Important matters that aren’t really.

…But kinda are.
IMG_0671

Firstly, I’d like you to look at today’s post’s opening photo. That right there is a fellow my old neighbor Jennifer dubbed as ‘Howdy Jesus’. I bought him in Flagstaff one night many years ago when on a drunken rampage with Steve Garro, and besides not having left my side since, has given me a bit of inspiration for today’s post.

Secondly, I’ll preface today’s effort with the announcement that I spent the weekend with a five, seven and nine year old. We made fart jokes, and I learned more than I care to know about Minecraft. Because of this fact, I also spent most of it half to two-thirds in the bag.

The result of this was little to no time to write a proper post so I apologize for what you’re about to read. I also apologize for the last seven and a half years as well.

Now then- Can anybody tell me if the world is going a bit crazier over the last year or two than usual?

I mean, I wasn’t around during the Vietnam War or the Cuban Missile Crisis. I understand by talking to folks who were that it was a common perception that the world was on the verge of collapse. In speaking with the generation previous to that, the second World War was the beginning of the end that everyone feared. Though my generation lived through the saber rattling of the Cold War, these days there are weekly mass shootings, environmental catastrophe, racial strife, and constant political turmoil on every channel and on every page.

Are things worse today than they have been in the past, or is it because we have immediate access to information about all of it, some of which is simply skewed personal perspective?

Recently I’ve opted to never touch on specific contemporary tragedies or injustices, because it seems like every minute of every day there is a new one.

Two years ago I wrote this diatribe regarding my views on making the world at least a tiny bit better of a place. Because I hoped more people would see it aside from the five people who come to this site, I also published it in a zine, as well as sending it in for publication in the 187th issue of Dirt Rag Magazine;
IMG_5228-2
The bottom line, is I’m a true believer in universal vibrations. Not the reggae ‘Ire Vibes’ kind of vibrations, but the kind that are akin to the pluck of guitar string. I think that a positive gesture can inspire a positive gesture and so on. The initial act can create like actions, similar to how said vibrations travel up said string. Likewise, negative actions can create negative vibrations which create negative vibrations and so on. Is there science behind this? Is it a theory that has tangible proof? No, not really, but when you act pleasantly towards a stranger, or go out of your way to make a person’s life better, I genuinely feel as though that gets payed forward.

Ever since I was a little, little kid, I played the peacemaker. If there was a schoolyard fight, I tried to offset the negativity by whatever means necessary. As I grew into an adult, I came to believe this was somehow my role in life, and upon taking the reins of this here amplification device, decided to use it to spread around a little bit of happiness to try and balance what I see as a whole lot of sadness.

Is there science that can prove any of this, or for my part, do I have it all figured out? Not at all, and not by a stretch. Am I infallible, or do I actually think that a dumb bike blog will affect change on a grand scale? Again, absolutely hell no. Do I genuinely believe that goodness can help create goodness, and conversely, a constant stream of negativity will result in more of the same? Absolutely and with every fiber of my being.

So while we’re not saving the world, or creating change in broad strokes, we have a very healthy community and dialog here, the vibrations from which I can only hope help to add to the good, and maybe even on some level detract from the bad. Of course people are (for the most part) kind to those they know and love, but what about strangers? Maybe a little bit of eye contact, or a hello, or even something as simple as holding the door open for someone could begin a domino effect for the better.

I’m going to leave this as a stand alone post because I want for folks to maybe reflect a bit and think about a pebble thrown into a pond. Think of the ripples that is causes, and perhaps reflect on the kind of ripple they’d like to create. It’s a small effort and one that if we all engage in I truly think will help to make things better all the way around.

I mean, I hate to ask it, but what would Howdy Jesus do?
little skull

Spread this like it's sick

Leave a Reply to Smitty Click here to cancel reply.

15 Responses to “Important matters that aren’t really.”

  1. james o July 18, 2016 at 8:01 am #

    #love

  2. Mike P July 18, 2016 at 8:31 am #

    By saying “not having a proper post” you mean “spot on” ” nailed it” etc.

    • doubt July 18, 2016 at 8:49 am #

      Seriously. Claims to have been wrecked all weekend, makes excuses for crappy, half-ass post then lays out this.

      No more excuses, your stuff is rad.

      • Stevil July 18, 2016 at 10:52 am #

        I just want to cover my bases.

  3. Brian July 18, 2016 at 8:46 am #

    I thought that was Buddy Christ

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Christ

  4. vtw July 18, 2016 at 10:15 am #

    a 1/2 pound of back bacon – always makes the world a better in my addled mind!

  5. JamesP July 18, 2016 at 12:20 pm #

    Good sentiments, well expressed.

  6. Aden July 18, 2016 at 1:09 pm #

    Love you.
    ❤️

  7. meli July 18, 2016 at 11:25 pm #

    <3 sk
    y yes this year indeed has been a global mean spitting troll blob poo.

  8. Rick July 19, 2016 at 7:30 pm #

    Spot on Stevil.

    As Dr. Greg Graffin said, we are the “pathetic example of Earth’s organic heritage.”

    But maybe if we all started to look at each other as brothers and sisters instead of Republicans, Democrats, independent, catholic, muslim, atheist, roadie, fixie hipster, fat, skinny, white trash, black trash, privileged, discriminated, this would all go away.

    Seems simple.

  9. Chama July 20, 2016 at 4:26 pm #

    You wrote; “Recently I’ve opted to never touch on specific contemporary tragedies or injustices, because it seems like every minute of every day there is a new one.”

    Thank you for this. I can find all the bad news I want on the web with little to no effort. What is much more difficult to find are bicycle related sites that center on having fun and experiencing the good things in life. Your site is an affirmation of why I love riding bikes. Keep it going!

  10. Smitty July 21, 2016 at 5:09 am #

    In this world, the only shortcut that’s good, and the only shortcut that’s worth taking is kindness.

  11. The Los November 9, 2016 at 10:50 am #

    Well said, sir.
    This is a little corny, but thanks for making a salient and thoughtful point.

    Los

  12. ackack November 9, 2016 at 1:45 pm #

    lovely post…thanks……..jebus…..alien……saviour……..

  13. dylan November 11, 2016 at 8:03 am #

    thank you.