Whole Foods

On Sundays at 5pm hoards of yuppies storm the corner of Emerson and Homer in search of organic overpriced produce, soy-based products of every variety, delicious baked goods and even more delicious mutual yuppie scoping. Approximately 4 hours ago, I was temporarily one of them. (I like to hate on peninsula lifestyles but honestly, how can you deny the appeal of perfectly ripened cherries and fresh grilled sandwiches? Answer: you can't).

While waiting in line to buy my dinner, I noticed two little girls who couldn't have been older than 6 playing while waiting for their parents to finish buying groceries. They looked like they were having the times of their lives doing complicated, graceful poses and giggling the entire time. At first I thought they were practicing ballet but when one of the girls got down on the floor and did what looked like a push-up with her elbows, I realized that they were doing YOGA POSES. First thought: wtf?? Can kids do yoga?? Isn't that like having Mischa Barton do Shakespeare? Yea it's possible but, really, what's the point? Second thought: I'm witnessing a cultural trend!! "Children and Chakras: Yoga for the Under 10 Set" will probs be a story on the cover of the NY Times magazine before year's end. Third thought: maybe that's not a bad idea... I'd want my kids to do yoga. Fourth thought: wait, am I a yuppie? Fifth thought: not possible, Tif, you don't exercise. Sixth thought: mmmm, this sandwich is going to be good. Seventh thought: Todd likes sandwiches!! I wish he were here. Eighth thought: omg, I could totally write about this for my and Todd's new blog!!

and so it went.

Da Hookah Spot

Da Hookah Spot is totally bumpin' and all because the new owners put "Da" in the name. As far as I can see, the change in ownership hasn't changed anything except the name, but there has been a huge upsurge in business. There was hookah here before, and hookah here now, and they were both mediocre in quality. The physical space hasn't changed. Maybe the hanging lights are new. The food and drink haven't really changed. So the name is the only new thing.

Did people not realize there was hookah here before? Maybe, but I don't think so. I think there is some powerful pull in the use of "Da" that created a boom in business. The part of me that has lost faith in people thinks that the lameness of the name cosmically attracts the lameness that exists in Silicon Valley and people are drawn here. But, out of that lame name, they've created a comparatively awesome vibe that was much needed in Palo Alto. The management make the effort to be hospitable. Even though they won't give you water and the hookah is over-priced, it's still a good space to waste a couple hours.