Background Ambiance

This is the kind of badly phrased post that makes me really glad this blog is now e%c100sively populated by a single-digit number of persons who I like because they are nice. You've been warned.

One thing I've never really understood is people's passion for music. Don't get me wrong, I like music too. However, I find it difficult to appreciate solely on its own merits. My favorite music, or any music that I think is especially good, is usually connected to a memory or creates a certain atmosphere. I enjoy instrumental music very much, like smooth jazz, piano solos, and epic soundtrack stuff - it's relaxing and very easy to work to. Music that is catchy or pleasant also ends up on my iPod as a way to pass the time while traveling. And of course, some stuff just sounds good. I like having music on while browsing the internet or writing or not really doing much in particular, but I never just listen to music. The only time I immerse myself in it is when I'm reminiscing (quick example: listening through the early Homestuck albums and getting nostalgic feelings for all the characters especially John).

Maybe I'm missing out on something massive here, but what I really don't get is all those "music is my drug <33333 post this if you can't live without music!1!!11!!" shenanigans (and their more sophisticated, non-Myspace Facebook counterparts). Music seems to be such a huge passion for so many people, and I wonder why this is. Is it because it's accessible, and easy for any hearing person to listen to a 3-minute song (as opposed to, say, reading a 700-page novel)? Or because there's often subculture and community that comes with being a fan? Is it because concerts are fun (I have never been to a "real" concert, nor do I really want to - just seems loud to me, and I am sound-sensitive), or because musicians are people it feels good to look up to? None, some, or all of the above?

I couldn't find any good pictures for this post so here is one of a giraffe

I very seldom, pardon my French, give a shit about the lyrics or the musicians behind the work. Which, uh, sounds a little harsh. But what I mean is, of course there are bands I like, but I don't usually bother finding out stuff about the members even to give them a tip of the hat. I listen to plenty of Japanese music with lyrics I do not understand, nor aim to, simply because my intent is to have some nice audio in the background while doing something else. I do look up lyrics sometimes, and I absolutely love songs that try to tell a story - these I can turn to for quick inspiration if I want to write. But repetitive lines about losing or seeking love, or being alone, misunderstood and going through tough times, or just something weird and whimsical that needs to be interpreted, really don't do anything for me. There are plenty of songs I like with those kinds of lyrics, but I kinda tune them out in favor of a pleasing listening experience. I know tons of people who actually relate, though. I'm not looking to undermine anybody's experiences, but I've heard so many people talk about bands "saving their lives" via their music and I, with my preferences, just don't understand how. (But then again I have never been suicidal. Or understood poetry.)

Yeah, yeah. People are into different things, I know. But it is so much easier to find somebody who loves music (although it may be hard to find someone who likes your particular kind of music) than, say, rock climbing. At least in the average gaggle of teens.

Don't even really know what my point is, besides emphasizing a slight aberration of opinion in my case since I am, in fact, a poorly closeted hipster. Why is this in any way relevant? Well, subtle differences in motivation can create massive amounts of "not having fun" when a topic comes up for discussion, if you're with the minority. And in every group of friends, there is always a mandatory conversation about music. Kind of like there is always a mandatory conversation about horror films, or amusement parks (although not necessarily horror films about amusement parks), or other things that yours truly really does not like. Being actively unsettled - or just bored - by things most people find very entertaining kind of sucks.

Okay, have I made my sad special snowflake problem clear? Good. What about the rest of you? Is there anything that people really adore discussing that just kinda ... puts you the hell off?

(ON A HAPPIER NOTE: Did I mention the part about epic soundtrack stuff?????)