The Lementing of Christ

Starting with the vigil mass tonight, the Catholic Church begins Holy Week. It starts with Palm Sunday and the Passion of Christ which is read, during all masses. It makes mass about twenty minutes longer. I read the part of the narrator, and did pretty well save for the part that I said I laminated Jesus instead of lamenting him. That little slip up, is giving my lovely bride a few laughs at my expense, and even had me chuckling, as I didn't know that I had said it until she pointed it.

Hopefully God will forgive my little faux pas. Which I am sure he will.

and I even prepared myself intensely prior to mass tonight by reading my parts thoroughly.

Sorry Jesus

--gfo

Britain Versus Iran

As is being reported by the AP a British marine (one of the 15 being held captive) appeared on the Irani's Arabic language TV and apologized for entering Irani waters, without permission, (according to published reports, and GPS readings, the British ship was at least 1 mile outside of Irani Territorial waters).

I am sure the young marine, is real sincere in his apology, and was not coerced or threatened at all by his captors. Although he appears to not have been physically harmed, what you don't see is what is off camera (read a couple of AK-47 pointed at his head from a distance), or what was said to him prior to his appearence.

I hope the Irani's come to their senses soon, and release (unharmed) these sailors and marines soon, but given the whack job's that they are, they will probably want something in return. I don't see this ending anytime soon. The Irani's are getting what they want, some press and attention.

Maybe a tomahawk or ten might make the Irani's think a little differently.

--gfo

An Entire Weekend Off

After working the last couple of Saturday's, I have my first full weekend off. The Mrs is working so, I will be unable to come in.

We have been real busy in the office as we are in the process of converting our accounting system, and there is a lot of clean up work that needs to be done on the old system, plus learning the new system, and keeping up with our regular daily duties. Sometimes it seems as if there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done.

I'm not overdoing it, but I am putting my fair share of overtime

--gfo

Guess This Was A Hint

This morning, when I got into the office, I found a bottle of Lysol® Sanitizing Wipes on my desk. Along with that, I noticed that a lot of things were shifted all around. About once a week, the cleaners wipe down our desks, and they do a great job. I admit that my desk can get kind of messy, usually ink, whiteout, or toner stains, nothing major, but I think the biggest offender is the crap the accumulates in, on, under, and around my keyboard, including but not limited to, crumbs, staples, paper clips, and other objects which often times can't be identified positively.

I try and wipe my desk off with cleaner at least once a week, but I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to do it. Maybe now I will make a more conscious effort to do so.

I am the cubicle that they probably hate to come near at night, I usually have some remnants of my work somewhere on the floor, mostly some of the aforementioned, but sometimes, my hole puncher will explode, and leave a really big mess.

Guess I need to be a little bit neater at my desk

My desk is nice and shiny now

(and I kept the bottle, its locked in my drawer, its about ½ full, giggle)

--gfo

What A Surprise

When I left the office yesterday around 1730, when I stepped outside, it was actually hot out. I took off my jacket as soon as I got to my car. When I got home about a ½ hour later, and checked the temperature on the computer it was 80°. I actually went around and opened some windows in the house.

and surprisingly we had the fan on in our room last night, although it was warm in our room, I didn't open our windows until around 2030 so it hadn't cooled off yet. When I got up this morning, it sure had cooled off. It was in the low 50's

It appears as if I won the cover war last night

*Snicker*

--gfo

A Change of Tone

My last few blog entries have been pretty low, and sad, I figured I'd post an upbeat entry to change the tone and send out some more positive vibes...heck we could all use some good vibes, yes

Spring is here, the windows are open, its daylight longer at night, the heat is off, Easter is right around the corner, as is the boy's first communion. There are a lot of things to be happy for. I have a beautiful wife, loving children, great friends, and family. We live in a great country, sure it has its faults and problems, but what a great place to live and call home

I have somewhat good health, hell I am typing this, that's a plus.

Now that felt pretty darn good typing all of that out.

