I don't know when it happened but I have become obsessesd with bling. I mean, I all of a sudden NEED diamonds in my life. Of course no average sized diamond will do, so I've been researching how to get the biggest stones for the buck. For the moment obiously fake shiny baubles have made for a suitable stand in, they are shiny and fun.
But how to get the same sizes and same shine without having to save for the rest of my life?
Plus I really don't like the idea of the lives and limbs lost mining the diamonds or Debeers near criminal stranglehold on the industry and artificial "rarity" of diamonds. I am even bothered by the notion that only a diamond can signify love devotion and fidelity-dont get it twisted no man of mine would be fool enough to ask my hand without a ring that had a substantial stone, but does he love me less if that stone is an emerald? Or a pearl? Who said that a diamond specifically had to be used? DeBeers. Even with that reservation I do think that I would prefer that the ring that I wear for the rest of my life to signify that I am hitched in fact be a diamond.
A couple years ago, while in law school and in love and contemplating the very real possibility of marrying someone, I started researching DeBeers alternatives, and discovered the then fledgling industry of man made diamonds. The science had very recently been refined and was just beginning to be used in the creation of jewelry.
Fastforward a few years I'm dolo and the science has been perfected and is being used in a variety of applications not just jewelry. As we all know natural diamonds are made as a result of years of intense pressure and the confluence of the necessary elements, temperature, pressure and time. Like darn near all else, science has figured out a way to replicate all those variables in a lab and create/"grow" diamonds with the same properties as near flawless natural diamonds (same light refraction, can cut glass etc) in a fraction of the time it takes to grow in nature and at a fraction of the cost.
I'm all in.
Diamondnexuslabs.com
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Activism
I have had a lovely weekend. My state of mind feels good.
Friday I had drinks with some lovely ladies in downtown Long Beach. There was no occasion, no reason for our gathering other than to unwind and discuss our strikingly similar current states of being. What is it about someone telling a life story that sounds like yours that is so comforting? If I wasn't watching the words come out of their mouths I would have thought that I was talking. I think there is solace in knowing that smart, beautiful, self confident, God fearing women just like you sometimes fall into the same traps, same situations, and same weaknesses...we're not bad people, not dumb, not terrible miscreants...just women, just trying to find our way.
Saturday I went to the Alumni Board meeting. I felt like such a grown up sitting on a board and all! I was very concerned about how I was supposed to be dressed, whether it was a business casual affair with a bunch of stuffy old ppl or whether it would be in true Pitzer fashion. I should have known it would be Pitzer affair-totally casual. We went around the table to introduce ourselves and discuss what it is we are doing, and what we carried with us most from our experience at Pitzer. I love my job and have always been proud of what I have accomplished in my short life. After about the third person in telling their story and what they were doing with their lives, I felt like I had done nothing. My life was a waste, and I didn't deserve to sit with these people who had made it their lifes mission to sacrifice themselves on behalf of others and actually lived what they believed. Then there I realized the president of the board is a partner at a firm with over 3500 attorneys and I realized that on the scale of good and evil he was WAY closer to complete and utter evil then I am. :) But it was just like my days at Pitzer. Everyone was hugging trees, protesting, locking themselves in buildings etc, and while I supported the causes I wasn't interested in taking the president's office hostage, I had things to do, classes to attend, lunches to have with professors etc. But I cannot say that I have or will be as socially conscious as I was at Pitzer. There was not a topic I didn't have an opinion on, not a day that I didn't nearly shed a tear over Africa, the poor, the environment, animals, and/or a myriad of other topics. It was indeed tiring keeping up with all the conspiracies in the world. But I was educated about the world, I knew what was going on. I miss that to an extent. It was woeful and overwhelming at times but I felt informed, and with that information I could at least THINK about doing something.
Anyhow being back on campus and with other alum reminded me of all the reasons I loved Pitzer, and brought back lots of memories. I am so glad that I chose there to attend. The school has been in the news lately for a class that is being taught on and about YouTube. I love the freedom that Pitzer allows its faculty and students to pursue topics and courses of study that are outside the mainstream.
