Body Down To The Ground . . .

Does the five second rule apply if a priest drops Jesus on the ground?

If I remember Catholic Urban Legend correctly, if the host has already been consecrated into the Body Of Christ, and it falls on the ground, the Priest is supposed to eat the host immediately.

Today at mass, when the priest was lowering the "Body and Blood of Christ" back down to the altar during the consecration I watched the "Body Of Christ" slide right off the plate and onto the ground.

It was totally one of those slow motion moments and I could see the look of horror on the Priest's face as it was happening.  I am not sure how many parishioners even noticed the accident because the priest quickly picked the "Body Of Christ" up and put it back on the plate.

My mind went to two places.

First, I immediately felt the urge to burst out laughing.  I may be 36, but mentally I am clearly 12.

Second, I was watching to see if the priest broke the host up into smaller pieces to eat it.  He did break it up but I could not tell if he ate the whole thing.

Then I scanned the room and counted the number of parishioners in attendance.  22.  Odds are highly likely I am going to get a piece that landed on the ground.

Sure enough, when it was my turn to receive communion and the priest lifted the bread and said, "The Body Of Christ," it was a piece of the larger host that had fallen on the ground.

Five second rule.  

Five second rule.

Five second rule.

"Amen."

Jesus, was really testing this hypochondriac today!

The Song Of The Day - Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) by The Jacksons

Get Stupid . . .

Further evidence that I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed.

After discovering that the Drive Thru entrance to Starbucks was blocked I parked the car and walked up to the front door only to discover that the location is still being built.

The Song Of The Day - Get Stupid by Madonna

Love Song . . .

I hope that after three years of writing this blog; Loyal Readers have picked up on the thread that ties it all together - MUSIC.

I have been obsessed with music since the first time I played my mothers 45 records on my childhood record player.  (I still have her records and the record player.)

Back then it was all about Diana Ross and The Supremes' You Can't Hurry Love and Del Shannon's Runaway.  The later of which I auditioned with for the school Christmas play in seventh grade and got the lead part.  (My mother always thought it was funny that I belted out Runaway to a nun.)

The first "pop/rock" record I ever purchased was The Eurythmics Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).  A totally inappropriate song for an eight year old to purchase for them self.  (Don't believe me, just listen to the woman wail throughout the song about "some of them like to be abused.")  I just thought it had a good hook and I didn't even know what a hook was back then.

My music collection is quite extensive and at one point it was organized in purchase date order.  That was something that only I understood, so eventually I had to give in and sort it alphabetically.

So the reason for this post is that late 2010 and 2011 are shaping up to be a pretty stellar years for music. I determine a good year for music if I am compelled to buy an artists full length CD and not just download their current single off iTunes.

Two recent purchases that I highly recommend you go out and pick up for your own collection are James Blunt's Some Kind Of Trouble and Adele's 21.

Both of these CD's I can listen to beginning to end without skipping any tracks.

James is back in strong form after a so so sophomore effort with All The Lost Souls.  All The Lost Souls was the follow up to his amazing debut Back To Bedlam.  I have seen James perform twice in concert and his shows are quite energetic and fun considering he is a known for slow acoustic guitar driven tracks.

Stand out songs on  Some Kind Of Trouble are:

So Far Gone
No Tears
I'll Be Your Man
Turn Me On

Adele's 21 is the real deal.  Girlfriend can SING.  This collection of throaty torch songs about heartbreak and loss is perfection.  The lead single Rolling In The Deep has already been featured in television commercials.

I don't have Adele's debut CD 18 but I did download the bootleg remix album by Mick Boogie called 1988 where all the tracks on 18 are mashed up with songs from the year 1988.  Stellar!

Every song on 21 is a stand out; but I will share my favorites:

Rolling In The Deep
Turning Tables
Lovesong (a remake of The Cure)
Someone Like You

Happy listening Loyal Readers!

The Song Of The Day - Lovesong by Adele

Walking In Snow . . .

On Tuesday Just Dad left a message on my cell phone alerting me that all the TV weather people in LA were in a flurry because they claimed it was going to snow in San Francisco.

As I stood on the Muni platform waiting for the train that night listening to this message I looked at the clear sky and thought to myself, "It's not even that cold in The City right now."

Before calling Just Dad back I launched the Weather App on my phone.   Just as I suspected, sunny and 55 on Wednesday with a chance of rain by Friday.

I called Dad back and said I didn't think snow was in the near future for San Fran.

The next morning, as if we Nor Cal peeps had finally heard the news of the impending snow storm, there were discussions on the radio, the Internet, and television about the situation.

