May 24, 2012 0 Comments
March 15, 2012 0 Comments
I met a dear old man today
Who wore a Masonic pin.
It was old and faded like the man
Its edges were worn quite thin
I approached the park bench where he sat
To give the old brother his due
I said, "I see you've traveled east."
He said, "I have, have you?"
I said, "I have and in my day
Before the all seeing sun
I played in the rubble of Jubala
Jubilo, and Jubalum."
He shouted, "Don't laugh at the work my son.
It's good and sweet and true.
And if you've traveled as you have said
You should give these things a due.
"The word, the sign, the token,
The sweet Masonic prayer,
The vow that all have taken
Who have climbed the inner stair.
"The wages of a Mason
are never paid in gold.
But the gain comes from contentment
when you're weak and growing old.
"You see I've carried my obligation
for almost fifty years.
It has helped me through the hardships
and the failures full of tears.
"Now I'm losing my mind and my body.
Death is near but I don't despair.
I've lived my life upon the level
And I'm dying upon the square."
Sometimes the greatest lessons
Are those that are learned anew
And the old man in the park today
has changed my point of view.
To all Masonic Brothers
The only secret is to care.
May you live upon the level.
May you part upon the square.
March 15, 2012 0 Comments
March 08, 2012 0 Comments
I want to express my sincerest gratitude to Bro. Arnie Cade and the members of Tupelo Masonic Lodge. No. 318, Tupelo, Mississippi for entrusting me to design their Official Lodge Seal. I also would like to thank them for publishing my bio which you may read by clicking this link. Thank you very much for everything.
February 13, 2012 0 Comments
Looks like this one is about to go viral! Thanks for all the likes and shares! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151283887905344&l=f45407c59f
February 10, 2012 0 Comments
Steve Wozniak
February 01, 2012 0 Comments
January 08, 2012 0 Comments
I was casually browsing youtube when I stumbled upon this awesome TV ad. It's tempting to write a winding prose about why I think it is Masonic but I'll just let you see for yourself. :-)
January 07, 2012 0 Comments
It's 4am in the morning here in Toronto, Canada. The temperature outside is a comfortable 4°C (39.2 °F). I just finished laying the foundation of my newest website which I'll be keeping a secret for now (hint: also Masonic related). I wanted to keep on going but a nagging technical problem says that I must stop. And so I was about to hit the haystack when I thought that I'd just casually browse reddit (which is such a big mistake because this). And that's when I came across this thread with a very alluring title "What is the most mind blowing documentary you wish everyone would watch?" In it is a link to a documentary called The Pyramid Code. Now let me tell you that I love documentaries - most especially documentaries about Egypt. I thought I've seen them all! But 5 minutes into The Pyramid Code and I'm instantly hooked! I mean how many of you have heard of Abu Rowash? Okay, some of you may have heard of it before, especially if you're familiar with the work of Christopher Dunn- but trust me, you've never seen it this up-close and personal. Looks like I'm staying up late again. Damn you reddit!!!
Anyway, here's part 1:
January 06, 2012 0 Comments
Now there's this new video of Bro. Shaquille O'Neal making the rounds in youtube, facebook and twitter. It was a clip from NBA TV and in it was Shaq proudly wearing his (gigantic) Masonic "bling".
I have not seen the entire show but the particular clip started with them busting Bro. Shaq's balls. One remarked how he can't concentrate on the topic because of all the "bling" in Bro. Shaq's ring finger. Another one wondered "what's going on there?" to which Bro. O'Neal's dry and most elegant answer was "It's the ring of my profession... you don't know nothing about my profession."
Bro. Shaq's Masonic ring is a signet type the size of a super bowl championship ring. It bears the Square and Compass with the letter /G\ (which stands for God or Geometry) in the centre. Around it are the words "Prince Hall Master Mason". The symbols and words are set on blue enamel- blue being the favourite colour of all Masons (if you know one, ask them why- they may have to kill you for your spleen afterwards though). The ring appears to be encrusted with diamonds set on solid platinum or white gold. It was a ring to behold.
The conspiracy theorists don't have much to say about the video but it did ruffle the feathers of some Freemasons. A few days have passed since the video was posted and several Masons in Facebook are still debating about the proper way of wearing (or not wearing) a Masonic jewelry. Some have questioned the practice of making a Mason at sight; while some have indicated that though it was initially reported that Bro. O'Neil was first made a Mason at sight, he eventually took his obligations and went through all the degrees.
Another seemingly unavoidable topic that leaves a bad taste in one's mouth is the topic of PHA recognition. A few vocal minority in a particular facebook discussion thread was quick to point this out. But one comment stood out like a perfect ashlar right out of the quarry. It got the most likes.
One youtube user said "He might as well be a mason. He has shot enough bricks to build an apartment building." obviously referring to Bro. Shaq's free throw record. Another youtube user who calls himself JWadGallery commented "turn that ring upside down shaq...u aint giving off light yet...haha." The unitiated may find this particular comment peculiar but some Masons attach subtle allegories on how a Masonic ring is worn: If the points of the compass are pointing out (away from the wrist / body), the wearer is a Master or Past Master as his duties require him to be behind the altar; if the points of the compass are pointing in (towards the wrist / body), to remind himself of his obligations. So is it really important how Masonic rings should be worn? I guess it depends on what resonates with the wearer. To quote Bro. Ed King "How the ring is worn is not nearly as important as what it means to the wearer. A Mason should wear his ring should with pleasure to himself and honor to the fraternity!"
Watch the video clip below:
UPDATE: Better quality audio here http://youtu.be/x7qoxchAgw4