Sunday was pretty chill, I discovered a new wine bar in Long Beach where hopefully my book club and I will be able to have our next meeting. And I didn't shop which was a feat in of itself cause lord knows I wanted to. This girl right here might have an addiction problem! :)
Friday I had drinks with some lovely ladies in downtown Long Beach. There was no occasion, no reason for our gathering other than to unwind and discuss our strikingly similar current states of being. What is it about someone telling a life story that sounds like yours that is so comforting? If I wasn't watching the words come out of their mouths I would have thought that I was talking. I think there is solace in knowing that smart, beautiful, self confident, God fearing women just like you sometimes fall into the same traps, same situations, and same weaknesses...we're not bad people, not dumb, not terrible miscreants...just women, just trying to find our way.
Saturday I went to the Alumni Board meeting. I felt like such a grown up sitting on a board and all! I was very concerned about how I was supposed to be dressed, whether it was a business casual affair with a bunch of stuffy old ppl or whether it would be in true Pitzer fashion. I should have known it would be Pitzer affair-totally casual. We went around the table to introduce ourselves and discuss what it is we are doing, and what we carried with us most from our experience at Pitzer. I love my job and have always been proud of what I have accomplished in my short life. After about the third person in telling their story and what they were doing with their lives, I felt like I had done nothing. My life was a waste, and I didn't deserve to sit with these people who had made it their lifes mission to sacrifice themselves on behalf of others and actually lived what they believed. Then there I realized the president of the board is a partner at a firm with over 3500 attorneys and I realized that on the scale of good and evil he was WAY closer to complete and utter evil then I am. :) But it was just like my days at Pitzer. Everyone was hugging trees, protesting, locking themselves in buildings etc, and while I supported the causes I wasn't interested in taking the president's office hostage, I had things to do, classes to attend, lunches to have with professors etc. But I cannot say that I have or will be as socially conscious as I was at Pitzer. There was not a topic I didn't have an opinion on, not a day that I didn't nearly shed a tear over Africa, the poor, the environment, animals, and/or a myriad of other topics. It was indeed tiring keeping up with all the conspiracies in the world. But I was educated about the world, I knew what was going on. I miss that to an extent. It was woeful and overwhelming at times but I felt informed, and with that information I could at least THINK about doing something.
Anyhow being back on campus and with other alum reminded me of all the reasons I loved Pitzer, and brought back lots of memories. I am so glad that I chose there to attend. The school has been in the news lately for a class that is being taught on and about YouTube. I love the freedom that Pitzer allows its faculty and students to pursue topics and courses of study that are outside the mainstream.
Sunday was pretty chill, I discovered a new wine bar in Long Beach where hopefully my book club and I will be able to have our next meeting. And I didn't shop which was a feat in of itself cause lord knows I wanted to. This girl right here might have an addiction problem! :)
Friday, October 19, 2007
Lovely San Francisco
Once again I had to travel to SF for a court appearance. The weather was surprisingly warm and wonderful.
Something about being in San Francisco makes me need to buy something. I need to eat at delicious resturants and I need to buy things. I think its the fog, or maybe the fresh air coming off the water that whispers "Go to Union Square...buy something cute..."
So as soon as court was over (nevermind the fact that it was the most useless court appearance I have ever been too, it lasted all of 20 minutes, though I could have left about 2 minutes in after they passed out what was essentially the Judges rulings) I ran out and caught a cab to Union Square. I had intended to try some local restuarant, but it was 2:30 and I hadn't eaten all day and couldn't be bothered to try to discover a tasty place to eat, so I went to my old favorite Cheese Cake Factory and had a delicious lunch. There were two men sitting near me and one was a bit effeminate and so I mentally declared them to be gay and on a date. As I overheard their convo (yes I was eavesdropping, I was eating alone, what else was I supposed to be doing?) turns out one of them was recently married and they were collegues, or old classmates or perhaps even relatives. The point was they weren't gay, or at least one of them wasn't, and I thought about how sad it is that I see two men eating together and I automatically peg them as homosexuals. Granted its SF so I guess I would always lead toward that supposition, but still its sad.
