The social cicada’s guide to the social spectrum.

Socializing. Strange thing isn’t it? You get thrown into a group of strangers you’ve never known, your mind flusters, your heart palpitates and time itself freezes. Do you, A, hastily retreat into a corner like a trapped animal. B, go forth and embrace your inner social demon. Or maybe you’re more of a C; a social germ that only cultures in the right conditions.

The array of different personalities in humanity is vast. A spectrum of personalities more diverse than the stars in the sky.        Sorry, what?

Types of personalities in the world = world population + multiple personalities = 7.4 billion plus about 20 million (Ceteris Peribus).

Number of stars in the sky = greater than 100 billion?

Okay, fine. The wide spectrum of different personalities in humanity is comparable to the size of your mom.

But I’ve got better things to do than to list the things in the universe bigger than your mom, no matter how short that list might be. Through careful research during my occasional social flooding as a Social Cicada, I’ve compiled, I’ve tested, I’ve ascertained and today I bring you snippets from the highly acclaimed book: The Social Cicada’s guide to the Social Spectrum!

Full version available online for only $12.99, get yours today here!

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The Social Cicada

Pharaoh Cicadas live underground for 17 years before emerging from the ground, loud and lively, looking to mate. In rare but disastrous occasions of flooding however, underground Cicadas are forced to emerge from the ground, seeking the solace of dry ground with many other insects that are likely to do the same thing. Similar to them, Social Cicadas live awkwardly with their head in the ground for extended periods of time until faced by a biblical flood of socialism that forces them to mingle. 

The Social Wallflower

Like the name, or as Emma Watson suggests, Social Wallflowers live their social life at the walls of a social event. Respirating, observing, and soaking in the light of a dim wall lamp. Social Wallflowers differ from Social Cicadas in two main ways similar to their zoological counterparts. Flowers typically grow together in a field and are bunched together into a nice bouquet of Social Wallflowers you see at a gathering, unlike the Cicada which sucks on tree roots like how a Social Cicada sucks his thumb at his social predicament. 

The other difference, is the difference in appeal of the Wallflowers vs. the Cicadas towards the Social Butterflies (Page 89)

The Social Butterfly

Universally known for their enchanting wings, the butterfly flutters from flower to flower everyday. Just like how a Social Butterfly floats between people, Wallflowers included. Everyone enjoys being with a Social Butterfly. No depiction of a beautiful garden is complete without frolicking buterflies. And no Disney princess can be truly named one without the ability to have a butterfly land on her fingers. 

But of course, by applying common principals of the food chain, one can infer that the Social Butterfly cannot be associated with certain entities for fear of becoming by-product of evolution. One common example of this would be their interactions with Social Cicadas. Beautiful, majestic creatures, just do not match well with those underground bottom feeders.

The Social Bumblebee

One common mistake to inexperienced social analyzers would be the difference between the Social Butterfly and the Social Bumblebee. Similar in many ways, butterflies and bumblebees are vital in the pollination of flowers, day after day, they go from flower to flower collecting nectar. However, if one were to get acquainted with a Social Bumblebee the difference would soon be evident. A bumblebee works its whole life collecting nectar to make honey for its queen, much like how a Social Bumblebee socializes as if he was answering to a higher power. No part of his existence would be meaningful if he does not attain gratification from his social targets. 

In addition, if you aren't a social bumblebee, try stealing honey from one of them, you'll soon realize that bees sting.

The Social Beast

A mythological animal, the Social Beast comes in many forms. A werewolf, a gargoyle, a vampire, what these all have in common is their insatiable thirst for human flesh. Much like the Social Beast's thirst for human interaction. As deep underground living in your parent's basement as you are, as hidden in the closet as your sexuality is, the Social Beast will hunt you down, he will find you, and he will, socialize with you. 

The Social Demon

If one were to be familiar with Revelation from the New Testament, one would know about how demons possess and influence people; maliciously propagating evil in proportions as extensive as the biblical plague. A Social Demon does just that, he engulfs entire communities, socializing, attaining followers much like the Whore of Babylon. No one is safe from Judgement Day where life ends, as we know it. No one except of course, the usual inhabitants of pestilence: disgusting, virulent insects, like the persistent Social Cicada. 

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We accept the love we think we deserve.

Brad and Emily were doctors in their early 30s. Talented, aspiring and dedicated. The both of them were known for topping their classes and thrilled when they were offered to work under their world renowned boss, Dr Anthony.
Anthony on the other hand was in his late 40s. Eccentric yet incredibly intelligent, Anthony had a knack for sarcasm, often leaving many doctors that work under him speechless and doubting their intelligence.

