Superman . . .

I just need to find Clark and Kent streets and my set will be complete!

The Song Of The Day - Superman (It's Not Easy) by Five For Fighting

God Makes No Mistakes . . .

June is Gay Pride Month and this past Friday New York State passed the historic Marriage Equality Bill by a 33 to 29 vote which allows for same sex marriage.

Across the country, on Sunday morning San Francisco held its annual Gay Pride Parade.

Celebrity Grand Marshals included Academy Award winning actress Olympia Dukakis.

Chaz Bono, a gay rights activist and the transgender son of celebrity entertainers Sonny and Cher.

Yigit Pura the winner of the first season of Bravo TVs Top Chef: Just Desserts.

Carmen Carrera from the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

The parade is almost four hours long and is filled with cheer, costumes, song, dance and all around joy!  There are children, adults, and animals and everyone is having a good time.

The Song Of The Day - Born This Way by Lady GaGa

Blown It Again . . .

Warning - this post may offend some people as it falls into the "borderline tacky" category!

It's street fair season in San Francisco which means that throughout the summer different boroughs in the city hold giant block parties with local and national vendors selling food and products.

A few weeks back at the Union Street Fair there was a large stall devoted to Kashi food products.  At the stall patrons could sample the many products manufactured by Kashi.

Kashi is known for making "good for you" cereals.

It was here that I tried Kashi Go Lean Crunch.  It tasted like a "Kids" cereal but for adults!  Sweet and crunchy and delicious!

The next day I went out and bought two boxes of Kashi Go Lean Crunch.

Now for a little personal disclosure.  I am a self proclaimed hypochondriac.  With the invention of the Internet I have been granted the opportunity to quickly and easily self diagnose numerous "ailments."

Recently, I began to question whether I was lactose intolerant.  My already sensitive digestive tract was beginning to have violent aches from bloating and gas.

I was well on the way to declaring myself a lactard when it occurred to me that the latest havoc on my digestive system started when I began eating the Kashi Go Lean Crunch.

On a whim I went to the computer and started to Google "Does Kashi Go Lean" and before I could fill in the rest of the question the auto population search feature filled in the rest for me "Give You Gas."  

To my pleasant surprise I was not the only person afflicted with the Kashi "Go Fart" Crunch syndrome!

The website I landed on had 272 stories that people shared about their horrible gas experiences as a result of eating Kashi Go Lean Crunch.   The site has become a support group for people who have explosive gas.  

Reading the stories I was laughing so hard I made my stomach hurt more!  

So for your reading pleasure, and what might possibly be the funniest online thread I have ever read; please go read the stories of the brave, the mighty, and the explosively gassy souls who shared their pant splitting stories!

1 Cup Kashi GoLean Crunch + 1/2 Cup Milk = Endless Stomach Churning Gas

The Song Of The Day - Blown It Again by Daniel Bedingfield

Do You Know . . .

So my co-worker Danilo is the biggest San Francisco Giants fan I know!

So big in fact that every Friday during baseball season he wears a Giants Jersey to work in support of his team.

In last year's trivia contest at work; my knowledge of the team was minimal.  Everyone knew to go ask Danilo what the answers to the questions were.  (And he didn't even need to cheat by looking them up on the Internet!)

Recently, I shared with Danilo that I had bought (a much less expensive version) of a Giants Jersey for myself.

Danilo then put out the challenge for me to wear my Jersey to work too.

I said I would do it only if we took our picture together for this blog.

I figured a chance at fame with all 19 of my official Loyal Readers was worth that trade right?

So for all the fame and glory of an individual post on Just Jon; I share with you the photo of Danilo and I in our Jerseys.

Now, here is the thing I have learned about wearing sports team paraphernalia.

If you wear a Jersey or t-shirt for a sports team out in public you better be prepared for random strangers to come up to you and inquire about your opinion on said team since it is clear from your choice of clothing that you are a super fan.

