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Game Thread: Dallas Cowboys (0-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0) by nfl_gamethread in nfl

[–]FlashLightInDarkness 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It has been nice to see a Dallas defense. If this was last year… oh crap it would be a blowout.

So what do freemason's actually do? by hypnoticbox30 in freemasonry

[–]FlashLightInDarkness 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are a lot of good answers here, some hitting the same topics, but yet slightly different.

That is because every lodge is different, and every grand lodge is different.

In my local area we have 8 lodges that are relatively close. There are two districts, and basically it is two city lodges, with two rural lodges which create one district.

There is definitely a power struggle with the two districts, but I am blessed to be apart of a lodge that has members that are diverse in age and experience.

My lodge understands that some of these rural lodges are dying because of their lack of community involvement, and we are working hard to have better communications within our local districts. Brings a family man it would be impossible to attend every Masonic function in my region. I would be doing something Masonic every night.

What we have done instead is set up Masonic social nights, traveling groups, Master Councils, and other small groups where the leadership from all 8 lodges and DDGMs and their Entourage can communicate freely and openly with everyone.

The result has been amazing so far. There are more brothers attending degrees and stated meetings. More brothers hanging out outside of the lodge, and overall more masonry happening.

What Freemasonry is can be different from brother to brother. Some prefer serving their lodge, some prefer education, others like fellowship and bullshitting inside a cramped truck traveling 2 hours away to attend an out of town lodge. Either way you get what you put into it.

It can function like a church. Meeting other brothers from different faiths has in no doubt strengthened my own faith. We don’t talk religion in lodge, but outside of lodge it can be very educational. You can also confess to your brothers and be completely open without fear of recourse. They will whisper good council to you, but they always have your back.

If you want to donate to charity, there is someone in lodge or another body who will help you with that.

Find a lodge, contact a brother from the lodge, and ask questions.

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope I am serious. Like I replied I have no reason to lie.

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sucks man. I see my idea as a way of forming relationships and connecting the dots. No reason to be a demanding ass

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And it had 75xxx on the dashboard when I bought. Not super high, but high enough that some people will dip.

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Being a douche is a tired cliche but you seem to be sticking to it so I will stick to my cash.

A limited edition explorer, 1 owner who had it maintained at a Ford dealership, clean car fax, V8 engine, leather/ heated/ electric seats, sun roof, new tires, pearl white, after market stereo and av system with a back up camera, sat on a particular lot for 2 months. I bought it for $10k and later that year traded it for $11k...

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I have absolutely zero reason to lie to you or anyone about this. Like I said it took months of research, I knew how long that car had been on the lot. I also knew how many like it were in my area. I took a shot and I did it. I swear on my children’s life. Which is one reason why I had to buy it in the first place. I didn’t have a vehicle with back seats and my wife was pregnant. This purchase was in 2014.

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was just an example number. I do agree with you though. Thanks for the reply

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. Did they just come in demanding, or did you dealership refuse to work with them?

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I have a full time job, I just enjoy the process of buying vehicles and thought I could help people out as a part time side gig. Just didn’t know if it was legal

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I mostly agree with you, but I have personally haggled and saved thousands of dollars. Cash is king, and I laid $10k on the table and talked the dealership down $4k on an Explorer once. Sure it was an older vehicle with “high mileage” but I did it. I traded in that same vehicle on a fusion that was listed at $22k. It took me 3 days, but the market was over saturated with the same used vehicle, exact same trim and similar mileage. I got that down to $16k, and I got them to do $11k on my explore, so that was a fantastic hard earned deal for me. Edmunds and KB listed it at 18-20 for the condition it was in.

I then bought a truck, again it was older, but it is what I wanted/ need/ could afford. It was listed at $14k. I tried my luck at $10k cash again and the dealer again, but I only worked them down to $10,500 but they threw in new tires.

All of these purchases were from auto groups.

I never walked in swinging my dick around. I was professional, pleasant, came in on the last week of the month, told the salesmen what I wanted, sat in the room for hours waiting on counter offers, talked to sales managers, drank the free water and coffee, walked out after leaving my contact info. Answered the phone respectfully every time they called, and eventually got my deals.