The following story happens late into the night, in an old 80s cafe where the 3 colleagues, Brad, Emily and Anthony were seated around a small table having supper after a long day at the hospital. As they recalled past events, they laughed loudly and the atmosphere was just happy and comfortable.

EARLIER THAT DAY

A Caucasian male was rushed to the hospital after a severe car accident. Emily being the first doctor on the scene quickly accessed him by checking his pupils and breathing, the patient only responded by starting to seize. Hands flailing, legs kicking, the nurses panicked as the patient proved far too strong for them to hold down until Brad arrived to help stabilize him.

"Thank god someone's been working out", Emily smiled at Brad while attaching an IV drip to the patient.

Brad smiled back. "Nah, I'm just naturally strong."

The case of the Caucasian Male proved to be more complicated than just trauma from an accident as more symptoms surfaced along with the day. Doctors were stumped and nurses were just struggling to keep him alive. Anthony and his elite team of doctors were assigned to the patient and a furious brainstorming session ensued. Theories as to what the patient was suffering from were continuously pitched but rejected almost immediately by Anthony for being "simply not it".

It wasn't until two ideas were said, each by Brad and Emily, that Anthony responded, "Now that's what I'm talking about." Both theories were equally plausible but Brad and Emily didn't agree. Brad felt that pursuing Emily's theory would be a waste of effort, while Emily thought that Brad's theory was ridiculous. The heated debate was only ended when the doctors received notifications that the patient was having a heart attack.

A tough fight to keep the patient alive. The next time that Emily could sit down to rest was only at lunch time, and boy, was she exhausted.

"Guess who!" Emily was surprised as warm hands covered her eyes as she was taking a break in the doctors lounge.

It was her fiance, Rob, with a packet of lunch, "I was near and dropped by to make sure you don't skip your lunch again today."

Emily was pleasantly surprised, the couple embraced each other and were having lunch until Brad walked in.

"Hey, I don't think we've met, I'm Brad, Emily's colleague."

"Hi, I'm Rob, Emily and I are actually engaged." Rob replied as they shook hands. "Well, I'd love to stay and chat but I have to get to back to work soon. Emily told me that you have a tough case on your hands so help me make sure she eats her dinner yeah?"

As Emily left to send Rob off, Brad sat down to make a call to his girlfriend.

"Hey baby, I'm so sorry, I'm not gonna be able to come home tonight" ... "This patient, a real tough nut to crack, and I think that he might not live the night if we don't solve his case soon" ... "I love you too baby."


Reports from scans done earlier were done and the patient was brought into the radiology department for a CT scan by Brad and Emily. The room was dark and quiet; filled only with the sounds of machine whirring and segmented conversations between Brad, Emily and the patient.

"You know, I don't know why we're scanning his brain when the problem is obviously in his heart." Brad said, in hushed tones.

Emily replied, softly but mildly irritated, "In an accident, multiple seizures, and unconscious since he entered the hospital? He's obviously had some head trauma. Anthony probably just didn't reject your idea because he wanted to see if you would admit you were wrong before we prove anything."

"Then I guess we'll have to see who's wrong" Brad gave a sly grin.

"Hello??" a weak voice came from the speakers. The patient was awake. "I...I can't see...where am I? Why....ah...AHH....AHHHHH!!!" Moniters flashed and alarms buzzed as the patient went into shock from the pain of his burns from the accident. Brad called for backup while Emily rushed to find some pain medications. Screams emanated out of the CT room as nurses rushed to and fro, until Emily came back with an injection to knock him out.

Blindness. That was the last clue needed. The patient definitely had a neuro problem. Emily was right and once again the two doctors were in the scanning room finishing up the scan of the patients brain.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong. We could have gone home a long time ago, instead of staying past midnight debating."

"Nah, that's why we're a team isn't it? To throw ideas and stand for them, in case the next time you were right...." Emily spoke slowly and softly.

"Well, I'm lucky to have a colleague like you, you're smart, you're determined, and you...don't make fun of me when I'm wrong..." They both shared a laugh.

The room fell silent. It had been a long day at work. Both doctors looked at each other in the cold, dark room. Right then Emily could only think about how she's always felt that Brad was attractive, funny and intelligent. Brad on the other hand always felt comfortable communicating his beliefs to Emily. Their bodies were close. Faces closer. Emily leaned towards Brad, who was looking longingly at her lips.

"Supper?" The two were stopped abruptly just inches away from each others lips by Anthony who poked his head through the doors.



