Alternate Reality

Reality, is sometimes not very real.  

It’s just too easy to be in the good books of others: Just say ‘yes’ and keep listening to them.

Nobody actually bothers to check what they say. Both factual accuracies and logical accuracies. They just say what comes to their mind at that instant and expect that to get into Vedas! And the very next day, they say something totally different and still expect you to agree to it. Sometimes you agree because you yourself don’t know anything about the subject being discussed or you think by agreeing, the conversation might end faster! Especially when you are talking to your spouse, boss, parents, relatives, customers, vendors, colleagues – you get the drift – everybody.

“You know what is the best investment?”
“What?”
“Investment in Land. The land value keeps going up all the time”

You can’t really disagree to that. Unless you consider the sub-prime crisis, or the inflated land values based on perceptions. But then he continues.

“You know what I did?”
“…”
“I bought some land in the outskirts of the city”
“Oh”
“I took a loan for the full value, unlike others who take a partial loan”

There are two ways to react in that situation. One, tell him that taking a loan when he had enough money to buy the land by himself was the stupidest thing he has done ever in his life, considering the interest he needs to pay over time. That’s it, he would start talking about the origin of money, basics of economics and investment best practices for the next one hour. If you still don’t agree, your relationship ends there. Which is not very interesting. So, you politely nudge him –

“What is the rate of interest?”
“These rates of interest keeps fluctuating, you know. But even if you consider all the interest, I am still at a profit as the land value has doubled today”
“But you could have saved some money by paying for it upfront right?”
“That’s what I thought, but one of the bank managers, who is my friend actually, agreed to give the whole amount on loan. You know how hard it is go get a loan, and that too for the full value”
“But what did you do with the money you wanted to invest?”
“I bought another piece of land nearby, and both the properties are worth two times today”
“What an excellent idea – but anyone wants to buy it at that value?”
“Well, not now but let us wait for some more time – you know the area needs to develop a bit and some approvals need to be taken”
“The plot is not approved?”
“Well, its actually a long term investment. There is no point in selling immediately. I am planning to buy one more piece of land, I am looking for a loan”
” !! Nice investment strategy”
“If you want, I can introduce the broker”
“No, thanks”

That’s the way a relationship develops. Even better, if you take the number of the broker and buy a land very next to his land. Both of you become close relations and bonded for eternity!

So, with so many instances like the above happening in real lives, one gets bored and frustrated. And then talk about entertainment – both the TV and Newspapers produce content in-between advertisements. And those advertisements are actually more interesting than the content!! One tries Orkut, but is not able to go beyond 300 scraps even if a friend volunteers to donate scraps like scrap1, scrap2, scrap3,… etc, and in spite of two bogus accounts you have created to scrap to yourself! 🙂

It was at this point that I was introduced to Blogs. I found this medium to be an excellent way of escaping reality – It has become an alternate reality today and I am thankful to all my fellow bloggers who have not only been patient with some of my posts (Like Theory of beauty, for example!) but have also encouraged me, educated me, argued with me in this blog as well as their blogs. And some have also awarded me! So, I am passing on the awards.

I am passing the golden pan award to the following bloggers: Nita, Poonam, Raj, Axinia, Atanu Dey, One Blue Sky, Dhiren, Ketan, Vikram (An academic view of India), Chrysalis, Maami, Jabberwock.

I am passing the coolest bloggers award to Vishesh, Indrani, Sandhya (Maradhi Manni), Ashwathy, Vimmuuu, MSR, Oorja, Solilo, Rambler, Kokonad, Jarvarm, Achupichu (Ambi), Uniquely Priya, Smitha, 18,000 RPM, Lightning Strikes Everyday, Meditation Photography.

I am passing the Addicting blog award to Amit (Mashed Musings), Indeyah, Kanagu, Rakesh Vanamali, IHM,  Sakhi, Sahaja, Nimmy, Mathew, Reema, Brownphantom, Kislay, Heartcrossings, Ces’t La Vie, Doing Jalsa and Showing Jilpa, A common Man.

Destination Infinity

One small request: Disagree and contest more in the comments section, as all of you unanimously did with the Theory of Beauty post 🙂 .And yes, wishing you a Responsible and Happy Independance day.

