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A VIOLENT SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE
It's not without irony that I find myself more than willing to bury the hatchet with the science fiction and fantasy genres I've railed against and derided for most of my conscious existence.
I fell in love with my best friend, who watches Star Wars and Lord of the Rings movies religiously, reads manga novels, draws anime and even attends anime conventions in full Japanese cartoon character regalia. My pronounced disinterest for these hobbies has evaporated. Love will do that to a person.
Now, I imagine being with her, and I can envision watching a full-length anime film and enjoying every minute of it. Wrap my arm snugly around her shoulders on a cozy couch, and I'm pretty much ambivalent about what's playing on the television screen. But distraction is no substitute for genuine interest. I want to take a sincere interest in her hobbies, because what is important to her is important to me.
But even a conversion from snide anime critic to devoted anime enthusiast won't bring me a step closer to becoming the one she calls her own. I hope and pray otherwise, but I fear not even all the Jedi force in the universe can shield me from watching the love of my life walk away and entrust her secrets and dreams to someone who will never understand.
Not even Captain Kirk can save me now.
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