When we were in elementary school, perhaps during the Reagan presidency (and the accompanying jellybean zeitgeist), we imagined that in the future, all food would be in pill form. Here we are in 2007, and the closest thing is probably the meal replacement bar. Today, we feel rather like Homer Simpson in an episode called "King of the Hill from 1998 ("Sorry, I eat food only in the bar form") -- we totally hit "food of the future" paydirt.

We get off at the Embarcadero BART stop for our real job, and people are constantly shoving footstuffs and fliers at us as we exit to Market Street. Lately, college-aged girls handing out Godiva Chocolate drinks have been pretty frequent. We'll stick with our coffee, thank you. But today's haul? An Atkins bar and a "Balance Bare."

Certainly not as wholesome as that free soup from a while back -- and neither of the bars were very satisfying. Note to Atkins/Balance -- we'd be shocked if these samples inspire anyone to purchase your products of their own accord. But we suppose thanks are in order anyway. From time to time, despite the quality of said meal, there is indeed such a thing as a free lunch.