#399: Where They Know Your Name

Have you seen episodes of the old television sit-com "Cheers" where the introductory song has the the verse that says we like to go where everyone knows our name?

There are a few nearby restaurants I enjoy visiting that are like that. Oh, not all of the staffs know my name but they do recognize me when I visit, likely because I either have my laptop or a notebook to write in with me and probably because I am one of their most courteous customers, never demanding, always polite and conscious of appropriate tips and a

It's nice being able to while away a couple of hours without feeling as if I need to quickly eat and move on. Most of the time the servers ask about the book in progress and act as a sounding board for ideas. One of the latest scenes actually began in a Denny's but has been changed to an imaginary truck stop diner that allows for a large semi-truck parking lot in back. The characters, though, resemble the student and the mom with baby, the businessmen, construction workers and truckers I saw once while having an early breakfast at Denny's.

I've found that I am more creative when I am away from the house when I don't see the housework and yardwork that needs to be done and don't have to listen to the cats scratching in the litter box or take the dogs outside. The change of scenery is stimulating and leads to creativity and people watching is so much fun, isn't it?

None of this is necessarily inspiring or motivating to others I realize but is something I wanted to share in case you are eating out and see someone dining by themselves while typing or writing. It may be the next best-selling author sitting next to you and you may spark an idea in him or her by the way you talk or act or dress or how you eat your meal. Our characters take on many aspects of real and imaginary people and places but don't exactly mimic any particular person.

It is nice to feel welcome in such places. You probably feel the same way when you visit your favorite restaurant and everyone knows who you are, a place where the waitresses call you "Hon" and your coffee cup is always filled and where I might be sitting next to you taking notes.