If you are expecting a macho, manly-man out of me, you will not get it. Sorry.

Sure, I watch and play sports and could probably be a manly-man if need-be, but I am coming clean to all of you.

My confession is simple: I love Taylor Swift’s music, and I love the Pokémon games.

I know, throw your hate and judgment my way.

A 22-year-old man should not enjoy those things, right?

Well, get over it.

Plain and simple, Taylor Swift’s music is really catchy, and 90 percent of her songs are enjoyable for me.

Some of her newest music is not my cup of tea, but overall, anything from most of her previous albums I can listen to all the time.

Now, to address the most common reply I get when people find out I like her music, no, I do not like her.

Nothing against her, but she can be a bit kooky at times; otherwise, I really have nothing to complain about.

So, to answer everybody who has ever questioned my love for her music, no I do not love her necessarily.

Honestly, I really do not understand the hate she gets, but to each their own.

As for my other confession, my love of Pokémon, that started a long time ago when I was a kid.

All I can remember is that for one of my birthdays, when I was five or six years old, I received a Game Boy Advance SP and Pokémon Sapphire version and Pokémon LeafGreen version, both part of the third generation of the games.

Considering I was a kid, anything that new and cool was going to make me love it anyway, but Pokémon really stuck with me through the years.

The idea of cute and cool elemental animals and objects, with compelling stories and puzzles in the games, is really fun and fascinating.

I have played every generation of the games, and for a while, as a kid, I watched the television show.

But, the best thing that is going to happen to me soon, Pokémon-wise, is the release of the generation eight games, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Nov. 15.

I preordered the game, and the best part is that even though the game releases Nov. 15, the cashier who was working when I ordered it said it should be available for pick up Nov. 14 at 11 p.m.

So, if you need me Nov. 15, I will be busy all day with the new Pokémon game, with Taylor Swift music in the background.

Dillan Schorfheide is a senior journalism major. He can be   reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].