[Airehiriel]

I was never one that fit in when I was in school. I had some friends, but even they thought I was weird and crazy. I had my obsessions, and no one understood them. Through the years I have come to learn a bit about my own personality and the ebb and flow of my obsessions. I can get really "into" something, but perhaps a year or two later, have nothing to do with it. Not that I don't like it anymore, it just doesn't hold as much sway over me.

At one time in my life I was a VERY big Star Trek: Next Generation fan. I was VERY obsessed with it. I bought lots of different things, spent lots of money. Had people think I was really weird. Used to like to spend lots of time thinking about it. Then, after TNG was finished, I kind of watched the next show, Deep Space Nine, but my love affair with it trickled out. I found myself trying to sell or give away the things I had. I was no longer so interested. (Now if an episode comes on TV I will stop to watch it. I still like it, just not like THAT!)

There were many other obsessions in my life. If there is a normal, I would say I am pretty far from it. But I have also learned that while I want to enjoy the current obsession that I might be riding, I don't want to spend a lot of money on it, because I know it is going to go away. I have come to terms with this recent self discovery. I guess it is kind of interesting to get older. You learn more about yourself.

So, for any of you that a riding the obsessive wave of Lord of the Rings, be careful about the money you spend. You never know if in the summer of 2003, when no more movies will be coming out, that your obsession will die, and you will regret spending all that money on it. (Time spent on it, that doesn't bother me as much.)

I guess enjoy the ride while the passion lasts! How many other people live on this earth with no passion at all? And if they think you are weird, well perhaps they are just jealous. You've got to live your own life, and review your own memories when you are old, make them happy ones doing things you like. Don't let other people crush your fire because they don't understand or think you are immature. I had my three "best friends" tell me I was immature and silly about 7 years ago (I was a junior in high school), and for a long time (years) it hurt, and I often had a very hard time being my true self because I was afraid people would think that I was stupid. I had to come to peace with who I was, and that I really didn't want to change because I liked being happy and silly. You can be, too.