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.”

Meet Metrocard Millie

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Metrocard Millie

“Ugh! Gimme a quad espresso Scott.” Sara says at the register as she enters Starbucks.

“Sure Sara. Ann and Billy are over there.” Scott gestures to the corner. “I’ll bring it over for you.”

“Hey Sara! Didn’t think you were coming. What’s up?”

“Oh, you know. The usual; the MTA sucks.”

“Except the drivers.”

“You at least..”

“Bitching about the stupid celebrity announcements again?”

“Al Roker needs to shut the hell up.”

“Nah, just annoyed that my card didn’t seem to read right this morning, and then it only had 15 cents left on it. What am I supposed to do with 15 cents?”

“Give it Millie.” Scott says, as he brings over Sara’s espresso.

“Er..who is Millie?”

“You haven’t named your nipples again have you Scott? Because I’m not sure how I’d give your nipple a metrocard.”

“No. Millie’s a homeless person that comes in here occasionally. She walks around to all the subway stations and takes the discarded Metrocards hoping to find those nickels and dimes left on them. Then she takes a big pile of ‘em somewhere and gets them converted into cash.”

“Wow, they let her do that? I’d think they laugh at her.”

“I think she must be friendly with someone somewhere, or maybe they take pity on her. I don’t know. But she usually comes in here when she has a good day and gets a hot chocolate.”

“Well good for her. Reclaiming the probably millions of dollars the MTA saves by people discarding these.” Sara says, waving her 15cent metrocard at Scott.

“I asked her what the best stations were, but she wouldn’t tell me. Trade secret I guess.”

“Probably the PATH train stations. Especially 33^rd street.”

“Yeah. PATH fare is 25cents cheaper. Anytime anyone has to hop over to Jersey once they tend to end up with an extraneous dollar on their card or something.”

“I still have an odd-dollar amount from when we went to the Devils game in Newark. I’m hoping to go to another game and even it out though.”

“Well back to work guys. We should go get a beer or something tonight. I haven’t had one all week.”

“I had one already today.”

“Billy..it’s like 10am!”

“And I had one when I got home from work last night at 1am. So there.”

Billy sticks out his tongue at Ann.

“But I could always use another!”

Oblivion

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Oblivious

It’s early afternoon on Tuesday. Tabitha and Ann are headed to Starbucks to get some coffee and see Scott at work.

“I’m in the mood for one of those syrupy, sugary frappachinos.”

“You’re still on a sugar high from Halloween aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I think so. The candy’s almost gone though, and then I can fight through the sugar crash and be okay I think.”

“I’m going to get a hot chocolate. Those new ones are very good.”

“Yes, they certainly are.”

“Hey look, Frank’s here!” Tabitha says, as they walk in.

“Hey Frank! What are you up to?”

“Hi there ladies. Nothing very interesting. Normal poker stuff, chasing this fish..”

“You remember to vote?”

“Vote? Crap..today’s election day?”

“How could you not realize it’s election day? Are you really that oblivious?”

“I haven’t really been paying much attention to anything but work lately. Well, work and beer.”

Scott jogs over, and skids to a stop. “Hi guys. I don’t know how you didn’t realize Frank..there has been so much election talk here today..I’m so sick of it.”

“Well, only one more day and hopefully it’ll be done with.”

“Thankfully. Although, I’m sure I’ll be bored of the teeny-brats talking about Gossip Girl and other such shows just as much.”

“You just love your customers don’t you?”

“Only the annoying ones.”

“Since you’re here, you can take our drink orders!”

“Like this one!” Scott says, ruffling Ann’s hair.

“Extra espresso shot?” Scott asks, as he walks back behind the counter.

Coffee Machine Difficulties

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha

Subject: The Difficulties of Instant Coffee

“Still hate the new job Sara?” Tabitha asks, as Sara returns from work.

“Well, hate is a strong word. I don't like what I'm doing, and the people so far don't seem that competent. They even complain about the coffee machine being difficult!”

