I grow tired of picking up a paper, or reading an article online about how this party is calling out the other party on some ridiculous matter that has no bearing on our society.  I have had enough of our leaders rejecting the ideas of others before the idea even has a chance to come to fruition.  Then, when the idea doesn’t produce the outcome that was hoped it would achieve, the finger-pointing starts all over again.  The thing that no one sees is that such legislation or policy is destined to fail because it was never given the proper support to make a run at succeeding.

Regardless of your political affiliation, it is safe to say that too many times our leaders stick to their hardline ideals about petty things.  They can’t even see through their own ego to give something a chance and work together to collaborate to bring our nation to a better place.  Instead, we see votes straight down party lines, and the opposition preaching about a failed policy that never had a chance to begin with.

What ever happened to the art of negotiation?  Why are people so set in their ways that they can’t see that maybe they don’t have all the answers.  Perhaps an idea from another person might have some validity?  Why can’t compromise be reached and people make sacrifices for the sake of harmony and having an equal part in the development of society?  Instead, the politicians fight against any idea that differs from what they are “supposed” to think.  This allows them to wordsmith their way out of supporting any legislation or policy, regardless of the outcome.  As a popular song once said, “when they own the information, they can bend it all they want.”  Politics has nothing to do with making our country better, it is all about self-serving, foolhardy individuals who only care about remaining in office so they can continue to perpetuate their ineffectiveness for a countless number of years.

I often think about what our founding fathers would say if they saw what our country had become.  They risked their lives – everything they had, so that we could be free.  They constructed the constitution as a cooperative body, entering into debate and conversation, rather than rhetoric and slander.  They knew that a true democracy was working together for a common good.  They didn’t continually focus on doing what would get them re-elected.  Instead, they did what they thought was right for our country and learned the lessons as the went.  Today, though, no one learns anything, we see the same brainless behavior day in, and day out.  Not a single soul moving to the middle to try to work things out.

Insanity is repeatedly doing the same thing and expecting different results.  Following this definition, one could say that our political establishment is an insane asylum.  These so-called leaders go to the hill every day, do the same thing, and think that a different result with manifest.  Too bad none of them take the time to realize that their foolish ways are only causing more of a divide in our populace and making us look like a tantrum throwing, spoiled brat to the rest of the world.

One could then say that entities like the tea party are what this country needs.  On the contrary, they are exactly what this country doesn’t need.  We don’t need more lunatics trying to impose their will upon others, and creating more drama where it already exists.  They were so proud of themselves because they succeeded in getting many new congressional members elected.  However, the people who were elected because of these rebel rousers are no better than what was already there.  Instead, we now have a highly emboldened group of people who think they are going to “fix” America by forcing their overly unrealistic policy on everyone else.

What is the solution to what we have become? Unfortunately, I don’t really know.  I think that we are too far gone to really enact any serious change.  Compromise and cooperation are not words that are in the vocabulary of the aristocracy we have elected to run our country.  Reform is a distant thought that people like to throw around these days, but how would you even begin to reform something that can’t be salvaged?  I think we are just resigned to living with the status quo until someone or something comes along that inspires our leaders to change and to revisit the place whence we came.  Until that happens, may God help us all….

Being a leader in the Association has not only helped me to work past some of my weaknesses and anxieties, such as public speaking and just getting out and meeting people.  It has also helped me to become more confident in my abilities, as well as becoming more in tune with the world that goes on around us.  It has helped me to see that even though things may seem placid on the surface, the turbulent current underneath the glass-like sheen of the world is constantly in motion.

While attending the many meetings, summits, and conferences, the one thing that is always prevalent are the ideas and knowledge being shared by others.  Often time we try to rethink everything and recreate the wheel.  I used to be guilty of that myself.  However, being in the meeting rooms with people who have walked the walk and have experienced numerous things in the past, you learn to take that wisdom and reuse it, with some modifications, to promote the interests of your own organization.  Now this doesn’t mean that everything you do is a carbon copy of some other idea that you have heard, but instead they are like starting points that you can use to manifest something that is unique in its own right; something that is special for your own organization.

