Applying a default value to a table filter that is based on reference field

Hey Pat - Thanks for this.  Yeah, tried that.  The problem is that to do that, you have to use either the “User” merge property or “Field from another model” property.  The table filter needs “Specific Value” so they don’t work together as needed.  You could have two conditions and deactivate one when someone searches in the table but then the search field itself in the table won’t show the users name on page load because it’s two different conditions.  Since you can’t use merge syntax in a model condition of Specific Value, you can’t use it that way either other than a JS based solution. 

Maybe I’m overthinking?