Greetings and Salutations

[KSigMason]

Hello everyone! Thank you Evangiline for your recommendation.

Where to start? Where to start? Ah, like all good posts, I will start in the beginning. I was born and raised in Idaho by my parents; dad's a cop of almost 30-years (and Army vet) and mom is a nurse. I'm a middle child, and only boy, in my family.

I joined the Idaho Army when I was 17 (over 7-years ago). I was an intelligence analyst (served as this position in Kirkuk, IZ, OIFIII), served as a logistics specialist, and am now in charge of the operations for the Shadow 200 TUAS Platoon in Idaho.

On my personal time, I am a Freemason. In the Freemasons I am in the Blue Lodge (or Craft Masonry) and the York Rite (Capitular, Cryptic, and Chivalric Masonry). I am the Worshipful Master (head honcho) and Junior Warden of the Idaho Lodge of Research in the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Captain for the Royal Arch, Captain of the Guard in the Cryptic Masons, and Sir Knight in the Chivalric Masons. I'm also one of the founding members and Chairman of the Idaho Child Identification Program (CHIP). I'm also starting to get active in the Job's Daughter. I'm also about to petition to join the Order of the Eastern Star. I'm very passionate about them, if you couldn't tell.

I'm also in the midst of getting my Bachelors degree in Political Science with an emphasis on International Relations from Boise State University (GO BRONCOS). I'm also working on an Italian language course. I also have a Associates in Intelligence Operations.

As for politically, I'm a member of the Idaho Constitution Party. I'm a conservative, but I don't follow blindly the talk shows or party lines. I'm pro-gun, pro-state's rights, against amnesty for illegals, for freedom OF religion, small government, and much more that will come to your knowledge as I post.

[KSigMason]

I forgot to add that I'm on many political forums: PoliticForums.com, TAR, TMR, Debate Policy, and I'm a mod on DiscussPolitics.org.

[Michael]

Greetings KSigMason, welcome to the forum. :wave:

I look forward to discussing some political issues with you. We like to pride ourselves on the civility of the forum discussions here.

(I won't comment on Evangeline having a conservative friend!) :D

Btw, I'd be curious about what the Masons mean to you - and why such an organization is relevant to the 21st century (I am genuinely curious about this). Perhaps a thread about Masonry?

[Daktoria]

Ugh...

...I guess I'm losing my unofficial title as leading conservative thinker now. This guy's resume is off the rocker!

Welcome to the board big guy.

[Michael]

It is good to have some competition for the esteemed position of being our 'official token conservative' :lol:

As for credentials, Army, masons, Idaho and Constitution Party are indeed indications of conservativism, but the 'working on poli-sci' degree suggests he's not quite achieved full mastery yet. ;)

There's still a chance for you Daktoria to smoother the upstart with one of your 3000 word posts! :D

(and I'm just dying to see a good argument between you guys and my favorite Rat!) :rofl:

[KSigMason]

It is good to have some competition for the esteemed position of being our 'official token conservative' :lol:

As for credentials, Army, masons, Idaho and Constitution Party are indeed indications of conservativism, but the 'working on poli-sci' degree suggests he's not quite achieved full mastery yet. ;)

There's still a chance for you Daktoria to smoother the upstart with one of your 3000 word posts! :D

(and I'm just dying to see a good argument between you guys and my favorite Rat!) :rofl:
Yeah, getting my bachelors has been the longest road thus far as it seems the Army keeps sending me places. Not complaining though, I've been to a lot of places around the world and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

I can go on a good rant once in a while, but often my longer posts are directed towards more philosophical ideas.

Let's start taking a look around.

[Lily]

Welcome, KSigMason. I think we may have run across each other on another board. Evangiline also brought me over, so to speak. I was raised in a military family and we traveled extensively in my youth. Still have that travel bug.

[Evangeline]

EvangEline people. Get it right.

:D

Welcome Ksig! I'm glad you made it. It's more fun to debate with peeps that have another view. And I love that you're not a sheep that follows those talking head liars. It's way too frustrating to debate with people who don't even know the truth about what's going on. It's like beating my head against the wall. I like intelligent free thinking righties. I actually agree with you on several issues. Welcome to DWF!