I was still skeptical.  But just in case I broke out the full length Jos. A Bank Wool Coat.

"It's not cold enough," I kept saying to myself.

By the time I got to work I felt like a total putz.  The wool coat was way too heavy for the actual weather of the day.  It was so out of place that several co-workers even questioned my outfit decision.

"Dad called and told me it was going to snow," was my answer to all my co-workers.

Thursday morning I got up and looked out the window.  NO SNOW!

Then I picked up the iPhone and launched the Weather App again.  (The truth of the matter is, the Apple Weather App is pretty darn accurate for this City of micro-climates.)

What the what?

This shiz is fo real ya' all!  

The Weather App showed snow flurries on Saturday!

Batten down the hatches and stock up on the kerosene by Saturday we're going sledding down California Street!

Two hours later the Weather App was no longer showing snow flurries.

Major let down!

This is San Francisco however, so by tomorrow it might say snow again.   Cross your fingers!

The Song Of The Day - Walking In Snow by Jordin Sparks

Dear Diary . . .

Wooooo Hoooooo!

My photo is featured on the web site munidiaries.com today!

http://www.munidiaries.com/2011/02/22/photo-diary-reserved-seating-for-super-cute-passengers/

The Song Of The Day - Dear Diary by P!nk

Down By The Water . . .

"I lost my heart, under the bridge. . ." pj harvey

Photo shot through the guard rail along the Embarcadero of the Bay Bridge.

The Song Of The Day - Down By The Water by PJ Harvey

Extraordinary Machine . . .

The first ride photos are of Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.

The Song Of The Day  - Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple

A Day Without Rain . . .

After a week of grey clouds and rain, this morning God gave The City crystal clear blue sky with whipped white clouds and crisp air to awaken the winter melancholy.

A welcome change!

The Song Of The Day - A Day Without Rain by Enya

Harder Better Faster Stronger . . .

A great YouTube clip from 2007.  It gets good about a minute into the video.


The Song Of The Day - Harder Better Faster Stronger by Daft Punk

Drip Drop . . .

Blue Bottle Coffee Co is a local coffee company that is based on this single premise, “I will only sell coffee less than 48 hours out of the roaster to my customers, so they may enjoy coffee at its peak of flavor. I will only use the finest organic, and pesticide-free, shade-grown beans.”

Blue Bottle has quite a loyal following of coffee enthusiasts; but it is not free from controversy.  Recently they planned to open a coffee kiosk in Mission Dolores Park and were met with protests to stop the commercialization of the park.

I had yet to try this illustrious coffee.   Then last weekend I happened to be at the Ferry Building and in need of an afternoon pick me up.  I had my options to choose from but there was Blue Bottle.  

Now is the time to try this.

The line for Blue Bottle filled their stall and stretched into the common area of the Ferry Building.

I was impressed that part of the reason the line was so long is that the most popular drink coming across the counter was the Individually Dripped Coffee!  If that kind of care for your drink doesn't make you feel special I don't know what will.

I ordered a mocha which was made with another Ferry Building favorite Recchiuti Chocolate.  This mocha was more rich and earthy with a bitter dark chocolate taste.  A much different flavor than the sweet Starbucks mocha.

Price?  It's more expensive.

Would I get it again?  Maybe.  The line was 30 minutes long.  I usually don't have that kind of time to wait for a cup of coffee.

Before closing I do want to speak about Recchiuti Chocolate some more.

About five years ago I received a small box in the mail from my friend Vinitha.  I opened the box and there was a beautiful set of Fleur De Sel Caramels from Recchiuti.  Hands down THE BEST candy I have ever placed into my mouth.  This rich chocolate caramel is accented with sea salt which explodes the flavors on your taste buds.  Like Blue Bottle, these candies are expensive.  But for a special occasion I highly recommend them!

The Song Of The Day - Bottle Pop by The Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dog

All That Power . . .

Storm Watch 2011 continued on Thursday in The Bay Area and this storm was ready to show its full strength.  "Super Storm" had one message to send, "Don't mess with Mother Nature.

The above photo shows the view of The Bay from my office on a normal morning.  Please take note of Pier 28 in the center of the photo.  On the pinnacle of the arch of Pier 28 there is a flag pole with the American Flag waving in all its glory.

Today, "Super Storm" decided to take on Pier 28's pole and American Flag.

I'll give you a wild guess who won this battle . . .

One point for Mother Nature!

Zero points for Pier 28.

