Oh yeah, the B**** is Back... To Spuffy! :)

Wishing Oceans

I don't think, I know.
Joined
Nov 9, 2008
Messages
2,103
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, today is April 2nd, 2010. So guess what? Oh yeah, the b*tch is back. :biggrin3:

In case you have been hiding under a rock this month 😉, I'll explain what I mean. So, exactly one month ago, I decided to follow White Avenger's lead and become a Bangel for one whole month. My good friend Becky (JoanTheVampireSlayer) joined me on this mission, and so for an entire month we terrorized the spuffy community and put a light in the hearts of our Bangels.

Why did we do this? I'm sure that for those of you who were too afraid or didn't care enough to ask me 😉, it's a puzzling question. As you guys probably know, Becky and I are some of the biggest, best, most infamous, and most adamant Spuffies on BB. Of course, as I learned this month, part of "˜shipping is usually more than just loving a "˜ship: Unfortunately, it's about misunderstanding the opposing "˜ship.

I have and will probably again openly admit that I simply didn't get Bangel. Or, as an extension, Bangelers. I feel that not understanding the thought process of practically half of a community is DEFINITELY nothing to be proud of, so part of this trek really was simply trying to get to know what my fellow BBers are thinking. 🙂

But anyway, before I collaborate on that, I'm going to back pedal to the others reasons that I have about why I switched sides. As I disclosed to Becky"¦

"˜So, as my comrade in fighting (Ahem, loving) the completely NOT boring, exciting, funny, and happy 'ship of Bangel (Lol, this sarcasm thing could be fun! ), I feel I must disclose to you the real reason that I decided to become a Bangel for a month:

To prove that I'm a spuffy. I can and do openly admit all the time that I don't understand Bangel. I don't like it, I don't think it's interesting, and I honestly don't know why the fantastic Bangelers like us exist at all. Like, how in the world could ANYONE love Bangel more than Spuffy?

And because of that, I think that I'm not the best judge of which 'ship is truly "better", per se. I'm biased, and I don't understand one of the two 'ships. So, my opinion doesn't count for much.

But, I was then inspired to become a BANGEL for a month. As a Bangel, I will learn what Bangel truly is and why people love it. I'll learn the appeal, and get the inside scoop on all things Bangel.

After a month, I'm sure that I'll be able to say in an honest voice (or rather type...) that I understand Bangel, I can enjoy the moments they have together, but overall I think that Spuffy is the superior 'ship.

And since I will soon be a huge fan of both, it'll be true. So I'll be able to say once and for all that I've experienced both, but I like Spuffy more.

So, really, it's like a spiritual journey. I view 'Ships kinda like religions, so I'm learning an entire new side that I've never experienced. New friends, new debates, new perspectives. Plus, I'm sure that I'll learn tons about Angel, Buffy, AND Spuffy with this new program. And by the end, I'm sure I'll love, appreciate, and understand Spuffy even more, AND I'll get to go through the experience of a lifetime. "˜

So, for those of you that thought I was secretly in love with Bangel and this month was my guilty pleasure, well, you're WRONG! 😀

Of course, as time went by, my reasons for bangelism started changing. See, at first, I was the exact same kind of Bangel that White Avenger was: Sarcastic about the whole thing. It was evident by my wording that I was just a big faker. And I kept that up for couple of days. But then, after speaking to a couple of Bangels, namely Kean, I realized that in order to make this month have meaning, I needed to be Bangel, and I needed it to be real.

It was difficult, suffice to say. I had to take what I thought would be a "bangely" opinion, then search deep inside myself to find the Bangel within me and bring her out in order to make my posts more honest. I spent a lot of time listening and watching Bangel fan videos. I watched more Bangel episodes than ever before.

But despite the slight pain of leaving my most beloved "˜ship, I must admit, this has been a wonderful month for me. I've made lots of new friends, and have really gotten to know what it's like on the other side.

