[link] I think it has something to do with the definition of fangirl. Some people perceive "fangirl" as having the same connotation that "otaku" does in Japan: someone--in this case, a female--who has no life and spends all her time squealing over fictional characters. A fangirl may also participate in behavior such as squealing loudly over certain characters in public, referring to him/her with honorifics such as, "Tasuki-saaaamaaaaa~~~~" <3, being immature about "ownership" of the character, and generally giving all fans a bad name.

I mean, yeah, I do some of this once in a while, depending on my mood. But for the most part I try not to perpetuate the "stupid fangirl/otaku/gaijin" stereotype.

And I guess some people are ashamed of still "watching cartoons and drooling over fictional guys" at their age, but I don't really understand that. Anime is a long way from your typical American "cartoon."

[link] Hey, nothing wrong with drooling over _American_ animated guys, either. I mean, they can be droolworthy either personality or look-wise, too.

I mean...Gambit, anyone?

Although, I don't think that this is a fair example, because X-Men characters are actually developed in comics (sort of like anime characters are).

And even my mom, who's almost 40 feels, free to drool over Remy every once in a while.

I think the "hide it, hide it" reaction is something akin to the one that was the reason that had me hiding the fact that I read romance novels and love Star Trek. Some people frown upon it, and think it's silly or dorky, and you don't want to be thought of as somebody whose silly or stupid or has poor taste. So you hide it.

Thing is, until people begin to like who they are enough, and have the confidence that's needed for it, they'll never have the devil-may-care/ accept-me-for-me, attude that those such as yourself do.

[link] Although, thanks to the dorms, and a certain english professor who had us write a paper on both Science Fiction /and/ romance novels, I've found that it's much easier to revel in my own interests, and laugh at the o.O; look that people give me when I tell the to "Shutup, Picard's yelling at Q" or to "comeback later, because the main character's going insane and the iguanas are out and they're eating the strawberries."

Um...I don't think any of you actually /got/ those refrences, but, hey!, that's okay.

And I can't access my blog at brinkster. **cries**