Get into My Ear: Red by Taylor Swift

Watch "Taylor Swift - Red" on YouTube

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was obsessed with the song Whiskey Lullaby by Brad Paisely. I asked him why he really liked the song and he confessed that it was his break up song. I fully understand that break ups are hard, whether it was a long time coming, or you were caught by surprise, a break up is a break up, and it still hurts like hell. Which is why, after some time (okay, a long time) after I broke up with my significant other, I find myself putting Red on repeat.

Whether you like Taylor Swift or not, you will agree with me that all her songs are relatable. And Red is no exception.

Favourite Lyrics:

Touching him was like realizing all you ever wanted was right there in front of you
Memorizing him was as easy as knowing all the words to your old favourite song
Fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword puzzle and realizing there's no right answer
Regretting him was like wishing you never found out love could be that strong

Remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes,
Tell myself it's time now, gotta let go
But moving on from him is impossible
When I still see it all in my head, burning red
Loving him was red.

I don't believe that I am still hung up on my ex, but there is something about this song; it slowly grows on you and before you know it, you know all the lyrics and it just can't go away. You tell yourself that you have to listen to it just one more time.

Idiosyncratic Hedonist Turns One

Once upon a year ago, I was sitting in a Personality Psychology class on a Thursday afternoon. I had taken up a writing job and was a little behind on completing a 10 page assignment so I had to work on it during my lunch hour if I was to meet the deadline. By the time I was done, I was one hour late for my class, and being one not to miss any of my classes, I went for this one and sat at the back of the class. I had wanted to start a blog for quite some time and had come up with several names including; Off-kilter, Lone ranger, Effant terrible, Outlandish among many others that just didn't feel quite right. During this class, the lecturer was busy teaching about Freud and his psychosexual explanation of personality. Having studied Sigmund Freud in other units, I was grateful that I wasn't really floating. Out of nowhere, she digressed and started talking about bipolar disorder, and how bipolar patients do what they want. And she explained their behaviour as hedonistic. And that was it. I had gotten the name of my blog from such an unlikely source. It is not that I am bipolar, but I think I tend to do things for the simple reason that it feels right. The idiosyncratic part is because everyone thinks they are weird in some way or the other, and it is normal to be weird.

I was super excited that day because finally what was an idea was going to materialize into reality. After the class I was tempted to skive my Quantitative Analysis class and start my blog, but decided against it. Throughout the class I kept checking the clock and wondering when 8:30 would reach so I could start this thing already. Anyway, that day the universe was set on derailing me because it rained heavily and the traffic was out of this world. It usually took me 30 minutes from Madaraka to town and that day it took me an hour. So getting home was a problem. To cut the long story short, I arrived home at 11. I was tired and had lots of things to do. At around half past midnight, the excitement on starting the blog had died. And now I was torn between doing my homework or doing research for my writing assignment. I went with the homework but when I was done, I couldn't sleep so decided to get done with the blog thing. And that's how Idiosyncratic Hedonist came into existence. People usually ask how I came up with such a name and so I hope I have explained.

Anyway, when I started this, I was so busy even during the weekends that even sleeping felt like work. So this was a place where I could write about anything and everything to get my mind off work and school. My posting was not consistent because of lack of time but this place was sort of special. Because Idiosyncratic Hedonist is me. What I post here is 100% true. One year is what this has been, I can't believe how time flies. And because I don't tell people when its my birthday, I think it is only fair for people to know that Idiosyncratic Hedonist has turned one.

What Will be in your Mix Tape?

I am currently reading Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult. This is the second book by Picoult that I am reading and I gotta say that I love her style and she is a wonderful story teller. Have you ever, when reading, paused and wondered how the author came to know you so well because the characters are so authentic? Jodi Picoult makes me stop to really appreciate her, so you bet all her books are on my to-be-read list. Plus I voted for her book in the Goodreads awards, even though I haven't read the book yet, but I am sure it won't disappoint me once I read it. I know I say this about all the books that I read, but Jodi Picoult makes me stay up all night because I find it hard to put her books down.

So in Sing You Home, Zoe, who is a music therapist says that you get to know someone on the basis of what songs they put in their mixed tape to describe their lives. Her ex husband Max used to like country music and his favourites were mainly about lost love or the woman leaving the man and such like stuff. In the end, Max files for divorce. I am not trying to be superstitious or anything, but I think that Zoe should have seen this coming, that was one clear red flag.

I have done a little Psychology in school and I believe this to be true, the little things we do are a manifestation of our unconscious and subconscious trying to appear on the surface. A friend of mine told me the other day that his favourite song at this time is Whiskey Lullaby and after reading  Sing You Home, I am wondering, should I have reason to worry about him.

Anyway, sometimes I do something and someone will say something like they didn't think I am one to do things 'like that'. I have come up with a list of artists who would feature in my mix tape, so that those who don't know me, may see beyond the gray. Just like Vannessa, I couldn't choose any particular songs, but you will get an idea of who I really am.

Lady Gaga- This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. I can't help but love all Gaga's songs; from Judas to Bloody Mary, from Bad Romance to Stuck on Fucking You and from Born This Way to Applause.

Dido- I was still in high school when I first heard White Flag. I looked for her whole album and I couldn't convince any of my friends to listen to her, they said her songs are slow and melancholy. But I don't care, I love Dido.

Breaking Benjamin- There is something about this guys that is out of this world. They sing with so much emotion. Give Me a Sign in particular saw me through a very difficult period in my life.

Florence and the Machine- I love Florence Welch. Whatever she sings is bound to be a favourite of mine. Shake it Out, Never Let Me Go, Cosmic Love, Dog Days are Over you name them.

Snow Patrol- There is something about this band that is extra ordinary. Plus I think Chasing Cars is the best love song ever written.

Mettalica- Mettalica will always be a favourite of mine. Their collaboration with Lou Reed made me love them even more.

Anna Nalick- There is a line in 2 am that says 'These words are my diary screaming out loud and I know that you'll use them however you want to'.

If I continue to describe each artist I will never finish. So here are more of those who will not miss in that mix tape; Lana Del Rey, Tracy Chapman, Within Temptation, Indigo Girls,Pink, The Script, Bon Jovi, The Beatles, The Cranberries, Counting Crows, Lacuna Coil, Demi Lovato, Mylie Cyrus, Nina Sky, Chevelle, Hunter Hayes, Linking Park, Radiohead, HIM, The National and Joan Jett.