Some of you may have heard that there is a new movie out that people seem to really like, called “Avatar”. (It was actually released Dec. 18, over a month ago.)

Others may have heard that there have been people experiencing separation anxiety and withdrawal after “returning to Earth” from the magical lands of Pandora, the setting for the film.

On the fan forum site “Avatar Forums,” a topic thread entitled “Ways to cope with the depression of the dream of Pandora being intangible,” has received more than 1,000 posts from people experiencing depression and fans trying to help them cope.

This video might give those who have yet to visit Pandora an idea why people find it so enchanting.

With these facts in mind, it’s high time someone founded a support group to deal with the crushing reality that they may never, in fact, get a chance to visit Pandora.

Here is my list of “blue flags“, if you will:

• You have thought about taking language classes in Na’vi
• You’re hoping to trade in your gasoline-powered vehicle for a flying banshee
• Your bedroom is now glowing from “bio-luminescent” paint
• The phrase “I see you” is not just for playing Peekaboo anymore
• Your vestigial tail feels itchier than normal
• You refer to friends & relatives as “sky people”
• Your kids now live in the master bedroom; your kids’ tree-fort  is now your  “Hometree”
• And so on

The recovery process from such a state of mind is arduous. It begins by acknowledging that one is powerless over all things “Avatar” and that life (on Earth) has become unmanageable. It continues by turning one’s will & life over to Eywa.

I’ve yet to sift through all 52 pages of the support thread on the Avatar Forums site, but it can’t hurt to have another.

Until we can perfect the cryogenic travel that will enable us to get to the Pandora in the film, perhaps Avatar Anonymous is the only healthy way to deal with the yearning to travel to such beautiful lands & walk amidst its surreal flora.

As it turns out, Avatar is real: Pandora is in Central and South America. So, to answer your burning question, yes, “The Laughing Planet” will (continue to) go to Pandora to shoot video of these wondrous places for posterity.

Just try not to let the blues bring you down afterward.