Types of Phases that We All Went Through

Hey guys! Just a quick update, I will continue with New Yolk times next week and I will be including some new shows I'd like to squeeze in, namely DC's Legends of Tomorrow and Shadowhunters. As for these shows, I will post them right after their pilot episodes. Now, it is time to talk about the time we talk about phases.

Have you heard any adult telling either of your parents this, "Oh don't worry. It's just a phase." Usually phases are seen as something we go through temporarily and they turn us into destructive teenagers. It makes us the immature weirdos that we are and remembering those days just makes us cringe with embarrassment or regret. And if you don't want to be reminded again, then I suggest that you do not read on. We are going to point them all out right now!

Here are some phases we most likely went through and that we cannot deny. Just so you know, we all went through this and it is nothing to be ashamed of.

How to Socialize with a 'Fandomized' Friend

As of now, I am convinced that the world's population consist of people who are fandomized. Fandomized meaning, we spend at least half of our time talking about Adventure Time, Sherlock Holmes, or even the upcoming sequel film of the Avengers. We all have our own interests, and the people I know would always go into their fandom phase. Whether they need an outlet or they're bored to death, they will still talk about what's going on with their favorite Kpop group or what just happened in the last episode of Reign. Now if you think you're a very normal person who treats TV and books with average respect and you are trying to talk to someone who will not stop going on about his or her fandoms like its their own limited supply of oxygen, never fear. I am here to help you.

Here are five simple steps on how to interact with a fandomized person. (Note: I decided to come up with the term, 'fandomized' because I am sick of saying fangirls and fanboys at the same time. It's time for equality, yo)

1.) Tolerance. Just like the immortal Gretchen Wieners always says, "You have to be considerate to the rest of the group." When your friend decides that its time for him or her to talk about a John Green book he or she just read, then do what every other normal person would do. Listen. You may not exactly know what Shingeki No Kyojin means in English, but just listen. Surely, a fandomized person would know better and  not pick you to be the listener. However, sometimes when the urge to spazz is too strong, they feel like that they have no choice but to let it out on someone. Irregardless of how fandomized a person is, they just have to scream about why this OTP should get together. And if you're the chosen one, might as well deal with it. You want to socialize with fandom? Then socialize. Learn how to listen.

2.) Ask many questions. When you are especially clueless about the story of Game of Thrones, might as well keep the conversation alive by asking about it. One of the many basic ways of socializing is to keep asking questions. Initially treating your talks like an interview gradually becomes productive and the next thing you know, you two are exchanging numbers and are official friends. I consider myself a fandomized person, but there a lot of fandoms I haven't came across yet. That's when I ask the questions. Who is this character? What is this show about? Why is this fandom awesome for you? Where can I read this? Who wrote this story? How is this romantic? And yes, those questions eventually branch out to many answers and many words exchanged between who I eventually call friend.

3.) Never question. There is a difference between asking what the fandom is all about and asking what can the fandom offer. Never question the taste of a fandomized person. For one thing, it is quite rude. Asking why Arrow is great is like asking why you prefer having this particular calorie-heavy snack every day. And if this person is heavily fandomized, insulting him or her is probably the last thing you want to do. Many say its just all talk, but I'm telling you. The backfire is real.

4.) Be open. For your future conversations to nurture, I suggest you try out this book or movie especially when your friend highly encourages you to do so. That way, you can understand him or her more. Withhold judgment and learn why this person is so fascinated with the world of the Hobbits. It's not exactly a way of wasting time because you are in the midst of discovery. Who knows, maybe you can get a fandom on your list. Beware of the addiction, though. It can get pretty nasty.

5.) Accept. If you can never understand why your friend finds 50 Shades of Grey romantic, then just let it be. Express your opinion about it, but don't try to impose. Humans usually consider this an abomination. This can also ruin friendships because you are basically forcing someone to drop something he or she has been used to. You're simply asking your friend to just move out with no preparation or even a warning. And when it comes to moments like these, there are no warnings or go signals. Telling your friend to stop watching Anime is a major blow or an act of betrayal in your friendship code...unless the fandom life is beginning to engulf her soul. So if she or he she likes this, don't bother to tell her otherwise. It will only cause more complications. And if you can't really deal with him or her talk about the incest sex between the Lannister, might as well back off yourself. Other than that, accept your fandomized friends for who they are because their fandoms actually contributed in constructing his or her well-being.

Till the next post~

Writer's Block: Otaku

There is nothing wrong with being an Otaku. 

If you do not know what an Otaku is then it's obviously a person who prefers to stay in their room and does nothing else but stuff their minds with whatever fandom comes to mind. Most people would see them as bums with no life. Sometimes the culture of an Otaku is also seen as something dangerous or simply unhealthy because they lock themselves in their rooms all day and prefer to face a computer screen rather an actual human being. I admit, living the Otaku life can be dangerous to your health, However, the problem is the a lot of people are only able to grasp just the idea of being an Otaku. That's why it's so easy for them to quickly judge them as sore losers who live under a rock. I may sound like biased person when I say this, but I am going to be completely honest with you; being an Otaku is not that bad. Perhaps it becomes a bad thing when you forget your limits, but apart from that living an Otaku life does not mean you don't have a social life or you are not knowledgeable enough to be considered an intellectual person. In other words, Otakus can be well-rounded people too. 

The first thing I would like to address is that Otakus are not stupid. In fact, they can be intelligent. They read and learn about informative shit in their fandoms and most of the Star Wars or Game of Thrones shit they love are based on actual facts that you ponder in school (or at work) everyday. Not only that, there are now blurred lines about any subject and the definition of a genius or a smart person is one of them. Being smart does not automatically mean that you are just a straight-A student. Heck no one told you that you need to be incredibly ambitious with schoolwork just so you can be considered intelligent. You can be smart or intelligent in your own way. Believe it or not, Otakus are already doing that. Watching one anime episode is enough for them to generate opinions about the most random things, including sensitive issues. Otakus are smart enough to think for themselves whilst reading, watching, or even playing video games (because playing games are not as easy as you think).

Another thing is that not all Otakus are bad at socializing. It may be a struggle but it does not mean we are stuck in this struggle forever. I am an Otaku and I started out as a terrible public speaker. And guess what? I decided that I do not want to remain that way, so I decided to build up my social skills because it was simply my choice. Like I said, Otakus think for themselves. We may make fun of ourselves being socially awkward, but we do not over indulge our faults for an eternity. Also, Otakus can go out. Otakus are not allergic to the outdoors. If some are, then deal with it. It just so happens there are people who prefer to stay inside the comfort of their homes for a reason. And if they prefer to stay there everyday, then I don't see why people have to make such a big issue about it. Staying indoors is a choice, just like going outdoors. When someone you know prefers to stay at home, it does not mean they end up deteriorating on the couch. It means that they just want to stay at home. That's it. There's nothing more to it.

Finally, Otakus do have lives. I am not sure what your definition of a life is, but I'm sure it centers around doing something you love. I have Otaku friends, but they have friends (like me, of course. I just said that they are my friends). They actually go to more parties than I do. They go to malls, have sleepovers, and attend Prom. Otakus can be suckers for the mundane things in life, too.

So if you're one of those people who look down on Otakus simply because of the idea of their lifestyle, then I just want to let you know that we live our lives  the way we want them to. And if you're one of those Otakus who live up to the social constructs that society labeled you to be (a.k.a. a total bum), then please do not revolve around this culture too much because too much of something can also be a bad thing. There is nothing wrong in making a little effort on trying new things.