I have always been one to speak out for myself and others, but being in my current position I have begun to fine tune the art of being political.  It is amazing how changing around a simple sentence structure can change the timbre of a request, while still maintaining its urgency and necessity.  You learn how to navigate through the tumultuous rapids of politics and enable yourself to get the best result you can for your members and the organization as a whole.  Perhaps this is the big issue that people have against the unions, that we are always trying to get the best results for our members.  Unfortunately, that is what a union is there to do.  It exists to protect the rights of the employees and to provide them with a fair system of due process.  Our society is founded upon the principle of everyone having rights, so it is only fair that those rights transcend the private sector and become part of our working environment.  In teaching, our working environment is the students’ learning environment.

As an only child I often times would get the things that I wanted.  Maybe not right when I wanted them, but eventually my parents found a way to get me what I desired.  However, in this position you learn quickly that you can’t always have what you ask for and the art of negotiation is your only resort.  There are so many instances that I can recall in my life where a simple demand was made, and the request was granted.  However, when it comes to negotiations dealing with salary, benefits, working conditions, or one of the other thousand things we deal with, the simple act of compromise goes a long way.  Too many times people think that it is easy to go in and demand everything you want and that the other side will see to it that your wishes are granted.  Unfortunately, when dealing with another group of individuals, who also have their own interests to look out for, the task is not so simple.  Before I became involved in this whole scenario, I too have to admit that I thought it would be easier than it was.  Now, after some time in this venue, I have discovered that you really do catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, and there are always two sides to a coin.

Don’t misinterpret me being sympathetic to compromise the wrong way.  It is not a subtle call of defeat or timidness.  Being surrounded by the people I have been since my epic journey began, you learn when to standup and when to push the limits.  I have been blessed to interact with some amazing people who have a lot experience behind them.  If there is one thing that you should know about me it is that I am ALWAYS observing and measuring the room.  There is never a time that I am sitting there in idle with my engine just purring along.  I am always thinking, calculating, planning, and preparing.  There are very few details that go unnoticed to me and don’t become part of my overall strategy.  Observing is one of the principle ways that I learn.  Many people talk too much and think they have all the answers, or they ask too many questions at inappropriate times trying to flaunt their “knowledge”.  It is amazing, being in the situations and surrounded by some of the people I have been, what you can learn by just simply shutting your mouth and watching.  You learn how to use your words to your advantage and the opponents words to their demise.  You learn about things that are integral to carrying out your day-to-day duties.  Just by seeing and imitating what you have observed you can garner a wealth of knowledge without even lifting a finger.

I have learned, though, that while silence is golden, when the situation presents itself to pick the minds of others who have been where you are, you should not pass it up.  When I first started doing this I felt as though I was being a nuisance to them.  There is one person in particular that I ask A LOT of questions to, but they kindly answer them and give me the help and guidance that I seek.  The advice that I have gotten from this person, and the others I have talked to, is invaluable.  It behooves a person to take their words to heart, because they have been there.  They have walked in your shoes, and now they are where you want to someday be.  The coolest thing about talking to different people is when you start to hear the same message being delivered.  When that starts to happen you really need to remember those things, because it’s not just a coincidence that multiple people have advised you to do the same thing.  Again, don’t recreate the wheel when you don’t need to.

On top of all the things I have mentioned, being in this position has impressed upon me how much you are able to help people.  The average union member isn’t aware of ALL the rules, rights, and policies – that’s your job.  So, when they come to you with an issue or a problem, and they are seeking your advice and help, you’re there to do the best that you can for them.  Even though sometimes the members come to me in an awful situation, and I might not be able to help them in a way that they want, making the problem go away.  I am still able to provide them some solace and a helping hand through the process.  I am a fresh set of objective ears to hear the concerns, and a beacon of hope in what can be some tough times.  It feels wrong to say that it makes me feel good when I help people who are at such a low point in their day, week, year, or life.  I guess, instead, you can say it makes me feel content that I was able to assist in whatever way I could. 

So, what does all of this mean?  At first glance, it seems like I have just rambled on about horde of things I have done over the last few months.  Perhaps it is, but the lessons I have learned, why so simply put on paper, have been life changing.  I have seen and experienced a lot in such a short time, and every day I grow from what I go through.  Forever remembering that I am there to help people and to do what I think is right.  Will I always be right, no way, but you learn from those times when you are wrong, and make it better next time. 

These first six months have been a wild ride, but it is a ride that I hope will last for a long time to come.

