Match a Shirt, Suit, and Tie - Oh, my!

It's our final day of Blog Week here at PA DeMolay and I would be remiss if I didn't offer up something on one of my other favorite topics - men's fashion and grooming. We've spent the first four days on history, so it seems high time that we broach a more modern day subject.

During Key Man University, "Dad" Dan Loughin taught a class on the "Art of Manliness." In it, he spoke about many manly skills, such as shining your shoes, properly tucking in one's shirt, and good personal habits to keep. One question came up from the young men, but was tabled until later, as it was quite broad - "How do I match shirts, suits, and ties?"

As I explored the Art of Manliness website (www.artofmanliness.com), I came across this video that explains it quite succinctly. Check it out!

I hope you've enjoyed Blog Week and perhaps learned something along the way. See you Monday!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Jump Starting Your Car

DeMolays travel. A lot. One of the dangers of all of this travel is having something go wrong with your vehicle. Often, that something is a dead battery, for one reason or another. There has been more than one occasion were a DeMolay found his car battery had gone kaput while he was in a meeting and needed a jump afterwards. I'm always surprised by the number of DeMolays (and adults) who don't know how to jump start a car with a dead battery. Thankfully, the Art of Manliness is here to help with an awesome video on how to do it in just a few steps.

Also, there's a little Easter Egg is this video that should pop out to all of the members of the fraternity. Enjoy - and I hope you learn something!

 

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Tie Tips for Everyone

The Art of Manliness just put out this awesome neck tie infographic that I had to share with everyone. Enjoy! (You can click the image to get a bigger version for reading.)

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

 

Ritual, Manhood, and You

Today's post comes from the Art of Manliness. It's so DeMolay appropriate that I don't even know where to begin. It's about how ritual is an important part of the social structure of organizations and groups. Check it out...

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/01/06/the-power-of-ritual-building-shared-worlds-and-bonds-that-transcend-the-everyday/

I have rarely seen such a good explanation of why ritual is important and how it strengthens our bond as Brothers. If you only read one Art of Manliness article that I post this year, it should be this one.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

A Man's Need for Ritual

While I had not planned on blogging much over the break, I stumbled across an article online that I had to share with everyone. The folks over at the Art of Manliness are doing a series on man's need for ritual. It's a really great series and everyone should check it out:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/12/16/the-rites-of-manhood-mans-need-for-ritual/

Continue enjoying your holidays and I'll see you all in January.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Black Tie Fasion

Yes, you guessed that right... "Dad" Anthony is back on his high horse about men's fashion. This time, it's thanks to a timely post by the Art of Manliness that does an excellent job explaining men's "Black Tie" dress. I'll have to give a hat tip to "Dad" Dan Loughin on this one, as it was just two weeks ago that he and I were lamenting the fact that our Elected State Officers are wearing tuxedos less and less; and, when they do, they often aren't uniform. Hey, they're JO's - they get held to a higher standard!

As someone who is often in a tux for Masonic meetings, there is something abhorrent about seeing a tux worn inappropriately. I know it might seem fun to go to prom in a tux that matches your date's dress. But, honestly, once you get into the real world, no one wears colored vests and ties anymore. James Bond was classy in his tuxedo - he wore a classic cut, that fit him well, and that wasn't trying to be innovative. Class is part of the word classic for a reason.

Anyways, here's a video summary of the post from the Art of Manliness.

 

Mad as a Hatter

This week, I'm back on a men's fashion kick. I'm planning on attending an event which requires Victorian dress, so I've been investing in pieces of clothing for this occasion. This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a hidden gem here in Lancaster County - an old school haberdasher.

For the DeMolays out there, let me take a moment and explain that a haberdasher is a person or store who sells men's clothing and accessories. Originally, this term was used to describe a shop that sold sewing and clothes making supplies, but in modern parlance, it has come to be associated with menswear.

The shop that I stopped in at specialized in one of my favorite menswear accessories - hats. From porkpies, to fedoras, to trilbys, bowlers, top hats, and more - they had it all! I spent quite some time trying on different styles of hats before settling on a bowler for everyday wear and a top hat for special occasion (and for future Masonic functions.)

As I was trying to come up with an article for today, I thought back to this experience and realized that many young men today don't know about hats. They certainly know a baseball hat and perhaps a fedora, but outside of those styles, most other hats are unknown. So, in that spirit, I'm going to share with you some information on men's hats!

First, check out this link which describes several styles of hats that you might be familiar with: http://www.fashionising.com/clothing/b--mens-hats-hat-guide-53572.html

... and of course I'd be remiss if I didn't offer the advice of the Art of Manliness on picking a hat:
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/05/28/the-perfect-hat-for-your-ugly-mug/

Lastly, for the curious folks, here's a list of hat styles provided by Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_headgear

Hats aren't for some, but in my book, a true gentleman knows how a hat should be worn.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Dining Etiquette for Gentlemen

One of things I constantly harp on with our Elected States Officers is dining etiquette, especially when attending Masonic functions. It's a simple set of skills to learn and it goes a long way towards making one seem more professional.

