My Happy Friday

It’s Friday and it’s like walking on the moon, or moon walking. Depending on how old you are one of those makes more sense than the other.

So I’ve had this intriguing, ongoing conversation with Tintu about various topics. One of which involve her trying to get me scared of thirty. That won’t be me. Thirty just means I’ll be cooler and wiser! That’s how I see it!

I have to thank a few more people for late birthday wishes: Chris C. (Happy Birthday to you too!) Joann V. and Paula T.  

I have to give it to Andrea for working her connections and getting her website in the Star Ledger on Sunday. The coverage they got was ridiculous. Here is the article for you fashion conscious people.

I have to thank Jeremy for reminding me that I forgot the best quote from the Mets game the other day: “All we got is steak.” They actually ran out of food and only had steak left.

I have to say no thank you to Shelly for her horrible attempt to educate me on Queens. That article you sent me was boring. I read it, but was highly unimpressed. You should probably start loving NJ. It’s only the best state in the union.

I was very excited to get a note from my friend Patty B. Ya tu saves te quiero, Patty!

On Saturday, Rachel and I went to a Red Bulls game at Giant ‘s Stadium. We had a good time, but the game wasn’t as exciting as I expected.

On Wednesday I ordered some chicken fingers for lunch and they gave me mozzarella sticks. It was weird because they gave me the BBQ sauce I wanted with the chicken fingers. Sounds weird right? But it was really good!

It was also Jon’s birthday! Happy Birthday!

Shelly and I ended up going out to dinner later that day and we had a crazy time at the Macaroni Grill! I was trying to convince LA, our waitress, to get the guy to sing to her in Italian for her birthday, but I guess Shelly did a better job of convincing her not to.

Thursday I heard my old boss the Apple King himself, Jay P. I’ll keep my ear open for that call my good man!

I also heard from the most ethical person I know, Gina S. Go to hear from ya’!

While I was locked in an electrical closet at Tyco I heard the news about MJ. I hopped on the internet and his death had it going nuts like I’ve never seen before. Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and the media were all going CRAZY! Very sad, very sad indeed!

A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!). 

Yes! I’m back and pretty much not sick! Thanks to those of you who checked in last week to make sure I was ok! I didn’t do the blog last week, but I offended some of you Queens folks with my little e-mail.

I do apologize, but we went to that terrible Citi Field last week to watch the Mets lose to the Phillies. It was in the middle of Flushing and that’s just not the place I want to watch a ballgame. Thank you, all for pointing out all of the great things about Queens that I was unaware of. I’ll check them out when I go back on Nevuary 31^st.

Since we missed a week, we’ll run this in a recap format.

First let’s start with the birthdays! Happy Birthday to:

Lynne P.

Chris P.

Sandy B. (Tyco)

I have to say hello to Rosa again ‘cuz she is the most consistent responder to the blog. You have to love her.

I almost had a great lawsuit on my hands when Jen’s dog tried to attack me. Luckily I was able to avoid that little bugger.

Now, I’ll  acknowledge the people who wished me a happy birthday this year. As we learned last year, the proliferation of social networks has increased my birthday visibility so I have a lot of people to thank. So here we go:

Siaka

Adrian: You were EXACTLY ONE WEEK EARLY and you then got it right

Cleo: You were also very EARLY!

Kia

Satirah

Asia: I have confirmed with Rachel and my mother that my mother was still in labor on the 9^th. So no my birthday isn’t the 9^th! As my sister you should know this.

Amber: You are my best friend, no? The line above goes for you too.

Mom: Thanks for being the first to say happy birthday after Rachel!

Rachel: Thank you for being the first!

Matt

Jamil: A day early? LOL.

iYou**ito (11:47:07 AM): Happy birthday!

Christine

Rueben S.

Tom K.

Pea**yan (9:25:29 AM): Happy Birthday…my bad…I know I am a little late…its Ryan C-F!`
MrOmarJ (9:25:45 AM): No it’s today!

