6th Floor Blog Goes to the Movies: Taking Woodstock

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor Blog Goes to the Movies: Taking Woodstock

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Please update any links and such to www.ceetar.com/6thfloor. Sometime this week I'll be switching everything to there and updating the blog at that url and via wordpress. This is also the perfect time to contact us about exchanging links or site suggestions or whatever.

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Sara and Frank stroll into the 6^th floor Wednesday night and Ann looks up from her book.

“Where have you guys been?”

“I got these two free tickets to see a pre-release screening of a movie. Sounded cool, so I took Frank.”

“Aww, a date. How cute.”

“He was just the only one around when I got home today to go with me.”

“The benefits of not having a 'real' job!”

“What was the movie?”

“Taking Woodstock, directed by Ang Lee.”

“It was surprisingly good. Based on the autobiography of Elliot Tiber.”

“His parents owned a failing motel upstate, and he helped get the Woodstock people to come play there.”

“There was plenty of raving nudity and drug use too. The whole movie was like a 'free love' rave.”

“Seems to be how I'd think of Woodstock.”

“I was surprised how much I liked it actually. Woodstock wasn't really my scene. And he never even made it to the stage!”

“That amused me too. And how the Turnpike was backed up for miles that they had to close it. You know they're having a Woodstock 2009 right?”

“It can't be the same. You can't recapture that peaceful mania.”

“There would be too much security, too much worry, too many restrictions.”

“The police would be there in force, arresting thousands of people. No way people would be skinny dipping, doing drugs, and having sex all over the place these days.”

“No way. Like I said, no way you can recapture that. It's pure nostalgia.”

I solemly Swear..

Welcome to the 6th floor. 

Today's contributors are: Ann

Subject:  Ann's 2009 Promise

 

I don't do 'normal' blog posts here often, preferring to stick to the group style.  This feels a little like the Fourth Wall of a Broadway play.  However, with my putrid care of the blog over the last couple of months, I feel to necessary to take a step back and try to work harder at creating something that people actually want to read.  Some bloggers or writers may say that they do it for themselves, but in my opinion every writer wants his story to be read.  Stories are like a writer's babies, and no one wants their baby to become a dusty paperweight in the back corner of some library, or the unread feed in someone’s feed reader.  So I'm going to lay out some rules and goals for 2009. 

 

I like the number 10.  10 posts a month, which seems like the right number since there isn't always a 'story' to blog about around here.

 

Try out different angles.  I've made a couple of posts which are more of my personal train of thought and observations, and I'd like to do more of that.  I'd also like to explore some of the more personal matters that go on around here.  I rarely blog about personal relationships, or any real negative stuff.  There will be more fights in 2009, more breakups, and hopefully more fun.  Reader input on the

 style of blog posts they like best are always welcome ,and encouraged.  Do people like it best when it's all six of us? Or are lesser, two-person blog posts exciting too?  I enjoy occasionally doing review type posts, particularly after a movie, or finding a cool new product.

 

More pictures!  I like pictures.  I probably could have a dozen blog posts just on some random observation we make, and if I photographed it, all the better.

 

Promote the blog better.  I think comments make blogs better, and an interactive readership is something that would be great.  If I get links out there, and draw more people in, this could happen.

 

I installed a Twitter feed on the top right of the site.  It's probably silly, and there is no way I'm going to start regularly sending in updates multiple times a day.  I've encouraged people to tweet the random one-liner though.  I may just do away with it entirely.

 

I intend to start writing a book.  I’ve been floating around ideas for a while, and It’s time to actually put pen to paper (fingers to keyboard) and start something.  I may post some blurbs here, and I’ll definitely upload much of it and link to it in the sidebar.

 

I’ve thought about buying a domain, for this as well as other things.  I’m not overly impressed with blogger, but I also don’t need bells and whistles.  The thing I hate most is the width of the actual text area. I wonder if I can get Sara to look at some of the code behind it and tweak it..hmm..

Blog Drink-Off, Vote!

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann

Subject: Drinking Story

Brave Astronaut has created a March Madness style Drink-Off with the competition being the best drinking stories. Our post on the topic is posted there, at Take me Drunk, I'm Home, and voting closes on Tuesday, so read our story and vote for it! The story actually takes place pre-blog, it's almost like a flashback episode. So check it out, and hopefully Sara will stop playing Smash Brothers long enough to post the entry she started about playing smash brothers, although I have to admit, it's a fun game.