50 thoughts on “Alternate Reality

  1. Kiran

    A wonderfully composed post, intertwined with presenting the awards. Congrats to you and the rest for the awards and achievements 🙂

    1. Destination Infinity

      Welcome back, to blogging!

      Destination Infinity

  2. vishesh unni raghuna

    thanks for the award 🙂 Oh! asfor the excellent idea..I am nodding my head (see lesson learnt 😛 )

    1. Destination Infinity

      I think you need the number of the broker 😉

      Destination Infinity

  3. Indian Homemaker

    Thank You for the Addicting Blogger Award DI 🙂

    And did somebody really buy property like that?! These brokers are can sell proverbial ice to an Eskimo… feel bad for this person, after all it is somebody's hard earned money, … but I agree you can't do much. After all it's the broker's word against yours!

    Hey but I don't think just agreeing with people is emough to keep them happy… or perhaps it is 😉 I agree 😆

    1. Destination Infinity

      Just agreeing to people makes a lot of people happy – just try! I don't know if they bought all the three pieces of land like that or not, but they advised me to buy like that!!

      Destination Infinity

  4. Indian Homemaker

    Love the quotes on the sidebar! Going through your blog looking for Theory of beauty….

    1. Destination Infinity

      I like collecting quotes, and those you see in the sidebar are my favourites!

      Destination Infinity

  5. Ketan

    Very entertaining post! Not saying this just because you gave me an award! For which thanks, of course! I'm afraid/hopeful if there were an award for disagreeing with you, I'd be one of the first considerations on your mind, whereas actually the fact is I agree with you much more than typical bloggers I know. 🙂 I care to comment (and disagree) only on those blogs where at least some common ground. Happy blogging! TC.

    1. Destination Infinity

      Some forms of entertainment makes us think! So, I am glad to be a blogger! Your comments on the 'Chaos theory' post was very good – that's the way to disagree. Till day, I don't know what to answer. But that makes us think and learn more on the subject.

      Destination Infinity

  6. oorja

    happy to disagree… anytime…. 😉

    and you know we can only disagree openly with a person if we care enough about them (especially on a blog where we could easily choose not to comment)…and know the person will see it in the right way.. like u did. 🙂

    and congrats on your awards… and you got them as you really deserve them.

    and yes.. thanksssssss…. 😀

    1. Destination Infinity

      That is something I have been wondering about. Why do people not comment? I mean, when I take efforts to read articles, I would rather comment on the post. Unless I don't have anything to say, which for us Indians, we always have something to say! I think comments are one of the major plus points in blogs.

      Destination Infinity

  7. Vimmuuu

    LOL, you sure know how to give away awards !! Thanks a lot and congrats to the rest of them.

    And Im glad you got frustrated and bored in/with life. We wouldnt have had a Destination Infinity otherwise 😀 😀 😀

    1. Destination Infinity

      That's the positive way of looking at things! 🙂

      Destination Infinity

  8. Ashwathy

    a lovely post…
    begins on a different note… flows along to another point and ends in something else altogether.

    thank you for the award 🙂 i'm honoured!

    btw i liked those 2 contrasting conversations of urs… wish ppl had the 2nd one often… results in less conflict!

    1. Destination Infinity

      They can have either type of conversation, but I just wish people don't always think that they are right and the other person is wrong. In fact, that's what I have done here too… but if someone had pointed out, I would have accepted. I think that accepting ones mistakes is the first step in correcting it.

      Destination Infinity

  9. Nita

    Thanks for the award DI.
    And is been a pleasure communicating with you on this blog and mine. I remember when you first appeared, you were very reserved then. You have opened up now and your posts seem to be improving!!

    1. Destination Infinity

      Actually I am quite an introvert. That was one of the main reason that I took sales as a career! so that I would become more extrovertish… Your's was one of the first blog I stumbled into and I really liked it, back then! I guess that South Indian, North Indian debate is still going on in your blog… it never loaded fully for me to comment on it!! 🙂

      Destination Infinity

  10. Sandhya

    Yes, Destination Infinity, I too have opened up, after I started blogging. Even I take sometime to digest negative comments, but feel happy to notice that the commenter has taken the effort to say what he feels, frankly, instead of keeping mum.

