It’s always good to know when to call it a day, and it’s time to call it a day on theFiver.

It took me about two weeks to write a single entry that I wasn’t even that happy with.The idea of coming up with further entries is stressful, and the fact that it’s something I no longer look forward to doing is telling.

TheFiver was a successful failure. It didn’t make any money — not even enough to pay for its web hosting, and failed rather spectacularly to reach a broad audience. Yet, for me, theFiver fulfilled its purpose: At a time when I was unemployed, it was a project that kept me occupied. It allowed me to flex some coding/WordPress skills, and I was able to improve my photo illustrations to the extent that I could make beloved ’80s sitcom character Alf realistically appear as though he was a backup singer for ’90s band Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Most importantly, it kept me writing, and it was on a topic that I felt passionate about. Although far from perfect, this blog was something I was proud of, and I’d rather stop it now, and not have it become something I feel obligated to continue for no discernible reason.

Thanks go to co-creator Nicole Ouellette, and also to contributors and commentators Kate, Kelly, Barbara, Andrew and Carla, Lea, and Heather. Extra special thanks goes to Brian Hussey, whose rabbit design graces this blog, and is something that I’ve been very proud to display.

Thank you for reading.

TheFiver, which has been on hiatus these last few weeks, will return in the Spring of 2010. The reason is that the primary author/administrator, ie, “me,” is in the midst of moving to New York City. So my efforts have been concentrated in procrastinating packing, finding an apartment, and moving. Once I’m settled, I’ll begin posting newsbits, editorials, PerformanceKlok, and, of course, Top 5 lists. Cheers.
– John

I recently found ads on this blog for Stand For Marriage Maine, a group attempting to overturn the State of Maine’s law that allows gay marriage, on this site. I was flummoxed, considering I’ve already voiced my support for allowing gay marriage, and because I have a link to ProtectMaineEquality.org. Personally, I find Stand For Marriage’s tactics distracting at best, and fear-mongering at worst, and I don’t want their content on this blog.

So why did the Stand For Marriage ad appear in the first place?

Well, ads on theFiver are run through a Google application, which chooses which ads to run and where they are placed on this site. For whatever reason, Google decided theFiver’s audience wanted a link advocating banning gay marriage in Maine.

I am partially to blame because my Google account did not have the proper ad filters to prevent this from happening. I am now in the process of filtering out all political advertising until after the election. Meanwhile, I am temporarily suspending all Google Ads until I’m sure this snafu isn’t repeated.

I apologize for any confusion this has caused, and if any members of the GLBT and their allies are reading this, I am especially sorry. As for you Mainers, I urge a No vote on Question 1.

The Internets. Such an amazing series of tubes. Well, theFiver is all about social media, sort of, and to prove it, you can now follow us on Twitter! Click here to make it happen.

We’re making a couple of minor changes to the schedule on theFiver. Top 5 lists will be updated Tuesdays and Thursdays, and newsbits and editorials will be updated throughout the week. PerformanceKlok will still be posted Saturdays. Wackiness and shenanigans will occur as before. We now return you to your regularly scheduled web browsing, already in progress.

“Get me outta this cheap B movie!”

— Queen

A few nights ago, I was at the intersection of what can only be described as providence: A case of insomnia, no cable TV, and a strange array of free titles with which to download instantly onto my Mac via Netflix.

I began to Twitter whatever thoughts I was having about whichever film I was watching – generally the cheesier the better – and it became a game to see how far I could get into the movie and how much I could Tweet before falling asleep, and how much would make sense the following day.

So if you like strange observational humor and movies featuring Kevin Costner/Kevin Sorbo, truck-driving orangutans, and the apocalypse, you’re likely disturbed. If so, welcome to Bed Time Movies. Follow live commentary on the Bed Time Movies’ Twitter page as I explore middling cinema from the edge of sleep, and check back on the Bed Time Movies’ blog to view the carnage.

So there you have it.

We tend to be a-political here at theFiver. And with rare exceptions (Top 5 Worst Conservative Anthems and constant rants against hippie boomer douchsim), we tend to let politics go its way. Red State, Blue State, green eggs and ham, it’s all the same to us.

Every now and again, you may notice this at the end of our posts:

Vote No on 1 | Protect Maine Equality

I feel strongly that gay rights are civil rights, and that gay marriage is the evolution of equality. As this issue will be on the ballot in theFiver’s home state, I wanted to show my support on this blog. And if you feel as I do, click on the link.

If not, that’s OK too.

The link will be included only on posts written by me, not on guest posts (unless that’s requested). No one should ever feel that they can’t contribute in any way to this site because we might disagree on these issues. This is a big house, and there’s room for everyone.

With that being said, let’s get back to the music.

So, I’ve been  vomiting forth my opinion on music for a couple of months now, but why should I limit my haughtiness, when our good friend Kate Stabile was kind enough to let me guest post on her blog? Check out my rantings on a couple of this summer’s blockbusters at The Kate of All Trades.

I know what you’re thinking: “Gee, I wish there was a way to show my love for theFiver, say, by wearing a shirt with that bunny on it.” Or maybe, “You know what I like to have on my magnets? Logos from music blogs.” Or even: “My underwear is too plain. I really wish this thong said something about theFiver.”

Well, your dream is now a reality in a blazing display of genuine Fiver merchandise. Just click here, and prepared to be blown away by the fact that theFiver logo is now available on a bib!

And also, I really need some money now, so perhaps you should consider buying at least one of everything? Just saying …

theFiver Store: It’s where Barack Obama would shop, if he wanted Fiver merchandise.

We’ve got a new flag for the header, thanks to a very talented friend of mine. Maine artist Brian Hussey donated his considerable skill to create the sketch of the rabbit bopping to an MP3 player that you see above. (Since theFiver’s namesake is a rabbit in Richard Adams’ “Watership Down,” I thought something lapine would be in order.)

Thank you, Brian!