My sister once sent me a Jack Handy card for my birthday with this quote. Best birthday card I ever received.

"To me, clowns aren't funny. In fact, they're kinda scary. I've wondered where this started and I think it goes back to the time I went to the circus and a clown killed my dad."

Btw, folks, take it from a former professional clown. Most "clowns" do suck. Then there are guys like Bill Irwin. The guy is brilliant.

No photoshop a'tall.

He's posed in front of an old-timey style stage fire curtain. That's what makes it look like a painting.

Pablissimo,

Fair to say that Freemasonry is more an organization with secrets than a secret organization. And you can do a Google search and find all the ritual. But reading the ritual is not the same experience as participating in it. That's the value of ritual.

That said. Having a secret is power. Read Foucault's Pendulum!

Young men of all walks of life are joining the Fraternity in record numbers. Lodges are seeing membership growth for the first time since the 50s. It's an exciting time to be sure.

btw, Pesco's remark that "to be one, ask one" refers to the fact that membership is never solicited. So if you've been waiting for your father or grandfather to give you a membership application, know that they most likely won't. It's not an exclusivity thing; rather it's to ensure that men who join really have a strong desire to do so.

The California Grand Lodge site has lots of information on how you can get connected to a Lodge in your area.

Here's what the Giant Uniroyal Tire looks like today: http://www.flickr.com/photos/94826312@N00/247533682/

This is all just silly nonsense. Every Mason knows that we really rule the planet from with the Square and Compass in Sandusky, Ohio.

...and a Masonic reference, too!

Back in 1986 I had a summer internship with Dodge in Detroit. One of the marketing guys was friends with Syd and had him do a series of renderings for the Dodge Daytona showroom brochure. He had the originals in his office and the colors looked a little odd. He explained to me that Syd chose colors that would respond to the florescent lighting in dealer's showrooms. We carried the renderings into a nearby conference room, turned up all the florescent lights and SHAZZAM! The effect was mind blowing.

He then told me that when he presented the images and his concept for an all-illustrated (rather than photographic) showroom brochure, the pinheaded executives pronounced the idea as "out-of-date" and Syd's style as "passe".

I wonder where those renderings are now...

I like the Peter Pan pajamas. "Gay enough to wear to a costume party!" Of course, it would have been the slippers that would have gotten you beaten up.

It can't be anywhere near as good as hot Vernor's (especially after sledding or shoveling the drive in Detroit!)

Are the Night Gallery shows out on DVD? I was just thinking about this episode the other day. One of the creepiest ever!

Hey, Mark, did you see this reinterpretation of the Scottish Rite Eagle on the site?

this British company makes all kind of custom shoes, including motif slipper. Lots of swell options (dragons, devils, monograms). I've toyed with the notion of getting the skull & crossbones one to wear with my tux for Masonic Lodge meetings.

They do custom embroidery, too. Jackhammer Jill would look great!

http://www.shipton-usa.com/erol.html

With a score by the Cheap Suit Serenaders, natch.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Crumb_&_His_Cheap_Suit_Serenaders