Bangelers are not the slightly insane, in denial, and misguided people that I've always (lovingly) assumed them to be. No, they're MUCH more than that, and most (or rather all) of them are some of the nicest people I've ever had the honor of speaking with.

I'll admit it, the first week was ROUGH. It seemed like the Bangels just really didn't want me in their Sanctuary (which I now totally understand) and I was afraid that I'd never be accepted by them. But now I feel just as at home in the Bangel Forum as I do in the Spuffy forum.


As for Spuffy? Well, I had an easier time letting go of it then I'd originally presumed. I can't even remember the last Spuffy fanfic I read, and Spuffy videos bored me. Of course, this isn't to say that I went all-out Bangel. Quite the contrary. In the beginning, since I couldn't have my Spuffy, I guess I kinda cheated by instead divulging in my other favorite "˜ships, namely Cangel and Dangel. I also started rewatching both shows, and I now love every character more than ever before. And, since sometime when I was halfway through the month I started positively salivating for a Spuffy fic, I instead turned to my favorite Harry Potter couple (Lily and James) that's so similar to Spuffy I often confuse the two. :biggrin3:

But anyway, I'm going to fast-forward this to the part of me getting to know my fellow BBers: As I aforementioned, the Bangelers are a lot more brilliant than we Spuffies give them credit for. For example, not too long ago I came up with a new religion, Keanism :tongue3: . I can now honestly say that I understand the Bangels and how they think, and that I even partially agree. In fact, I MORE than partially agree.

Being a Bangel has really altered my entire Btvs reality. My perspectives on my "˜ships have COMPLETELY changed, and I'm honestly rethinking this whole "˜shipping business.

But I know what you're all thinking: Oriana has decided to stay Bangel. Well, as much as I hate to disappoint you guys, I still enjoy Spuffy more. 🙂 I do think that Bangel has a more powerful love. I do think that Bangel is a heck of a lot more likely to happen than Spuffy. I do think that Bangel had friendship. I do think that Bangel was beautiful. I do think that Bangel is, to say it frankly, the more epic "˜ship. It definitely surpasses Spuffy.

But guess what guys? I. Don't. Care. I'm sure that Bangel is the "superior" "˜ship, more or less, but honestly? I couldn't care less. I enjoy watching Spuffy more, and I'm more interested in THEIR love journey than Bangels. And really, that's what "˜shipping is all about.

I'll confess, I DID go through a time (on the tenth day) where I thought that Bangel really would be the ending couple. I had just read the comics, and boy, were things not looking good for Spuffy! I was honestly scared that Bangel really did have that
"Forever Love"
and
unsurpassable love
, and
there really had always been a "Them"
. And then I realized: I don't care. If THAT'S what forever love looks like, then I don't want it. Spuffy went out in glorious style, in beauty, and in love. That's more than I ever could have dreamed of in the ending of a "˜ship. 🙂

But anyway, as of now I have a recommendation: Die-hard Bangels, try being Spuffy for a month! By doing so, you can reinforce your love of Bangel, and get to know and understand your fellow BBers a LOT better. We're not as stupid as some of you probably think that we are. Come on, you know you want to! It's actually a lot of fun. Who knows, maybe you'll learn something about Spuffy that you never thought of before. Maybe you'll leave the month loving Spuffy, yet still enjoying Bangel more. What do you have to lose?

So, give it a try!

But anyway, as I told you guys, I have a bit of a surprise"¦

I'm going to be Bangel for another month. Maybe. I'm kinda hesitant, I mean, there's only so much Bangel that I can take. So I've come up with a plan: If five or more BBers tell me, whether it's through p.m.', rep, posts, or facebook, that I should continue Bangeling for another month, then I will. So far, one person has told me that I should remain a Bangel for a month. So, if four other people chip in by the end of the week, I will. If not, then I'll stay Spuffy, indefinitely.

