After wearing glasses for 20 years, and contacts for 15, I decided it was time to correct my vision problems for good. Just the thought of being able to sit and watch a movie with my glasses - or play with Tyler without worrying about them falling into little monster hands, was enough to get my ass to the doctor.
Last Tuesday I went in for the consultation. They poked and prodded at my eyes for a while - measured and gave me all the info. I even applied for financing and got accepted immediately. Could it really be this easy? I made an appointment for 1 week and yesterday was the day.
I guess you could say I was nervous - but not very. More anxious and excited - I just wanted to get it over with. I got there at 9:15 and got into the surgery room about 9:45. The doctor came in about 10am and I was home sleeping by 10:30. It’s THAT fast. It doesn’t hurt, your eyes are numbed, it doesn’t feel like anything really. The hardest part is not freaking yourself out by thinking too much about what they are doing. It’s over before you know it. When you sit up, you can’t really see much - everything is extremely blurry. They take you into another room with scopes to check on everything. After it all looks ok, they give you these sexy little black shades and send you home. You aren’t allowed to open your eyes for at least 4 hours straight. For me, they gave me 2 tylenol PMs to help ensure that I slept.
And oh I slept. My eyes didn’t hurt and since I couldn’t open them, they didn’t feel abnormal at all. They did water a lot and when I did wake up, they were crusty. After 2:30p when I got up, I could basically see perfectly. My eyes were dry and tired and I have 3 different types of eye drops to use every 4 hours. But it only gets better from there. Last night I was able to lay on the couch and watch TV with no problems. And I drove into work today! At the checkup today, the doctor said I was seeing 20/20.
It’s really amazing. The only side effect is the dryness. It just feels like I slept with my contacts in over-night. Other than that.. it’s golden. I can see SO clearly now.. (the rain is gone.. lol) I cannot rub my eyes for 4 weeks - and have to keep them out of shower water for another day. But it’s sooooo well worth it. And it should be .. for $2400!
SEE you later (literally!)
Joy
Well, since I predicted my “movie of the year” already with Clerks 2 - I figured I would cast my vote for “album of the year”.
I should have known, honestly. I had a feeling this album would be the highlight of my year and renew my interest in all things John Mayer. 
And it has.
Continuum is Mayer’s 3rd major release and he had gone in a slightly different direction this time. I think this was to be expected when he formed “John Mayer Trio” in 2005 and we all heard the blues-infused album they put out. Backed up by world-class musicians Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino, the John Mayer Trio put out an album of a few new songs, a few old Mayer songs, and a couple covers. Once I heard this album I knew that THIS was John Mayer - this was his best music and clearly where his soul was at. Sure, the cheesy pop songs got his foot in the door and, I admit, they are great songs as well. I love “Room for Square” and “Heavier Things”, but this style was a breath of fresh air.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately - don’t ask me why - but I wanted to compile a list. 5 is just too few and I would leave out crucial bands. So this is my Top 10 favorite bands and my favorite album by each band. I will probably leave a comment by each one explaining my choices. It’s a VERY wide range of tastes, so a little explanation is probably needed.
1. Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974)
When I say “Genesis” as #1 band - I’m always including Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel and their solo works in there as well. So they are really my all-time top 3 - BUT because I don’t listen to them that much, I keep them grouped at #1 instead of taking up room. This 2-disc album is an amazing concept album stemmed completely from Peter’s brain. It was unfortunately his last with Genesis and in 1975 Phil Collins moved from drummer to drummer AND singer. The Gabriel-led era of Genesis is not necessarily my favorite, but this album is. “Carpet Crawlers” is a great song - and the remake in 1999 featured Peter and Phil BOTH singing on this track and it’s a highlight for me. Talks of a reunion have been strong since 2005 and I can’t imagine the amount of money I would pay to see Genesis in its orginal line-up.
2. 311 - 311 (1995)
Most of the time I prefer the songs from “Music” and “Evolver” in 311’s collection - but this album is the one that introduced me to 311 and I have the fondest memories of it. It is also the year I graduated high school and reminds me of my earliest times at DeVry and good times. 311 will always be special to me.
