From a young age…I was always interested in “the Occult”. I think it’s pretty natural to say that most people are, some more than others, naturally. I guess my fascination with it came from reading books. History books but then fantasy books, like “The Wheel of Time” and “The Lord of the Rings”. I wanted to be part of something more than myself. To feel a sense of belonging. For people to have that sense of intrigue when they met me, knowing that “I” belonged to that “something else”.
I had read about Freemason’s but I’d always thought of them as “Old Guys” club, similar to the Elks Club. I met my first Freemason at the age of 17-18 while working at McDonald’s in Cedar City UT. I didn’t think anything special of him at the time and he wasn’t old. I didn’t ask any questions at the time because I was pretty busy with life in general (high school still and obviously I couldn’t actually become one myself).
Time went on and I moved to SLC, UT to attend I.T.T. Technical Institute. There I met another Freemason by the name of Mario. I noticed he had a Freemason ring on.
Well, one conversation led to another and I was initiated as a Freemason on March 27, 2006 and raised to a Master Mason April 14th, 2007 in Mount Moriah, Lodge #2, F.&A.M.
I share this, because part of me felt a pang of guilt, that my original intent may have been heavily influenced by selfish “perceived” gains, that I would be a better candidate for the CIA, or FBI being a Freemason. This is definitely not the full reason I joined, however. Throughout all of history, I’d always noticed the somewhat natural similarity of the quality of men that had passed through Freemasonry and thought that they were, despite all the discussions of conspiracies theories, etc. were good, humble people. Of course, there were the bad apples (Blackbeard, etc), but the overwhelming majority throughout history were good men.
I was actually in the process of applying for the CIA at the time, which I’d thought again, would “help” my interview process. Little did I know, it did absolutely nothing for me. Or did it?
I learned soo much in the years to follow. I did remain active several years after getting my denial letter from the CIA. I felt a sense of brotherhood for the first time since leaving my friends in Cedar City. It was the closest thing I had to the “Hardcore” scene. Where people of different faiths, religions, colors, ethnicities could come under one roof for a single purpose and that was to learn. To learn how to be a better person, friend, neighbor and how to serve our fellow man.
While I am inactive now and Covid rages on, I have great pangs to go back and be amongst my previous brothers. I never really got to thank my brother Adam. He was the one that got me through my degrees and hour and hours of studying together to learn my catechisms. To him, I am ever grateful. I miss Masonry and what it taught me and how my brothers helped me day in and day to release my childhood/teenage years. One day…one day I hope to return.
Other updates:
Freya Piper
Our baby girl Piper is due on March 16th. Carisa doesn’t think she will last that long however. I am excited to have a baby girl that I can call my pipsqueak. 🙂
HalCo
Oh yea, started a business in Oct. 2020 w/ my cousin. HalCo. Halcotrucks.com. We already have contracts with Amazon, jbhunt and a few others. Our first two months we netted nearly 45k. We’re approved for 390k loan and purchasing 3 more trucks soon. We have one other employee, which is our uncle and CPA. We made the business decision to make him our CFO and it has been an awesome one soo far (helped us secure the above loan). We’ve already had several meetings as well. We spoke to our first owner Operator this week in fact, which hopefully we will be bringing on. These next few months will be super interesting. I am getting my CDL as well just to be able to drive as well.
Nightfall Edition Kia Telluride 2021/2022
I know I made an article about getting the Volvo, but Carisa really wanted the Telluride because of ALL the reviews. We’ve been shopping for one FOREVER. We finally had to go in and just reserve one. The good thing is, is I’ll basically have it 2/3’s paid off by the time it gets here in August and we may be getting the 2022 edition.
Adobe/New House
Adobe has been amazing to me since coming back. I’ve referred 2 more people now and working on a 3rd. I think once I sell my stock next year, we will have our required 20% down to avoid Mortgage Insurance. Woohoo! It’s finally happening. We will have a new home all to ourselves. Oh yes, Adobe has been amazing with raises/bonuses too, so that’s helping as well.
I think that’s it for now (at least that I feel like sharing, whew).
Until next unload.
-Alex