I’m getting back to normal. I’m more brave to venture out thanks to having both shots, the recent CDC mask guidance, and overall lessening of Covid cases. I re-read posts from a year ago with a vagueness to the words wondering if these events truly happened. Of course, they did happen. In those moments, the heaviness of the situation was such that I thought things would never change. The term “new normal” was kicked around for things that were anything but normal. However, quoting Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park nature finds a way. I’ve mentioned in past posts, or on FB, or in person that I would never go back into a restaurant to eat or go into a movie theater again but I have done both.
In April, we went to the Barn Door for my in-laws 58th wedding anniversary. As nice as going out was, the experience was dampened. Limited menu, new protocols, and the empty spaces were deafening. Though my post colonoscopy meal with just B and I was like the good ole days. Maybe my hunger made everything better but that was the best meal out, closest to normal, opening up the possibilities of more times out like that.
In May, Lulu and I ventured into the theater again to see Cruella. The movie was panned by the critics but I LOVED it. There was a killer soundtrack which had me chair dancing in my seat. I forgot my social niceties and became a parton I typically disliked. Someone needed to shhhh me. Except, I bothered no one with my antics thanks to our seating choices: top row, back corner, last two seats on the aisle. Moving in a seat isn’t the same as talking out loud and Lulu humored me.
Yes the screen time was longer than it needed to be but the pace flowed smoothly like a lazy river with spurts of rapids. I quite enjoy lazy rivers. Maybe our next outing should be to Schlitterbahn water park? But I digress.
I think I would have loved the movie regardless. Why? Well the nostalgia of course. I first saw 101 Dalmations as a re-run in the tiny theater in Karnes City Texas in the summer of 1972. I was staying with my Aunt Annie while my mother was back in San Antonio undergoing her mastectomy. Everything about the summer was marred but the movie with cinnamon red hots and popcorn as snacks was a highlight.
Well, that’s enough thinking doncha think? My break is over, time to get back to work. No more dilly dallying.
As always, more to come.
J-Dub's Grin and Bear It 