“You have one of those k-cup things right? Don't you just put the thing in and hit a button?”

“Oh, one of those things? I hate those machines. They make such crappy coffee, and watery stuff too.”

“That's the one. Actually, we recently upgraded. We had the simple in, press brew, grab cup, one. Then we got a new one for whatever reason. This one allows you select the size of the brew. Four, six, eight, or 10 ounces. Allows for stronger coffee if you want it, no one gets it thought.”

“Is it really that tough? Truthfully, is just brewing coffee that tough? Like in a regular coffee pot?”

“No one wants to take the time to set that up, and we'd go through it too fast. I guess people just don't care about quality. They just want their jolt of caffeine.”

“Just the concept of weak or strong is too complicated for them huh?”

“Seems that way. I hear nothing but complaints about it, given that I'm still sitting in the kitchen.”

“I find a good cup of coffee is a big stimulus for writing. I'd probably vomit on the page drinking that instant crap.”

“Guess you haven't had a good cup of joe in a while then.”

“Hey! I've been writing..sort of. Thinking about writing..that counts right?”

“What's that they say? The road to clearance rack books is paved with good thoughts?”

“Are you really a writer if you only think about it? Doesn't that make you a 'thinker'?”

“A philosopher!”

“I'll pick it up..It's been a rough couple of weeks for me. I did think up a possible book idea though.”

“Haven't you had a dozen book ideas over the years? Maybe you need to really sit down and write this one.”

“Maybe. At least I know how to make coffee.”

“I was never arguing that you didn't have a leg up over most of the 'computer geeks' I work with.”

“Want to head down to Starbucks and needle Scott and get some coffee?”

“Sure, lets do it.”

Ann's Movie Note

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Frank

Subject: Ann plans for the weekend

“Hey Sara. We should go see Iron Man this tonight.”

“I saw Ann's note. I'm good with it.”

“Ann's note?”

Sara points to a piece of looseleaf under the “Eat Me” magnet on the fridge.

--Hey guys! It's Saturday morning, and no one else is around/awake. I think Billy or Scott was up earlier, and may be at work. I don't know. I'm headed out to meet an old friend for breakfast, and I'll probably get some coffee on the way back, and then I'll see if Scott is working, or just sleeping late. All of this is irrelevant to why I'm writing this note, as is the fact that I'll probably get a caramel macchiato when I go. We should all see Iron Man tonight. I know we've discussed wanting to see it, so I'm saying, we're doing it tonight. It's, predictably, playing all the time on multiple screens, so we shouldn't have too much of a problem. I'll mention this note to Scott if he's working, but if he's not, I probably won't. Mainly because he won't be there to mention it to. I'm in the mood for a big ole tub of popcorn with lots of greasy butter tonight. Who's with me? What do those things cost nowadays? They as much as the movie? I guess I'll find out tonight won't I? I bet Billy knows the answer to this though, it's rare he goes a movie without a snack. Anyway, I better get going, I'm going to be late.

P.S. My cellphones dead, so I'll be out of contact. Hmm, I hope my friend shows up on time since she can't call me. Oh..I should probably go be there on time myself then.

P.P.S. I'm going to ask you guys about May tonight..be warned.

“Oh, I guess it's decided then. That's easy enough. I want a hot dog.”

Coffee Intervention

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Sara, Tabitha, Frank

Subject: Sara and her Joe

Sara's sitting at the table with her laptop and a cup of coffee, tapping away at the keys. Frank's watching television, and Tabitha is making herself a sandwich in the kitchen.

“So Sara, how's Joe?”

“Joe? Who's Joe? Are you dating someone new and didn't tell me?”

“I have no idea what he's talking about. I'm not dating anyone that I know of.”

“I meant your coffee. It seems like I never see you without that coffee mug or Starbucks cup anymore.”

“That's not true! Yesterday I had a Juan Valdez cup!”

“Have you tried..and I know this will sound odd, a good night's sleep? It's not like you have work to get up for.”