The Song Of The Day - Power by Kanye West

Here Comes The Rain Again . . .

This morning on the way to work the rain took a turn for the crazy when out of no where it started mad hailing!

Even the lady next to me on the train stopped her phone conversation to say, "This never happens here!"

Within five minutes the hail that sent pedestrians running for cover was over.  In the downpour's aftermath lay piles of white ice that looked like snow.

In honor of Hail Storm 2011 here is one of my favorite moments from Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour 2008 - Rain/Here Comes The Rain Again mash up.

The Song Of The Day - Rain/Here Comes The Rain Again by Madonna and The Eurythmics

6 Underground . . .

Snapped this cool shot last week of a man hole lit up at night -

and to go with it; one of my favorite songs from the "Just After College" days.

The Song Of The Day - 6 Underground Nellee Hooper Edit by Sneaker Pimps

When I Get You Alone . . .

Check out The Gap Sunglasses on Glee's Valentines Day Episode.

One of the products I manage.

The Song Of The Day - When I Get You Alone - Glee Cast

Knight Rider . . .

Seems like San Francisco is sending a message to American legend (and I use that term loosely) David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff.

Just saying.

The Song Of The Day - Knight Rider Theme Song

Home . . .

I have decided to add a new feature on Just Jon for 2011.  I will begin to share content from other web sites that I find inspirational, humorous, or thought provoking.

I recently came across this YouTube clip when my Twitter "friend" P!nk shared a link to this video.

Since then Alexa and Jorge have made an appearance on Ellen's talk show.  This is the video that made them famous.

Jorge and Alexa also sell t-shirts to help pay off Jorge's student loans.

The song is also available for free download if you like it as much as I do.

"One day I'm gonna whistle?"

The Song Of The Day - Home by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros as sung by Jorge and Alexa

Swim . . .

There is an Olympic size pool across the street from my home that offers daily lap swimming, lessons, and recreational swim time.

I scoped the pool out shortly after moving to the neighborhood to see what it looked like, pick up information on the schedule, and find out pricing.

The last two months have been so hectic with work, moving, the holidays and then I got sick so I never made it back to the pool.

Today was going to be the day!

I pulled out the schedule for lap swimming and decided on the 3pm to 4pm hour.

I did my chores in the morning so that I could head over to the pool at 3.

It was a beautiful day in the Bay Area so I put on my swim trunks and flip flops and walked across the street.

WHAT?!?

CLOSED both Saturday and Sunday!

Epic fail on the attempt to become the next Michael Phelps!

The Song Of The Day - Swim by Madonna

It Is So Big . . .

I recently tried one of the taquerias in my neighborhood called Las Palmas Super Burrito & Seafood.

After entering the establishment the first thing you will notice is the counter to ceiling glass wall that separates/protects the workers from the customers.

I read the menu through the glass and decided to order a chicken burrito.

The employee asked if I wanted my burrito cut in half?

Cut in half?  Who cuts their burritos in half?

"No," I said.

When my burrito was ready the employee called my number through a small window.

She handed me a bag that weighed more than a brick.   When I got home I took the burrito out of the foil and placed it on a plate.   This was some serious pollo!   I am not kidding when I say this was the biggest burrito I have ever seen.

Now I understood why the employee asked if I wanted the burrito cut in half.

Every bite was filled with mouth watering chicken.  There was no "filler."

The next day I went to the bank and while waiting in line the two customers in front of me were discussing the giant burritos at a local restaurant.

"I eat for two days on one of their burritos, and they don't skimp on the meat," one woman said.

"Are you talking about Las Palmas?" I asked.

"Yes!" she said.

The next time I went to Las Palmas I thought I would try the quesadilla in hopes that it might be smaller than the burrito.

No such luck.  It was probably bigger than the burrito.

I went back to Las Palmas the other day and I found if funny that two of the customers were discussing how big the burritos are.  They were basically complaining about how generous the restaurant is with the meat.

As they were having this discussion another gentleman was finishing up a taco.

He interrupted their conversation to say, "Even this taco is too big.  I can't finish it, so I am going to give the rest of it to the homeless man out front."

Now that is a big taco!

The Song Of The Day - Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot

Keep It In The Closet . . .

Super excited about my new custom cabinet that I had installed in my bathroom that matches the existing vanity.  The piece was built to fit in a large open area in the bathroom shown above.

The cabinet was brought up in two large pieces.

Shelves and doors were added after the unit was secured to the walls.

Ahhhh....Dream storage!

The Song Of The Day - In The Closet by Michael Jackson