I spend a lot of my internet time on the blogging site, Livejournal. (If you ever want to catch me over there, my screen name is the same as here, Jordi124) So I decided I would do an interest search for 'imaginary friends' and see what kinds of communities came up.
First off I noticed a TON of Foster's interest communities were listed. That was cool, but I was looking more for groups that wanted to share stories or thoughts about their personal friends.
Though the ones I did find haven't been posted in very recently, there were a few that dealt with that topic. Here are the links if you are curious to see what other people might be publicly posting about their experiences with imaginary friends:
imagine_nation - People with Imaginary Friends
imagin_friends - Imaginary Friends Annonymous
imaginedfancies - Castles in the Air
It tells you when you do a search on Livejournal, how many days or weeks ago a journal was updated and most of these ones say a pretty long time ago. I wish they were more active communities, because then I would join one of them. But even so, just the fact that they exist means that I'm not the only one around my age who still has an imaginary friend, or who likes to remember the one they had. And even if you don't have your friend anymore it's good to be able to say that you did have one and joke around about and laugh.
-Lauren & Jake
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Video!!
Oh my gosh! I found this wonderful independent film on youtube about imaginary friends. It's so sad and adorable at the same time.
It's 8 or so minutes long but I promise it's really well filmed and really cute.
I just kept hugging my Jake pillow through the whole film and saying to him, "aww I never denied my love for you!" But I think the film did do a great job of showing how some children do do things like blame their actions on their imaginary friends, or eventually cast them aside because of age or criticism from peers. I also liked how the film showed the friends devotion towards his creator although she treated him poorly, as if she still wanted him to love her when she had pushed him away.
I hope you liked that.
-Lauren & Jake
It's 8 or so minutes long but I promise it's really well filmed and really cute.
I just kept hugging my Jake pillow through the whole film and saying to him, "aww I never denied my love for you!" But I think the film did do a great job of showing how some children do do things like blame their actions on their imaginary friends, or eventually cast them aside because of age or criticism from peers. I also liked how the film showed the friends devotion towards his creator although she treated him poorly, as if she still wanted him to love her when she had pushed him away.
I hope you liked that.
-Lauren & Jake
Foster's
If you've never watched Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, well then I suggest you start. Whether you had an imaginary friend growing up or not it's an amazingly entertaining show, and luckily....it's about imaginary friends! So that means I get to talk about it!
Foster's (as it's more commonly called) is shown on the Cartoon Network rather often, so it's pretty easy to catch. The show is mainly about this giant house run by a little old lady nam
ed Madame Foster and her grand daughter, Frankie, where old, unwanted imaginary friends go to stay. Other families come to the house to adopt friends for their children...who apparently aren't imaginative enough to come up with their own imaginary friends.The main characters of the show are Mac and his friend Bloo. Bloo's full name is Blooregard Q Kazoo. Bloo lives at Foster's because Mac's parents wouldn't allow him to stay at their house anymore. But Madame Foster told Mac that if he came to visit Bloo everyday, he could stay in the mansion and no one would be allowed to adopt him.
In the picture to the left we have Coco, who can only say her name, yet everyone seems to know what she's saying. She can also lay plastic easter eggs that contain random items. Frankie, who helps take care of the house. Mr. Hariman, Madame Foster's imaginary friend from when she was little who also helps keep the house inhabitants in line. Wilt, who always apologizes for everything. Eduardo, who looks big and tough but is scared of most anything...and speaks Spanish. Then on the couch is Bloo, Madame Foster and Mac.The show deals mostly with Bloo causing trouble and Mac chasing after him trying to fix it. Most of their hour long specials are centered more on the actual theme of creating imaginary friends or adopting friends or where the friends came from. Either way, it's a very entertaining show.
-Lauren & Jake
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Imaginary Friends in the Media
I went and did a Google search for imaginary friends, and as always, one of the first items to pop up on the list was Wikipedia. Scrolling down to the bottom of the entry, I noticed a rather large list of movies and television shows where imaginary friends had either established roles or made one shot appearances.
I decided to pick and choose from the list, those that I thought would be most recognizable. Most have a standing role on the show/movie they appear in, and not so oddly enough, most tend to be cartoon characters.
Young boy, Calvin, with his imaginary friend Hobbes from the Sunday Funny, Calvin and Hobbes.
Mac (left) with his imaginary friend Blooregard Q Kazoo, more commonly known as Bloo. Both from the Cartoon Network animated series, Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends.