3. The Used - The Used (2002)
Sometimes I wonder about my choice to put The Used up so high in my list - but it doesn’t feel right without it. They introduced me to emo/screamo/pop-punk sort of genres - which continue to be my favorite kind of music even today. I’ve seen them several times in concert and they are excellent musicians. Bert may not have a strong voice, but I love his passion he has and they all work really well together. I would never miss them when they come to town.
4. Mudvayne - L.D. 50 (2000)
It was hard to choose between this album and the Beginning of Things to End. Both are great albums and Mudvayne has been a great outlet for me - the anger, the passion, the honesty of their lyrics are amazing. And they are all each nothing short of brilliant musicians. I was never impressed by the mask/make-up thing, but it doesn’t bother me either. Another band I wouldn’t miss when they come to town. The last show I saw of theirs last year was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. They played the entire LD50 album and it was amazing.
5. 30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie (2005)
30 Seconds to Mars is the only band - to date - that I have seen who sounds better LIVE than they do on their cd. The cd is amazing, the band is amazing and RIGHT NOW they are by far my favorite band. It was hard for me not to put them higher on my list. Jared Leto is highly talented - who could argue? I can’t help but love someone who is passionate about so many things in life - and succeeds in them. He’s a great actor and an even better singer. His voice is SO strong and SO amazing - it gives me the chills. The lyrics and writing on this album are top-notch and I’m very excited they are starting to receive some deserving press - helps for the promise of another album. Oh and did I mention he’s beautiful?
6. Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (1994)
Wow. Nin at #6. This even amazes me. Nine Inch Nails had more of an affect on me and my life than any other band I’ve ever listened to. I’ve never been obssessed with a band like I was with NIN in high school and college. I have dozens of t-shirts, magazines, videos, 42 CD’s and anything you can imagine with NIN on or in it. But, like all things, I grew away from NIN and even the new stuff - as much as I like it - it’s not really my style anymore and I don’t listen to it much. This album means a great deal to me and I would probably still burst into tears if I played “A Warm Place” (#10). It’s an instrumental and it’s SO sad. I played it over and over when my best friend moved away to Maryland back in college and that song means a lot to me.
7. John Mayer - Heavier Things (2003)
Don’t get me wrong, I love John Mayer. But I’m a little unsure about him and this album being in my Top 10. But that is only because of my present feelings toward it. I can remember listening to this cd over and over and over when I was pregnant and after I had Tyler. So it means a lot to me and it IS a great album. John is amazing live and a phenomenal guitar player. So if nothing else, it serves good memories and I would still sing along if I listened to it today.
8. Bleed The Dream - Built By Blood (2005)
Just a great cd. That’s all there is to it. I can’t say enough good things about this under-rated band and this great album that they put out last year. It was a creation from some demos they released in 2004 (cd called “Awake”) and a few of the songs were re-worked and put out again. Each song is emotional and passionate and I absolutely love this cd and this band.
9. Garbage - Version 2.0 (1998)
Most listened to cd I’ve ever owned. I wore it out when it came out in 1998, and again every year after that until fairly recently. I’ve owned 4 copies of the cd because of wear and tear - and I’ve been a huge Garbage fan since high school. I love everything Garbage does and this cd is my favorite.
10. Alanis Morissette - So-Called Choas (2004)
I somewhat randomly chose this cd - but I had to include Alanis in my top 10 because I love ALL of her cds. I’ve always looked up to her and her strength. Guys still think of her as the angry girl from You Outta Know - but she is anything but negative. She is a very positive strong person and her cds are all very inspiring and I look forward to each one of them.
**Note: Some CD’s that were very close and I almost feel like I’ve left them out:
Incubus - SCIENCE (1997)
36 Crazyfists - Snow-Capped Romance (2003)
Funeral For a Friend - Hours (2005)
Garden State Soundtrack (2004)
The Cure - Disintegration (1989)
The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (1993)
Taproot - Gift (2000)