Now, I'm sure that most of you are INCREDIBLY confused as to why I made this slightly drastic choice. Well, actually, it mostly involves Miss Kean. As most of you know, only a couple of days ago she made me have a MAJOR Bangel epiphany. It was the first time anything Bangel had really gotten through to me, and it gave me a wonderful feeling of finally figuring out a difficult problem in math class. And then of course realizing that the answer had been in front of me all the while. And it just made me realize that, wow, I spent a month as a Bangel, and my first breakthrough was in the last couple of days! So, I thought to myself, well, if I stayed a Bangel for another month, then I'd REALLY get to know Bangel! This is good.

Of course, don't get me wrong, I've been planning to stay for another month for at least a week. A month just doesn't seem long enough for what I'm trying to do. But, then I thought, you know, I'm one of the Biggest Spuffies ever! You can't strap me away from the Spuffy side of the war for nothing! (sw) Which is why I made it so at least five people had to tell me to stay. 🙂

And, just so you guys know, if I do become a Bangel for another month, then I'll be much different. Like, I'll go back to the way I was when I was Spuffy, only I'll be Bangel. So I'll act all hard-core and stuff. Just so you know.

And FINE, I'll admit it... I'm also slightly afraid to completely go back to the Spuffy side of town. :X3: I've been gone so long... It's harder than you'd think to completely snap back to your regular self. 😀 And, as they say, you can only hide behind a mask for so long until you forget what you look like underneath.

So, what do you think, want me as a Bangel or a Spuffy?
 
Kean
Kean
If being Bangel involves you having to "pretend" then a month, a year, whatever, it won't matter. If you think you are on to something now and want to explore it more than continue butseriously hun, you shouldn't be looking for ANY of our approval.
X
xaphania
I think that you can't really "be" another ship through a kind of pretence... either you like it, or you don't. Why not just enjoy posting in both ships forums? You don't necessarily have to declare yourself one or the other... post in both.
Joan the Vampire Slayer
Joan the Vampire Slayer
Welcome back to the Spuffy world!
Aw, I'm glad you and Joan understand Bangel more! 🙂

& I say -- the longer you're Bangel, the better! 😀
 
Angelic Slayer
Angelic Slayer
Speaking of Bangel-- ack! I'm so in love with your sig :)
I say follow your heart 😉

Hm... Well, you all know that I'm a Spuffy girl at heart... 🙂

But I really think that I'm onto something with Bangel! Not 'shipping it, but figuring out what it really is, why people love it so much. It's kinda like... A scientific experiment for me. 🙂 And I love science. 😀

Kean agrees: If being Bangel involves you having to "pretend" then a month, a year, whatever, it won't matter. If you think you are on to something now and want to explore it more than continue butseriously hun, you shouldn't be looking for ANY of our approval.

But that's the whole point of this skirmish. 😀 I'm hoping that after a while it won't actually be pretending, it will be genuine. And so I should explore it further. 🙂

And it's not really an approval thing as much as a "I-Can't-Believe-I'd-Actually-Stay-Bangel-For-This-Long" kind of thing, which you can't jump into without some bribery. (sw)

Aw, I'm glad you and Joan understand Bangel more!

& I say -- the longer you're Bangel, the better!

So, you think that I should stay another month? 🙂 If so then, *checks box*, two down, three to go! 🙂
 
G
GrrArghx
I do!! :)
Hm... Well, you all know that I'm a Spuffy girl at heart... 🙂

But I really think that I'm onto something with Bangel! Not 'shipping it, but figuring out what it really is, why people love it so much. It's kinda like... A scientific experiment for me. 🙂 And I love science. 😀

I think Joan was onto something yesterday when she said that she didn't connect with Bangel because she could not relate to what Buffy and Angel have together, it doesn't reflect anything of her life. I think that is a huge part of why ships pick you rather than you picking ships.

I haven't had the epic love but I believe in its possibilities and its power and so Bangel resonates in me.

Alot of what Spuffy is I don't believe in so I don't "get it".
 
