Death of Blond Jokes

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Ann's Changes

We arrived at Catalina's at 10:30. Sara and Frank wanted to watch the game at home, not knowing if they'd have a seat with a good angle for the televisions at Catalina's. When we got there the crowd was thinning out a bit, but there was no one at the hostess stand, so we stood around waiting until a red-haired girl approached us with menus.

“Ann?! You dyed your hair!”

“You work here now?”

“Ann! Lookout, your hair is on fire!”

“Why didn't you tell us?”

“Can you get us a discount on drinks then?”

“Well I'm glad you approve. I did indeed dye my hair, I figured it was time for a change. I cannot get you a discount though. I'm off at 11, so I'll seat you now and join you after my shift. We can discuss how I've actually seen all of you recently and you didn't notice.”

“Wow, she looks so different.” Sara says as Ann walks away after seating them to finish her duties for the night.

“I know. It's a nice color on her though. Will definitely take some getting used to.”

“It eliminates the blond jokes too. Redhead jokes just aren't as funny.”

“I'm going to order a Killian's Irish Red to celebrate.”

“Me too. Here's Clarence now.”

Clarence: “Hi guys. Isn't Ann's hair just fabulous?”

“Just blazin'. It was quite a shock. So when did she start working here?”

Clarence: “Just yesterday afternoon. Usually we wouldn't have her working Friday night, but two of our regulars called in sick.”

“Sick sick? Or I have tickets to the Yankee game sick?”

Clarence: “My guess is the latter. Crazy game today huh? I didn't know the Yankees knew how to steal that many bases. And what was with all the swinging bunts?”

“No idea. I'll take it though. 10 of 11!”

Clarence: “They're definitely getting back on track. So what can I get you tonight?”

“Let's start with five Killian's Irish Red in honor of Ann.”

Clarence: “Sounds perfect. I'll be back shortly to ask you what overly greasy appetizers you want.”

“Ann isn't Irish is she?”

“I don't think so.”

“Then she's not really an 'Irish' Red.”

“Did you have a better drink to order?”

“Could have gotten strawberry margaritas.”

“Well there is always round two.”

“Very true. Ann's not even off yet.”

Clarence: “Here you guys are. Appetizers?”

“We are going to wait for Ann to order food. I imagine she's hungry.”

“We are? Oh fine. Could you bring us some breadsticks to hold me over?”

Clarence: “Certainly. The firecracker should be here shortly.”

“Firecracker?”

Clarence: “Yeah, I thought it up myself.”

“I kind of like it.”

“And here is Ann herself!”

“Introducing yourself? You really are a firecracker.”

“Firecracker? I guess it beats blond jokes.”

“Fess up! You said you've seen us in the last couple of days. Where?”

“Well I saw you at work. I was sitting in the corner on my laptop for about an hour on Tuesday.”

“What? No way..”

“Yup. I ordered a Java Chip Frappachino from..I can't remember the girl's name. The one with the nose ring.”

“Ring Girl.”

“Her real name Scott.”

“I don't know her real name. I've called her Ring Girl since she started working there.”

“I'm sure she loves that. Anyway, you actually made the drink for me, and handed it to me.”

“If you say so. I guess the hair totally messed with me. Of course, I rarely look at a pretty girl's face.. Wait, Frank was at Starbucks on Tuesday too. I remember because he complained about losing $100 to an idiot with jack five.”

“Fucking newb.”

“Yeah. I saw Frank there.”

“Wait, so why didn't you just say hello or something? Instead of stalking us from a distance?”

“I was going to when Scott didn't recognize me, but then I decided it'd be funny. Anyway, you guys did your own stalking it seems.”

“We certainly did..you were successful though. Where did you see me?”

“You don't have to worry about not recognizing me. I boarded one of your trains this week. I was in the front car and saw you. I wasn't sure it was you at first, but then I heard your announcement. 'Union Square. Transfer here for the N, R, Q, W, 4, 5, 6, 7 ,8 ,9, 10...wait, only the 4,5,6 I just can't help counting once I start.'”

“Ahh yes. I'm worse at 6^th, because then I have to start with 1,2,3. The nine used to help but then they abandoned that line.”

“Sara walked down the stairs and right past me onto the train on her way to work. This was earlier yesterday, I was coming home to pick up some clothes. If I was a little faster she would've actually seen me at home.”

