Welcome to the 6th floor.

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

Subject: Withdrawal

Recap:  Tabitha and Billy are Unplugged, spending a week without computers.

“I think I’m going through withdrawal.” Tabitha says, eyeing Sara checking her email on her phone at dinner with Billy, Scott and Ann.

“Not surprised.  I checked your Farmville earlier, all your watermelons are rotting away.”  Sara teases.

“I miss the cellphone, but I’m doing well.  I’ve read a couple of books I wanted to, and haven’t missed doing all those silly things you do on computers that take up time.  Following random links people send you that rarely end up being funny, reading webcomics that aren’t funny but are in your feed reader so you feel obligated to clear it out..”  Billy notes.

“You _can_ clear out your feed reader of junk you know.  I do an audit every couple of months to try to keep the clutter down.” Sara explains.

“I just accumulate everything and have hundreds of unread posts.  I add a lot of New York blogs that I want to read and possibility exchange links with, and many of them just suck.”  Ann says.

“Delete them!  You’d be better off working on the blog site, or the blog itself, than trying to get more links anyway.” Sara says.

“What? Actually write regularly?  What kind of writer does that?” Ann replies, sarcastically.

“Why do I always order this?  It always sounds good on the menu, and then I taste it and regret it.” Sara complains, pushing her meatloaf around the plate.

From Pictures

“It’s because they say they cook it with beer.  Gets you every time.  It’s one of the buzzwords that they use to try to sell food.”  Scott explains.

“What really gets me is my memory.  We eat here at least once a week, you’d think I’d remember that the meatloaf sucks.” Sara says.

Cindy: “You’re going to hurt the meatloaf’s feelings, insulting it like that.”  Cindy says, clearing away some empty plates.

“Another please Cindy.” Scott says, holding up his empty beer glass.

Cindy: “Certainly.  You’re going to hurt the meatloaf’s feelings, insulting it like that.”  Cindy repeats.

Scott sighs and clarifies.  “Another beer for me.”

Cindy: “Coming right up.  Are you done with that one?”  Cindy asks.

Scott looks down at his empty glass.  “No, I think I’ll try to lick the last drops out of this one.”

From Pictures

Cindy: “Okay.” Cindy says, walking away.

“I think she’s getting worse.”  Scott notes.

“Try working with her.” Ann says, shuddering.

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Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today’s contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy

Subject: Maybe It’s Fall After All

“I give in. It’s fall.” Frank says.

“What made you give in? The couple of cold days we’ve had?” Tabitha asks.

“It’s hasn’t really been that cold.” Billy says.

“Well, it’s fall, not winter. It certainly hasn’t been summer weather.” Tabitha says.

“I know what convinced him.” Sara, who is sitting on the couch next to Frank watching tv, says. “Sam Adams has a new harvest mix out.

From Pictures

“Have we really decided to tell the seasons by beer?” Ann asks.

“That sounds like us.” Billy says.

“Does Sam Adams have a spring ale, or are we going to be stuck in Winter until they release the summer pack?” Tabitha asks.

“I don’t think they do.” Sara says.

“I vaguely remember a spring ale, but no spring variety pack.” Frank says.

“They’re releasing lots of packs lately. Maybe this year will be a first.” Sara says.

“Or winter can last longer. I really like Old Fezziwig Ale anyway.” Ann says.

From Pictures

“Fezziwig is a slang term used throughout America’s heartland meaning ‘man who gets very drunk at Christmas’. The term is believed to have originated in Wichita, Kansas.” Sara recites from her laptop.

“Wikipedia?” Tabitha asks.

“Yeah. Apparently Old Fezziwig is a Dickens character from A Christmas Carol. He’s a jolly fat man basically the opposite of Scrooge.” Sara says.

“Seems fitting.” Frank says.

“Lets compromise. It’s not officially fall until Frank brings home one of these harvest variety packs.” Billy says.

“Sounds fair. I want to try to Dunkelweizen.” Sara says.

“I’ve always enjoyed the Octoberfest myself.” Billy says.

“I like the Cherry Wheat.” Tabitha says, looking over Sara’s shoulder to see which beers it contains.

“It’s settled then.” Frank says, grabbing his keys and wallet and heading for the door. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

“We’re not going anywhere.” Ann answers.

“Nope. Hurry back though. Now I’m thirsty.” Sara says.

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Welcome to the 6th floor.

Today’s contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy.

Subject: Craft Beer Week

“Where’s Scott? I feel like I haven’t seen him in a couple of days.” Frank asks.

From Pictures

“Scott’s been in California for an old high school friend’s wedding since Wednesday. He’ll be back Thursday. Which you’d know if you were ever awake during normal hours.” Tabitha replies.