Wishing Oceans
Wishing Oceans
[No message]
white avenger
white avenger
That's not what you said in our last Adopt-A...opps. Forget I said anything. Anonymity for the time being.
I think Joan was onto something yesterday when she said that she didn't connect with Bangel because she could not relate to what Buffy and Angel have together, it doesn't reflect anything of her life. I think that is a huge part of why ships pick you rather than you picking ships.

I haven't had the epic love but I believe in its possibilities and its power and so Bangel resonates in me.

Alot of what Spuffy is I don't believe in so I don't "get it".

Yeah, it's the same for me. 🙂 My "love stories" have all been more similar to Spuffys than anything else, so I really get it.
xaphania agrees: I think that you can't really "be" another ship through a kind of pretence... either you like it, or you don't. Why not just enjoy posting in both ships forums? You don't necessarily have to declare yourself one or the other... post in both.

Maybe so, but I don't think that I'd ever truly "Get" Bangel without dedicating my whole to it. 🙂 Otherwise, I'd be too wrapped on in Spuffy to see it clearly.

And really guys, as I said, I'm not sure about returning to Spuffy quite yet...
 
Maybe so, but I don't think that I'd ever truly "Get" Bangel without dedicating my whole to it. 🙂 Otherwise, I'd be too wrapped on in Spuffy to see it clearly.

Maybe so, but I dunno... if you're going to go Bangel for another month and as you say, post about it but without really believing in it... seems kind of strange to me. Perhaps I just don't see the point in declaring to be one or the other when you could just post in both forums and enjoy both ships.
 
Maybe so, but I dunno... if you're going to go Bangel for another month and as you say, post about it but without really believing in it... seems kind of strange to me. Perhaps I just don't see the point in declaring to be one or the other when you could just post in both forums and enjoy both ships.

Actually, I lot of what I say about Bangel nowadays (the good stuff) is true. Maybe not 100% true in my brain, but in my heart. 🙂 I think of Bangel as something that you really have to feel to get, not analyze.

As for enjoying both... Well, you'd get what I mean if you tried being Bangel for a month... Probably. :biggrin3: (Although, for some reason, I CANNOT imagine you as a Bangel... It's so wrong in my mind... 😉 )
 
As for enjoying both... Well, you'd get what I mean if you tried being Bangel for a month... Probably. :biggrin3: (Although, for some reason, I CANNOT imagine you as a Bangel... It's so wrong in my mind... 😉 )

Okay, I just don't get it, lol.

And I believe in Spike/Buffy too much I can't even contemplate trying to like Buffy/Angel. If I did, anything I said would be a lie, so...
 
Ditto what xaphania said. I don't care why people like Bangel. Good for them, I'm just glad I don't have to 😛 My real-life relationships haven't been much like either Bangel or Spuffy. I tend to not like overly emotional, melodramatic sappiness. I do like humor and chemistry. So there you have it 😉
 
I think that everyone here should try trading ships for awhile. Even if you can't handle it for a whole week, you can try for a week. If you have any confidence in what you believe, you can survive the experience, and you will definitely come away with a different view of the people who you had thought of only as the ones who were wrong. You will begin to see them as dedicated, sincere fans, supporters of what they believe to be the best relationship, the ONLY relationship, that Buffy could be a part of. They'll still be wrong, but at least you'll be able to understand their sincerity.

So far, we've had three Spuffies who believe strongly enough in their resolve to take the challenge. Surely there must be one Bangel out there brave enough to stand the test. Then again, if you really don't trust your resolve that much, maybe you should just stay there where it's comfortable. We've got the big dogs over here. Puppies just don't last long.
 
Eh. I'm pretty good at playing devil's advocate and I'm sure I'd survive. I'm just not interested. Sounds dull.
 
X
xaphania
Agreed. I think I'd die of boredom within the first few days.
I'm confident enough in my own beliefs to know what is right for me and what isn't. I've known from the very beginning that Spuffy was not my thing, I won't pretend now that I feel any differently.
 
white avenger
white avenger
Einstein and Newton were both Spuffies. Fred Einstein and Harry Newton, but still, point taken.
Eh. I'm pretty good at playing devil's advocate and I'm sure I'd survive. I'm just not interested. Sounds dull.