I first learned this lesson when I purchased a Michigan State t-shirt on a trip to Michigan to visit my friend Wendy.  Every time I wore that shirt in public someone would come up to me.

"What year did you graduate from Michigan State?"

"Ummmm, I didn't."

"What do you think of the team this year?"

"Ummmm, I don't."

"What do you mean you don't?"

"Well, I kind of just liked the green word 'Michigan' on the grey t-shirt."

As you can imagine conversations like this don't go very well.

When I moved to San Francisco I realized I had better do my best to learn about the local team so that awkward moments like "Michigan State" didn't repeat themselves.

So last Friday I sported my Giants Jersey and baseball cap proudly.  When the cashier at Rubio's asked, "Wasn't it a tragic loss last night?"

I already knew that we had lost, and I was sad.

(Insert genuine look of sadness here)

Then, later walking down the street when someone asked if I was going to the game.

I knew that the game was being played in the East Bay.

"No, I don't have tickets for the game over in Oakland tonight."

Sometimes, I even impress myself.

The Song Of The Day - Do You Know (What It Takes) by Robyn

Happy Up Here . . .

What a pleasant surprise yesterday morning when I got an email from one of my friends from high school who I haven't seen in close to 18 years!

Kristi had flown into town from Texas and was visiting relatives.

We were able to meet up later that night for a fun chat about the past and get to know a little about what has gone on in our lives over the last two decades.

What a treat!

Kristi also packed the sunshine and heat from Texas in her suitcase because it has broken 80 degrees here in the City the last two days!   That is not normal for a San Francisco June.

The Song Of The Day - Happy Up Here (Boys Noize Remix) by Royksopp

It's All Yellow . . .

And Poets Would See Love In The Parking Of A Car,

Love In The Rear-View Mirror, Love In The Slowing 

Of Tires Between Yellow Lines.

"Stay With Me In This Parking Lot," The Driver 

Would Say.  "All My Life, I Have Held This Space

For Someone Like You."

Meanwhile Back At The Curb,

We Were Waiting.

Excerpt From Crossing With The Light, Dwight Okita

The Song Of The Day - Yellow By Coldplay

Day 25 . . .

Day 25 - A Song That Makes You Laugh

Eminem's Without Me

Day 24 . . .

Day 24 - A Song That You Want To Play At Your Funeral

Whenever You Call by Mariah Carey with Brian McKnight

Day 23 . . .

Day 23  - A Song That You Want To Play At Your Wedding

Inner Smile by Texas

She's Like A Female Phenomenon She's A Glamazon . . .

And this is the blog where JonPaul met RuPaul.

Earlier in the week I saw the above Tweet from RuPaul that said he was coming to San Francisco for a CD Signing at Amoeba Music.

It only took a second for me to think about this.

Meet RuPaul and go to a record store?   Count me in!

The CD signing was to start at 2pm and I opted to take public transit across the City.   This made it a long trip and the large cup of coffee I drank was probably not the wisest decision.

When I got to the Haight I immediately went in search of a restroom.  I checked inside the Whole Foods across the street from Amoeba Music but was unsuccessful.   As I was waiting to cross the street to go to the McDonald's I realized that RuPaul was standing next to me about to cross the street himself.  (This is not the first time I have run into a celebrity while trying to find a restroom.  Loyal Reader Erin may recall the time I about took out Jennifer Garner at the Paley Center For Media in Los Angeles.  When you got to go you got to go.)

After taking care of "business" I headed over to the record store where I purchased RuPaul's latest CD Glamazon and then proceeded directly to the end of the line of people waiting to meet Ru.

I was approximately number 120 out of 150 people waiting.

RuPaul promptly came out on the mini stage and welcomed everyone to the event and then the autograph signing began.

While waiting in the line; an employee from Amoeba Music came up to each person and gave them a RuPaul's Drag U Mirror Compact.  This was quite helpful for several of the males who needed to repeatedly "beat" their face.

