Thank God It's Friday! / "Everybody's working for the weekend!"

[Jed Cooper]

Hello everyone!  We've all heard and used the expression or are at least familiar with it.  I thought it would be a great idea to elaborate with each other. 

How was your week?  If you're comfortable in doing so, share the ups and yes, even downs and what your plans are for the weekend.  Travel?  Work?  Home projects?  Time with family and/or friends?  Share whatever struggles and or victories that you may have encountered/conquered during the week.  Pat yourself on the back, too!  Why not?  You deserve it!

Then, let us know what you've got planned for the coming weekend or if you're posting during the weekend, what you're up to.  Again, only if you're comfortable with doing so.  I thought it would be fun and open up the door for members to share and get to know each other a little more.

It doesn't have to stop there.  Share some of the things you'd like to do but haven't.  We could even share past weekend experiences here, too.  Post past & present images and videos that you'd like to share.       

I'll get the ball rolling....

Typical work week but I did go see Jason Bourne Tuesday night.  For the second weekend in a row, I'm heading to Naples, Maine to spend time with my dad.  He had follow-up ankle surgery recently and needs me there to help him out, which I'm more than happy to do.  It's great helping out and spending quality time with him.  Almost hard to believe he'll be 75 later this year!  I'm glad and fortunate to still have him around. 

Well, that's all for now.  I do sincerely hope this proves to be an active thread.  Remember, only share what you're comfortable with.  I think it'll be fun sharing and learning together.  Even share if your weekend isn't the traditional Friday through Sunday.  I used to work Wednesdays through Sundays with Mondays and Tuesdays off, so I know what it's like.  It gave me the chance to take care of things I couldn't otherwise do on the weekends, but I did miss out on family gatherings so I'm more than happy to have my regular schedule back.

I hope this finds you all in good health and spirits.  Have a great Friday and enjoy the weekend! 

*If this topic has already been created somewhere I'll feel awfully silly. 

[Matt]

I went camping out west of the Pocanos, which was really beautiful this time of year. I visited my father at the NJ shore -- he's 84, and a widower -- very lonely. He's dating terrible women who think he has money because he made great real estate investments all his life. He just wants company, and they just want his beach houses in Florida and Jersey. I just have to remind him to be careful, he's not in love with anyone, just so lonely.  (My dad IS Walt Kowalski -- in almost every way possible. He's always been very strong, and very quiet. He never needed anyone -- it's sad to see him so weakened emotionally and physically now.)

I guess that's about it. Happy Friday.

[Jed Cooper]

Wow, thanks for sharing, Matt.  That's great you get to see your dad.  Do you see him often?  Camping is great.  We used to do it every summer when we were kids.  Lots of memories, sleeping inside big tents with cots and pup tents with sleeping bags, swimming and campfires.  Simple pleasures.  We try going at least once a year nowadays.  Funny your mentioning the comparisons between Kowalski and your dad.  I thought of my dad when I first saw Gran Torino, but not in the carbon copy sense.  One time, talking with him on the phone I overheard him taking a shot at a suirrel trying to get at his bird feeders.  My dad is 10 years younger than yours, approaching the three-quarter century mark later this year.  84, God Bless your dad and thanks again for sharing.   

[Matt]

We didn't rough it with a tent -- I got a great cottage with central air, a full kitchen, TV, all that. But, we did have a great charcoal grill for cooking, a campfire pit, and lots of booze. I'm not into tents and roughing it anymore. That was fine when I was younger.

My dad has never handled a gun outside of Korea. But, he is a Trump supporter. He's reminded me of Clint since I first saw Clint in 1983, and he still does.

[Jed Cooper]

I know what you mean.  I don't mind tents but have done the log cabin thing, too.  More comfortable.

Thanks again, Matt.  You ever ask him to imitate Eastwood for fun?  I always thought my dad resembled James Garner.  I can’t recall when that impression first came to me, upon seeing The Rockford Files or Tank on cable. 


My weekend didn’t qo quite as planned this time around.  I did wind up having some down time so besides checking out the movies for the Eastwood movie challenge, I had time to watch all three Expendables movies.  I’m still not thrilled with the third installment but the action at the beginning and end helps.   

I hope everybody had a great weekend.  Chin up, the next one will be here soon enough!   

[Matt]

Thanks again, Matt.  You ever ask him to imitate Eastwood for fun?

No, because if I did, I'd only be met with the Eastwood glare, not as an answer to my inquiry, but because it would annoy him, and that would be his natural reaction. 