    I am one of them who have two views about everything. You have explained that nature, beautifully!

    'Yes Boss', habit is good for coming up in workplace, maintaining friendship, keeping the relatives and spouses happy…your view here is 100% correct!

    We have come across brokers like this and bankers too. The brokers brainwash us so much that we think that we are buying a goldmine. Once the deal is over, they just behave indifferently. If we come across any problem, we have to solve by ourselves. They are strangers. I am talking about a reputed real estate broker. Nowadays, it is happening everywhere. We don't come across even a bit reasonably sincere person. Get frustrated often and have started doubting about everyone.

    I loved your blogs about education very much. Loved musical blogs. Your short stories too were very very good. You should write them often, Destination Infinity.

    I am really really honoured. Thanks a lot for the award. It means a lot to me. I am still not very confident about my writings. Awards from good writers like you… I am overwhelmed.

    1. Destination Infinity

      Yes boss habit is not good at coming up in work place. It is quite inevitable, but if someone is able to grow beyond that, they can grow faster (not always in the same company though!)…

      When I went to Kanchipuram recently, I was amazed at the contrast between a small town and a big city. Just increasing the value of the land for the sake of it is not going to help anyone. Maybe it helps only the brokers. But they too will suffer due to the increase in cost of living because of such things. I don't know when the city dwellers are going to come out of their fixed mindset.

      I too missed reading your blog for sometime, but will be regular in the future…

      Destination Infinity

      1. Sandhya

        If you are not the 'yes boss' type means, you have got managerial capacity. You will be good in making people work for you, Destination Infinity. But here, too, you have to strict where you should be and lenient, where it is applicable. My husband is an example. I have seen him handling people. If he doesn't like the opponent's views, his face becomes blank. He never argues, but keeps the chapter closed. He has got the knack of taking decision correctly, the result shows it. His company has got many people working for him for a long time, but they never cross the line even now.

        I am the opposite!

      2. Destination Infinity

        That's experience. When people have a lot of experience, they can handle other people better. Hope I too learn all that soon…

        Destination Infinity

  11. msr

    Thanks for the Award. Now this will demand me to update my blog more often.
    In reptrospect, I wonder if you gave this award more for my being hostile in the comment section rather than my blog 😉

    1. Destination Infinity

      Actually I wanted to give a critique award for you and ketan, but didn't have an image for that!! 🙂 And it is a good idea to update your blog more frequently.

      Destination Infinity

  12. Winnie the Poohi

    ah blogging indeed is an alternate reality 🙂 Such a wonderful escape.

    And as far as the guy in question.. ah I cud have never agreed. I would have simply changed the topic.. if there one thing I agree with my father is.. never take loan! If you can manage save n buy the best way to go. I guess it helps that I am not much into the Coolest stuff" 🙂

    And what a wonderful way to merge topic of blogs awards with alternate reality!! 😀

    1. Destination Infinity

      I tried changing the topic, but he comes back to the same after some time!

      I agree to that point: Save and buy. And don't buy unnecessary things. Actually it was only blog awards and I wanted to give an introduction to various blogs, but Kanagu just did that! So, had to think of something different!

      Destination Infinity

  13. sakhi

    Thanks a bunch for the award 🙂 🙂

    1. Destination Infinity

      No problem, we give awards hoping to get back more 😉

      Destination Infinity

  14. Rakesh Vanamali

    Completely agree with your post here! In a world of today, where diplomacy is the name of the game…..people agree very rapidly to anything that anyone says hoping not to be caught on the wrong foot!

    There is no intellectual stimulation or exchange of ideas…. there is only a pleasing attitude…..!

    Many congratulations on the awards and thanks very much for passing one to me too!

    1. Destination Infinity

      Actually the pleasing attitude prevents the intellectual exchange of ideas. Maybe these days, people are feeling safe because of getting good salaries… Life is not as simple as being happy by making a lot of money!

