Snow Storm

Welcome to the 6th floor.

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

Subject: Snow Storm

“I think the snow is out to get me.” Scott announces as he shows up at Catalina’s to meet everyone for dinner.

Scott drapes his snow-laden jacket over the back of the chair and sits.

“Every direction I turned, the snow was coming right at me!”

“Yeah. It’s a little rough out there today.”

“I’m glad we decided on Catalina’s and not somewhere else. I’m freezing just from walking this short distance from the 6^th Floor.”

“It’s not as cold as it could be, but it’s hard to see more than 10 feet in front of you.”

“I almost feel bad for the tourists. All the street signs are plastered with snow; it’s hard to know where you’re going.”

“Getting lost in New York and seeing new and exciting things is a rite of passage.”

“Rite of passage? I don’t know if I’d agree with that assessment.”

“Well, at least they’ll be able to run home confirming that New York in the winter is a weather disaster and a frigid uninhabitable nightmare.”

“That’s blown out of proportion. It’s not like New York is Maine. Sure we get some nasty, ice-cold days, but I think tourists lump us in with Upstate New York and ‘New England Winters’ too much.”

“I prefer this to some of those sticky, 100 degree summer days.”

“The city smells better in the winter.”

“Hard to argue that one. Ignoring the occasional syrup smell anyway.”

6th Floor Super Bowl Snacks

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 6^th Floor's Snack Post

“I want to talk about something to you that's very important to me.” Billy says solemnly, looking at Scott and Tabitha sitting on the couch across from him.

“What kind of snacks are we having on Saturday? And what type of food for dinner?”

Scott snickers.

“Ann and I are going shopping tomorrow. We'll get a bunch of chips and frozen appetizers and the like.”

“Get some of those little, wrapped hot dog things.”

“Pigs in a blanket?”

“Yes! Those!”

“I saw this delicious recipe for Guinness brownies. We should make those!”

“Beer brownies?” Tabitha makes a face. “That's on you.”

“Well, first we'll need some Guinness.”

“That's a given.”

“One for the brownies, one to drink while you make the brownies?”

“Yeah! I like the way you think Tabitha.”

“I'm just hoping for good commercials anyway. Like last year.”

“No changing the topic. Should we order food on Sunday?”

“You know food always takes a decade to get here on Super Bowl Sunday.”

“We could order early.”

“Order at the start of the second inning..”

“Quarter.”

“Whatever. And then it should be ready for half time right? Who's performing this year?”

“Springsteen.”

“Springsteen? Geeze, they're sure playing it safe these days.”

“Springsteen's good though..”

“He is..but it's still safe. Just don't think that's the right reason to pick a band.”

“Any other snack requests?”

“No, I trust your judgment.”

“You do?”

“No. But I trust you'll shop early and I'll be able to bitch about your choices early enough to get more stuff.”

Tabitha rolls her eyes.

Busy Week For Everyone

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Leading up to New Years

“Busy Busy Busy!” Ann says, flinging bags onto the table.

“You’re telling me! George has me working extra hours lately. Sucks!” Scott says, as he puts on his coat.

“At least the money’s good right?”

“What good’s money if I’m always at work?” Scott grumbles, walking out the door.

“Speaking of work...Ann..you have to be like the worst blogger ever.”

“Come on! The worst? I can't be that bad.”

“It's been what, two weeks?”

“I know I know...not like I'm the New York Times with people waiting on me every day though.”

“New York Times? Bah! All the news in there is hours old. Truth be told, blogs are the news source of the future.”

“Especially among people our age. I definitely know more people that flip open their laptops first thing in the morning than people that go get the morning paper. Even if the first group is going to nytimes.com, it's not the same.”

“I read the Onion more often then I read a regular newspaper.”

“And watch the Daily Show or Colbert Report more than the regular news.”

“Okay, okay. I get it, digital age, new media, blah blah blah..It's not like it's a news blog. It's just fun entertainment. It's been almost two years and I don't even think I've nailed down a firm identity. Except that I blog about beer too much.”

“That's because we drink beer too much.”

“Come on now, too much beer? Never.”

“At least we're not all becoming beer snobs like Sara.”

“I read one book about beer and start appreciating it a little more and I'm a snob?”

“Aww, there isn't anything wrong with being a little snobbish, look at all those stuck up wine sommeliers.”

“It's not bad to appreciate quality, but I think those sommeliers, and the people that swear by them, take it a little too far. It's nice to actually enjoy a bottle of wine, or dinner, without it being 'perfect'.”

“The ones that write reviews like 'The bread was a tad too crispy, and the meat slightly below the appropriate temperature.' are useless to me. That's why I'm always skeptical about 'professional' critics. They're eating the food for a different reason than the average person, so why should I care what they think?”

“Kind of on the 'too much of a good thing' slant?”

“I never want to get to the point where I can't enjoy a McDonalds hamburger occasionally. I don't want to only eat fancy froo-froo food.”

“Or become one of those people that claims they can only get good food in France, and say they're bilingual even though they'd be lost in Paris outside of a restaurant?”