[Americano]

Welcome, KSigMason. I had a place in Idaho's Panhandle, near Sandpoint, for years. The Panhandle and Western Montana are imo some of the most beautiful country in the US. Many good memories. I'll look forward to your defense of the Constitution Party and its theological based ideology.

[dilettante]

Welcome, KSig! :hatoff:

I look forward to your perspective.

[KSigMason]

Welcome, KSigMason. I had a place in Idaho's Panhandle, near Sandpoint, for years. The Panhandle and Western Montana are imo some of the most beautiful country in the US. Many good memories. I'll look forward to your defense of the Constitution Party and its theological based ideology.
I agree, Idaho is beautiful. I was just up in Moscow and loved the drive - the scenery.

[Michael]

I agree, Idaho is beautiful. I was just up in Moscow and loved the drive - the scenery.

I've never been to Idaho, but I do know the whole 'eastern' side of the Rocky Mountains is stunningly beautiful.

This reminds me that we need to get a thread started for "pictures of where you live". :)

[KSigMason]

I've never been to Idaho, but I do know the whole 'eastern' side of the Rocky Mountains is stunningly beautiful.

This reminds me that we need to get a thread started for "pictures of where you live". :)
I've lived all over Idaho and I love the mountains. My grandfather has a cabin in central Idaho. I also lived in Colorado for some time and loved the mountain towns there.

[Evangeline]

I've lived all over Idaho and I love the mountains. My grandfather has a cabin in central Idaho. I also lived in Colorado for some time and loved the mountain towns there.

When I was traveling across the country on my way to moving here (CA, USA) I thought if I don't like CA, I'll come back to CO, boy is it beautiful!!!!

[KSigMason]

Well, I just moved into a new apartment and I am still unpacking. Boy I love it though, it came with a fireplace.

When I was traveling across the country on my way to moving here (CA, USA) I thought if I don't like CA, I'll come back to CO, boy is it beautiful!!!!
Woodland Park and Cripple Creek were my favorite towns.

I just went up to Silver City, ID, for some Mason events. I'll post them in the proper thread.

[Michael]

Well, I just moved into a new apartment and I am still unpacking. Boy I love it though, it came with a fireplace.
I must admit that having a fireplace is a wonderful thing and about the only thing I miss living 250' up in the air.

I had a fireplace in an old apartment years ago and it was awesome, even if I only ever burned those 'three-hour-logs' in it! :D

(One doesn't always have a place to store a cord of firewood in the city!)

[KSigMason]

I must admit that having a fireplace is a wonderful thing and about the only thing I miss living 250' up in the air.

I had a fireplace in an old apartment years ago and it was awesome, even if I only ever burned those 'three-hour-logs' in it! :D

(One doesn't always have a place to store a cord of firewood in the city!)
Every year when my parents go deer hunting they get a wood permit and fall one tree; usually a yellow pine (they burn for a while). I'll just go and take some of their wood.

[Lily]

I must admit that having a fireplace is a wonderful thing and about the only thing I miss living 250' up in the air.

I had a fireplace in an old apartment years ago and it was awesome, even if I only ever burned those 'three-hour-logs' in it! :D

(One doesn't always have a place to store a cord of firewood in the city!)


I had a double-facing fireplace in my previous home. I loved it. I really miss having a fireplace in my new house. But, I do have an outdoor fire pit, as do my neighbors. We are all avid winter campers, so an outside fire in freezing weather is heaven for us. So far, we've been able to use downed trees and trees we've had to take down as fuel. Our land is pretty heavily wooded, both with pine and oak.

[Michael]

I had a double-facing fireplace in my previous home. I loved it. I really miss having a fireplace in my new house. But, I do have an outdoor fire pit, as do my neighbors. We are all avid winter campers, so an outside fire in freezing weather is heaven for us. So far, we've been able to use downed trees and trees we've had to take down as fuel. Our land is pretty heavily wooded, both with pine and oak.
Bemused giggles. You live in Florida and you speak of "freezing weather". :rofl:

Come camping in Canada in January and then we'll talk about your 'avid winter camping'!!! :lol:

[Americano]

I had a double-facing fireplace in my previous home. I loved it. I really miss having a fireplace in my new house. But, I do have an outdoor fire pit, as do my neighbors. We are all avid winter campers, so an outside fire in freezing weather is heaven for us. So far, we've been able to use downed trees and trees we've had to take down as fuel. Our land is pretty heavily wooded, both with pine and oak.