“No guarantees. I can be very zombie-like in the morning.”

“Saved the best for last?”

“Certainly. You were walking on Park with your friend Melissa, and I suddenly stopped because I wanted to grab an Onion from one of the boxes, and you actually walked into me. I thought for sure you'd recognize me, but you just said 'excuse me' and hurried on your way.”

“Oops. Serves you right for suddenly stopping in front of me though. We were in a hurry, Melissa had made lunch reservations and we were running late.”

“So that's how I've been stalking you all week. Now to the important stuff, where's Clarence with our second round?”

Nothing Loosens Lips Like Alcohol

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Nothing loosens the lips like alcohol

After the game Friday night me and Frank headed over to Union Square to meet the rest of the gang. As we get off the train I call them and it turns out they've also just arrived, so we all go to Max Brenner together. We're about to head in when we're stopped by someone calling most of our names. It's Amy and Sue, two girls who used to live on our floor before moving in with their respective boyfriends. Sue is actually getting married in a couple of months.

Sue: “Hey guys! It's funny running into you, especially today! Me and Amy just decided to meet up and go out and have some drinks tonight. You should come with us, it'll be just like old times!”

“I'm in, are you guys okay with skipping chocolate tonight?”

“It's a tough choice, but I guess I can skip chocolate for these two...as long as one of them buys me a chocolate Martini where ever we're going.”

Amy: “Certainly! I'll do it, Sue should be saving for her wedding!”

“Did you pick a date yet?”

Sue: “Not quite yet, we're decided between two dates in the spring of '08. So what are guys doing out besides getting chocolate?”

“We were grabbing dinner at the Corner Bistro, and we just met up with Sara and Frank returning from the game.”

Amy: “The Met game? How'd they do?”

“Mets won 3-2, Pettite thought Endy was bunting, instead he swung and hit a two run home run. One more win and Frank loses our bet.”

Amy: “Oooh, a bet. That sounds like fun. You guys going to any more of the games?”

“Nope, I'll have to wait until they come to Yankee Stadium to see them beat the Mets I guess.”

We arrived at the bar Amy and Sue were headed to, and found ourselves a semi-empty corner to hang out in. As is typical when we go out to bars, we ended up forming a circle so that we could all talk to each other.

Sue: “You guys look like you're already a little tipsy, a bit too many beers with dinner?”

“You know we can never pass up those McSorley's. It's just a shame that the real bar is always so jam packed.”

“We had a couple of beers ourself at Shea. It's such a rip off but I can't help myself.”

“Just trying to drown your sorrows huh Frank?”

“Absolutely.”

Sue: “So what's new with everyone? What have you guys been up to? Any dates recently?”

“I was on a date just last night actually. It was kind of a bore.”

“You never did mention how that went. I noticed you didn't come back with him and you certainly weren't home very late.”

“Well you know he was a guy from work. He really seemed to not want to talk about anything except work. We talked office politics, coding solutions...it was just like lunch in the cafeteria.”

“What a snooze.”

“Exactly, I didn't even have to make up an excuse to part ways after dinner, he wanted to go home because we had work the next morning.”

“As I recall, you're asleep early most nights too.”

“Yeah yeah, we don't all have the luxury of your schedule.”

Amy: “Still doing well with the Poker I take it?”

“It pays the bills, and it certainly beats rising with the sun and trudging off to work.”

Sue “I imagine it would. So Tabitha, you think you did well on your finals?”

“I think so yeah, I wish I didn't have to wait so long to find out my grades.”

“Tab, are you chewing on the appetizers menu?”

Tabitha pulls the wad of paper out of her mouth and opens it up. “Looks like it, you want more food?”

“I'm not into paper as a snack actually, I'll pass.”

Sue “So how about the rest of you? Anything to write home about?”

“I drove the M train this week!”

“Yes, that's all very exciting. You still travel a lot for work Amy?”

Amy: “Not quite as much, but still some. I have more seniority now that one of the older guys quit. Means I get to pick and choose more about which trips to take. Last week I was actually in Vegas; best trip for work ever.”

“I bet. You should have told me, I would've flown with you. I rarely pass up an excuse to go to Vegas, it's like my Mecca.”

“Yeah, he actually makes sure every time he plays poker on-line he faces towards Las Vegas.”

Amy: “Ha! Well maybe next time I go out there I'll give you a call. I assume you feel much the same about other gambling places? Atlantic City? Reno?”

