Volume Control

I have rules in my head, don’t we all?  But it occurred to me this morning that my rules fluctuate too much…

When I’m watching television and the TV has numbers on the volume bar, I have to leave it on an even number.
When I’m listening to the radio and the radio has numbers on the volume bar, I have to leave it on an odd number.
If the TV or radio doesn’t have numbers, I can leave the volume anywhere I like.
When I’m using a sound system that shows the volume in dB, I have to leave it on 0, -13 or any multiple of 3.

I can’t listen to the Brahms Violin Concerto anymore because back when I first noticed that I preferred odd numbers on the radio dial, I looked up and noticed the volume was on an even number and I decided it didn’t matter, I’d just have to get over it.  I sat through the entire thing (+/-40min)  forcing myself to sit still and not get up to change the volume.  Now every time I hear it all I can think about is changing the volume to an odd number.  I thought I was over it until I went to see Rachel Pine play that piece live in Chicago last year.  I sat there all dressed up among a nice crowd, fidgeting and imagining a large green volume bar with a flashing “36″ in my face the whole time…