The employee also asked each person how to spell their name and then printed it on a Post-it.  She said that the Artist wanted to make sure that he spelled every one's name correctly.

Here are the three things that I found incredible about the event:

1.  RuPaul showed up on time!
2.  Ru spent between three and five minutes talking to each person individually!
3.  The line, though rather slow (it took almost three hours) was kind of fun and no one complained!

On more than one occasion Ru stopped signing autographs to acknowledge everyone in line.

One time he made a joke which was followed by his infectious laugh saying, "Thank you all for waiting!  I swear I will get to you all and I'm going to tongue kiss everyone!"   That made the crowd cheer.

When it was finally my turn I tried to have a little fun.

I said to Ru as I walked up, "Gee, after standing in this long line I kind of feel like we are on a speed date."  

Ru went along with the joke and asked if I had ever done speed dating and then said, "Well what do you like to do?"

Then when it was time for our picture I tried to make another joke in reference to his very first record.  I said, "Look, I think we are about to be spotted by an Ebony Fashion Fair talent scout and our modeling career is about to take off."

I am not sure that joke went over quite as well as the speed dating.

After our picture it was time for a hug goodbye and the next fan to have their moment with RuPaul.

RuPaul was the model for how to be a gracious celebrity while showing appreciation for fans!

The Song Of The Day - Glamazon by RuPaul

*RuPaul photos courtesy of Amoeba Music

Day 22 . . .

Day 22 - A Song That You Listen To When You're Sad

If this song doesn't make you cry then you have excellent detachment skills.  Just listen to the words.

How Can We See That Far by Amy Grant

Day 21 . . .

Day 21 - A Song That You Listen To When You're Happy

I had a bunch of songs I sorted through for "Happy" and then I remembered this one.

Hopes and Fears by Will Young.

Will Young was the first winner of Pop Idol in February 2002.  Pop Idol was the English precursor to American Idol.

Hopes and Fears was the lead single off his 2009 greatest hits collection and was never released here in the United States.  The video, which I think is controversial has a shocking surprise at the end.

Day 20 . . .

Day 20 - A Song That You Listen To When You're Angry 

I don't think anyone; male or female, has written a better "angry" song than Alanis Morissette's You Oughta Know.

I still remember the first time I heard it listening to KROQ while driving down Topanga Canyon Blvd.  And my first thought was, "WOW, What was that?"

The mythology of who the song is about is only heightened that all this anger is allegedly directed at Dave Coulier, "Joey" from Full House.

"And I'm here to remind you of the mess you left when you went away!"

Stuck In The Middle With You . . .

I was running "last minute" (not late) to a meeting at work on another floor earlier this week.

When I got to the elevator, the doors opened up and I saw a co-worker who was going to the same meeting I was already standing inside.

That was when my ears disconnected from my brain and my hand functions.

You see, as I stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the first floor I neglected to process the information that my co-worker was saying to me.

"I've been trapped in the elevator for five minutes and it hasn't gone anywhere.  When you hit the button the doors finally opened," she said.

I also neglected to take in her facial expression of "I JUST TOLD YOU I HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE ELEVATOR DUMB ASS!  NOW YOU JUST CAUSED THE DOORS TO CLOSE AGAIN AND BOTH OF US ARE TRAPPED!"

Ooops.

I tried to use my employee badge to trigger the elevator to take us to another floor but that did not work.

I leaned down and hit the call button key.

An automated voice came over the speaker to tell me that I was in elevator #3 at _____ address.

Um yeah...I am well aware of where I am thank you very much.

Then a woman's voice came over the speaker and she asked where I was.

I told her my co-worker and I were trapped in elevator #3.

Her next question I thought was rather stupid.

"Are you an employee?"

"YES! I am an employee!"

But what should that have mattered.  Would this be more or less of a priority if I say I am not an employee?

The woman then said she would alert maintenance to the situation.

