Scott’s Shorts
Welcome to the 6th floor.
Today’s contributors are: Ann, Tabitha, Scott.
Subject: Shorts
Ann and Tabitha are playing the card game Spit in the dining room when Scott returns home. The first thing Tabitha notices is that he’s wearing shorts.
“I know it’s a nice day out, and that it’s almost spring, but it’s still chilly. Shorts? Really?”
“I’m tired of the winter. I’m thinking positively.”
“Thinking positively hasn’t changed the weather yet that I know of.”
“Maybe Scott’s discovered the global warming solution. We just think positively about the weather and it’s fixed!”
“We could all develop an icy stare.”
“You’re women..you’re born with an icy stare.”
Tabitha gives Scott a look.
“Exactly. I hate having to check the weather to dress appropriately. So once we have a warm day or so, I just go with shorts.”
“So it’s because you’re too lazy to check the weather? Why does that not surprise me?”
“It’s not lazy, I just don’t care. Besides, I’ve already packed up my winter clothes and stored them in the closet.”
“I’m going to laugh at you if the weather suddenly chills.”
“We’ve gotten snow in early April before. That would be funny to see.”
Scott snickers. “I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one. Besides, you were just complaining yesterday about being cold.”
“He’s got a point I guess..It’s not worth being cold again to laugh at Scott.”
“I think I could handle a day of frigid temperature just to see Scott shivering in the snow in his shorts.. Especially if he puts on a Hawaiian shirt to go with it.”
“As long as I can sip Mai Tais in my Hawaiian shirt, the cold won’t bother me.”
“I don’t think you’re allowed to drink Mai Tais unless you’re wearing a Hawaiian shirt actually.”
Snow Day!
Welcome to the 6th floor.
Today’s contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank
Subject: Snow Day!
“Yikes! It’s still snowing!”
“It can snow all week for all I care. I hope I miss work tomorrow too!”
“This is one time I’m glad I no longer have a car. Having to spend 15 minutes cleaning off your car before you can go anywhere in the freezing cold isn’t fun.”
“That’s why I park my car in a garage!”
“You park your car in the garage because when you used to try to get street parking, you’d forget about alternate-side parking and have a zillion tickets.”
“Doh. Well, I’m still glad it’s in the garage on days like this.”
“Someone get Tabitha a cup of hot chocolate or something so she stops shivering in a ball on the couch?”
“I’m on it.”
“Add a little chipotle powder, gives it a nice flavor. Plus, the heat makes you feel warmer!”
“No spicy!” Tabitha mumbles from amidst the blankets.
“However, it is fun to watch the snow from inside a warm house. With hot chocolate. It’s so beautiful.”
“Seems March really is coming in like a lion.”
“And out like a lamb too you think?”
“Didn’t you buy tickets to a Citi Field game or something late March? I bet you hope it goes out like a lamb.”
“I always thought it went out like a lamb because lots of people eat lamb for Easter?”
“Easter’s not until the 12th though.”
“Probably more of a Spring, rebirth, baby animal type thing. The end of March is springtime you know.”
“Yeah. That’s probably it. I guess we could look it up..”
Frank gazes at the computer across the room from his seat.. “And get up? Naah…”
“Actually,” pipes up Tabitha from the couch, “It has to do with the position of the constellations in the March sky. Leo early, Aries late.”
Tags: 6th Floor, Citi Field, constellation, hot chocolate, idiom, lamb, lion, march, snow
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 6th 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.”
Tags: 6th Floor, blizzard, catalina's, Dinner, new york, snow, syrup, syrup smell, winter
Snow Snow Snow
Welcome to the 6th floor.
Today’s contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank and Scott.
Subject: Finally, some snow
“It’s snowing!” Tabitha shouts, bursting into the apartment.
“I noticed. It’s really going to kill my tips this afternoon though.”
“This is one of those days where I’m glad I’m not working so I don’t have to fight with subway delays and slushie street corners.”
“This is the first real storm we’ve had with accumulation, I can’t believe it’s almost March.”
“Probably the last one too.” Frank says, emerging from his room to see what all the commotion is about.
“I checked the weather, It’s supposed to be a little warmer this weekend, probably going to melt most of it.”
“That means there will be all sorts of business people leaping over huge puddles of water in intersections come Monday morning. There is nothing funnier than a guy in a suit rushing to work stepping in a puddle and soaking his pant leg halfway up to his knee.”
“You take some real pleasure out of other people’s misfortune don’t you?”
“Come on! You don’t think that’s funny?”
“Come on Tab, it’s hilarious!”
Tabitha grins. “Okay, okay, it’s funny. I actually think it’s funnier trying to watch women in high heels keep their balance on snow and ice.”
“Yes!”
“The best part about it snowing in the city is no shoveling! If I were at my parents house I’d be outside pushing a shovel around and helping my dad clean off the cars.”
“It’s one of the less known benefits of not having a yard or a driveway.”
“I’m going out for a walk in the snow. Anyone want to come? The city is so pretty covered in white..”
Tabitha, Sara and Scott depart the apartment.
The Bitter End
Welcome to the 6th floor.
Today’s contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.
Subject: The Bitter End
The holidays have come and gone too fast and it’s back to the daily grind for most of us. Holiday decorations have started to come down, and even the leftovers have been eaten or disposed of. Soon discarded Christmas trees will start to line the curbs having outlived their usefulness. The weather has dropped to sub-zero temperatures so that cheeks are turning rosy and noses feel like they’re going to succumb to frostbite. Everyone is bundled up and rushing about from place to place even faster than usual, desperate to get out of the cold. It’s almost as if all the love and warmth of Christmas has been sucked out of the city to leave us with a cold dispassionate wasteland.
