Drawn Swords

A very happy man tonight. I had an interview for joining Knights Templar. This is something I have been interested in for a long time. The Knights have a long and interesting history. The first global bankers. The origin of "Friday the 13th" being unlucky. Roslyn chapel. So many interwoven pieces to put together. AND I get a sword!

I just hope I don't meet the Pope or the French king.

Meeting

What a pleasant night. When life can be hectic, too fast, and sometimes downright difficult, it was great to have time out. My parents came down so that my father could come out to a Chapter meeting with me. I had a few lines to do, not a massive amount, but what I had went well, a relief as I have had so much on my mind that I had found some difficulty in buckling down to learning. And it is very satisfying to deliver lines well, with meaning. Time to meet with people, build new friendships, to share moments with my father - all very valuable to me right now. Recently for a few reasons I have not had the drive, the impetus, I needed for this or indeed much. Changes to my life style, and some decisions in my head, seem to have helped and I feel energised. Which is good because being energised results in enjoying living.

Not So Level

Well a big thank you to the BBC. Anyone watching "Ashes to Ashes" tonight will have had their negative preconceptions of the masons well and truly reinforced. I may feel a little miffed at this point.

Becoming a Knight

A wonderful night as I joined Rose-Croix this evening. Or, to give it the full title, Knights of the Pelican and Eagle, and Sovereign Princes Rose-Croix. So this means I became a Knight and a Prince.

This rates as one of the best nights I have had in Freemasonry. I know some look at my masonic activities as weird. But masonry is about thinking about yourself, it makes you look inward, to consider your motives, and to reflect on being better. It is an allegorical play. I haven't completely taken in tonight, but it was incredibly moving.

A friend told me that the ceremony would be what non-masons would imagine we would get up to. I can see what he means. No, there was not a goat. And I didn't have to roll up a trouser leg (at least, not this time). But I know what he means. A lot of symbolism. And, interestingly, from the New Testament, my other experiences are Old.

I was (almost) speechless.

Keeping A Seat Warm

Last night was the first meeting I attended as a Past Master, specifically the Immediate Past Master. Unfortunately work commitments meant I had missed the last two meetings. It's very odd being IPM. 8 years or so ago I started on the "ladder", each year taking on a new office and each year getting more to do. Then it culminated in the year in The Chiar, with an incredible amount to do and no reading of books for a year as I learnt all my lines. And suddenly you are over the crest and it isn't a gentle slope down, it's a plummet. I had all of four lines to learn for last night. That is one evening of learning, no more. And during the ceremony my main role is acting as prompt if anyone gets stuck. It serves as a good lesson in humility, from the most important in the Lodge to someone who is, frankly, expendable. And maybe that is the final lesson to learn on the path from Initiate to IPM.

But, that said, it was a good night. For the first time I was able to sit next to my father during the ceremony, and that was nice. And it was good to see friends, to share in the seasons goodwill to others.

Sat Nav Required

A Chapter night tonight. Smaller group of people but a good group. Obviousl can't tell you too much bt for the following it is enough that you should know that it involves some scenes from biblical times. And someone is supposed to say they come from Babylon. However general amusement follows when, without realising, they say they "come from Basildon".

Biffy Clyro - Mountains

Interesting, the video is set in a masonic temple.

Year End

A year ago I was installed into the chair of King Solomon. Last night it was my turn to do the installing. I really enjoyed the evening. I was rather nervous beforehand. I have had trouble learning my lines - a lot of things on my mind, difficult to concentrate, things plotting against me at the times I thought I would be able to do some learning - and I had failed to make it to a single rehearsal. So I was very worried that it would all go pear shaped. Especially as, of all the ceremonies, this was the one where the most pressure lies on the Master. It really was a case of being in charge throughout. And luckily in control as well, because it went well.

The year has gone quickly. Everyone said it would. I managed some good things (I believe). Could have done more. But generally happy. And last night was a wonderful way to end. I was presented with a Past masters collar and jewel, made even more special by the fact that they were previously my fathers and he presented them. OK, I might admit to tears in my eyes at the time. Very emotional moment.