“It’s 2:30! How is that not a normal hour?” Frank asks.

“He does have a point.” Sara says.

“I play poker, just assume I’m on pacific time. Like Vegas.” Frank explains.

“Couldn’t you be on Atlantic City time? Match us a little better?” Tabitha asks.

“Stop knocking my sleep patterns. Anyway, Scott’s gonna miss Craft Beer Week.” Frank says.

“I’d forgotten about that. I’m in.” Sara says.

“Is it that pay one price drink all evening thing we did last year?” Ann asks.

“Actually, that’s not until June. This is different. There are a bunch of different events, but the one I’m excited about is 60 different cask ales across three bars this weekend.” Frank says.

“Actually, we missed one Labor Day weekend. I don’t know what’s wrong with us.” Sara says.

“We did? Doh.. Anyway, There are some walking tours and food pairings during the week, but I think the cask beer is the best event. Who wants to come?” Frank says.

“I’ll do it. Cask beers are always so interesting.” Sara says, raising her hand.

“Nah, too expensive for me. I don’t appreciate beer the way you guys do. Give me a simple Corona and I’m happy.” Tabitha declines.

“I’ll come. I had plans tomorrow but they fell through. Might as well do something.” Ann says.

“Billy?” Frank asks.

Billy, who’d been half dozing on the couch the entire time looks up at Frank. “That’s fine. Buy me a ticket and I’ll pay you tomorrow.” Billy says, closing his eyes again.

“What’s with Rip Van Winkle over there?” Frank asks.

“He worked a really early shift this morning. Just got home a little while ago but didn’t want to nap before we get dinner. We’re going out to that Mexican place remember?” Tabitha explains.

“Oh. Right.” Frank says.

“What would you do without me to explain things to you?” Tabitha asks.

“I’d probably just order Chinese.” Frank retorts.

“Mexican is better than Chinese-American food any day.” Ann says.

Billy gives a silent thumbs up from the couch.

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Welcome to the 6th floor.

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

Subject: Is Summer Over?

From Pictures

“Why is everyone suddenly panicking and talking about summer being over and last chance to do this or that? It’s only August 21st!” Frank exclaims.

“Colleges start, Kids go back to school soon. Labor day is always considered the unofficial end to summer.” Ann says.

“Summer is just summer. If you’re not a kid I don’t get what the big deal is. Not like you get more time off. I suppose leaving work and it being light out is preferable for most than January when it’s dark early..” Sara muses.

“Everything is about families and kids. You know that. People don’t get any more vacation time, but they’ll often save it for a family trip in the summer when their kids are off. That’s why Disney is crazy..crazier..during the summer.” Tabatha explains.

“The weather does start to get a little cooler in September too.” Ann says.

“There are always weekends for much of this stuff. It’s not like you can’t drive to the shore or the Hamptons after school on Friday and spend all weekend there. The weather is still warm in early September many times. It’s certainly not cold until well into October most years.” Frank rants.

“I don’t think anyone has ever been irreparably harmed by missing a week of school to go to Disney or somewhere else in October. Especially grade school. Are people that boring that they all have to take the same vacations during the same time of year and have the same experiences?” Billy asks.

“Yeah. Pretty much.” Ann replies.

“People might say the same about your desire to drink heavily every weekend.” Tabitha says.

“Weekend? When has it being Wednesday stopped us?” Frank asks.

“Besides, we don’t drink and avoid doing other things. We’re all open to new ideas. I agree with Frank though, people treat this time of year like it’s the death of fun until next June.” Scott says.

“Me and Frank had a blast with our spontaneous trip down to Atlantic City last weekend. It’s not like it’s impossible to have fun.” Sara says.

“If you’ve got a kid or two, maybe a dog, these things become harder. Can I get a sitter? Do I take the kids with me? Will little Johnny next door walk Rover for me? Does anyone have a basketball game that we’d miss or piano lessons?” Tabitha says.

“So you shouldn’t try to have some fun just because it might be a little harder?” Frank asks.

“No, you can have fun whenever you want. It just tends to be more planned when you have more to worry about. It’s a sacrifice, but many parents find plenty of enjoyment with their kids or less spontaneous ways to have fun.” Tabitha explains.

“That’s why I’m not sure I even want kids. Loosey Goosey.” Sara says.

“I think we should have a summer’s not over party.” Scott muses.

“Excellent idea. We’ll pick up a case of Sam Adams Summer Ale, make frozen drinks with little umbrellas…” Frank says.

From Pictures

“Any excuse for a party right?” Tabitha asks.

“Knowing their luck, it’ll drop to 50 degrees when they decide to have it and everyone will be cold.” Sara says.