Jonny 2x4 with Plank, and imaginary friend who actually seems to be quite real at times. From the animated series Ed, Edd and Eddy.
The former Mr. Garrison with his imaginary puppet friend, Mr. Hat.
Tom Hanks in the movie Cast Away created an imaginary friend out of his blood smear Wilson vollyball, and aptly named it Wilson.
Snuffleupagus is the imaginary friend of Big Bird on Sesame Street. When he was first introduced, only Big Bird could see him, but later the show changed to allow all characters to be able to see Snuffy.
I decided to pick and choose from the list, those that I thought would be most recognizable. Most have a standing role on the show/movie they appear in, and not so oddly enough, most tend to be cartoon characters.
Young boy, Calvin, with his imaginary friend Hobbes from the Sunday Funny, Calvin and Hobbes.
Mac (left) with his imaginary friend Blooregard Q Kazoo, more commonly known as Bloo. Both from the Cartoon Network animated series, Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends.
Jonny 2x4 with Plank, and imaginary friend who actually seems to be quite real at times. From the animated series Ed, Edd and Eddy.
The former Mr. Garrison with his imaginary puppet friend, Mr. Hat.
Tom Hanks in the movie Cast Away created an imaginary friend out of his blood smear Wilson vollyball, and aptly named it Wilson.
Snuffleupagus is the imaginary friend of Big Bird on Sesame Street. When he was first introduced, only Big Bird could see him, but later the show changed to allow all characters to be able to see Snuffy.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
So I was watching The Fairly OddParents the other day, because yes, I still watch cartoons. In fact, that's pretty much all I watch. Anyway, they had an episode on entitled "Imaginary Gary". Gee, I wonder what this episode's about?
Well, Timmy Turner, the show's ten-year-old main character was apparently bored out of his mind. Even though he has Fairy God Parents that can give him anything he could possibly want, so that doesn't even make sense. Suddenly Timmy remembers his imaginary friend, Gary, that he used to play with when he was five. So, of course he wishes for Gary to become real, so he can play with him again. (...Why couldn't you just pretend to play with Gary again, Timmy? I mean, come on. You're ten, your childhood hasn't up and left you just yet.)
But that wouldn't leave for an interesting plot twist, right? So Gary turns into a real boy and Timmy gets super excited, wanting to play all the old five-year-old games they used to play. But Gary isn't exactly what Timmy imagined him to be. Rather then wanting to do everything Timmy does, like he would have been 'forced' to do while he was trapped in Timmy's imagination, he's now a rebellious jerk, who act kind of like the Fonz.
I've often 'wished' that Jake could become real. Though I doubt that if it somehow happened, it would be as bad as Timmy Turner's experience--I'm not a fan of Fonzie, sorry--I'm sure he wouldn't turn out as amazing as I imagine him.
Plus with Jake staying safe in my imagination, he's able to constantly mold and chance depending on what I want him to be like. Hell, if I wanted Jake to be a bloodthirsty elephant tomorrow, then he'd be one.
-Lauren & Jake
Well, Timmy Turner, the show's ten-year-old main character was apparently bored out of his mind. Even though he has Fairy God Parents that can give him anything he could possibly want, so that doesn't even make sense. Suddenly Timmy remembers his imaginary friend, Gary, that he used to play with when he was five. So, of course he wishes for Gary to become real, so he can play with him again. (...Why couldn't you just pretend to play with Gary again, Timmy? I mean, come on. You're ten, your childhood hasn't up and left you just yet.)
But that wouldn't leave for an interesting plot twist, right? So Gary turns into a real boy and Timmy gets super excited, wanting to play all the old five-year-old games they used to play. But Gary isn't exactly what Timmy imagined him to be. Rather then wanting to do everything Timmy does, like he would have been 'forced' to do while he was trapped in Timmy's imagination, he's now a rebellious jerk, who act kind of like the Fonz.
I've often 'wished' that Jake could become real. Though I doubt that if it somehow happened, it would be as bad as Timmy Turner's experience--I'm not a fan of Fonzie, sorry--I'm sure he wouldn't turn out as amazing as I imagine him.
Plus with Jake staying safe in my imagination, he's able to constantly mold and chance depending on what I want him to be like. Hell, if I wanted Jake to be a bloodthirsty elephant tomorrow, then he'd be one.
-Lauren & Jake
Sunday, October 7, 2007
So I talked with some of my friends, to see if any of them had imaginary friends when they were younger (or even if they still have them today), and the range of answers I got was pretty wide. When I sorted it all out, it seemed that having an imaginary friend could encompass more than just a make believe, invisible buddy.