March

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: March

“It's that time of month again!”

“Oh no! She's going to ask us about March! Run!”

Scott and Frank leap up and start dashing towards the bedrooms, but Ann blocks their way.

“Tough. It won't hurt that much, I promise.”

“That's what the doctor always says too, before he comes at me with a giant needle!”

“At least he puts a Mickey Mouse band-aid on your boo-boo.”

“Yeah, that's true.” Frank sits back down and resumes his game with Sara.

“Hey, I'm losing 34-22? You didn't pause it?!”

“Oh, you wanted it to pause it? My mistake.” Sara grins.

“You'll regret that! Prepare for an amazing comeback.”

“My birthday's in March, so that's cool. This year's the big Two Seven.”

“The big Two Seven? What's so great about 27?”

“Well, It's prime for one thing.” Sara calls over from the couch.”

“No it's not...nine and three..?”

“Oops. Nevermind. So what is so great about 27 then Scott?”

“I just wanted to say the big Two Seven. Nothing special.”

“I know it's a little cliché going with a food answers, but I like cornbeef and cabbage as well as Irish soda bread.”

“Speaking of that, did you see that Guinness is looking to make St. Patrick's Day an official holiday?”

“Not a bad idea. I love Guinness.”

“They got a petition I guess? I'd sign that.”

“915,913 signatures to go apparently. That's a lot in only two weeks. I don't even like Guinness but I think it's a good idea.”

“They even have a commercial, where they're interviewing what I guess is a pilgrim, asking him if he's jealous about the idea.”

“On that avenue of thought, I'm going to say green beer is my favorite thing about March.”

“Green beer? You know it's just food coloring right? I could make you some green beer right now.”

“Wouldn't taste the same if it's not the 17^th. Your turn Ann, I know how you like to weasel out of your own questions.”

“That's easy, my favorite thing about this March is that Wednesday marks one whole year of writing the blog. I'm proud of myself.”

“A bit modest are we? I'm going to say Easter. It's neat that it's early this year. I Looove dying Easter Eggs.”

“Yeah, that should be fun. Maybe we should all stick around here this year instead of going home to our families. Last but not least, Sara. No baseball reasons, you always find a way to make it about baseball.”

“But.. But..”

“No! And I might not let you use it in April either!”

“Speaking of days that should be holidays, Opening Day should really be a national holiday so we can all watch our national pasttime.”

“I'm with you there. Look on the bright side, I'm my own boss and you are unemployed. We can both watch it at leisure!”

“I knew there was a benefit to being home all day! If I can't have baseball, I'll go with the 'In like a lion, out like a lamb' cliché. I look forward to the warm weather again.”

“See, and no one died. If you guys start thinking about your April answers, maybe you won't find it so grueling.”

“And Frank, you suck. Did you just lose to Sara by 27 points?”

“Best two out of three?”

More Maria Bartiromo

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: The MTA is still at it

“Did you see this article on Monday's Times? It's about the Maria Bartiromo ads I was ranting about.”

“No I didn't. Why, did they mention the blog?”

“No, shockingly it seems like they don't read it. It was talking about how most people don't really remember the message, and that they find them annoying.”

“Well, you scooped them on that. You should email the columnist a link to the entry.”

“Isn't that a little tacky?”

“So? Worst case is she ignores you. Email her from the blog email address, it's virtually anonymous then. Did they say they were going to do away with the announcements?”

“No,” Says Sara, looking up from the paper. “Looks like they added Al Roker to the mix.”

“The article wasn't even that good. It likened the spots to a previous ad campaign to have celebrities try to convince taxi riders to buckle up.”

“I heard about that one. Screw the celebrities, let me do the announcements!”

“I think I'd get tired of hearing your voice too. The article mentions Al Roker, but it doesn't mention that they also added one of the 1010wins voices, I can't remember who though. Not driving much I don't listen.”

“At least it's just on the fringe services, not the main subway lines.”

“Still annoying if you're spending any length of time in Penn or Grand Central though.”

“It says they're on a timer, but I've definitely heard it three times in a quick span, and not at all during other times.”

“The other ones were pretty loud and jarring, but the Roker one was actually too quiet. You might not even hear it.”

“Hey Ann, you going to try to do another horrendous job of photoshopping Jose Reyes onto the 7 train image?”

“No, I gave up. The problem was I couldn't find a nice 7 train image online to use. Although if your going to email that post, maybe I should make it better..”

