Special Interests

I really like Sailor Moon.

I’ve watched every episode (and the movies) of the original anime multiple times, as well as all of Sailor Moon Crystal, watched the live action version repeatedly, read and re-read the manga (including Sailor V), seen every fansubbed video of the stage musicals at least once. I’ve been active in fan forums, including two role-playing communities. I can sing along to “Moonlight Densetsu” and “La Soldier,”¹ in Japanese, although lets perhaps not discuss my pronunciation.² I memorized the little introduction speech.³

Figurines of Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion sat atop our wedding cake.

In grade 6 I watched Star Wars for the first time. It became my whole life. I watched the movies over and over again. I read the books. I wore the white dress and put my hair in buns for Hallowe’en⁴ several times. I did school projects about dialogue from the movies and the life of Carrie Fisher. I rode my bike through the woods, pretending I was on Endor.

I went to a dance at my cousin’s school where she introduced me to her friends like this: “This is my cousin Laura, she thinks she’s Princess Leia.”

In high school, I was in all of the choirs. I spent most of my lunch hours in rehearsal. The main school choir, Vocal Jazz, girls’ choir, boys’ choir. I think my lifetime total is at least twelve choirs, plus some non-choir musical projects. I’ve been in probably close to twenty musicals. My first university degree was in music. I couldn’t really imagine doing anything else. I met Adam through music. It’s still a focal point in my life.

I’ve spent a lot more time (and money) on these interests than some people would consider healthy. I’ve been told many times that I’m “obsessed” about things. These days I have a different framing of it: “highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus” is criterion B-3 in the DSM diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Or, perhaps somewhat controversially, autistic special interests.⁵

This is not a comprehensive list of all the things I’ve ever been interested in, nor is it meant to be, but perhaps I have conveyed that when I’m interested in something, I live and breathe it.

When I was at my worst point, I wasn’t engaging in any of these interests. I stopped singing for several years. I’m not sure whether the depression led to the lack of music or vice versa, but I’ve learned to give myself time with the things that fill me with joy. Autistic or not, I think that’s a practice more people should take up.

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¹ These are the theme songs for the anime and the stage musicals.

² I do my best.

³ “Ai to seigi no sera fuku bishoujo senshi, Sailor Moon! Tsuki ni kawatte, oshioki yo!”

⁴ I’ve actually had two (sewn from a pattern) versions of this dress, one as a kid and one as an adult.

⁵ Some people consider the term “special interests” infantilizing. Many don’t. (I don’t.)

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1. AUTISM IN MY LIFE
2. SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL RECIPROCITY
3. NONVERBAL COMMUNICATIVE BEHAVIOURS
4. RELATIONSHIPS
5. STIMMING
6. SAMENESS AND ROUTINES
7. SPECIAL INTERESTS ← you are here!