I can see!

What with the trip out to Bandon, I forgot to write about my Lasik surgery. In short, I am angry. Angry at myself for not doing this years ago. I have used every imaginable kind of vision correction device possible. Glasses, hard contacts, gas-permeable contacts, soft contacts, extended wear contacts, daily wear contacts, torics, disposables, and then back to glasses. This RULES.

Went to see Dr. Kawesch (check it out – he didn’t just do MY eyes, he did Jessica Simpson on some realoty show as well – so he is double-famous) for a consult, and was told I was a candidate. Came back the following Friday for the procedure. Got my eyes measured (with a computer – not like a measuring tape), and was then given 20mg of Valium to “keep me calm during surgery”. Yeah. OK. Knock my ass out is more like it. A few drops in the eyes to numb things, and then in we went.

Laid me down on a table and swung me under the laser. Immediately a clamp goes on my left eye to hold it open, then some suction cup over that. Then, using a different laser (it’s called Intralase – they used to cut the flap with a knife back in the stone age – but no more) they cut a flap in my cornea and peeled it back. The the lasering starts. They tell you to watch the red light straight ahead, and 30 seconds later, they are done. Add that you can smell something burning while they do it – but whatever. Same deal for the other eye, and they sit you up and walk you out to the waiting room. The entire process takes maybe 5 minutes.

Bill drove me home (who is getting famous with his Dick Fiction video), I ate, took a Vicodin, and went to sleep. Woke up 4 hours later, and could see clearly. It was amazing. Bought cool sunglasses, golfed for 3 days with clear vision, it’s the best.

Don’t be STUPID. Go get it done. $3 grand for clear vision.

Live from Bandon Dunes

With about 5 hours to go before our flight home, I thought I’d write about 3 of the most fantastic golf courses I can imagine even exist – Bandon Dunes.

The Dad and I flew out Sunday night (Burbank to Portland, Portland to North Bend) and a 30 minute drive. Knew this was going to be something as soon as we got here. 3 IMMACULATE golf courses, a pub and a cigar lounge – everything you need. Walked 18 holes a day (= 15 miles or so) ate great food, and laughed a ton.

All in all, an ideal golf trip. Highly recommended.

Lasik and health update

Got a consult for Lasik surgery today – going in to get it done on June 21. On the myriad forms I had to fill out, there was a question “How will this surgery change your life?” – I couldn’t think of anything better than “Now I can wear cool sunglasses like everyone else.”

Training is going well. Still swimming 3x a week and lifting 3x a week, but going to step up the cardio a bit (make it 3x a week on the treadmill and 2x a week in the pool) on the advice of my long lost friend Al. He and I worked together 20 years ago at Big Five Software (pictures of me at 17 with long hair can be found here) and he just found me again through this blog. He is apparently a health maven, and has given me a great many tips on a good exercise plan and eating. Thanks Al. 🙂

Still losing weight, building muscle, and looking to get off more drugs when I visit the doctor at the end of the month. Eating less and exercising more makes you healthier. Who knew?

More updates after I return from golf with the Dad at Bandon Dunes.

Keyes Acura

What a hideous day, car-wise. Took my 2005 TL into Keys Acrua in Van Nuys to have the air conditioning looked at for the FOURTH time. Can you say Lemon Law? Understand – I live in the San Fernando Valley, where it is 100 degrees and above most days of the summer. No air conditioning is not an option.

When I called to make the appointment, I asked if I could get a loaner (making clear that I NEEDED a car that day), and was told “we won’t have any loaners available until August”. How is this possible? It’s a CAR DEALERSHIP for FUCK SAKE. They have nothing BUT cars. Fine. I diligently take my car in at 9am, prepared to wait until 11am and then continue on with my mountain of tasks for the rest of the day. Josh, the “service” associate, tells me that I shouldn’t wait – it could take all day. I arrange for Pam to pick me up, I drop her back at her office, and take her car for the rest of the day.

Around 4pm, I start calling for a status. Josh tells me he’ll find out and call me back in two minutes, 30 minutes later – no call. I start calling. I can’t get through, I get hung up on, and sit on hold endlessly – in that order. I go to the dealership. I hunt down Josh. He goes to check. I wait. He tells me that are just putting dye into the system to find the leak. I ask how this can be, as the car has been there for EIGHT HOURS. He says “Mr. Bakst, diagnostics take time.” – which has the immediate effect of making me want to push him into traffic. I wait more. Finally I am told that it is a ruptured hose, that they do NOT have in stock. So I am leaving with the same car I brought, after intense inconvenince.

101 West Acura it is from now on. I can’t wait until the QA person calls to ask how my service experience was.

On Vacation

Up to Blacklake Country Club, near Nipomo with Pam and Sydney to meet the parents, sister, and other friends. Flew the 182 into Santa Maria after a great flight. Played 36 holes today (86-79) and likely play 18 tomorrow. Pam’s birthday tonight as well.

Life is good.

My tired muscles

Getting serious now – and the results are starting to come. Working out 6 days a week now (one day weight training, then one day of cardio, repeat) and throwing in nightly walks, bike riding, swimming (lessons from Pammy – she’s awesome) and racquetball should round it all out. Also radically altered my diet, thanks to advice from my buddy Jack Smith (SO good to have him back in the picture), who is much farther along to becoming a chiseled stud than I am. Myoplex protein shakes and bars (yum, but expensive), and carefully planned eating every three hours is making me feel much better already.

New business is kicking along as well. Pi Software is the name, and construction management software is the game. More on that as it develops, but everyone who reads this should be linking from their site to that. Need the links, baby.

Health and Work updates

Still hitting the gym pretty regularly. My trainer, Steve, is apparently trying to kill me. Pushing very hard, and the effects are starting to come. Dropping pounds, building some muscle, and feeling better overall. Doctor appointment Thursday, so we’ll see what he says.

Work is good – busier than ever. Starting a business with a solid business model and a killer product is a lot of work – but at this point I can’t imagine a way this can fail. Support coming from everywhere, and with all of the really talented people I’ve come to know and respect, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Will try and keep the blog updated.

Sydney is getting ready for her recital (and I am too – doing a number with the Dancing Dads), which is mid June. She’s so spectacular.

Big changes

A lot going on – so here are the pictures from New York with Sydney.

Health: At the advice of my doctor, I checked out Lindora. Like a Weight Watchers or one of those, but much more intense. 10 weeks, lose 40 pounds, do EXACTLY what they say, and come in for progress checks EVERY day. Not for me.

So I went to LA Fitness and signed on with a personal trainer. Been twice, and twice on my own – going to work out great. I should be a ripped, STUD of a man within a few months, which will make my doctor happy, and probably my girlfriend even happier.

How am I going to have time for all of this? I am leaving my job! Going to get my own thing rolling now – something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and am finally making it happen. I’ve seen enough in business to know that I am more than smart and motivated enough to make this work. Exciting.

Sydney in the Big Apple

For Sydney’s Easter vacation (and another remarkably good report card), I decided to cash in a couple of award tickets and take her to New York. Her first time. Very exciting.

Staying at The Regency Hotel – just fantastic. Room is big (if not a tad pricey – but hey – it is on Park Ave.), close to everything, and service is unreal. She got a Barbie when we checked in, a bag of kids stuff in the room when we got back to ther room after dinner, and more free stuff at dinner the next night. They even opened up the Sundries Store at 8pm just for us. Thumbs Up.

More as I have time to post.