I have this thing that I do, if there’s something everyone seems to do or like, then I absolutely cannot do or like that particular thing. Like a reversed kind of peer pressure, but not really. Because I don’t do it just to be different, but because I like things to feel like they’re just mine. Like when I decided after reading the first two Harry Potter books in the late 90’s/early 2000’s that too many people were talking about them and I needed a break. Took me almost a decade to actually catch up.
Lately I’ve been trying to change this stubborn and annoying habit by telling myself it’s okay to do what everyone else does. Here are a few examples:
- Books: Some people love Twilight, others hate it. Everyone seems to have an opinion either way, and after some thought I decided that I couldn’t hate the book just out of principle, but I should actually read it first to confirm my suspicions about its suckyness. I managed to read about 50 pages before I got tired of the crappy writing and the ridiculous plot, but at least I tried.
- TV: I started watching How I Met Your Mother after just assuming it was dumb for years, and now I’m absolutely obsessed with it. Barney is AWESOME!
- Music: Sweden has about 9 million people. About 8 million of them are obsessed with a band called Kent who are boring as hell and the singer mumbles so you can’t hear a word he sings. At least that’s what I used to think until a few days ago when I decided to listen to a few of their songs that I actually like, and they rock. They really do. I have to quit lying to myself. (Kent - Musik Non Stop @ youtube.com)
- WWW: I fell for the pressure. After telling people for 2.5 years that I was never, under any circumstances, ever, EVER going to get a Facebook account, I went and did it. Too many of my old friends kept telling me I had to, and curiosity got the best of me - I just had to see what was so special about that place. After poking around in there for a bit I know it’s nothing new - I mean, we’ve had sites like that in Sweden for more than 10 years - but I think the reason why everyone joins is because everyone’s there. It’s the one place right now where everyone goes, so everyone else goes too. Oh well. It works for me, I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do with the damn thing other than add people I know. But god, this feels almost as awkward as when I got a myspace account two years ago.
It’s strange. These things almost make me feel more normal.
And before I go, one last bit of useless information:
Apparently I fit into a Guitar Hero box. And yes, you can close the lid and shut me in there too.
Mischievous