My co-worker was periodically hitting the buttons and eventually the doors sprung open.

We both quickly exited the elevator.

Knowing that we were late for our meeting we were about to hit the call button for elevator 2 when I said I thought we should put a sign in front of elevator 3 to make sure no one else got trapped.

My co-worker went and got a Post-it note as I moved an artist easel that was in the lobby to block the elevator door.

Feeling like we had done the right thing we continued on our way to the meeting.

When we reached to first floor we stopped at the security desk to let them know we had been trapped and that the elevator was broken.

The security guard said, "I know.  It is all taken care of now.  The elevator is locked on the fourth floor."

"Well, we just want to make sure no one else gets in it," we said.

The guard then gestured at the security monitor and said, "Don't worry, we put a sign in front of the door."

My co-worker and I looked at each other and then back at the security guard and said, "We put the sign in front of the elevator.  No one came and saved us."

Suddenly I no longer cared about the harrowing five minutes I was trapped in the elevator; I just wanted proper credit for saving everyone else on the fourth floor from getting into elevator 3.

My priorities are totally clear.

The Song Of The Day - Stuck In The Middle With You by Louise

Day 19 . . .

Day 19 - A Song From Your Favorite Album

Drowned World /Substitute For Love by Madonna off the Ray Of Light album.

Hands down her greatest album; Ray Of Light won the Grammy award for Best Pop Vocal Album in 1999.

Prior to the album being released, MTV News interviewed Madonna on the set of the video for the song Frozen.  They described the Album as unlike anything else on the radio at that time.

On the day the album was released I went to Tower Records in Westlake Village, CA.  When I entered the store Ray Of Light was playing over the speakers.  I walked in right as the first track was beginning to play.  The slow haunting melody of Drowned World/Substitute For Love drifted through the store.  It was unlike anything I had ever heard.  I was hooked!

In 2001 Madonna embarked on the Drowned World Tour.  My friends and I had tickets for the show on September 11.  It was going to be the first time I would see Madonna in concert.  Due to the terrorist attacks on the United States, the concert which was scheduled for that evening was postponed until September 15, the following Saturday.  I have the ticket stub which shows the original date of September 11 framed with a poster from the concert.

Day 18 . . .

Day 18 - A Song You Wish You Heard On The Radio

Love Come Down by Diddy - Dirty Money

Love him or hate him, I enjoy Diddy's music.

Little Bird . . .

Japanese Legend states that anyone who folds a group of one thousand paper origami cranes held together by strings will be granted a wish such as long life or recovery from illness or injury.

Over the past year my cousin Jacqueline completed 1000 origami cranes for peace. As she said, "Each crane became a prayer, a petition, a hope, a promise."

Now, for the month of June, Jacqueline's Cranes are featured in the window of Coffee To The People in the Haight.

If you happen to be in the Haight, be sure to stop by Coffee To The People and enjoy a cup of coffee and the Thousand Cranes for Peace!

The Song Of The Day - Little Bird by Imogen Heap

Day 17 . . .

Day 17 - A Song That You Hear Often On The Radio

Rolling In The Deep by Adele

I have already expressed my love for the album 21 from which this song came, so once again if you haven't listened to it on iTunes yet; you won't be disappointed.

Waiter! Bring Me Water! . . .

Beverages on the menu at Publico included this gem:

Bottled or Hose?

Free?

I guess I'll take hose water.

The Song Of The Day - Waiter! Bring Me Water! by Shania Twain

Day 16 . . .

Day 16 - A Song That You Used To Love But Now Hate

I know I am going to get a lot of grief for this so let me be clear I don't HATE this song; I think I just overkilled it in the 80s and 90s and now I usually hit skip when it comes on the iPod.

Only In My Dreams by Debbie Gibson

Day 15 . . .

Day 15 - A Song That Describes You

You Don't Know by Cyndi Lauper

This was the first song that popped into my head for this question so I am going with it.