Day off

Today is a day for peace and reflection. Also a day off from school, so I don't anticipate much of either but so be it. I'm sure Dr. King would appreciate the thought anyway.

M & I watched "Blood Diamond" (one of my "Must See" movies) this weekend on the new big-ass TV. Yes I know it came out in 2006 and yes it has been on my list all this time. It was an awesome movie and very thought-provoking. Many years ago, my bro-in-law and I had a really interesting conversation about conflict diamonds and the world market's role in perpetuating the demand for them and the ruthless tactics used by the govts. and companies (specifically DeBeers) involved in mining them. Even more heinous are the absolutely disgusting marketing tactics that they use to convince us to buy their goods. I've never bought into the whole "three months of salary" guideline for diamonds because I just don't get the idea of a dollar amount or price tag being placed on love. I'm pretty sure that M loves me more than three months salary and I'm much more moved by the history behind my ring. Even worse diamond marketing were those horrible ads with the couple walking along in some piazza (I think we're supposed to think they're in Europe) and she is getting all embarrassed over something he's saying like "I love this woman" UNTIL he presents her with the Big Ring and then she gets all gushy and affectionate. Don't even get me started on the more recent "journey" necklaces which I truly DO NOT understand at all. I guess they're pretty necklaces, but the commercials are ludicrous and I think it's weird to market what should be a very personal piece of jewelry. But don't get me wrong, I like jewelry as much as the next girl, but it's the marketing and commercialism that get me. And, if we were to ever buy a piece of diamond jewelry, I would want to make sure that it was NOT a conflict diamond and that the company that we get it from did not support the trade of such.

OK, so that's my Monday Morning Rant. Go see the movie if you haven't yet.