Winter campers? How cold does it get?

[Lily]

Winter campers? How cold does it get?

The coldest we ever recorded was a few years back in the Ocala National Forest, 18 degrees. We had icicles on our tents that morning and all our water was frozen.

[Lily]

Bemused giggles. You live in Florida and you speak of "freezing weather". :rofl:

Come camping in Canada in January and then we'll talk about your 'avid winter camping'!!! :lol:


I'd love to try real snow camping. The closest I've been is a few days in the mountains of Tennessee in early March. Not what you'd call a blizzard, but it was really beautiful. Now, my neighbor did some camping in Colorado last winter. That was snow camping.

[Michael]

I'd love to try real snow camping. The closest I've been is a few days in the mountains of Tennessee in early March. Not what you'd call a blizzard, but it was really beautiful. Now, my neighbor did some camping in Colorado last winter. That was snow camping.

There's a certain pleasure to being outdoors in temperatures that require you cover your face with vaseline for frostbite protection... :lol:

If you are properly prepared, winter outdoors is a thing of sublime beauty. If you are not properly prepared, it can kill you pretty damn easily.

Weather deserves respect.

[Lily]

Weather deserves respect.

From someone who has survived 40+ years of hurricanes and lives in the lightning capital of North America, I have much respect for weather. ;)

[Americano]

I'd love to try real snow camping. The closest I've been is a few days in the mountains of Tennessee in early March. Not what you'd call a blizzard, but it was really beautiful. Now, my neighbor did some camping in Colorado last winter. That was snow camping.

I used to do fall pack-in elk hunts in Idaho, Montana and Washington State. Also harvested Antelope in Wyoming but no horses required. Unless there's such an ulterior motive such as wonderful meat, there are far better pursuits than getting out of a warm sleeping bag and tramping around in the snow, even on horseback.

I did have one pleasant experience snow camping, but it was also hunting related. Our hunting party dropped me off in the middle of a wilderness area near St. Maries, ID to scout for the trip in late September. I spent six weeks alone, with them resupplying me at our base camp every two weeks, wandering afoot in some of the most beautiful country in the US. I was lucky that the snow never dumped more than a foot or so at a time, as I was doing spike camps for 2-3 days out of base camp. I made sure I had plenty of batteries for my portable radio that received only repeated NWS weather forecasts for the area. It was a very spiritual experience.

[KSigMason]

UPDATE: Well, I'm out in the field doing our Annual Training for the ID Guard. It's sweltering hot out here and only a few showers for hundreds of people. Oh well, see you all in August.

I'd love to try real snow camping. The closest I've been is a few days in the mountains of Tennessee in early March. Not what you'd call a blizzard, but it was really beautiful. Now, my neighbor did some camping in Colorado last winter. That was snow camping.
I went up camping with just a ruck and a sleeping bag. I just dug a snow cave and slept in there. I went down 10-feet before I hit ground. It was warm though.

I used to do fall pack-in elk hunts in Idaho, Montana and Washington State. Also harvested Antelope in Wyoming but no horses required. Unless there's such an ulterior motive such as wonderful meat, there are far better pursuits than getting out of a warm sleeping bag and tramping around in the snow, even on horseback.

I did have one pleasant experience snow camping, but it was also hunting related. Our hunting party dropped me off in the middle of a wilderness area near St. Maries, ID to scout for the trip in late September. I spent six weeks alone, with them resupplying me at our base camp every two weeks, wandering afoot in some of the most beautiful country in the US. I was lucky that the snow never dumped more than a foot or so at a time, as I was doing spike camps for 2-3 days out of base camp. I made sure I had plenty of batteries for my portable radio that received only repeated NWS weather forecasts for the area. It was a very spiritual experience.
That sounds like an awesome time. I may spend this winter up near Pine and Atlanta at my grandfathers cabin. I may try to go up into the Trinities north of the area.

[KSigMason]

Well, I pulled the muscles on the left side of my abdomen. Not sure how, but man it hurts. I went on three days in pain until I was pushed into the hospital. I'm on happy pills (hydrocodone).