“I said you should email it, not me. You couldn't find the logo? I'm sure there are a million of them on google images.”

“You're welcome to try to do better.”

“Intriguing challenge. Maybe I will..”

It is Resolved

Welcome to the 6th floor.

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

Subject: It Is Resolved.

Everyone is sitting at the table eating leftovers and such for dinner. There are leftover Christmas cookies, some lasagna, pigs in a blanket and a bunch of other little leftover dishes.

“It’s suddenly 2008. Did you guys make resolutions? What are they?”

“I’m going to try to lose some weight this year. Well, as soon as these cookies are gone anyway.” Tabitha says, picking up a chocolate snowball from the plate.

“Would you hate me if I said my resolution was to bake more cookies? It’s not though, don’t worry. I want to write more. Something that’s more of a story than the blog.”

“Didn’t you say you were going to try to write a script out of the blog? Did you ever do that?”

“Nope. I still intend to, I just ..haven’t.”

“Ahh. Okay then. I’d like to find a better job this year, preferably one that nets me a bit more money.”

“Yeah, money never hurts.”

“I’m going to try to cut down on my frivolous spending. It couldn’t hurt to actually save some money beyond my bankroll for poker, or even to start playing at a higher level. You’re not going to make a resolution are you Billy?”

“Nope. I’m not a resolution type of person.”

“Billy’s very unresolved.”

“Or I just resolve what I resolve when I resolve it, instead of only today.”

“Okay then, give us one of your resolutions you have made in the past that you’re working on right now.”

“I told myself I’d learn to juggle well a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t gotten there yet. I did manage to get the motion down, but I can’t keep it up very long.”

“I like to juggle. Sometimes I juggle stale muffins after work. I should try to learn how to juggle the syrup bottles, dazzle the customers.”

“But this year I’m going to join one of my pals that comes into Starbucks occasionally on one of the Improv Everywhere missions. Probably not the No-Pants Subway Ride they’re doing in a couple of weeks though.”

“That could be fun. They have that mp3 experiment too.”

“That’s the one that everyone listens to the same file on their Ipod and runs around doing crazy stuff?”

“Pretty much. Should be par for the course for you.”

Dinner is Served

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Dinner Time

I realize it's well past Thanksgiving. Normally I would've just let this one slide, but I figure I should at least finish the story since I left it as a kind of cliffhanger. If you need a refresher on what was happening, go here and here. Otherwise, just remember that I bet Billy he wouldn't eat the potatoes before dinner.

“Dinner is served!”

“Yah! So where are the potatoes? Did Billy get to them?”

“Nope, I never left the ki..” Ann trails off as she opens the dish with the potatoes to see a big scoop missing.”

“Billy! How'd you get in here?”

“I'll never tell!”

“I was here the whole time!”

“Evidently not. You lost. We can still eat though right?”

“Everyone grab a plate and sit down.”

“It all smells so good!”

They all sit down and take turns passing around the bowls and platters and filling their plates with food.

“We should all take a minute and go around the table and say what we're thankful for.”

“Nope.”

“Uh-Uh.”

“Yeah. It's food time, no more waiting!”

Scott digs in, and everyone else starts in too. It's silent for a little while as they really get into the meal.

“Thanks for cooking Ann.” Sara says between bites. “Everything really is delicious.”

“Well except for this stuffing.” Ann says, making a face. “I'm not sure If I messed it up, or it's just a horrible recipe.” Ann slides the rest of the stuffing off her plate back into the bowl.

“Oh good. If you're not eating it, I don't have to. I was going to feed it to the dog, but then I remembered we don't have a dog!”

“Well, sort of.” Sara says, nodding towards Billy, who's busy filling up his plate a third helping of turkey.

“You said it best. Everything tastes delicious! I'm eating Tabitha's share.”

“Well gee, ain't that sweet of you?”

“You know, I'm kind of glad my parents went to Vegas and we're all here for this holiday. This is fun spending it with you guys.”

“We should definitely do it again. Family be damned!”

“Maybe next year you'll even be better at guarding the potatoes.”

“I'll have to go into dinner-guarding training or something. We never really made an official bet though, so what did I lose?”

“Well I was trying to think of something good, but that meal left me satisfied enough that let's just leave it at you buying me a drink or two next time we go out.”

“Fair enough. How about something with vodka? It is made with potatoes after all.”

