Super Bowl kitchen observations

M = Megan, 40 yo single corporate manager
C = Chris Ann, 36 yo single corporate manager
G = Guy, Megan's 40 yo single roommate, an ad designer

M & C are cooking for M's Super Bowl party. G is using computer in dining area by sitting on a footrest by the window (possibly so he can use his power cable). M and C stand on either side of a small sink. M is making a salad, chopping vegetables. C preps a baked dish in foil pan. both face out towards living room and where G is. C comes up to visit.  * C's Starbucks paper cup is in front of her. C smoothes cheese with her hand then washes off at the proximate sink. they ask G to grate  cheese. C and G need to switch so that G can grate. M rubs nose with hot pepper laden hand. Goes to wash face for relief. Trash bag on handle in front of sink. Another under counter with foot pedal. G notices there's not enough bowls. Now all three are at the counter:

   M  G   C
(    [snk]     |

The counter is used as a shelf for one pot and some spices. M also has big coffee in her work space. C is separating tamale wrappers at sink. * M's chopped items sometimes slide off counter onto floor. G uses smaller bowls to store cheese, multiples since there isn't a big one. M moves to stove to work with tomatoes on baking pan, on pot, on stove. Pot is used as shelf...really the whole stove is used as a shelf right now. C soaks husks in big stainless steel bowl. * Something beeps twice and nobody knows what it is. M decides it must be coffee. [Later I hear that she let her CO alarm go off for a full day before silencing it. Then everyone in the building's alarm went off and they shut the heating system down. The CO alarm is still on the floor].  * M explains tamale procedure. * G stands at fridge, wondering what to drink with door open. C opens chicken broth with pull-top over sink. Then she asks G to open second non-pull can. He uses can opener, then the edge of it as a claw to pry up the top. G opens up new trash bag (grocery) from under sink. Other trash bag has moved to door handle. G adds his to that one, hanging together. M notes this is her first time in the kitchen to "really" cook. They drop something on the floor and invoke the "5 second rule." discussion of how great sterile floors would be, or self-sweeping ones. G again searches for a good bowl. G moves C's Starbucks for  more room. G cleans out drainer in sink. (no disposal). Then drinks beer. C washes small dishes for reuse. M has moved bowl on far counter to make room to chop. Scoops onions with hand off board into pan. Then uses fork to get tomato puree out of can. * G mixes shortening, uses electric plugs at back wall of counter. Asks M how long to mix, because it isn't getting fluffy. Tries higher speed. M uses two forks to separate chicken in non-stick pan. * G asks again for advice in mixing. M suggests some more flour. G wants to know what "spongy" is. M says it's like dough. Kitchen counter is used as shelving. Cell phone, coffee maker fruit displays and magazines are all using space. * C searches upper cabinets for something. Bowls? No she's looking to put away clean items. M takes out party bin with napkins, paper cups, etc. from lower cabinet near stove. c moves to dining table to assemble wine glasses, plastic. Coffee goes with her. Pot moved for storage on top of toaster. Toaster is 4 slots [because when she was married they'd use it for bagels--it's her favorite appliance]. M is barefoot, C in socks, G in black shoes. C suggests placements for flexible cutting boards behind sink. Discussion on whether recipes were wrong for shortening mix, which still isn't working. Now C is outside kitchen, holding coffee and conversing. M and C work at laying out table. G still mixing. C uses steel bowl for plastic spoons. G finishes mixing. * His fingers have gone numb from the mixer's vibrations. M finishes coffee. cooking slows and focus shifts to dining table. G sits to nurse his hurt hand and check out NYT. M and C go to window for cigarette and to admire houses. C puts on a sweater. Kitchen is empty. [Areas of the living room that I considered unused are now all occupied!]