hello. Amazingly, I do still exist! I've had too much of a life to post anything recently. And I've become too uninteligent to write properly anyhow. Anyways... Today I went to a gem show with my dad's co-worker's wife Kathy (a mouthful... but she's a nice, no, make that wonderful, lady.) And I bought more than I can really afford (but not TOO much more) and had lunch and starbucks on her and dinner on my dad and generally lived riotously. Frivolity is so exciting. :-p I could almost pretend that I'm rich.. sometimes.. They had such lovely stuff there. I got an opal ring with diamonds (although unfortunately it was very hot in there so my fingers were swollen and now I have to wear it on a different finger), dichroic glass set in silver, and two strands of aventurine gemstone... and over two hundred bucks goes bye-bye... but that's the price you pay. I usually waste my money on clothes, so at least these will last longer. There were so many other things there that I would have loved... nice 3-D white gold earrings ($75 was a bit much for me.. too bad they weren't silver..), large pearls, green amber, high quality jade rubies and sapphires (now we're talking thousands.. heh... forget it!!). All gorgeous. Some nice estate jewelry too. That stuff has character. I like things that pack a punch- either of high quality or unusual style. Preferrably both. Sometimes, I love being just completely vain, materialistic, and aesthetically-minded in the most picky way. It's fun. I have taste and style and it's fun to be able to show it off. Almost like a hobby for me. It's durned expensive though.. and I suppose a little shallow... but hey! I'm human, and, more importantly, I'm woman! (Yes, yes, awful grammar, syntax, and everything else I'm sure. But it's my diary.) :-P If I had a decent job things would be much more reasonable. Oh well. But enough of that. The buzz is starting to wear off and my fingers hurt a bit.. so.. until next time!! P.S. I got my ears re-pierced last week so they'll be ready in time for my sister's wedding. It's exciting! I've never been part of a wedding before. looking forward! :) oh goodness coffe makes me blather so...