothing outlandish or even too new. They paid off all of their college loans and the house was inherited. They chose not to have a big wedding and splurged on the ring. They plan on offering the ring to their son when he is an adult, hoping that someday he will give it to his bride-to-be.

They had the money and decided that a nice ring would get more milage than a huge wedding. It was their choice.

(And you are quite right about some resenting rich dems here. I'm so poor I barely have a pot to piss in, as my mother likes to say, but I don't resent someone who worked hard for their money and did so in a fair manner. The person who spent 9 grand on a ring might donated three times that amount to charity. We just don't know.)

[GalleryGod]

150. Well said, indeed, Crim! I agree 100%

There are many,many, liberal millionaires or just liberal folks who are "well off' who like to spend for finer things. Good for them! God Bless and God Speed!

Jeeez-us,folks! I swallowed more tear gas than I care to remember and was beaten by DC billyclubs at two marches on Washington...I describe myself,even today, as being Ultra-Liberal. Last year,alone, my wife and I (the now, TS'd "Nightnurse") gave over 2G's to liberal groups.

But we spend at least 2g's a season on Broadway Show tickets...sailed the British Virgin Islands because we hadn't done it...go to the U.S. Open in NYC every once in a while...Eagles Season Tickets...Phillies partial season plan. Why? "Because we did it the old fashioned way...WE EARNED it !" (that's a Smith-Barney commercial from the 1970's).

So..I'm going to sign-off from my NYC hotel room in the Theater District and go have some fun, with my #1 girl on that (Oh! Too Commercial!)most despised of all DUPC holidays: Valentines Day.

Be well. ALL of you. Stay safe and warm and dry,today.

[Missy Vixen]

175. I hope you're having a wonderful time!

>Stay safe and warm and dry,today.<

Let's face it. We each have different priorities. The ability to enjoy what we've worked so hard for, in our own way, is not a sin or a crime.

There's a picture of my ring on this thread. Other things that make me happy: The $6 bouquet of sweet peas I bought from a Hmong farmer in my hometown last summer. I can't remember the last time I was able to get some; the smell is heavenly. To spend any time at all with our friends. I can't put a price on it. The sun shining on me. Singing along with the radio while I'm driving my car. We went to a Broadway play trying out in Seattle a couple of years back; the tickets were expensive, but just the memory makes me smile even years later.

Why does everything have to be such a fight?

In the meantime, in honor of Valentine's Day, I wish lasting and true love to everyone on this thread.

Julie

[seaglass]

38. Who would spend $200 for a pair of shoes or $500 for a

purse? Not me.

We all have different things that give us pleasure, what's the problem?

My husband spent $4K on my engagement ring and he was happy to do it and I was happy to get it. :shrug:

[MedleyMisty]

39. People with way too much money

I don't have an engagement ring. We didn't get wedding rings either. And we got married in a drive-thru chapel in Gatlinburg. I think the trip total, including getting married, was something like $500. Definitely under $1,000.

But then considering that we make something like $20,000 - $25,000 a year (and yes, that's combined income) it's not like we had a ton of money to blow.

Personally, if I was rich, I'd probably keep an up-to-date computer, buy all the books and games and CDs and movies I wanted, replace my 13 year old car, and give whatever discretionary income was left after that to charity.

I take tours of rental houses, and man - when I take tours of houses that are upward of $2000 a month to rent, I wonder how those people can sleep at night.

[Midlodemocrat]

58. They sleep because they can afford it.

Some people, Democrats even, who have been lucky or successful or both make a lot of money.

It't not something to scorn.

[Katina]

67. exactly

I think those who trash others for their good fortune are either jealous or just petty. sorry.

[Karenca]

74. "I wonder how those people can sleep at night."

What??

Does having money make one a bad person?

I, for one cannot understand your reasoning.

[Missy Vixen]

80. We live 30 miles outside of Seattle, WA

The median house price here is over $400,000 now. Homes that sell for under $200,000 typically either never hit the multiple listings, have multiple offers within hours of turning up on the multiple listing, or require so much work that you'll spend an additional $100,000 rehabbing it into livable condition.

>when I take tours of houses that are upward of $2000 a month to rent, I wonder how those people can sleep at night.<

Our house payment is $1800 per month. We don't live in a McMansion. We were lucky to purchase a house at all. We stay here because of my husband's job.

