Angry Boy . . .

The marquee outside of a bar on Columbus Ave.

"Mel Gibson Sensitivity Training Here Tonight $2 PABST"

Enough said.

The Song Of The Day - Angry Boy by Cree Summer

Sandwich . . .

Recently my father asked if I had been to a restaurant that he saw featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri on the Food Network called Tommy's Joynt.

My father described a familiar bright blue painted building on Van Ness Ave. I had never gone in because I thought it was just a bar. Last night I decided to give Tommy's a try.

Tommy's Joynt was founded in 1947 and I would say it definitely fits into the "Dives" category.

Once you enter the double swinging front doors you are greeted by a nostalgic old time saloon atmosphere where red gingham cloths cover communal tables. Immediately you find yourself in a zig zag stanchioned queue where you wait for your turn to order your meal. Depending on the time of day the line may be long, but moves fairly quickly.

Turkey dinners, spaghetti and meatballs, corned beef, mashed potatoes, green beans and more are all carved and served as you place your order. Pay the cashier (Cash Only) and then go find a seat. Your waitress will take care of your drinks on a separate tab.

Perhaps the best part of Tommy's Joynt is the price. Most complete meals are under $15.00. I got the open faced meatball sandwich and a slice of cake for under $8.00!

Coming from an Italian family, Tommy's really didn't have a chance at wowing me with their meatball sandwich. I found the meatballs to be too dry for my taste and the meat sauce that smothered the sandwich was a little cold.

I definitely want to go back for two reasons: 1. the price and 2. Guy Fieri actually recommends the turkey. (you can watch the clip of Diners Drive Ins and Dives here.)

Bon Appetit Loyal Readers!

The Song Of The Day - Supermodel Sandwich With Cheese by Terence Trent D'Arby

I Gotta Go . . .

On the men's restroom door in Chipotle:

"You can't pee for free. Restrooms are for customers only. If you're not eating here, please "freshen up" someplace else. Thanks."

The Song Of The Day - Go! by Melanie C

Cold Cold Cold . . .

What's wrong with this picture?

How about the fact that it was taken on July 21.

For a Southern California boy July 21 means shorts, T-shirts, and flip flops.

Last night's evening news reported July as one of the coldest in history. San Franciscans have had to break out the Winter Wool Coats, Beanies, Scarves and "Black" Apex North Face Jackets. (That last item is a required wardrobe staple for the young business professionals in the City.)

I hope this can only mean that San Francisco's "October" Summer is going to be better than ever.

And Mr. Sunshine, if you are reading this, I welcome your return asap!

The Song Of The Day - Cold by Annie Lennox

Good Luck . . .

Love Love Love!

Can I just tell you how excited I was when I looked to the left on this blog and saw lucky number 13!

The "official" "registered" Loyal Readers had been stalled out at 12 for about a year! I was getting a little concerned.

I wondered if people were afraid to be number 13? Was that why they were not signing up to be a Loyal Reader?

Who cares now! My heart skipped a beat when I saw the 13th spot had finally been taken!

So Just Jon would like to extend a warm welcome the 13th (officially registered) Loyal Reader...a.k.a Cha Cha Diva!

Cha Cha Diva has her own blog and it makes me laugh every time I read it! You can find a link to her blog below in the section "Just Some Other Blogs Worth Reading."

P.S. I knew someday I would have a use for all these pictures of "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" sculptures that I have been collecting for the last four years!

The Song Of The Day - Good Luck featuring Lisa Kekaula by Basement Jaxx

I Wish I Could Get A Taste Of That . . .

There is more to life than cupcakes!

For a comfort food treat that hearkens back to simpler days; try Loving Cup Rice Pudding Shop on Polk Street in San Francisco.

If the line out the door doesn't indicate how great this little shop is then your taste buds will erase any doubt.

Flavors of the rice pudding rotate but some of the regulars include Madagascar Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, and Rum Raisin.

But wait there is more! Rice pudding is not the only treat Loving Cup has up its sleeve!