MrOmarJ (9:25:51 AM): Thanks!

Pea**yan  (9:26:03 AM): WORD…LOL…..I just knew it was yesterday!

Pea**yan  (9:26:05 AM): LOL

MrOmarJ (9:26:15 AM): yeah a lot of people thought/think that!

Shelly: Thanks for the “shout” but the Kobe/Laker hate has to stop! I’ll convert you like I did Rachel.

Barb

Jeremy: Where’s my shake?

Cori from WCBS

Jamie

Pat

Chrispi**onjk (10:59:01 AM): Happy birthday!

Ela***esjk (9:43:04 AM): Happy Birthday!!! 99 bananas all around!

MrOmarJ (9:43:27 AM): lets do it!!!!!!!!

Lga**o77 (9:43:05 AM): happy birthday!!!!!

Christie G

Ayana: You allegedly called me, but I’m not sure! I’ll take your word.

Jane and Jack: Happy Birthday to you too little man!

Samantha C.

Mitzi

Dushyanthi

Reggie

Evelyn

Zelissa

Cynthia

Mark M.

Everyone else who said it

And that’s that!

An old friend of mine had a baby boy the other day. She named him Logan. I like that name. News came via Tasha. Thanks!

During my birthday my ice cream cake came up. Then there was discussion about whether it was a Cookie Puss or not. I was not familiar with that, because I don’t think I was old enough to be. Are you? And it wasn’t by the way.

Lynne sent me over a link to what looks like my dream meal. I’m hoping Rachel will make it soon!

For you fools, i.e. me, who can’t be wired enough you can now make your car a wifi hub. Check it out!

I heard from the big cheese, Jay P., the other day! I think he is settling into his new job which is good to hear.

Bob, Kurt and I played expense check bingo. I love that game. It’s a variation of guess how much money is in my pocket. I think it’s self explanatory how it works.                

Andrea, you crack me up. I am thoroughly amused by/proud of various things about your new website. First is your e-mail about Stella:

“…..Stella McCartney (the real one!) is following us on twitter!!!”

I didn’t know who that was until I Googled her.

And I love this press release that my quote was featured in. That quote couldn’t have been better if I wrote it myself!

I think I found my new phone. I love this Nokia that charges itself.

Finally, I have to congratulate all of the Californians, including Tintu, for the Lakers latest Championship! Kobe Diem!

A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!). 

Let’s play a little word game. Here we go. Two words: First word. Sounds like rhyme. It’s a person. Yes! “I’m.” Second word. Sounds like cough. Opposite of on. Correct! “Off!” It’s amazing how that happy Friday feel translates to Thursday when you have off Friday.  

I just read an article about the way people read things online. Apparently using bold and keeping your paragraphs short and using bulleted lists like my to do list today are great ways to keep people interested. 

To do:o   Sleepo   Eato   Sleep some moreo   Play video games 

On Sunday I took a trip out to queens on my motorcycle. During my four hour trip I had a few conversations with some other motorcyclists and watched folks running in the park. I met an interesting homeless guy who caught me as I was putting my helmet on. We had a quick chat and I was off. 

I talked to my super friend Alline F. on Monday. She is so super cool and now she’s a mom. Hopefully, she’ll send me some nice photos to share. 

Tuesday JK Design won another award. This time it was for the incredible transformation of our office. Well it wasn’t Tuesday, but that’s when I saw the article. Barb and Jerry in the paper again. J 

Wednesday was my super client Shelly’s birthday. She too is experiencing the proliferation of the social network. Proliferation. That’s a big word, and I actually know how to spell it! 

Oh wait, as I reread this I realize that Tuesday was Jon’s birthday! 

Mitzi’s back in New Brunswick so I guess that means you live down the street from me! I want to visit. Get settled and give me a call! 

