Emotional Robot

Well, looks like I’m finally back! Today, I have come to bring you a reflection I have written on this article, which I found first in the form of a graphic.  It has some extra commentary that I have not included here, which may or may not help in understanding what I have posted today.  I started writing this a long time ago, and only got around to finishing today.  I apologize in advance for any disagreement, offense, or controversy.

1.       Introverts don’t like to talk.

               I can almost agree with this one being a myth. I just don’t like talking to certain people.  However, it is true that I could go on forever about things I’m interested in.  That’s why some people would say that I talk a lot, and others would say that I’m very quiet.

2.       Introverts are shy.

               Okay, I know I can’t speak for all introverts, and of course I know the difference between the two, but I am extremely shy. Also, DO worry about being polite, just as you would with anyone else! On a side note, you know what else bothers me?  The fact that the original writer felt the need to consistently capitalize the word introvert.  Just…no.

3.       Introverts are rude.

               I try not to be rude, and I’m sorry if I ever come off that way. And for the record, I don’t want everyone to “just be real and honest.”  You see, I don’t take criticism too well, and I am a firm believer (in most situations) of the saying, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

4.       Introverts don’t like people.

               I was honestly about to say that I don’t like people, but then I reevaluated.  Sure, people scare me, and some groups of them just give me a bad vibe, but saying that I don’t like people at all is a bit extreme.  I don’t hate anyone, and to even be disliked by me requires a serious transgression. People may scare me, but I admit that most of them are okay.  Toasters also scare me, but I’m still able to say that I’m glad they’re around.  As for my friends, I regret that they may never know how much I appreciate them, because it’s something so difficult to describe in a way that would do justice to my appreciation. I consider myself lucky to have them.

5.       Introverts don’t like to go out in public.

               This one really hits home for me.  Even as an introvert, I still struggle with loneliness sometimes (okay, actually a lot).  I actually do need to talk to my friends and hang out with them.  I know that doesn’t have anything to do with going out in public, but the interaction element is what counts.  It’s true that I’m not the best at it for extended periods of time, and I do need time by myself to recharge.

6.       Introverts always want to be alone.

               The author definitely got it right this time. I love to think and learn and daydream, but I do get lonely.  In a way, I think it’s worse for introverts because when we’re lonely, we have a more difficult time reaching out.  I know I do. I do need to share my discoveries! I do it all the time!  How can you expect me to keep it all to myself?  And yes, I do prefer connecting with one person at a time.  I can do group messages with the two other wonderful orchestra officers just fine, but when I have multiple conversations going on over text (or in person), I can feel a little overwhelmed.

7.       Introverts are weird.

               Ah, yes.  I am quite the individualist, if I do say so myself.  As I wrote in my “Motivation” essay for my NHS application, all I wanted when I was younger was to be normal, but now I pride myself on my individuality. I must say, this is a much nicer way to live.  While I admit I am not wholly comfortable with myself 100% of the time, at least I no longer strive for conformity. Conformity bores me.

8.       Introverts are aloof nerds.

               While the author’s points are certainly valid and true, “aloof” and “nerd” are two very accurate words to describe me.  I understand that aloof is not something you would want to be called, and believe me, it is not something I particularly like to be called either.  But unfortunately, shyness dictates that this is how I come off.  As for the second part of the phrase, I am proud to be a nerd! You can’t use it against me.

9.       Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.

               How rude!  If you have been following along in the article, you don’t tell people you care about to “just look it up.” Secondly, I think the major point to take away from this is that I prefer to “relax and have fun” with only one or two people at a time.  

10.   Introverts can fix themselves and become extroverts.

               You can’t fix me.  Don’t try.

That’s right, internet friends.  To shake it up a bit, I’m going to be posting different things here than on my normal blog, starting with what I’m going to call A Violinist Reacts to BuzzFeed’s “12 Struggles Only Violinists Will Understand.”  This is the part when you click the link if you really want to, but it’s not mandatory.  Let’s get started.

1. Violin hickeys are real and they are embarrassing.

I can affirm both the “real” and “embarrassing” parts of this statement.  It’s worst when you have to go to school all bandaged up and people ask questions.  Especially when another violinist asks, “Who’s your boyfriend?”  I was at a loss for words.

2. Long nails are out of the question.

True again, and this one is sad because I have never made a habit of biting my nails, so they’re actually nice.  But this is the sacrifice I make.

3. But your gnarly hands are a source of pride.

Sometimes I look at my less than perfect fingertips and think, “How annoying.” But I can also look at them and think, “Yeah!  I did that!”  And when I made one of my fingers bleed in preparation for an audition I was able to think, “YEAH!  I DID THAT!”  And when I had to ice my fingers during show week for my school’s musical freshman year, I was able to think, “This was totally worth it.” So I guess you can say I’m proud of myself. 

4. Rosin has a magical ability to end up everywhere, even when you’re trying to be careful.

Honestly, I think I keep the rosin situation pretty well under control.  But it is annoying at concerts when it ends up on my nice, clean black dress.  I always end up having a lapse of judgement and putting my bow down for a second, and then when I pick it up there’s white stuff all over me.

5. You either love or hate the sound of new strings — there is no in between.

I actually just got new strings not too long ago.  I heard them as a welcome change from the worn out strings I was using before, so I guess you could say I’m more on the love side.  But for all you haters, you know what’s worse than the sound of new strings?  Tuning them.  I bet we can all agree on that.

6. That moment when you put the shoulder rest on backwards.

This hasn’t happened to me for years.  Good for me, then?

7. One hand is significantly more dexterous than the other.

RIGHT HAND.  WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME?!

#lefthandedproblems

Seriously, though.  Get with the program.

8. You have to protect your instrument from presumptuous friends and family.

I only have to deal with this occasionally, and even then I’m pretty generous. I’ll let a friend or family member hold and “play” my violin, but I’ll usually still have my hands on it as well.  And little kids are only allowed to touch.  I’m still cautious even if people mean well.  Like how sometimes, my parents will see me struggling with the pegs on my 118 year old instrument (they are an actual struggle) and offer to help, and I’m just there going,

“NO.” 

9. Dropping rosin and watching it shatter.

Ha.  I have never once done this.  I still have the same rosin that I got in fourth grade when I started playing.

10. That terrifying moment when your hands slip and dropping your violin seems possible.

Violet is my baby.  You don’t just drop your baby.

11. Two words: orchestra face.

UGH, YES.  Orchestra face is the worst!  And, at least when I do it, it’s not even the attractive kind of serious.  It’s...derpy.  *shudders*  I wish I could just have some kind of pleasant smile when I’m playing.  But that’s just another thing I would have to focus on, as if there aren’t already enough.  Right, musicians? There are better things to use my focusing energy on, like getting my right hand up to speed.

12. The pain of saying goodbye to an old instrument.

Ah, yes.  You really do get attached.  You give it a name and it makes friends with your friends’ instruments, and then you can’t let go so easily.  I’ve only had to say goodbye to one instrument, but then again, she’s still at my house, so it wasn’t really goodbye.  However, my new violin is amazing and we’re already best friends.