Proud to Be Fandom

Someone told me something today that, at first, really hurt my feelings. I was essentially told that I shouldn't talk about my "fantasy games" (aka Pokemon) with anyone else except "kids."

Previously, I have discussed that I understand that some people find things that I like to be weird or even ugly, and I get that the things I like are not for everyone. Not liking something because of it's artistic style, content, or storyline is something that I can understand, but let's take a moment to appreciate that I was being told that certain conversations, such as my "fantasy games" (I don't think I'll get over that phrasing), were not fit topics for adult discussion. I may always be young at heart, but I do take offense to the implication that my interests are not up to snuff on what others consider "mature."

Because you cannot hear my tone through this keyboard, I will tell you that I quickly progressed from hurt to mad in less than thirty seconds. In fact, I'm currently seething. It wasn't just a reflection on a game choice, it was a reflection on my hobbies, interests, and life outside of a work context. Although I am sure that the comment wasn't meant to be taken as a slight toward what I consider my identity, the fact remains that I do consider life in fandom a huge part of who I am.

Let's consider, for a moment, that what I had been talking about was a sports team instead of something fandom related. Would I have gotten an eye roll? Maybe just a general look to convey lack of interest? Most certainly not the suggestion that what I liked was somehow inappropriate or embarrassing to the general adult population. Because sports fans are allowed to be rabidly energetic, and it's somehow socially acceptable for them to wear body paint to a stadium but not acceptable for me to cosplay at a convention.

This is in no way a rally against sports fans--they're a part of their own intricate fandom without calling it such. Even though I am not a fan of a particular sport or team, I still enjoy being around sports fans. They are enthusiastic and unashamed about what they love, and I want other fans to have the same courtesy of not being considered socially impaired for being a part of a fandom that they enjoy.

Maybe you're a fan of something, something I'm not a fan of, but that's O.K. In fact, that's great. You know why? Because if you're a fan of something, of anything, I can respect your passion as fellow fan. We don't have to be on the same ship to know that other fans are our lifeboats. 

Once again, I will post this quote from John Green, sage master of words and pizza: 

"Nerds like us are allowed to be unironically enthusiastic about stuff. Nerds are allowed to love stuff, like, jump-up-and-down-in-your-chair-can't-control-yourself love it." - John Green

That's Wierd

I knew I would love Adventure Time because the first episode had me leaning on the kitchen table, mouth agape, and chuckling to myself. This is a normal occurrence in my house and everyone else is used to a sudden, maniacal cackle erupting from a different room as they go about their business. They have become accustomed to me watching "weird" things that they think make little to no sense.

I floop the pig! (It makes sense, I swear.) source.

Being in a fandom or a geek means you get to go do things that others in the "normal world" find odd or outright strange. Dressing up for cosplay, shrieking at the television when your favorite character dies (again), and fawning over movie posters are just some of the things that get me sideways looks. One of my favorite quotes comes from one of the best geeks of them all--John Green. (He's also a really good writer, but he's mostly a geek.)

Image source

I remember the first time I saw Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. It was one of those movies that changed my life because it was beautiful in it's strangeness, and I am still surprised to this day that others find it too weird or even ugly. I mean, I guess I understand that people find the artistic style of the film ugly, but to me that's what makes it the MOST beautiful.

I'm confused when people don't find this gorgeous.

Everyone should have that one thing others find a little strange, and I hope you lovingly embrace the weird part of yourself and shrug off the naysayers. They don't get it, and that's their loss.