After almost a year, Joe Diamond (Jeremy) and I decided to start up our home run derby again. We were tied at 1 game apiece and after a one inning playoff, “[I] finished the game like the champion [I am]!” I love that quote. Yes, I won 7-6. 

For those of you People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals fans/haters, they are at it again. We were pretty amused reading this story. 

So Rachel’s buddy and I dare to say my best “her friend” is going to have a little one. Check out the sonogram of Dara Lis M.’s baby. I love it! 

Thursday started off terribly. First I forgot about a meeting that I reminded someone else about. And while I was yelling at myself for missing it I forgot my lunch that Rachel had so nicely prepared the day before. I guess I can always find solace in a girl who texts 15,000 times per month. 

Here is one last link, just for Jen F. since she loves links. It’s one more reason for you to monitor the games your kids play.

A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!).

Oh!!!!!!!! And the joy continues! Thanks to Ira, Kelly Simone, Cindy O., Christine, Kim G., Joann and Max for your belated birthday wishes, and Amber and Asia who weren’t belated, but I forgot to mention them last week. It turns out I missed Jack’s, Jane’s son, birthday. June 10^th is a beautiful day!

I have to say congrats to Jeremy for getting nominated for Employee of the Month for his ingenious idea to create “Pretzel” Day and bring in a tray of pretzels from the Philly Pretzel Factory. This guy finished up the week strong with a 52-mile ride for autism. Nice job!

My buddy Lynne ran a 10K run that she had a blast at. I’m especially intrigued about the Beer Belly Run that she said is coming up. You run two miles and sample beers along the route. Yes!

I think the most excitement this week came when a few of us watched the tail end of the U.S. Open. That Tiger guys is good.

I’m going to call this week a wash because this post is terrible. Actually, now that I think about it, I think this post could be good for my career. That’s what a friend of mine told me. We’ll see.

Anyway, please tell me you did something worthwhile.

Ok. Got to go. Have a great weekend!

A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!).

So let’s call this the birthday edition! Since most of what I have to say is about that wonderful day this past Tuesday I think that fits.

I started my birthday early by continuing my tradition of getting Rachel a gift for my birthday. She was very excited about it.

For some random reason a bunch of people wished me a happy birthday early. Monday Tom K., Mitzi (“happpy birthday to my favorite Tyco buddy of all time!!) and Anne P. (American Consumer Opinion) started it off. Rachel was of course the first person to do it on my actual birthday. And here is the role call for everyone else: Gina S., Pat B., Andrea W., Shelly L., Sandra B., Pam, Chris P., Jerry N., Jon S., ING Direct (my bank), Gamebattles.com, Brian M., Jason W., Rich M., Jameel M., Siaka S. (twice), Mark M. (fellow Gemini), Mom, Anita J., Grandma, Tasha J., Yannie J., Adrian P., Kia A., everyone at work and the late wishes from Ryan C., Chris M. (was on vacation) and Lynne P. (she remembered last week).

My Mom made a surprise visit to the office and brought cookies for the staff. She had a nice conversation with Jerry and Barb. They have this weird UPS kinship. It was kind of funny that my work mom, Elaine, got to meet my mom, mom. After she met everyone she left and I was back to my work. It was weird because since everyone has facebook, myspace, linkedin, plaxo and all that other crap so many more people knew it was my birthday this year. I got calls, e-mails and texts all day, too funny.

When I got home Rachel cooked my requested dinner and we watched the Lakers beat the Celtics with my mother. You should see the stuff I got for my birthday! Thanks, everyone.

That was pretty much it for the birthday. I did finish up the week on a great note. I went 4 for 5 with 3 singles, a triple, 5 RBIs, 2 runs and an error at the softball game.

That’s it. I am exhausted from an exciting week. See below for some cool stuff to check out.

If you have $1.6 million for a house, you can buy a house in Cali and get one free.

Would you ever do this to your mother?

My catch phrase now has a shirt!

