Watch What You Say · 12:15pm Oct 18th, 2012
Morning all (it's 6:55 AM here, about to head off to work). Felt like posting this. Had to say it to someone, and my friends aren't really an option.
Tuesday night, I was participating in my historical fencing class, when me and two of my older friends (probably early 40's), were all talking about how Eric had a wife who was real big into Star Trek. I'm a fan of some of the shows, and watch The Next Generation quite a bit, actually, so we talked about when Eric and his wife who went to The Star Trek Experience the last year it was in operation. We're finishing up the conversation when Jeff, who was also talking with us, got up and made an off-hand remark.
"Well, it could be worse. She could be one of those My Little Pony people; the Bronies, I think they're called."
Let's pause for a second. Jeff is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Always considerate, he knows when to bite his tongue to defuse a situation, he gives time to charity, takes pains to make sure he doesn't look down on anyone or rain on someone's parade.
I know it was off-hand. I know he didn't mean anything by it. But I'm still offended. Never mind the MLP part - the entire premise begins with the idea that there's something wrong with Star Trek people (Trekkers) in the first place. Well, that group includes me, too. Is there some issue with me liking and wanting to watch Star Trek occasionally in my time off? I know there are those who take it a bit far (and Eric's wife may well be one), but even if that's so, I think we all have something we care about a little too much. You could probably make the case that all of us on here care about MLP "a bit too much".
Who cares? Are we hurting people? Are we breaking laws? Are we causing discomfort outside out own circle? I don't think so. Only a few of my friends are aware I'm even interested in MLP - mostly because of my own insecurities about it. So I've hid it from most of them. The four that I have told it to are a bit special - 3 of them are extremely tolerant, and won't razz on me for it (not too much anyway - a little here and there is fine), and one was also a Brony, much to my surprise. I never would have guessed. Turns out he has models of Twilight and 2 others in his room. Something I need to get. But other people I know are less tolerant.
My friend Mark, who is typically a good guy, relays one story to me. Whenever he plays World of Tanks, he occasionally sees a teammate type in, just as the match is starting, "For Equestria!" He somehow sees fit to respond by blowing up his tank. His reasoning (which isn't completely serious), "It's just so fucking stupid, I have to shoot his tank in the rear until it blows up. Just have to." With friends like that, who needs enemies right?
So I haven't told him, and haven't told most of the people I know. Because they would act differently toward me, I think. But why should they? I'm still me. I haven't changed my personality or my other interests. I haven't shut down my life to write fan fiction. I still go to work, I still go on dates with my girlfriend, I still sit with my friends to play Dungeons and Dragons. I'm still me. This one other interest doesn't change that.
You might want to reconsider if they really are your friends, or you can try and prove them wrong.
I myself am open with my bronism. (does not wear pony shirt only because cannot get one)
I myself dont mind if people know that ima brony, i just dont bring it up. If someone asked me if i was one then id say yes. Trust me every once in a while i find out that some of my friends arent really my friends. And thats ok, i mean who wants to hang around with an intolerant jerk, right?
430796 You're braver than I am Zel. I wouldn't dare openly proclaim my fandom.
430812 I also don't bring it up. If someone were to ask me directly, I think I would be evasive at first, and try to change the subject. If pressed, I like to think I would be honest, but I'm not sure I would. As I said in the text, this is something I'm insecure about.
430828
Well thats okay people deal with these things differently just make sure that you dont think anyless of yourself.
430854 I think less of myself for a lot of reasons. MLP is not one of them.
People are allowed to be intolerant about certain things. By which I mean you can be against something wholeheartedly. But it shouldn't be about unimportant things. Abortion. The death penalty. Nationalized healthcare. These are important, difficult issues that you are allowed to have a strong opinion on.
A person's interests that they pursue in their free time? Why should anyone care? I just don't understand.
I'm going to watch you just because of this blog. I feel you bro, but you should really just come out and say it. My friends were the same way, so I decided one day to expose the fact that I was "one of them." I think that drove the point home to them that we aren't odd at all for liking a TV show. Some things just click with certain people. and MLP clicked with me.
Also, Jean-Luc has something to say about this blog.
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435798 That made my day. Thank you.
The Picard picture is the best. I should be able to know what episode that picture is from based on how much I've watched recently. But I can't pin it down.
I may come clean to those I haven't said anything to yet eventually. But not yet. I appreciate the support, though.