It's no secret that couples bond around common interests. A hobby, an artistic expression, sex, movies, exercise, a particular author, travel, raising children, etc. The prevailing opinion seems to be that the more you have in common, the stronger the relationship. We've all met those couples who bike 47 miles together, read the Metro section of the newspaper first, shop at the same stores, go to plays together and then turn in for the night at the exact same time. These couples are cute and adorable and...disgusting. My theory is that these people who finish each other's sentences and order for the other are five years away from a complete loss of sanity. Insane hatred or insane love, but definite insanity. They will either kill each other or get the same haircut, but either way, it's going to be ugly.
Heather and I are different. We have very little in common. (although there was at least one interest on that list that we both share *inappropriate wink*) She loves talking on the phone, I hate talking on the phone. She loves football, I love basketball. She drives too fast, I drive too slow. She likes art, I like literature. She stays up late, I go to bed early. Our politics are different, our skill sets are different, our pace of life is different. But in the midst of all those differences, there is one thing we have in common: we both like girl music. Specifically, female singer/songwriters. Tori Amos? Totally! Alanis Morissette? Absolutely! Jewel? Jackpot!
Our newest obsession is Regina Spektor. We huddle around our computer and watch her videos, we DVR her TV appearances, we download her music and turn up the volume. Then we sing. We sing lyrics we don't understand. We sing them loudly. But we sing them together. I have no doubt that this is the most feminine shared interest in the history of modern civilization, but it is our shared interest, nonetheless, and it works for us. For a few minutes...with a few lyrics...we are together. We are not too busy, we are not too frustrated, we are not too different. We're just together.
Whatever it takes, whatever it is - even if it is just one thing - find something you both like. Don't be afraid to admit it. Then go share it. Go be together. You'll be surprised at what a difference it makes!
(After writing this post, I have decided that when I get home tonight I am going to read the sports section, cut my grass, drink a beer and cook a dead animal over an open flame just to regain some credibility as a man. Wish me luck.)
Hey I like Regina Spektor, haha! I didn't know she had any music videos though
Posted by: Blake | August 12, 2010 at 08:06 AM
I believe that love of girl music began in the men's shower room in the basement of the Tab with Aretha Franklin and "natural woman" if I'm not mistaken.
Sorry, I hope we can continue to be friends if I continue to bring that up at every available opportunity.
:-)
Posted by: Heath Goodson | August 12, 2010 at 01:32 PM
hahaha!! thanks for bringing that up, heath! i STILL looove that story! :D
bry, thanks for posting this song! love it! can't wait to sing too loudly to some regina spektor music with you tonight...oh, and if you drink a beer tonight i'll drink one too....another thing we can do together! *wink*
Posted by: heather | August 12, 2010 at 02:06 PM
As long as you're not singing, "Man, I feel like a woman..."
Posted by: Danny | August 28, 2010 at 07:25 AM