I would like to title this entry "How You Know You Are Too Far Gone In Fandom."  I would like to, but I think perhaps it would be better titled "How To Know When It's Entirely Likey You Need To Seek Psychiatric Help."

My "RL" freinds know about Buffy obsession. They tolerate it, they are amused by it, and one has recently become obsessed right along with me. Joss assures me that my toaster is in the mail. For the most part, however, they all believe I am sane. (Well, in relation to my Buffy obsession in any case. No one would vouch for my sanity beyond that.) 

After all, what's some posters and a slash fanfic hobby compared to the random acts of outright nuttiness rampant in the world today? Not much I tell you.

And while the "it's all relative" argument does hold quite a bit of weight, I feel I am uniquely qualified, what with my insider's perspective and a Masters in Psych and all, 
to stand up and go..."er, Miss, you're a few sandwiches short of a picnic even in the fandom world."

I intend to do so now. (Feel free to agree or disagree at will. The link to argue with me  is handily included below.)

You know you have crossed the line to insanity when you truly believe that the stars of either show give much a damn about your feelings beyond "great job/show/love your work." If you actually harbor the delusion that meeting one of them at a party/autograph signing/supermarket makes you best freinds or dating material then seek. professional. help.

Last year, at the BPP, some girl was so completely convinced that James Marsters was flirting with her, I thought she was going to strip naked and burst into tears simultaneously. She actually said, "Oh, I felt so bad because I have a boyfriend!" Ok, sweet cheeks, let me explain to you this concept called marketing. James gets paid to flirt with you. You and every other man/woman/child/furry land mammal at that party. That's his job, and he's fucking good at it, mind you, but no, he is not going to "invite (you) back to his hotel room." Yes, she actually thought this was a possibility. This despite the fact that James' (soft porno queen 38 DDD, if I may add) girlfriend was also at said party, had her tongue down his throat between each musical set, and, last but not least, that this poor deluded chick looked something like a cross between David Brinkley and my neighbor's ferret. 

See, the stars of TV shows, much like us (well, most of us anyway) have something called a LIFE. Which does not revolve around said TV show all the time. They have familes, lovers, and small pets. None of which want to meet YOU. They also have personal bubbles, which brings me to my next point.

Another friend of mine saw James Marsters in concert last week. After the show, some girl walked over to him and *grabbed his ass.*  Let me just say that I was perfectly horrified at the BPP when people grabbed his *hands* let alone his *ass*. His response to her was terse, and totally appropriate. He told her to get her hands off of him, and get to the back of the godamn line. When she looked stunned, he said, "I am a human being and you will treat me like one, or I will leave." James Marsters is not a toy. He is not Spike. And you know what? Spike probably wouldn't wanna fuck you either. What the hell ever happened to good taste and personal boundaries??? Seek. Professional. Help.

Finally, if anything on either show (or any Tv show for godsake) is what you base your entire philosophy of love or life around, SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP. If someone dissing your 'ship of choice makes you "question the very existence of love", (yea, I read this on a list once) turn off your TV and take a fucking walk to the mall. To the library. To the psychiatrist's office, because you are *too* damned involved in a fantasy. If Buffy and Angel or Buffy and Spike or Giles and Fido never get it on, never get together and/or never get *back* together, love will still exist somewhere in the universe. The world will go on after Buffy goes off the air. Trust me, I wouldn't lie to you. About this anyway.

In the immortal words of my ficbitch, "lionsheep79:  it's a goddamn *tv show*. we watch cause it's fucking FUN."

Fun. *Pretend*. Fun. Say it with me now.....

Stake me
 

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OF THE THEN
 

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