The Red Sox show their true barbarian selves

This 6-year-old saves his friend

See the greatest football helmets of all time

A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!).

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh good afternoon, EVERYBODY! While it’s probably not the afternoon when you’re reading this, it just sounds so good when he says that.

Last week Mariah Carey made what was clearly the worst first pitch ever. I think she’d be best served sticking to singing. At the same time somewhere in Dallas, Texas the President got major cool points with me.  This chest bump with a recent graduate was super cool. How could you hate a guy who would do that?

After I sent out the blog last week, I received a quick e-mail from Darren inviting me out for a flight in his plane. Turns out sometime soon Rachel and I will be flying on Darren Airlines.  

Since it’s been more than a year since I won my surround system in an auction where I narrowly beat out Mitzi I figured she’d might be over it by now, but apparently not since she told me that, “That surround sound is mine! Haha.” 

I stopped by Star Bucks after a late lunch and picked up a few drinks for the team and a woman stopped me while I was waiting for the rest of my order. She says, “I’m sorry. What is that drink you have? It looks so good. I am so boring I always get the same stuff.” Why that’s a caramel frappuccino. It’s ‘o so good; you should try it. LOL.

If you ever find yourself speeding, you might want to try this cool new software for your phone. It alerts your phone when you’re near speed traps—oh so cool.

Saturday was my buddy Andrea’s birthday. I think she turned 25—nice. If you can’t help yourself, like my friend Lynne P., you may want to click this link to Kimbo Slice popping open James Thompson’s massive cauliflower ear. If you’re impatient go to 18:50 of the clip.

Monday Jerry told me a funny story, I’m pretty sure he wanted me to tell you, about how he wore two different shoes to work. We were both pretty amused.

Later in the day I had the pleasure of seeing my super client Jane W. of JWI and Martinique. On my way back from New York I saw the craziest thing driving back to my apartment. Send me an e-mail or give me a call and I will tell you about it.

I ended up working from home one Tuesday because I only got about 2.5 of sleep after finishing a crazy project for Jane. Jerry forgot that I was in New York working on a project for a client and thought I was calling out after a long session in Atlantic City—haha. That’s terrible.  

My cousin got herself an iPhone! I’m jealous—there I said it.

Have you ever hear of Cure Auto insurance? They’re a big sponsor of Rutgers football. Their commercial is classic. I’m not sure I ever thought someone would ever use the “F” word in a commercial, but they did.

Because I know you’ve missed him, I found this great William Hung video of him signing Queen.

I know a bunch of you are Guitar Hero fans so check this crazy YouTube video out.

In what I think is becoming a tradition, Cleo wished me Happy Birthday nearly a week early on Wednesday. Thank you!

On Thursday it was really someone’s birthday! My favorite copywriter turned, ummmm, 28? Happy birthday, Lynne! Thursday was also great because I was victorious in Kurt’s buddy’s hockey pool. Take that Kurt! You were beat by a guy who allegedly knows nothing about hockey.

I think I’ll leave on that note.

Work week killed.

Good bye.

A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!).

Oh wow, oh wow! This has been a blockbuster week. First let me say Happy Birthday to big Jon S. and Shelly L. from Tyco—I think they both just turned 21. So let’s start with the weekend. I had tons o’ fun at Tyco working on their big lobby renovation—from Friday to Monday I worked 36 hours on top of my regular job. HAHA! So much fun. We, JK Design, were featured in the paper, again. On Wednesday, I got the chance to play one of my colleagues Wii during lunch—oh, I have to have one! That thing is “the bomb,” so much so that I bought two, one for me and one for Jon. Cash or certified check only buddy!  

So yesterday was the crowning moment of the week. We had a softball game and I was running late because of a car repair. I got there just in time because of my buddy Kurt’s directions. We were down three, but I knew we could pull it out. I proceeded to have the game of my life, probably because the love of my life, Rachel, was there! I went 3 for 3 (1 RBI, 2 Runs) with a single, a double and a HOME RUN! We won with a walk off single in the seventh! 

