Destructive Deadly Sins

Daily Prompt: You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

by Krista on December 18, 2013

What is your least favorite personal quality in others? Extra points for sharing your least favorite personal quality in yourself.

Photographers, artists, poets: show us VICE.

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Destructive Deadly Sins

 

It takes a lot for me to even think about what I don’t like in a person. Having different traits is just what makes us unique. I don’t like to think about ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Qualities are just qualities. In fact, I actually prefer to be in the company of those with personalities that are naturally different from the norm. It’s a refreshing change from everyone else I come into contact with on a daily basis. However, all of that idealism aside, if there’s one quality in a person that I can’t stand, it’s arrogance.

            In a perfect world, all people would be equal. No man would be above another. Just the idea of a person coming off as if he or she is better than someone else is a major turn off. Of course, there are different degrees of arrogance. And all of my instinctive responses to them vary accordingly. I think the worst by far is subtle arrogance. Nothing grinds my gears more than people who only know how to talk about themselves. You can just sense them feeding off the attention when they go into more detail about their own personal successes than you’d like to hear. It gets worse when they make whatever feat they accomplished sound easy, or if it was made easy because they believe their competition to have been hopelessly incompetent. There’s a small smile or smirk on their face as they boost themselves with their casual talk of me, me, me. It’s intoxicating and I feel like I can drown in their self-praise. Being humble never looked more classy.

            Ironically enough, I personally don’t find it as unbearable when my friends and I know someone who is just outright arrogant. The more enthusiastic the better. My partner in crime, Alex, and I have a blast doing impressions of these kinds of people time and time again—all in good fun, mind you! These are popular Hollywood actors, work friends, and friends of friends. We normally call them ‘characters’ and it’s impossible for us to get even the least bit offended by them. More than anything else, these people are amusing. I’m lookin’ at you, Kanye West!

            Now it’s time for the self roast. I try to be the best version of myself I can be and strive to be aware of my actions, but me and everyone who knows me could tell you that I’m FAR from perfect. In fact, any one of my close friends would probably provide you with a different flaw of mine, if they were asked what my least desirable quality is. However, in my honest opinion, it’s my sense of envy. I can admit that when it comes down to it, I can find something in almost everyone that I wish I had—height, muscles, smarts, a good job, etc. I envy my friends that have happy relationships, and I wonder to myself, ‘Why not me?’ Am I not good enough? What separates them from me? I strive too hard to be like others that it’s damaging. It makes me lose sight of who I am and what I’ve done.

            It’s not a healthy trait in the least. Objectively, I’d say I have a great life. But through my own perspective, I’m always wanting more and taking what others have into account. Hopefully being fully aware of this trait will help me get over it and relinquish my envious side in the long run. I feel that constantly worrying about what others have over you will only hold you back. It’s only when I remove that mind block that I can truly be on the path to be the best me I can possibly be.

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My First Post of Many–Daily Prompt: FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US

Daily Prompt: Festivus for the Rest of Us

You have been named supreme ruler of the universe. Your first order of business is creating and instituting a holiday or festival in your honor. What day of the year is your holiday? What special events will take place? Describe YOU DAY in as great a detail as you can muster: the special foods we’ll consume, the decorations we’ll use…everything.

Photographers, artists, poets: show us FESTIVE.

 

 

Let all those with legs dance! Those with voices, sing! Let all be jolly on this day, for Oliver Day only comes but once a year. Being the one and only appointed Supreme Ruler of the Universe calls for a holiday of an equivalent caliber.

            However, as any hardworking ruler of the universe would know, productivity is essential for the world to keep spinning. Like other holidays hospitals, police departments, fire departments, and other important services remain available to assist citizens as needed. Privately owned businesses treat Oliver Day as if it were any other government holiday. Being that it falls on November 27^th, the day I was born, it often steals Thanksgiving’s thunder.

            This marvelous day must be glorified and kept merry. Streamers, glitter, and confetti litter the streets. Buzz killers are fined. And to intentional commit any crime on this day results in a far more severe punishment than any other day of the year. Jaywalking fines are three times more than normal. And if you enjoy having your head attached to your body, crimes such as abuse and murder should be avoided at all costs.

            But don’t let that damper your spirits. Oliver Day is a joyous day of merriment and gratitude. There will be a reasonably sized tax reimbursement to all citizens that have abided by all my rules and have stayed out of trouble for the year. In addition, these do-gooders are entered into a lottery where one name will be drawn. I will personally fly out to that individual’s residence where he or she will get the chance to shake my hand on television. That winner is also granted one wish that is within my power to fulfill with my given resources. Wealth, an endless supply of their favorite food, a mansion, their own reality show to star in—the possibilities are virtually limitless.

There will also be a second drawing only available to each year’s members of the Miss Universe competition. The winner is awarded a date with the Ruler of the Universe himself. Such an honor! Participation in this tradition is required, of course.

            Everyone finds similarities to other holidays within Oliver Day. In the morning, there is the traditional exchanging of gifts, in which each person gives a gift to a loved one. All day long on TV, there are documentaries of my accomplishments shown in my honor. At least one hour of the day must be spent watching them. Afterwards, each family must discuss what they are thankful that their Universal Ruler has done for them. They write it down on a piece of paper, tie it to a black balloon (The Ruler’s favorite color) and let it loose outside.

            At dinner, it is tradition to have a huge feast. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, seem to be the population’s favorites—followed by a cake and ice cream dessert. Around nine-o-clock the annual fireworks ceremony begins. Each year, major city blocks are closed down to allow for parades the likes of which have never been seen. It is at this point that I, along with my bodyguards and the selected literal Miss Universe, make our appearance in one major city each year. After giving an inspiring speech on global TV, I lead my small entourage and select pre-screened ordinary citizens into a ballroom. There, Miss Universe and I engage in the opening dance, a classy and elegant cavort. After the first song, the others may join the dance floor. All throughout the night, citizens are allowed to come up to the podium and provide a personal televised speech on how thankful they are for my leadership.

            Nearing midnight, I give a final wrap-up speech on how great of a year it has been for ruling the universe and how another great year is on its way. When the clock finally strikes twelve, the cameras go off for the day. However, the partying and dancing does not stop until everyone leaves of their own accord.

It’s a festive day indeed. Not too over-the-top, I don’t think. Some of my constituents in my district of everywhere say they sense divinity in me, as if I am omnipresent—Oliver-the-place at once, if you will. But don’t be absurd. That can’t necessarily be proven—as of yet. Let me just assure you. I’m nothing more than your humble Supreme Ruler of the Universe. Here to serve you. The people.

 

Happy Oliver Day, Everyone!

 

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