Last week I had my first Masonic Investigation meeting. For the last several weeks I had been running the ideas through my mind of what to expect from the meeting. Were they going to be really friendly, was it going to be all business, would it be some combination of the two? I had no idea what to expect, and no where can you find anything about what to expect. I waited for the day to come, and as the time we were supposed to meet got closer I got more nervous. Finally, the door bell rings, and it was time.
I greeted him at the door, introduced him to my wife, and then we had some awkward chitchat. After a minute or two we formally invited him in and went to sit in the family room. We sat down, discussed the traffic, how he had missed our exit, and just some other simple, non-masonic things. Finally, the questions began. I had thought hard about every thing I was going to say to every question I thought he would ask. To my surprise there was really about two questions he asked that I had prepared for, or needed to prepare for.
The format of the meeting was perfect. He would ask a question or two, then we would talk about some other stuff, then another question. it would go on like this for about 45 minutes. It seemed as thought the time flew by. Before we knew it he was walking out the door and the first round of my investigation was over. For all of the stressing, thinking, preparing, and going crazy about it I was totally unprepared for what would really happen. We just sat there and got to know each other. It was completely peaceful and stress free. I hope the rest of the investigation goes like this.
Speaking of the rest of my investigation. My petition is supposed to be voted on a week from this Tuesday, June 3rd. I still haven’t received a call from the other two people who I am supposed to meet, and next week is kind of a crazy week for my wife. When the Masons meet with you they also want to meet with your wife, this might be a problem with her schedule. Unfortunately, it is all out of my hands. I just have to sit here, wait, and trust that everything will go as it is planned and that the schedules will work. I have been waiting a little over two months to join and I am getting really anxious because it is so close, but really still so far away. Stay tuned, there is much more to come…….
Last night my wife and I attended the stated meeting dinner for the Masonic Chapter I want to join. When we first got there I was really nervous. It was going to be the first time I would meet many of the members and I wanted to make a good impression, plus I didn’t know what to expect. As we sat there in the parking lot I gathered up more and more courage until we finally got out and walked in. When we went in I found the Worshipful Master, the person who has helped me through the process since day one. He took me around, introduced me to a couple people and then they introduced me to a couple more, and on this process went. Finally it was time to eat.
We sat down at our own table, by ourselves, I guess everyone has their designated tables, unofficially of course. Luckily several of the members came to sit with us. The Senior Warden, Junior Deacon, the Officer Coach/Past Master, and a newly raised Master Mason were there with us. They had a lot of information to share with me and they were all so nice. They really made me feel comfortable and that I could someday really belong to this chapter and really fit in.
Yes, many of the men there were twice my age or more. But I didn’t really care about that as much as I thought I might. I knew that there were a majorityof older men in this organization when I started onsidering joining and that I was somewhat of a rarity, with my youth, but after I got in there the lines of age just seemed to blur together and everyone seemed equal. I guess that is part of what freemasonry does. It doesn’t matter your wealth, status, or occupation, everyone there is equal, and a brother.
My petition was read at the meeting last night and now that means I will soon participate in the Masonic Investigation. After talking to those guys last night I am feeling much more comfortable about it and in a way looking forward to it. It will give me an opportunity to meet some more of the members and will give me a one-on-one opportunity to ask them some questions. I am sure everything will turn out ok, it’s just the waiting that is the hardest part. I am glad, though, that summer is coming. I will be able to devote a lot of time to studying and hopefully smoke right through the degrees and become an active Master really soon.
More light to come…………………..
Filed under: Masonic Light, Masons | Tags: Freemasonry, Masonic Degrees, Masonic Light, Masons, Master Mason
Well, I have recently submitted my petition to become a member of the oldest fraternity in the world, the Free and Accepted Masons, or Freemasonry, or even Masons for short. My grandfather was a Mason and I would have to say that my original interest in the fraternity stemmed from him. Never knowing him, because he died when I was young, really kept me from asking him questions or even experiencing Masonry through him. However, once he and my grandmother passed away I was able to look through old photos and documents of his. In those treasures I found pictures of him in Temple wearing his regalia. I also found his membership pins, including his 32-degree Scottish Rite pin. After finding these things I had an enormous draw to the organization because I was curious what it was about and why my grandfather had this as a major part of his life.
A couple of years ago I thought I was going to be able to take the first steps and fill out a petition. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of switching teaching positions, moving to my current school in Orange county, as well as trying to purchase a house. I realized that it wasn’t the right time because I wouldn’t be able to dedicate as much time to the fraternity or learning the material as I would want or need to. Even after this decision the thought of joining never left me. Over the next couple of years I would continue researching the organization, reading articles, and watching shows about the Masons. Yes, I know the shows present a onesided, often ludicrous view of Masonry, but hey, I was really, really interested in learning and seeing stuff about them.
