Sins of the father...

Posted By Blackfive • [February 21, 2004]

Should not be cast upon the son. Who am I talking about? Chicago Mayor Daley? Read on to find out.

About two years ago, my wife and I were a Boston Blackie's. It a restaurant by our condo. It's been around for decades and it's had the same small menu for all that time. Their mantra is to do just a few things great.

And they do. They have one of the best burgers that you can get in Chicago.

My wife and I were regulars there for years until the birth of our son changed our freewheeling ways a bit. The staff knew us, and we always had the same waitress - Bonnie.

On the night I am writing about, Boston Blackies was packed. It was in the middle of the week. I remember wondering if there was a convention or something going on nearby. We had to wait for a table. The host kept apologizing for the wait, and I kept telling him that I was glad his business was good that night.

Finally, a table for six was available. My wife and I took it, ordered dinner, and started eating. That's when the host came up to us and asked us to move to a table for two.

He was very sorry. He had a family that was in a hurry and hoped that we wouldn't mind.

We didn't mind moving at all. The host had what seemed like forty people come and move our plates and drinks just a few feet from our original table. The host buys a round for our trouble. Everybody's happy.

In walks the family to sit down. Everyone is fascinated by these people but they don't seem to notice the stares. The father laughs at the older of the three boys and tousles his hair. The boy says something like 'quit it' and commences fixing his hair. The man holds the chair for his wife. He's all about the family. He looks too old to be the father of those kids. Then, he notices me looking at them and comes over to me and Mrs. Blackfive.

He apologizes for us moving for his family, thanks us, and asks if he could pay for our dinner. I tell him that we didn't mind and got drinks in the deal, anyway. He looks a little embarassed and tells me that he already took care of our tab, and, again, thanks us for moving. I tell him thanks and have a great night. My wife says a polite thank you and he goes back to his family.

Everybody in the restaurant was staring at us, now.

Mel Gibson just bought us dinner.

The host later explained to me that "Mr. Gibson eats here whenever he's in Chicago" (um, sure).

The things I noticed were that he was really happy with his family, he seemed very sincere and very nice. Of course, Mel Gibson and I didn't have an in-depth discussion about politics and religion and morality. He didn't become my new best friend.

With all of the focus on Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ", his crazy father is getting more attention - Gibson's father believes that the Holocaust did not happen.

Mel Gibson has stated that, while he loves his father, he doesn't agree with his father's politics. But certain groups still are concerned that the "Passion of the Christ" will fan the fires of anti-semitism.

Have any of you seen the movie and felt that way? Hopefully, I will get a chance to check it out.

---

Comments

Sins of the father...

Should not be cast upon the son. Who am I talking about? Chicago Mayor Daley? Read on to find out.

About two years ago, my wife and I were a Boston Blackie's. It a restaurant by our condo. It's been around for decades and it's had the same small menu for all that time. Their mantra is to do just a few things great.

And they do. They have one of the best burgers that you can get in Chicago.

My wife and I were regulars there for years until the birth of our son changed our freewheeling ways a bit. The staff knew us, and we always had the same waitress - Bonnie.

On the night I am writing about, Boston Blackies was packed. It was in the middle of the week. I remember wondering if there was a convention or something going on nearby. We had to wait for a table. The host kept apologizing for the wait, and I kept telling him that I was glad his business was good that night.

Finally, a table for six was available. My wife and I took it, ordered dinner, and started eating. That's when the host came up to us and asked us to move to a table for two.

He was very sorry. He had a family that was in a hurry and hoped that we wouldn't mind.

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341bfadb53ef00d834564a2269e2

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Sins of the father...:

» A spin 'round the 'roll. from Argghhh!!! The Home of one of Jonah's Military Guys©
The Imperial Animatrix is rapidly becoming the Anti-Kerry Brigade commander. The Commissar does to Saddam's letter with ridicule what I did with anger. Ridicule works better, methinks. Suzie does what I'm doing - for similar reasons. Of course the Empe... [Read More]