Julie

[Saphire]

50. that commercial always pissed me off....if he doesn't have

enough credit to get the damn ring, choose something smaller. That's the problem with some folks getting married, it's all about the ring, the dress, the bridsmaids, the flowers.....never about the 50 or so years ahead of them that's the REAL marraige.

[Missy Vixen]

176. Actually, the ring and the photographs are the only things that last

>choose something smaller<

When I talk with people who are getting married, I encourage them to spend their money on a nice ring (if they want a ring,) and photos. They are the only things left the next morning -- all the food's been eaten, flowers die, the guests have gone home, etcetera.

Julie

[Orangepeel]

52. dunno. I think diamonds are a scam that people are killed for.

The only value is the artificial price, and although the store will tell you they don't sell "conflict diamonds," they really can't tell.

Anyway, they're pretty, but a "real" diamond isn't any prettier than a "fake" one (people are entitled to believe there is a difference, but I think they're deluding themselves).

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

53. Ya Know, This Is Sooooooo Not Any Of Your Business. If Some Guy Feels Like Spending That Much On A

ring then God bless him. Feel free to spend as much or little on yours as you want.

Nosey nosey nosey people. Sheesh. Worry about your own affairs and faults. I'm sure you've got plenty.

[LostInAnomie]

59. Something tells me that the couple in the commercial aren't really engaged.

And, since it is a nationally broadcasted commercial, I think it's fair game to talk about.

It seems like a fairly high standard to try to normalize.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

60. You Weren't Complaining About Fictional Characters... You Were Voicing Opposition And Disgust

towards anyone who chose to do so in real life. So my comments stand firm.

[LostInAnomie]

63. Fuck it, I'm not going to lie.

I'm not a big fan of status symbols, I'm not going to attempt an actual defense. My personal opinion is that it's a pretty douche baggish thing to spend that much cash on.

If there is one thing the lounge is good for it is making unfounded value judgments that make me feel like a big man. :patriot:

[JVS]

61. Yes. And if the last week in GD has taught us nothing it is that commercials are a very...

important part of todays culture and we must always be vigilant against the festering propaganda that the people are subjected to by the purveyors of products such as candybars, cars, and jewelry. This expensive diamond buying shit WILL NOT STAND!

[Katina]

65. so this week I've learned here that you can't think that

Anna Nicole, who married an 89 year old man for his billions and then got used by everyone else she slept with, is a pathetic creature and you have to call someone who can afford to spend $9000 on an engagement ring, a douche bag. How enlightening.

[REP]

70. My Douche Bag Spent More Than That On My Ring (His Idea)

So I guess I'm the Douchiest Bag of All.

Ask me how much I care, too.

[GirlinContempt]

71. How much?

[REP]

76. Wanna Guess?

It's platinum with a 1.25ct stone.

[GirlinContempt]

161. Oh, I meant how much you care

[REP]

172. How Much I Care About Being The Douchiest Bag?

Defining aspect of my life.

[Missy Vixen]

81. I hope you'll enjoy your gorgeous ring

>Ask me how much I care, too.<

My guy didn't spend nine grand on my ring. I have a pretty nice ring, though, and I enjoy wearing it.

Julie

[REP]

82. Jewelry Is Great, Isn't It?

This ring was his idea - he knows I love bright, shiny objects - and this is the one he liked. I have a barrel-cut bue topaz in a similar gold mount that I am extremely fond of, and the east-west setting works with my unsmall fingers!

I bet your ring is gorgeous, too - if it's a bright shiny oject, chances are good I'll appreciate it!

[Missy Vixen]

85. This is a ring from the same goldsmith we purchased the ring I wear from

that's very close to my ring. (My ring has more diamonds, but it's also channel set.)



I like bright, shiny objects, too ;-). I also wanted something I would never, ever get sick of wearing. It's been fourteen years now; I still love the ring.

Julie

[REP]

87. That IS Gorgeous!

I really like non-traditional but 'clean' settings, and that is a truly stunning ring. It looks nice and heavy, too. Beautiful!!

[GalleryGod]

151. You Go, Julie!

You're beautiful and smart!
Thus you get ALL the jewelry you WANT in the Gallerygod equation!:smoke:

Smart+Beautiful=Fab Baubles :bounce:

[Missy Vixen]

157. GalleryGod, what a kind thing to say!

>You're beautiful and smart!<

I'm verklempt over here! Thank you!

