# File lib/validates_timeliness/formats.rb, line 293
      def offset_in_seconds(offset)
        sign = offset =~ /^-/ ? -1 : 1
        parts = offset.scan(/\d\d/).map {|p| p.to_f }
        parts[1] = parts[1].to_f / 60
        (parts[0] + parts[1]) * sign * 3600
      end