“That just means more cuddling to keep warm.” Scott says, moving close to Sara.

Sara rolls her eyes and walks away.

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Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today’s contributors are: Ann, Tabitha, Frank, and Scott.

Subject: Smells like Summer

Tabitha, Ann, Scott and Frank are in Starbucks at lunch time.

“At least it’s finally warm.”

“Summer has finally arrived, yes.”

“Still raining though. Still raining..”

“I’d rather go back to winter. You can always tell it’s summer by the way the city smells.”

“The rain is only making that worse. It smells like a swamp.”

“Soon the sunlight will start warming that stagnant water, that’s full of cigerette butts and garbage, stewing it to a beautiful New York City scent.”

“They should make candles. Like those vomit flavored Jelly Bellys. NYC Summer candles.”

“What I wouldn’t give for a whiff of that syrup smell from Jersey right now.”

“I had an apartment once, third floor, directly above the dumpsters. We couldn’t open the window in the summer at all, or the whole apartment would reek of trash. We couldn’t have an air conditioner, just four fans that we kept constantly running.”

“That sounds rather miserable. I can’t imagine you spent much time there during the day.”

“Weekends mostly. We kept ourselves well stocked in beer. Any day we spent there we pretty much ended up drunk. I remember one day when I got stuck waiting for the cable guy during the week, and he showed up at the end of his 10-2 window. He must’ve thought I was a degenerate alcoholic or something. I must have downed 10 cold ones while waiting for him.”

“I’m confused Scott, how is that different from your drinking habits nowadays?”

Frank snickers.

“Now I wouldn’t be as obviously drunk with 10 beers.”

“So all you’ve gained over these years is a bit of alcohol tolerance?”

“And a bit of a beer belly.” Tabitha says, poking Scott’s tummy.

“Hey now!” Scott says, mock insulted, “I’m not the one panicking about fitting into a dress for my cousin’s wedding!”

“That’s only because my cousin thinks you’re a creep, and didn’t invite you to the wedding.”

“Aww, I’m sorry Scott. I know how much you like to wear a nice dress.”

Frank starts laughing uncontrollably, drawing weird looks from some of the other customers.

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Welcome to the 6th floor.

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

Subject: Green Guinness

The following takes place Saturday, March 21^st. Sara forgot to get beer on her way home on St. Patricks Day, so Frank decided they would ‘be Irish’ on Saturday as well.

“There she is! Finally!” Frank exclaims, as Sara walks in.

“Did you get the goods?”

“I certainly did. The question becomes..can you drink them all?” Sara places a case of Guinness on the counter. Ann follows from the hallway, placing a second case on the counter.

Billy breaks out into a huge grin. “48 Guinnesses..guinnies? no.. Beers! I think we can do this. That’s what…like eight each?”

“More like 12 each, since Ann and Sara don’t like Guinness. No way I’m drinking 12.”

“Actually, since I’ve become overly addicted to coffee, Guinness has grown on me. Can we make it green though?”

“Yeah!”

“Guinness is black..No way you can dye it.”

“They dye chocolate red for red velvet cakes, why not beer?”

“Just pump some green food coloring in there. I’m sure it’ll dye the bubbles at least.”

Tabitha grabs a bottle, opens it, and adds some green food coloring. She then pours it out into a glass.

“Wow..that actually looks kind of cool. Happy St. Patricks Day!” Tabitha takes a big gulp.

Everyone mixes up their own Green Guinness, even Ann has one, and the night degenerates from there.

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Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: 24

“24 Premier tonight. Two hours worth!”

“And two hours worth tomorrow. That’s 1/6^th the season already. Isn’t that crazy?”

“I just caught up! Well almost..I need to watch that movie, Redemption.”

“Go watch it now. Then we can watch the episodes tonight.”

“But I..”

“Go!” Frank picks up the remote and turns on the tv and goes to the TiVo menu.

“Here, You’ve got three hours. More than enough time. Tabitha will bring your dinner into the living room.”

“I will?”

“Me too, while you’re at it. I meant to watch it last Sunday, but I forgot.” Scott says, joining Sara on the couch.

“Oh, fine. Not like I don’t have better things to do.”

“Do you?”

“Truthfully..No. Sad life isn’t it?”

“And while you’re in there Tab, could you..”

“Bring you a beer? Sure, why not.”

Tabitha mutters ‘very healthy‘ under her breath and gets a beer

“I’m surprised we have any left at the rate you guys drink them.”

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Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: All We Got For Christmas

Featuring everyone’s favorite Christmas gifts!

Frank: Bioshock

“Excellent game. I’m really enjoying the storyline, and the game play is pretty smooth.”

