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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Seven Things are swimming

Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.

Subject: Seven Weird or Random Things About Us


Occasionally we do these memes or tags or whatever you call them if we’re tagged. I always adapt it to the unique style of this six-person blog. This one from Brave Astronaut’s Order from Chaos requests seven random things about you. I was thinking about how to get seven things out of six people, and it just so happened we were all drinking at Catalina’s Saturday night so I decided to ask Clarence, our favorite non-Ann server, to answer the question also, although I didn’t tell him why or what it was for. First the rules, as requested by the rules.


THE RULES:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post THE RULES on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.



So Brave Astronaut has requested we all reveal one random or weird fact about ourselves. I know how you all tend to dislike my little round-robin sessions, but I hope the alcohol will loosen you all up.”


So you liquored us all up and now you’re going to pry information out of us? That’s sneaky!”


You’ll probably get weirder things out of us this way too.”


That’s kind of the plan. It can be anything, random, silly, weird..whatever. It’s just a silly internet meme.”


Oh, I’ve got one! I once fell asleep during work.”


Fell asleep!? While driving a subway car? Billy!”


It’d been a rough night the night before. Relax, we were stopped in a tunnel and I kind of drifted off. I woke up to ‘Yo, Billy. The light’s green, get us moving!’ I think they just thought I was zoning out.”


I guess that’s better than sleeping through a stop or something. I once dated someone that had Triskaidekaphobia.”


No way, there are actually people out there like that?”


Definitely. He avoided anything with military time, because he never wanted it to be 13:00. If I asked him to pick up a dozen bagels, if the bagel shop measured it in baker’s dozens, he’d always insist they leave out the 13th bagel.”


Wow. Crazy. I’m not surprised you’re no longer with him.”


His thirteenth birthday must’ve been a nightmare.”


I’m not positive on this, but I think he referred to it as his second 12th birthday.”


“Kind of like how my aunt keeps celebrating the anniversary of her 49th birthday so she’ll never turn 50.”


Ha! That’s kind of cool.


How old are you this year?’


It’s the 11th anniversary of my 49th birthday.’


That’s..60? Happy Birthday!’


No! the 11th anniversary of 49. I’m not 60!’”


“Kind of like that, yes. My uncle’s been teasing her and saying he’s celebrating the 40th anniversary of his 18th birthday and silly stuff like that.”


Clarence: “Hey guys! You all good on appetizers? Need drink refills?”


We order drink refills and more breadsticks.


Clarence, tell us something random or weird about yourself.”


Clarence: “Something weird huh..Why?”


Just curious. Come on!”


Clarence: “Okay, I’ll think about it and come back with a super answer with your drinks okay?”


Excellent!”


Something weird for me…how about..I didn’t get a computer until 1998. I was the last person I knew to get one and be on the Internet.”


Wow, that is late. You almost missed Y2K altogether.”


Y2K..EVERYONE missed Y2K. Nothing happened!”


That’s not true. I actually contracted a virus at Y2K.”


Seriously?”


I probably got it before Y2K actually. But New Years was the first time anything happened. My computer would crash every night at midnight on the dot for a long time after that.”


You never got it fixed or anything?”


I tried once or twice and couldn’t figure it out. I wasn’t quite as technically savvy at the time. And it was no big deal really, I just restarted at midnight if I was using the computer. Eventually I reformatted, but that was at least a year later.”


Wow, I’m impressed. That’s the first time I’ve heard of something actually being affected by Y2K. And I can’t believe we’re talking about Y2K at all in 2008.”


I once fell asleep on the LIRR visiting a friend out on the island. This was a while ago and I guess for what ever reason they didn’t feel like checking tickets. I ended up out by the Hamptons somewhere late at night.”


Like that Friends episode where Ross is dating that girl upset and falls asleep on the train and ends up in Montreal?”


Yeah. Kind of..except it was late at night and the next train back wasn’t for two hours. I’m just glad it was summer and not freezing cold.”


Could’ve walked to the beach.”


I was afraid of getting lost. I didn’t have a cellphone yet.”


Ahh. I see.”


Clarence: “Here are your drinks!”


You think of something interesting to tell us?”


Clarence: “I thought of something. It’s not that unheard of here, but I don’t know how to drive.”


That’s not that weird in Manhattan. It’s probably better than all the other people who have licenses but haven’t driven in years. Then they get behind the wheel on vacation or something and are totally out of their element.”


I'd miss driving. I always feel like it's getting back on a bicycle; I pick it right back up even if I haven't driven in a month.”


Not everyone has the same muscle memory. I barely have driven more than Driver's Ed and the road test. You had years of practice before you moved here.”