You're wonderful, so this works out well! Happy Valentine's Day, and I hope that your life is filled with love!
Julie

[allinktup]

72. Not necessarily

my uncle spent about 10k on my aunt's wedding ring and he's just a prison guard. Of course, she wouldn't marry him for anything less...

[kedrys]

73. ...

...i got nothing.

:shrug:

[Heidi]

83. With all due respect, I don't think that's anyone else's business.

Several of my close female relatives went all apoplectic because I didn't want, thus Call Me Wesley didn't buy for me, a big ol' honkin' wedding set. These women in my family seemed to think I was somehow being slighted, which is a steamin' pile of horse manure, since I've _never_ worn rings on my left hand, and wasn't about to start in my mid-30s. But if I had _wanted_ a big flashy ring, that wouldn't have been anyone else's business, either.

[REP]

84. No Ring?!!1 Why, He Must Not Love You!

:sarcasm:

Sheesh! How dare you not want to wear something that's uncomfortable and inconvenient for you? Some people!

[Heidi]

86. I KNOW!!!!

Imagine that! Me, having to buy my own ring if I want it. GAWD, I'd have to be self-sufficient in order to do a crazy thing like that. SHEESH! :rofl: :spray:

[REP]

88. A Woman? Self-Sufficient? Don't Be Silly!

Is it your period? Why else would you say such a ridiculous thing?

[Heidi]

89. You've convinced me.

I'll just take a Midol, put those silly notions of self-sufficiency behind me and go shopping for shoes. :rofl:

[REP]

96. Lie Down With a Cool Compress and a Baby

or two. HUMAN babies. You're a woman, after all - you'll feel better.

[Heidi]

98. One word:

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[REP]

103. I Would Have Used Two Words:

HELL No!

or perhaps

Fuck off!

[Missy Vixen]

91. I love this board

>Is it your period? Why else would you say such a ridiculous thing?<

LMAO! :rofl:

Heidi, I think you did just fine. CMW is The Man. If you didn't want a ring, more power to you, I know you two are blissfully happy!

REP, wear that gorgeous ring in the best of health. Platinum and a 1.5 carat stone? GORGEOUS.

Julie

[Heidi]

95. You're the bomb, Julie,

and I miss ya like crazy in the Hot Tub. :hug:

Thanks for reminding me that I have to go wake CMW up and force encourage him to wrap the red Valentine's Day iPod Nano mystery gift that just came in the post. :rofl:

[Missy Vixen]

99. I miss you, too

:cry: :hug:

Hopefully, next term I'll be basking in the warm water and raiding Skinner's palatial likker cabinet with y'all... :woohoo:

>I have to go wake CMW up and force encourage him to wrap the red Valentine's Day iPod Nano mystery gift that just came in the post.<

Okay, THIS is funny!
"Honey? You got me a GIFT? I had NO IDEA!" as you're tearing wrapping off something you already have seen... :rofl:

I sent a wrapped CD and a card in Eric's suitcase this week. I'll be interested to see how long it takes him to call home and say he liked it ;-).

:hi:
Julie

[Heidi]

104. Okay, I'm SERIESLY peeved now.

I'm nearing the end of my third Mod term and this is the first I've heard about Skinner's likker cabinet. :cry: x(

[Missy Vixen]

113. He's probably not getting a lot of sleep right now

It would be a great time to raid the place. Don't listen to him when he says he's all out of the single malt. :eyes:

Tell everyone there that I said "Hi", okay? :hi:

:grouphug:
Julie

[REP]

100. I GOT ONE TOO! SERIESLY!!

My pink Mini's battery died, so I got my 8G Nano early
(Friday).

The inscription on the Mini was:
x = ff000; y = 000ff;
if (n==7) [i love:u];

The Nano's inscription is:

r=red();v=blue();
if(n==7)[I love:u];

The inscription on my wedding band is:
n=7;

[Heidi]

107. REP, that is toooooooooo cool!

You are not only a magpie and a douchebag, but also a GEEK!!! :loveya: :thumbsup:

I think my inscription says 2W1T, which is an abbreviation for "Two Words, One Tribe." :)

[REP]

114. That's Me - Not-So-Fresh Geek Magpie Douchebag

But just to clarify - the geek I'm marrying did the inscriptions. I just bagged him, obviously for his money (he was managing a futon store when we met - can't get any more glamorous than that!).

