Tie-Dyed Brain Rays

On Vox: Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson

I had a fun interview with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson this morning. Dr. Tyson is the director of the Hayden Planetarium, author of numerous books and articles on the universe and host of NOVA ScienceNOW on PBS. He's sat on...

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On Vox: Inauguration '09

Whether you like Barack Obama or not, there's no denying the historical significance of his election as our 44th president. I spoke with Dr. Bruce Chadwick, historian and author, on inauguration day about Obama's auspicious achievement, one hundred and fifty...

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Master Mason

I haven't quite made it to Supreme High Muckity-Muck of the All Powerful Illuminati-- Yet.

But I'm well on my way. (And I've got my hair back!)

 

Here I am in my lambskin. The bib flips up to reveal the pertinent information as to when I received my various degrees.

I was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on September 16, 2008, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on December 11, 2008 and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on January 1, 2009.

This is the Holy Bible the lodge presented me on becoming a Master Mason.

And both faces of the coin commemorating the event.

And the lapel pin that was a personal gift from my instructor.

Last week I attended my first lodge since being raised to Master Mason. It was for an E. A. initiation and a separate E.A. proficiency exam. I got to perform the duties of chaplain, opening and closing the lodge in prayer. This week I get to work in a Fellow Craft degree. It has been quite an experience so far. Perhaps one day I'll even be Worshipful Master, just like Brother George Washington before me...

On Vox: Big Bopper's Last Ride

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Hear the entire interview with Tom Kreason on VOX.

Tom Kreason is with the Texas Musicians Museum in Hillsboro. The museum has on display one of the more unusual artifacts of rock and roll history, the original casket of J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper, who was...

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On Vox: On The Road

I've been listening to Will Patton's reading of "On The Road," by Jack Kerouac, the seminal novel of the Beat Generation. I find it sad and a little pointless. But I suppose it's unfair to expect the novel to carry...

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Moon Above Earth Below

My on-air partner's cavalier attitude notwithstanding, much of the world seems focused on what may come in the way of great natural catastrophe. The news that Yellowstone National Park has been wracked by a swarm of over 400 earthquakes since Christmas makes "Super-volcano" the next contender for the title of Great Contingency. Fox News just published a list of the five most likely ways the Earth will be destroyed. The real culprit will probably be something we haven't even thought of yet, all pointing up the need to begin collecting the vital information to ensure our survival.

With that in mind, I'm hard at work fleshing out the notion of the Order of the Omega Tau, a cadre of emergency librarians who'll swoop in and save your ignorant asses with that most essential tool, a really good do-it-yourself book. But more than a survival manual the Omega Tau handbook will be a foundation for and  philosophy of the rebuilding of civilization. Yeah, I know what you are thinking, but you aren't the first person to call me a nut. Scoff if you must, but there is a huge gap between the shoot-em-dead-when-they-try-to-steal-my-canned-beans survivalists manuals and the move-the-government-into-the-big-shelter-and shoot-em-if-they-try-to-get-in plans. You know who stands in that gap? Us. You know who's thinking about the solution? Me. As I develop the concepts I'll share them with you, but I'm not ready to hatch that egg just yet.

In the meantime, instead of getting caught up in all the doom and gloom that the future may bring us, we should remember that the world is a place of wonder. Last night the moon was at its perigee, or nearest point in proximity to Earth making it appear as much as 14% brighter than usual. Last night's full moon was the biggest and brightest it will appear all year. Victoria Rose and I stood outside in the cold night gazing on it beaming behind the frosty clouds. A Wolf Moon they call it. We took a moment to reflect and share our hopes and dreams for the coming year.

And although the moon has now begun to travel away from us, it should be big and bright in the night sky for several days. Take a moment to stop, look up and reflect. This is a good time to take stock of your life and sort out your plans for the year, even if you aren't a resolution kind of person. If nothing else, taking a moment to pause and appreciate the celestial dance will make you feel more connected to the universe and more at peace with yourself.  

On Vox: Remember The Titanic

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Doomsday Scenario

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Tehuti's Shiny New Year

A lot has happened since last I blogged. I had my head shaved, along with two other guys, live on the air in early October. It was to raise money for a local food bank to have deer meat processed to distribute to hungry families this winter. I ended up looking like Obadiah Stane. That's better than what I looked like last time I shaved my head!

You've gotta admit I look like a bad-ass. If I ever become a bounty hunter I'll use this photo on my website. Much to Teresa's relief, my hair has grown back almost to its regular length.

We had a scary situation around that time when my 25 year old step-son had a heart attack. That was certainly unexpected. He's doing better now, although we are still concerned about his health and well being.

My health took a little hit in October. I had an emergency appendectomy. My doctor was old-school, so instead of a couple of tiny incisions for a laproscopic procedure, he cut a nice big slit and poked around awhile. He said that my appendix was two and a half times the normal size. He also said it was all scarred up, indicating that this was not my first bout of appendicitis. Since I never presented with all the classic symptoms, it went undetected.

During my CT scan the doctors also found three kidney stones. Two in one kidney described by the doctor as "massive" and a lesser stone in the other kidney. They didn't do anything about those. I'm not looking forward to the eventuality of dealing with them, but as the wise man said, "this too shall pass."

 

I also became a Freemason during this period. I was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on September 16th. My step-son's heart attack and my own health issues delayed the start of my memory work until late October. I was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on December 11th. On New Year's Day I was raised to the degree of Master Mason in a sixty year unbroken tradition of my lodge.

 

I figure it won't be long until I get the key to the Illuminati washroom.

On December 3rd I turned forty-four and on December 21st I celebrated my 2nd wedding anniversary.

That pretty much gets us up-to-date. I ate my blackeyed peas on New Year's Day, so I fully expect a full measure of good luck and prosperity in 2009. Here's to the new year!

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