As a member of various boards and the Vice President of Tacoma’s Downtown Merchants Group, one might wonder where Judi Hyman gets her superpowers.  You know the superpowers I’m talking about — the ones that give her the energy and will to participate in Go Local Tacoma, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, AND hold down the marketing operations of Tacoma’s premier traditional and fusion cuisine restaurant, TWOKOI.  Seeing as how I barely have the energy to watch Ellen DeGeneres and down a box of Milk Duds when I’m on my period, I’m simply in awe of her female stamina.

Then it hit me.  It hit me hard, like homemade sugar cube of lysergic acid diethylamide made by a frat boy failing his first year at UW — her last name was Hyman.  My body suddenly overfilled with immature bouts of chuckles.  Hyman. Get it?  Hyman. Tee-hee!  Judi Hyman, your last name’s all mine for the taking.  As we sat at Mad Hat Tea Company, the prowl began. …

STEPH DEROSA: Your last name is Hyman.  Where, oh where should I begin?

JUDI HYMAN: Are you seriously going to go that route?  Are you really that stupid?  Yes, my last name is Hyman, deal with it.

DEROSA: What was it like growing up with the last name Hyman?

HYMAN: Fine, I’ll play.  Yes, I definitely took some hits growing up, but it gave me personality and made me the strong person I am today.  I’ll tell ya, I had a lot of male teachers who insisted on calling everyone by their last names.  “Hyman!” they’d yell at me.  Ugh.

DEROSA: That’s an awesome last name.  Sorry, but it is.

HYMAN: OK now, did you have anything important to ask me?

DEROSA: Yes.  I have very important questions, as a matter of fact.  For instance: What is TWOKOI’s most underrated item on the menu and do the people that work there know your last name is Hyman?

HYMAN: I’m choosing not to answer the last part of the question.  And I’d have to say the Amazing Crunchy Spicy Tuna is an item I’m surprised people don’t order more of.  It really is amazing. 

DEROSA: I love spicy tuna.  Almost as much as the last name Hyman.  Here’s a question: Which owner do you like better from Mad Hat Tea Company — Maureen or Tobin?

HYMAN: I really can’t believe I’ve stooped to this.

[TWOKOI Japanese Cuisine, 1552 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.274.8999]