Your inscription is very sweet. It should already have a ribbon and a card (they come that way from Apple if requested).

[Oeditpus Rex]

92. Just make sure you spend

an acceptable amount of money on you.



Perhaps a poll of the Lounge would be useful in determining what that amount would be.

[Heidi]

93. I actually _loathe_ most shopping experiences.

But that doesn't mean I want to make others miserable about enjoying it. Don't ya just hate it when I get all rational and stuff? :rofl:

[REP]

94. Oh Just Shove Your Rational, Non-Judgemental Acceptance! This is the Lounge!

We don't need that bullshit in here, especially not from some ringless freak with PMS who thinks she's self-sufficient. : obsceneemoticon :

edited to add more spleen.

[Heidi]

97. More spleen is the new "more cowbell"!11!!! I'm SERIES!1!1

:rofl: :spray:

[Missy Vixen]

101. Best. Post. EVER!

I MUST have a t-shirt!

"More spleen is the new "more cowbell"!

:yourock:
Julie

[REP]

105. "...And I Helped!"

Okay, it's not Shake'n'Bake, but dammit, I'm horning in on this! Because! Besides, I have a migraine and a BIG RING.

[Heidi]

112. You absolutely own "'More spleen' is the new 'more cowbell.'"

:yourock:

[REP]

117. I Only Own The Spleen - You Own The Rest!

I'm not hogging the whole thing - people would notice that.

and :yourock: I smoke. And have a big ring.

[Heidi]

118. Uh-oh.

I think you and I long-lost twin douchebags, separated at birth. I smoke, too. Now all I've gotta do is harangue CMW into buying me a big ol' ring, or "rang" as we say where I grew up. :rofl:

[REP]

121. DEVIL! FATHER OF LIES and NEPHEW OF BAD WEATHER! HORRORS!

Oh, wait, I'm not out of cigarettes after all.

I can't believe you are one of those horrile horrible people who are not thinking of the children by smoking! :faint:

Okay, I guess I can.

[Heidi]

123. I'm a gor-gyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyle,

a WICKED psly-kick!

[REP]

126. That's Not a Good Photo of Me

[Heidi]

128. Hahahahaha! It's not YOU!

It's ME, back when I was thin, nubile and able to attract men who would spare me a life of self-sufficiency and indulge me with sparkly baubles. :rofl: :spray:

[REP]

130. It's Not You - Your Teeth Aren't That Good!

:rofl:

Maybe some day you can collect enough soda cans to buy you some teeths!

[Heidi]

132. It's like I told my Republican sister one time when she was going all hillbilly on me:

"Okay, well, you better go brush your tooth." :rofl:

P.S. That's "teefs," missy. Get it right. :P

[REP]

135. Or As I Told a Customer...

when I worked for the phone co and a customer asked what would happen to her children if she paid her delinquent phone bill, I told her she should ask for help from their fatherS.

What I realy wanted to say was, "Look, lady - I didn't fuck you."

[Heidi]

136. Are you still permitted to deal directly with customers?

:rofl: :spray:

[REP]

138. I'm Retired, Baby

No, not because of that, either!

[Oeditpus Rex]

102. Yeah

And I'll give you a $14,000 cat collar if you'll stop. :P

[Heidi]

109. Oh, my DOG, what a coinky-dink!

CMW ordered Ginger a new collar yesterday with _diamonds_ on it. I shit kid you not. :spoiledfurbaby:

[REP]

119. Wait - The Cat Gets Diamonds?

The no-ring thing is making more and more sense. Cats can kill you in your sleep if they are not placated.

I have to make Tessa a new collar every so often (not kidding) or she makes life difficult. Hers are just pearl and Swarovski crystal - I am so not letting her read this thread!

edit; dammit, forgot the spleen.

[Heidi]

120. Your cat can READ????

We took a slightly different approach to Ginger's development: charm school. We figured he'd be more likely to find a wealthy mate if he were more charming than educated. :evilgrin:

[REP]

122. Tessa IS Siamese

But all cats can read with their butts. That's why they sit on whatever you are reading. Jesus H Christ, don't you know ANYTHING about cats?

[Heidi]

124. I only know that however charming and cute Ginger is right now,

on any given morning I could wake up dead. :rofl: :spray:

[REP]

125. This One Sleeps On Me:

It's a wonder I ever wake up...