After lunch I hit up nearly all 8 floors of the Macy's Woman's Store...some lipstick and boots later, I headed over to H&M. All in all I didn't do too much damage. But it was a lovely day. And this time I made friends with some lovely ladies while I was boot shopping, Yvette and her friend.
My friend S left work early to grab a drink with me. She is always a highlight of my trips north. She is actually dating someone that she calls her "boyfriend" they have moved in together. He has a kid that he keeps every other weekend or some such, they have just turned into a regular little family. Which is nuts to me. S is NOT the "boyfriend" kind, definitely not a live in boyfriend type, and most assuredly not a stepmom...she redeemed herself as the S I know and love when she said that she told the BF that his daughter couldn't come over until she was over head lice. Head lice??!!?? There is no cure or vaccine for that yet? I didn't know ppl still got that, is she going to come up with Rubella and Whopping Cough next? She said its all good with this new life, but the kid does complicate things, and although shes nice to her, S is not interested in being mommy #2. Another friend of mine is dating a guy with kids. I guess we're at that age where the men in our lives are more prone to come complete with kids. I have always been against the "just add Jennifer ready made family". But it is a reality of our age I guess.
So i'm headed out to grab a drink with a friend. Tomorrow I am attending my first meeting with my undergrad as a member of the board of alumni, and movie night with J. Should be a good weekend. Take it easy folks.
Something about being in San Francisco makes me need to buy something. I need to eat at delicious resturants and I need to buy things. I think its the fog, or maybe the fresh air coming off the water that whispers "Go to Union Square...buy something cute..."
So as soon as court was over (nevermind the fact that it was the most useless court appearance I have ever been too, it lasted all of 20 minutes, though I could have left about 2 minutes in after they passed out what was essentially the Judges rulings) I ran out and caught a cab to Union Square. I had intended to try some local restuarant, but it was 2:30 and I hadn't eaten all day and couldn't be bothered to try to discover a tasty place to eat, so I went to my old favorite Cheese Cake Factory and had a delicious lunch. There were two men sitting near me and one was a bit effeminate and so I mentally declared them to be gay and on a date. As I overheard their convo (yes I was eavesdropping, I was eating alone, what else was I supposed to be doing?) turns out one of them was recently married and they were collegues, or old classmates or perhaps even relatives. The point was they weren't gay, or at least one of them wasn't, and I thought about how sad it is that I see two men eating together and I automatically peg them as homosexuals. Granted its SF so I guess I would always lead toward that supposition, but still its sad.
After lunch I hit up nearly all 8 floors of the Macy's Woman's Store...some lipstick and boots later, I headed over to H&M. All in all I didn't do too much damage. But it was a lovely day. And this time I made friends with some lovely ladies while I was boot shopping, Yvette and her friend.
My friend S left work early to grab a drink with me. She is always a highlight of my trips north. She is actually dating someone that she calls her "boyfriend" they have moved in together. He has a kid that he keeps every other weekend or some such, they have just turned into a regular little family. Which is nuts to me. S is NOT the "boyfriend" kind, definitely not a live in boyfriend type, and most assuredly not a stepmom...she redeemed herself as the S I know and love when she said that she told the BF that his daughter couldn't come over until she was over head lice. Head lice??!!?? There is no cure or vaccine for that yet? I didn't know ppl still got that, is she going to come up with Rubella and Whopping Cough next? She said its all good with this new life, but the kid does complicate things, and although shes nice to her, S is not interested in being mommy #2. Another friend of mine is dating a guy with kids. I guess we're at that age where the men in our lives are more prone to come complete with kids. I have always been against the "just add Jennifer ready made family". But it is a reality of our age I guess.
