6th Floor Blog's Academy Awards

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor Blog Oscars

Again, please update your links to www.ceetar.com/6thfloor The blog will be updated there shortly. Likely this is the last post via blogger.

Presenting 6^th Floor Blog's Oscar nominees for must-see movies!

The Dark Knight

It seems like this movie only got recognition because Heath Ledger died after doing an excellent job portraying the Joker, but it was really an excellent movie. I'd even venture to say the best Batman movie ever.

I agree. It was a great movie; suspense, action, excitement. It borrowed from the comics obviously, but it was an original story, and a compelling one.

Quantum of Solace

Spectacular or not, you have to go see a Bond movie.

Action, explosion, gadgets, cars. It's hard to make a bad Bond movie, and that means it's always worth seeing.

The only thing to debate is if you liked the Bond Girl, or if the movie didn't have enough over the top explosions.

Wanted

This is certainly not a serious movie, and as such would never ever be considered a 'great' movie, but I sure enjoyed watching it.

Sometimes complete ridiculousness, like curving bullets, is fun. All the silly stuff they do such as Angelina Jolie (and that's almost enough of a reason to see a movie in it of herself) scooping up the cowering 'hero' with her car., is just zany. Sometimes it's more fun to just say 'screw physics'.

That was my entire college philosophy!

Cloverfield

We may be biased about this one, being in New York, but I felt this was a rather compelling movie, despite all the crazy cult hype.

The problem was people looking for a monster movie or comparing it to Godzilla. It wasn't about the monster, it was about the journey of the characters through the city while the monster attacked.

The reason they didn't just run for the border was a little bit of a stretch, but after you accept that, it was interesting. I enjoyed the different way it was filmed, as if from the camera the guy carried around the whole movie.

Now that was a little contrived. Who would keep carrying the damn thing around at that point? It must've been an awesome camera, but still, good movie.

Iron Man

I liked Iron Man. I know some didn't, but it was a good comic book movie, and he had some excellent cars.

It was half Iron Man, half Tony Stark. I think it was rather well done for an origin story movie. I'd like to see more.

He'll be in the Avengers movie right? When's that come out?

2011.

Damn.

Frank's Hot

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Frank's Hot

Reminder: Shortly I'll be updating via wordpress at www.ceetar.com/6thfloor. So update your links. Currently it'll redirect to here, so no worries.

Frank walks into Starbucks to meet Ann, Tabitha and Scott.

“When you called me and told me to come hang out at Starbucks, you should've told me it was warm out. I'm dying in this winter coat!” Frank exclaims, flinging his coat on a chair and sitting down.

“You have heard of checking the weather right? They publish this sort of information.”

“Or you could've turned around and gone back upstairs once you realized it was warm today.”

“I didn't think to check, I figured it was February. And cold. And once I was outside, no way I was headed all the way back upstairs.”

“True, you're late as it is.”

“Hey! Frank made it! Howyadoingbuddy?” Scott says, walking over from behind the counter.

“I'm hot.”

“That's what she said!”

Tabitha punches Scott in the arm.

“Ow! You been working out or something?”

“Just the practice I get from punching you. You seem to be saying an extraordinary amount of punch-worthy things lately.”

“Your normal Cappuccino Frank?”

“Nah, I gotta have something cold. How about one of those new Tazo-lattes?”

“Sure.”

“Of course, a blender drink.” Scott mutters under his breath, walking away.

“You guys want to watch the Oscars on Sunday?”

“Sure. I'm hoping Milk does well, I liked that movie.”

“I haven't really seen any of those movies. I was talking about this with Sara, I don't think these are ever really the 'best' movies of the year. They only consider a small subset of movies,always the 'artsy' ones.”

“I almost never have seen many of the nominees, I watch movies for entertainment.”

“I think most people do. I'd rather read a book for a great story, there is only so much you can do in a two hour movie.”

“I'm going to make myself a list of the real best movies of the year. “

“Oooh..I'll help you with that.” Scott says, dropping off Frank's drink.

“You're working.”

“Tonight then. I'm sure Sara wants to help anyway.”

Snow Storm

Welcome to the 6th floor.