A great, fantastic, and very enjoyable evening.

Strumming Along

So I am now the proud owner of a new acoustic guitar. This may surprise some (or even all) of you. Explanation coming. At the charity ball we have an auction, the aim being to raise as much money as possible. The first item up last night was a guitar. And people hadn't really got into the idea that they needed to bid. So I started it going, and kept it going, until suddenly no-one else bid again and I found that I was the "lucky" winner. All in a good cause anyway, and certain Greenbelt friends should now start worrying that they will be subjected to my attempts to learn at the next ops meeting.

{the auctioneer is my father, another good reason for me making sure that the auction got rolling, I'd have been in trouble otherwise}

Fairbridge Cymru

As the Master of the Lodge this year, it was my chance to chose which charity we would be raising money for. I chose Fairbridge Cymru. Fairbridge do a wonderful job working with some of the most disengaged young people in Wales. And they have a fantastic success record. 92% of young people working with Fairbridge will go on to education, training or employment.

At a time when we believe that we are a modern and caring society it is truly shocking that children still leave school unable to read or write. This is not the teachers fault, but a system that lets young people down and doesn't care for them. Fairbrige work hard to give these young people a sense of worth and of value, to give them a light for the future.

I have great admiration for those working at Fairbridge, including Nic and Rebecca in the photo who came to the ball. I was pleased to be able to talk to them and learn more about what they do. It is a charity with a low profile. I hope they get noticed more because it is incredibly important work that they do.

Waiting For Godot

Last night was our annual charity ball. Slight change of location this year and we went to the St Mellons Country Club near Cardiff. We invited some friends from Northampton and arranged to meet in the bar at 1930 hrs (the tickets were 1930 for 2000 hrs). As we do, we met them on the dot. no-one else around but, in my expecrience most people are a bit late anyway. So we ordered some drinks and had a chat. Time passed. Still no-one. Mild panic that we ahd the wrong day. But I had spoken to my parents earlier so it must be right. 1950 hrs and still no-one. Mild panic advancing to serious concern. By 1955 hrs I was wondering what had gone wrong. I went for a wander and then found that everyone else had come in by another door and there was a very busy reception party going on which we had been completely unaware of!

A Journey

For a number of reasons not close to a computer for a lot of the time at the moment so a brief respite in phtos and blogging. If I get time tomorrow I will have a major slagging off session directed towards T-Mobile, but in the meantime.

Tonight was a Chapter meeting. I hadn't been contacted before about it and laast night I was in Cardiff so unable to attend the rehearsal. I was therefore very pleased to learn that tonight I was to take another step on the ladder. I am now 2nd assistant sojourner. Which is great because as Janitor for the last year I have been outside the temple for the ceremonies but I am finally allowed back in. It feels a bit like a spy finally allowed back in from the cold. As always it was a nice night, made even better by my father being able to attend as well. At a time when so much of my life is rushed, it was nice to have an evening to slow down.

Mercia Chapter Founder Jewel

I recently bought this jewel in Edinburgh. It is slightly damaged with chipped enamel but still very colourful. I would be grateful for any information anyone can give me about it. Thank you.

Up and Up

After the rehearsal on Monday, last nights ceremony had the potential to be a disaster. There are a number of reasons why I was not as good on my lines as I would normally expect to be. A number of reasons which I don't feel like going in to here. All that matters is that Monday I was a shambles and, as the rest rely on me to be strong, the evening rapidly degenerated. I was therefore very nervous last night. And I didn't get the time pre-ceremony that I hoped for to sit in the chair and think about my lines. Too busy setting up the tables for the meal afterwards.

So, in the end, I was extremely pleased with last night. There is no doubt that, on another night, I would have been berating myself for not doing as well as I ought. But we got through it smoothly. Where I couldn't remember the exact words I at least knew the story well enough to be able to bluff my way through. And I led the team forward as I should. We got through it, no injuries (!), and all happy, with many visitors telling us what a fine ceremony (a third degree) it was.