So I’d like to end this e-mail on a happy, happy note. I have to say farewell to my buddies and wish them luck. Reager, you’re such a stud! We’re going to miss your bat and your ridiculous poker analysis. Annie, the coolest and most athletic girl I know—good luck in CA! Martinique, you too are a trader like me! Leaving Tyco for the other side. We’ll miss you! Now I get off work today at 1 p.m. so I’m thinking that one of two things are going to happen. You’ll follow suit and leave early too and go get a drink or you’ll leave on time and have twice as many drinks. Win, win if you ask me! If you forgot, tomorrow is Saturday and last I checked your 40 hour work week runs out on Friday! Go home, or to a bar! 

A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!).

HAPPY FRIDAY! I’m so super excited today! I have to say this has been a pretty cool week. Bowling on Sunday wasn’t great for me (159, 153, 200), but I was proud of my Best Friend Amber for her efforts. On Tuesday, my buddies Bill and Joe Diamond (aka Jeremy) and I took a few practice swings to prepare for our upcoming WBO, Wiffle Ball Olympics. On Wednesday, my production manager, Kurt, started a baby pool* for a woman who just left on maternity leave. I know I’m going to win—YES!  Thursday was the first WBO at JK Design. I have to say I am proud of the turnout—15 people, and more proud of the result—we won 6-0 and I pitched a shutout!  

To finish off a great week, I opened up today’s Central Jersey Edition of the Courier News to section B6 and what do I see? Me! Well me, my boss and a few other employees. So they did a write up about us new hires and it’s “tight” as Kurt would say. Check it out if you can, and no it’s not on their site yet.  And one of the reasons I’m so late with this e-mail is because another paper was here taking pictures for a story they are doing on JK Design, too funny. So the moral of the story is, it’s Friday and you better be happy! I’m this excited and I am working tonight until 9 p.m., tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday TBD to TBD. Enjoy your weekend and remember: Omar loves ya! 

A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!).  

*No money is being gambled in the baby pool. Proceeds will benefit the pregnant women in question, as stated in line 357 of statute p298o7 of New Jersey State law. All contestants are 18 and their ages have been verified.

So, it’s Friday. I rode my bike (MOTORCYCLE :)) into work, I have on jeans and my shirt isn’t tucked. This is a classic, casual day and gosh darn it I feel great. Last weekend, my birthday weekend was made incredibly special by my girlfriend, Rachel. Philly, Camden and Atlantic City, YEAH! I’m going to say one of my favorite moments was when I sat down at a blackjack table in AC on my BDay and it was the guy next to me’s BDay too—how random. The rest of the week was rather bland, I got my 401k, I stopped by Tyco and my old boss’s boss, Terry Sutter, got a new job. As you can tell it was a regular week, but I feel like a million bucks and so should you. Leave work early, companies typically won’t fire you before the weekend, grab a drink, Friday is a great happy hour day, and smile knowing that you don’t have to work tomorrow!

 A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!).

So I’ll make this short this week because I am busy. I missed a few weeks because my laptop died and I didn’t have anyone’s e-mail address, but hey I’m back and it’s Friday. What you’ve missed while I was gone: My little sister had a little boy named Marcus, so cute; I started bowling in a league with, my buddy Steven, my mother and my best friend Amber (173, 221, 203 week 1); I’ve been to Tyco more times in the last few weeks than I did when I worked there; I rode my motorcycle to Maryland with my girlfriend on the back; and this weekend my girlfriend is taking me away for my birthday—whew hoo (4-star hotel, she must be hiding money). So be sure to smile because they can’t make you come to work tomorrow!  

A special hello to Rosa, the inventor of Happy Friday, Happy Monday (only a few more days until Friday) and oh my god, Happy Thursday (tomorrow is Friday!).