[Heidi]

127. What a beautiful cat!

This is the boy to whom I'm a mere warm and adjustable lump.

[REP]

129. He's Cute *And* Ferocious

I see you have a Killer Siamese as well. Watch out - they seem all cute, adorable, loveable, sweet and friendly but you have to watch them constantly. That's why they must always be on or near your lap.

They will also try to bankrupt you. $700 to diagnose Tessa, who thanks be is 'just' hyperthyroid (instead of kidney failure, diabetes or cancer - hyperthyroid is not that big a deal compared to those!).

The big grey and white is Thomas, who is the sweetest and most gentle cat ever. He weighs 22 pounds, so he can crush the life out of you, but not out of ill-intent,

[Heidi]

131. Boy, don't I know it.

Ginger has been in the emergency cat clinic three times in the two years with urinary problems; fortunately, we were able to find a a prescription dry cat food that he'll eat and which doesn't cause those little crystals to build up in his urinary tract. He's been in good health for several months now, except for his regular misadventures (like disappearing for several hours, only to be found by me at the bottom of the seven-foot-tall community composting bin. :eyes: )

[REP]

133. Yeah, Tommy Is Getting Pred Now

He doesn't have classic FUS, but something very similar and prednisolone is the only thing to do for him when he starts acting symptomatic, like he is now. He's an easy cat to pill - no, really! He is! but he's so young (6) I hate having to give him even the small doses he gets ... but if he doesn't get it, he won't get any older.

The worst was when I came home to find him covered in blood and vomit; he had hemorrhagic cystitis and a blood clot had caused a blockage. His blood work was so bad they thought he would die, but once the clot was gone, he bounced right back. Ever since then, he's been prone to badder irritation not caused by crystals - his pH is perfect and he doesn't have crystals - but he starts to get blocked and I whip out the pills.

Bad enough having one cat not feeling well - right now I'm dealing with two and feeling very sorry for myself! The other four, knock wood, are fine.

[Heidi]

134. I'm gonna ask Ginger's doctor about pred.

Normally, I just take him immediately to the doctor the minute he starts doing his "need to pee but _can't_ pee" thing. It's be nice to have a medicine here that I could give him immediately, since it's often very difficult to find the "on call" vet here on weekends. x(

I'm glad your Tommy is better, but I know exactly what you mean by the worry. :hug:

[REP]

137. YOUR Prednisone Works, Too

PredniSOlone or Prednisone both work, and if you have any prednisone you've been prescribed, you can give it to Ginger when he starts acting like he might be blocking; the usual dose is 5mg (most human-strength pills are 20mg, but don't freak if the pill isn't exactly 1/4 when you crack it) unless he is a cat over 20lbs or does not respond to 5mg.

You might also ask about methionine; it's an amino acid found in meat that is VITAL to cats' urinary tract health. It comes in a pill that's just easier to grind up and mix with some wet food (big pill!). Also, I'm sure you've aready done this, but if he's still eating a food with ground yellow corn meal (corn gluten meal is okay), change foods. High cereal content makes true FUS worse (found this out the hard way with another kitty.)

[Heidi]

140. No cornmeal in his dry food,

and for wet food, he eats only Almo Nature organic chicken and about 20 grams of rare deli roast beef per day. One of the other problems he had was that his diet was way too "white" (too much fish, too much chicken), but he's a lot better since we went to the prescription dry food plus Almo Nature and roast beef. I know it sounds bad to give a cat deli roast beef, but his doctor says it's okay if it's less than 100 grams per day.

I'll ask about methionine when I'm at Dr. Durr's office next month for Ginger's annual "teefs" cleaning. Is there something about Siamese cats and poor dental health? x(

Thank you so much, REP. Ginger is very, very important to me. :yourock:

[REP]

144. All Cats Are Belong to Me (Especially Cute Ones)

I love cats; I love Siamese cats; therefore, Ginger is my cat and you are just taking care of him!

I don't think there's anything wrong with giving a cat MEAT, especially one with urinary tract problems! Just make sure it's not too much sodium (duh, like you haven't already thought about that!). I cook scallops for Thomas for the hell of it because he loves them and they all get cooked meat in addition to their Nutro Natural Kitten dry and Trader Joe's canned food (TJ's canned is appropriate for kidney cats, by the way - I found that out when helping take care of a neighbor's kidney kitty).

