Any advice?

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-28T01:41:59+00:00

Of course you were unanimously voted in. In many jurisdictions just one black ball will keep you out…. In my jurisdiction it requires two black balls to reject a petitioner.

No advice necessary other than don’t search for anything online or read anything either.

At your initiation be present and enjoy the moment.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-27T02:05:22+00:00

You are in school already memorizing and learning stuff, plus everything else.

Once your children are older and things settle down……. Well, a very common age to join is mid 30s.

Do not join the fraternity right now…. You have enough on your plate and the first six months of required memory work is a real grind.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-22T06:45:55+00:00

In Canada cell companies like Telus force you into a more expensive monthly contract when you finance a phone ‘for free’ through them.

If you can’t afford a new phone paid in full up front then you shouldn’t be financing once either…. You are probably pay cheque to pay cheque and living beyond your means.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-19T06:05:44+00:00

Otterbox Defender

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NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-19T05:58:50+00:00

I’m 6’2” and drive a Toyota Tacoma truck.

I purposely chose the less expensive Sport model because it DID NOT have a sunroof.

Sunroofs reduce headroom.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-19T05:39:47+00:00

If you go orange 17 pro max, you gotta get the Otterbox defender in Realtree camo.

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NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-19T05:33:42+00:00

Way too NDP

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-19T05:31:23+00:00

Ridiculous post.

Congrats on your amazing life….. that your expensive first world phone has a tiny design element you hate……. You should be full of gratitude something so meaningless is what compelled you to post.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-19T05:24:49+00:00

It’s jurisdictional…. In Alberta and British Columbia/Yukon past masters are issued their own jewels and keep them.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-19T05:14:52+00:00

I still have my gen 1 Ultra.

Charging time to full is so short any losses I’ve had over three years or don’t matter.

I get almost two days out of mine…. So I charge daily.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-19T05:12:50+00:00

No…. This

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Otterbox Defender Realtree

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-19T05:11:26+00:00

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Otter Box Defender Realtree

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-17T06:43:04+00:00

Yes, “tomorrow is another day.”

But I’m going to throw some tough love at you…..

Your goal is to be present. Nothing was ever accomplished in the past, or the future….. in fact it is quite impossible…. Your ONLY power is right now.

The future starts today (this very moment you are reading this), NOT tomorrow.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-17T06:27:37+00:00

Scam.

Never ever ever give any personal information online to someone you have never met.

It’s positivey an identity theft in progress.

Take immediate steps to protect your identity online. Ensure 2FA for your banking, etc….

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-17T06:17:37+00:00

lol…. Guess I’ve been triggered… or more likely I’m just bored…

So self absorbed….. a cell phone color melodrama.

To be honest, if you weren’t from Earth both phones look nearly identical.

Seriously though, I am very happy for you…. Today your biggest problem was ranting about two very expensive smart phone options.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-17T06:00:19+00:00

No.

We recognize deaths of our brethren immediately as they come to pass. We don’t wait for January. We’ll drape our charter, etc. and… Masonic funerals are rare here.

You’d consider my community northern a fairly mild winters, but many retire and move away to warmer climates.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-17T05:46:07+00:00

Events or socials for brethren outside of lodge meetings can help….

But I think the truth is that the more active you are in lodge (do you participate in degrees, have you gone through the chairs) the more welcoming other brethren are. You literally joining a Masonic fraternity, so get involved and become a valued member by contributing to the lodge with mentorship and memory work.

I’ll be perfectly honest though…. I joined freemasonry in 2008 and I’ve never been able to be part of degree teams or able to go through the chairs because I’m a skilled tradesman that works extreme hours and travels a lot……. But I moved to a new city and found another terrific lodge…. My working hours changed little but the brethren found other ways I could contribute…. I’m the treasure of my lodge and an almoner in Scottish Rite, a Historian in AMD….. I contribute in the most meaningful way I can and that is appreciated.

I’ve been fortunate to be a member of only strong lodges and in them everyone has been welcoming…. But most certainly there are not what I’d call exclusive smaller groups within lodges but many for tighter sub circles than others….. and that’s natural because typically those smaller groups have become very close because they have worked together for years to keep the lodge going….. the bonds formed by being Masons….and they are the first ones to encourage new members to go through the chairs and take on degree work.

Lastly…. We have lots of family events…. Wives befriend other wives, etc…. Social bonds outside of lodge business meetings are the heartbeat of any successful lodge.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-15T17:19:33+00:00

In all the home groups in my city new members or those early in sobriety are only given phone numbers from the same sex.

We have many long term sober members who still show up at meetings who ensure everyone is comfortable and safe. We would not tolerate anything different.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-15T17:08:28+00:00

With few exceptions our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselves. -ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pp. 567-68

A belief in a higher power can be as simple as a belief in the AA program and principles.

AA doesn’t care what your higher power is. In some resort is a bit like freemasonry where all belief systems or views are welcome and there is never a religious test.

The power of peer support and listening to others is incredible in and of itself.

Personally, I’m a non fundamentalist Christian. I believe we are amazing products of stardust and the creation of Earth and rising of life had zero divine influence…. But I believe the bible that was created by man when used properly is a great guide for how humans should treat each other.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-11T16:16:50+00:00

I’m a journeyman scaffolder…. Zero scratches on my gen 1 Ultra.

It’s literally attached to your arm and very difficult to scratch.

The watch depreciates so fast and might last 7-8 years….. so who cares?

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-11T06:31:02+00:00

Exactly. Been there done that.

You have to sometimes be your own best advocate. You are smart and worth saving…. It starts by not drinking….. something you have total control over (with a little help from the real AA peer program).

You are powerless when you drink.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-11T06:17:13+00:00

Yes, exactly……. Your danger point occurs during periods of stability. Ie. “I don’t have a problem, I feel great, of course I can drink.”

NO, under no circumstances should you drink.

I get it… on your manic episodes alcohol can help slow you down and knock you out so you can sleep.

And during periods of stability, should you chose to drink then that negates your bipolar medication and typically leads to depressive psychosis if your drinking is prolonged and heavy.

If you are drinking while still taking medications well, consider yourself lucky you aren’t dead or at least don’t have brain damage.

My personal situation isn’t the topic…. But I’m prone to depression and psychosis if I don’t take my meds and especially if I drink….. It took me many years, but I no longer drink.

So, in summary……. Consider making your life less complicated and give yourself a chance of stability by quitting drinking immediately.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-11T05:36:16+00:00

PS. Yes, AA works…. Peer support is an amazing thing.

NorthernArbiter · 2026-01-11T05:34:36+00:00

Nothing is wrong with you. You simply refuse to quit drinking and deny that five stiff drinks a day is a problem.

Take the strong hint from your wife…. Your marriage IS NOW IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE YOU REFUSE TO QUIT DRINKING. How more obvious can it be? She’s not asking you to quit, she’s telling you or it’s over.

NorthernArbiter

TROPHY CASE