I do apologize in advance for any misspellings and confusion as a result of the meds.

[Lasher]

The coldest we ever recorded was a few years back in the Ocala National Forest, 18 degrees. We had icicles on our tents that morning and all our water was frozen.
Lily, do you live near Satsuma, from where little Haileigh was taken, or nearer the south end of the forest?

[Lasher]

UPDATE: Well, I'm out in the field doing our Annual Training for the ID Guard. It's sweltering hot out here and only a few showers for hundreds of people. Oh well, see you all in August.


I went up camping with just a ruck and a sleeping bag. I just dug a snow cave and slept in there. I went down 10-feet before I hit ground. It was warm though.


That sounds like an awesome time. I may spend this winter up near Pine and Atlanta at my grandfathers cabin. I may try to go up into the Trinities north of the area.
Are you referring to Atlanta, Ga.? If so, where and what are the Trinities and Pine?

[KSigMason]

Are you referring to Atlanta, Ga.? If so, where and what are the Trinities and Pine?
No Idaho has a very, very small town called Atlanta. Go north of Mountain Home and you would run into some mountain towns.

[KSigMason]

Well, I took off the 3rd week off from work and even managed to keep myself off of the forums for the most part.

Tuesday night, after work, I packed and prepared for the days to come. Got a good night sleep and after the girlfriend dragged me out of bed at 6am, we took off for Idaho Falls, ID, to attend the 142nd Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Idaho, AF&AM. All Wednesday was a prep day and then we walked around. Towards the evening we took a drive to Pocatello (where I was born) and visited some of my relatives who I haven't seen in several years.

Thursday morning was a public opening so we could introduce all the concordant bodies/rites. We had a representative (usually the leader) of every body there. We had a handfull of visiting officers from surrounding jurisdictions (Maine, NY, Alaska, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington). In that bunch, we had 5 Grand Masters (head's of the jurisdiction) in attendance. We had 7 Past Grand Masters from our own State their. We had 30 Worshipful Masters there, I being the youngest. After that it was pretty boring, committee reports...yeah [/sarc]. Then at 4pm we were released to our own activities, luckily though, the Grand Master always sets up a hospitality room filled with liquor.

After several drinks I went to the annual meeting of the Lodge of Research; the Lodge that observes statistical trends, does esoteric research, sifts through historical data, and other such particulars. I was elected to the 2nd in command for the Lodge of Research.

Side note. Four Worshipful Masters are asked to bring the Brethren to order and introduce the Grand Lodge officers at each session (Thu morn, afternoon, Fri morn, and afternoon). Friday morning I got to be one of the introducing Masters. Now was time for the debates, arguments, and discussion; now was the time to vote on proposed legislation. After that was through we elected to officers who would lead us in the upcoming year. My good friend and mentor was then installed as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Idaho.

After the installation was an open social hour with a bar. My girlfriend then appeared ready for the ball in a stunning black dress. Side note: during the closed meetings the women were taken on tours, left to partake of the hospitality room, and anything else they had planned. We had a good meal (Chicken Cordon Bleu for me) and then had guest speakers from the head table entertain us. At the ball, my Lodge was presented with the Lodge of Excellence award and the Grand Master's Initiative Award (for starting the Child Identification Program).

The next morning I drove north into Montana and then West arriving at Coeur d'Alene (Coor da Lane) to see my college friend get married. She looked amazing in her dress. I had not seen her in a few months and she lost so much weight. Short wedding ceremony (she hates long drawn out things). We then had a light dinner, some booze, and my girlfriend and I danced the night away. My friend, her new husband, and several of our friends had a goodbye breakfast (as my friend is moving to Japan to be with her husband who is in the Air Force). Then the long trip home back to Boise. If you have never driven through all of Idaho it is a spectacular picture.

Overall it was a fun weekend with a lot of driving. I drove over 1100 miles, speeding most of the time (as my girlfriend reminded me). The trip from Coeur D'Alene to Boise should have taken me 8 hours through all the mountains, but I did it in 6-hours.

