What Is A Fandom?

So what is a "Fandom"?  A definition of  Fandom is a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of empathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest. In my case the "fandom" I belong to are known as "Evil Regals" who follow the TV Series "Once Upon A Time" and are loyal to "The Evil Queen" played by the talented Lana Parrilla.  

 How did I get into the "fandom"?  Will I don't really know other than one night I decided to watch something on Netflix and "Once Upon A Time" seemed like a good choice.  Well after the pilot I was hooked.  Then I started reading about Lana Parrilla on line.  I created a Twitter account, where at the time Lana communicated with her fans, and my world opened up.  I have made some of my best friends through this fandom but it has come at a price.  The price that I have neglected some of the friends I had before the fandom.  It was hard for me to include both of them in my life and found I was picking.  I mean I love this fandom and all it has offered me but to try and explain that to someone who is not in a fandom, does not know who Lana Parrilla is, or why I would be spending my time traveling the earth to see Lana and other friends is a SMH moment times 1000, LOL.  Hell, I get it from my own family so why have my friends add to the mix.  So, my hope is by writing this blog they will come to understand me and this part of my life better.

 The thing is this is part of my life now.  It is not for everyone and I get that not everyone is going to understand it, but it makes me happy.  It's not just about Lana it's about the difference I seem to make in the lives of women I have met.  Most of the women and men are 20 to 30 years younger then I am, but we talk about their life struggles.  I give them support and advice from a woman who is 54 (soon to be 55), married for 28 years, several teenage kids (mine and related to me), so yes I have been around the block a few times.  They want to feel validated, accepted, but most of all they want to feel that someone cares enough to really listen to them. 

 So this is my first of many blogs about this fandom, the people I've met, the joy it brings, and the drama I may encounter along the way.  I have also learned many life lessons about trust, loyalty, and the true meaning of being kind and genuine.  

 So stay tuned and read along.  This is all from my perspective and situations that have happened to me (and there have been plenty), but really it's about my life and sharing this part of it with you.

 All My Love,

 Rae 💗
Location: Virginia, USA

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