Have you ever considered dropping your childhood fantasies?

[Terri]

If she's 'too mature' for comics...then let her be 'too mature' for comics.  I'll bet you if I were a fly on her wall, I would find a thing or two she's into that others would consider immature.  Go with what you like, don't let anyone else influence you.  

[Jephael]

Thanks, Terri. I'll also admit too that it sounds like no matter what I do, the chances of her coming back just to see me again are pretty small at this point. Therefore, the best idea is to just let her go for the time being because she's not worth having an emotional outburst!

[Ninjara]

Hi Jephael,
        I just wanted to add my two cents worth....

     Follow your dreams.  Hold fast to the things you valued as a youngster.  For as you go through this world and weather the things that it throws at you, you will find that the worlds you inhabited as a "child" contain the things that keep you youthful, keep you most 'you', and give your life magic.
     When many of your peers have fallen by the wayside, and lost much of their zest for life, you will still find wonder.
      You don't say if there are other passions in your life.  I have found it best to be as multifaceted as you can be, to try many things.....sometimes by exploring a friend's interest you find something you also love doing, or a talent you didn't know you had.  However.....
       Fantasy, imagination.....the world of comic books....you love these.  My motto:  Never give up a part of yourself to please someone else.  You don't have to shove it down their throat if they have no interest in it.  But by the same token, you shouldn't have to be ashamed of it either.
       I am twice as old in earth years, and then some, than you Jephael.  People can never guess that unless I tell them.  The TMNT have been part of my life for 20 years now.  They were preceeded by 30+ years of fantasy stories and art.  It is what I love, and it has become one of the main things that defines me. I touch people's lives through it.  
       If the world of comic books is the main fire in your life, I say stay with it.  Keep your inner child alive, and by so doing, the real you.     Hugs.

[Aignatius]

Well said, Ninjara.          

[Buslady]

and school bus drivers that have little stuffed anime characters hanging from their rearview windows.

THAT'S ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have an vintage Raph plush shoved up behind my student mirror. The kids LOVE my TMNT stuff in the bus

Y'know, I didn't even think of that fact when I wrote that, I just happen to know a few school bus drivers that DO that in the area,  I soooo shoulda put two and two together.

*cackles*

Tell them a driver in SoCal thinks they are awesome cause they do what I do ....          we're few and far in between, but there are some of us cool drivers out there.. im eaasy going, just pay attention to the rules and respect my bus...or I'll sic raph on 'em hahaha

[Leonardo the 2nd]

I myself find it very interesting and cool to see people older than me liking / loving the turtles.

My father often says: "Man always the same. Draw something else...You have to grow up", when he sees me drawing them again.
That goes on my nerves and I simply continue drawing them.
I don't know why to stop liking the turtles only because other people don't and tell me that its immature.. BLA.

[Darth_CJJ]

I've heard it said that you have to love yourself before you can love someone else.

TMNT have gotten me through a lot of pain. If someone doesn't like that, f7ck 'em...

People come and go, even people that you thought would never abandon you. You'll always have TMNT. When I go to bed at night, I have to answer to two people: God and myself. I'm getting to the point where I don't care what anyone else thinks.

People will really mess you up if you let them. Especially people of the opposite sex. I've heard that the biggest turn-on is being comfortable in your own skin and being passionate about building a future for yourself. Women find that kind of stuff sexy. I know lots of "comic book nerds" who are in loving relationships with women who love them and care about them for who they are, because they love themselves.

For the most part I'm probably preaching to the choir here, and I could use a dose of my own advice.

[Jephael]

Thanks for the tips, CJJ. I was going through a major funk when I originally posted this, but I feel much better now!

I'm sure I can maintain and improve my friendship with Dori in the future but she's just too out of reach for the time being and it's just not worth griping about anymore! If anything I've been acting too selfishly and not thinking about her needs or interests. That is something I am very ashamed of and I hope someday to make it up to her.

[Brinatello]

Okay, I've avoided this topic like the plague, mainly because I wasn't sure how to approach it.  But, more and more as I think about it, there was probably ONE time I almost stopped liking the TMNT for good, and then I changed my mind.  My sister has a great way of insulting one's interests to the point of making you feel guilty for ever considering being a fan.  She said something to me one time that hurt me so badly, I gave up on TMNT, for a few months I'd say.  I also gave up talking to her directly, only if necessary.  When she realized her error, she came around and stated that I should like it no matter what, yet never apologized!  That's what I was waiting for!  I think she did, somehow apologized without actually saying "I'm sorry" and I still forgave her.  Ever since then, I've been back on TMNT even moreso, along with some other fandoms.  If it makes me happy, I'm never going to give up on it.  I'm rediscovering other fandoms at the moment and getting involved as much as I can.  It's a good stress relief!

[Casey Jones]

I wouldn't say drop a childhood fantasy...unless it's go dress up in public as a Monchichi, then you have issues.  The Turtles have always been a favorite of mine, I still have my toys to this day.  One thing that I'll say about this, is that you can look and know that the memories that you have about these fantasies are what made things fun and enjoyable.  If I look around my place, I'm sure that I can find my old Lazer Tag gear, and at the same time remember how much I always wanted to get the stuff from Photon, but could NEVER find at stores(I still remember the live-action series of that).

Don't give up your childhood fantasies, don't grow up.  It's just like my uncle says, "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."  Words to live by.

[sadboy]

Thankfully my friend never made fun of me or picked on me in any matter about my love for TMNT, but she made it pretty clear that she was far too mature to have any interest in comics, which I find kinda sad since I've always tried to help her gain some interest in that genre. Of course like some of you said not everyone has an open mind about that kinda stuff so I guess whenever I get the chance to talk with Dori again, it'll be better to dwell on other things we might have more in common.

You can connect with people desite having few things in common. Your closest friends should be the ones you grab unsuspectedly by the hand one day and scream, "Yare yare, yatto ohiru da!" (run through woods) ...Not the people you chat with about autosomal recession of hemochromatosis while drinking white chocolate mocha vanilla frappuccinos.

Honestly, I'm not deeply passionate about TMNT--although, I'm not deeply dispassionate either-- but I'm interested in making a friend or two.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Thankfully my friend never made fun of me or picked on me in any matter about my love for TMNT, but she made it pretty clear that she was far too mature to have any interest in comics, which I find kinda sad since I've always tried to help her gain some interest in that genre. Of course like some of you said not everyone has an open mind about that kinda stuff so I guess whenever I get the chance to talk with Dori again, it'll be better to dwell on other things we might have more in common.

If she thinks comics are just for kids, maybe you should point out that Sin City, V for Vendetta, 300, Road to Perdition, and A History of Violence were all adapted from comics. Heck, even some of the superhero stories are more complex and mature than they used to be.

I don't think there is anything wrong with fandom as long as you try to lead a well balanced life.Most people will hopefully see it as being a quirky aspect of your character, and not all that you are.

[Jephael]

Um, actually it's not so much the "kid" factor that bothers her, but just the unrealistic tone of the whole genre itself. She's been raised on some heavy religious values, but she's also level-headed enough to enjoy a good flick every now and then. It's just that she doesn't spend hours upon hours watching television like I do.

Anyway, Dori and I had a nice talk a couple weeks ago on the phone and we're now on good terms but we decided that now's not a good time to work on our friendship since our lives are each on a different path than the other.