Take the Red Pill

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor Blog Takes the Red Pill

“I feel like re-watching the Matrix Trilogy.

It’s been a while. You guys in?”

“Nah.”

“Wasn’t a huge fan of the endings, but I’ll start at least.”

“I’m always in for the Matrix. Give me that red pill.”

“Blue pill is probably a safer bet.”

“Come on! That’s no fun.”

“He’s right. If Neo took the blue pill.. We’d have no movie!”

“Have you ever stopped to think…Maybe you already took the blue pill?”

“What?”

“If you take the blue pill, everything goes back to normal. You don't get unlocked from the Matrix. You forget it even existed. So if you took it...you'd forget even taking it.”

“I'd like to think I wouldn't have taken the blue pill if given the chance, so that means I haven't already taken it.”

“Taking the blue pill doesn't solve anything though. In the Matrix, Neo is searching for answers. Taking the blue pill doesn't provide him that. It may make him forget the questions, but inevitably he'll just think up those questions again.”

“Can you take the blue pill more than once?”

“I guess so. After a while, Morpheus would probably get tired of him showing up though. Might just whack him.”

“Morpheus: You again? Here, let me write you a prescription.”

“Okay, I'm hitting play. Get over here.”

6th Floor Super Bowl Snacks

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor's Snack Post

“I want to talk about something to you that's very important to me.” Billy says solemnly, looking at Scott and Tabitha sitting on the couch across from him.

“What kind of snacks are we having on Saturday? And what type of food for dinner?”

Scott snickers.

“Ann and I are going shopping tomorrow. We'll get a bunch of chips and frozen appetizers and the like.”

“Get some of those little, wrapped hot dog things.”

“Pigs in a blanket?”

“Yes! Those!”

“I saw this delicious recipe for Guinness brownies. We should make those!”

“Beer brownies?” Tabitha makes a face. “That's on you.”

“Well, first we'll need some Guinness.”

“That's a given.”

“One for the brownies, one to drink while you make the brownies?”

“Yeah! I like the way you think Tabitha.”

“I'm just hoping for good commercials anyway. Like last year.”

“No changing the topic. Should we order food on Sunday?”

“You know food always takes a decade to get here on Super Bowl Sunday.”

“We could order early.”

“Order at the start of the second inning..”

“Quarter.”

“Whatever. And then it should be ready for half time right? Who's performing this year?”

“Springsteen.”

“Springsteen? Geeze, they're sure playing it safe these days.”

“Springsteen's good though..”

“He is..but it's still safe. Just don't think that's the right reason to pick a band.”

“Any other snack requests?”

“No, I trust your judgment.”

“You do?”

“No. But I trust you'll shop early and I'll be able to bitch about your choices early enough to get more stuff.”

Tabitha rolls her eyes.

Frank's Escape

Welcome to the 6th floor.

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

Subject: Frank's Escape

“I'm so tired of the cold!” Tabitha shouts from the couch, curled up in a ball in a blanket and drinking hot chocolate.

“Relax Tab, it's not that cold out.”

“I hear it's well below freezing in Buffalo today.”

“Contrary to belief, knowing that's it's colder elsewhere doesn't make it warmer here.”

“That's very deep. Maybe you just need another blanket.”

“If you give her more blankets, she may drown!”

“At least Frank's warm.”

“Frank's warm? Wait..where is he?”

“Vegas.”

“VEGAS?! And no one told me? You know how I hate being left in the dark.”

“Sorry, he made us promise not to tell you right away.”

“I shouldn't be surprised. Can I call him and berate him? He's probably still asleep given west coast time.”

“Go for it, he'll probably get a kick out of you being annoyed.”

“Sometimes I think he goes on these trips as much to get a rise out of you as for any other reason.”

“Ugh, so when is he coming back?”

“Dunno. Later?”

“You never ask the important questions.”

“I'm sure he'll be back for the Super Bowl.”

“Well Tabitha, you don't look cold anymore.”

“This really gets the blood boiling huh?”

“If Frank keeps pulling stunts like this we may be able to save on heating.”

6th Floor Chatter

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor Chatter

“I saw the most ridiculous thing today.”

“Scott's new haircut?”

“My new haircut is dashing. Don't be acting jealous now.”