Finally a few weeks ago I took the step, I contacted a friend of mine who happens to be on my band booster board, as well as a Mason, and I told him I was interested in joining. He was very excited and took the intiative to get me a petition. Due to crazy circumstances we were never able to meet up to exchange info and to give me the paperwork. So, I took it into my own hands, contacted the Grand California Lodge and they hooked me up with the number of my local chapter. I contacted the WM of the lodge and he wanted to get together. Being it was close to the weekend and they had already had their stated meeting he thought it would be a great idea for us to meet at a local DeMolay officer installation ceremony. So I did, and it was REALLY cool!
I finally had my petition in hand. I took it home, filled it out, wrote my check, and was ready to begin. I meet the WM the following Tuesday at his lodge. I handed over my materials and he proceeded to take me on a tour of the lodge. I instantly feel in love with the Temple, it was old and had a really cool historic feel to it. It is hard to put into words the feelings that came to mind when I was there, but I just remember I was in awe. The old furniture, the dim, but plentiful lighting, the hangings on the walls. It was the total package.
Since then it has been a couple of weeks and I have been in contact with some of the members off and on. Being they only meet once a month, and the fact I turned my petition in literally a few days after their monthly stated meeting, I have had to wait some time. My petition is going to be read at the meeting in about a week and a half. From there if they decide to let me proceed they will send out three members to investigate me. I am somewhat nervous about this whole process. Not because I have anything to hide, or because I am not a good man. My finances are in order, and I don’t have a criminal record, but it is more so the fear of the unknown. You don’t know what they are going to ask, or who they will be, or the type of impression you will make on them. Knowing that it only takes one black ball to keep you out of the fraternity it is kind of nerve-racking.
Regardless of all this I am so anxious to get the process started. I have noticed from reading many other Masonic blogs that the hurry up and wait thing is pretty common throughout the whole Masonic nation and world. It’s ok, because I was brought up with the idea that anything good is worth waiting for, and I also understand that there are certain policies and procedures that they must go through. I know that this whole process is designed to make sure that only the most desireable and worthy people are allowed to join. They don’t want to admit everyone, and that makes sense. Afterall, the members of the group are what will ideally determine the reputation of Freemasonry to the world. While my impatience grows, so does my anticipation and excitement. I can’t wait for things to get going.
In my reaserch I have read many things about the esoteric nature of the rituals and goings on of the fraternity. To me this is perfectly fine, and I am actually used to it. In college I was part of a National Secret Music Fraternity. We had secret grips, words, signs, etc. We also had rituals and things we did to graduate new members to the ranks of the organization. I have always been a huge fan of symbolism and the inner, not so obvious meaning of things. So I welcome the secrets and rituals of Masonry because I think it is great to reflect on those types of things and to learn new stuff. I am also excited for the bonds that will be made with my hopefully soon to be new brothers. I think that, along with being part of something ancient, helpful, caring, and as special as Freemasonry will be amazing.
I hope to continue posting through my journey of reaching the sublime degree of a Master Mason. Wish me luck, and I hope to someday be a full member of this great fraternity.
So, it has been a while since I have made a post, mostly in part to it being band director camp is finished and school has started. So, I really haven’t had anything that has pissed me off or made me turn my head and say “WHAT?!” This has been the case until today. My dear wife decided she needed a quick fix, so she ventured out to one of our local Starbucks and got us both something to drink. Pretty much the only drink I have there is a java chip frapuccino, a fabulously creamy blend of coffe, chocolate chips, and whipped cream. It is like drinking a soft fluffy pillow when it is made correctly. However, I have noticed over the years that the quality of my fluffy pillow has started to decline. It seems like every time I get this drink there is another ingredient that makes it into the mix a little more than it should, ice! Now, yes, I understand that ice is an essential part of making a frapuchino, but is it too much to ask that they actually blend in the ice instead of leaving them floating in my drink like little glaciers?! It is so bad that anywhere you place the straw you can’t avoid the icy expanses of the grande sized cup. Scientist say that the polar ice caps are melting, well, I can say I found them…..in my frapuccino!
I think the saddest thing about this entire situation besides the fact that I am taking my dental health into my own hands trying to drink this arctic habitat, is that no one really seems to care about the drinks in which they are serving at their establishment. In the hurried frenzy of trying to get drinks out to the extremely hectic, demanding, and rude working people of America, they seemed to of forgotten that they need to serve quality products! That is the whole point of running a business, right? To serve your customers the best possible product that you can, encouraging return investments when they come back the next day, and every day for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, it seems as though that Starbucks doesn’t care about this, or that they have reached the coveted position in retail food where you no longer need to worry about quality because the lemmings will continue on their normal path of destruction every day regardless of some frosty penguin friends swimming in their drink. Maybe I am expecting too much. Maybe I am expected to be lulled into the every day humdrum that the other commuters of the world are in. Do not ask questions, do as we say, and pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
It has been a little under a week since I have returned from the Emerald Isle of Ireland and I so wish that I could go back. Ireland is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in my entire life! I have traveled around the states a lot in my life, but this was the first time that I actually went to a different country besides Canada and Mexico. It was so exciting getting on the plane and flying half way around the world. That long seven hour flight couldn’t of gone any faster though. I was so excited to get there I wished it was only a two hour flight.
