Thoughts From This Morning's Walk

Amongst other things, I thought about...

> Starbucks - The Starbucks across from Camera 12 in downtown San Jose is closed for remodeling this week. One would think the closure of a single location wouldn't matter in a city cluttered with the coffee chain, but it matters if that location is at the center of one of the most heavily traveled areas in downtown. Besides being across from the movie theater, it's near two major hotels (the Fairmont and Montgomery), it's between two busy light rail stations, and it's along a pedestrian corridor used by university students. Of course, one of the reasons why the area is so heavily traveled is largely because of the Starbucks (it's the coffee equivalent of the chicken and the egg conundrum). It was disquieting to walk by it this morning without encountering the usual signs of life and bustle of activity. The emptiness was eerie. I'm not one who likes noise and crowds, but in some strange way, I miss it and can't wait for it to return.

> Sake - When I passed by Tengu Sushi, I flashed on Koji Sake Lounge over on First Street (it was like having my own Chuck moment). The place has been open for months (since May of this year) and I have yet to try it.

> Cream Puffs - A couple of new shops are opening near the university. One is a clothing store that looks like it's targeting the college crowd and the other is Beard Papa's, a chain store I've never heard of before today that is famous for its cream puffs. Apparently, it's big in Japan and has stores in a few major U.S. cities as well. I guess I'll be finding out why their cream puffs are so famous very soon.

> Leaf Blowers - Not only are leaf blowers noisy, they give off a nasty odor and blow dust and dirt into the air that stings the eyes and aggravates the allergies. When I walked by the gardener using his leaf blower this morning, I wanted to shout at him, "Get a broom!"

> The Office - I couldn't stop thinking about the hilarious remark Michael Scott (Steve Carell's character) made at the end of last week's episode of The Office. Sitting at his desk, after failing to survive a day alone in the woods, he says to the camera, "Man became civilized for a reason. He decided that he liked to have warmth, and clothing and television. And hamburgers. And to walk upright. And to have a soft futon at the end of the day. He didn't want to have to struggle to survive. I don't need the woods. I have a nice, wood desk. I don't need fresh air. Because I have the freshest air around. A/C. And I don't need wide open spaces. Check it out. [turns monitor with landscape wallpaper] I can also make it the sky." (Quote courtesy of The Office Quotes)