Twenty Third Birthday

Today was my twenty third birthday on November 23rd, 2010. At 11:23 Sharon wanted me to make a wish. I did. :)

I don't usually do much for my birthday. Today was, for the most part, Tuesday. And not the best Tuesday in recent memory for that matter, but it did press some real life issues to the forefront. I wish it could have waited until not my birthday, but beggars can't be choosers. I'd rather poor news now that I can alter my plans around than no news later so I'm caught off guard.

One of my students was, however, kind enough to give me a gift. I received, wrapped up all purdy in a bag (the background of the below picture) a can of hairspray and some spray on glitter. Note to any other aspiring teachers, don't tease your students about something all semester long, because it'll come back to bite you in the butt.

I mean, I can't complain completely, she also got me cupcakes. And who knows, maybe I'll actually need a bottle of silver spray glitter that says "Sexy" on the front in the near future? She might just end up saving my tail someday.

Ok, well probably not. But it's the thought that counts, right?

Only about six more days left of student teaching. Kind of frightening. 

Have a meeting with WT's Graduate Program advisor for Music before I head to Midland tomorrow. Hopefully that goes well. If it doesn't... eh, I need some good news after today. I'm just going to pray that it does go well. 

Our Eroding Civil Liberties

This article gives an excellent example of why libertarianism is a small, but slowly spreading, movement in the US. It's truly the only logical place for politics to go, what with Federal Government on a binge power grab. A government only has the right to rule so long as it has the consent of the governed, and the US Federal Government I think is rapidly losing favor in the eyes of many Americans.


Excerpt:

One of the most disturbing, which is subject to an ongoing lawsuit, involved a 21-year-old college student from Amarillo Texas. The woman was passing through security at Corpus Christi airport on May 29 2008 when she was subjected to “extended search procedures” by the TSA.

“As the TSA agent was frisking plaintiff, the agent pulled the plaintiff’s blouse completely down, exposing plaintiffs’ breasts to everyone in the area,” the lawsuit said. “As would be expected, plaintiff was extremely embarrassed and humiliated.”

I would be fascinated to know how many bad guys the TSA's screening methods has truly caught. I strongly suspect the number to be close to zero. Then compare that to the number of people they've violated, and I bet you could plot some very, very interesting graphs.


Also, another interesting editorial pushing for the outright abolishment of the TSA, which honestly, makes a lot of fiscal. Airlines have an extremely strong incentive to keep their flights safe, and if the TSA disappeared, they'd have to cover their own tails or risk losing all business. I'm willing to be the airlines would find many cheaper, more effect, less offensive security measures than the TSA, and it wouldn't waste my tax dollars. I mean, we are in incredible debt peril anyway, right? Scrap the TSA entirely. 


From the article:

Bipartisan support should be immediate.  For fiscal conservatives, it’s hard to come up with a more wasteful agency than the TSA.  For privacy advocates, eliminating an organization that requires you to choose between a nude body scan or genital groping in order to board a plane should be a no-brainer.

My Masonic Edifice and Graduate School

So, as I've struggled to turn in my Masters work this past few months, I've come to realize that my profession isn't exactly generous with free time. It's probably not the best in terms of compatibility with a busy Masonic schedule. Which is definitely frustrating. I wish I could be more active at my lodge, and I hope I'm able to squeeze in time for the appendant bodies in the future.

But then I realize the influence Masonry has had on me and, by extension, will have on my students, for the better, and I realize that all the time is worthwhile. I have a lifetime of Masonic Education ahead of me, and while that will certainly impact all other auto didactic pursuits that I have, in the end it will truly be worthwhile.

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As an aside, a little note of frustration. The $25.00 application fee for the WTAMU Graduate School annoyed me, mainly because I've been paying WT tuition for four and a half years now. But whatever, it's only $25.00 right?

Well, apparently policy has changed and I'm now required to re-audition for the Graduate School of Music, something no graduate student before now has had to do. (To my knowledge.) This is frustrating to say the least. I saw my private instructor of the last four years who said we could work something out, and I hope this is true, as I don't in any way have time to prepare a full and proper audition any time soon; student teaching is too time consuming!