I guess I have. It's your turn Scott, don't think you're weaseling out of it now that we've all answered.”


I've never been on a plane. The farthest from here I've ever been was Washington DC on a school trip once.”


One day we should have a 6th Floor Road Trip!!”


Clarence: “Do you invite 6th Floor Servers on your trip?”


Of course. That would be a terrific idea Sara.”


Frank leans over and whispers towards Clarence. “No Cindy though.”


Okay, so that's done. Seven things. I'm not going to tag anyone else, because I don't like doing that, however if you want to, feel free, let me know and I'll link to it even. Does anyone have any suggestions on where would be fun for Scott's inaugural plane trip for a 6th floor vacation?

Monday, February 25, 2008

Semi-Live Oscar Blog


Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.

Subject: Semi-Live Oscar Blog


“You know what annoys me the most about the Oscars? The short films. I want to be able to see them!!”


I agree with you on that. At least put them online or something. The way it is it’s definitely the most ‘who cares’ part of the show.”


We actually saw short films at Tribeca last year, but none of them were even nominated.”


“I would’ve loved to see Onion Underwater up there.”


Yeah, I really enjoyed that one. The cow one was kind of interesting too.”


“Last year I actually spent some time searching the Internet trying to find some of the nominated films. I had absolutely no luck.”


I think they should have a ‘best quote’ category. ‘Take the gun, Leave the cannoli!’”


Hey! I’m walking here, I’m walking here!”


What were some good quotes from last year?”


I can’t think of any off the top of my head.”


It’d probably end up tainted anyway. They’d vote for all the artsy meaningful quotes.”


Probably.”


“I don’t know if I’d even bother watching if it wasn’t Jon Stewart hosting.”


I’m only really watching for the outfits. I didn’t go out and see most of the popularly nominated movies.”


Wow, Bourne Ultimatum is actually nominated for something?”


“You didn’t like it?”


No, I liked it. I just didn’t expect it to get any respect from the Academy.”


Oh, Transformers! All those cool robot sounds? That’s gotta win sound editing.”


Wow, Bourne won. Nice.”


Sound mixing? What’d the difference between editing and mixing?”


Sound editing is creating and fixing the sounds for the movie, mixing is basically adjusting all the volumes for the sounds and voices so they sound good.”


No way Bourne’s going to win twice. They’ll want to spread it out.”


Bourne again. Nice. A movie I’ve actually seen and enjoyed.”


Wii! They’re playing Wii sports!”


That’s freaking awesome.”


“I’d love to play games on a screen that size.”


Me too. Oh..another musical performance. These are kind of boring me.”


I think Juno is the only best picture nominee that I have even a little interest in seeing. If there were more of the movies I enjoyed last year, maybe I wouldn’t be so bored watching some of this.”


“That’s why I’m blogging through it. I’m glad we’re on Tivo and able to skip some of the commercials.”


Bourne won film editing too. Wow, I bet no one suspected that would win three Oscars.”


I guess they really liked how the movie was made. I wonder if they really even care about the story.”


“Have to see if it wins a writing award.”


Is it nominated for one?”


“Dunno. Guess we’ll wait and see.”


If I don’t fall asleep first.”


“If you do the results are in the paper tomorrow anyway.”


It’s 10:40. Probably less than an hour remaining, I think you can tough it out.”


“That’s true. You know Sara, looking at that list of the recent best picture nominees, they’re not always all these artsy uninteresting ones like you claim. Gladiator? Lord of the Rings?”


You’re right. Maybe it’s just lately. There is always next year.”


Anyone want to make a bet on Best Picture?”


“Nah, but I’m tired of trying to write and watch so I’m going to stop. My guess at Best Picture is Atonement.”


I’ll go with Juno just to be different.”



Sunday, February 24, 2008

Snow Snow Snow

Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank and Scott.

Subject: Finally, some snow

“It's snowing!” Tabitha shouts, bursting into the apartment.

“I noticed. It's really going to kill my tips this afternoon though.”

“This is one of those days where I'm glad I'm not working so I don't have to fight with subway delays and slushie street corners.”

“This is the first real storm we've had with accumulation, I can't believe it's almost March.”

“Probably the last one too.” Frank says, emerging from his room to see what all the commotion is about.

“I checked the weather, It's supposed to be a little warmer this weekend, probably going to melt most of it.”

“That means there will be all sorts of business people leaping over huge puddles of water in intersections come Monday morning. There is nothing funnier than a guy in a suit rushing to work stepping in a puddle and soaking his pant leg halfway up to his knee.”

“You take some real pleasure out of other people's misfortune don't you?”

“Come on! You don't think that's funny?”