“Good night's sleep? That's so 1920s.”

“1920s? Did they historically sleep more in the 1920s?”

“I don't know. Maybe?”

“I guess it was during prohibition. If they couldn't stay out until four drinking, I guess they could get to bed early.”

“Either way. It's a problem when you go to bed after Frank does.”

“Is there something inherently wrong with going to bed at 5am? You know, I wouldn't get this kind of criticism of my schedule in Las Vegas.”

“Well can't you even go to the dentist at 3am in Vegas? But this isn't Vegas, this is New York.”

“It's the city that never sleeps!”

“If it laid off the coffee, it'd be able to sleep!”

“Did you know that the first Starbucks opened in New York in 1994, the same year Friends started?”

“I think I did hear that actually.”

“Very telling.”

“So I'm keeping my coffee then. Besides, It's almost a sin for a programmer to give up things like coffee.”

“Well, the first web cam was created to see if the coffee pot was full so they didn't have to get up.”

“I've always wondered about that. I mean, if everyone could check the coffee pot, and no one got up if it was empty, how'd they ever get coffee?”

“I'm sure the secretary probably started filling it up.”

“Exactly.”

“We're moving towards that culture right? Soon we'll be able to query are fridge contents from a web browser, probably even turn on the oven too. We'll be able to cook dinner from our computer.”

“That would be excellent!”

“Lazy bums! There is some benefit to not sitting on the couch all day you know.”

“There is?”

“Blasphemy.”

Tabitha just rolls her eyes, and takes her sandwich into her room.

Free Wireless

Welcome to the 6^th 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 6^th and 8^th 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.”

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.”

5..4..3...2....1.....Happy New Year!!

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 5..4...3...2...1....Happy New Year!!!

“Happy New Year!” Frank shouts, blowing on a noise maker as he enters the 6^th Floor wearing giant 2008 flashing light-up glasses with the 0’s as eyeholes.

“12 hours Frank. The new year starts at midnight, not noon.”

“I can’t believe you bought those glasses.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t buy a pair for Tabitha!”

“Oh! But I did!” Frank says, pulling out five more pairs of glasses. “And for you too!”

“Shit.”

“I wonder what they're going to do in 2010. No more double zeros for eyeholes.”

“They could make the 1 a little higher up on the nose, and use both zeros still.”

“Maybe, but once they get to 2011 it's definitely over.”

“That's kind of sad. I've grown accustomed to seeing those silly glasses around.”

“I thought you hated wearing those silly glasses.” Scott says, entering the room.

“I do! I still like seeing everyone else wearing those silly glasses though!”

Scott takes a pair and puts them on. “I have to go to work for a couple of hours. I'm going to wear these silly glasses the whole time!”

“Oh, and don't start rocking in the New Year until I get back!” Scott waves, and exits.

“Well then. I know Ann invited Amy and Sue, but do you know who else she invited?”

“A bunch of people. Most of them aren't showing up though, so no worries. I think maybe Mike from downstairs, and that might be it.”

“You mean Mike from upstairs right? I don't think we know any Mikes downstairs.”

“Sure, maybe. I don't know where he lives. I only ever see him downstairs, and I don't often take that sketchy elevator up so I don't see where he gets off.”

“I probably should take the stairs more often, it's good exercise. I don't see what you have against the elevator though.”

“I think it might be the feeling that I'm in a coffin that does it. And it certainly has a distinct odor.”

“I know they clean it, I've seen them cleaning it. I don't know why it still smells like that.”

“The stairs are safer..although I should be careful tonight and tomorrow. It always seems like stairwells are where drunk people go to puke.”

“I've noticed that too!”

“So..Anyone want to see if Scott is really wearing those glasses at work?”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

The three of them rise, grab their jackets and head out to see Scott at work.

Before you ask, he did have them on when we arrived. When we arrived, an old lady was praising him for being in the spirit of the holiday while she ordered her frappachino.