Smile

--gfo

Back To The Grind

Well I am not feeling 100%, but well enough to come into the office today. I spent most of the day yesterday (1100-1500) in bed, then I was up and around for the remainder still feeling a little on the blah side. I made dinner, then the Mrs and I went to Sharkey's viewing. Boy there was a lot of people there. We waited in line for at least 45 minutes.

So its back to work, I am staying a little later today, as we are pretty busy here in the office.

--gfo

Still Under The Weather

I stayed home from the office today, as I am still not feeling well. In fact, at one point last night, I put a sweatshirt on because I had the chills so bad. I didn't sleep real well last night either. I have no appetite whatsoever, last night we made burgers on the grill, and I can usually eat two with no problems, I just barely at one.

Maybe being home today and taking it easy will work this bug through my system.

--gfo

Under The Weather

It started last night with a stuffy nose. I woke up this morning with chills, and a slight fever (100°). As I am typing this I have an afghan wrapped around me.

Hopefully this gets through me real quick.

Feeling like crap sucks

--gfo

F-Bomb Movie Analysis (Update)

In the F-bomb per minute category, which I have previously blogged about. The movie Jarhead is now the winner, with an amazing 2.26 f-bombs per minute. It is said 278 times, in 123 minutes, it should be noted, that mother is prefixes the f-bomb 38 times throughout the movie.

I was watching this movie this morning while riding my bike. I have seen most of the movie in pieces but not the whole thing. I like the idea of following a small unit through a long time frame, much like the Band of Brothers mini-series. You see and learn the mentality, and kinship of soldiers who live, fight, and die together, in small cohesive units.

Jamie Foxx was phenomenal in his role, and did an excellent job portraying SSGT Sykes.

As I find more movies with higher F-bomb usage I will update accordingly...Heck I am a spreadsheeter, I live for this kind of stuff...and yes I have an active spreadsheet with formulas to help tabulate the FBPM (f bomb per minute) tally

--gfo

Rest In Peace Sharkey

It is with great sadness that today William "Sharkey" Friel passed away suddenly and peacefully at home earlier this afternoon. He was 77

Sharkey was known and loved by many people, I don't think there are many people who have a bad thing to say about him.

The world lost a good man today. Sharkey has touched many lives, and that will be his legacy.

He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Genevieve, two sons, Jerry and Bill, and two grandchildren, Katelyn, and Liam (who is my son's best friend), and a whole lot of dear friends.

My thought and prayers are with the Friel family in this time of great sadness.

It was a pleasure knowing you Sharkey, you are one of a kind

--gfo

Welcome Back Coach Reid

Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid, is scheduled to return to the team, after a month long leave of absence to attend to family matters. During his absence the Eagles were very active in the free agent market, although he was not physically in the office he had contact with the team.

Hopefully things worked out for the Reid family, and things are back on track, and the family can move forward from their troubles

Welcome back Coach

--gfo

Red Means Stop

Yellow means slow down and green means go. Why is this so hard for some drivers to understand. Its amazing the difference in driver's mentality between the suburbs (where I live) and the city (where I work).

I drive into the city every work day, and the amount of near misses between cars and pedestrians is beyond comprehension. I just walked to and from the bank, which is a six block walk, and that walk is an adventure in and above itself. Crossing an intersection, even with the light is at your own risk. People seem to forget that pedestrians have the right of way, or don't really give a crap...probably the latter.

The biggest offender is the damn taxi's. They seem to have no care in the world. I know I am generalizing here, but the multi lane changes, running red lights, and right turns from the left lane, with no regard for others is annoying. I am really surprised that more people aren't injured and/or killed by these reckless drivers.

but I am back in the office now, with a Venti Hot Chocolate from Starbucks® so everything is good now.

--gfo

A Different Look At Numbers

A lot is being said lately about the casualty rate's the US has suffered during the Iraq war, over 3,200 dead, and 24,000 wounded.

I did my own research and found that in the years 2001-2005 there were over 16,000 murder's, each year in the United States. In the year 2000, there were over 15,000.

