During the course of surfing Facebook I discovered an old friend who I haven't contacted in years.  We were always close and I have no problem with her.  However, I haven't added her as a "friend" yet because on her friend list are mutual acquaintances to whom I am hesitant to become exposed again.  Some of the names on her list bring up painful memories. 

We went on a dinner cruise and here is the view of Waikiki as seen from the ship (stitched together from four pictures):

I saw Star Trek last night. 

I give it 4 Sammys out of 5. 

This was the best Star Trek film since Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan.

This is, so far, the best film of the year.

Non-stop action.

A little lacking in that feeling of "exploration." Probably because they had to introduce the characters. Hopefully, the sequel will have more of that "adventure" feel instead of just action.

But it was good.

Takes some getting used to the new designs for the ship, uniforms, and some changes to the "canon" of Star Trek.

I'm going to go see it again.

I've been regularly working out for the last month and a half or so.  I joined a gym with my friend and we go about four times a week.  We alternate between cardio exercises (treadmill and rowing machine) and weight training (free weights and machines).  When I get home I do this ab exercise that I found on Youtube:

My diet is as follows:  I eat a granola bar for breakfast, salad for lunch (when I'm good), and one Lean Cuisine microwave meal for dinner.  I've lost 12 pounds in the last month and a half or so.  My goal is to get rid of the paunch from my stomach, and continue to build up my muscles (which are sadly underdeveloped).  Someday, I'd like to have six-pack abs and post them on youtube! hahaha. 

In contrast to my last post, here's something uplifting:

I don't know why this is so fun to watch. Maybe because it's an unexpected display of joy and energy in the middle of an otherwise commonplace venue. This was exactly the type of escapist entertainment that I needed to get through a looong month. I think I've already watched this ten times already.  I even teared up a little, which shows you what kind of emotional state I'm in right now.

Booyahman's comment in the last post may have been dead-on.  I think I drafted the post below during one of my "down" moods.  The last day off I had was literally a month ago, and I've been working weekends and late into the night.  I didn't even celebrate Easter.  Also, I was actually supposed to go on vacation last week with my wife, but I canceled it due to work.  She went alone. 

I don't want to sound like I'm whining, but I guess I am, hahaha.  I think things will get better next week or so.  Until then, I'll watch this video again!

I think I need to seriously consider looking into marriage counseling.  It's not that my wife and I hate each other, but it's to the point where we might as well be platonic friends. In other words, our relationshp is cold. Sadly, we both feel most at ease when we are apart.  When I come home from work, we talk a little about superficial things and each do our own thing for the rest of the night.  We barely even greet each other anymore. Like I said, we don't hate each other, but now it's as if the only reason we are still together is because it's convenient.  Perhaps I am exaggerating things, but this is what I feel like these days.

• wow, I can't believe I didn't blog for the whole month of March, is my Xanga dying?
• The Bears traded for quarterback Jay Cutler. I'm very, very happy about this.  Did you know Cutler is diabetic? 
• I want the new 2010 Camaro..but I can't afford it right now.
• My friend's wedding is next month. This will be my first wedding in years.  Either I don't know many people or my friend's just aren't the marrying type.
• work is hectic, as usual, but I'm pretty much used to it by now.
• I need to start reading books more.  I haven't read a complete novel in ages.
• I need to start writing here more!