They also serve vanilla and chocolate frozen yogurt that you can mix toppings into.

Are you thinking, "Big deal! I can get frozen yogurt everywhere."

Well, this is different.

They hand churn the frozen yogurt fresh for each order! It's pretty cool to watch the employees hand crank a drill like machine which mixes your yogurt and toppings into a sweet smooth delight!

I highly recommend Loving Cup Rice Pudding Shop for something different.

And if you really want a cupcake; they offer a small variety of those too.

The Song Of The Day - Must Be Good by Kandi

Upgrade . . .

The Song Of The Day - Upgrade U by Beyonce featuring Jay Z

Wash Away . . .

I like this piece of digital art so I thought I would post it on the blog.

Bonus points if you can guess what it is.

Joe Purdy- Wash Away (Reprise)

Found at: - FilesTube

The Song Of The Day - Wash Away (Reprise) by Joe Purdy

Everything Glorious . . .

A hillside along the 580 freeway.

"Jesus Saves"

04 Everything Glorious

Found at: - FilesTube

The Song Of The Day - Everything Glorious by David Crowder Band

Rollercoaster . . .

The whole family got together this past week for some relaxation and adventure which included a trip to Disneyland and California Adventure.

Above Sean and Amy eagerly wait for the Monorail to take the family into the Magic Kingdom. In a few short minutes we would be dropped off right in the middle of the park.

Both Megan and Grandma rocked their Gap Sunglasses. Insert shameless plug here (Available at 224 Gap stores across the nation for just $24.50)

Sean took in all the underwater sights on the Finding Nemo Submarine ride.

How cool is Grandma? She kept her sunglasses on while riding Space Mountain in the dark!

Megan and I just before riding Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

Now, in what I shall call "therapy" I will tell you Loyal Readers a story that has become a Casey Family Legend.

Shortly after the roller coaster Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1979 at Disneyland my parents took my brother and I on the ride.

My six year old self had what I can only describe as a major melt down panic attack in the middle of the ride. I vividly remember trying to climb off the moving train.

As an adult riding on this roller coaster I slid back and forth on the seat as the train rounded each curve even with the lap bar firmly in place. I fully realize it was a miracle that I did not succeed in climbing out of the train as a child.

To permanently document the horror of my childhood I decided to film our ride on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in its entirety. Be sure to check out the 1:20 mark for some familiar faces.

The Song Of The Day - Rollercoaster by Janet Jackson

Soak Up The Sun . . .

The life of a turtle is so rough.

Day's spent soaking up the sun.

Hand fed fruit.

We should all have it so rough.

The Song Of The Day - Soak Up The Sun by Sheryl Crow

Drive . . .

While staying at Casa de Casey over Fourth of July weekend I asked the concierge if there was any recreational activities available for registered guests. The concierge immediately recommended a round of golf at Sinaloa Golf Course in the adjacent community of Simi Valley.

Other than hitting a bucket of balls at the driving range; I had not played a round of golf in over ten years.

The concierge assured me that I would have a good time and told me that there was another couple staying at the resort that already had a tee time and I was more than welcome to join them on the links.

After the first hole it became clear that the three of us were equal in skill set and keeping score was not necessary.

It turned out to be perfect weather for playing the nine hole course.

By the ninth hole we each had experienced some good shots, some bad shots, some time in the sand trap, and some time for cheering for ourselves for a "putt" or "par" well done.

The Song Of The Day - Drive by Incubus

Boom Boom Pow . . .

I was able to make last minute reservations for the "Garden Room" at Casa de Casey in Moorpark for the Fourth Of July Holiday Weekend.

And for reasons I have never quite understood the City of Moorpark chooses to hold its fireworks celebration for the Fourth of July on the Third of July.

Rather than go watch the display from the park. It is more convenient to stand on the driveway and accept the fact that some of the low bursts are going to be blocked by the palm trees in the neighbors yard.

Here are some of the better pictures I took from the driveway on the Third of July. For optimum viewing click on the picture to see the image full size.

Happy Third, I mean Fourth of July!

The Song Of The Day - Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas