my idea of normal - Bar Oussou

 yet another screening of my favorite local place in its prime. Bar Oussou.

now forgive my self interest and I am sure many others with have totally different ideas of their own personal ideal in regards to normal. For this bar to go back to a bar as opposed to the restaurant it is now would represent such a triumph for my comfortable routine. 

not only spoken word nights every second Monday of open mic every Tuesday and the diverse range of performers on both those nights, but a chance to catch up so many different people. Some of the bizarre conversations with audience members have transformed us into friends, so the very idea of the bar being reverted to its former glory and open would take the form of a joyous reunion, even if the place was filled to half the capacity of the image above.

prior to going here I went to other places that held open mic nights but I felt stifled; It was like they were controlling the music with their narrow and boring outlook and taste. The only prerequisite for Oussou was to ring up and ask for a slot. With that freedom a lot of serious fun happened on so many nights. Added to that and I can't put my finger on it but the place has a "feel", what ever the hell is going on.

so that's my barometer for normal; it would probably mean a whole range of normal would have to occur in the community in parallel, but that's the ideal I long for.