X-Oriente

026: An Evening with Bro. "Iceman"

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Back in November I had the opportunity to sit down with M.W. Bro. Jerry Butler. Bro Butler is one of the founding members of the Impressions, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, A Past Grandmaster of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Illinois, and a Cook County Board Commissioner. He is also a wise, compassionate and wickedly funny guy.

I went to see him to learn more about how Prince Hall Masonry differs from my own. What I found is that we many more similarities than differences. Special thanks to Bro. Butler, to Bro. Ryan Priester, To the guys of North Star Lodge No. 1 and to Arc Music for granting permission to play some of Jerry's Music. If you'd like to explore, it can be found on the iTunes Music Store

This episode was brought to you by Stone Guild Publishing, publishers of Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century . Please visit them and help support X-Oriente!

Where is X-Oriente?

To all the brethren who have written, thanks. The show? It's almost there. I have to travel to Philadelphia tomorrow, then I'll be back in town with a little more free time, and you can expect a few shows in pretty quick succession. These past few months have been filled with business travel, work on a contract that has been very demanding and of course being Master of Oriental, which has kept my hands full. But in bits and pieces I have been taking notes for shows and recording bits here and there, and we'll be back on. Next show is my interview with MW Jerry Butler, PGM of the PHA Grand Lodge of Illinois and rhythm and blues pioneer. We'll have book reviews, my report from Washington and more interviews soon. We're also going to start a new series on esoteric thought, so if you are interested in contributing to that, drop me a line and let me know. Talk to you soon!

Welcome, Stone Guild Publishing!

I am pleased to announce that X-Oriente has its first real sponsor! Stone Guild Publishing is a new Masonic publisher in Plano, Texas They've come out with a new book, Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century: A Modern Interpretation of Albert Pike's Greatest Work. This is Pike's Morals & Dogma, "translated" for a modern audience. It is meant not to replace the original, but to be studied alongside the original. A collaboration by Brian Chaput, William Goodell, Kevin Main, and JJ Miller, Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century is a terrific companion for anyone who wants to an easier entry into all things Pike. You can get your copy at www.stoneguildpublishing.com.

I'm thrilled to have them as X-Oriente's sponsor, and they will be sponsoring the next episode. Which is in post now, and as soon as I finish this contract gig I am working on which has taken almost all my time, I'll finish it up and post it. We're in a bit of a hiatus at the moment but that will change very soon. Fiat Vox!

025: Christmas Music Special

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It is that time of the year again, brethren! Time for the 3rd Annual X-Oriente Christmas Music Special! The pickings this year were slimmer than in the past, but I still found with some pretty decent selections. Please enjoy these and have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Music Selections

"I'll be home for Christmas," by Twisted Sister

"Merry Christmas Song" by Vanessa Van Spall

"Looks Like Christmas." by Winzinreid, or the Hollywood Drunks

"O Come All Ye Faithful," by Mary Ellen

"Feels Like Christmas," by Rusty Bladen

"Drinking Up Christmas," by The Dwarves

"My Own Merry Christmas," by Geoff Smith

Episode 024: In the Interests of the Brethren

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Episode 23 was all about Masons and their struggle with their Grand Lodges as they seek to remake themselves for today's needs. But after listening to it, it was mostly me scolding both sides for letting things get to this point.

That's not what this show is about though is it? It is not what you guys expect. We're looking for solutions.
So with Episode 24, we're getting a little more philosophically aligned with our foundations. Episode 23 is in the vault and there it will stay (for the time being, anyway). So in place of it here is a classic Masonic short story by Bro. Rudyard Kipling, "In the Interests of the Brethren."

We've also got brand new theme music, courtesy of Geoff Smith. Let me know how you like it.

Christmas Music Special Tapes tomorrow!

If you would like to dedicate a song to your brothers, now is the time! Pick up your phone and call the skypeIn line at 847-380-1881 and leave your dedication, or record your dedication as a WAV or MP3 and send it to me at xoriente@gmail.com. Don't write it in an email, I want to hear your voice. Do it today! Don't put it off! Christmas comes but once a year!

Episode 022: Subduing Our Passions

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There are a lot of controversial events going on in Masonry right now, and many of them are being discussed on blogs and forums. Communication by electronic means is never as rich as face to face and sometimes things can turn ugly. Flame wars, anonymous postings, mass defections and heavy handed forum moderation are the most common by-products of uncivil conduct, but the implications can hurt feelings and even get you in hot water with your Grand Lodge.

In this episode we'll catch up a little, and talk about ways to keep things civil as we head into some murky waters.

What makes a good Worshipful Master?

On Sunday, I will be installed as Master of my Lodge, Oriental Lodge No. 33. As the date approaches there is much to do, and our very next meeting we'll be conferring a third degree! Yikes! I'm excited and a little trepidatious. More than anything I want to be a good leader for these guys. They're my guys. My peeps. My tribe. My brothers. I want to do everything I can to give them a good Masonic year. I'm going into this thinking it ain't about me, it's about them.

So how can I improve? What makes a good Master? I need your advice. Share your wisdom with me. Were you Worshipful Master? What worked? What didn't work so well? What would you do over if you had the chance? What should I watch out for?

Call the SkypeIn line at 847-380-1881 and leave a message, or send me an audio file with your advice. I'll put them all together and ask some of my friends and we'll talk about it on the show. I'll share some of my plans, and maybe we'll do a group chat or something over Skype. Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for (in no particular order, just stream of consciousness):

YOU, my brethren and listeners who challenge me to work hard on the show and make me feel like a rock star at least once a day.

My wonderful family, my beautiful wife who makes me laugh once a day at least, and a son who gives me joy with no end.

Oriental Lodge No. 33, my Mother Lodge and the best brothers a guy could have.

The Brothers of North Star No. 1, F&AM PHA

The Brothers of Old No. 2 in New York. My role models.

Technology which allows me to explore the world and communicate with Masons outside of my area.

The Blue Majesty, my maxi-scooter which gives me hours of fun and has lowered my blood pressure at gas stations.

WTF? Euclid? Halcyon? Bueller? BUELLER?

A number of you have been asking me about the events surrounding Halcyon Lodge in Cleveland and Euclid Lodge in Michigan. I am trying to research this but I could use your help. If you are close to either situation, I'd like to talk to you. It is to report on the situation in the podcast. You don't have to appear in the show, and I will be happy to keep your identity as privileged information both as a Mason and a journalist. But all the information on these important issues are coming from the blogosphere and rather than add more heat, I'd like to try and shed some light. So please, help me out. Contact me by email at xoriente@gmail.com or on the Skype actionline at 847-380-1881.