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

Subject: Snow Storm

“I think the snow is out to get me.” Scott announces as he shows up at Catalina’s to meet everyone for dinner.

Scott drapes his snow-laden jacket over the back of the chair and sits.

“Every direction I turned, the snow was coming right at me!”

“Yeah. It’s a little rough out there today.”

“I’m glad we decided on Catalina’s and not somewhere else. I’m freezing just from walking this short distance from the 6^th Floor.”

“It’s not as cold as it could be, but it’s hard to see more than 10 feet in front of you.”

“I almost feel bad for the tourists. All the street signs are plastered with snow; it’s hard to know where you’re going.”

“Getting lost in New York and seeing new and exciting things is a rite of passage.”

“Rite of passage? I don’t know if I’d agree with that assessment.”

“Well, at least they’ll be able to run home confirming that New York in the winter is a weather disaster and a frigid uninhabitable nightmare.”

“That’s blown out of proportion. It’s not like New York is Maine. Sure we get some nasty, ice-cold days, but I think tourists lump us in with Upstate New York and ‘New England Winters’ too much.”

“I prefer this to some of those sticky, 100 degree summer days.”

“The city smells better in the winter.”

“Hard to argue that one. Ignoring the occasional syrup smell anyway.”

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.”

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.”

Busy Week For Everyone

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Leading up to New Years

“Busy Busy Busy!” Ann says, flinging bags onto the table.

“You’re telling me! George has me working extra hours lately. Sucks!” Scott says, as he puts on his coat.

“At least the money’s good right?”

“What good’s money if I’m always at work?” Scott grumbles, walking out the door.

“Speaking of work...Ann..you have to be like the worst blogger ever.”

“Come on! The worst? I can't be that bad.”

“It's been what, two weeks?”

“I know I know...not like I'm the New York Times with people waiting on me every day though.”

“New York Times? Bah! All the news in there is hours old. Truth be told, blogs are the news source of the future.”

“Especially among people our age. I definitely know more people that flip open their laptops first thing in the morning than people that go get the morning paper. Even if the first group is going to nytimes.com, it's not the same.”

“I read the Onion more often then I read a regular newspaper.”

“And watch the Daily Show or Colbert Report more than the regular news.”

“Okay, okay. I get it, digital age, new media, blah blah blah..It's not like it's a news blog. It's just fun entertainment. It's been almost two years and I don't even think I've nailed down a firm identity. Except that I blog about beer too much.”

“That's because we drink beer too much.”

“Come on now, too much beer? Never.”

“At least we're not all becoming beer snobs like Sara.”

“I read one book about beer and start appreciating it a little more and I'm a snob?”

“Aww, there isn't anything wrong with being a little snobbish, look at all those stuck up wine sommeliers.”

“It's not bad to appreciate quality, but I think those sommeliers, and the people that swear by them, take it a little too far. It's nice to actually enjoy a bottle of wine, or dinner, without it being 'perfect'.”

“The ones that write reviews like 'The bread was a tad too crispy, and the meat slightly below the appropriate temperature.' are useless to me. That's why I'm always skeptical about 'professional' critics. They're eating the food for a different reason than the average person, so why should I care what they think?”

“Kind of on the 'too much of a good thing' slant?”

“I never want to get to the point where I can't enjoy a McDonalds hamburger occasionally. I don't want to only eat fancy froo-froo food.”

“Or become one of those people that claims they can only get good food in France, and say they're bilingual even though they'd be lost in Paris outside of a restaurant?”

“I don't know if they'd be lost. As long as they navigated based on the restaurants. Besides, I doubt they're going anywhere else.”

“I don't picture those food snobs with their fois gras and $100 bottles of wine trekking up the stairs of the statue of liberty, that's for sure.”

“Not that there is anything wrong with that type of food. The French do make some excellent dishes.”

“Of course, but so do other places. Even here. I'm as unpatriotic as the next guy, but it always bothers me when people act like America, and specifically New York, doesn't have a derth of quality food and drink.”

“That's a very, very valid point. It'll have to be a topic for another time though.”

“What, you bored of talking to us?”

“No, but I have to go pick up my sister from the train, she's staying with us remember? Through New Years?”

“Oh, right. It's going to be a busy could of days.”

