parasites.

We pick up alot of things from our parents, even the unsavoury characteristics we swore never to inherit. My mum used to ask me why did I pick up the bad genes and not the good ones. My dad is a very hardworking person, even at the expense of the family. But instead of picking that up, I got his bad temper and impatience instead.

My dad has never been one to encourage really. He tended to lean towards the methods of the stick rather than the carrot. When either my brother or I didn't do well in school, we never got anything remotely close to "Try harder next time", or "At least you did your best"; it was more like "Why didn't you do well?!" and "If you continue at this rate, you're gonna end up as a failure for the rest of your life".

And perhaps that negative cynicism latched on to me somehow. I think I can be rather critical and judgemental of people, especially the little 'faults' that tick me off. Of course, I know better than to use myself as a yardstick, but there are just some things which really gets me. And I think I ought to be dispensing more helpful encouragements than pessimistic judgements alot of time.

But there are just some things that really pushes my buttons. One of them is tactless people. People who somehow have no concern over other people's feelings. People who can't seem to think beyond their own needy spheres. They're beyond faux pas - they're obnoxious little brats.

Oh dear, that's quite harsh isn't it? But seriously, people who self-invite themselves and crash other people's fun don't sit well with me. People who never seem to consider how they might be intrusive or a burden really just have the word 'selfish' written all over them. Of course I'm not perfect and have done the same things myself, but sometimes I wish they would really wake up and realize the world doesn't revolve around them.

You can tell something's bothering me. And if I were to be perfectly honest,

I can't afford to be.

Dagnabbit.

. Arigato .