In 1885 a band of German immigrants established Colony Olivenhain about five miles from the Pacific Ocean. Driving through town you can still see the town hall they built, a sturdy, functional wooden box where family gatherings, barbecues, and 4-H Club fundraisers are held today. Two miles of winding roads and horse trails later is something that the first settlers never imagined: a two-story, two-garage home with pool table, flat screen TV, swimming pool, hot tub and plans for a swimming hole that will never hold water, but people on boards with wheels attached to them. Even more amazing to those who traded sweat for bread would be that the entire place was purchased by riding a board with wheels attached to it. Still, if they saw Bucky Lasek in action, they might sell the family cow for the price of admission.

Bucky pulls into his driveway on time, introduces himself and prepares for hisupcoming photo shoot. Later, his wife Jennifer shows up in riding pants and boots. Friendly and easygoing, Jennifer sits down and tells me about life with a skate star and the house we are in, which was recently featured on MTV's Cribs.

Well-made tables and doors are evident in the pursuit of what Bucky calls "making it mine." His literal signature decorates a few dozen posters of him that are placed on a pool table, awaiting delivery to fans. A friendly small dog named Blue runs up with his imitation Paul Frank T-shirt on. Two cats, Aloha and Arabella, greet guests. A "just for the photo" oversized check for $40,000 from Boost Mobile overlooks a Ms. Pac-Man arcade machine. In the next room are a telescope and a cardboard stage that says "Lasek Theater" on it, near a widescreen TV. The Lasek girls, Devin (8) and Paris (5), are at school. On a table in the front room is a book called Offerings: How Buddhist Wisdom Can Change Your Life.

My initial impression of Bucky is of someone direct, focused and purpose-driven. He answers my pre-interview questions in as few words possible. There is no hint of rudeness in any of this, but a professional athlete's full focus to the matter at hand. When conversation comes, it is good.

Risen Magazine: [Motioning to book on coffee table] Who's the Buddhist in the family?

Jennifer Lasek: We're both practicing.

RM: Practicing Buddhists or practicing to be Buddhists?

JL: Practicing to be Buddhists. [Laughter]

RM: Has that practice changed your look at life?

Bucky Lasek: It's helped me not be so judgmental of other people, not to be so closed-minded.

RM: Do you ever get calls from people thinking that you're a corrective vision store?

BL: [Laughs] Yeah, that's how some people want to pronounce it.

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