having an active imagination and using it for entertainment purposes with having actual delusions about the state of reality. It is, alas, a common misconception. The fact of the matter is, an active imagination and a firm sense of reality can coexist quite peacefully, and do, in many people (even such of the geek persuasion.)

To be fair, my own father harbours the same doubts about me. He does not believe that one can emotionally engage so strongly with fiction and still be able to, say, study, or hold down a job, or follow politics or whatnot. (Although I do all three, and probably follow politics more closely than he does.) He's been fearing for my sanity ever since I asked for the Narnia books for Christmas at age 12 or 13 - and I'm sure he'd say that, at age 32, I have confirmed his worst fears. (I love my dad, but he has *serious* issues with some of the choices I've made in my life. Most of the choices, really. *g*)