So i'm headed out to grab a drink with a friend. Tomorrow I am attending my first meeting with my undergrad as a member of the board of alumni, and movie night with J. Should be a good weekend. Take it easy folks.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Good
I had a good night last night. Heroes was good, even Chuck was entertaining. I went grocery shopping. I've spent the past week or so cursing myself for being unable to satisfy my hunger or thirst in my own house. The thirst I thought was especially bad...I would get home and be like dang there is nothing in this house to drink!! And threaten to go to 7-11 but never make it and the next day replay the same scene. So I went to the grocery store last night and may have over done it on the drink front...But I was very hype about my savings with my Ralph's card! I now have food and PLENTY of beverages.
I also got to turn my brain off last night...I didn't think about anything, not work, none of my stressors, it was a free night. I also decided that I was deserving of an exhorbenantly expensive trip to the spa at the W. That body scrub makes life worth living, and if its wrong I have no interest in being right. Sadly I just don't have the time block right now to do it. For that much money I plan to use their facilities ALL day.
I'm really excited to be going to SF tomorrow, my friend S is available for dinner, I'll have some time to wander around the city...yippee.
I feel good today. I think its cause I got some things off my chest. Not enough with one and perhaps a little too much with another.
Some new favorite things of mine:
Air Force Ones-darn near obsessed.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini...wonderful, wonderful book. Its by the same author as The Kite Runner, a book I went to lend the other day and realized I didn't have it any longer....wonder why...
dangerousnegro.com-I like the message, i like what they are about. I want to buy some of thier stuff.
Blackberry Curve for TMobile-This device has singlehandedly changed my life. I am a better, wiser, more understanding person all thanks to this phone...ok not really, but its an excellent phone.
MAC lip conditioner-when my purse got stolen it was this that I missed most. It is hands down the best chapstick I have ever used, and I am obsessed with moist lips. (ok I just wrote that and know that it has no other connatation, but still I feel a little dirty for writing it. lol. its something about the word moist...someone I know hates that word...)
Cover Girl Multiplying Waterproof Mascara-I can't remember my eyelashes ever looking so long! ppl keep asking me what i'm using, I finally looked at the packaging the other day, I don't even remember buying it as it is not my usual brand. But it is working for me!
The new Little Brother album "Get Back"-its super fantastic. Pick it up 10/23...
And I think that is it...
I also got to turn my brain off last night...I didn't think about anything, not work, none of my stressors, it was a free night. I also decided that I was deserving of an exhorbenantly expensive trip to the spa at the W. That body scrub makes life worth living, and if its wrong I have no interest in being right. Sadly I just don't have the time block right now to do it. For that much money I plan to use their facilities ALL day.
I'm really excited to be going to SF tomorrow, my friend S is available for dinner, I'll have some time to wander around the city...yippee.
I feel good today. I think its cause I got some things off my chest. Not enough with one and perhaps a little too much with another.
Some new favorite things of mine:
Air Force Ones-darn near obsessed.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini...wonderful, wonderful book. Its by the same author as The Kite Runner, a book I went to lend the other day and realized I didn't have it any longer....wonder why...
dangerousnegro.com-I like the message, i like what they are about. I want to buy some of thier stuff.
Blackberry Curve for TMobile-This device has singlehandedly changed my life. I am a better, wiser, more understanding person all thanks to this phone...ok not really, but its an excellent phone.
MAC lip conditioner-when my purse got stolen it was this that I missed most. It is hands down the best chapstick I have ever used, and I am obsessed with moist lips. (ok I just wrote that and know that it has no other connatation, but still I feel a little dirty for writing it. lol. its something about the word moist...someone I know hates that word...)
Cover Girl Multiplying Waterproof Mascara-I can't remember my eyelashes ever looking so long! ppl keep asking me what i'm using, I finally looked at the packaging the other day, I don't even remember buying it as it is not my usual brand. But it is working for me!