“I don't know if they'd be lost. As long as they navigated based on the restaurants. Besides, I doubt they're going anywhere else.”

“I don't picture those food snobs with their fois gras and $100 bottles of wine trekking up the stairs of the statue of liberty, that's for sure.”

“Not that there is anything wrong with that type of food. The French do make some excellent dishes.”

“Of course, but so do other places. Even here. I'm as unpatriotic as the next guy, but it always bothers me when people act like America, and specifically New York, doesn't have a derth of quality food and drink.”

“That's a very, very valid point. It'll have to be a topic for another time though.”

“What, you bored of talking to us?”

“No, but I have to go pick up my sister from the train, she's staying with us remember? Through New Years?”

“Oh, right. It's going to be a busy could of days.”

“It certainly is. But 2009! that's M M I X! It's exciting!”

“'tis just a number. New Yankee Stadium opens though.”

“Citi Field!” Sara shouts, exiting.

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.

Pasta Fight!

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann and Scott.

Subject: Noodles Noodles Everywhere

Ann is washing dishes when the timer goes off.

Beep beep. Beep beep. ...

“Scott!” Ann shouts, as Scott looks up from the television, “Check the pasta for me!”

Scott looks at Ann elbow deep in soap suds and complies. He takes the wooden spoon and scoops out two strands of spaghetti and flings them at the ceiling, where they stick.

“What'd you do that for?!”

“Pasta's done.” Scott says, pulling the inside part of the pasta pot out, and turning off the stove.

“Did you have to throw it against the ceiling? Couldn't you have just tasted it?” Ann asked, drying her hands.

“Tasting it. Now that would've been better. No big deal, I'll just reach up and ..woah, the ceiling's kinda high.”

“Get the stool.”

“Err...well uh...I kinda broke the stool last week.”

“What'd you do now Scott?”

“Billy had my hamburger...so I tackled him. He was sitting on the stool, and we kind of crushed it and bent the legs.”

“Can you fix it? Where is it?”

“No, we threw it out. It was beyond repair.”

“Well then, no dinner until you get those noodles down.”

“Doh!”

Trash Talk

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Sara, Frank

Subject: Trash Talk

“I see the Mets are making a habit of this September collapse thing.”

“Can it curse boy. The Mets are still the wild card leaders.”

“They were in first place this time last year too.”

“And Yankee games still mattered!”

“Can't win them all. So we have to wait another year for 27.”

“Yeah..good luck with that. Didn't Carl Pavano win more games than super rookies Hughes and Kennedy?”

“Big moves coming this offseason.”

“At least the Mets aren't talking about the offseason yet.”

“Give it another day.”

“We'll see!”

“We will. I wouldn't miss collapse part two for the world.”

Failure to Drink

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject:  Failure to Drink

 

“Come on, it’s raining harder now!”

 

“Beer.  It’s rain or shine, we can’t back out now!”

 

“No one ever died from being a little wet.  Drink another beer and we’ll be fine.”

 

“I do agree, it’s raining.”

 

“And the sky is blue, and that couple over there is really in to each other!”

 

“Wow, they’re really going at it.”

 

“I guess that’s one thing to do while we wait.”  Frank eyes Sara.

 

“Get those dirty eyes off of me!”

 

“Really now, we’re going to spend the next four plus hours standing in the rain drinking tiny glasses of beer and waiting in line?”

 

“You’re so pleasant when you’re wet Tab.”

 

“That’s what she said!” Frank yells.

 

“Good one Frank!”

 

“I’m singing in the rain..Such a ..”

 

“Oh my god! Stop singing!”  Sara shoves Ann.

 

“Yeah, stick to the writing Ann.  You can’t carry a tune.”

 

“This line to get in is so long! I want my beer!”

 

“Can we please go somewhere and drink inside at least?  Do we really need to drink in the rain? Is the beer here really that good?”

 

“Okay, Okay . Fine.  Let’s go fine an indoor bar.  SoHo, or around here?”

 

“Let’s just get inside and dry off.  We can always move uptown later.”

 

“I guess if we’re drying out, I’ll get a dry martini.”

 

“Are you 80?  Do people are age drink dry martinis?  Do you even like gin?”

 

“Gin? That’s what they put in martinis?  Weird.”

 

“I’m in the mood for a Cosmo.”

 

“Cosmos all around!”

 

Scott looks at Billy and Frank.  “Are we okay with drinking cosmos?”

 

“They are a little girly.”

 

“Looks like the Mets are going to make the Playoffs.”

 

Scott and Frank grunt.

 

“Okay, that’s manly enough.  I guess we can have Cosmos.”

 

“That was…special.  Come on, there’s a bar over there.”  Tabitha leads them into a nearby bar.

 

“Crowded.  Looks like we’re not the only ones getting out of the rain.”

 

“I guess alcohol is alcohol.  Beer is beer.”

 

“That may be the smartest thing you’ve said all day.”  Sara says sarcastically.

 

“To make up for it, we can go to Brewtopia at the Javits Center.  I think it’s in early November.”

