All Rights Reserved.

I have a friend who likes to say "I reserve the right to change my mind at any time." I believe it came up when she was challenged by her husband on having changed her point of view regarding someone else. What? You can change your mind?! This was news to me. For years I have felt like I need to go down with the ship (see also: my endless defenses of Madonna). But my friend has created space so that -- *snap* -- she can change her mind, and through this little clause (she is a lawyer, after all), avoid public ridicule for changing her mind.

Then the other day I was reading Chuck Klosterman's essay about ABBA and that led me to think about a few examples of things that I've changed my mind about through time...

1. ABBA

I'm one of those people you have to tear off the dance floor. Until the DJ goes home, I can be found front and center. Forget drinks, forget talking to people, I'm a sucker for music. There are a few songs though that will clear me off the floor in no time ("I Will Survive" and "YMCA" come to mind). In college I recall actively protesting on the dancefloor with my best friend if "Dancing Queen" came on (we'd do a "sit in" just to be dramatic and really prove our point). I'd roll my eyes when I found ABBA in girlfriends' CD collections. To be fair, I still don't like the song, but as it turns out, I now have a soft spot for ABBA.

Previous Stance: Annoying disco'y pop. Complete mystery to me. Central reason for not watching Muriel's Wedding.

Tipping Point: Finding out that my brother likes them. seeing Mamma Mia (the movie). The fact that the movie was a turning point for me is embarrassing in and of itself.

Current Status: Love them, am annoyed with Madonna (previous hero) for sampling. Cook while listening to ABBA Pandora station.


2. Country Music

Previously: Made me want to tear my hair out. sound associated with long roadtrips and carsickness for lack of anything else on the radio in the midwest (somehow no matter where you are, the country station ALWAYS works)

Turning Point: Hearing Dixie Chicks' "Cowboy Take Me Away". Buying a signature red cowboy hat in LA. And then- the coupe de grace- finding myself enjoying Taylor Swift being played during a ballet workout; after being horrified i came to terms with the pop country movement.

But really, it was the trip to Nashville this year that cemented it. Nothing like raising a beer in a Honky Tonk bar on Broadway to turn you right around.

Current Status: I won't put it on by choice but when I hear it I get nostalgic for that awesome trip and maybe even a bit patriotic.


3. Cher

It pains me to write this, but I also appear to have been wrong about Cher.

Previously: Dorky 60s singer who tried too hard to stay young and unnecessarily subjected me to her thonged butt in fishnet stockings during a music video.

Turning Point: Believe album, which I loved against my own will. Her performance in Burlesque, during which I wondered if I could get the name of her plastic surgeon, because she looks younger than I do. Becoming impressed with her fitness.

Current Status: I still don't love her singing, but she's fun and she owns it. I can't avoid imitating her when I sing along, thereby sounding like a drag queen, but it's fun. Aspiring to have her body at 40, forget 60.


4. Being Republican

Just kidding!


5. LOST

Previously: Didn't understand why people stayed home to watch this. Didn't even bother asking what it was about. Figured someone from Party of Five couldn't indicate anything good.

Turning Point: It came out on DVD. Had a friend cancel dinner with me on a Friday so she could finish watching. I couldn't believe that someone would cancel on me for a stupid tv show. I decided to see what the fuss was about and prove my point. I was thwarted and was soon doing pretty much the same thing to other people.

Current Status: Couldn't get through the last season, but continue to evangelize about the first season and find new addicts. Ongoing imaginary relationship with Josh Holloway.


There are many more examples (I'm sure my siblings and friends would be happy to call me on them) but this is a start. It's interesting to see how your taste evolves even against your own will. That said...


On a related note - Things I Will Never Change My Mind About Hating:

Seinfeld. The theme song alone sends me into convulsions.
Natalie Portman. While I found Black Swan bearable, I continue find her anything but.
Twilight. See this hilarious NPR book review article I wish I'd written.

I won't change my mind about those, but just in case, I reserve the right to.