The new Little Brother album "Get Back"-its super fantastic. Pick it up 10/23...
And I think that is it...
Monday, October 15, 2007
Hellllooooo....
So i've been away for a while. Busy with work, busy in my own head and not much interested in writing or computers, or words, or punctuation after long days of law and motion.
I got drafted to participate in planning the dinner dance of the young lawyers division of the ABA, they have 50k to spend on this party. 50k that is nuts. We're thinking oscar/golden globe theme, red carpet, papparazzi, at either the beverly hilton or at one of the studios, sony, warner brothers etc...it should be a fun event, hopefully it will be nice. Its exciting to plan something with such a big budget at all these LA fab places.
Ok, TI...seriously...you thought this entire situation was a good idea huh...and BET...among the myriad of your sins...the Jena 6 boys as celebrity presenters....really...yeah thats what they need.
I had one of my first ethical decisions to make at work today. Whether to sign, with his permission, the name of an attorney to a sworn document. The signature attests to the specific attorney swearing under oath and threat of perjury that what is written is true. While he gave me his permission to sign his name...it didn't feel right, I wasn't quite comfortable doing it. In the end I filed the document with the court unsigned and he said that it is always my option whether to sign or not. I think its better this way...he won't expect me to do it in the future and I won't lose my license to practice...i need that license, I got bills yo.
I'm headed to SF on Wed gotta hit up my SF friend since he is the only person I know up there that doesn't have a job and can meet me at a moments notice. Maybe I'll shop while i'm up there....hmmmmm....
The Ghost would like to come up here to take me to dinner this week, he is on vacation.
Speaking of pressed this other dude is doing the most. "when can i see you" "call me sometime" "when you get a minute..." so irritating. If I don't call its for a reason, i'm busy or I just don't want to talk to you...leave me be!
I went out the other night for the first time in a really long time. I danced hard, drank, and generally had a good time. It was nice to be out surrounded by music around other people dancing and having a good time.
Tonight is the first night in a couple weeks that I didn't have to come home and work. I've watched Tivo, and had a delicious jack daniels and cran...its time for me to take it down for the night....
I got drafted to participate in planning the dinner dance of the young lawyers division of the ABA, they have 50k to spend on this party. 50k that is nuts. We're thinking oscar/golden globe theme, red carpet, papparazzi, at either the beverly hilton or at one of the studios, sony, warner brothers etc...it should be a fun event, hopefully it will be nice. Its exciting to plan something with such a big budget at all these LA fab places.
Ok, TI...seriously...you thought this entire situation was a good idea huh...and BET...among the myriad of your sins...the Jena 6 boys as celebrity presenters....really...yeah thats what they need.
I had one of my first ethical decisions to make at work today. Whether to sign, with his permission, the name of an attorney to a sworn document. The signature attests to the specific attorney swearing under oath and threat of perjury that what is written is true. While he gave me his permission to sign his name...it didn't feel right, I wasn't quite comfortable doing it. In the end I filed the document with the court unsigned and he said that it is always my option whether to sign or not. I think its better this way...he won't expect me to do it in the future and I won't lose my license to practice...i need that license, I got bills yo.
I'm headed to SF on Wed gotta hit up my SF friend since he is the only person I know up there that doesn't have a job and can meet me at a moments notice. Maybe I'll shop while i'm up there....hmmmmm....
The Ghost would like to come up here to take me to dinner this week, he is on vacation.
Speaking of pressed this other dude is doing the most. "when can i see you" "call me sometime" "when you get a minute..." so irritating. If I don't call its for a reason, i'm busy or I just don't want to talk to you...leave me be!
I went out the other night for the first time in a really long time. I danced hard, drank, and generally had a good time. It was nice to be out surrounded by music around other people dancing and having a good time.
Tonight is the first night in a couple weeks that I didn't have to come home and work. I've watched Tivo, and had a delicious jack daniels and cran...its time for me to take it down for the night....
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