“Vodka works for me!”

Then they all finished their meal in merriment, spending the rest of the evening watching sports, eating dessert and having fun. If you're keeping score, it turns out Sara was the first to succumb and take a nap. She fell asleep shortly after dinner after lounging on the couch and Scott stole her drink. Tabitha thinks she was just trying to avoid helping to clean up.

September

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: The Best Month Between August and October

“Well, it’s September again. What do you guys like best about September? I’m just thrilled that I’ve stuck with the blog for six months now.”

“I like how the weather starts getting cooler, and my birthday’s in September.”

“When they change the subway advertisements for the month of September I get to find out what all the new tv shows are.”

“Apple cider. I love apples! Fall starts rolling around and it gets to be time to have a nice hot spiced apple cider.”

“September is crunch time for baseball, It’s a fun month with so much to watch.”

“I don’t know that it’s what I like best, but since I’ve always been a student I associate September with getting back to school and a normal routine. I never know what to do with myself in the summer, at least with school I have goals and deadlines to work with.”

Three Months in the Books

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Three Months

Yesterday we're standing around in the kitchen as usual, Tabitha's making tomato sauce and the rest of us are just getting in the way.

“We've managed to keep up the blog for three months tomorrow. That's kind of exciting.”

“It kind of is, I though for sure we'd just let it flop. It's almost enjoyable when you're not bugging me to make a post.”

“I compiled some statistics that I found interesting about it. Ann, not surprisingly made the most posts, 10, of the 27 total. And Scott the least, with two.”

“I'm surprised he made two. That's less then one a month, but at least he's paying attention.”

“I pay attention more than you think! I always answer all those emails from our hot female fans!”

“We don't really get any emails, and how would you even know they're hot?”

“You can learn a lot from a person's email address.”

“You can usually learn their name, and not much else. How well did knowing Liza's name do you on that blind date?”

“That's enough! Don't bring her up!”

“Liza...Liza..Was that the one with the...“

“Drop it!”

“Oh fine.”

“Anyway, 27 posts doesn't seem that bad. That'd be over 100 in a year.”

“Do we do 100 things worth blogging about in a year?”

“Probably not, but they can't all be gems right?”

“Not a lot of people find our blog by searching, but some did by some odd search words. Although I doubt they stayed and became readers. We do only average about 20 visitors a day, and who knows how many of those are us?”

“What kind of search words? Here, taste this.” Tabitha shoves a wooden spoon of tomato sauce at Billy.

“Mmm, delicious.”

“Well there was 'Kahlua Stripper'.”

“I wouldn't mind having a Kahlua stripper.”

“'Old rooms to go Mickey Mouse'. I don't even know what that was, I'm assuming it went to Frank's post about his trip to Disney World.”

“The person that stuck around longest after searching, other than the person who searched for 6thfloorblog.blogspot.com, was the person that searched 'disney tourist trap'.

“Well my post was relevant to that search, so it makes sense.”

“Another weird one, 'soda no straws'. They didn't stick around, but I have no idea what they were looking for.”

“Any porn ones? I always hear bloggers talking about weird porn searches.”

“Shockingly, no.”

“Well are you going to blog about this conversation? I could start talking about...”

“NO! Knock it off. We don't want weird porn freaks coming here.”

“Well who cares how they get here right? A reader is a reader.”

“I don't care.”

“Anyway, my favorite search was 'tabitha coors light girl'.”

“Some guy met some girl at a bar that was doing a Coors Light promotion and he's trying to find her again?”

“Maybe. Or maybe Tabitha moonlights as a Coors Light girl?”

“Haha. I don't think so.”

“Our most common labels are all alcohol related. We've got drunk, drinking, tequila, alcohol..”

“That's not that surprising knowing us. Look at Scott, we haven't even eaten dinner and he's already finishing his second beer.”

“It was a rough day today! I had to work with this really stupid girl, and the customers were all annoying. And I had the early shift, I've been up for a long time.”

“I'm really in the mood for ice cream tonight, do you guys want to head over to that place on 3^rd that we like after dinner?”

“Ice cream would really hit the spot tonight. This isn't the place with the creamy corn gelato is it?”

“No, not that one. Although that place was pretty good too, at least the other stuff was, I don't think I'd want to try the corn.”

“First, lets have dinner. Scott, help Billy set the table.”

“I'm setting the table?”

“If you want to eat you are.” Tabitha says with a wink.