[Jed Cooper]

Well, another weekend has come and gone.  Another trip to Naples, Maine to help out my Dad.  He recently had a follow-up foot surgery and is progressing well.  I took some decent photos that I posted on Facebook and if I ever get off my lazy tail, I’ll figure out how to post them here because I think they would be enjoyed viewing as much as I do taking them.  For those who have access, feel free to check them out here.  Please let me know if this link does not lead you to them. 

I didn't even plan on taking photos, just wanted to go for a walk but noticed the beauty from the rainfall and that inspired me.


BC/Facebook

I hope everybody enjoyed their weekend! Hang in there, Friday's on it's way! 

[Jed Cooper]

Well, the work-week is officially more than half over.  It's been a very productive one for me at work.  I finally began a project that has been on the back burner for weeks today. I got so caught up that I considered staying late but will be better served by starting early tomorrow instead.  If all goes as planned, it will be either completed or most of it finished by the end of the day tomorrow.  If not then it should be done by Friday.  Regardless, quitting time Friday will find me on the road to Naples, Maine the fourth weekend in a row.   It can be trying at times, but glad to help out my dad while he recovers from foot surgery, all the while spending quality time together.

I hope everybody's having a great week!

[Christopher]

I've been off work for about the last two weeks, but will be going back next week as fall classes begin. So the end of this week and the weekend will be getting some stuff ready for that.

[Matt]

Jed, does your father have anyone else who helps him out? Any other sons or daughters?

I'm on a mini vacation in NJ again. Had a nightmare ordeal with Frontier Airlines. Has anyone else flown them before? I've heard some awful stories, so I think mine isn't really even that bad.

[Conan]

...Had a nightmare ordeal with Frontier Airlines. Has anyone else flown them before? I've heard some awful stories, so I think mine isn't really even that bad.

Heard awful stories as well, but never flown them.  My least favorite small-time U.S. domestic airline is American Eagle, though there are some small airlines in Asia that are ten times worse.

[Matt]

Frontier doesn't have any reciprocal partnerships with other airlines. So my flight, which was supposed to leave Wednesday night, arriving at 11pm, was bumped 2.5 hours, bringing me in at 2:30am. My friend who picked me up had to work in the morning, and wouldn't let me take a cab. It was nearly 4 before we got home. But, we were lucky. The flight was almost bumped until Friday. They only fly every other day to certain cities. That would have screwed up my entire trip. There were other things too - but basically, I was very unimpressed.

[Jed Cooper]

Christopher, did you do anything the two weeks you were off?  Any traveling?  Sorry about your flight troubles, Matt. 

I've been to Maine the last 4 weekends in a row and slated to return next weekend.  My friend and his family happen to be vacationing nearby so depending on how next Saturday goes, I may venture out and meet them.  They live in Taunton and our kids have a play date sleepover Labor Day weekend so I’m planning to skip Maine for Taunton that weekend.  I can use the break.  Still, it’s been great spending time with him this past month, helping out, running some errands together and going out for breakfast Saturday mornings. 

Last Saturday I was going to vacuum the inside of my car but my dad was taking a nap so I decided to take a walk, instead.  It was very, very nice out.  I planned on walking a few minutes and that easily turned into a half an hour.  Reminds me that I need to get my tail back on the treadmill on a regular basis.  Maybe this weekend I’ll try out some light jogging.

I hope everybody’s week is off to a great start! 

[Christopher]

Christopher, did you do anything the two weeks you were off?  Any traveling?

No, didn't really do much during the time off. Some reading, which is something I try to do anyhow, and caught some of the Olympics.

[Jed Cooper]

No, didn't really do much during the time off. Some reading, which is something I try to do anyhow, and caught some of the Olympics.

Well, that's something. Reading's always good.  I made a failed attempt at reading Shakespeare midway through spring.  Think I'll try again in fall or winter.

[Gant]

Thank God its Thursday.. Quiz night over "The Bull" my local pub..
and Im very thirsty....

[Jed Cooper]

^^^A nice primer for the weekend, Gant.   

[Gant]

Exactly Jed.... and third place kept us in the money...
Quite proud that I knew who played the baddie in  Tango and Cash...

[Matt]

Wouldn't have gotten that... and I own the DVD. 

[Jed Cooper]

Another weekend has come and gone.  For the long weekend, my uncle invited me to join him in visiting his daughter (my cousin) and grandkids.  We had a very good time.  We left Saturday morning and departed Sunday, arriving home around 2pm.  I haven't seen my cousin in years although we've been back in touch recently and talking on the phone.  I haven't seen her oldest since she was a baby and got to meet her youngest, both daughters.  My uncle is a great guy with a very good sense of humor.  We enjoyed our stay and made use of the hotels' pool and jacuzzi.  A mini-vacation, as it were.  At least this week is a short work-week. 

I hope everybody enjoyed the weekend.