And so the three colleagues were having the late night supper. Past patients, ridiculous failures, other coworkers all kept them laughing until Anthony left to go home. The once comfortable atmosphere grew serious. Brad talked about his girlfriend while Emily talked about her fiance, their fingers touched and they looked into each others eyes.

They did finish that kiss ....... "What are we doing?"

The Best Of: POP MUSIC

What is your favorite genre of music? Are you a pop fanatic that put the Black Eyed Peas "I gotta feeling" on repeat and dances to LMFAO's Pary Rock Anthem? Or are you a rock head that head bangs to Living On A Prayer or Sweet Child O' Mine? Or perhaps your the kind who would lounge in the comfort of Collide by Howie Day or Photograph by Ed Sheeran? Oh, even quieter? Pachelbel's Canon? Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy?

I've never understood the need for someone to be a devout follower of a certain genre of music. You see, music seems to me more like a spectrum , one where the best songs of each genre represents each of the brightest colors. Colors that should not be appreciated like a plain solid wallpaper, but together; like a rainbow.

So without further ado, I would like to share with you guys, some of my favorite and, in my opinion, most respectable songs of all time. Bear in mind, that many of these songs might not be from a specific genre, (Due to the, spectrum thing I just explained.) and that a blog post would be insufficient to cover all my favorite songs, so this thread might go on for awhile.

Perhaps the easiest genre we can start with is Pop; where songs are judged less based on actual lyrics or vocal prowess but more off composing ingenuity and stage charisma.

Bad - The Cab



Written about having the desire for a girl that is "Bad" instead of just the normal stable relationship. And really, for any shy, shielded guy, don't we all want to try some of that "Bad" stuff? Bad by The Cab is my go-to get-in-the-mood song, and my liking for it not only comes from the ability of the band to perform this well live (on occasions), but also from their ability to compose songs that uniquely suit their lead singer, Alex Deleon's voice.

Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars



No list about the greatest songs ever made, can be complete without any mention of Bruno Mars. This guy, is a artistic legend. Not only is he able to churn out hits after hits of catchy songs, but he's also able to dance, and perform them live without a scratch to music quality. In fact, Adam Lambert's best song, Never Close Our Eyes, was written by the legend himself (and that's why Adam Lambert is not on this list). With Uptown Funk, Bruno shows just how profound his talent is with his ability to make a song that sounds like its from two different eras of music, yes he had help from Mark Ronson and all, but I'm sure if he didn't have talent, we wouldn't have heard all his other songs. I mean, just look at the audience engagement at his live performances.

One Republic

Special mention to one republic because all their songs are actual masterpieces composed by Ryan Tedder (one of the only few that can rival Bruno Mars in composing ability). Best hit (and one of my favorite song) by Gavin Degraw, Sweeter was helped composed by him, along with Not Over You. Ryan Tedder knows what pop culture wants, he knows what makes a great song, and accompanied by his gifted voice. Heres just my favourite one republic song. Skip to 1:08.



Hold My Hand - Jess Glynne



An up-and-coming artist, although I feel it might be too early to judge. Jess Glynne seems like the kind of artist who would definitely sky rocket in popularity. A strong unique voice, good ability to compose (from the many catchy singles we've heard from her and Clean Bandit), and eye catching stage presence, all traits of artists I become a fan of. Steadily improving, I smiled when she delivered her best performance of this song at the 2015 Jingle Bell Ball.

Now, I'm not sure if I'm actually allowed to use these videos, so if anyone woud want these videos taken down, please do let me know. Or if anyone would want their videos up here, well don't hesitate to comment I guess? That's it for Pop.

Boy: I love you.

  *silence*

Boy: You are my life, my sun and stars. My everything.

  *silence*

Boy: If only you could just......

Mom: For Christ's sake Gary, how many times have I told you. STOP TALKING TO YOUR PIZZA

2 years of national service

Alas, 2 years have come and gone by, and my national service days are over. To some, the army may have been harsh and relentless with its unintelligible methods and paramount propensity for sliding tackles (Army lingo here). While to others, it was simply an obstacle; one that has to be probed in order to find its weaknesses to exploit.
I don't know. To me, army seemed to me like just another phase of life that is easier done than said. Yes, the exercises were tough and I truly hated some of the work I did. Yes, there were times where others severely out shined me and I felt like I was out of my depth. But all things considered, it really, wasn't as hard as I thought it out to be. Thank God for MINDEF, and thank god, for the countless comrades, family members, and superiors that not only made it easier, but contributed to the many memories that I would be sure to carry to my deathbed.

Now I know that this may not be my usual post, but, just bear with my femininity for a while okay?

