6th Floor Blog Keeps You Safe

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor Blog Keeps You Safe

“Does anyone actually feel safer because the police decide to search their bag when they get on the subway?”

“It's all about looking like they're trying to make the world safer.”

“Public image is everything.”

“I don't like having to deal with those searchers. I've never been searched though. You know you can just turn around and walk out of the station?”

“Yeah, but I think I'm too lazy to do that. Or I'm in a hurry.”

“That's what they're counting on.”

“Speaking of security, you'd think you'd remember to lock the apartment when you leave.” Tabitha looks in Scott's direction.

“I do! Except that one time when I couldn't find my keys!”

“Yeah, but then you didn't make sure the door shut tight!”

“I was just going downstairs to check the mail!”

“Okay okay! Can it guys! It might be a good idea to have a spare set of keys though.”

“Camera's are another thing that give the illusion of safety, but really don't do a damn thing.”

“I heard you're pretty much filmed constantly walking around midtown Manhattan.”

“It doesn't do a thing to actually prevent crime though.”

“I don't think most of midtown Manhattan is a high crime area anyway.”

“Unless you count the ridiculous prices on everything!”

“Ba-da Boom!” Scott fakes a rimshot for Billy's silly joke.

“Probably the best way to be safe is to take care of it yourself.”

“Walk softly and carry a big stick?”

“It's 'Speak softly and carry a big stick.'”

“What is?”

“Nevermind. That's not what I meant anyway, I just meant you should pay attention to your surroundings and like..not confront gun toting wackos asking for directions.”

“Aww, who doesn't love the gun toting wacko? The Internet is the same way actually. There are all sorts of 'guidelines' for keeping everything secure, but when it comes down to it, they're irrelevant because most people set themselves up to be hacked or have their identify or password stolen.”

“Like that youtube video 'The Website is Down' where the guy's password is 'a'?”

“Yeah, exactly. Although sometimes you wonder if a password like that is just so simple that no one even tries something that basic.”

“It's a good motto: 'Keep It Simple, Stupid'.”

“Yes. That's actually a huge programming concept. Working in support just reminds me of all the security leaks. I mean, you have no idea how many people email their passwords all over the place. Or people that just save their passwords, which basically makes them useless, or people that have their passwords on post-its attached to their computer.”

“At the place I work now, the door-lock password is just the suite number.”

“I'd be willing to be the most common voice mail password is probably either '1111' or '1234'.”

“Or the last four digits of the phone number.”

“It's probably even scarier that those four numbers are probably also the most common ATM passwords.”

“What are you doing Scott?” Sara asks, looking at Scott playing with his phone.

“I'm..umm..I'm..changing my voice mail password.” Scott says sheepishly.

People on the Subway: Pyro

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: People on the Subway: The Pyro

“I saw a pyromaniac on the subway today.”

“They have a word for those guys, they're called Terrorists.”

“No, not a guy a with a bomb silly. It was just a kid..probably about 16. He was just burning this long thin string.”

“Whatever keeps you occupied I guess. I'm convinced there is nothing strange that can't be made stranger by putting it in a subway car.”

“Especially one headed to Brooklyn.”

“So he just lit the string and watched it?”

“Yeah. Pretty much. He was sorta making an effort to hide it to his side, but it was pretty obvious what he was doing, and it did create a faint odor.”

“I love the smell of burning rope in the morning!”

“Better than whatever mush Sara heated up this morning.”

“Hey! Don't knock my mush!”

“It smelled like...melted feet.”

“Melted feet?! What the hell is that?”

“Interesting to say the least.”

“The pyro got off two stops later. Guess he just couldn't just sit for 10 minutes. I wonder what else he burned before he got home.”

“Trash cans, tourists, empty Starbucks cups..”

“Payphones.”

“Probably doesn't have the attention span to find a payphone.”

“Well, I'm sure we'll here from him again if he starts burning tourists.”

“Probably.”

6th Floor Blog Reviews Lost

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor Blog reviews: Lost Season 4

Warning: May contain, and most definitely will contain, Lost Season finale 4 spoilers and insanity.

“So, I finally finished watching the newest season of Lost. Insanity!”

“Only a month later. That's not too bad.”

“I don't know how you guys can watch that show. It's insane and you never know what's going on.”

“I know what's going on..I'm just not sure why.”

“Polar bears?”

“They never adequately explained that.”

“Well they had Sawyer and Kate locked in the bear cages at one point..so theoretically it's an escapee..but how and why and what were they doing with it?”

“And what's with these Dharma Experiment dudes? What the hell were/are they investigating? Did they figure it out? Time travel?”

“I hate how they just kill characters so easily on that show. I really liked Boone!”

“Yeah. At least it seems pretty safe to like the 'Oceanic Six'. Seems like they're going to be around a while.”

“When they first started talking about that, I was trying to figure out how they were going to have a show about the Island with six characters actually off the island.”