Here's what I was able to break it down into:
Created Figures
This is the basic type of imaginary friend I stated above. Basically, it's when you need something more to interact with then what's around you, so you use your imagination to create an ideal friend.
These created figures can be any form: Human, animal, insect, monster, some hybrid form. Pretty much anything you can come up with.
Normally, this type of imaginary friend takes on traits that it's creator would ideally like to see in themselves. Shy people may create an outgoing friend or the friend's looks may reflect what the creator desires.
Jake is a great representation of this type of friend. Being an invisible, human form friend, he represents to me the strong, levelheadedness that I need when I'm facing a stressful situation.
Another example would be talking to stuffed animals or other inanimate objects. Say you were having a tea party with Mr. Snugglekins the stuffed bunny, Fluffywuggums the stuffed bear, and Sugarpuss the stuffed cat. But what Sugarpuss doesn't know is that Mr. Snugglekins and Fluffywuggums have been having a dirty affair behind his back for months. In this instance you are giving the inanimate objects personalities and essentially making them friends, even if they are doing horrible things to one another!
- - - - - - - - -
Pre-existent Figures
This type occurs when the creator's imaginary friend is a character that was previously created by another source.
Say for example, you're six years old and you've declared that Rainbow Bright is your official BFF. That would be a having a pre-existent figure as an imaginary friend. Rainbow Bright isn't really there with you, nor does she really exist, (SPOILER ALERT!) but going on imaginary journeys with her can still count her as your imaginary friend.
- - - - - - - - -
Self Insertion
Kinda similar to the last one, and it pretty much has to go hand in hand with it. Self insertion means creating a unique character for yourself to act as, and inserting that character into the plot of a pre-existing story line.
I'll give you a great example that my friend Liz told me. She used to watch the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when she was little. And who didn't! And like everyone (or at least everyone SHOULD have) she pretended she was friends with the Ninja Turtles.
If we stopped right there, it would be simply pre-existent imaginary friending..... BUT THERE'S MORE!!
Liz would pretend that she was Shredder's wife! (I'm sorry I think that's so great. Hahahaha. Ok back to the post.) So, since Liz invented a character for her to pretend to be while she was pretending to play with the Ninja Turtles, she was inserting herself into their pre-existing world.
- - - - - - - - -
Self Talk
This would be the most common form, I would think, for adults. Though I don't think many people would think just talking to yourself to be a form of imaginary friend, essentially that's all it is to begin with.
Here's what I was able to break it down into:
Created Figures
This is the basic type of imaginary friend I stated above. Basically, it's when you need something more to interact with then what's around you, so you use your imagination to create an ideal friend.
These created figures can be any form: Human, animal, insect, monster, some hybrid form. Pretty much anything you can come up with.
Normally, this type of imaginary friend takes on traits that it's creator would ideally like to see in themselves. Shy people may create an outgoing friend or the friend's looks may reflect what the creator desires.
Jake is a great representation of this type of friend. Being an invisible, human form friend, he represents to me the strong, levelheadedness that I need when I'm facing a stressful situation.
Another example would be talking to stuffed animals or other inanimate objects. Say you were having a tea party with Mr. Snugglekins the stuffed bunny, Fluffywuggums the stuffed bear, and Sugarpuss the stuffed cat. But what Sugarpuss doesn't know is that Mr. Snugglekins and Fluffywuggums have been having a dirty affair behind his back for months. In this instance you are giving the inanimate objects personalities and essentially making them friends, even if they are doing horrible things to one another!
- - - - - - - - -
Pre-existent Figures
This type occurs when the creator's imaginary friend is a character that was previously created by another source.
Say for example, you're six years old and you've declared that Rainbow Bright is your official BFF. That would be a having a pre-existent figure as an imaginary friend. Rainbow Bright isn't really there with you, nor does she really exist, (SPOILER ALERT!) but going on imaginary journeys with her can still count her as your imaginary friend.
- - - - - - - - -
Self Insertion
Kinda similar to the last one, and it pretty much has to go hand in hand with it. Self insertion means creating a unique character for yourself to act as, and inserting that character into the plot of a pre-existing story line.
I'll give you a great example that my friend Liz told me. She used to watch the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when she was little. And who didn't! And like everyone (or at least everyone SHOULD have) she pretended she was friends with the Ninja Turtles.
If we stopped right there, it would be simply pre-existent imaginary friending..... BUT THERE'S MORE!!