“Come on Tab, it's hilarious!”

Tabitha grins. “Okay, okay, it's funny. I actually think it's funnier trying to watch women in high heels keep their balance on snow and ice.”

“Yes!”

“The best part about it snowing in the city is no shoveling! If I were at my parents house I'd be outside pushing a shovel around and helping my dad clean off the cars.”

“It's one of the less known benefits of not having a yard or a driveway.”

“I'm going out for a walk in the snow. Anyone want to come? The city is so pretty covered in white..”

Tabitha, Sara and Scott depart the apartment.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Free Wireless

Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Frank, Billy.

Subject: Free Wireless Zone


Hey, did you know CBS has created a huge free wireless area from Times Square to Central Park South between 6th and 8th avenue? I love it!”


No I didn't. That's pretty cool. It works everywhere?”


Yup, laptops, phones, handhelds.. Can sit down anywhere and browse the World Wide Web.”


Dude, no one calls it the World Wide Web anymore.”


Oh whatever. I connected from a Starbucks just north of Times Square today. Screw you T-Mobile!”


The rates for the T-Mobile hot zones aren't even good if it's your only Internet provider. It's crazy. Occasionally I'll utilize a free connection in the park, but not in the winter. I'll have to check out this CBS zone.”


I was only on it for a little while, but there are some ads and all, which is no big deal. Oh, and in some cases there are zillions of wireless signals floating around midtown that you sometimes have to restart or refresh the search a lot to find the good ones.”


Maybe I'll take my laptop out and do my job searches outside of the house. Make myself feel like I was productive if I'm not home.”


I know the feeling, I don't think I could ever work from home.”


I dunno, sleeping until noon. Making my own hours. Taking breaks whenever the hell I want. I dig it.”


Your job is a lot cooler than ours though.”


Well, that's true. Working distracted never cost either of you thousands of dollars either though.”


Nope, not yet.”


I wish I had thousands of dollars to risk!”


Speaking of free wireless, do you know what I found out recently? Panera Bread's free wireless now has peak time limits! I was at one in the afternoon, and it kicked me off and said I'd used my 30 minute quota for the peak lunch crowd!”


Oh, that sucks. No workaround? Restarting or anything? I wonder if you could use a proxy to trick it into thinking it's a different computer. Probably not.. Maybe it simply checks your computer name? Too simple..It probably checks your mac address. Oh well. Guess Panera Bread is off the midday wireless list.”


I'm rarely up at that time anyway, but what if they do it during the dinner rush too? That's lame! It said something about wanting you to get up to make table space for other customers.”


I guess that makes sense. It'd be nice if you could do something like entering a receipt number to get an extra hour or something.”


Yeah. I'd gladly buy another mocha or a cinnamon bun to sit there longer. Now I'm just going to go there less in general.”


That's what makes this CBS zone thing so great. Legitimately free wireless. I can deal with ads, there are ads everywhere. It's gotten to the point where things look weird without ads.”


Yeah. I agree. I have to test it out more to see if it's really reliable. It's only been up like a month or two, so they probably still have some bugs in coverage or something.”


Probably need some time to get the kinks out.”


Maybe now I'll have less boring people hanging around in Starbucks nursing a latte for six hours on their laptops while I'm trying to get a table to hang with Scott on his breaks. They can all run away to Times Square. I'm sure they'll find plenty of inspiration there.”


Six hours? That's kind of crazy. I usually at least order a second drink to nurse when I'm hanging out all day!”


Scott tells me there are some that order plenty throughout the day when they hang out. I worry for their health though. Some of them easily ingest in excess of a gram of caffeine.”


Damn. I don't know whether to be impressed or worried.”


I don't know either, but now I want a mocha.”


Let's go visit Scott and get some coffee.”



Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The Food Network

Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.

Subject: Ace of the Food Network


I watched a lot of Food Network while I was sick. They have some terrific shows on that station!”


I like Dinner: Impossible. It's a little silly at times, but he has some cool missions. Did you see the one where he had to incorporate chocolate into each dish of a 5-course meal at Hershey?”


I saw that one, He's a little obnoxious though. He must've said “I don't usually mix sweet and savory” about six zillion times during that episode.”


Yeah, but at the end he wanted to add one of the things he made to his regular repertoire.”


Good point.”


I enjoy Ace of Cakes. Duff is so funny.”


Did you see the one where they made the Harry Potter premier cake?”


That cake was amazing! Did you hear Daniel Radcliff say they should ditch the model they use for wide-angle camera shots of Hogwarts and just use the cake?”


Yeah. I was amused that the van kept breaking on the trip over there too.”


They'll have to get a new van or something.”


