Ti-what?

Ahhh the much dreaded end of Labour Day weekend is drawing to a close and of course with the weather I'm experiencing the SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and PVS (post vacation syndrome) and whatnot. On the other hand V is thriving in the crisp autumn weather and getting giddy for the upcoming football season. Well at least one of us loves it.

So the condo hunt this weekend is another fail... while we did have more criteria to narrow the selections down, which means that nothing is going to be found anytime soon.  On the other hand I'm still on my quest of happiness trying to find out what causes all my SAD and PVS...

The weekend is slow and relaxing, mostly reading and cooking and walking around. Meeting up with old friends and BBQ'ing with V's parents. One of our buds went to NYC this weekend with a long-time girlfriend and made a stop at the big T (Tiffany's) - and tried to keep their lower jaws secured while trying on rings and asking about prices. These things go for $30K+.... is this the price range we're looking now to express whatever eternal love? I gotta say this is the most successful marketing schtick ever.

Sure there's the very childish and shallow side of me, the same side that makes me want to get a nicer computer or something, that wants a respectfully sized ring, but this is a dangerous game we are playing. Working in an industry where millions are referred to as "dollars", there's simply a distorted vision of what respectful means. That stupid rule of thumb that says you need to get a ring worth the man's three months salary is ridiculous. But then you almost feel pressured to keep up lest be judged as cheap. When it becomes this kind of a game ("Well I'm gonna prove I'm not afraid to spend on her and she's worth it") it's pretty darn sad. I certainly  hope I'm worth more than a rock...

My parents don't even have rings and they've been married for 36 years and counting - sure there has been up and downs and some near misses, and it's not all perfect (one can argue that it only made the 36 years seem even more like forever). It's symbolic, and a nice gesture, to have rings and to exchange them - but what is the point of the engagement ring - wouldn't the wedding band itself be enough?

Anyhow, when our buddy jokingly said yeah, what if you get a thousand dollar ring, I didn't know what to answer and just laughed. But that is a good question - wouldn't that be enough?