Liz would pretend that she was Shredder's wife! (I'm sorry I think that's so great. Hahahaha. Ok back to the post.) So, since Liz invented a character for her to pretend to be while she was pretending to play with the Ninja Turtles, she was inserting herself into their pre-existing world.
- - - - - - - - -
Self Talk
This would be the most common form, I would think, for adults. Though I don't think many people would think just talking to yourself to be a form of imaginary friend, essentially that's all it is to begin with.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
A little help from my friends
I thought about it, and figured that maybe I should provide the less knowledgeable (aka: those who've never had an imaginary friend) with some reference on how the process creating said friend is set into motion.
Below are links to how-to guides I found on www.wikihow.com for making imaginary friends, and my opinions on them.
How to make an Imaginary Friend
This guide does a great job of covering aspects your imaginary friend should have as well as things you and your friend should do. My favorite part that they included was, "make sure their personality will make them side with you almost all the time." Essentially, your imaginary friend is your ultimate best friend. You wouldn't want to create a friend that you would have imaginary fights with, instead your friend would be one to always be on your side and support you.
I liked how they included Tips and Warnings sections, though I would have to disagree with some of them:
-"Make sure they always wear a hat so you know where to look." If you're using your imagination to crate your friend to begin with, you really shouldn't need to carry a hovering hat around to show you "where" they are. You just imagine where they are and that's where they are. It's that simple.
-"If you ever get caught doing something wrong your imaginary friend is a good person to blame." Please don't do this. If you do something wrong, it's your fault and no one else's. Own up to your mistakes. Because seriously, saying your imaginary friend robbed the bank will sound a lot worse then just taking the blame yourself.
-"Never try to introduce your imaginary friend to real humans, they might think you're weird (ie. insane)." Not entirely true. Though some people might find the idea strange, a lot of people have had imaginary friends as children, have children with imaginary friends now, still talk to their imaginary friends, or even just talk to themselves (which is close ^^) All of my friends and family members know about my imaginary friend, Jake, and accept him. I have never once met hostility about it.
Other than those points, I think it works well as a simple how to guide to creating an imaginary friend.
- - - - - - - -
Step one of the above guide said to come up with a name, so here's a guide on how to do that:
How to Pick a Name for Your Imaginary Friend
Picking a name for your imaginary friend could be anywhere from super easy to really tedious. For me, it was easy. Jake Anderson was the first name that came to mind, so I figured that's what it was meant to be. Some friends may be more complex, though, with grand super powers and vibrant colors. You'll want a name that suits it, so choosing one can be a lot tougher.
This how-to guide did a great job of pointing out different aspects you could consider when trying to pick a name for your imaginary friend. I really loved the "make sure your name is nothing embarrassing for your imaginary friend" part. That shows just how personal creating an imaginary friend is. Besides, if you're going to tell your real friends about your imaginary one, and it has an embarrassing name, even you won't want to say it!
- - - -
So, I hope that helped someone. You should all go and create an imaginary friend now! I'm serious. Go and think up a fun little buddy (using the helpful guides above of course ^^) and then have them leave me a comment!
Oh and don't forget a great name!
-Lauren & Jake
Below are links to how-to guides I found on www.wikihow.com for making imaginary friends, and my opinions on them.
How to make an Imaginary Friend
This guide does a great job of covering aspects your imaginary friend should have as well as things you and your friend should do. My favorite part that they included was, "make sure their personality will make them side with you almost all the time." Essentially, your imaginary friend is your ultimate best friend. You wouldn't want to create a friend that you would have imaginary fights with, instead your friend would be one to always be on your side and support you.
I liked how they included Tips and Warnings sections, though I would have to disagree with some of them:
-"Make sure they always wear a hat so you know where to look." If you're using your imagination to crate your friend to begin with, you really shouldn't need to carry a hovering hat around to show you "where" they are. You just imagine where they are and that's where they are. It's that simple.
-"If you ever get caught doing something wrong your imaginary friend is a good person to blame." Please don't do this. If you do something wrong, it's your fault and no one else's. Own up to your mistakes. Because seriously, saying your imaginary friend robbed the bank will sound a lot worse then just taking the blame yourself.
-"Never try to introduce your imaginary friend to real humans, they might think you're weird (ie. insane)." Not entirely true. Though some people might find the idea strange, a lot of people have had imaginary friends as children, have children with imaginary friends now, still talk to their imaginary friends, or even just talk to themselves (which is close ^^) All of my friends and family members know about my imaginary friend, Jake, and accept him. I have never once met hostility about it.