I like Iron Chef.”


Iron Chef's okay I guess. It seems too scripted for me. And all the food is too fancy. I wouldn't eat most of that stuff.”


It always seems like they have some crazy fish thing going on too.”


Yeah, where is the simple macaroni and cheese variation?”


Some of those competitions are cool. They had one on last week where they were constructing land marks. Someone made a really cool Statue of Liberty.”


Didn't they forget her tablet though?”


Well yeah..She didn't win. It still looked pretty cool though.”


I'm always annoyed when they have chocolate competitions but use almost exclusively white chocolate. That doesn't count! It's not really chocolate!”


Are you a chocolate snob Sara? Are you too good for white chocolate? Or maybe you're racist? You don't associate with the whitey chocolate, only the darker kind?”


You got me. I'm a chocolate racist. Dark chocolate just has a bigger flavor in my mouth.”


Frank bursts out laughing at this.


Nice comeback Sara. Real nice.”


You know what show is nice? Everyday Italian, with Giada De Laurentiis. She's very nice looking.”


You think so? I'm always turned off by her scary smile. It's freaky.”


She's pretty, but she's overly bubbly for my taste.”


Yeah, you're not big on the whole 'showing emotion' thing Billy. Afraid she might make you open up?”


I might be able to tolerate it if she was cooking for me constantly.”


The path to Billy's heart is truly through his stomach.”


Was there really any doubt?”


Thursday, February 14, 2008

Sara the Diseased

Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.

Subject: Sara gets Sick


Sara moans, while laying on the couch. “I think I'm sick.”


Stay away from me, I don't feel like getting sick this week.”


What's the matter? Got a cold?”


A cough, my head feels all congested and I have a headache, and I'm nauseas.”


There is Tylenol cold in the bathroom, you should take some. Take some vitamin C and Echinacea too. It'll help.”


Okay..” Sara mutters, pulling herself to her feet and heading to the bathroom. Can you pour me something bubbly then?”


Tabitha pours Sara a glass of ginger ale. “I hope she doesn't get us sick, I have a test next week that I need to study for, and trying to study sick sucks.”


I have to work, and I need the money. And I'm too lazy to do any writing when I'm sick.”


Sara returns from the bathroom and heads towards the kitchen. “Woah, stay away from me! I put your glass by the couch.”


Yes yes, I'm diseased, no one wants anything to do with me.” Sara mopes around and plops down on the couch.


Me and Mark have big plans for Valentine's Day, I can't be hacking and sneezing for them. That'd suck.”


Here, take some Vitamin C with me.”


Frank walks in from his room and sees Tabitha and Ann swallowing pills. “Oooh, popping pills already? Need something to take that edge off before Valentine's Day dates tonight?”


Just Vitamin C, Sara's sick.”


Diseased! Quick, someone spray her with Lysol!”


I don't think spraying me with Lysol is going to heal me.”


You never know. I'm headed out for an early dinner with a friend, you want me to pick you up some cough drops on the way back?” Frank asks, as Sara start coughing violently.


That'd be great. Thanks Frank. See if they have the strawberry vitamin c ones. Those are yummy.”


You got it.”


Tabitha runs over with a Lysol wipe and wipes down the coffee table in the living room. You can at least cover your mouth if you're going to hack all over!”


Oh relax! I don't think germs can live for long outside the body anyway, especially on a coffee table.”


Okay okay..I just don't want to get sick.”


I'm sure you'll be fine. I don't think I'm contagious anyway. I'm actually glad I didn't have any plans for tonight, I'm not feeling up to being romantic anyway.”


Yeah, hard to feel sexy when you're coughing and sneezing and generally miserable.”


That was a Friends episode once. Monica was sick and trying to get Chandler to have sex with her.”


Yeah, I remember that episode. I just hope you two are snubbed and don't bring smelly flowers back here. They'd probably aggravate my noise.”


Roses don't smell that much, but I can keep any flowers I get in my room if it bothers you.”


We'll see. I'm going to lay on the couch and hopefully fall asleep watching chocolate specials on the Food Network.


Sounds like a plan. I guess I should go get ready to go out and enjoy my Steak tonight. Woo hoo!”

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Cadbury Mini Eggs

Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.

Subject: Cadbury Mini Eggs: Solid Milk Chocolate With A Crisp Sugar Shell


Hey guys! I got us some Cadbury Mini Eggs to celebrate with!”

What are we celebrating?”


That I got us some Cadbury Mini Eggs? I got us six bags. I figure we could have a race and see who finishes theirs first.”


Great idea!”


No. That's stupid. I'm not shoving a bag full of chocolate eggs in my mouth as fast as I can.”