Sara: Sam Adams Chocolate Bock

“Probably my favorite beer. One of the few that actually has chocolate instead of just the chocolate flavor from the grains. Limited edition unfortunately.”

Billy: Wine Fridge

“Probably similar to Sara, but I really like the wine fridge, and now I don’t have to worry about one of you remove the wine I wanted to drink from the refrigerator for space.”

Ann: 8GB Flash Drive

“Perfect for transporting stories I’ve half written elsewhere, or being able to access my notes on any computer.”

Scott: Giants playoff tickets

“What needs to be said? Giants. Playoffs. I’ll be there.”

Tabitha: Picture clock.

“I love our new clock. I can’t wait to pick out pictures for the hours.”

What was your favorite gift?

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Welcome to the 6^th floor.

Today’s contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha

Subject: 6^th Floor Sins: Gluttony

“Okay, help me find room in the fridge. Billy…Billy? Hey…where’d the guys go?”

“They went to Catalina’s for a drink. They claim they need to unwind from the trip to Jersey.” Tabitha says, putting down a huge tray of food and hanging up her coat.

“Figures. Well, help me find room for all this food. Sue really packed us the Billy sized doggie bag.”

“There was enough to feed an army!”

“And we took home enough to feed at least a small platoon.”

“I’m sure it’ll go faster than we think. Especially if we don’t feel Billy otherwise.”

“We’re going to have to toss stuff to make room in this fridge. Think I can take out some of these beers?”

“Probably. We don’t really need to have…what is that, 30?! Beers cold at one time.”

“Beer’s meant to be drank warmer than that anyway. Nix some of it.”

“Don’t think Frank will be annoyed if we remove it?”

“He could’ve helped, instead he bolted for the bar.”

“Wow, is this a whole tray of Baked Ziti?”

“Probably goes with this entire cheesecake…sans one slice.”

“And I believe that one slice was mine..Did Sue really just pack up all her leftovers and hand them to us?”

“Certainly looks that way. I have a whole plate of deviled eggs here.”

“Those don’t last long. Better put them here.” Tabitha gestures towards the counter.

“I agree.” Ann says, popping an egg into her mouth.

“Oh, a large plateful of mashed potatoes. Craziness.”

“Didn’t Sue say she was going on vacation tomorrow actually?”

“Right! She’s going to St. Louis with her husband. I guess that’s why she gave us all the leftovers.”

“Did you notice everyone on the train eying us? I think we made the whole train smell like food.”

“Probably.”

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Welcome to the 6^th floor.

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

Subject: Metrocard Millie

“Ugh! Gimme a quad espresso Scott.” Sara says at the register as she enters Starbucks.

“Sure Sara. Ann and Billy are over there.” Scott gestures to the corner. “I’ll bring it over for you.”

“Hey Sara! Didn’t think you were coming. What’s up?”

“Oh, you know. The usual; the MTA sucks.”

“Except the drivers.”

“You at least..”

“Bitching about the stupid celebrity announcements again?”

“Al Roker needs to shut the hell up.”

“Nah, just annoyed that my card didn’t seem to read right this morning, and then it only had 15 cents left on it. What am I supposed to do with 15 cents?”

“Give it Millie.” Scott says, as he brings over Sara’s espresso.

“Er..who is Millie?”

“You haven’t named your nipples again have you Scott? Because I’m not sure how I’d give your nipple a metrocard.”

“No. Millie’s a homeless person that comes in here occasionally. She walks around to all the subway stations and takes the discarded Metrocards hoping to find those nickels and dimes left on them. Then she takes a big pile of ‘em somewhere and gets them converted into cash.”

“Wow, they let her do that? I’d think they laugh at her.”

“I think she must be friendly with someone somewhere, or maybe they take pity on her. I don’t know. But she usually comes in here when she has a good day and gets a hot chocolate.”

“Well good for her. Reclaiming the probably millions of dollars the MTA saves by people discarding these.” Sara says, waving her 15cent metrocard at Scott.

“I asked her what the best stations were, but she wouldn’t tell me. Trade secret I guess.”

“Probably the PATH train stations. Especially 33^rd street.”

“Yeah. PATH fare is 25cents cheaper. Anytime anyone has to hop over to Jersey once they tend to end up with an extraneous dollar on their card or something.”

“I still have an odd-dollar amount from when we went to the Devils game in Newark. I’m hoping to go to another game and even it out though.”

“Well back to work guys. We should go get a beer or something tonight. I haven’t had one all week.”

“I had one already today.”

“Billy..it’s like 10am!”

“And I had one when I got home from work last night at 1am. So there.”

Billy sticks out his tongue at Ann.

“But I could always use another!”

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