(no subject)
This afternoon I'm schleppin off to an engagement party for one of my oldest friends. It will be a happy occasion for her. I am happy for her. No, truly I am. But the whole thing puts me in a heated rage.
Now this might be because I am a bitter, single, envious and resentful person. I think it might well have something to do with that. But this friend, well. She's rather startled me by changing dramatically. As a young lady, she was bolshy. As a student, she was a hardcore feminist theorist, ran rings around her adoring boyfriends, scorned me loudly for having my legs waxed one day, sported long filthy dreadlocks and ranted merrily about anti-feminist institutions like marriage. Now she is utterly groomed, has a regular arm-pit-waxing appointment, likes to go buying bathroom fittings with her bloke, spends hundreds of dollars on her hair, got a spray-tan once, and is not only getting married, but going the whole hog: the official announcment, the gala engagement party, the designer wedding frock, and the nice-but-with-a-personality-like-plain-spaghetti fiance. I am happy for her, but the photo series that came with the engagement party email (one of the two of them grinning smugly/happily; one of glossy wine glasses holding a nice chardonnay; and a third close-up of the engagement ring) made me nearly spit out teeth.
NOW I find I have to give her a PRESENT TOO -- just for getting engaged! Engaged??? I am ENRAGED!!
What the fuck is this?? I don't get presents for being single! I don't get presents for meeting a boyfriend or breaking up with him! I don't get presents! Why the fuck does she get presents just for hosting a day in which she gets to be smug and congratulated? This seems MOST UNJUST.
Anyway. I shan't go on about it. I shan't spoil her day by sharing my horror at the triumph of bourgeoisism that has apparently overtaken her. But I have to choose a present.
All this above ranting is really a lead-up to the question: leather-bound photo albums, as a present in the era of digital photos -- an antediluvian waste of money, or a nice gift that isn't snarky?
It's either that or some $1.50 recycled glass Moroccan tea glasses.
Or a copy of an old Rage Against the Machine cd. Hahahah. *chokes*
Now this might be because I am a bitter, single, envious and resentful person. I think it might well have something to do with that. But this friend, well. She's rather startled me by changing dramatically. As a young lady, she was bolshy. As a student, she was a hardcore feminist theorist, ran rings around her adoring boyfriends, scorned me loudly for having my legs waxed one day, sported long filthy dreadlocks and ranted merrily about anti-feminist institutions like marriage. Now she is utterly groomed, has a regular arm-pit-waxing appointment, likes to go buying bathroom fittings with her bloke, spends hundreds of dollars on her hair, got a spray-tan once, and is not only getting married, but going the whole hog: the official announcment, the gala engagement party, the designer wedding frock, and the nice-but-with-a-personality-like-plain-spaghetti fiance. I am happy for her, but the photo series that came with the engagement party email (one of the two of them grinning smugly/happily; one of glossy wine glasses holding a nice chardonnay; and a third close-up of the engagement ring) made me nearly spit out teeth.
NOW I find I have to give her a PRESENT TOO -- just for getting engaged! Engaged??? I am ENRAGED!!
What the fuck is this?? I don't get presents for being single! I don't get presents for meeting a boyfriend or breaking up with him! I don't get presents! Why the fuck does she get presents just for hosting a day in which she gets to be smug and congratulated? This seems MOST UNJUST.
Anyway. I shan't go on about it. I shan't spoil her day by sharing my horror at the triumph of bourgeoisism that has apparently overtaken her. But I have to choose a present.
All this above ranting is really a lead-up to the question: leather-bound photo albums, as a present in the era of digital photos -- an antediluvian waste of money, or a nice gift that isn't snarky?
It's either that or some $1.50 recycled glass Moroccan tea glasses.
Or a copy of an old Rage Against the Machine cd. Hahahah. *chokes*