class OrmAdapter::Base

def normalize_order(order)

given an order argument, returns an array of pairs, with each pair containing the attribute, and :asc or :desc 
def normalize_order(order)
  order = Array(order)
  if order.length == 2 && !order[0].is_a?(Array) && [:asc, :desc].include?(order[1])
    order = [order]
  else
    order = order.map {|pair| pair.is_a?(Array) ? pair : [pair, :asc] }
  end
  order.each do |pair|
    pair.length == 2 or raise ArgumentError, "each order clause must be a pair (unknown clause #{pair.inspect})"
    [:asc, :desc].include?(pair[1]) or raise ArgumentError, "order must be specified with :asc or :desc (unknown key #{pair[1].inspect})"
  end
  order
end