A 1.81 ct engagement ring *may* not be enough for her

I just wanted to share this - I thought it was too funny! There is this diamond website called
Pricescope where all the women go to talk about (and show off) their engagement rings, and as I've always been interested in diamonds, I love browsing the site.

Anyhoo, I stumbled upon this post from a 25-yr-old girl, I believe she's in NYC, who wasn't sure if she was happy with her ring because it was only 1.81 ct, but the stats were perfect, it was a hearts and arrow cut!

Here's the link:
Spoiled much?

Isn't it hilarious! The responses were especially funny - she does need a good reality check. I do love looking at diamonds, but I don't have one. When hubby and I decided to get married, I told him that I'd rather put the money into our businesss (which in hindsight...). I've always disliked the comparing factor between women and their diamond rings. Some think it means he loves you more, that it must be 3x monthly salary (prorated with bonus or not always leads to a lively discussion), etc etc etc.

I suppose living in such an expensive city and running with what I'm assuming to be a more wealthy crowd has clouded her vision of what's important. But it is pretty sad that she is actually disappointed at the size of her ring. If hubby showed up with that one day, I would probably get so excited that I'd and pass out, and then freak out at how much money he just "wasted".

I found it so strange this week that Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, JP Morgan and Citigroup posted significant gains. How could any of this have been possible without government bailout money? Shouldn't there have been some accounting stipulation requiring them to break out TARP money in their earnings statements? Or did it just go on their books as a loan?

I'm glad that things are slowly stabilizing. Just cautious and wondering, I guess. This recesssion has taught me to be so careful and wary about everything.

On another note, I was talking with my co-workers today about legalizing marijuana. Why isn't it legal yet? Bringing it into the mainstream would help close the budget gap with the sales tax income, as well as create some opportunities. I don't smoke myself, but I have some friends who do, and they are not at all stereotypical potheads. On the contrary, they're quite successful, driven, and only smoke recreationally. It's like drinking, really. Everything in moderation. Of course there will be idiots who overuse, just like idiots who overdrink.

California, you're passing out freaking IOUs! For such a "liberal" state, I'm disappointed. First Prop 8 didn't pass, and now we can't legalize something that would help bring in revenue. My goodness. California sucks.

Lease finally renegotiated

We finally have a revised lease for the restaurant. Not sure why the landlord kept thinking that we're not in a recession, especially since they're a huge landlord, but what can you do. We were able to cut 1/3 of our rent, which is huge.

I feel so much more relieved now, knowing that we will be able to make the rent. The threat of having to file bankruptcy had weighed so heavily on me for the past year or more - you feel so depressed that everything you've worked so hard for is going to be taken away. Now that we're settling on the past due balance and have a lower rent going forward, I'm no longer afraid. I am so motivated again and ready to market and throw everything into the process.

I feel stuck between having a well-paying day job and focusing on the restaurant and our side business. The obvious answer would be to focus on the businesses that you own, but it's easier said than done, especially since none are making enough money for me (or hubby) to quit. It's especially because I'm so close to six figures, and it's a nice-sounding job, great on the resume, well-respected company. And it definitely helps to have a steady paycheck direct deposited into your account biweekly. But then, to be your own boss, how great is that? Especially if you ALREADY HAVE ONE and just to focus on it?

What to do, what to do...

Shopping tip

I just found this out recently from a co-worker - Target donates furniture and other items they aren't able to sell to Goodwill. I've gone to check out my local Goodwill several times in the past month, and it's true! I saw a cute pillow that was in Target sometime last year, but didn't feel like shelling out $20 for it - and was able to pick it up for $4. Good find.

You know that website,
Bag Borrow or Steal ? I think it's the perfect example or what's wrong with society today. Why do you need to rent a bag? Who are you proving anything to? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

As much as I love hadbags myself, it's like you're faking the funk. You have to know where to draw the line. It's pretty simple to me - if you can't afford it, then you don't need to buy it, let alone "borrow" it for a few weeks to prove something to people that you don't know and probably wouldn't even like.

Okay, rant over.