Several years ago, a waitress at a local eatery mistook me for a famous actor and exclaimed “Okay, Kiefer Sutherland!” I was surprised and didn’t know how to respond, so I just laughed and asked why she called me that. She sheepishly responded I looked like the Hollywood star, and I immediately felt embarassed because she seemed earnest. I wondered whether it was my unshaven face, close-cropped hair or gravelly voice which misled her. Perhaps my finicky orders made me seem difficult and star-ish. Or, was she just cracked? Emma was my witness; she can attest to the confusion.

I don’t go to that restaurant anymore (the service was terrible, ha), but I am a regular for lunch at a couple of local spots. At a nearby Mexican restaurant, one server has started greeting me in Spanish, as if I am an old friend. At another, I get nods of hello and “How are you today?” when I walk in. Recently, I received numerous nods from the wait staff, a handshake from a regular bartender AND from the manager as I was leaving! At first, my paranoia made me wonder if they had some silly bet going on who could get my attention. Then I remembered: Kiefer! Could it be? Doot… Deet…