Siamese are more prone to be hyperthyroid, especially as they get older. Tessie is 17 and this is her first real problem, but it's very common in Siamese.

Tell Ginger to shape up and get better!

:loveya:

edit: spleen

[Heidi]

145. I think his salt intake is okay

because when I only give him the rare, center portion of roastbeef, and it's so raw ( :gross: ) that it could hardly have had enough cooking time to absorb much salt. :shrug:

I'll tell Ging that his _real mom_ has issued a health decree. :rofl:

Luv,

Heidi, the crazy cat woman of Gambarogno

[REP]

146. It's Probably Fine!

Some deli meats are injected with a salt and favoring solution, but since his problem is mostly FUS, sodium isn't as a big an issue as if he were CKF. Get the sodium content from the deli (they have it - it's on the label the roast comes in) and double check with your vet to make sure because I worry about my kitties! I know kidneys inside out (ew, gross) because of my own kidney failure - it does come in handy because human/feline values and treatment are similar - but I think FUS is less fussy about sodium.

[Name removed]

110. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Missy Vixen]

108. Have I mentioned that I love you, too?

>Perhaps a poll of the Lounge would be useful in determining what that amount would be.<

Yeah, that's going to go well! :rofl:

The cats can't figure out why I'm in hysterics reading this thread!

Julie

[Oeditpus Rex]

116. What can I say?

I just love dramatic irony.

[GalleryGod]

152. I Love where you're at, JULIE!

:hangover: Your Man, in the Faculty Lounge,
Hangin' in the Big Apple today!
:smoke: G.G.

[SoCalDem]

90. My son

i thought the OTHER ring he bought her 4 years ago was "the" engagement ring, but it was apparently the "pre-engagement, engagement ring ($4500.00)..

The REAL engagement ring she's getting in March cost him $9200.00.. (had it specially designed, so she'll have the ONLY one like it)..

My son, the romantic:eyes:

My whole WEDDING did not cost over $200, and that included my wedding dress I got on SALE for $75.00 :)

[Oeditpus Rex]

111. That made me think of something

I've photographed a few weddings, for friends and friends of friends (and one baseball player, but that's another story). I didn't do anything fancy because I'm not a "fancy" photographer — I put standard-sized prints in a generic album for them, then took care of any enlargements they wanted. I'd charge 'em $250-500, depending on how long I had to be there, then tack on the cost of any enlargements.

I know there's huge sentimental value in one's wedding album, and I'm totally NOT dismissing the photographer's skill and time involved, but I've never understood professional portraitists charging $5,000 and up for a wedding shoot. :shrug:

[SoCalDem]

115. We had a friend take pictures at our wedding..

and were even too cheap to buy a wedding album. Our wedding pictures were under plastic sheets inside a plumbing and heating looseleaf binder we found in the garage...for FIFTEEN YEARS..until someone laughed at our wedding album.. I said.. well YOU can buy us one.. they did :)

[politicat]

106. Someone who bought the diamond industry blather bout investment.

The reason a diamond is forever is because you can never get rid of the damn things... They don't appreciate, there's no resale market, and they're pretty crappy as investments.

But the industry has done a fantabulous snow-job on the public about them being secure investments and a hedge against inflation and the like.

And the idiot who blows that much is one who has fallen for the line about 2 months' salary.

My engagement ring was a lovely handmade item we found at an SF convention art room (unique piece, called Binary System, consisted of a 2 carat clear garnet and a 1 carat topaz in an oval setting) for $50. DH (then DB) saw me admire it and surprised me with it a couple of weeks later. My wedding ring is a 120 year old Victorian engagement ring that we found at an antique shop for $300. DH's wedding ring is a 1920's band from the same shop. We used the rest of those two months' salaries to put a down payment on a house.

[Midlodemocrat]

154. I don't know about that.

My ring was purchased for about $6500 back in 1989. My husband has a pretty good eye for gems and such and has always been interested in geology, etc.

It was recently appraised at over $40,000, because it is nearly flawless to 400x magnification, colorless and an exceptional cut.

The jewelry store obviously had no idea what it was truly worth when they sold it to us.