Other than those points, I think it works well as a simple how to guide to creating an imaginary friend.
- - - - - - - -
Step one of the above guide said to come up with a name, so here's a guide on how to do that:
How to Pick a Name for Your Imaginary Friend
Picking a name for your imaginary friend could be anywhere from super easy to really tedious. For me, it was easy. Jake Anderson was the first name that came to mind, so I figured that's what it was meant to be. Some friends may be more complex, though, with grand super powers and vibrant colors. You'll want a name that suits it, so choosing one can be a lot tougher.
This how-to guide did a great job of pointing out different aspects you could consider when trying to pick a name for your imaginary friend. I really loved the "make sure your name is nothing embarrassing for your imaginary friend" part. That shows just how personal creating an imaginary friend is. Besides, if you're going to tell your real friends about your imaginary one, and it has an embarrassing name, even you won't want to say it!
- - - -
So, I hope that helped someone. You should all go and create an imaginary friend now! I'm serious. Go and think up a fun little buddy (using the helpful guides above of course ^^) and then have them leave me a comment!
Oh and don't forget a great name!
-Lauren & Jake
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
No Less Than Jake
"I've been all around this crummy world
And no one will defend
The comfort found in imaginary friends."
-Mono Puff
Well someone has to defend the honor of imaginary friends, and I shall gladly take on that duty!
Let me start by introducing myself. I'm Lauren, a red-haired, soft-spoken, 22 year-old from Long Island, New York. I'm an only child with a grand obsession for collecting, and can usually be caught talking to myself more than to other people.
. . . actually, that last part's a lie. If you ever catch me mumbling something when no one seems to be around, I'm not talking to myself. I'm chatting with my imaginary friend, Jake.
Don't laugh, 22 year-olds can have make believe pals too.
I first created Jake when I was in the 6th grade as a sort of, imaginary boyfriend. Now I know what you're thinking, and no. Jake isn't a giant, green, hairy monster type of imaginary friend. Why would I want to pretend I was dating that? That's just weird. In actuality, he's human. His full name is Jacob Anderson. He has short black hair and green eyes. His birthday is July 15, 1983, and he's just tall enough for my head to rest in the crook of his neck.
Aww, ain't that romantic?
. . . and that would be Jake trying to embarrass me. Anyway, ignoring him and continuing my post. Most of my friends and family know of Jake as a blue pillow that I bring everywhere. I use the pillow as something tangible for me to speak with or hold when I need to, because sometimes talking to air is just, not enough.
Let me start by introducing myself. I'm Lauren, a red-haired, soft-spoken, 22 year-old from Long Island, New York. I'm an only child with a grand obsession for collecting, and can usually be caught talking to myself more than to other people.
. . . actually, that last part's a lie. If you ever catch me mumbling something when no one seems to be around, I'm not talking to myself. I'm chatting with my imaginary friend, Jake.
Don't laugh, 22 year-olds can have make believe pals too.
I first created Jake when I was in the 6th grade as a sort of, imaginary boyfriend. Now I know what you're thinking, and no. Jake isn't a giant, green, hairy monster type of imaginary friend. Why would I want to pretend I was dating that? That's just weird. In actuality, he's human. His full name is Jacob Anderson. He has short black hair and green eyes. His birthday is July 15, 1983, and he's just tall enough for my head to rest in the crook of his neck.
Aww, ain't that romantic?
. . . and that would be Jake trying to embarrass me. Anyway, ignoring him and continuing my post. Most of my friends and family know of Jake as a blue pillow that I bring everywhere. I use the pillow as something tangible for me to speak with or hold when I need to, because sometimes talking to air is just, not enough.
(left to right)
Me, Jake (in pillow form), & my cousin Samantha
2003
Me, Jake (in pillow form), & my cousin Samantha
2003
When I entered college in 2003, Jake took on a new role in my life. He became my support system through all the anxious times I found myself facing. Whenever I was in a panic about something, I could hear Jake speaking to me, trying to calm me down. He helped me get though a lot of finals.
Today, Jake is still around and I'm not letting him go anytime soon. I think the main reason behind my still having an imaginary friend at my age is the fact that I'm an only child. I hate being alone. But with Jake around, I never really am.
-Lauren & Jake
Today, Jake is still around and I'm not letting him go anytime soon. I think the main reason behind my still having an imaginary friend at my age is the fact that I'm an only child. I hate being alone. But with Jake around, I never really am.
-Lauren & Jake
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