In a recent post of Bored Jewish Guy, he mentioned an age old question– is it better to be normal or weird? My answer is and always has been, weird. Normal is an empty, hollow word and when used in reference with one’s self, it means that one has no perception of what it means to have a personality. We all have quirks and we should embrace them!
Therefore, I have chosen to embrace one of my very own, and that is my taste in music. Now, if you were to ask me, “Coral, what is your favorite genre of music?” I would have a very hard time giving you a straight answer. I don’t really have favorite artists or albums either. This is why the invention of Itunes has saved my wallet.
So on what criteria do I base my favorite music on? Lyrics. Yup, I’m one of the few people in this world who actually listen to the lyrics. I listen very intently. In fact, I tend to talk back to the radio when a song is playing. If the singer is whining and moping, I tell them to suck it up (this one’s for you, “Already Gone” by Kelly Clarkson). If the singer is crooning about how hard it is to cheat on her boyfriend (“Unfaithful” by Rhianna), then I tell her that absolutely no one pities her and she should go tell someone with a divan in their office.
Obviously I only do this if someone else has control of the radio. If I had control, I’d be listening to:
1) The Lite Station (Michael Buble, ABBA, Hall and Oates, etc.)
2) Newstalk Radio
3) The Yeshiva Boys’ Choir
So there you have it. I pay attention to lyrics. I counsel today’s top artists. I like the Yeshiva Boys’ Choir.
What are some of your quirks?
In Search of the Real Deal 
I also pay attention to the lyrics, when I can understand them. Some of the other weird things I do are:
1) I have conversations in my head, sometimes with myself, sometimes with other people.
2) I want to learn Spanish to make the conversations in my head more interesting.
3) Sometimes I burst out laughing in the middle of work, as a result of the conversations in my head.
That’s all I can think of for now, there are lots more š
I can relate to all three. Sometimes the conversations with myself reach my mouth and I start speaking my thoughts. Of course, when people ask me if I’m talking to myself, I tell them, of course not! I’m talking to G-d.
Another quirk of mine is my breakfast ritual. Since I don’t have much time between getting up in the morning and getting to work, I pack cereal in a Ziploc container and milk in an empty water bottle. People seem to get a kick out of that.
I’ve seen other people do the cereal in the container thing before. I have some weird eating habits as well. I like to eat slices of american cheese with mustard and when I’m in a public place where they don’t have kosher food (like a movie theater) I’ll eat the ketchup and relish packets.
Someone, I don’t know who, maybe Tupperware, maybe Avon, makes a cereal bowl container thingie with a special place to keep milk separate. Should I search for it for you? It was under $10.
BJG: I do the same thing with mustard packets :O
I’m a recovering ketchup addict.
I also don’t have a specific genre of music. Just whatever I happen to hear with a beat that grips me. I’ve been playing three Matisyahu songs on a loop for the past week.
I go to bed early. I wake up early. Many find this disturbing.
I read constantly.
I loathe cell phones.
Did I just write a shidduch resume?
BJG and smartblondie: Eating American cheese in its whole, non-melted form is pretty yucky(well, to me), but eating it with mustard? How did you even think of that?
Princess Lea: I’m the same way. When I like a song, I can listen to it over and over and over. When I was 16, I was so obsessed with one song, I listened to it during an ENTIRE trip from Boston to NYC. And I still gleefully listened to it after.
I wish with my whole heart that I had the self-motivation to go to bed early and wake up early. I used to get up at 6 am every day. It was the best trend I ever got into. I gota get into it again.
I love reading.
I like cellphones, loathe texting.
You have a good start at that resume. Just add in what color your shabbos tablecloth is, how you make your cholent and you’ll be all set. š
coralcap: I don’t eat it with cheese-I strongly dislike eating cheese right out of the fridge. It needs to be on pizza, but not too cheesy, or ziti, lasagna etc…The mustard packets I’ll just eat plain.
I used to eat plain mustard and plain cheese, once I combined them, I stopped eating them plain.
Ohhh that does sound interesting. My favorite pizza topping is pineapple. I guess my food preferences aren’t that conservative after all. š
I do ketchup on American cheese.
I’ve found the weekly free downloads on iTunes to have been very helpful for exploring new and often quirky songs. Some are ok, and others can actually be very good (such as Fireflies by Owl City). I also enjoy J-pop (Japanese pop), but mostly know of bands/songs in that genre which are Anime opening themes.
Foodwise, I happen to enjoy lettuce (iceberg) and cheese (usually American) sandwiches (I’ve transitioned from white bread to whole wheat, though).
Being weird and quirky is fun, though I do sometimes worry about finding someone who is understanding/tolerates these interests, which are often of a pop culture nature – I wrote about that issue here: http://walkingthegreyline.blogspot.com/2009/12/popular-culture-conundrum.html
Shades of Grey: I’m not well acquainted with J-pop, but I thoroughly enjoy:
1) A*Teens (their music works better than caffeine)
2) A song called “Freckles” from DDR
3) The Pokemon theme song
Though I am not a romantic, I do appreciate the pep in a mushy, gushy love song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wM42OsVgPQ&feature=fvw
Good post by the way. One of my biggest worries is having dates think my interests are childish and/or dated. I’ve always wanted a guy with a dorky side, so him having a collection of his favorite action figures wouldn’t bother me. Maybe I’d dig up my old Sailor Moon dolls to join them š Going with him to convention might be a bit much, but I wouldn’t stop him from going with his buddies. A person should be able to keep their interests in a marriage. I like watching The Golden Girls, but I’d never make my spouse watch them with me if it would bore him to tears. I don’t understand what makes Family Guy so funny (and acceptable). And Twilight? Don’t even get me started….
Random Q: Did you choose to spell ‘grey’ with an ‘e’ as opposed to an ‘a’ for any particular reason or it just kind happened?
I happen to love Family Guy and the Simpsons, they are both hilarious, albeit inappropriate at times.
Yes, Grey with an E was intentional. I tend to think I’m not so mainstream in my personality and views, so I deviated from the standard American spelling. I also had several friends from England in Yeshiva, and they have influenced me a bit, so it’s a minor tip of the hat to them.
A few of current my favorite J-pop songs, all of which are pop-y, bouncy and generally fun – some even have really great messages, such as “Closer.” As I mentioned in my first date post, I sometimes listens to these to get pumped up for a date because they just put me in a good mood.
Inoue Joe – GO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_89r2JXT2Ec
Inoue Joe – Closer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiMxqpzleTw
Chemistry – Period:
I definitely agree with the remark about keeping one’s own interests. It would get pretty boring if you’re joined at the hip and are always doing the same things all the time with your spouse.
SIS– That’s ingenious! I’ve never heard of such a thing but I’d seriously look into getting one. Thanks so much for offering to search for it! I’d love to see it if you find it.