If there was one thing that BMT truly taught me, would be how slow I am in adapting to new social environments. Week after week, I tried my best but all I really was was being rather awkward. Being overshadowed by those stronger than me (something so superficial) was something I would later learn to mock and blame my substandard Platoon Commander for (not shown in picture; typical). Despite this, I would never lament the school's decision to make me a weapon men. This was all possible thanks to my BMT mates and for that, I thank them.

Thank you AWMP course, that allowed me to make my third appearance on national TV. 

And thank you, Sergeant Major, especially, for being as passionate as you are. For trading me into your company which literally saved my whole NS life. And for recognizing my efforts for the company.

Thank you weapon men, for accepting me into your awesome brotherhood. You guys are the reason that I will never regret being a weapon men. The reason why I believe coming to 1st company was the definite better choice. The biggest fraternity in the company, the weakest hierarchy of sai kang warriors but definitely; a respected vocation in the company.

Special thanks to Jin Kiat, really; for joining the armskote. At the start of training, I wasn't close to the weapon men at all. Neither were you close to Ian and the 2nd company armskote men. I saw no reason why you would want to join the armskote of all the other SMARTAL choices. Yet, you did, and you definitely contributed a hell lot. God knows what I would have done if you hadn't joined and I wouldn't dare imagine it either. Thanks.

Remember leaving the armskote only when the coy has slept? Waking up before the coy woke?

Working while everyone else were resting after 35km? Falling asleep in the armskote, still dirty? Packing weapons into ops boxes till the coy woke for the next day's breakfast? Thanks for the memories.

From the secondary school years, all the way to now. Thanks for the friendship. While the other armskote men had unsupportive detachment mates that made them have to micro-manage their equipment when rushing to begin an exercise, I had you both. Truthfully I was guilty for accepting your help with all that you guys have to deal with, but you guys persisted. You guys the real MVP. Thanks for challenging me to be a better person, a better soldier that will try my best to help others and contribute whether I'm expected to or not. For challenging me to take up the armskote position when I was doubtful. For assuring me, that I was not in out of my depth. 

Honorable mention to boonkiat and eeron for the friendship. 

Boonkiat: Genuine, altruistic, dedicated. I think it's really hard to be able to find someone like boonkiat who's so pure and hard working at the same time.You truly opened my eyes to what people are capable of and even though my conversations with you rarely last beyond two words (or three, if your name is disjointed), I treasure the companionship you have spent with me. Teaching me, to try and be a better soldier, son, and HOPEFULLY BETTER BOYFRIEND OH GOD PLEASE GOD.

Eeron: Same same, but different. I feel that you and I have lots of things in common, like our pretentiousness among people. Our desire to be liked by peers. Yet we couldn't have a more different way of decisions. Remember Hari raya? or Bintan. I developed a hatred for useless people, while you stayed nice to everyone, occasionally. And if theres one thing I wouldn't forget was when you invited me onto the thailand trip despite me not being in the chat. Thanks

Last but not least, no dedication post could be made without the addition of the friends and family that were there long before any of this happened.

My father, who offers to drive me to camp, whether I ask him to or not, regardless of the time, nor whether he has work the next day.

My mother, who washes my clothes for me during the weekends because I'm too much of a useless cunt to do my own laundry.

And the Swiss Cottage gang, that went with me to Taiwan before all this started. Supporting each other, showing off about the shit we do for the country.  Yes, that is me, still wishing for a girlfriend on the sky lantern.






Damn that was corny. Hope to see you guys before I embark onto Tasmania. Bye.

Once in a blue moon WTF thought of the day

If injustice represents a lack of justice. Incomplete; a lack of completion. And inability; the lack of ability.

Is ingenious therefore, a lack of "genius-ness"? Or is "genious" derived from another word of which I do not know exist?  The latter seem more likely to be true given my INcapacity for words. But lets humor me and assume the former for a moment.

However:

ingenious

adjective

1. (of a person) clever, original, and inventive.

Perhaps the most original, most inventive, most... ... creative people, are the very ones we deem to be the least intelligent. The quiet loner, the awkward child, the abnormal person, the disabled. What if the greatest advances begins with us understanding how to communicate with ourselves? For us to hear the thoughts of everyone indiscriminately. 

After all, IN-telligence could also represent a lack of ... ... something. 

lol.

Fear

Universal, yet bounded by the very principles through which it propagates. It reduces nations down to mere shadows of their former selves, while being fundamental to their conception in the first place. Knowing no discrimination, it plagues all. From the most robust of men to the pure innocent child. From the most complex of men (and even perhaps entity) to the simple insect. Even the powerless near-death elderly nor the influential untouchable elites of society are not spared. It is, the bringer of death yet a giver of mercy. The mind-killer, the unchallenged dictator, the great illusionist: Fear.

