Beer Garden

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Beer Garden

“There! Quick, grab it!”

Frank maneuvers through the crowd and quickly sits at a table of a recently departed group of Asian guys.

“Good grab.” Ann says, sliding into the table across from Frank. “I hate when we have to stand here, makes it hard to have more than one pitcher of beer at a time.”

“We haven’t been to the beer garden in ages. This place is great!”

“It is nice to drink in the fresh air once in a while, instead of those dank, dirty bars. Guess it’s one of the few nice things about Queens.”

Sara coughs as a cloud of cigarette smoke drifts by. “Well, semi-fresh air anyway.”

“Where’d Billy go?”

“Presumably to get us our first pitcher of beer.”

“Nope. Food.” Ann points out Billy on line outside the food tent.

“Fine, I guess I’ll get the first pitcher. I shall return.”

“I’m going to join Billy, I want some food in me so I don’t get too drunk.”

“Anyone want anything?” Tabitha asks as she gets up.

“Nah, I ate already.” Sara says, as Ann and Scott shake their heads.

“Did we remember to bring cards or a game or something?”

“I’ve got a deck of cards. We should’ve brought Killer Bunnies!”

“Bunnies? You know someone would just spill something on it and ruin the cards. Ann can be such a clutz.”

“Thanks. We could’ve brought UNO or something. That’s simple and mindless.”

“We’ve got cards, I think we can manage.”

“We could make like that table over there, and play Jenga!”

“Drinking Jenga? I wonder how that’d work?”

“I don’t think it would. After a little while I can’t imagine any game lasting long.”

Tabitha and Billy return carrying plates of food. Tabitha has a veggie burger and fries, and Billy has two foot long bratwursts and fries.

“Didn’t pour me a beer yet? You’re slacking Frank!”

“I’m still trying to decide what kind of joke to make about you eating those gigantic brats.”

The usual shenanigans continued from there. Before we knew it, the sun had set and we were on our 5^th pitcher of beer. 7^th pitcher of beer? Before we knew it, we’d lost count of how many pitchers of beer we’d drank, and how many French fries we’d thrown at each other. Somehow we’d ended up playing Rummi 500 of all games.

“I’m still waiting for a third three. I can’t believe we haven’t come across it yet.”

“I think we lost a handful of cards to the spilt beer pitcher of game two.”

“Did we only lose threes? This is insane!” Tabitha exclaims, as she draws a card from the deck.”

“Well, the odds of two of the seven cards we lost being threes would..”

“No math! This isn’t poker and we’re drinking, not mathing!”

“At least we don’t have a silly ‘asshole hat’ made out of napkins like that table of college kids that stumbled out of here 40 minutes ago.”

“Aww, I thought the hat was cool!”

“I really thought there weren’t supposed to be drinking games here.”

“I think they just mean take over the tables and play huge games of beer pong.”

“Better this way anyway, I rock at beer pong and you would’ve been embarrassed.”

“Don’t be so sure!”

“Aren’t we a little old for beer pong?”

“You’re never too old for beer pong!”

“You and Scott will be playing beer pong in your retirement homes I’m sure. One more round? Or should we stumble out of here?”

“Should we stop at that diner before getting on the train?”

“Are you really hungry after those two giant bratwurst?”

“That was..hours ago! The diner’s supposed to be good.”

“Can you taste anything anymore? We’ve eaten there before..I just don’t remember if it was good.”

“I don’t remember being disgusted with it.”

“I don’t think I remember it at all.”

“All the more reason to try it again.”

“Why not? We know better than to get between you and food anyway.”

We got up and made our way down (or was it up?) the street to the diner. I remember someone ordered pancakes, but not much else. Billy’s insisting that it’s the best diner he’s ever eaten at in the City, but I think he’s ashamed to admit he doesn’t remember much either.

(Has anyone noticed the blog acting weird? It seems like it’s combining posts so that text doesn’t match the titles and screwing up in IE (and chrome Sara tells me).)

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.”

Stalking the Barmaid

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Stalking the Barmaid

“Doesn't that Barmaid live somewhere around here?”

“I don't know, she doesn't exactly publish her location.”

“There are clues though.”

“Sure, how many bars could there possibly be in New York? I'm sure if you just go to each one you'll find her in no time.”

“Well there are clues to what neighborhood. That narrows it down, and there are a couple of us, we each hit three or four bars a night, and maybe we get lucky.”

“I'm not going barhopping by myself to find some random girl from the Internet!”

“That's your loss.”

“Okay, lets hit a couple and check it out. Are you going to come with Tab? It'll be just like going barhopping anyway.”

“No thanks. I'll just stay in tonight.”

“No fun! Let's go, you coming Frank?”

“Sure, not like I have anything better to do.”

“Sara?”

“Umm...No. I'm still hungover from those three margaritas you forced on me at lunch.”

“Ann? Oh, Ann's not here? Where is she? She's always been fond of stalking. Oh well, lets get going.”

The next morning...