Once we landed we hit the ground running. We took a bus to our hotel, but we could check in because all the flights that went to Ireland from the states all got in no later than 9:00am. The hotel staff was very nice though. They held our luggage for us and brought it to our room after we had checked in. This freed us up to go and explore the city on a very cool bus tour the concierge recommended to us. This tour basically took us around all of the cool things to see and do in Ireland. It helped us get acquainted with the location and it also helped us put together a game plan for the next week.
While in Ireland we went to all the monuments, cathedrals, the Guinness factory, and most of the castles in the near by area. We saw the oldest jail in Ireland, as well as taking pictures of all the various churches and buildings around town. I would have to say the coolest part of our trip was the day trips that we took. The first one was to Cork to see the Blarney Castle and then on to the city Cobh, pronounce Cove, where the Titanic docked for the last time before it sank in the Atlantic. The second trip we took was to the city of Galway. Along the way we stopped at this towering cliffs that rose from the sea hundreds of feet. They are the tallest ocean cliffs in all of Europe, the Cliffs of Moher. They were so amazing, I took so many pictures of them. After this we went to a town called Claire where we had our first traditional Irish meal. After this we stopped at the Burren, an ancient sea floor off the coast of Ireland that is now above the sea and lacks any green what so ever. It is like a gigantic rock slab in the middle of all this lush green country. It was pretty unreal. After this we took a lengthy bus ride around the harbor to Galway where we caught our train and went back to Dublin. That was pretty much the end of our trip.
Looking back at the whole experience I don’t think I would have changed a thing. Maybe we could have stayed a few days longer so that we wouldn’t have been so busy every day, but I think that we did everything there was to do and any more time would have just been forced, trying to do stuff. However, we could have done another of those day tours to some other part of the country. Oh well, something for next time I guess.
Some things that really surprised me while in Ireland was how helpful and friendly the people were. You could ask any of the Irish people a question and they would answer you so politely and they would make sure you understood where you needed to go. I couldn’t believe how kind they were. If you were to do the same thing here in the state God only knows what kind of reaction or information you would receive. This trend of kindness was only elevated when we landed in Chicago and had to go through customs. There is this form that the immigration officer gave me in Ireland, she stamped it and told me to hold on to it. I did this, of course, being the over protective first time traveler. Unfortunately, on the almost eight hour flight I had forgotten about this piece of paper that was in my pocket. We get off the plane, had to get our luggage which I thought was a pain in the ass and I had never heard of before in my life, then we went to the customs gate. We went up tot he gate and I didn’t have that paper out, because I forgot I had it. I explain to him that we already went through immigration, we already got stamped, etc. Instead of being helpful and reminding me of getting this paper stamped he basically yells at me and lectures me. He basically was treated me in the same way that most immigrants say Americans treat them, rude and inpatient. This officers advice was just a mouthful of insults and un-helpful crap. I had only wished there was something in my power that I could have done. It didn’t help the fact that this guys little buddy next to him running the other line was chiming in throwing his insults at us too. This whole experience in the Chicago airport has made me lose all respect for customs officials and it has made me never want to travel through that airport again. Unfortunately, this will never be felt by anyone and no one will ever know how unsatisfied I was with how I was treated. No wonder people from other countries can’t stand Americans. I could barely stand us!
Will I travel again even after I had this horrible experience with these lame customs agents….definatly. I have actually already started my research for our next destination, Spain and Portugal. It won’t be for a few years, but you can never start planning too early. If you want to see pictures from our Ieland trip just check out my Flickr site, there is a link on my front page.
Last night I attended a huge gala event to recognize the camp director here at ABC. This guy has taught for so many years, and knows a lot of really talented, and popular people in the music world. It is unbelievable how much this one person has done for the field of music in his career. Although I don’t agree with a lot of the things he has done, or how he has done them, it is hard to not see how much he has contributed to the profession, and the art.
The main point that I want to discuss is how will we/I be remembered, or will we/I. I know that I would love to have a huge celebration like this in honor of my accomplishments, or contributions someday, but will anyone feel the need to do this, or will I really deserve something of this magnitude? At this event there were people flown in from all over the world, just to conduct pieces, give a speech, or to commission a piece music for this guy. That is truly amazing, and I wonder, would people do this for me? I know that I am still young and I have not had the time to contribute to my profession like this gentleman has, but what lies ahead for me? Will I be something great, or will I just be some normal person that people forget abot shortly after I am gone?
I think everyone wants to be remembered, but what is memory worthy? Is showing up to work everyday, and giving everything you have to kids, teaching them to learn music worth being remembered, or do you have to take on some gigantic feat, and make some break through in your profession? I don’t think anyone really knows. I think people are remembered for many reasons, but you just have to hope you are someone that people want to remember.
Next time you are doing something, ask yourself, will I always be remembered for this, or will I simply fade away into eternity?