Actually, it's not as boring as you'd think. 🙂 Not my top lifestyle, but a valid one. 😀
I'm confident enough in my own beliefs to know what is right for me and what isn't. I've known from the very beginning that Spuffy was not my thing, I won't pretend now that I feel any differently.

Of course, nobody does the 'ole "switcheroo" to see if they enjoy the other 'ship more, they do it to understand the show, the characters, and their fellow BBers more. 🙂
 
Of course, nobody does the 'ole "switcheroo" to see if they enjoy the other 'ship more, they do it to understand the show, the characters, and their fellow BBers more. 🙂

I dunno, I think I understand the show just fine in the way that I want to understand it. I understand Buffy/Angel but I just don't like it. I may not get it in the way a Bangel does, but even if I 'switched sides' I don't think I ever would.

It's good that the exercise worked for you, though. I just think for most people it would be futile, LOL.

As for understanding fellow BBers, I just tell myself this.
 
The boredom thing is a valid point too, I mean what makes the show/fic/art/discussion interesting for me is intrinsically Bangel related, whether it's them as a couple or as individual characters. Spike though? Absolute snorefest as far as I am concerned. I'd be as bored as Buffy looked when she and Spike were comshucking by the dumpster outside the Doublemeat Palace 😛 I couldn't even pretend to care about Spike or his journey.

To be honest you have to be willing to do the the "switcheroo", if you are doing it because someone else has put pressure on you to do it, well it's a waste of yours and pretty much everyone else's time.
 
E
Eleftheria
hahaha! lol at the comshucking!!!Indeed she looked bored!
Wishing Oceans
Wishing Oceans
Lol, that Doublemeat Palace scene just got BURNED... ;)
Can't you just love and appreciate both ships? :smile3:

---------- Post added at 09:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 PM ----------

I may be alone but my views on the matter seem to change depending on whatever scene i am watching. Like to day i'll watch a clip with Sanctuary where Buffy sees Angel holding Faith and you can see how hurt she is. For a moment i'am thinking Bangel all the way.

Then i'll watch the scene from Chosen where Buffy admits to Spike she was "with him too" when they spent the night together. Suddenly i'll flip over to being a Spuffy.

Both ships work. Originally when i came on the forum i was a Bangel but that was mainly due to me just having watched season 2. My view still is that Buffy will never stop Angel yet Spike is more of a fun themed relationship but the love is still there.
 
X
xaphania
[No message]
Can't you just love and appreciate both ships? :smile3:

Honestly? No, I don't think everyone can. I know I can't. But that's fine too, once you are respectful of each other's views.

We joke and banter, we just have to be careful to not cross the line which I think has been helped by the introduction of the new shipper forums.

We don't have to like the same things to be friends, we just have to remember that not liking the same things does not make us enemies.

🙂
 
T
thevikingsgirl
I can't either. And you have to want to change ;)
I think that it's funner to love one 'ship more, then we can all banter about which one is really better. (sw) I don't really care what side I'm on anymore, as long as I can still argue! :X3:
 
Dear Wishing Oceans you had the wonderful opportunity to be in our Bangel comnnunity for a month. I am more than happy that you and Joan understood Bangel. Understanding is a great step for liking sth sometimes. I can't tell you what to do, Spuffy or Bangel. In my heart I believe that you can only choose one of the two. Cause in my mind they are totally different. But do whatever your heart tells you sweetie.:smile3:

And about what white avenger said...I don't think everyone should switch ships. I could never do that. Cause everytime I try to see love in spuffy I failed. I watched all buffy seasons and I couldn't feel it. I respect what other people believe in, but I love my ship from the moment that that I saw it and I will always believe in them.I am certain about my opinion.
 
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