"That's no moon...."
Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars

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Well, as I feared, life got very busy again.

Although I'd like to blame work mostly, and I will, I've also come to a decision with regards to an elective surgery I'm scheduled to have this coming Wednesday, May 9th (9:30am). Both of these situations have forced me to postpone my blog challenge results as well as any further blogging.

I do apologize.

The elective surgery I'm speaking of is laser vision correction. Like many folks, I've been contending with glasses and contacts for a long time...a long time. I am severely nearsighted with a not-so-nice touch of astigmatism in each eye with my left eye being much worse than my right.

After many years of contemplation and following the successful surgeries of several friends and family members (both at the hands of the US Army and private doctors), I went to see if I was a candidate for such a procedure. I'm pleased to say, I am. While I am excited about the prospect of not having to wear glasses or contacts, I am slightly apprehensive as well. I don't doubt my surgeon's skill however the cynic in me has a hard time grasping that it will be as great as everyone says. Having said that, the tinge of doubt is not enough to dissuade from going through with it.

The particular procedure I am undergoing is called epi-lasik. Without going into too much detail, a minor amount (a few cells deep) of the stuff that rests on the surface of the eye (the epithelium) is swept aside with a specialized tool known as an Epikeratome, after which a laser is used to emit several pulses into the areas of your eye that need correction. The surgery takes about 20 - 30 minutes (10-15 min per eye). If all goes well (and it should), this half-hour procedure is about to correct 30-years of broken eyeglasses and lost/torn contact lenses...amazing!

Unlike traditional Lasik, the healing time is a few days longer. I should be able to go back to work approx 5-days after my surgery. During that time, my eyes will be healing and I will be taking a drug regimen to limit the chance for infection and to decrease some of the immediate discomfort. Everyone heals at a slightly different rate, so there will be some variation. Per my doctor and current medical literature, my vision will be improving over the next several weeks to months, although most of it will occur just after surgery.

Barring any surgical complications, I expect to be out of action for a few weeks on the blogs. As a result of this, and the upcoming CIV celebration many of you will be attending, I am going to hold off on the artistic results of my blog challenge until the beginning of June. I know, it sounds like a cop-out. I do appreciate your patience.

On a slightly more thoughtful note, I had really hoped that I would be blogging and commenting more than I have this year. In certain respects, I think I'm gradually rendering myself and my blog irrelevant (Are any of us relevant? Well, maybe Stooge is...maybe). Over the past two years, I've read many great blog entries by a lot of very interesting and wonderful people. I've also had the good fortune of finding my opinions and insights worth something to some of you. I've really enjoyed that aspect of blogging on StarWars.com. It's what pushed me to continue participating here after Episode III came out. However, it seems this year is going to be a different animal. If the past few months are any indication, I won't be publishing as prolifically as I once did (be it in blog or comment form). For me, this means I will inevitably fade into the background. Even blogs must fall, I suppose. It's sad.

On the bright side, I did renew my Hyperspace membership out of continuing hope that I will not shy away from communicating with you all entirely. I love Star Wars and I love Star Wars fans: I always will. Come what may, this week and in the weeks to come, I expect to be around even if in somewhat diminished form. It's certainly what I will be striving for.

Take care, good luck, and to all of you attending CIV...ENJOY!

Your friend and fan,

...Kenobi-fan


THANK YOU!