I went in for another of many follow-up visits today, and because it's been about a month since I posted an update, I figured I should say something.
I've been going in about every two weeks to get my eyes checked. The pressure in my left eye is apparently still higher than my doctor would like. Every time I go in, it's pretty much the same story. I don't see 20/20 and my pressure is slightly high. At this point, I'm only using eye drops in the left eye. The right eye is normal I guess.
Two weeks ago, the doctor took some scans and measurements of my eyes so he could take it up to a conference. He was going to show his buds and get their opinion. Today he told me that his friend from Phoenix, who has won some kind of award for doing over 1,000 Visian ICL surgeries, said that he's only had one case like me in his 1,000 patients. This is good and bad news. It's good because at least I'm not the first to experience these weird pressure problems. It's bad because, hey, I wanted to be special LOL
The plan of action after talking with other doctors is to let the eye settle itself down on its own (The other option would be to remove the lens and try a size down). I've got another appointment scheduled in six weeks to reassess things.
Interestingly enough, my doctor told me that some of his colleagues (or perhaps the Staar people who make the Visian ICL lens) said he should talk to me because of what I'm saying on this blog. Wow, who knew I had lurkers on this blog!! Maybe I should start tracking visitors and things? Anyway, the point is that it was surprising that a large company like Staar would even give a second thought to a lil' ol' blog like this. I guess that's one of the real benefits/dangers of the internet, right? People have instant access to it whenever they want it. Ah, the beauty of it all.
Showing posts with label internet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label internet. Show all posts
November 3, 2009
March 18, 2009
The Road Not Taken
Having just celebrated my 28th birthday a week ago, I find myself once again reflecting on my life. What does this life have in store for me? Will I ever accomplish all my goals? What exactly are the goals most important to me? Will I ever be more than ordinary?
Today while flicking through some blogs, I discovered one called In the New that intrigued me. Blogger Jen is trying to do 31 new things in the 31 days before she turn 31. She's an experienced doer of new things (refer to her other new thing endeavor) and she seems to select manageable activities. They're not too wild and crazy, although I suppose that would depend on your perspective huh? I read through some of her entries and was really inspired and entertained by them.
Her goal to do something new every day reminded me of something I read about a year or two ago called The Buried Life. Similar to Jen's desire to do new things, four Canadians asked themselves the ultimate question, "What do you want to do before you die?" Their list of things were a lot more grandiose than Jen's, but they're all completed in a similar manner and for similar reasons.
Both Jen and the guys from The Buried Life want to make the most of every day and really live in the moment. This takes letting go of preconceived notions of what a person can and can't do. It takes resetting your thinking, shifting your priorities and most importantly, just going out there and doing it. This is what I really admire about them.
The last inspirational site I visited was Where The Hell Is Matt? I had seen Matt's site before and found his story to be amazing. He quit his job, traveled parts of the world and made a video. This video was passed from a friend to a friend to a friend until he was web celeb. Then, he was sponsored by a company to continue to travel the world doing exactly what he'd been doing. Being able to see the world and interact with people of different culture's must have been amazing. And all he had to do was quit his job and tape himself dancing. While that sounds easy enough, it is actually a pretty bold move to simply pick up and leave. That is what is truly inspiring - taking the risk to live day-to-day without knowing what is to come.
With this new perspective on life weighing heavily on my mind, I'll take the next two weeks to brainstorm my very own list of new things I want to do before I die. I know I started one way back when I first discovered The Buried Life, but at this point I'm not sure where that list is. In any case, I don't think I got past 20 things so I'm sure I'll be able to recreate it in no time.
I'll post my new list on April 1 for all to see and try to do it over the upcoming days, weeks and months. (Yes, I know it'll probably take years to accomplish but that's the fun of it, right?). If you have any suggestions, send them over. Even if I don't add it to my list, it might just spark an amazing new adventure for you or another reader.
Today while flicking through some blogs, I discovered one called In the New that intrigued me. Blogger Jen is trying to do 31 new things in the 31 days before she turn 31. She's an experienced doer of new things (refer to her other new thing endeavor) and she seems to select manageable activities. They're not too wild and crazy, although I suppose that would depend on your perspective huh? I read through some of her entries and was really inspired and entertained by them.
Her goal to do something new every day reminded me of something I read about a year or two ago called The Buried Life. Similar to Jen's desire to do new things, four Canadians asked themselves the ultimate question, "What do you want to do before you die?" Their list of things were a lot more grandiose than Jen's, but they're all completed in a similar manner and for similar reasons.