 

“You saying you weren’t going to suggest we go there anyway?”

 

“Beer tastes different in November…we’re obligated to be there.”

 

“You’re not going to rest until you’ve drank everywhere in New York, are you?”

 

“Maybe not even then.”

 

M & Ms and Chocolate Ice Cream

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha

Subject: The Girls Eat More Chocolate

“Hey Ladies, Look what I found!” Sara says, to Tabitha and Ann who are hanging out in the living room.

“M & M premiums? Mint Chocolate sounds interesting. Are they like the Indiana Jones ones?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t tried them yet.”

“Well, what are we waiting for!”

“I've got some new ice cream in the freezer too as long as we're taste testing things.”

“Can't hurt.” Sara says, opening up the M & Ms.

They all grab a couple and look at them.

“They look like rocks.”

“They do a little bit. And they don't have their signature crispy shell.”

“Does that mean they disprove the whole 'melts in your mouth, not in your hand.' theory?”

“Probably. They're kind of chewy. But good.”

“What's the description say?”

“Ann picks up the box. It's white chocolate mint wrapped in dark chocolate.”

“I don't think I care for them. The chewiness is throwing me off. I think they're a little too sweet.”

“They are a little sweet, but I really like them. They don't feel like I'm eating M & Ms though. It lacks that satisfying crunch when you bite into them.”

“I could live without the candy shell I guess. I do like these though.” Sara says, reaching for another handful.

“Someone should pick up some of the other types and try 'em out.”

“I'd like to try the mocha.”

“Coffee flavored? Of course you would.”

“Okay, break out the ice cream. What flavor?”

.“Costa Rica Rainforest Vanilla and Chocolate. It's made by Choctal. Actually, I looked up their website, and it turns out they're environmentally friendly and eating ice cream supports the rain forest and all that.”

“All well and good...but does it taste yummy?”

“Let's find out shall we?” Ann grabs three spoons and the pint of ice cream out of the freezer.

“Oooh. It's all swirly.” Sara takes the first spoonful. “Mmm...It is very good.”

The others dig in.

“Excellent ice cream. Rich and creamy. They make other flavors?”

“Yeah, I love the flavor, and I like the vanilla and chocolate mixed too. Much better than your average vanilla/chocolate supermarket brand.”

“They have just chocolates and vanillas. They have single origin chocolate or vanilla though.”

“Single-origin? I guess this one is Costa Rica. They've been doing that single origin thing with chocolate more lately.”

“It does make sense. Cacao beans, vanilla beans, coffee beans...What's the difference?”

“Very true. Wow..I guess we're just going to finish the pint?” Sara asks, looking at the rapidly disappearing ice cream.

“Might as well. You know Billy or Scott would finish it off on us anyway if we left it.”

“In that case, dig in!”

All-Star Game Drinking Fun

Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today's contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Billy

Subject: All-Star Drinking Game

“Help me with these.” Billy asks, as he comes through the door with a ton of boxes.

“What have you got there?” Ann asks, getting off the couch to help.

“I got some beer for the drinking game for the All-Star Game.”

“We're doing that again? Where's the game this year?”

“Umm..it's right here in New York. At Yankee Stadium. Where have you been?”

“Guess I tune out anything baseball.”

“I've devised a Yankee Stadium version of the game. I'm sure it'll be favorable to getting drunk via the Yankee Stadium lovefest I'm sure the game will be.”

“We're well stocked if it is.” Billy says, as he loads 6-packs into the fridge. Maybe we should drink for the Home Run Derby too.”

“Probably not enough action than that. Don't they usually hit like 40 home runs?”

“Usually a little less than that. But we could make it simple, just each pick a player, and take a shot for each home run they hit. We'd have to switch it up to keep us from dying though, so if you're player advances, you win and don't drink anymore, and a loser takes up your player.”

“We could try that. If we get too plastered too fast, we'll just stop drinking to the derby, and just drink.”

“Seems fair enough to me. I'm going to need plenty of alcohol to get through two nights of baseball.”

“As long as we're still on to go to New Roc City to see Dark Prince next weekend.”

“Of course, providing we can all get up there.”

“Back to baseball though. I figure I'll need to drink for it too, I'm going to be sick of Yankees talk about 5 minutes in.”

“Sure Frank will love it though.”

“I'll just grill him about the Mets being better if he does.”

“The Mets are doing better now? When did that happen? Weren't they playing like crap?”

“Actually, they're on fire. They've won nine in a row. Only one win behind the Phillies.”

“Well, that's pretty good. I'd think they'd have to at least give them props for that during the game right?”

“Maybe they'll mention it when David Wright is up, but otherwise I doubt it.”

“Really down on the Fox broadcasters huh?”

“It's one of the reasons I try to get out to Shea on Saturdays. It means I don't have to listen to those guys when they do a game.”

“That's a good idea. Hey, we should all go to a game together this year. I haven't been out to Shea and I guess I should see it one more time right?”

“Sure, it'll be like a 6^th Floor does Shea experience.”

“And it'll give me something to blog about!”

“Well, we know where your priorities are Ann.”

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.