Party pooper!”


Yeah, come on. It'll be fun!”


No it won't. It'll be disgusting.”


I'm going to have to agree with Tabitha. I'm not really into those eggs anyway. I prefer the big crème filled ones.”


I'll play. What else have I got to do anyway?”


I can't believe you bought six bags...and you're unemployed.”


A girl can't be mopey all day long. I need my chocolate.”


The best bet would have been to not get fired.”


Sara just glares at Tabitha.


Whatever. Are you in Scott?”


Chocolate, competitions, possibly getting sick? What's not to love?”


Good. We have two extra bags..maybe we should do a little single elimination tournament?”


You are proposing we eat a second bag afterwards? Let's just leave those to eat during the week okay?”


Yeah, you know how Tabitha gets when there is vomit all over the place.”


Everyone's cleaning up their own vomit. Girl's room is off limits, so if you're going to puke Sara, use their bathroom.”


I'm not going to puke. Relax.”


Yeah Tab, just think of the chocolate as Sara's valentine's gift to you.”


You shouldn't feel obligated to put out though.”


Yes she should.”


You're right, yes you should.”


Screw you all!” Tabitha says, and storms away.


You guys ready? Sure you don't want in Ann?”


I'm sure. I actually think it might be more fun watching. I'll be the judge.”


They start on Ann's signal and start shoving chocolate eggs in their mouth. They start making a colossal mess as shattered candy shells spray out of their too-full mouths to add to the mess of the crumbs of the overturned bags.


Done!” Sara shouts, slamming her hand down on the counter.


Rmmm! Mmhrhrm hmrm mmrrmhm!”


I have to agree with Billy.”


I think I'm going to be sick.”


I scratched the roof of my mouth on a candy shell.”


Me too. It was worth it though.”


You're the mini-egg eating champ. Aren't you so proud?”


I can't believe I lost to a girl.”


Loser. You're a big loser!” Sara taunts.


It's over Billy, you can stop eating them.”


They're yummy though.”


Scott moans from the couch. “Urgh! I feel sick..I feel sick.”


I thought that was part of the fun.”


Not when I lose.”


If Santa leaves you coal when you're bad, does the Easter Bunny leave you speckled egg vomit?”


Gross Frank!”


He probably leaves you rotten eggs. You get last year's batch.”


So if you're bad, the Easter Bunny gives you salmonella?”


And he uses lead-based paint dyes on the eggs so you get lead poisoning too.”


Damn, the Easter Bunny can sure be a bastard!”


Friday, February 8, 2008

Upcoming Box Office Bomb

Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Frank, Billy and Scott.

Subject: Upcoming Bomb


You guys have to see this horrible movie that's coming out Friday.” Billy says, emerging from his room.


Why would I want to see it if it's so bad?”


It's like a car crash where you just can't look away. It has Paris Hilton in it. The movie title itself proclaims her to be a 'hottie'.”


Pretty bad marketing move on their part. Let's check this out, boot it up over there on good 'ole Sammy.”


(Sammy is the fairly outdated clunker of a computer Frank donated to the living room. It's short for Samantha.)


The Hottie and the Nottie? Could you have a lamer movie title?”


Christine Lakin is the 'Nottie'? She's so much hotter than Paris Hilton.”


What's she been in?”


I saw her in the Game Plan a couple of weeks ago. I checked her IMDB page, she's been in a couple of things here and there. Reefer Madness the Musical for instance.”


So nothing good then? This movie looks horrible!”


Even outside of the 'Paris Hilton is a skanky slutbag' angle, it still doesn't look good.”


I'm not surprised I've seen no commercials for it.”


What were they thinking casting her? I imagine she probably doesn't die horribly like in House of Wax either.”


I'm certainly not going to watch it to find out.”


Over/Under on how many millions this makes in the box office?”


I'm thinking four. Max.”


I'll take the under on that.”


How much did Gigli make? Like six or seven? This looks even worse.”


Billy looks up the box office numbers. “It made just over six million in the US. Cost 54 million to make. Ouch...It got a 6% on Rotten Tomatoes.”


Nine positive, 147 negative. I'm surprised nine people liked it.”


It must be nice to have money. You can star in or make crappy movies whenever you want.”


One day we're going to look back on this decade and cringe that Paris Hilton was even worthy of discussion.”


One day? I think we're at that point already.”


I agree. This movie is just a waste of energy to show on a screen. I feel bad for the people running the projectors that have to watch it. This is the kind of movie that movie critics refer to when they talk about 'paying their dues'.”


You never know, maybe she does end up dying horribly in the end.”


That should be in the trailer. It'd easily double their box office figures.”