[Buddyblazon]

143. I just gave my Fiance my Grandmothers wedding ring.

The band was worn out and had to be replaced. I found a guy that could make us an updated version of the ring (as it was unique and I couldn't find a premade band that matched). He had a CAD program and used the exact design as it would've looked when my G'Pa gave it to my G'ma back in the 30's.

My Grandfather was working his way through medical school...doing manual labor with the CCC when he proposed to my Grandmother. He was a part of the crew that built Red Rocks Amphitheatre here in Denver. Years later, he became a successful microbiologist. Even though they went from very poor to very wealthy, my Grandmother insisted that she never wanted another ring. He passed in '71...and she had it on her finger when she passed on Halloween of '99.


I told the ringmaker he could use his artistic freedom as long as it was the original look of the one center stone and a heart on either side (with smaller stones in it). He made the ring even more antique looking then the original. Cut a lace pattern underneath the stones. Put little dots of white gold all the way around the hearts (the new X1 white gold). Really did a fantastic job.


In the end, the ring was free. Lots of persuading from me to Mum. The new band was 750$. But I consider that very little considering we have a restored a family heirloom.

My Fiance insisted that I not spend money we didn't have on a gaudy ring that she would not wear (she doesn't like "flash"). She wanted us to put it back into our modest house. She would not only have been angry with me had I purchased a 9000$ dollar ring....she wouldn't have accepted it.

Though we were long engaged when I finally gave her the ring, she was pretty emotional. She knew I was giving her a ring. But she didn't realize I was giving her the most important ring in the family.

[VenusRising]

147. I didn't get an engagement ring.

For our wedding rings, we melted down all my other jewelry that I had gotten over the years and made the bands. We also used the diamonds out of a tennis bracelet I got for graduation as accent diamonds in the rings. Zodiak Ironfist had worked at a jeweler's through high school and as a side job from time to time, so he actually made our rings at the jewelers where he worked. I think we spent less than $10 on stones for the rings on ebay. I love my ring and I wouldn't change it.

[Danger Mouse]

148. Why give a ring when you can give a dick in a box?

:shrug:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

156. 'cause diamonds are forever...

the hardest substance known, even without viagra.

:rofl:

[IronLionZion]

163. but Herpes lasts a lifetime!

[Puglover]

149. Diamonds are so damned ubiquitous

I will never figure out why people buy them when they could buy something cool like an alexandrite, which IMHO is the coolest gem ever.




It's blueish green or teal in sunlight and under incandescent its purply red or sometimes (rarely) ruby red.

[Midlodemocrat]

153. Well, my husband bought me mine, I think, because he

thought it was the thing to do. And, when we were looking, he insisted on seeing the 'big one over there'.

I have to say, it is stunning. I get compliments on it all the time. And, I think it made him happy to give it to me. (He told me that he had the money, he was saving for a boat) :eyes:

[AngryAmish]

155. I spent $6k. Am I 2/3 of a douchbag?

Sapphire not a diamond tho.

[jeffrey_X]

171. I spent $7,000...i've got you beat.

eom

[La Lioness Priyanka]

158. If i had the money i totally would. i have some very expensive pieces of jewellery.

and i love it.

[REP]

173. I'd Love Good Jewelry Even If It Were Cheap!

If a huge source of gemstones, gold and silver were found, making jewelry made of those things worth $5.00 a pound ... well, I'd barely be able to walk due to the weight of what I was wearing. As it is, I have some very nice things, some I got at incredible bargains, some that were given to me and I enjoy them a lot!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

159. What would John Edwards spend? ...

that carbon-spewing, big-house-owning, incandescent-bulb-burning mutha ...

:rofl:

Anyway, for someone who has big bucks, nine grand probably doesn't seem unreasonable. I'll revisit this question if I ever get big bucks.

(by the way, please don't tell anyone on General Discussions that I dissed Edwards. I was just kidding!)

[huskerlaw]

165. Oh damn it,

you beat me to it!

[ScreamingMeemie]

160. Many, many genuine people. In fact more genuine than many of those

posting on this thread. If they want to do that I say go for it. My brother spent $25,000 thousand dollars on his wife's ring ( I think it was something like that) because he fell in love with the way she breathed "ooohhh" when she saw it. It is stupid for us to presume what motivates a person and even stupider to judge them for something that doesn't concern us.

And, no, MrG bought my ring (on sale! half off!) for $1000 for the set. I cherish them because he picked them out. That's what was important to ME.