“This woman was pushing a stroller and talking on her cellphone. No big deal, no, but then she got to the stairs, and now she's talking on the phone while trying to bounce the stroller up the stairs.”

“Some people just have no common sense.”

“Did you go over and help her?”

“Some guy did, as she got up the first 2-3 steps.”

“I saw something that pissed me off too.”

“Your face?”

“Lame. No, I was in a lobby downtown on my laptop and drinking coffee, and they had those automated doors. This suit must've been waiting for a ride or something because he kept peering outside, and every time he did this he'd walk by the magic eye, opening the door. This flushed out all the heat and attacked everyone sitting nearby with a gust of cold air. Infuriating.”

“Magic eye? You mean motion sensor right?”

“Magic eye sounds cooler.”

“Like those squinty image in an image things?”

“Sure.”

Inaugural Inauguration Post

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Inauguration

“So the inauguration's tomorrow. Should be interesting.”

“Probably not.”

“You don’t think so Sara? It’s a historic day.”

“Historic doesn’t mean interesting. Maybe I’m just jaded, but I don’t find political speeches very exciting. Blah Blah..we’re moving forward..Change…we can..yes.”

“Aww, is someone a grumpy pants today?” Scott says, playfully punching Sara in the shoulder.

“So are we watching the inauguration?”

“I was planning on watching.”

“Working. Can't.”

This Afternoon..

“Drinking game? There must be one right?”

“Of course! Do we really want to drink?”

“Silly question.”

“It's still morning.”

“Does that matter?”

“Not really.”

“I haven't gone to bed yet. So it's technically my night.”

“I hate your schedule.”

“Okay! Let's do this! Primer shots!” Frank grabs a bottle of tequila.

Ann groans. “This isn't going to end well.”

“I'll get our beers.” Billy says, as it nears noon.

“Drink to the future!” Scott proclaims, as Obama comes up to take his oath.

Later..

“Did you end up watching Sara?”

“Yeah, I did. After they sent around an email banning people from streaming it because too many people were streaming video hogging resources, they put it up on the big LCDs we have hanging to monitor servers.”

“Turned out to be a pretty powerful speech.”

“Sure, I mean, he's had months to work on it.”

“There were a bazillion people there! How could they even hear or see?”

“I don't know, they showed people in the crowd taking pictures and videos. I couldn't help thinking that all they'd get was a small grainy image. Are they really ever going to watch that again?”

“Nah, they'll upload it to their computer and it'd sit there. Occasionally people will see it and ask what it is. They'll have to explain it's the inauguration.”

“I think the American flags will give it away.”

“True, that's a good point. Still not New York Times worthy images though.”

“And the pictures you take are?”

“I'd like to think with a good camera and some opportunity, I could take pictures just as well as anyone else.”

“Keep dreaming dude.”

Frank's Date

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Frank's Date

It's 12:30 on Friday night/Saturday morning when the apartment door opens and Frank comes in quietly, probably expecting most of his roommates to be asleep.

Such is not the case.

“Frankie! How'd it go? You do her?”

“Crude Scott. Did you like her? It's late, you must've had a good time. You going to date her again?”

“Where'd you take her to eat?”

“What's her name? Where'd you meet her? What's she like? Blonde?”

“Can't a guy unwind from his date without the third degree? I'm surprised Sara's not here grilling me as well.”

“She was going to, but...” Ann gestures to the couch where Sara is fast asleep.

“Ahh. How'd you find out I had a date anyway? I didn't tell anyone.”

“You turned down drinking.”

“And then I noticed you'd shaved and left your razor out. You never shave Friday evening.”

“I smelled your cologne when I came home. I didn't think you'd put that on to go play poker or pick up takeout.”

“What is this? CSI: 6^th Floor?”

“You going to answer our questions, or leave us hanging here?”

“If you're all so deductive, maybe you should already be able to figure it out!”

“Come on!” Ann whines. “Gossip!”

“Is it gossip if it's about myself?”

“Irrelevant. Answer the questions.”

“Her name's Rose. This is actually our second date, I must've slipped by you on the first.” Frank sticks out his tongue. “We went to an Italian place in the Village, I had a four cheese lasagna, she had Chicken Francese.