To many, this may not seem like much of a surprise despite my attempt to exaggerate the morbid abilities of fear (but hey, points for trying?). After all, history and our ever-credible new age media has largely ingrained and propagated the influence fear has on the world.
When the first men roamed Earth, social ties and behaviors were relatively simpler and all that plagued men's minds was the most primal quintessential fear - the fear of death. As mankind progressed, minds diversified, cities were developed while fear, evolved. Men started fearing authority from other men of influence and divine will from gods of religion. Of course, the pervasive fear of death remained but now with an inclusion of close ones.
Then, technology developed and weapons of conflict were created out of a fear of conflict. Human behavior became more intricate, and so did fear. Fear of the murdering supernatural forces people under their blankets or toward their altars while the same fear compels them to enter horror houses for thrills. Whole nations have gone to war over fears of lack of resources, while at the same time, wars have been stopped over the very same fear.
Everyday, new potential devastating steps are being made either toward or away from a collapse of the world-as-we-know-it; all due to fear (or sexual tension, as Barney Stinson says). So, was I attempting to simply exaggerate the morbid abilities of fear, or was I doing it so you would overlook the extent of it. Surprised now?

(Okay, I may have confused myself there.)

Psychologists today have characterized different kinds of fear into five fundamental ones. Listed in order from physical fears to more psychological ones, they are: The fear of extinction, mutilation, loss of autonomy, separation and ego-death.
The fear of extinction or mutilation, for elaboration, deals with fears towards things like height, water, death. I would also put the fear of the supernatural under these; I mean, why would you fear a ghost that just wants to drink tea with you?
Then as we go along the list, we have the fear of a loss of autonomy, meaning a fear for losing ones freedom, be it being physically paralyzed, or just being controlled in a societal context. Not forgetting the fear of separation and ego-death, which scares people more psychologically like the fear of being alone, of humiliation, of rejection.
Finally! We, humans, are able to get scared, and know what kind of fright we are experiencing! What an amazing time to be alive! Now all we have to do, is figure out the moves and counter-moves against our deepest darkest fears, and then we can devote our time to solving other problems like how to get our fast food delivered, without having to open the door or pay extra cost.

I'm not a courageous man. I'm really not. I could tell you many things I've done that may make me sound otherwise but that would be irrelevant in my opinion. Different fears plague the lives of different men and fear, is relative, What may seem like a frightening physics defying stunt to a spectator could be just another days work for the circus performer. Just like performing a rock concert may be a nightmare for a quiet shy introvert but not the lead singer of 30 Seconds To Mars (Why? because Jared Leto's a legend). Courage doesn't lie in doing things that intimidate others, it lays within the things that frighten you most.

And what frightens me the most?
Like most people, I too, am scared by the usual. Start of with appetizers of horror stories and low lighting in the middle of the night, then begin the main course when your senses go into overdrive and you over interpret the softest of sounds. Then go on to the dessert when your mom walks into your room suddenly and SCARES THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF YOU. GOD DAMN IT MOM STOP COMING IN LIKE THAT.
I digress; I used to think that my primary fear was of attention. Being in front of large groups of people, all eyes on you, judging, waiting for you to reveal what kind of a disappointment you really are. But recently, I don't believe that anymore. I like attention, I crave being the guy everyone knows, the excitement of being the center of attraction, the life of the party. What I fear instead, is rejection.
I don't fear the many singing performances that I've had in my life, I fear people not liking my performance. I fear, not being accepted after a university interview, and I've done all I can, to avoid any interviews. I fear, that a girl would not reciprocate my feeling for her, and despite my outward desperation for a relationship, I know that deep down I will avoid any less-than-three hoo-has.

I was recently successful in my application for Medicine in an overseas university, and now I fear failure..... Going to an unknown place, new people, new teaching methods, new expectations. I fear the look of rejection on my families face should I be unable to keep up with anything there. I fear the rejection of people towards how I behave, and I fear that when I come back, everything would be different, in a vast and daunting new way.
But the same heat that makes the potato soft, turns the egg hard and fear, is just an intangible idea. The ghost making strange noises outside isn't wearing a red dress with long overflowing hair, it cannot rattle cups nor close doors, and when you peek out into your living room, you'll realize that there's nothing but abstract, non-existent fear there. Or you'll realize that it's your mom doing shit in the middle of the night again.

I guess, only time will prove if I'm just a useless potato, or an egg.