I have data from 1981, and the highest murder rate was in 1993, where there were 24,526 murders. The lowest number in that time frame was, 2000. In the 1980's through the mid 1990's numbers were consistently over 21,000

Although the murder numbers over the last ten years are less, they are still astronomically high.

While the number of war dead is high, in comparison, they are a drop in the bucket to the killings in our own country.

Below are the number of homicides in the US for the last six years, 2006 data was unavailable at this time

• 2005, 16,692
• 2004, 16,137
• 2003, 16,528
• 2002, 16,204
• 2001, 16,037
• 2000, 15,117

If you assume the murder rate for the year 2006 is around the average of 16,000 per year, that is well over 113,000 homicides just in this decade alone.

Where is the real war?

Source: FBI UCR Report's

--gfo

Spring Has Sprung

As of 2004 local time last night, but someone forgot to tell mother nature. This morning, it was 30° out, and dummy me wore a light jacket. It is supposed to warm up to the latter part of the week.

For the most part this winter wasn't bad at all. We had a couple of minor snow storms, but for the most part it was bitterly cold, although in late December we had a couple of 50-60° days.

Oh well, at least spring is officially here, now I need to catch up with my oil company and pay that bill

--gfo

The Luck of The Irish

Must have been with me yesterday. Every year our parish has a ten week club, in which participants buy chances for $25.00 each. The prizes are $500.00, $85.00, and two $50.00 each week. Each parishioners is asked to sell/buy two. Every year I just buy two. Last year I won three times (I covered the $50.00 and then some).

Last night was the first drawing, and I won $85.00, so I have already covered my $50.00 for the ten weeks, and there are still nine more weeks.

Hopefully my lucky streak continues

(Full disclosure, I am only part Irish, my paternal grandmother is Irish, but I am married to an Irish girl)

--gfo

What An Embarrassment

In what was the biggest home loss in franchise history, the Philadelphia 76ers were spanked by the Houston Rockets, 124-74. Looking at the box score for this game, it looks as if the Sixers only showed in the second period.

I haven't been a real fan of the Sixers for the last few years, (and of pro basketball in general), but this got my attention.

Anyone who was at the game (if there was anyone left) ought to get a refund, and an apology from the Sixers for that horrible performance. As much as people pay for tickets these days, as well as parking, concessions, etc, you should at least expect a team to show some effort.

I am embarrassed to say that I live in this city after a game like that.

--gfo

Oh To Be A Cat

It must be tough being a cat, you sleeping 20-22 hours a day, eating/drinking when you feel like it, you can go to the bathroom whenever you want and you don't have to clean it up. You even get to go outside and if you want to, stay out all night and not get in trouble.

Plus you get this blogger's attention a lot, and up until a few months ago, got to sleep in the master bedroom, until the Mrs's allergies banned the loving cat to the hallway or our daughter's room.

In my next life I definitely want to be a cat. (although the neutering and declawing thing wouldn't be necessary)

--gfo

Sleeping Late

Yesterday, I actually slept past 0900 in the morning which is very rare for me. I (like my boy) tend to be an early riser. What was surprising is that we went to bed around 2300, and I had taken a two and half hour nap late Saturday afternoon.

During the work week I average around 5-6 hours depending on what time I go to bed or if I get up earlier to ride my bike or go into the office early.

It did feel good to sleep that long, haven't slept that late or long in awhile.

One nice thing about the kids being older is now they get up and entertain themselves and let us sleep in.

--gfo

Taxes Are Done

For the last Turbo Tax online to file my federal and state income taxes. It usually takes me about 45 minutes and then I file everything electronically. It only cost about $20.00 to file both and its well worth it. I get a PDF copy for my records and I don't have to worry about calculation errors.

I should get my refund in a little over a week. I actually filed later than I normally do, really haven't had the time.

Filing electronically is the way to go, and using Turbo Tax really simplifies the process, and since its not a whole lot of money its well worth the slight expense.

--gfo