“Yeah, well it looks like they'll be going back or something. Although the Claire bit makes me think there will be some sort of warring factions again.”

“Definitely. This show taking place in like four different times gets confusing, and it looks like they're going to continue it.”

“Two more season right? I think they're going to almost leave this cliff hanger until the final season, and use next season to segue to that, as ridiculously evil a cliffhanger as that is.”

“That show has no qualms about being horribly evil.”

“And that's why I no longer watch it. I decided the show title was how they decided to make their viewers feel.”

Clean Your Feet!

Welcome to the 6th floor

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor Blog has clean feet

It's late Thursday night and Sara returns home from work and drinks with a friend. Everyone except Frank is still up and milling around the apartment.

“Did you guys see all the prom teens floating around tonight? Craziness.”

“Might as well ask if I noticed it was night. Girls in revealing dresses? Of course we noticed!”

“A lot of them got off tonight at Penn Station. I guess some of the Long Island school kids came into the city for a comedy club or something.”

“So many of them were running around barefoot though. I understand those shoes are freaking uncomfortable, but walking on 6^th Avenue barefoot? Ick..”

“Hey, anything they want to take off is fine with me.”

“Ahh, to be young and careless again.”

“That's right, you used to be a suburbite. Did you run around Manhattan barefoot on your prom night?”

“Suburbanite. I never did, I was always a little bit germaphobic.”

“I'm ashamed to say that I have...not during prom though, we took a limo for that. But other times trekking into the city.. I never did it sober though, so that's gotta count for something!”

“Take anything else off while you were drunk?”

Ann winks at Scott. “Not for guys like you.”

“Hey! That wasn't nice.”

Tabitha laughs, “Nah, I think it was well deserved.”

Getting Smarter

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Getting Smart

The 6^th Floor Gang is returning from appetizers and drinks at Catalina's, and slowly walking back to the 6^th Floor.

“Why haven't we seen Get Smart yet?”

“I loved that show when I was younger, I almost went without you on Saturday.”

“It was on in the late 60s. You're older than I thought Scott.”

Scott scrunches up his face and starts hobbling down the street. “Back in my day..we had to wind up our boob tubes. And we had to walk three miles in the snow to school. Uphill!”

“They played it a lot on Nick at Night in the 80s. I assume that's what he means.”

“Oh. He still makes a good geezer.”

“No doubt about that.”

“I was all psyched to see it Friday night, but when I got home no one else was here.”

“I was there...just sleeping.”

“Sleeping! It was 9:30!”

“I had a rough day..”

“That's why they invented beer!”

“And scotch.”

“Since when did you start drinking scotch?”

“I've had it once or twice, it's pretty good.”

“Sleeping is healthier and leaves me feeling better in the morning.”

“Everyone’s always complaining they’re tired. I don’t get it.”

“Take out your coffee-iv and maybe you would.”

“I don’t use an IV, drinking it’s half the fun!”

“You know what I mean.”

The group arrives at their door.

“Not it!”

Billy and Scott put their fingers on their noses.

“I don’t have my keys.”

“Me neither.”

Frank looks around and sighs.

“Damn.” Frank fiddles for his keys and unlocks the apartment door.

Capsule Toys

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Panda Gelato

“So you know how when you find out about something or learn something new, you tend to see it everywhere?”

“Like when you happen to notice how yummy a chocolate advertisement looks, and then you seem to see that advertisement wherever you look?”

“Or when you see a hot girl on the way to work, and then you see her at the supermarket, at the movies, etc..”

“Sure. So I was reading Panda Blog and saw a picture of a capsule toy vending machine. Which looked way better than the crappy supermarket vending machines around here. I'd never heard of them, and they looked interesting.”

Sara trails off, distracted by a commercial on the television for Hancock.

“I want to see that.”

“Hancock? Yeah, looks good. You know you were in the middle of a story or something right?”

“Oh! Right. So I took the PATH train to Pavonia-Newport to look for food during lunch. I found this Japanese tea shop slash Gelateria.”

“Oh! Gelato!”

“Well yeah...The Gelato was good. They also had all sorts of teas and pancakes and stuff. Looked good, I'm sure I'll head back. That's not the point though.”

“I found one of those capsule machines Panda was talking about!”

“Did you get a capsule toy?”

“No..I didn't have four quarters. I figure I'll be back. They had Winnie the Pooh characters dressed up as animals.”

Billy walks over and silently hands Sara a handful of quarters.

“Get me one too.”

“Sure thing.

Three Cheesecakes

Welcome to the 6th floor.

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

Subject: The Night of Three Cheesecakes

“So we’re having cheesecake for dinner tonight?”

“Unless you’re cooking? I don’t feel like going out anywhere.”

“Could do take out.”

“You have a problem with cheesecake?”

“No, but is cheesecake really a meal?”

“It’s apple crumb cheesecake. So it’s got fruit. Have a second piece and it’ll be a meal.”

