Thursday, February 21, 2008

Vision

I went into the eye doctor's office today for my annual check-up, but it had been 18 months since I was last there and I had to give him the rundown on all the medical updates in my life... that was depressing; however, I do feel a noticeable change in me physically... it's a great thing to feel healthier. I just need to stay on top of the medicines, diet (but more importantly, portion control and time that I eat), and exercise.

So the interesting thing about the eye exam is the whole litany I received for things I must now be aware as a person with diabetes. He explained why check-ups are so significant, which Kaiser did not explain at all to me. Dr. Lum also reminds me of my new regular primary care physician in that they are in my face about what I need to do. They give me a good serious ass-kicking when I see them and it motivates me. I feel like they have my best interests in mind and aren't just trying to get me in and out of the office. They recommend batteries of tests and try to cover every base to know what could be the next thing wrong.

I took this new Optoexam test. It was kind of cool, except for the shooting of bright green light into my eyes. I now know what it would look like if Slimer slapped me and its ectoplasm seeped into my pores and eyeballs. However, I really wanted the picture of my exam. I swear my retinas looked just like an exploding nebula in outer space. It reminded me of my dreams when I was kid and I imagined being an astronaut. I'm still fascinated by astronomy.... happy lunar eclipse tonight... I loved seeing it.

My old pair of glasses is getting old and scratched so I ordered a new pair of those rimless ones. I can't believe how expensive glasses are. They told me the price of my new glasses without insurance amounted to $937. My goodness! Well, I must say that for as much as the teaching salary needs improvement, the insurance is fairly damn comprehensive (except for that Optoexam wasn't covered). My cost after insurance $307.

I want to save money but general maintenance of life is so damn expensive. December's cash went to car repairs. January's entertainment budget went to new tires (damn that flat I had, and getting stuck in the mud in my own front yard due to that frickin storm that knocked out our electricity for three days) and some actual entertainment in the form of renewing my Giants season tickets. February's budget will now help me see better.

Yet the oddball thing about my appointment was the fact he confirmed that my left eyelid is drooping and it has reduced my vision in that eye by 20%. He says that I'll eventually need cosmetic surgery, probably when my vision is reduced by 50%. I was wondering why my eye kept watering and felt so damn irritable.

*******
I've been so busy at work that I missed another teacher lip sync practice. I still can't believe we're going to do Stomp the Yard. I consider myself a decent dancer, but I haven't moved that way in a long while. Good thing track season has begun, for I need to do a lot more stretching.

*******
Just to kind of end this on a positive note.
My energy levels have increased, though I do keep just adding more work to my plate. I'm amazed at how much weight one can lose just by eating regularly and with controlled portions. I'm still bad at eating breakfast. I'm just not a morning person. Most of the fifty pounds I've lost has stayed off. I really hate, but I'm thankful, for having to buy new clothes. I'm slowly replacing things as the budget allows. Seriously thinking I should buy a tuxedo now. Three more weddings this year, in addition to the two proms I've been attending every year for the past decade.

The school year has been smooth, albeit busy with trying many new events--an alumni dinner/dance, fashion show, Inspired Weeks, new conferences, etc. The teachers have taken notice that the student leadership class feels more present on campus this year, despite me feeling like I'm still not doing enough to get us prepared. Thank goodness the students and faculty do not see all the chaos behind-the-scenes, for the finished product tends to reflect the best in us.

One of my buddies sent me an online dating quiz to see which superhero is most compatible to your interests... i got a 64.6% match with Psylocke, X-23, and Scarlet Witch... a nice trio

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Valentine's oddities

I must profess my love today...
for the show LOST...

that ending was great... I was wondering what would cause him to behave that way...
another reason to never leave him alone with anyone...

This week has been rent-a-senior, which is odd itself that we have a fundraiser auctioning off students during African-American History Month. But the big surprise of the day happened when I finished auctioning off students, stepped off stage, and saw one of the valedictorians from my class. I had heard he became a teacher in Sacramento (and from what I recall, the other one is in education as well... and everyone thought I was the crazy one when we all graduated because I was the only one who declared I was going into teaching since high
school) and sadly, let us all send our condolences to him, for he was in town to attend his grandmother's funeral. But it made my day to see him. I hadn't spoken to the guy in over a dozen years. I didn't want to press him too much since he could be in a fragile state (one I only too recently experienced as well).

As for the rest of the day and its commercialism.... this is the one day I feel like an elementary school teacher... I even received a few of those cheesy Valentine's cards--some with lollipops. Reminds me of a much more innocent time... a time when love felt more realistic and simple.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Mii

On Lance's birthday, I played the Wii for the first time and tried a couple of games. However, this past weekend I hung out at my bro's and made my Mii character and discovered that I really suck at Guitar Hero, my backhand sucks in tennis and that everyone needs to stay clear of me when I play.

Even better, I finally saw Juno. I was shocked to see the theater packed and that I had to wait in line just to get in. Seriously! This movie came out a long time ago. And I loved the dialogue. All the reviews that pumped it up did not do it justice. I love humor that doesn't try to hard to gross someone out. The film just felt authentic. Now I understand why Ellen Page is getting all this publicity, and it is well-deserved. Nice cast as well. Juno's parents have great lines. It seemed a little odd that both Bateman and Cera were in it and they didn't ever share the screen; I suppose I just miss Arrested Development.

I also watched Rambo and it was just what you'd expect from a Rambo film--except now there's more CGI blood than the earlier renditions. Every now and then you need a violent film to get you ready for a Super Bowl.

My favorite commercial... the Budweiser commercial with the Dalmatian that trains the Clydesdale to the Rocky "Training Montage." That humored me. Cartoon pandas... offensive.

Another sign that spring is coming other than football ending...
I began coaching today. Another season as throwers coach.
See y'all again soon.