Every time I've talked to someone about paladins being lawful stupid or stick-in-the-mud it leads back to the same thing. GM's being overly controlling and holding that Sword of Damocles over paladins heads a little too hard. I recommend having a talk with your GM and stating your desire to play a paladin, and that so long as you act 90% lawful good he'll let the 10% slide.
Hmm...I'd think as long as that particular pali's party is down with it there shouldn't be any problem. If another party member gets a Braxton Hix over maintaining harmony in the operation then they can kindly go hang. Assuming that since I myself can't detect alignments I can see this being a possible problem for me. So if someone tries to roll on me I do whats most expedient. I bash them upside the head, rub their faces in the ground, then I drop my drawers and rub my nuts on their faces. Thats what they get for their lack of cooperation! Thats the challenge of being a good representative of the paladin class. Make your kingdom proud! 8-|