At the age of 46, I find myself for the first time in my life in need of corrective lenses. And it’s not even that bad. I just began to notice eye strain while looking at a monitor all day, and reading. In fact, from about a foot out, vision is still 20/20 and curiously, it seems to have improved over the years. I can read the smallest stuff way far away with no problem.

Anyway, the prescription thing is going to handle the problem a lot better than just the magnifying reading glasses (which are useless, I find, for the computer screen), I’m told by optometrist.

So, yesterday, prescription in hand, I go to the local Lens Crafters and am just shocked by the prices. All this designer stuff (I’ll be sitting at my desk…), and anyway, I want something just a bit geeky and durable. No choices. I’d say the average is going to be about $250. Then I hear about Wal-Mart. $108; less than half. But that’s not all. That’s for two pairs — one for my desk, and one for my laptop bag.

And it’s quite convenient, too. All the employees are right there chained to their stations to help you, so you don’t have to wander about (managers drag around balls & chains, so they’re a little harder to nail down). And they’re nice and pleasant, which I haven’t figured out yet, since they’re paid below standard and are dropping like flies from lack of health care. So I suppose I owe my fellow man an apology for selfishly going for the better value and lower prices. So here it is: I’m truly sorry. Those poor Wal-Mart slaves, and me, going right in their and exploiting them for my own selfish benefit. I am ashamed.