[huskerlaw]

164. Seriously. They should be using that money

to buy John Edwards some politically correct lightbulbs.

:sarcasm:

What the hell is the deal with people thinking they have the right to dictate how people spend their money? Are people who spend $9000 on a car also douchebags? After all, they could ride a bike. What about people who send their kids to private school? Are they douchebags because obviously the state school is a better value?

Someday I hope to be perfect. It must be fun to be able to point out the perceived faults of others without looking like a hypocritical...wait for it...douchebag.

[Karenca]

185. hey ....

:thumbsup:


Thanks.

[IronLionZion]

167. I certainly wouldn't want to marry someone who wants an expensive ring

There are so many better things to spend money on, vacations, a house or car, education, children, etc.

If she needs an expensive ring, then I don't need her because that kind of shallow materialism would make for a very unhappy marriage IMHO. But maybe that's why I'm single. ;-) When my buddy's fiance dumped him, he bought himself a new plasma TV and he seems happy.

Fuck de Beers. I hated them long before "Blood Diamond" came out. If I do find a girl worthy of a diamond, I'll go through a lot of trouble to make sure it's not from de Beers. I'll try to find a North American rough diamond and have it cut to my specs if I can. Of course she would be socially responsible so she would understand.

[slutticus]

169. I would.

Isn't $9,000 kinda cheap?

[seriousstan]

174. I am such a douche bag. I bought both my wife and I better diamonds than this.

Fuck you.

[Gormy Cuss]

178. To anyone who is interested in the history, please read the story of DeBeers

and how it created the perception of value for a gem that isn't particularly rare. "A diamond is forever" was a calculated marketing pitch. It was so successful that many people do value diamonds with a sentiment that far exceeds their actual financial value. It's ingrained in our culture that diamonds are THE gem of lovers. If as some have predicted in recent years the DeBeers/DTC monopoly on the diamond market is eroded, the value of jewelry diamonds may be diminished.

IMHO, the sentimental value probably won't change unless the price of a diamond gets down to the cubic zirconia range. I don't understand going in hock for an engagement ring or wedding set but it matters that much to some people.

[dysfunctional press]

181. $9,000 is NOT an outrageous price for an engagement ring.

plenty of people spend LOTS more than that even.

[dropkickpa]

182. That's half of my yearly take home salary (after taxes

benefits, etc).

The differences in what people consider a good standard of living are staggering.

[Burma Jones]

183. The one I gave my wife was free...family heirloom, from 1870-ish

Our wedding bands were my Grandparents' The wedding ring my wife wears was my Grandmother's, she turns 100 this May.....

My wife's family is wealthy - New York wealthy - so no amount of cash spent on a ring would have meant as much as these heirlooms have.

My Father in Law was born Jewish in Nazi Germany, the family got out shortly after Krystallnacht. Money is no substitute for acceptance and love, whether spending loads of cash means something or not to any particular person is their own business.

[NewJeffCT]

184. So, am I a bad person for planning on getting my wife a new car for her birthday?

We've both worked hard to get where we are today - especially my wife, who had a crappy job when we got married, but is now doing very well for herself career-wise. I'm not going to buy her a Rolls Royce, or even an SUV, but it will be something with 4 wheel/all wheel drive because she is not comfortable driving in snowy conditions and her current car is 5 1/2 years old and has around 115K miles on it.

But, I only spent $500 for her engagement ring 5 1/2 years ago - and, it was 2nd hand because we bought it off of an older friend of hers at the time.

That said, if somebody wants to spend $5 or $500 or $50,000 on an engagement ring, that's their business if they have the money to spend. Was the thread critcizing Ben Affleck for reportedly spending well over a million for a ring for J-Lo as long as this one? Or, Barbra Streisand for buying a multi-million home on the beach in Naples, FL?

However, I don't think there should be a requirement that a man spend X amount of dollars for an engagement ring.

[jakefrep]

186. For $9K, you better get the fucking Hope diamond

Any woman who would demand that crap for her engagement isn't worth my attention.

[Strawman]

187. I'm thinking about how much fudge I could buy with $9K

Mmm. Fudge.

[Phillycat]

189. OH MY GOD, GET OUT OF MY HEAD.

[enigmatic]

190. I don't care

It's about up there w/ Yakov Smirnoff's career for relevance in my life.