No, she's a Brunette.”

“That's all you get, I'm going to do some work now.”

Frank pushes through the rest of them grouped around them and heads to his room.

“Seemed a little annoyed.”

“Guess he didn't get any.”

“He didn't bring home any leftovers...” Billy pouts.

TiVo Logjam: 24

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 24

“24 Premier tonight. Two hours worth!”

“And two hours worth tomorrow. That's 1/6^th the season already. Isn't that crazy?”

“I just caught up! Well almost..I need to watch that movie, Redemption.”

“Go watch it now. Then we can watch the episodes tonight.”

“But I..”

“Go!” Frank picks up the remote and turns on the tv and goes to the TiVo menu.

“Here, You've got three hours. More than enough time. Tabitha will bring your dinner into the living room.”

“I will?”

“Me too, while you're at it. I meant to watch it last Sunday, but I forgot.” Scott says, joining Sara on the couch.

“Oh, fine. Not like I don't have better things to do.”

“Do you?”

“Truthfully..No. Sad life isn't it?”

“And while you're in there Tab, could you..”

“Bring you a beer? Sure, why not.”

Tabitha mutters 'very healthy' under her breath and gets a beer

“I'm surprised we have any left at the rate you guys drink them.”

What Time Is It?

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject:  What Time Is It?

 

“I see you got your watched fixed Scott.”  Ann says, indicating the watch on Scott’s wrist.

 

“Hmm?  No, not yet.”  Scott replies, as they’re walking down the street.

 

“Why are you still wearing it if it’s broken?”

 

“It’s not broken, the battery is just dead.”

 

“Does it tell time correctly?  No, so it’s broken.”

 

“It’s correct twice a day.”

 

“Twice a day, that’s all you need out of a watch right?”

 

“I’m just wearing it to remind myself to get the battery replaced.  Otherwise I’d have sat on my desk for weeks.”

 

“When did the battery die?” Billy asks, as they wait for a light to cross the street.

 

“Just before Christmas.”

 

“So weeks.”

 

“Frank and Sara would probably tell you not to bother, just use your cellphone.”

 

“And I’d say it’s a lot easier to just glance at my risk then fumble for my phone and hit a button to illuminate the screen.” Scott demonstrates, as they turn down the block to the apartment.

 

“I agree.  However, I have always wanted a pocket watch.”

 

“I’d break it.”

 

“Well, have someone get married.  Pocket watches seem like pretty standard ‘best man’ gifts.”

 

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Take it Like a Man

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Training Wheels

As if you would expect us to be anywhere else...We're at a bar a little downtown from us. Ashley is still here, it's a little after New Years. We're having a little 'going away drink fest' for her. Surprised?

“Another Tom Collins Ann? You're really on the gin tonight.”

“Tasty stuff. But I'm worried you haven't had enough. Would you like this? I could get another.”

“No no, I'm fine. I still have half my Bacardi and cola here.”

“Fiiine.” Ann slurs.

“Tequila Shots? Ann? Tequila? Tabitha. Tequila!”

Frank takes a tally, and has the server bring over six shots, only Tabitha abstaining.

Ashley: “Woah, you're going to use the training wheels? Kinda girly don't you think?” Ashley says to Scott, as he reaches for the salt and lemon.

“Girly? I thought that's how you were supposed to do them?”

“Bah. Do it like a real man Scott.”

“Fine.” Scott puts the lemon down.

“There is an exception though.”

“Body ssshots! Right?”

“Yeah. As long as you're licking the salt directly off a hot girl.”

“Hmm...” Scott looks at Ashley and starts reaching for the lemon and salt.

Ashley: “Don't even think about it.”

Sara smacks Scott.

“Cheers everyone!” Billy says, raising his shot glass, sans lemon.

Everyone: “Cheers!”

“Delicious! I love tequila.” Billy proclaims, putting his glass down.

“So why do they call the lemon and salt training wheels anyway?”

“Beats me. Google it.”

“No way I can type straight on my phone tonight. Later.”

Weight Loss

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Weight Loss

The following happened in cyberspace.

Tabitha: So starting today I'm going to be serious about losing weight.

Sara: Don't we drink too much for that? ;)

Tabitha: I'll just abstain. Or nurse a Bacardi and diet coke.

