In the same way that the word 'alcoholic' can be used to describe someone who loves alcohol, a Nalaholic is someone who loves Nala. The similarity ends with the word, however.
Nalaholics are not crazy. Nor are they immature. They are just ordinary people who love Nala. She may be an animated lioness, but, to a Nalaholic, She is perfect (or purrfect?). They love Her with all their heart, and will not allow a word to be spoken against Her. Nalaholics come from all corners of the globe.
Acknowledged Nalaholics regularly interact with each other at a place called Nalaholics Anonymous (or NA, as it is known to them.) and also on IM programs such as Yahoo! Messenger or MSN. They are brought together by their common love for Nala, and their desire to be with others who feel that same love. Nalaholics are not obsessed little boys who have just seen 'The LOOK', (I'm this year, and not the oldest Nalaholic by any means. In fact, I'm one of the younger ones) but can be any age, race, culture or gender. The Nalaholic community is extremely diverse and universally accepting. If you love Nala, you are automatically welcome. I have been an Acknowledged Nalaholic since November 2004. 'Acknowledged Nalaholic' is my own term for someone that understands and accepts that they are Nalaholic.
'the LOOK'
Nearly all Nalaholics have at least one 'Nala plushie' (apart from the unfortunate Nalaholics who are unable to find one, as they are, sadly, extremely rare) I currently have three, as you can see below:
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My Purring Nala Plushie |
My hybrid Nala/Sarabi Plushie (Sarabi's markings, Nala's eyes) |
My 18" Nala Plushie |
Many Nalaholics also have a 'Nala shrine' which is a shelf or similar, dedicated to Nala. I do not currently have one, due to lack of space and the fact that I don't live in one place for more than a few weeks at a time. (I'm either at school, or at home). The contents of a 'Nala shrine' are usually various forms of Nala merchandise. (not usually plushies, as they share the bed with the Nalaholic!). I do have a wall that is dedicated to Big Cats, however, and about half of that is Nala-related.
I also have a WinAMP playlist of songs that make me think of Nala. Currently, it is over 4 hours 30mins long. Below is a list of the tracks on it:
| Playlist: Nala | |
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - the Beatles |
Automatic high - S-Club Juniors |
The songs marked with an asterisk (*) are actual TLK songs, taken from the TLKoB soundtrack. (the Original Broadway Cast Recording)
You may have noticed that most of them are love songs...
I would probably have one or two from Grease as well, if my Grease CD wasn't so badly scratched. It is totally unreadable to any kind of drive. It is a total mystery how that happened.
Some of the song titles above are abbriviated. They are explained below:
CYFTLT = Can You Feel The Love Tonight
CWtbK = Can't Wait to be King
other abbriviations used in the Nalaholic/TLK communities:
CoL = Circle of Life
TLKoB = The Lion King on Broadway (The Lion King musical, not specifically in NY, but all over)
SP = Simba's Pride (TLK2: Simba's Pride)
CoTPL = Chronicles of The PrideLands (fanfiction, very wide-ranging. Gives details about Mufasa and Taka's (Scar) cubhood, and other things, including an alternative story to SP, in which Simba and Nala's cub is male)
Nalaholics have a pledge that we recite ten times a day. It is reproduced below, with the kind permission of NA-Admin, our community administrator.
The Nalaholic Pledge:
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I hereby admit to the world, and myself, that I am a Nalaholic. I acknowledge Nala as the hottest thing on four legs. I declare to all, that although there are great characters in the Lion King, Nala is the best. For no reason should I fear my feelings towards this lioness because I believe them to be wholly due.
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If after reading all of this, you still don't understand Nalaholism, then don't worry, you are not alone. Very few people who are not Nalaholic understand us. We're used to it. Don't be frightened because you don't understand, we're completely harmless. We just love a beautiful animated lioness...
Disclaimer: This page is not endorsed by Nalaholics Anonymous (NA) and any opinions expressed here are solely those of the Nalaholic who wrote this, That means that just because I've said something doesn't mean that all Nalaholics agree with me, some of them might, others might not.