      Destination Infinity

  15. kanagu

    Brilliantly said DI… after your post only I have started think that by just nodding my head I have escaped long conversation… but to disagree you should have known those people… and they know what kind of person you are and accept your views..
    and for brokers and bankers, all they have in their mind is completing their target for that month… they have very little time to think about us… atlast they must be survival of the fittest in their field.
    congrats on getting the award and thanks for giving it to me… I am really happy 😀 😀

    1. Destination Infinity

      That part about brokers and bankers is so true! No one cares about longevity and customer satisfaction these days – in those two professions, I mean.

      Destination Infinity

  16. sakthi

    Hi i read your post its very nice and wonderful…
    so i add u in my bolg list and can u add me in your blog list…

  17. Solilo

    Happy Independence Day, DI! I know I am late but was away from virtual world.

    Thank you for coolest blogger award. Honored!

    1. Destination Infinity

      No problem, and you are the only commenter who has seen and wished for Independence day! Thanks for that!!

      Destination Infinity

  18. Ambi

    At least one person in this world thinks I am a cool blogger!

    Sweet!

    Thanks for the award, dude!

    1. Destination Infinity

      You are a cool blogger, but for a long time you didn't update your blog – good to see you updating it now. My pleasure, awarding people!!

      Destination Infinity

  19. Vivek

    hey…stumbled onto your blog while looking for a list of slow telugu songs…found a lot more 🙂 COuldnt resist tagging myself in this…have a list 0f 205 hindi songs in my blog. .http://vicksvapourub420.blogspot.com do look and comment 🙂

    1. Destination Infinity

      List of 205 songs – you are the second person doing such a long list. The first person not only had a list but linked each and every song to the Youtube video!! Your enthusiasm encourages me.

      Destination Infinity

  20. Reema

    "in spite of two bogus accounts you have created to scrap to yourself! " LOL 😀 Have u done that?? 😀
    thank you dear for the award!

    1. Destination Infinity

      Well, not all that I write is true… I generally don't tell which is true and which is not. But that scrap1, scrap2 etc. donating thing is true 🙂

      Destination Infinity

  21. Vivek

    The youtube link is next…but I dunno how to do it..I can only embed the video which I dont want to 🙂 If you can enlighten me, I will go ahead and link the videos too

  22. Rajkumar

    your blog is very interesting.I like to add you in my blog roll
    I welcome you to my blog,leave your valuable comments and your link back is welcomed……….

  23. Chrysalis

    Such a wonderful Post DI. Love it and Love the Award too. I sometimes take a lot of time to come up with new posts because I feel very responsible for what I write and anxious at the thought that what I have written may not be right. Right as in not that it may not agree with the popular opinion but Right as in integrating what I am learning (Vedic Sanskriti) and presenting it correctly.
    Your award increases my sense of anxiety but in a good way. So Thank You so Much 🙂

  24. radha

    i consider my blogs a reality and dont really see a dfference between my writing and my lifestyle when i dont blog; they are integrated part of myself and not an escape. i love blogging, it's part of my personality an character. i just do it without knowing why i do it 😉 thank u for renewing the tag, oh no u listed Jacko's song which i had in mind, that's a furious supersong!

  25. Brownphantom

    You are so right about those conversations.
    Really glad that you chose the blog-route and are coming up with quality posts.
    Thank you so much for the award :).
    When I read the title, I thought it would be one of your science related posts; but it actually fits in very well with the content :).

  26. axinia

    DI, again a piece of your brillinace – please read my last post on Indigo, it may explain something about you 🙂

    Thanks a lot for this beauitful award – I have not got such one so far!

  27. An alien Earthling

    Thanks for the award, DI 🙂

    Yes, blogging is an alternate reality for sure, much better than the mundane stuff.

  28. Poonam Sharma

    Whoa! I had received an award here, but I had no idea. It feels very nice, thank you! 🙂

    P.S: And the land, loan conversation was interesting. I have seen similar protagonists in life. 😛

    There are so many like them in real life… I think the blog-samaj is much more interesting and meaningful…

  29. Blogging And Me « My Random Thoughts

    […] met more wonderful bloggers along the way. Destination Infinity had awarded me the Addicting Blog […]

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