Here are some pics from the wedding and Grand Lodge:

Devon, my girlfriend, and me in Coeur D'Alene.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/IDARNG_Loki/DSC01149.jpg

David Triplett, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Idaho, and myself at Grand Lodge right after he was installed.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/IDARNG_Loki/DSC01109.jpg

My friend and I at her wedding
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/IDARNG_Loki/9126_531440187964_52302541_31508834.jpg

We were one of two Lodges to win this award
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/IDARNG_Loki/DSC01118.jpg

[Michael]

Wow! Those are cool pix. :cool:

And that's a mighty fine looking girl you have there! :banana:

The Most Worshipful fellow fellow looks impressive too. :)

[KSigMason]

Wow! Those are cool pix. :cool:

And that's a mighty fine looking girl you have there! :banana:

The Most Worshipful fellow fellow looks impressive too. :)
Thanks. My girlfriend is amazing.

Dave is a great guy. He juggles so much and retains so much knowledge.

[KSigMason]

Well, 2-Mondays ago we had the Fall District meeting for Boise area Masons, I was the hosting Worshipful Master. After I closed the meeting, a Brother, who was in the York Rite with me, approached me and said that we have gaps in the Commandery line-up. He asked me to sit as the Senior Warden (#4 in the Commandery). If I work hard enough I could get elected to the #3 chair and I will that much closer to getting the KYCH (Knights of the York Cross of Honor), which means I was the leader of each of the York Rite bodies and the Blue Lodge (which I am doing right now).

Last Thursday, I went to my York Rite meeting and the Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Idaho installed me as the Senior Warden of my Commandery.

The Templar uniform consists of a petty officers jacket (double breasted). On the left breast pocket we have our medals and ribbons; I am missing my BARS ribbon (its the award for serving in the US military). Underneath the jacket there is a sword sling that extends through bottom left pocket and connects to my sword which the Commandery loaned to me until I buy my own (around $600 at min). Atop my head is a chapeau which is a elongated hat with real ostrich feathers composing the plume. Here are the pictures:

Here I am in my uniform in front the eastern chair (where the Commander sits):

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/IDARNG_Loki/DSC01171.jpg

Here are two pics where I'm standing in front of the Commandery banner:

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/IDARNG_Loki/DSC01172.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l70/IDARNG_Loki/DSC01173.jpg

[Evangeline]

Our California Watercolor Association Gallery is in a Masonic Temple.

http://www.zvents.com/images/internal/4/8/8/7/img_547884_primary.jpg

[Michael]

Our California Watercolor Association Gallery is in a Masonic Temple.

Toronto's landmark Masonic Temple has been used as a concert venue for years. It has now been taken over to serve as the studio for a local tv station.

The building sits on a very prominent corner in downtown Toronto.

http://bowjamesbow.ca/images/yonge05-18.jpg

[Americano]

Slipping US membership over the last 50-years has caused Masonic Fraternities in many cities to sell underutilized meeting facilities.

The Washington DC membership has slid to a number equal to that of 1890:

http://bessel.org/dcstartl.htm

[Michael]

Toronto has a second Masonic Temple that is actually used by the Masons. Much more traditional looking Masonic Temple I might add! The above photo would be the "old" Masonic Temple.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/2470907919_07a66ca822.jpg?v=0

[Greendruid]

Michael, don't know if you remember the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry building back in Hamilton. It was kitty-corner to our beloved Bauhuas Cafe.

http://www.hauntedhamilton.com/parlourtheatre/scottish_rite.jpg

http://www.scottishriteclub.ca/images/exterior4.jpg

http://www.scottishriteclub.ca/images/ext2.jpg

http://www.scottishriteclub.ca/images/ext1.jpg

I don't know if that's the same as a Masonic Temple or not given the different nomenclature there.

[Michael]

Michael, don't know if you remember the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry building back in Hamilton. It was kitty-corner to our beloved Bauhuas Cafe.
Of course I remember that building! It was the only decent looking or interesting building in the whole town (other than the Philosophy Hall at Mac). :lol:

I don't know if that's the same as a Masonic Temple or not given the different nomenclature there.

I believe the Scottish Rite are a old Mason-splinter group, but perhaps KSigMason can clarify the matter. :)

[justonemorevoice]

hey ksig!!!!

[evanescence]

Do you post on politicalforum.com?