…or is that Private Publicity?
The Girl Child took me out to dinner last night. She even let me buy, the little twit darling, but I got to choose the venue. In this corner of the Wilds of Ohio, there’s a bleeding heart liberal hippie artistic town called Yellow Springs. Many cool little eateries can be found there and I picked a cozy place that specialized in the cuisine of Peru. It even adds to the exotic, extralocal flare by having a uniquely authentic Peruvian name – – Williams*.
The place was small-ish. There were three other tables filled with folks… a saccharine cute couple at the front window table, a pair of doddering, ancient slightly older couples, and a mom with her two excessively energetic sons. We were seated and just started diving into the menu when the front door opened and a cold draft (no, not beer…a breeze of air) made me look up. Saw a guy hanging up his coat and turn – – holy crap… it’s Dave Chappelle!

the davester
I just caught a glimpse of him, but was pretty damn sure it WAS him. I knew that he kept his home somewhere in Yellow Springs. Still, I wasn’t totally convinced. He proceeded to sit at the table with the mom and 2 kids, with his back towards our table. Couldn’t help peeking over now and again to try and confirm it really was him, though I heard his voice a few times and it was spot on to the guy on the Comedy Central show. At one point he got up and went to the loo and both Daughter Person and I got a good look at him… Yep, very definitely Dave.
So, dear reader(s?)…what would you do?
Here is a public figure, who has earned millions of dollars because we (yeah, me!)…the faceless masses…have made that possible by buying his bit part movies, overpriced show CDs, and watching him on his caustic cable TV show. I should go ask for his autograph!
Or…
Here is a private citizen, out to enjoy a quiet dinner with his family, wanting only to have a brief respite from the demands of his overly public job. I should leave him be.
I chose the latter. Okay, okay… the latter coupled with eleven too many glances over at his table to see him… and his kids’ frolicking… and just what kind of woman would marry a guy like him…
I did notice he did not make eye contact with anyone else. Avoided eye contact is a better way of saying it. My glancing around the room is not creepy atypical. I like people watching.
I did notice that they seemed just a normal family, with mom chiding the kids when they got a bit too frantic and with dad playfully winding them up again with a well time, placed tickle.
I did notice that Dave has no ass whatsoever… okay, I’m straight and don’t make a habit of looking at men’s asses, still couldn’t help but notice…. NOTHIN’ in the trunk.
After they’d left, I asked the chef, who was checking on his customers, if Dave frequented the place. “No, I think this is his first visit – – even though his family comes here all the time.”
So, I had my brief brush with one of the Rich and Famous and found him to be Normal and Typical.
…and I hope he’s grateful I passed on an autograph opportunity…
<cheesy grin>
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*Yes, I’m serious… here’s the website for Williams
Tags: celebrity sightings, Daughter Person, dave chappelle bitch, life, normal people, Peruvian cuisine
December 17, 2008 at 08:24 |
Leave ’em alone is always the best policy, I’ve found. Believe me, you’d have just ended up embarassing you dining companion if you’d had said anything.
December 17, 2008 at 09:10 |
I think he would have appreciated the pass on the autograph. He loves living here because people leave him alone and he can enjoy a quiet life.
Hope you enjoyed your visit and meal to Williams, the owners are very sweet people (American and Peruvian couple).
all the best
jafabrit who isn’t bleeding but very artistic 🙂
December 17, 2008 at 09:45 |
he’s brilliant! saw him do an interview once – very serious – and his deep intelligence came through. the schtick he does about the baby dealing weed at 3am? makes me roll… and almost cry… nice that you left him alone! my thought is that unless they are pumping a book or something at an organized event, leave ’em be…
December 17, 2008 at 10:35 |
I think I might have taken the former option. I’m such a stalker.
December 17, 2008 at 10:51 |
I would have just stared at him (in a non-letting-on-way) (natch) as I think he’s hot stuff.
He could dress up as Rick James and…. well, I’m at work, so…
December 17, 2008 at 17:11 |
I’m proud of you for letting him be. If I was famous and random people kept asking me if I was actually me, that sort of thing, I’d soon be a famous serial killer.
December 17, 2008 at 17:41 |
I would’ve left him alone too…I’ve had occasional brushes with “famous” people and I’ve always let them be. The way I see it…we aren’t going to become best friends in whatever brief exchange we might have. I’m not going to make an impact on them, unless in a negative way…and I think autographs are useless…so what’s the point?
Besides, I figure that I’m so fabulous that should be noticing ME.
That restaurant looks yummylicious. Was it good? What did you get? Huh? Huh?
December 17, 2008 at 22:16 |
t.u.b. – yep, i’m down with that policy. i sure wouldn’t want to be accosted by me…
daisyfae – i do like his work…even if it is a bit caustic. whodathunk there’d be talent here in the Wilds? well, okay…me…but who else?
dolce – mental note to gnukid…brush off my copy of ‘fill in the blanks’ restraining order
stephanie – oh, saucy girl… you and rick james…
lucidlunatic – so…are there serial killers who don’t end up famous? just curious.
evangeline – but of course they’re noticing you…and jealous that you’re drawing attention away. i’ve had a chicken dish and a pork dish there. both were good, but get the chicken if you want the better of the two.
December 18, 2008 at 00:22 |
Yeah, I think you should let them alone, especially when they are “at home.” One reason I wouldn’t want to be a celebrity is that it seems every time you fart, it ends up on Entertainment Tonight. I can’t stand the scrutiny.