And the relief this morning when I woken up. A load off my shoulders. And I do this for fun! But one more ceremony, an installation, and I am finished in the chair. It is already downhill from here.

Oh S@@@

Normal service will be resumed shortly but Lodge meeting tomorrow night and I really don't know my words, last nights rehearsal was a disaster. Panic mode.

Whoosh

For a Saturday this was busy. I had meant to go to a lodge rehearsal earlier this week but hadn't been able to make it in the end. So I drove down to Cardiff this morning, spent a couple of hours with my father going through the upcoming Third Degree ceremony, then rushed back. We have a family ritual of eating dips while watching X-Factor and I had to be back for that (well I was 10 minutes late, but not bad).

Brotherhood

It was quite a masonic weekend. My parents came up at the end of last week so this meant my father and I could go out to a Chapter meeting on Thursday (my weekend starts early). I am the Janitor at the moment - rather weird that the first real officer role in Chapter and I get thrown out so I can't see the ceremony. Weirder that I have lines to give, so I have to yell through the door when it is open. Actually it is a nice office to hold, you get to talk to the new (hopeful) member and try to put him at his ease. Anyway it was enjoyable, and also very nice to have an evening out with my father.

Then the LOI dinner mentioned earlier. A chance for those who regularly turn up to rehearsals (LOIs) to have a meal together with their other halves. And a lot of talk about a lot of things non-masonic. Simply a nice relaxing evening with friends. And we were lucky because the wedding at the hotel had an amazing firework display so we got to watch that as well.

Passed

A second degree ceremony. I have to admit that, for a number of reasons, I did not feel that I had learnt my lines as well as I should. And, for some of the same and some different reasons, I hadn’t managed to make any of the rehearsals. My confidence was not good. But the hour was upon us, and there was no going back. In fact it all went reasonably well. I did need some prompting, in fact normally at the easier bits because I would get through a difficult bit and think “phew” at which point I would then lose track of where I was and what came next. But the officers of the lodge did a good job, they knew their roles well, and it all went smoothly. Of course the ceremony is about the candidate and I think he enjoyed it. As a ceremony it is slightly less “intense” for the candidate and he has more time to work out what is going on around him, it is an opportunity to “drink in” the atmosphere. And then the after proceedings went well - food, drink and convivial company. A pleasant way to spend an evening.

Initiation

Last Wednesday was a great evening. My first ceremony "in the chair". I think it went very well and everyone seemed to enjoy it. I am taking the fact that we finished almost an hour earlier than normal as indicating I ran a tight and efficient ship (there may be other possibilities but I refuse to consider them).

It was an initiation ceremony and I had quite a lot to learn for it. I can't claim to have been word perfect, I may have embellished a few times and a few of the sentences may have been in a slightly different order than in the book, but we managed to cover all the important bits. The candidate did well, after some initial trepidation (which he can't be blamed for) he soon settled into it and proceeded with firm but humble confidence. And my officers, who have to cope with learning the ceremonies without me, were all extremely good.

The Festive Board afterwards went well. I had asked for the intiate to sit on the top table, which I think is nice as he won't get there again until he is "in the chair". We had just rediscovered our banner (which had been mislaid) so I decided to talk about how banners can be inspirations and rallying points when I had to give a reply to the Toast to the Master. That might sound serious but I have come to learn I am better giving that sort of toast/reply than trying to make it funny. The Toast to the Master itself was given by the Brother who had seconded me into freemasonry and he said some very nice things about me.

Yes, an excellent night.

Practice Makes Perfect

Last night was the final rehearsal before the initiation ceremony next week. Well, the final rehearsal for me, the others have one on Monday. In fact it was only my second rehearsal. Living so far from Cardiff really makes this difficult. It never ceases to amaze me that I can be word perfect in the car but then I start to stumble when other people are there. It is because of the extra bits, adding the actions on to the words, when to stand, when to knock, when to step down to the candidate. Learning a play without ever going on the stage. Not ideal. I am really looking forward to my first ceremony "in the chair" but it is nerve wracking as well. I haven't read a book for ages, just concentrating on my lines. I am promising myself a book immediately afterwards.