This Vent-Hole (hereinafter known as IVH), if lost or stolen will not be replaced nor purchase price refunded. Violation of IVH rules will result in expulsion without refund. Admission to certain functions within the IVH may require additional innuendo; enter at your own risk. Frivolity and silliness are highly recommended for all riders. Flamewars are expressly forbidden and political ranting is strongly discouraged. Please consult your counselor, magistrate or religious functionary before usage. A copy of IVH rules can be obtained from one or more members wearing tie-dyed oxford shirts after written requests. Any transmission, rebroadcasting or any other pictures, descriptions or accounts of the IVH without expressed written consent is strictly prohibited. Comment below if you agree with said terms.
Thank you and have an IVH night.
IN WHICH I AMEND MY REMARKS FROM MONDAY
Evening, all.
So, concerning my epic rant in Monday’s IVH; I guess I should explain myself.
A thing that I like to say about myself is that I am, to a fault, very observant of people and things. And what I’ve observed lately gives me no relief about where we’re headed as a country. We get distracted by dumb and petty things, while people are hurting. We are so collectively caught up in being outraged over something that someone we don’t even know personally did to us, that the outrage we build up is all that we see anymore. And then it becomes all about what the presumptive “I” wants. Not what “the least of our brothers” want.
In essence that rant— and a couple others that day and yesterday on the Twitter— is my general frustration with people; people I believe to be smarter than what they are showing me right now. And I guess it’s because I’m getting older, I’m still going through the hard times, still trying to fight and make it in this universe where narcissism, selfishness and petulance have replaced caring for one’s neighbor. Where I think people should be trying to fight and clear a path to make life better for each other; I see people fighting the same battles, over and over again, and walking away from the newer battles, because they still can’t win the Old Battle.
Meanwhile? Young boys are killing themselves over their sexuality, more and more people are losing homes, people still are looking for work and not finding it, people are finding work that can’t support households, and yet despite all of that…
All people can get angry about is what some dumbass said up in Washington somewhere that has zero effect on anything. Meaningless, impotent and self-important outrage over inconsequential nonsense (in the largest scale of things of importance). All while people are dying to live, and living to die. Down here. Where I am. But all people do is pretend to be angry for us, then pivot back to the impotent and pointless outrage of the day.
Again.
There’s a lot more I’m frustrated with people about; but this being IVH and all, I will reserve most of that for a blog to be written later. Still, if I seem testy or more acerbic of late, that’s why: I’m frustrated with a whole lot of things and a hell of a lot more with people in general. Or maybe, I’m just getting old (I know, turning 31 in a matter of weeks is “old”) and becoming the guy who wants you off his proverbial lawn.
I just hope people realize: there are other people out here, ones you don’t see in your Starbucks klatch in New York or Los Angeles or San Francisco, that will always need the generosity of “the kindness of others”. And I don’t think some are prepared—or ready to accept responsibility—for the inevitable backlash that will come from their failure to care for these folks.
=====
Craig has Steven Wright, author Sloane Crosley, and Blake Shelton performs. Also, Craig's on this new network they call ONLYCBS. It's like CBS, has the same logo...wait...oh that's a marketing slogan. Damn it.
=====
Here's everyone's favorite thing: Craig Highlights!