On Normalcy

 The only time I can remember anyone voicing disapproval of my wares involved my Severely Normal shirt.

I was at a conference in Battle Creek, Michigan. A gentleman approached and began to enlighten me as to my improper use of the word “normal”.

“You can’t use the word ‘normal’,” he declared adamantly, pointing at the shirt, “There’s no such thing.”

I could tell he was pretty close. As one advocate to another, I shared with him that that was exactly the point the shirt was addressing. “It is a parody on the absurdity of ‘normalcy’ as a concept,” I explained, “like “Profoundly Normal’ or ‘Arguably Normal’, or ‘Uncommonly Normal’ for that matter”.

“Oh...” he shrugged. “Cool.”

I watched him walk away, and as he did so, he stopped, turned and added, “Besides, it’s so hurtful to all those people who aren’t normal.”

“You bet.” I said with a nod and a wave, “Have a nice day.”