But really, I've had the same private teacher for four years, she knows my capabilities. They have my GPA and course record, they know my academic capabilities. Do they really doubt my sincerity in entering upon graduate work? Kind of frustrating, but hopefully only a minor setback. Until I know for certain, I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

"I was a Mason before I was made a Mason"

I'll let the interview speak for itself.

To The Young Men in the Masonic Fraternity

There are many things for you to consider very seriously. You have not been made Masons because you were specimens of gravity, for that is often the cover to genteel stupidity or respectable dullness. Volatility and gaiety add nothing to one's chances, but greatly diminish them. In spite of them, you have been admitted, for beneath them, sterling principles of integrity are often found. If the committees have done their duty, you have been found to be men, physically, believers in God, of upright and moral character, and of good sound mind; you have been found fit material for some place in the Masonic edifice. This is no small complement to you. But all the while bear in mind that this does not prove you infallible or perfect. You may be found, upon inspection, unfit for the building, and you may be refused further progress, or be tolerated as a choice for evils.

If you follow Masonic teachings, you are to learn to subdue your passions. Gain complete mastery over yourself -- such mastery that the passions implanted in man for useful, beneficent and defensive purposes, may be at your command for good uses, and thoroughly submissive and obedient to your reason and good will. Let them have no dominion over you -- in solitude, among people, or under surprise -- but keep constant control over them.

You are also to improve yourself in Masonry. The meaning of this is both practical and symbolical. Practically, that you are to be so skilled in its arts and mysteries as to make yourself known as a Mason, while this skill acts as help to memory, order, system, and mental training. The Mason who has carefully observed our ceremonies, and studied Masonic principles, is much better qualified to preside over public assemblies, or to rule bodies of men, than another of equal natural ability who has enjoined no such advantages.

It is not the intention of Masonry to train you for a partisan in politics, religion, or anything else. There are certain things in politics and religion in "which all good men agree." As a Mason, and per consequence, a good man, you are so far partisan in reasonable moderation. Masonry does not debar you from partisanship. But it forbids the use of violent, corrupt, or unlawful means or measures; for these or any of them prove your cause to be week, unworthy or wicked. Keep your garments unsoiled. The time will come when such a noble reputation will speak volumes in your favor. Commence honestly and honorably in all things, and keep on so, in prosperity and adversity, to the end. At the end of every canvass, and every contest, let Masons be able to take each other by the hand and say, "In all my partisanship, in all my business, in every battle of life, I have said no word and done no thing dishonorable or dishonest." Perfection is no man's lot. The principle of every invention is perfect; but no man ever promulgated an invention so perfect as to be incapable if improvement. You may err sometimes. Stand on no assumed dignity in case of error or wrong; you weaken yourself and your cause by so doing. Repair whatever error you may commit or wrong you may do, to the extent of your power. While you may suffer in your own self-respect, you will at least maintain your character for sincerity and honor, which is better than gold. And let all this be done manfully and above-board, and not abjectly or stealthily. But better that all this, let their be no occasion for it.

As a Mason, you are a counselor, an advocate, a judge. Strong measures are sometimes necessary and justifiable against a Brother; but in nine cases out of ten, there is a "more excellent way." Good counsel, tenderly and lovingly given, may prove to be "apples of gold in pictures of silver." Temper judgment with mercy, support the weak, reclaim the erring, and guide the stranger in the right way.

Bear in mind, young Brethren, that you are soon to be the rulers and governors of our noble Craft; also, that the young men are to be the citizens and rulers of this mighty Nation. And at this point you reach the Symbolical uses of Masonry. Study them in your Masonic bodies; study them from our written and oral teachings; study them from the great Book of Inspiration; study them from the volumes of nature; and from the good and bad lives of your fellow men. Respect and revere the religious teacher and religious teachings, but follow your own honest, well-matured convictions. Tolerate every man in his opinions, but resolutely maintain your own. Let every man worship in his own way, as he pleases; but agreeably to your professions, do you worship God, and Him only. Trust Him, rely on His promises, and keep His commandments, and you will not only be a just and upright Mason, but it will be well with you in the end.

Published by the Committee on Education and Service of the Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F.&A.M. (1925-1930)


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Emphasis mine. The bolded paragraph is one of my favorite things I've read in awhile. Maybe all year. Something we all can improve on, especially anyone in a leadership role, or more especially that of educator.


 And perhaps in some way, that is what I feel my calling to be in education.