Tolkien Fandom - How much is too much?

[Beregond]

*Found it hard to place this topic - I didn't mean it to be silly enough for Mirth or bookish enough for The Books.

Fandom - being in love with Tolkien's books (or any fiction/fantasy/mythology); being, in a matter of speaking, geekish - though I don't favour the expression: does your love of all things Tolkien interfere with your life in a negative way? Reading the books, researching things that have no practical relevance to everyday life, posting on forums, attending events - most of us are guilty of these and other activities. It can occupy a significant amount of one's time, energy, and thought. At what point does one realize they should be doing something better with their time? How do you balance "real life" and "Tolkien-life", or are they one and the same?

For example, do you ever catch yourself believing, even for a moment, that Gondor was a real place, that Earendil is still there up in the night sky, and that Frodo is the reason you aren't leading a life of slavery (even though you know these things are not true)? Can you tell me when the Brandywine froze over or recite the Lay of Leithien, but not know the dates of World War II or the words to your country's anthem? Do you brush off family and friends to meet an RPG deadline? Would you even consider marrying someone who thought The Lord of the Rings was rubbish, if they read it at all?

Some of my examples are extreme (and do not apply to me). I like to think of myself as a well-balanced Dúnadan but that's not for me to say. Though my life has been closely woven about my love of J.R.R. Tolkien's realistic works of fantasy, they have been a mostly positive influence in my life. Indeed could one find better fiction to adore?

I would like everyone else's opinion on the matter. Have fun.