Both Jen and the guys from The Buried Life want to make the most of every day and really live in the moment. This takes letting go of preconceived notions of what a person can and can't do. It takes resetting your thinking, shifting your priorities and most importantly, just going out there and doing it. This is what I really admire about them.
The last inspirational site I visited was Where The Hell Is Matt? I had seen Matt's site before and found his story to be amazing. He quit his job, traveled parts of the world and made a video. This video was passed from a friend to a friend to a friend until he was web celeb. Then, he was sponsored by a company to continue to travel the world doing exactly what he'd been doing. Being able to see the world and interact with people of different culture's must have been amazing. And all he had to do was quit his job and tape himself dancing. While that sounds easy enough, it is actually a pretty bold move to simply pick up and leave. That is what is truly inspiring - taking the risk to live day-to-day without knowing what is to come.
With this new perspective on life weighing heavily on my mind, I'll take the next two weeks to brainstorm my very own list of new things I want to do before I die. I know I started one way back when I first discovered The Buried Life, but at this point I'm not sure where that list is. In any case, I don't think I got past 20 things so I'm sure I'll be able to recreate it in no time.
I'll post my new list on April 1 for all to see and try to do it over the upcoming days, weeks and months. (Yes, I know it'll probably take years to accomplish but that's the fun of it, right?). If you have any suggestions, send them over. Even if I don't add it to my list, it might just spark an amazing new adventure for you or another reader.
March 6, 2009
Road Runner, Clearwire or Hele?
These days, everything you could possibly need is online, including all your favorite shows. Has cable become obsolete?
The answer could quite possibly be yes.
I've noticed lately that I'm not making much use of my TV and have been considering whether or not I should continue to purchase basic cable. During the week, I'm normally too busy to catch my favorite shows when they air. More and more I find it easier to watch online. I end up watching several episodes at one time. The commercials are shorter in length and there seem to be less of them. I'm not sure if this is the case for every network, but it seems to be this way for the shows I watch.
The one thing that makes me hesitate to cut my cable is my Road Runner. I definitely can't go without a connection to the information superhighway. (Haven't heard that saying in a while have you?) If I give up my cable, what ISP will I be able to use?
I've been considering Clearwire and Hele because supposedly I can take it with me anywhere I go. But, I don't know anyone who uses these services. Do they even work? Can you tell the difference between it and Road Runner? I've been spoiled at work and at home so I don't know if I can go back to a slow connection.
How will I ever watch my TV shows or Netflix online? Being able to do these things are the main reason for canceling cable, so it better work really well. Anyone know how these ISPs work? Are they effective? Is it worth the time and effort to switch?
The answer could quite possibly be yes.
I've noticed lately that I'm not making much use of my TV and have been considering whether or not I should continue to purchase basic cable. During the week, I'm normally too busy to catch my favorite shows when they air. More and more I find it easier to watch online. I end up watching several episodes at one time. The commercials are shorter in length and there seem to be less of them. I'm not sure if this is the case for every network, but it seems to be this way for the shows I watch.
The one thing that makes me hesitate to cut my cable is my Road Runner. I definitely can't go without a connection to the information superhighway. (Haven't heard that saying in a while have you?) If I give up my cable, what ISP will I be able to use?
I've been considering Clearwire and Hele because supposedly I can take it with me anywhere I go. But, I don't know anyone who uses these services. Do they even work? Can you tell the difference between it and Road Runner? I've been spoiled at work and at home so I don't know if I can go back to a slow connection.
How will I ever watch my TV shows or Netflix online? Being able to do these things are the main reason for canceling cable, so it better work really well. Anyone know how these ISPs work? Are they effective? Is it worth the time and effort to switch?
February 9, 2009
Teen Online Dating - Breaking News or Old News?
Today I read a Star-Bulletin article stating that online dating in gaining popularity among teens. My first thought was, "Hasn't this been going on since the advent of the internet?"
The times are different now than they used to be. Rarely are there social clubs that exist primarily to introduce students from one school to another as there were in the 1950s to 1970s. Kids and the internet go hand-in-hand, so of course online dating is prevalent.
Back when I was in high school, it was already a common phenomenon. This was before the technology of text messaging, back when pagers were the rage. Even though we didn't have texting, we had instant messaging (ICQ anyone?) and chat rooms (Does anyone remember Hawaii Chat Universe?). What else do you think teens were doing besides trying to meet new people and/or hook up?
