Heh, I've been a non abashed TF fan since 1984 (yeah, drew symbols on my hands even in high school). Literally, the only people I deal with who don't know, are the ones who don't pay me much attanetion, and even then they know.

 

I think my local paper reffered to me as 'uber fan', which I've always said 'It's more of a lifestyle thing'.

 

And there has never been any negative effects.

I also recently switched to AXE Cool Metal bodywash but that was because it looks like a T-1000 in a bottle. I'm pretty sure if bots and cons used bodywash they'd use this stuff though.

My wife wants to get a pink Autobot symbol tatoo somewhere (it'd be her first) and I plan on getting the Animated Elite Guard insignia on my right forearm (it'd be my second). Onslaught's idea of the OP tat sounds cool but even I'm not that dedicated....

I'm just not into tattoos, others that's cool, I just don't want any.

 

One instant, at OTFCC 04, I ate this amazing belgian waffle at the convention hotel (the Doubletree). Ever since then, whenever I eat a belgian waffle, it's simply to remember that weekend.

Yeah, sometimes it seems it's almost more about the memories than the Transformers themselves. I still get the same excitement as when I was a kid getting up early to catch TFs, G.I. Joe, and Thundercats. It's always cool to recapture that feeling however you do it.

I find myself favoring a red shirt when I were blue jeans because I think that's what Optimus Prime would wear if he were human.

 

I'm not gonna lie, that disturbs me slightly. But, this might be good for you...

http://www.80stees.com/products/Optimus-Prime-Costume-Transformers-T-shirt.asp

(just don't rock it with the Bieber hair cut like the douche in the pic)

 

But to answer your question... I'm a pretty boring day to day geek. If you saw me on the street you probably wouldn't notice much (except my stunningly handsome rugged features of course, but I digest...) The only thing that calls me out is the big Decepticon logo on my work bag. But once you get to know me... Oh shit.

The whole red shirt/blue jeans thing is not entirely without precedent. In an episode of TF Animated (I believe entitled "Human Error") Soundwave put the Autobots into a hypnotic trance and convinced them they had been turned into humans. In it Optimus sported blue jeans and a red jacket. So at least that particular aspect of my crazy has some outside influence! :P

Also, appreciate the link amigo!

The whole red shirt/blue jeans thing is not entirely without precedent. In an episode of TF Animated (I believe entitled "Human Error") Soundwave put the Autobots into a hypnotic trance and convinced them they had been turned into humans. In it Optimus sported blue jeans and a red jacket. So at least that particular aspect of my crazy has some outside influence! :P

Also, appreciate the link amigo!

 

Yeah almost mentioned that in my post figured you were well aware of it already. Hey, I was right.

As for the shirts I think I'd prefer the Soundwave one.

I've been meaning to get an Autobot tattoo on my left shoulder for about a decade. Though I still like the idea, I have a feeling the next decade may be just as busy.

 

I do lots of silly TF related things, but I don't think I let decisions be influenced by superficial relation to them.

 

However, I will say that my OCD collecting of Optimus Prime's has gone incontestable for so long that my family and friends have stopped questioning the bizzare importance I seem to attach to it. It has just be come a part of everyone's reality. It's like it's heart mediation.

 

IE:

 

"I HAVE to get this Prime, right now." = "I HAVE to get my heart medication, right now."

 

None of my family or friends questions this equivalency anymore.

I've been meaning to get an Autobot tattoo on my left shoulder for about a decade. Though I still like the idea, I have a feeling the next decade may be just as busy.

 

I do lots of silly TF related things, but I don't think I let decisions be influenced by superficial relation to them.

 

However, I will say that my OCD collecting of Optimus Prime's has gone incontestable for so long that my family and friends have stopped questioning the bizzare importance I seem to attach to it. It has just be come a part of everyone's reality. It's like it's heart mediation.

 

IE:

 

"I HAVE to get this Prime, right now." = "I HAVE to get my heart medication, right now."

 

None of my family or friends questions this equivalency anymore.

I think for me it's the fact that these are superficial relation to the TF product that makes them fun. I wouldn't however let that get in the way of common sense. If the V12 gave me a rash, I wouldn't be like "Oh God this hurts but it reminds me of Bumblebee!" I'd switch back to Gillette Cool Fusion and call it a day.

So do you collect every Optimus Prime (robot replica, gravity, 3rd party) or just every one from the "main" line (Legends through, say, Masterpiece)?

I've come to define it as collecting any 3 dimensional representation of Optimus Prime/Primal/Convoy. For instance, I'd get a third party pencil eraser that was molded to look like Prime's head, but I wouldn't get a hasbro eraser with a picture of Prime on it. I usually get remolds, but I only pick up repaints if they are in some way unique or cool in themselves. I also include Star Saber, I realize he technically is not a Prime, but by standards largely governed by my own preference, he counts in my collection. I haven't counted for quite a while but I'd guess I have around 400, not including the odd one or two... or twenty, I have a doubled MIP.

 

So yeah, I'm one to talk. Common sense was lost long ago.

I think the only way I openly show my geekness is when I'm wearing a Transformers shirt or hat. Otherwise people have little to no idea I'm into such things until they either see me staring in the toy aisle or at the time I'm buying the figures.

 

Then again, when it's out, I have no trouble opening up about it. I always found it funny when a friend says it's a good way to turn off women, yet I've had more cute young women just openly start talking to me about them in a store than anything.

 

 

I think most people find it curious and perhaps kinda cool. Problem is, same people will talk about that shit behind your back and make jokes when you're not around. But I think really people envy it when they start to talk crap about it. When people realize you have something you truly enjoy and brings you happiness and they realize they don't, that can turn into them making hurtful comments and behaviors that can bring you down if you let it.

 

Trick is never letting it. People judge others most when they are the least fulfilled in their own lives. That's one of the biggest ways people can be cruel to each other on a day to day basis. What's worse, people don't always realize they do it. It's reflex.