Frank emerges from the bathroom. “Note to self, once you start reaching double-digit beers, it's time to stop.”

“Stop drinking or stop counting?”

Frank burps. “Probably both.”

“I think I have heartburn. I vaguely remember ordering food at every place we went.”

“Every place? How many places did you go to?”

“Well..I uhh..I don't know.”

“Well, that's a good sign. When you can't remember where you've been, you've usually been nowhere good. Did you actually find her or can you not remember that either?”

“I think we'd remember if we found her. Wouldn't we? I'm not sure.”

“I remember nachos, a corn dog, and potato skins. That's at least three bars.”

“Mozzarella sticks. I definitely remember those.”

“So four. Which blocks did we decide to walk down?”

“Well, we definitely went downtown. I distinctly remember turning left at the corner.”

“Yes, we definitely turned left, but we went to the other corner and turned left to go uptown!”

“No! We saw the moon as we were walking, so that must've been south.”

“What? How does that make any sense? Do you have any idea if the moon was in that part of the sky last night?”

“I'm sure. It was just hanging up there in the sky, I remember thinking it was bright and full.”

“Are you sure we didn't just go to a bar with 'Moon' in its name?”

“I don't think there are any bars like that near here.”

“Frank said he had a lot of beers, maybe one of them was a Blue Moon?”

“Yes! That does sound familiar!”

“So does that mean Frank was right and we went uptown?”

“Oh, I don't know. I barely remember anything.”

“You guys don't even know if she was working last night do you?”

“Well, if she updates her blog about last night we'll know.”

“You'll know she was working, but that won't help you remember if you were there or not.”

“I think this was a pretty hopeless quest. You guys don't want to do this again tonight right? I don't think I could handle that.”

“A little hair of the dog will do you good.”

“I'm out too, I can't do that every night. If we're meant to find her, we'll find her by accident. We shouldn't be stalking her anyway, that's not nice.”

“She's a Yankee fan anyway, why would you want to find her?”

Frank sticks his tongue out at Sara. “I need more Yankee fans in my life after living with you and your Mets for these 15 months.”

“We just need another television in the living room so we can have both games on, rather than doing that picture in picture stuff and fighting over what game gets the focus.”

“You know, that's an excellent idea!”

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...

Sara Drinks

Welcome to the 6^th floor. Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha

Subject: Sara and her friend Jack

It was 10:50 Tuesday night when I finally got concerned enough to call Sara. Usually she tries to get to bed by 11. I thought that maybe she'd gone out with some people from work and felt bad about leaving early to goto sleep, but it was getting late. I figured at least she could use the phone call to find an excuse to leave.

I dialed her cellphone and was greeted by the unmistakable roar of a bar in the background.

“Tabitha? Hey! What's up!!”

“Sara? It's 11pm, are you coming home? Where are you?”

“Relax Tabby! I just went out with my friend Julie from college.”

“Where is she now?”

“Oh probably asleep. She went home an hour ago.”

“And why aren't you doing the same?”

“Because I'm having fun!”

I found out what bar she was at and then went and got Ann from the living room, who was playing Dr. Mario with Billy on our old NES, and the two of us decided that Sara probably shouldn't be drunk and alone at a bar on a Tuesday night. We grabbed our coats and headed downtown to meet her, hoping she hadn't left for another bar on a whim.

We arrived at the bar and went in, searching for Sara. We found her at the end of the bar, engaged in a discussion with a good-looking guy about ways to improve the subway system. He stuck around for a little while after we showed up, but soon he lost interest and we took his seat. Sara was still reluctant to leave so we made the hard choice of ordering something to drink.

After we'd been there a little while, Sara opened up a bit and explained why she was completely drunk at a bar on a weeknight. She had had a rough day at work, falling behind on one of her projects, and getting yelled at by her project manager. She tried to explain to us what the problem was, and why it was taking her longer than was expected, but we didn't quite get the programming concepts she was outlining. In addition, she was pronouncing 'class' like 'cwass' and Ann, who apparently had forgotten to eat dinner while she was playing Dr. Mario and was finishing her second beer, giggled every time Sara mispronounced it. Ann joined in and complained about her job, and I just smiled and nodded. Sara started cheering up a bit after that, and we took to analyzing the rest of the people in the bar, trying to figure out what brought them here at this hour. There were the handful of college students, a couple of people who looked like they were probably here most nights, the guy Sara was talking to when we came in who Sara said works evenings in a warehouse nearby, a couple who we imagined were having an affair, and two people who had just walked in that looked like waiters.

It was almost 2am when we finally convinced Sara it was time to go home. I helped her down the subway steps as Ann was having enough trouble navigating them on her own, and we made our way back home. We gave Sara some water, and sent her to bed. Her last words before she crawled under her covers were, “Getting up is going to suck tomorrow.”

Frank, who was still up when she left for work tells me that while she looked miserable, she did manage to get ready for work and leave without stumbling, and that she did start to look a little better by the time she left. He told her to stop and get some coffee on the way, which I hope she did.