We all have styles that we like. Whether in music or movies or art. We might like lots of different styles. I’ve actually ran into people who claim to like all styles of something. I think that’s a little weird and it makes me suspicious.

One style I have never been able to enjoy is the horror genre. It’s never been an artistic choice but an emotional choice. I’m a fairly sensitive person, a jumpy person and I must admit a wee bit squeamish. So watching horror movies has always been a bit rough. Or I just close my eyes a lot, which defeats the purpose of watching.

But I’m always wanting to expand my boundaries. People rave about horror movies or TV shows and I’m thinking I should try them. I finally convinced myself to watch American Horror Story, the FX television series now in its fourth season. Everybody loves it.

Netflix delivered the first disc of the season one. OK, let’s do this. I popped the DVD in and started watching.  The acting seems good. The scenery seems good. The characters are good.

After about ten minutes I paused it. I wasn’t sure if this was for me. I paused it again. Then again. I was determined to make it through. I made it thirty five minutes before I stopped it for good. My psyche couldn’t take it. I couldn’t watch anymore. The thought of watching eleven more episodes cringing and pausing the whole way through was too much. Just stop now.

I failed. I was pushed back into my comfort zone. I don’t want to go back there, to the horror zone.

I’ll have to find a different boundary to push. Because sometimes pushing boundaries pays off. But not today. I must regroup.