The Mannex

Entered apprentice

2009-01-09T14:53:00.004-05:00

I am writing this just before i go home. Tonight I am going to the lodge to be a candidate for the entered apprentice degree of freemasonry. I cannot tell you how excited I am. I am eager in anticipation to not only go through this degree and get all of this started, but to also be involved with some great men working hard to do even greater things. I am looking forward to being supported by them as I do my best and I look forward to helping them in anyway I can. I spoke with my 2nd cousin last night on the phone. He has been and continues to be one of the greatest of encouragements to me. I called him to let him know that the time had come and I would be going to the lodge the next night. He as he always does, encouraged me by telling me that i would benefit from it and that I would make a fine addition to the fraternity. He has always had kind words when others did not. I told him how much I appreciate him. This fraternity has caused me to already be a better man by sharing my feelings with a man I respect not because he is a mason but because he acts like one. And always has.

The journey begins

2008-12-12T00:00:00.001-05:00

I received a call today that was so exciting I could hardly wait to tell anyone. The Master of the Lodge called to let me know that the 9th of January had been chosen for me to receive the Entered Apprentice degree at 7pm. I did not hear the phone ring in the car but was alerted to the VM. I called the Master of the Lodge immediately but the line was busy. Nuts! I was so excited to talk to someone. I called my friend Ken who is sponsoring me for canidacy and let him know that the day we thought was going to be it was in fact IT. After getting off of the phone with him I called my buddy Dick who is a member of another lodge but expressed interest in being present for my degree work. He too was excited and said he will be there. I am pumped. I am so ready to do this. I have been getting ready for it for a long time and am out of my skin excited with anticipation. I plan to continue to post here about my experiences as they unfold.

Boys' Night Out

2008-11-22T14:52:00.003-05:00

So this was posted over at the family blog I figured the one reader (me) I have here would enjoy it.
Amy had bunko last night so I took one of the kids out while the others went to grandmas for the evening. Last night was Michael's turn and boy did we have fun!
There comes a time in every young man's life when he gets to do something monumental, something that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on him. Last evening was one of those nights for my son. We went to Waffle House.
Michael had Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner) I had the usual, double 1/4 lb. Cheeseburger plate. This time I sprung for an extra hash brown which I had the cook make extra crisp and put it on top of the sandwich. he even through in an extra piece of cheese to glue it down with.See pics below.
We then went to see a Kung-fu flick about a Panda. Rockin! excellent choice for a night out with the fellas. After the movie we went over to Fuddruckers for an Oreo shake. The best for shakes.
Enjoy the pics!

Self sufficiency

2008-10-21T20:40:00.004-04:00

So i have been doing a little reading about some self sufficient things. Basically, each Autumn, I try to figure out what animal i am going to raise in my back yard for fun and or eating. this year we raised three ducks and I have been thinking about raising some Cornish hens or some rabbits. We didn't eat the ducks, but i am eating whatever I decide this year. It is time for the kids to get a personal lesson on the cycle of life. Any who, I picked up a copy of Mother Earth News. We used to get the mag and I wanted to check it out a gain. I go to reading about solar water heaters and whole house solar heaters. this isn't solar panels making electricity, this is warming water and home with passive sunlight. pretty sweet and pretty cheap.
I am also interested in establishing a year supply of food storage in order to better prepare for any unforseen financial hardship that may arise.
For me it is about taking care of my own with what I have at hand and utilizing our resources responsibly and exploitatively.

Header image

2008-09-27T17:37:00.003-04:00

The pic at the top of the page is of the real Mannex. It is the garage that sits at the end of our yard. Out by the alley, there is no female influence whatsoever, there is a clear understanding of things like the 1 3 5 rule and men can be men. This place on the web is an extension of that shrine to testosterone; The Mannex.

Becoming a mason

2008-09-24T10:42:00.003-04:00

So recently, I have put into action, thoughts that I have had and been contemplating for quite some time. I have submitted a petition to join the John W. Durst #716 Lodge of the Free & Accepted Masons. I have wanted to become a mason for about as long as I can remember. A number of influential men in my life have been masons, and it seems that a number of my past family members have been as well. It is my understanding that following the lodge meeting of last week when my name was presented, I will soon be contacted by some of the brothers from the lodge for an interview. Then I am voted on and begin the working part of the process. I hope to relate a few of my experiences here as time passes. I am very excited and looking forward to working with sch a great group of men.

McRib is back!

2008-09-21T20:48:00.002-04:00

So it has been years since I have had the goodness of the fantastic sammich that is the McRib. And after seeing a commercial of some sexy people eating one, I decided I wanted to be sexy too. That being considered, I ventured. It was as great as it sounds; formed pork patty shaped like a miniature rack of ribs, smothered in a tangy, albeit high fructose-laden BBQ sauce. I did what I do with most sandwiches, that is; top it off with some fries or other deep fried potato product. Oh yeah, and nothing goes better with pork-nugget sandwich than a Hi-C Orange.

Then, I partook.

That's right, come to papa!

Fellas, I am talking about a fantastic medley of everything that is unhealthy and unholy wrapped into a bun. It is no wonder they only have this for a limited time. If they had it all the time we would not be able to appreciate it for the beauty it is.

http://www.foodfacts.info/mcrib/

New Blog?

2008-09-19T16:35:00.000-04:00

So I have been wanting to post things that do not necessarily apply to the family as a whole. Kinda a personal blog that I can lay out thoughts, feelings, observations, rants etc.