Besides just trying to hook up, the internet was an opening for kids at different schools, and even different islands, to meet and get to know each other. Similar to today, you couldn't be completely positive that what you were being told was true. However, I think for the most part people were forthcoming (well, at least in my experience). I also think that we didn't really hold it against each other if there was a fib or two during chatting. We didn't seem to take it as seriously as adults would, and I think this is true for today's teens as well.
I know there are so many negatives that parents/adults harp on and on about when discussing internet use with their teens, but really, back then it seemed pretty safe to meet people with whom you had chatted. It was like the "Leave it to Beaver" era of online dating.
I've got to admit that I met a few really cool and interesting people via chatting online. Most of my friends could probably say the same. After a while of chatting and IMing, meeting in person just seemed natural. In fact, one of my best friends in high school was a guy I met at HCU. We talked on the phone, paged each other constantly and he even came with me to prom. My friends and I met his family and his girl friend. All in all it was a good experience that would not have happened without chatting.
So to say that online dating is gaining in popularity among today's teens is probably one of the least insightful things coming from today's media. Get with the program.
The times are different now than they used to be. Rarely are there social clubs that exist primarily to introduce students from one school to another as there were in the 1950s to 1970s. Kids and the internet go hand-in-hand, so of course online dating is prevalent.
Back when I was in high school, it was already a common phenomenon. This was before the technology of text messaging, back when pagers were the rage. Even though we didn't have texting, we had instant messaging (ICQ anyone?) and chat rooms (Does anyone remember Hawaii Chat Universe?). What else do you think teens were doing besides trying to meet new people and/or hook up?
Besides just trying to hook up, the internet was an opening for kids at different schools, and even different islands, to meet and get to know each other. Similar to today, you couldn't be completely positive that what you were being told was true. However, I think for the most part people were forthcoming (well, at least in my experience). I also think that we didn't really hold it against each other if there was a fib or two during chatting. We didn't seem to take it as seriously as adults would, and I think this is true for today's teens as well.
I know there are so many negatives that parents/adults harp on and on about when discussing internet use with their teens, but really, back then it seemed pretty safe to meet people with whom you had chatted. It was like the "Leave it to Beaver" era of online dating.
I've got to admit that I met a few really cool and interesting people via chatting online. Most of my friends could probably say the same. After a while of chatting and IMing, meeting in person just seemed natural. In fact, one of my best friends in high school was a guy I met at HCU. We talked on the phone, paged each other constantly and he even came with me to prom. My friends and I met his family and his girl friend. All in all it was a good experience that would not have happened without chatting.
So to say that online dating is gaining in popularity among today's teens is probably one of the least insightful things coming from today's media. Get with the program.
November 21, 2008
Life Imitates Art?
I know I promised to post something about my vacation, but I just read this bit of news online that is very disturbing and horrifying. According to the article, a Florida teen broadcasted his suicide online. Viewers logged on to watch, and there's conflicting reports that people actually witnessed the suicide as it happened. Of course, many believed it to be a hoax at the time.
The article indicates that this is not the first time someone's broadcasted a suicide online, but it's the first I've read about it and it's completely unbelievable to me. How can someone do this - both commit suicide as well as share it with the world? Was it his attempt at a last hurrah? Was it to get the attention that he may have craved? And why would people log on to view such a thing? This makes Untraceable, starring Diane Lane, more and more plausible. Has society's morals been degraded so much that page hits increase with the prospect of another person's death?
While there are tons of films and tv series that portray similar situations, this is the first I've read of it in real life. Is this an example of life imitating art? Or are there numerous examples that have caused the media to show more and more graphic images? Are today's kid's so numb to feeling emotions that anything filtered through a screen is automatically dismissed as being fake? If so, we're in for a bumpy ride because today's youth is the most technologically advanced generation ever.
The article indicates that this is not the first time someone's broadcasted a suicide online, but it's the first I've read about it and it's completely unbelievable to me. How can someone do this - both commit suicide as well as share it with the world? Was it his attempt at a last hurrah? Was it to get the attention that he may have craved? And why would people log on to view such a thing? This makes Untraceable, starring Diane Lane, more and more plausible. Has society's morals been degraded so much that page hits increase with the prospect of another person's death?
While there are tons of films and tv series that portray similar situations, this is the first I've read of it in real life. Is this an example of life imitating art? Or are there numerous examples that have caused the media to show more and more graphic images? Are today's kid's so numb to feeling emotions that anything filtered through a screen is automatically dismissed as being fake? If so, we're in for a bumpy ride because today's youth is the most technologically advanced generation ever.
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