Ann: I could stand to lose a few pounds too. I suspect I'm too lazy to stick to a diet.

Scott: No one needs to lose weight, you're all hot. Bar tonight?

Tabitha: I'm serious Scott.

Scott: So am I!

Sara: You know Scott, you could afford to lose a couple of pounds too!

Ann: 6^th Floor Diet Thon?

Scott signs off.

Sara: lol

Ann: Maybe I'll try to stick with you for a while Tabitha..couldn't hurt.

Sara: As long as we're on a health kick, maybe I should try to curb the coffee habit?

Tabitha: Woah! That'd be a big deal. It would be healthier though.

Sara: Or I could just start drinking it black more..no calories that way. ;)

Ann: I feel like you would have more success that way than trying to cut it out.

Tabitha: Maybe just cut back.

Sara: Only have one cup in the morning? Bah. :P

Tabitha: Could drink tea.

Sara: I could drink tea...and coffee!

Tabitha: You're hopeless.

Ann: You know, we could probably just do simple things. Cut out soda, skip dessert once a week. As long as we skipped a night of drinking here and there too.

Tabitha: The guys wouldn't like that. :-(

Ann: Like Sara said, they could probably afford to lose a pound here and there.

Sara: They rarely do the shopping anyway. All we have to do is buy healthier foods. They'd probably eat it and never notice.

Ann: I doubt that'd work. They'd just eat more. And they do still manage to buy beer, or ice cream, or other sweets.

Tabitha: It's worth a shot. I'm going to be buying healthier stuff for me anyway. I was headed to the store on my way home. Update the Google shopping list if you want something specific.

Tabitha: I have to go now ;-) ttyl.

Tabitha signs off.

*Google shopping list refers to a shared Google document we all have access to that we can add the groceries we need to. My idea. It's brilliant I know.

Entertaining Ashley

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Sara’s Sister

We’re all hanging around in the living area with Sara’s sister Ashley who’s here visiting until after New Years.

“So Ashley, what are you going to do while you’re here?”

Ashley: “Oh, well, whatever Sara wants to do, you know? I’m really just here to visit her. And get up to Zabars.”

“Ahh, yes, the yearly pilgrimage to Zabars.”

“Zabars. So cliché, I suppose you want to go to Times Square and take a picture with the naked cowboy as well?”

Ashley: “No no, that's touristy stuff! I do want to try to go to that cool restaurant you guys took me to last time I was here though.”

“You mean Catalina's? I don't know if I'd call it cool.”

“I certainly don't think it's cool. You should check out that Italian place downtown that we went to last month.”

“That place was delish! Those Raviolis...mmmmmmm” Billy rubs his stomach contently.

Ashley stares oddly at Billy for a second. “I'm really not into Italian.”

Frank gasps.

“Just stick to the tried and true plan. Never fails.”

“Drinking?”

“Drinking!!”

Billy grins and high fives Scott. “Drinking!”

Ashley: “Is that all you guys do?”

Tabitha giggles.

Ashley: “How about we just walk around, take in the sights?”

“It's kind of cold..”

“Aww, don't be a wuss Tabitha. Just walk faster and it's not too bad.”

“We can just make frequent hot chocolate stops.”

Ashley: “Sounds good to me.”

Bounty

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: All We Got For Christmas

Featuring everyone's favorite Christmas gifts!

Frank: Bioshock

“Excellent game. I'm really enjoying the storyline, and the game play is pretty smooth.”

Sara: Sam Adams Chocolate Bock

“Probably my favorite beer. One of the few that actually has chocolate instead of just the chocolate flavor from the grains. Limited edition unfortunately.”

Billy: Wine Fridge

“Probably similar to Sara, but I really like the wine fridge, and now I don't have to worry about one of you remove the wine I wanted to drink from the refrigerator for space.”

Ann: 8GB Flash Drive

“Perfect for transporting stories I've half written elsewhere, or being able to access my notes on any computer.”

Scott: Giants playoff tickets

“What needs to be said? Giants. Playoffs. I'll be there.”

Tabitha: Picture clock.

“I love our new clock. I can't wait to pick out pictures for the hours.”

What was your favorite gift?