“Yup, although AC is close enough that I really don't need an excuse to go there.”

We continued chatting and drinking and having a grand time late into the night, but none of us really remember much after that. Tabitha did develop a small cut on her lip, and Frank's arm felt sore the next day, and it certainly wasn't from cheering for the Yankees.

The Mets slaughtered the Yankees on Saturday, having starting pitcher Darrel Rasner leave with a broken finger in the first inning killed them. The Yankees managed to eke out the third game so Frank will not be my slave, but he does owe me a couple of drinks. I'm thinking of ordering every drink with top shelf liquor.

Corner Bistro Bash

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Big Blogged Week and the Corner Bistro

We seem to have plenty to say but aren't saying it. Frank never blogged about the visit from his friend, and Sara never mentioned her date. Frank has something planned about his 'job', and how he makes a living by playing poker, and Tabitha's off for the summer and hopefully will find some time to do some blogging. We encourage you to comment or email us at 6thfloorblog@gmail.com, the emails go to an account we all share that's usually open up on the computer in the living room.

Friday night to celebrate Tabitha finishing her finals for the semester we all, minus Frank and Sara who were at the Mets game, went to the Corner Bistro to have some burgers and beers.

“So how long is the wait?”

“Probably close to an hour. I'll order the drinks, since we're basically waiting on line in front of the bar. McSorley's everyone?”

“Yup, Dark.”

“The darker, the better!”

“I'll take a light, just to be different.”

“Don't worry Ann, you're plenty different already.”

“I'm getting light too, so you're not that different actually.”

Still different than them though.”

“Yup, and that's definitely a good thing.”

“What's so bad about being like us?”

“Yeah, what's so wrong about me? Billy I could see, but me? I'm awesome!”

Billy punches Scott in the shoulder. “I should make you pay for my beer for that.”

“Here we are, beers and burgers soonish. Should be a nice evening.”

“Don't forget chocolate. We're going to Max Brenner after this right?”

“It closes at 11, we might want to go somewhere else afterwards for more drinks.”

“Burp castle? Bartender's in monk robes, and tasty Belgian beers?”

“I have yet to see them actually wear those robes. I think you just like the naked angels in the paintings!”

“Oh Tabitha, you know me so well.”

“I'm so hungry. Hopefully it's faster then they said.”

“Yeah, I definitely could go for a burger. At least we can sate my appetite with beer while I wait!”

“Wow Billy, you finished your beer already? Good job.”

“Me too! I'll get us some more Billy boy.”

“Hey, I can't help it if the beer's good.”

“That's true. So did Sara and Frank say they'd meet us later?”

“They said it depends on the game and if we're still out by the time they can get back to the city.”

“If they don't kill each other on the way back. It's a long trip back on the 7 for gloating.”

“Of course they'll come out and meet us. Either way they're going to want a beer, celebratory or sorrowfully.”

“Beer! The cause and solution to all of our problems!”

“Exactly. It looks like we're only third or fourth in line now for a table. We'll get some of those delicious burgers yet!”

Billy catches Ann as she stumbles into him. “Looks like Ann could use some meat in her.”

“That's what she said!”

Billy and Scott high-five.

“I'm fine! I meant to fall into you, really.”

We get seated, order our food and another round of drinks. An hour wait provides plenty of time to down some beers, and we're all getting pretty trashed as our food arrives.

“Some mighty fine burgers here. This was a really terrific suggestion Tabitha.”

“Wonderful, so wonderful! This burgers are orgasmic! Such a fine specimen of meat!”

“As is her.” Scott says, indicating a blond woman standing at the bar.

“Way out your league there Scott. Stop ogling her and finish your burger.”

“I'm kind of full, I don't know if I'll have room for chocolate.”

“There is always room for chocolate! Besides, we still have to get over there, sit down, and order. That's enough time to digest some.”

We finish our burgers, and our server returns with our check. We finish off the beers, pay, and head over to Union Square. We step out of the subway, and my phone rings. It's Sara, they also just got off the train in Union Square. It was a quick game, the Mets won, and they're ready for some chocolate and some more drinking, so we head to Max Brenner: Chocolate by the bald man.

To be continued...

Subway Series Bet

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Sara, Frank

Subject: Subway Series Bet

Ann's been bugging me to make a post about my friend who visited Monday. It would link in with an earlier post she made and she wants to try to have some post continuity on the blog, but I don't feel like writing about that right now. She'll have to settle for a post about the wager me and Sara made on the ballgames this weekend.