“I like your logic.”

Ann walks in carrying packages, returning from spending the day on Long Island with her parents for Father’s Day.

“Ann! Back already? Family boring huh? Want some cheesecake for dinner with us?”

“I did eat, but I might go for a piece of cheesecake. I brought some with me, half the cake we didn’t eat. It’s chocolate swirl!”

“Oooh. Variety!”

“Billy picked up an apple crumb one earlier.”

Sara ambles out of her room when she hears Ann arrive.

“I could go for a piece of cheesecake, I haven’t eaten since noon!”

“Where is Tab? Should we wait for her?”

“Her parents were in town for the day, they were going out to dinner somewhere, so no.”

“So break out the cake! Get the forks!”

Frank breaks out the plates and forms, and starts cutting and serving.

“This apple crumb cheesecake is very good.” Frank comments, after he’s handed out slices to everyone.

“So is the chocolate swirl. Chocolate is always good though.”

“It is good, but I always prefer plain creamy cheesecake.”

Just then Tabitha returns, carrying a Juniors Cheesecake box.

“More cake? Why do you have a cheesecake?”

“We ate dessert at Junior’s, and then my mother made me take home a cheesecake.”

“Why? You’re not a father!”

“That she knows of.”

Billy laughs, Tabitha gives Scott a weird look and everyone else rolls their eyes.

“Okay, break out that cheesecake Tab, me and Ann are going to have a piece.”

“I am?”

“Sure, it looks like a normal plain New York style cheesecake.”

“Sometimes I suspect they label things New York style just for the prestige of New York.”

“Well, can you blame them? Philly style cheesecake just wouldn’t be as enticing.”

“I’ll eat to that.”

“Is there anything you won’t eat to?”

“Bras.”

Frank and Scott burst out laughing.

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.”

Worst Dinner Ever

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Frank

Subject: Worst Dinner Ever

This took place a while ago now, during our trip upstate to Cobleskill, Cooperstown and Howes Caverns. We were staying at a hotel in Cobleskill and decided to eat dinner at the attached restaurant.

“I can't believe we just drove around Cobleskill for a half hour and didn't find anywhere interesting to eat.”

“It's a Best Western, how bad could the food be at the attached restaurant?”

“We'll find out soon I'm sure. The menu doesn't look bad.”

“I didn't even see a cool restaurant near the school. What kind of college town is that?”

“It's a very rural school. I think a lot of people head home after class or on weekends. Work on the farm or something.”

“How..boring. Did you notice that the movie theater only has one film, and usually only one show time?”

“Wow. It's almost like we're in another world.”

“They have nachos as an appetizer. We game?”

Frank pauses.

“Oh, I was waiting for Billy to chime in. I usually just let him answer the food questions. Forgot he wasn't with us.”

“Order the nachos. Get them with the ground beef. I'm having the crispy chicken salad.”

“Just a burger for me, to go with the nachos.”

“Burger for me too. Keeping it simple, I don't trust complicated out here.”

“Probably wise.”

They order their food, and chat until the nachos come.

“Wow. There are no words.”

“Maybe..maybe it won't be that bad?”

“I think Shea Stadium serves better nachos.”

“Ouch.”

“We have to at least try it.”

“When it said beef..I thought it meant..beef. You know, nacho meat. Not..literally..ground plain beef just dumped on top.”

“No guac or sour cream either.”

“Could ask for it.”

“After seeing this, no way I'm asking for something as fancy as guacamole.”

“I guess this is what we deserve for attempting to order Mexican food in middle of nowhere, NY.”

“Nachos are really American food though. Bah! This is just a bunch of nacho-like ingredients dumped on chips.”

“It's..okay. Bland. Tastes just like it looks.”

“Yeah..not horrible. Do I feel like even eating more of this?”

“I'm hungry. Only reason I'm still eating them. If our food came faster...”

They continue mindlessly chomping on the “nachos” until their food arrives and they start eating that.

“How is your food?” Ann asks, eyeing Sara's burger suspiciously.

“Pretty sure these are frozen burgers.”

“Definitely frozen. I think we could've gotten tastier food in the prepared food section of Price Chopper.”

“Your food okay Ann? It's just a salad right?”

“Mine is pretty crappy too. I think my chicken was probably frozen or packaged too.”

“Do they even have a cook back there? Or is it literally just waitresses reheating things?”

“Well, the beef on the nachos was probably cooked right?”

“Maybe..although it could've been precooked and reheated too I think. Certainly had that look to it.”

“Definitely wasn't that girl getting us drinks. She didn't even know what type of soda they had.”

“Ugh. Definitely have to make a food run to Price Chopper. This is not going to keep me very satisfied.”

“I'd eat ice chips out of the ice machine and be more satisfied.”

Waitress: “Is that all? Any dessert? Can I wrap anything up for you?” She asks, looking at their half-eaten meals.

Ann, Sara, and Frank in unison: “No.”