LASIK Update

I went in today for my LASIK pre-op measurements at the Surgi-Eye Center on Wilshire. First I sat and endured a 7 minute video highlighting all of the things that could possibly go wrong with the procedure. It was called the "consent video". At the end of the video, I had to fill out a quiz to make sure that I was paying attention.

Let's just say I almost stood up and walked out at that point.

All of a sudden I was faced with questions such as:
What if the doctor cuts my flap wrong?
What if my flap falls off?
What if incorrect measurements are taken of my eye?
What if I still need glasses after the surgery?
What if my flap doesn't heal?

Then I decided once and for all to push those questions out of my mind and focus on a life free of glasses and contacts, a life full of waking up in the middle of the night to view the clock in 20/20 vision. I went on with the rest of my appointment and sat patiently while they measured my cornea, pupil size, prescription, pressure, and other goodie things. The optometrist told me that even though they were going to dilate my eyes, that I wouldn't need a driver, so I drove myself. Bad idea. My eyes were really dry this morning because of the weather and the dilating drops made them worse. I had to drive with my eyes 85% closed because my eyes were too sensitive to the light. Good thing I lived just down the street, although it took me almost a 30 minute drive (of about a half mile down one street with stop signs) because I had to keep pulling over and slow down at each intersection trying to figure out whether there was a stop sign or not.

Well, anyhoo, I still can't wait til next Friday.

Bling

Model Tomoko Misawa shows off the alleged world's most valuable diamond in Tokyo Friday, Oct. 1, 2004. The diamond is certified as 100-carat, D-color and flawless and will be on a special display at a Tokyo department store with a price tag of 2.94 billion yen (US$26.6 million) from Oct. 9. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)

pass it on

be a friend, tell a friend. share the joy. warehouse sale, oct 17th. 70% off marc jacobs, bcbg, theory, juicy, blah blah too much to mention. and, we take plastic!

for info and directions: http://www.blvdstores.com
please share with all your friends :) this is seriously going to be THE shopping event of the year so please, be prepared.

thanks, sheena.

p.s. if you are a boy, kindly forward this message to girls. esp those who love to shop. thanks :D

Night Vision

Today I went to my first lasik consultation. I've scheduled 3. I am completely freaked out about the procedure and I want to make sure I get it done at the right place.

I've been wearing glasses for 16 years and contact lenses for 11 years. Neither have ever corrected my vision to 20/20 because of my astigmatism and other aberrations in my cornea that prevent me from seeing with perfect clarity.

Today's consultation was with TLC Laser Eye Center in Torrance. Richard did his right eye there with Dr. Wong 2 years ago. Tiger Woods and Sean Hayes are among the celebrities that have been "Wonged". Seriously, Richard has a T-Shirt that says "I've been Wonged" Well, anyhoo I found out today that I'm definitely a perfect candidate for the new "Custom Lasik" (Wavefront technology) which is the newer, more expensive procedure. Then they gave me a quick tour of the office and showed me the Operating Room. Bad idea. I'm more nervous now than before.

Tomorrow I'm going to stop by the Surgi-Eye Center on Wilshire, which was formerly the Kawesch Eye Institute which is better known as "the place Jessica Simpson went to". Turns out Dr. Kawesch was convicted with tax evasion and isn't allowed to practice anymore (or something) and the Lasik center is no longer affiliated with him, but they're running a special for the month of October that will give me over 50% off. Sounds shady, but I'm going to check it out. This is by far the cheapest option for the procedure.

I've also made an appointment with the Maloney Eye Institute which has the best reputation for Lasik procedures around here. Dr. Maloney was the pioneer in Lasik and basically wrote the book on it. However, they charge around $6000 for the entire procedure. Is the reputation and good name worth the extra $1500?

Well, I have a few days to make my decision so I'll keep you updated. Meanwhile any advice would be appreciated. ~.~

All-nighter

Ever since Richard bought his condo, we've always wanted to paint the walls. We planned on hiring an interior designer when we were ready, to pick the color and finish the job. After several episodes of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and the renovations at the new office, Richard decided to do the job himself. He brought home a gazillion brochures from Home Depot and asked me to pick a color. Smart little me decided to pick a base color, trim color, and a faux glaze finish for the walls... about quadrupling the work.

Richard made me decide this yesterday, Sunday, 5pm. I figure, we research it, go check it out at Home Depot and start the project next weekend. But no, Richard wanted to do it now.

So.. we went to Home Depot and picked up all of our equipment along with gallons upon gallons of Behr paint in Toasted Sesame, Autumn Oakleaf, and Faux Glaze. We got home at 6:30pm and started painting.

Bad idea. Why didn't we start in the morning you ask? Well, the idea didn't pop into Richard's head until 5pm. So we painted the base onto the walls and portions of the ceiling in our entry-way and our main hallway. It only took us until about 8pm. We were going to leave it at that, and do the "ragging on" of the glaze (to add texture) next weekend. But, no, Richard wanted to do it tonight.

So to make a long story short... we stayed up until 4am. I'll let the pictures speak the rest.

It's not quite finished yet... we still need to paint the ceiling the same trim color as the pillars. Then... on to the living room!