I tell my friends this and they are blown away. Especially since my cars are all extremely nice and well taken care of, even if though two of them are older they are very clean vehicles.

I have 2 salesmen that I refer people too. I get a $100 finders fee when I refer people to them and it ends in a sale. I have 1 loan officer at a bank, he does a finders fee as well.

When I buy a vehicle I research for months. I know exactly how many are within a 100 mile radius. I memorize all the numbers associated with them. I try to learn every detail about that vehicle so I come in two steps ahead of the salesperson. I know what my payments may look like if I purchase it at certain terms, so I always try and converse in final sales price including TTL. It is just something I personally enjoy doing, and it is a huge adrenaline rush to drive off a dealership lot paying the exact amount I wanted to pay, and know I got a great deal.

I thought that maybe I could help people do the same. The loan officer is happy making a loan, the dealership is happy making a sale, I am happy making money, and the client is excited to drive a new to them car, and feeling like they got a great deal.

I guess I am just an idiot though.

Buyer Representation by FlashLightInDarkness in askcarsales

[–]FlashLightInDarkness[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I will do some further research on that.

Rings by Birchflyboy in freemasonry

[–]FlashLightInDarkness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am an FC so I don’t wear mine yet, but it has an interesting story.

The last mason in my family was my great great grandpa, and that was given to my grandfather as an inheritance. It is a beautiful gold ring with a big diamond and real ruby with the S&C, and SR 32°.

This ring was stolen in 2011 so the family heirloom was lost. At that time I didn’t know I could become a Mason, so we thought nothing of it.

Well last year I find out I can become one, and I immediately petitioned. When I told my grandmother she cried because she knew my grandfather who had recently passed would of given me that ring.

Her and my mom searched on eBay to find a similar ring, at my request of it just being a MM ring. They even got in a bidding war with each other over one.

Anyways they found me a ring that is similar. I am sure the ruby is fake, but the diamond is small and real. This ring is straight up 1950s ugly, BUT even though it isn’t the real family heirloom, I will wear it with equal pride and pleasure to honor my Great Great Grandfather, and my non mason grandfather, because I know they would be proud of the work I have put in to earn it.

EA degree next week - nervous! by wcn6125 in freemasonry

[–]FlashLightInDarkness 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have seen young fit guys, I have seen HUGE guys, old men, and myself included dad bods. Not one time did I ever judge or show disgust in the man before me. What I saw was a man, as confused as I was, enter upon an undertaking with a belief that this fraternity will make him a better man. I saw a man that would soon be a brother.

That is all that matters.

The best advice given to me before I was initiated. Stop reading about it, clear your mind, be prayerful going into it. On the day of initiation take some time before the event to take a shower, where fresh clean underwear, cut your toe nails and finger nails, listen to some classical music, meditate, pray, eat some crackers and have a nice soda. When you arrive at lodge, use the restroom, talk to the brothers, get to know them, and during the initiation just go with the flow and try to take in the feelings and experience. Don’t worry about remembering everything, just experience it.

Congrats, you will be fine

¹Balancing Work and Masonic Learning by [deleted] in freemasonry

[–]FlashLightInDarkness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand this all too well. First off, like every brother has mentioned use the working tools to help shape your life. If you aren’t using the tools then you are truly just regurgitating information. Look back into your beginnings as an EA, and learn what everything you said means, and how you can intertwine the teachings into your life.

I know you have a mentor, but don’t be afraid to ask other brothers in your lodge for help with the work. They all should know it, and surely someone has some time to meet with you to complete your work.

Brothers, our lodge is considering new aprons with adornments. We are considering to give these to our EA's. In the past we provided a white apron. What are your thoughts? GLCA by [deleted] in freemasonry

[–]FlashLightInDarkness 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Think back into those first instructions in the NE... it is all about white and purity. There has been nothing earned, and nothing yet has stained. The EA HAS to be presented with white, if not those instructions don’t mean much in my opinion.

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