I exit the subway, taking the exit that’s farther away because it’s closer to my destination and allows me to stay out of the cold for an extra 50 feet. Everyone is bundled up in hats and scarves and gloves, and the few that aren’t look miserable. Every drop of moisture is quick to freeze; globules of spit have frozen to the sidewalk and coffee quickly cools off between the coffee shop and the office. Even though it’s technically been winter for a couple of weeks, this is the first time you walk outside and think to yourself ‘I want to just stay in and hide under my blankets all day’. The calendar has turned to 2008, and it’s tempting to think of the future, of spring, baseball, barbecues, and the beach but there is still two or three long cold months to dredge through. There are snowstorms, ice pockets, slushy street corners that you have to leap over, cleaning off and warming up your car in the morning if you have one and always wondering if the jacket, hat, and gloves you brought with you are warm enough. Snowstorms can be beautiful, and plenty of people prefer the cold snaps of January to the heat waves of July, but when you’re shivering while standing around waiting for a subway or a bus or a taxi, you’re rarely thinking of how beautiful the snow looks against the backdrop of the Empire State Building.
The best part of the day is upon me, as I can return to my apartment until tomorrow, safely out of the elements and surrounded by my loving friends. The apartment is full of energy and warmth, and it’s easy to forget it’s below zero outside when you’re joking around watching family guy reruns or playing Apples to Apples, a game Tabitha got for christmas. I unlock the door and go in.
“Hey Ann! We’re going to watch Evan Almighty. You in?”
“Sure, I love Steve Carell.”
“I’ve got a pot of hot chocolate on the stove. You want some?”
“Wow, I can’t think of anything I want more. I brought marshmallows and whipped cream.” Ann says, holding up the bag from the store.
“Add a splash of Rumplemintz in there, nothing like warm peppermint to soothe your soul.”
“And your liver!”
“I hate to admit he’s right, but it does taste good this way.” Sara says, indicating the mug of hot chocolate she’s drinking.
“Bring those marshmallows over here!”
“With pleasure.”
Tags: 6th Floor, bitter cold, christmas, cold, freezing, Friends, hot chocolate, love, Manhattan, New Years, new york, rumplemintz, snow, temperature, wasteland
Gingerbread House
Welcome to the 6th floor.
Today’s contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.
Subject: Tabitha’s Gingerbread House
I created my gingerbread house over the weekend. Normally I do a typical gingerbread house, a wintry scene of some sort. This year I mixed it up and make it a little more tropical. Here was my five fellow flat mates (I’m British today apparently)reactions to my house, as well as some pictures.
“Sweet house Tab! That raft is really cool. Although why there is a gingerbread house on a raft..”
“Look, there is a snowman! Although..it looks like he’s melting. And that monkey over there is waving to him from the little island.”
“So this is edible? I can eat it?”
“Yes Billy…if you want to eat my stale gingerbread house that’s covered in dust after the holidays, you’re more than welcome to.”
“Awesome! I’m going to start with your snowy roof. Get the coconut stuff out of the way first.”
“I can’t believe you have a volcano. A gingerbread house with an erupting volcano. It is cool though. Well, except that rabbit probably doesn’t think so if the lava keeps flowing.”
“How is that guy water skiing..if no one is driving the boat? Ooo…Jujubes!”
Tags: 6th Floor, christmas, decorating, edible, gingerbread house, Jujubes, Manhattan, raft, santa, snow, snowman, tropical, volcano
December
Welcome to the 6th floor.
Today’s contributors are: Ann, Sara, Tabitha, Frank, Billy and Scott.
Subject: December has arrived!
It’s Sunday, and we’re walking back to the 6th Floor from eating brunch together when a snowball plops Tabitha on the back of the head.
Tabitha turned around to see Scott rubbing his hands together for warmth. “Scott! That was cold!”
“Was not!” replied Scott.
As Scott’s not paying attention, Sara picks up a handful of snow, packs it into a ball and launches it at Scott. She calls out to him after she lets go, “Hey Scott!”, and the snowball explodes high on his chest and splashes up into his face. Tabitha cheers and she and Ann give Sara a high five.
Frank and Billy take up handfuls of snow to defend Billy, and all of a sudden it’s a Boys vs. Girls snowball fight as we make our way back to the apartment.
…
“I think snow is my favorite part of December.” Ann says as they enter the apartment, shedding their wet outer layers.
“Mine’s definitely Repeal Day. The 21st amendment to the constitution is my favorite.”
“The freedom to drink beer after beer after beer is definitely a wonderful thing.”
“I guess we’re really doing this huh? My favorite thing about December is secret santas.”
“Secret santas rock! Let’s do one this year instead of trying to buy everyone presents. Sound good?”
“Aye Aye Matey!”
“Sounds good to me.”
Everyone nods, and Ann looks at Frank. “So what’s your favorite thing about December Frank?”
“I like all the Christmas cookies. Cookies are wonderful things.”
“I like decorating gingerbread houses. All the candy and fun little decorations. Fun fun fun!”
“You’re going to make a gingerbread house this year then? Maybe I’ll help out.”
“Get your own house! We don’t want any of your kind around here!”
“Well fine then you gingerbread nazi! Frank, you didn’t answer.”
“I don’t like December.”
“What? Don’t be silly. What do you like about December?”
“I’m not kidding. I don’t like December. I think it might be my least favorite month.”
“I don’t understand. How could December be your least favorite month. It’s a great month! What’d it ever do to you?”
“Yeah! What’d it ever do to you! It beat you up as a kid or something?”
“Nothing. Doesn’t matter. I just don’t like it. The best part about December is New Years, because then December ends. How’s that?”
Sara sings softly to herself. “Wake me up…when December ends..”
Tags: 6th Floor, day, December, gingerbread house, Manhattan, New Years, Repeal, snow, snowball fight