Approaching Normality

It's beginning to happen. In fits and starts, we are jerking our way either back or forward (take your pick) towards some semblance of normality or normalcy (take your pick there too).

Two days ago, in the midst of our scurrying about to purchase more bins, baskets and shelves in our effort to fabricate more space in this smaller domicile, we made the time to stop by a park for a half hour. We sat by the water, observed the Canadian Geese (naturally), and watched a man putting his border collie through its training paces. For example: he could send the dog into the water where it would turn and wait for him. With a simple voice command, he could tell the dog to go further or to wait, or to fetch the ball, or to drop it and wait some more. It was quite an entertaining performance.

Last night, at almost the last minute, we decided to go and see a movie. March of the Penguins was playing in a theatre about 25 minutes away on the outskirts of Ottawa. Score one for our new location. We had wanted to see this movie, but Sarnia only had one theatre with only nine screens, and many movies which interest us never got there. Here in Mills, we live in a smaller town but closer to a pretty big city: perhaps the best of both worlds. Well, let's hope so anyway; let's hope that I still feel that way once we have truly settled in.

But I was irked too (which may also mark a return to normality). I keep hearing the movie companies bemoan declining movie attendance. Perhaps it would help if it cost less than thirteen dollars to get in? The demographics also hit me squarely between the eyes. Hordes of young teenagers dominated the foyer when we entered the premises: thirteen and fourteen year olds trying to be adult and important and failing miserably. I always feel that, in a way, they aren't totally human when they are out together at that age. They're fine alone, or in adult company, and they'll be fine in every way in another year or two, but, to my perception, they are rudderless entities in circumstances such as those.

Regardless, what irked me was not their presence. It was my realization that it was they who are the target audience for a disproportionate number of films that are made. I realize that the studios still make the occasional adult film, but, on the whole, they seem to cater to this young, juvenile audience. They weren't there at all in our movie. Children and adults made up that audience. Children and adults like to watch movies too and might attend more if the studios made more.

It was a wonderful film. If you haven't seen it, I heartily recommend that you consider amending that situation toute de suite. It shows nature at its unusual and astounding finest. The Emperor Penguins walk (yes, walk) seventy miles to mate and hatch their eggs and tend to the chicks. The males go without food for four months, standing together with their chicks tucked under them but on top of their feet through the perishing Antarctic winter. Both the females and the males make the seventy mile trip more than once. They waddle and slide non-stop for a whole week on each of these trips. It's effing amazing. Go see it!

But as I was saying, it's nice to be doing normal things again. It's good to have our heads out of boxes. It's really good to go for a day without buying more bins, baskets and shelves. It's good to getting back, getting back to composing my simple thoughts every now and then. It's good to have a normal that I enjoy. To me, it's the stuff of life to appreciate the daily normals.