…it is the moment I tell you that my life as I know it is now complete.

The story so far: I was out for lunch. I always go out of the office for a break - a walk - a stroll through the streets when my lunch hour arrives. I wander the area, anywhere between Burrard and Cambie are open game for a lunch-time troop. Today was like any other day. I was outside, striding west on Broadway, a little bit of a spring in my step because not only was the day moving along at a jovial pace, but I had been struck with inspiration and had jotted a few interesting plot notes about my current writings in a few spare moments before I rushed out of the office. I was in a good mood: happy, refreshed, and feeling good that the weather was both not too hot and not too cold. It was great.

West I walked: down the construction littered sidewalks of Broadway, past the vacant stores, and the glowing stench of an un-named fast food restaurant. West I walked and without a moments hesitation I found myself riding the escalator into Future Shop, a close-by store that often has interesting toys to drool over while I am bored on a break. Immediately I dart to the DVD selections, stepping first at the cheap shelf and then - ultimately, as always to the new releases. Of course there was the regular standard boring fare of garbage movies that people buy and watch once and have never been and never will be worth actually owning no matter what they advertise the special features to be. It is sad really, and I was thinking just this when I - in a moment of pure disbelief and rare exasperation - allowed my eye to catch on a title that I didn’t even know was available. I grew faint and almost lost control of my fine motor function as I read the title written in bright flourescent orange across the black star-littered cover: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. On DVD.

Pause.

Reflect.

Breathe.

Scream out in uncontrollable excitement - silently so they don’t kick you out of the store.

Thirty minutes later, after having read the insert, and having seriously considered taking the afternoon off, I have refocussed and am anticipating my evening activities. And they tell me I am normal. Bah. What do they know?