I did not choose the fandom life, The Fandom life chose me

Our next guest-blogger is another one of my former students, who insists on being called "Kate". She was a former student of mine in English 1. Even after the semester was over, we continued to talk about things that only geeks can understand: computers, linguistics, movies.... She graduated last April with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication. Her hobbies include tumble-blogging (on Tumblr) and painting/drawing. This is her piece of a phenomenon called "fangirling".--Sir G

(photo credits to Teefury.com)

“IYAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH ERMAGERDS ASGSDHDASJADG”

-Sound of fangirls wailing over new song releases/shows/ (via Tumblr)

 

accurate descriptive photo courtesy of Tumblr

I am a fan. A weird, tea-fueled, artistically inclined fan. I’ve always had and will always be.

My earliest memory was that of my mother buying me Roald Dahl books (Matilda was my first) and it got the ball rolling towards being a fan. I became obsessed with parallel worlds, make believe alternate universes. Because I was not allowed to spend my days outside of our humble home to explore, my childhood was spent  around watching Sailor Moon with my cousins, playing dress up and screaming “Moon Crystal Power Make-Up!!” in our aunt’s boudoir whilst holding on to used compact powders we fished out of our mom’s bags. It enabled me to enjoy the perks of staying at home. It was anime and books for me until I reached highschool.

Anime paved the way for on a new wave of infatuation (to put it mildly). I got introduced to the colorful culture of Japan, street styles (I had a penchant for fashion because of Vogue and my aunt who was a seamstress) and Japanese Rock. I practically bought albums, participated on moderating forums (particularly those of the GazettE’s) and staying up all night to watch and download concert clips. I even attended meet ups! The only thing I wasn’t able to do was to go to their concerts (Tickets are expensive and so is air fare and I am but a humble, starving high school student/artist back then.)

College then came and refined my taste. I got into classical music, British shows and other higher intellectual pursuits. I moved on and immersed myself into academics, graduated with a degree and an award under my belt. I’m now wiser, I don’t wear gothic/garish clothes anymore and I know how I’d like to have my tea (London Fog, one sugar cube please.) But am I still a fangirl? I definitely am.

I still scream liked a deranged banshee at the slightest mention of my favorite band. I sometimes spent hours waiting for trailers for the new season of my favorite shows.

oh 9gag, you know us fangirls too well.

(remember when the BBC Sherlock fandom, sleep deprived and hungry, went nuts over 10 seconds worth of  Sherlock saying ‘The thrill of the chase, the blood rushing through your veins. Just you and me against the rest of the world’ yes that’s how crazy we are. *gurgles blood*)

.typical fangirl reaction to new releases/pictures of favorite celebrities. Photo from Tumblr.

All the gif making, con attending, graphic designing, screaming, chanting, merchandise buying fanboy and fangirls exchanging stories (like how one fan asked Tom Hiddleston [who played Loki on Thor] for a hug and got a kiss on the hand instead) was kind of a high for me.

It was beautiful, ugly, hyper, crazed, bittersweet happiness and sadness  all at the same time. Like someone punching your gonads. 

People  really look down on most fans, saying it was not something to be proud of/it wasn’t intellectual and healthy/ it was plain cheap obsession and that we were deranged (we are all mad, I admit)

But for my part at least, it did me good.

Benedict Cumberbatch fans uniting as one. THE CUMBERCOLLECTIVE *gasps*

(photo via Tumblr)

I’ve met people who supported me and took time to meet me even if we came from different places/regions in the country. Once I even knew a fangirl who texted me two chapters of Noli Me Tangere because I left my book at school. We only knew each other online and I have received such kindness from a total stranger. Some fans even help the charities of the celebrities that they admire (like how Hiddlestoners organized an outreach here in the Philippines for less fortunate kids etc. )

typical fangirl problems. Photo from Tumblr.

Being a fan is good, if you know how to handle it. The sheer joy of waiting for releases, saving up for purchases and meeting people who share the same interest and passion is something no adjectives could explain and no amount of money can buy or replace.