An interesting night.

Last night the cooks here at Kenrick, who are very good by the way, cooked up some beef tips and pasta. This is a tasty dish, but it is commonly known as “bazooka beef” for its various gastrointestinal after effects. It’s a mystery to us why they keep this on the menu. Every time it appears, there is a mass exodus of seminarians departing the seminary for the various restaurants nearby. My neighbor Brian and I decided to visit Strattons, a restaurant and coffee shop just across the freeway in Webster Groves. It’s a nice place.

We placed our orders and I walked over to the soda fountain to fill up my glass. After pondering my options, I chose the root beer because it had "caffeine free" written in huge letters next to it. After all, it was almost 7:00 at night, and I need to get my sleep so I don’t get worn down and catch the swine flu that’s attacking the seminary (it looks NASTY - get the vaccine if you can).

Our dinner was pleasant. The food was delicious and the conversation good. As I took the last bites of my meal, Brian turned toward the menu board and contemplated dessert. “I’m going to get a Mayan Hot Cocoa to go,” he said with visible enthusiasm. He looked across the table, as if to ask, “How about you?” Having just finished a sugary but caffeine free soda, I thought “No, I shouldn’t.” But as Brian walked up to the counter I changed my mind. It was cool outside. A hot cocoa would be nice.

Brian placed his order first, then I stepped up. Unsure about the adjective “Mayan,” I asked the friendly woman behind the counter “So, what is it that makes a ‘Mayan’ hot cocoa ‘Mayan?’” Then the following dialog ensued:

Barista: “Well, as it was explained to me, the Aztecs and Mayans … blah, blah, blah … special, different chocolate … blah, blah, blah (she lost me) … espresso … blah, blah, blah.”

Jason’s conscience: “Whoa, did she say ‘espresso?’ Maybe you should get a regular cocoa.”

Jason’s concupiscence: “Hey, special chocolate! It’s ‘Mayan,’ which sounds exotic. Oooh! Get it!”

Jason’s conscience: “I don’t know. It is kind of late. What if it keeps me up. After all –”

Jason’s concupiscence (shouting): “SPECIAL CHOCOLATE! And hey, you can just do a bit more reading before bed if it keeps you up. After all, it’s probably not that much caffeine.”

Brian: “There’s espresso in it!? Well, it can’t be that much. Otherwise there wouldn’t be that other item on the menu, ‘Mayan mocha cocoa.’”

I caved. At first, I was surprised by the coffee taste. I am not a coffee drinker and it was stronger than I anticipated it would be. Before long, we were back at the seminary.

At some point it occurred to me that I was talking a lot, and very rapidly, to everyone.

After many, rapid conversations I retired to my room to read. I could feel my heart pounding away as I tried to do some reading. I still felt restless hours later, when it was time for bed. For a while I stared at the ceiling. I listened to the ticking of the second hand on my watch. I did some spiritual reading, followed by some more studying.

Some time around midnight I finally dozed off. But just before 4 a.m., my eyes slammed wide open. I prayed the Rosary. Still awake, I prayed the Office of Readings. Still awake, I took a shower and prayed in my room for a full hour. All during communal Morning Prayer & Mass … wide awake (which isn’t always the case).

Thus, I now am fully aware of what “Mayan hot cocoa” is. It’s been great! I got so much done, and the day is just getting started! I wonder. They always say that caffeine wears off. That hasn’t happened yet! I’m going strong so fa.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.kj