What is the “me” epidemic?  Well, that’s easy to answer.  It is the general belief that we are entitled to everything.  That we don’t have to work for what we want, and that we don’t have to pay for things we need.  “I” deserve everything, and everything “I” want should be available to me at no cost or with no effort required.  Our state, the welfare state, is full of individuals who abuse the system because they are too lazy to go out and find a job of their own or to make a living for themselves.  Now yes, the job market right now is kind of rough, and that has hampered attempts by many to find work.  Let’s be honest though, this welfare problem existed well before this current stint we are going through.  People get comfortable getting something for nothing.  The government gives me a check.  The more babies I have, the more money I get.  Why should I try to find a job and contribute to society?  It’s just easier to sit here, have babies, and get paid to stay at home.  Sadly, everyone loses in this scenario – the people who legitimately need the funds, and those who have to pay for it.

Let’s talk about public education and organized labor.  Let me count the number of times I have heard people complain about how the teachers are the problem in education.  It’s the big unions fault that the school system is how it is.  Isn’t it sad that our great society, which believes in equality, justice for all, and the pursuit of happiness, can fault an organization of professionals for trying to make sure that they are treated as professionals and compensated as such?  Do we all not strive for this in our own professions?  I have yet to meet someone who says that they are perfectly happy with the amount of money they make and they never want to earn a dime more.  How dare you try to tell us that because we chose to enter a certain field, that we do not have the right to provide for our families and to earn enough money to send our own children to the same great colleges and universities we are helping your own kids get in to.  We should not be faulted for trying to provide our own children a means to excelling in this horribly over competitive world, where the weak become part of the problem and the strong fight to make everyone else weak; constantly perpetuating the errors of our world. 

For the cynics of public education who say that teaching is a “part-time job”…I invite you to spend a week in the shoes of a classroom teacher.  I ask you to keep straight the 30+ personalities of the students in your class, upwards of 150-200 if you teacher high school or junior high.  Remember about and adapt your instruction for the learning disabilities and learning styles of all your students.  Taking into consideration the home lives of all your students.  Also remembering their likes, dislikes, and the things that motivate them to become better citizens in training.  I encourage you to see past the minimum hours you think we work, and really see the extra time that goes into our profession, away from our own families.  All for making the lives of your children better, at the risk of the detriment of our own families.  I ask you to clear your calendar and attend the IEP’s, the SST’s, the back to school nights, open houses, school plays, band concerts, football games, and staff meetings.  Let’s not forget the essays and homework that you have to grade on your own time, during dinner, or after you place your own child in bed, wishing you had five more minutes to play with them.  If you think it is so easy to be a teacher, and that we shouldn’t get paid a fair, professional wage because we are a public “servant” then you are mistaken.  Somewhere along the way maybe you weren’t hugged enough, told you were loved, or just had a bad childhood and now you are soured towards everyone out there who is really trying to make a difference in the lives of others.  Regardless, you can choose to enact change in your own life if you want to.  No amount of attention, love, or motivation can make you see things differently until you remove the blinders and decide to see the world for how it is, instead of how you thought it was.

This country that we all love so much, grew out of the work of organized labor.  To deviate from this is like disowning our soul, and saying that what was done for us is no longer appreciated and we don’t care for the sacrifices you made.  Organized labor exists because in our free world there are still people who feel that they have control over others; that they can decide who is worthy and who is not.  People can still be fired for the color of their skin, the way they dress, the people they love, and for any other petty reason under the sun.  THAT is why organizing is still an important concept at the core of our nation.  And until people can truly become accepting of others and their differences, then organized labor and a collective voice will remain a necessity.

The time has come, for us as a society to either put up or shut up.  We can no longer stand around pointing the finger at others and blaming them for our faults and transgressions.  It is the responsiblity of each and every one of us to account for our own lives, and to act as a society.  If we want a service, then we have to pay for it.  If we want to change something for the better, then we better stand up and do it.  Don’t sit there and pass the buck off to someone else and say it’s their problem.  That is why we are in the mess that we are today, because our society lacks leaders who are willing to stand up for what they believe in.  We are a nation of followers, who elect “leaders” who do only what is needed to get re-elected.  Many people want to be led to pasture like a herd of sheep by a Shepard.  To enact change requires action – so do it and stop waiting for someone else to lead the way.

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…….

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…………………..

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.

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.

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.

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?