“It certainly is. But 2009! that's M M I X! It's exciting!”

“'tis just a number. New Yankee Stadium opens though.”

“Citi Field!” Sara shouts, exiting.

Toast Freedom

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 75^th Anniversary of Repeal Day

“So I get out three hours early on Friday. It’s our holiday party instead of a party.”

“Err…what was that?”

“Instead of a party, they’re just letting us go three hours early.”

“You could get started drinking early for Repeal Day.”

“Maybe. It’s the 75^th anniversary this year right?”

“I believe so. It really is a great holiday, you’ve got American History, drinking..it appeals to everyone!”

“Well, everyone except prohibitionists.”

“Those people don't exist anymore. Do they? DO THEY?!”

“Sure. There are still plenty of dry counties out there. The place where they make Jack Daniels

for one. Plenty of people still seem to think alcohol is a bad thing and a sin or something.”

“Silly (other) Americans!”

“I think I'll hit McSorley's..despite it not being historically friendly towards women.”

“Straight from the website, 'Established in 1854 – McSorley's can boast of being New York City's oldest continuously operated saloon.' It survived prohibition, and I think that's deserves a couple of half-pints of dark in it's honor. I'll meet you there after work.”

“Sweet!”

“I have to agree, this is the best drinking holiday of them all. There's too much green on St. Patrick's Day, and it's too Irish, not American. The night before Thanksgiving is nice, but no

one wants to be hungover and have to cook a turkey. New Years Eve is a great day too though.”

“I'd say New Years is more of a family holiday, a celebration of new beginnings, new chances, and the Twilight Zone.”

“Greatest drinking holiday or not, I'm going to make an effort on Friday.”

“Shouldn't be too hard at a great place like that. Hmm..do I want light first, or dark?”

“We'll get both and split them.”

“Smart.”

Fortunate

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Fortunate

“What's that smell?” Ann asks, walking in.

“Dinner!”

“You cooked?”

“No, Scott took care of dinner this time.”

“Ahh, so it's take out.”

“I could cook if I wanted to, but those Chinese dudes down the block do it so much better.”

“Break out the fortune cookies!”

“This is a new place actually, they just opened. How could they know our fortunes already?”

“Magical cookie voodoo, here they are.”

“Woah. Are those half chocolate?”

“They are!”

“Marble fortune cookies, this I can get on board with!”

Sara bites into a fortune cookie, and pulls out her fortune.

“I like the chocolate! Delicious.”

“Billy yanks the fortune out of her hand: You are filled up with a sense of urgency. Be patient or you may end up confused.”

Sara frowns. “What's that mean?”

“It was right! You are confused!”

“It means you are rushing around so much that you've forgotten why you're rushing around.”

“Profound!”

Scott opens his and reads it aloud. “No one ever drowned in his own sweat. What? What kind of fortune is this? I think they're defective.”

“Open your mind. It's suggesting that that you shouldn't be afraid to get a little dirty, do a little work.”

“Who said I'm afraid dirty? Not me!”

“Relax Scott, I don't think the Cookies are meant as a personal insult.”

“Passive aggressive fortune cookies? Now there's an idea.”

“As long as they're chocolate.”

“Amen.”

Dinner Delicious

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor Blog Chows Down

“I apologize Frank. This meal is very yummy.”

“Told you I could do it.”

“Sorry I doubted you.”

“Me too...I'm sorry I ordered that chinese food now.” Billy says, as the buzzer buzzes.

“Love that vote of confidence. I'll get it.” Frank gets up to retrieve Billy's food.

“I can't believe you ordered food Billy! That was mean.”

“Actually, I asked Mike to ring the buzzer for me.”

“That's just funny!”

“It is pretty funny.”

Mike: “Well I thought it was funny. I offered him an old fortune cookie when he got downstairs.” Mike said as he and Frank return.

“Now Mike's sharing a portion of the food, I hope you're happy.”

“No no, eat up. You made plenty.”

Mike: “What are we having?”

“It's some sort of Cheesy Ricey Vegetably casserole.”

“Vegetably?”

“Well, if something can be fruity, why not vegetably?”

“Well..because..umm..well..I guess..okay fine. Vegetably it is. Whatever it is, it's tasty!”