“That was an awesome win yesterday, the Yankees don't have a prayer to stop that kind of momentum.”

“The Yankees are going to start hitting eventually, it very well could be tonight. That is if Oliver Perez can find the plate, otherwise we'll just walk all over you.”

“Oh, he'll find the plate. Maybe he'll even allow less hits then his last outing.”

“There is no way the Yankees are being no-hit! Don't be ridiculous. I think the Yankees will come out of it, they're due for one of these 12 of 15 stretches to get right back in it. The Mets and the Red Sox are due for some losing too.”

“I wouldn't count on that. Would you like to bet on it?”

“Sure, what should we wager?”

“If the Mets win the series, you buy my alcohol when we go out next weekend. If the Yankees win, I'll buy yours. Either way we go up to the roof Monday night to see the http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070517&content_id=1970755&vkey=pr_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym”> Empire State Building displaying the colors of the victors.”

“Sounds good, but lets make it a little richer. If either team sweeps, we do the whole slave thing. You serve me my food, get me a drink when I ask..etc. Nothing crazy, just the normal stuff I don't feel like getting up to do.”

“Sounds good to me. I'll have you take out the trash, or update the blog when Ann starts in on me.”

“Speaking of which, weren't you supposed to update about your date as part of Ann's continuity thing? How'd it go?”

“It was..interesting. I will update, I just got back a little late and worked all day today and then we're going to Shea tonight.”

“Maybe we should escape to Shea before Ann notices we haven't updated like she asked.”

What's Up This Week?

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Our Plans For The Upcoming Week

It's Sunday night and we're all standing around in the kitchen. When we stand around and chat, we often do it in the kitchen; I think the presence of snacks and a counter to lean on keep the conversation flowing. We all recently arrived home after being out, some of us visiting our mothers, the others just running errands. A belated Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there. As the early birds start to think about getting to bed, conversation naturally drifts to the upcoming week, and any interesting plans we may have.

“I've got some finals this week, but I was thinking it'd be nice to go out to dinner Friday. How does the Corner Bistro sound?”

“Well me and Sara will be at Shea Stadium for the subway series game on Friday otherwise I'd go. Maybe if you're all still out when we get back.”

“I'm always in for the Bistro. Plus they have McSorley's on tap, that's always a plus.”

“Amen to that!”

“Well I'll have to check my schedule, but that sounds good to me too. Maybe we can L it over to Union Square and have dessert at Max Brenner's afterwards?”

“Sure, nothing washes out the bad taste of finals like yummy chocolatey goodness.”

“That's the place with all the weird glasses and mugs right?”

“That's the one. We might want to goto the 2^nd avenue one though, it's usually less crowded.”

“So anyone doing anything exciting during the actual week?”

“I've actually got a date Thursday night. I don't know if it'll be exciting or not though.”

“Oooo...Sara's got a date! With who? Where are you going? You bringing him back here?”

“Just some guy from work. Maybe I'll bring him back here if it's going badly, meeting you is always a good way to scare off dates.”

“Ouch, that hurts me!” Scott says, grabbing at his heart in jest.

“Going anywhere good?”

“We're just going to dinner. I told him he could pick the place. I'll let you know where we end up.”

“A friend of mine is coming to the city for the day on Wednesday. I told her I'd show her around, and she mentioned she'd like to goto a museum or something. She's only going to be here for something like 8 hours though, so I'll have to figure out something fun for us to do. We'll probably get dinner somewhere near Penn Station before she gets on a train if any of you wanted to join us.”

“Hmm, she hot?”

“She's pretty good looking yes, but she has a boyfriend. You're still welcome to join us though.”

“Naah.”

“It's nothing real exciting, but I'm going to be working the M train this week. I don't usually work that route, it'll be a nice change of pace.”

“I'm not sure I've ever been on the M train actually.”

“You know I always welcome visitors on my trains.”

“You mean besides the millions of New Yorkers who visit every day? Yeah I know. I've got too much studying to do for excursions to Queens though. So much studying in fact, that I need to goto bed and get an early start on that. Goodnight everyone.”

“Goodnight! Don't let the bed bugs bite!”

“Eww! Didn't we tell you to stop saying that? We've all heard too many bed bug horror stories!”