So I really think I must be going crazy.
Why else would I be experiencing such disconnects with various situations in my world right now? How else can I explain these situations where I’m feeling it’s impossible to relate to certain people? Let me tell about two such situations.
Disconnect #1
I’m an avid 60 Minutes watcher. And last night I watched a segment entitled Mortgages: Walking Away. Essentially this story reported on how homeowners are walking away from their mortgages and letting the lenders foreclose because their homes have lost value. Here’s the kicker: The people featured in this story are not underwater in their house payments. In fact, they can AFFORD to pay their current mortgages. These people have decided that their home has lost value and it’s now “not worth” paying the mortgage payment that is based on their purchase price.
Am I missing something?! I cannot fathom this concept one bit! I certainly understand having to foreclose if you are underwater and truly cannot afford your home. But this – choosing to move on because you don’t think you should be paying that amount? On what planet is this okay?! These people are not taking responsibility for their actions and their contracts. And instead, they’re leaving it to the banks, the government, and yes, the tax-payer to bail them out!
Not to mention this is completely unethical (in my opinion), but this will ruin their credit scores. 60 Minutes pointed out that these folks’ credit scores will be really torn to shreds because these are people that have the financial wear-with-all to pay their obligation. One of the featured homeowners decided that he will foreclose, rent an apartment, and save up enough money so that in 3 – 5 years, his credit will improve and he can buy property. I can only hope that the lenders and banks see this type of behavior for what it is, and this guy never can rent or buy again.
Disconnect #2
I have an Acquaintance whose opinion of himself seems – to me – to be completely contrary to his actions. Acquaintance* calls himself a team-player, a leader, someone who always has a positive attitude and smile on his face. His favorite phrases are those of can-do attitudes and behaving in a graceful manner.
Yet nearly all my interactions with Acquaintance are lined with negativity. Acquaintance is extremely hostile and argumentative in every communication I have with him. He has bad-mouthed his current situation at conferences and to anyone who will listen to him. There are many people who refuse to have anything to do with Acquaintance because of his bad attitude.
In a recent communication to me, Acquaintance says he always embodies professionalism. I walked away from this recent situation with Acquaintance in utter disbelief and didn’t know what to make of anything anymore. Either there is some major disconnect in Acquaintance’s perception of himself, or again, I am going crazy.
There you have it; my recent experiences of living in my own personal Twilight Zone. So is it me? Is it the world around me? If I am indeed going crazy, please readers, tell me so I can get psychiatric help!
*Names and characteristics have been changed to protect the identities of the guilty.