Check out this video from the Art of Manliness that gives the basics of creating a good dining experience.

 



 

Etiquette and You - College Edition

A hot topic amongst DeMolay's today is that of etiquette. Your first response to that topic is probably "Really? Etiquette? Surely you're joking." But, what is the social media issue but one of etiquette? What do most adult's complaints about youth boil down to? A lack of etiquette. It was almost fortuitous that I came across another great article about etiquette this morning.

The folks over at The Art of Manliness Blog just put out a great new article entitled How to be a Gentleman Scholar: Classroom Etiquette for the Modern Man. As DeMolays head to college to this fall, I would encourage them to take a quick gander at this article and learn some of the key points. Many are lessons we teach in DeMolay already, like:

• Be on time.
• Be respectful.
• Don't dominate others.
• Pay attention.

These are pretty simple lessons, but everyone can use a reminder from time to time.

On a side note, I will be travelling on Thursday of this week and will not be able to post. I'm going to try to line up a special guest to post, so check back and see who it is!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Manly Quotations

In the last year or so, I've noticed an uptick of people posting quotes, or using them in their writing. This has been especially true in speeches and newsletter pieces. Oftentimes, the quotes chosen are very applicable. In other instances, they seem stretched and over wrought. Regardless, we can learn a lot from understanding and studying what others in the past have said about this world.

The Art of Manliness recently posted an article that contained manly quotes, along with some great visuals to go with them. I've posted a few of them here so you can see. The full article can be found here: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/09/09/quotes-about-manliness/

I encourage all DeMolays and Advisors to check these out and perhaps share them on Facebook. You never know what you might learn!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

 

 

 

Don't Regret College

This week, many of our DeMolays are heading to college. Some are going for the first time, while others are working towards the completion of their degree at more advanced level. Either way, these young people should be commended for advancing their knowledge.

However, over the last several months, I've heard time and time again about the financial difficulties facing recent college graduates. According to an article on Art of Manliness, many college graduates are facing regret. It says:

 "When over 500 recent graduates were surveyed by Accounting Principals, they reported 3 big financial regrets about their college career:

• They wish they had more actively pursued scholarships and financial aid.
• They wish they had pursued a different major that had more realistic job prospects and a higher starting salary.
• They wish they had gotten a job while in college and had started saving money earlier."

The article then goes on to describe ways to avoid these regrets, including tips for scholarship searches and how better to manage money while in school

. I think it is an incredibly valuable read for any college bound person or parent. Check it out here: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/08/06/the-3-biggest-financial-regrets-of-college-graduates-and-how-to-avoid-them/

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Undershirts are just that...

Today, it's time for another one of "Dad" Anthony's fashion rants. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the tiniest guy around, but I work hard and take pride in my appearance - especially at fraternal functions. I didn't grow up in a house that was really "fashion" conscious. Most of the guys reading this have probably already tuned out, thinking that fashion is only for girls. However, there are some key points for guys when dressing; even more so when dressing up.

The undershirt seems like the least important piece of clothing that one could own. It's not meant to be seen... it's an undershirt after all! Some guys don't see the need for undershirts or they think that an undershirt is the same as a regular shirt. Thankfully, the folks over at the Art of Manliness have done an excellent job of discussing the options for undershirts and how to choose an appropriate one for your outfit. Check it out at http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/06/27/mans-guide-to-undershirts/

The next time you dress up, think about the layers that should go into it. It'll save your dress shirts and ensure that you look at the top of your game!

Frat ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

 

Unique Job for DeMolays

As I look back on the choices I've made in my life, one of my biggest regrets is not having traveled more when I was younger. Many folks are lucky to have spent some time abroad while in college or perhaps took some time to really visit and get to know another country. While I have been to Europe, it wasn't a long visit and I certainly want to go back.

When I was working at my first HR job, several of my colleagues were looking at going into the Peace Corps (click on the link to learn more about that program.) I looked at the option but soon realized it wasn't for me. More recently, I have been reading up on the Foreign Service Office at the Department of State. If I had to do everything over again, I think I would  have considered this option more. It would be an awesome job, but it certainly takes a special kind of person.

Then, I stumbled across an article on the Art of Manilness Blog entitled So You Want My Job: Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat. While I may not be in a position to make this kind of career move, I thought I'd share the link with all the DeMolays out there who might be looking for a unique job to do when they get out of college. It doesn't require any specific kind of degree and the skills they look for are some of the same key things we teach in DeMolay.

Check out the link - who knows - you might be the next Ambassador!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Mind Your Smartphone Manners

Over the last few weeks I've been lucky to have our resident graphics guru, Bro. Matt Blaisdell, working beside me in the office. Matt and I have a great working relationship and I admire his talents in design. Often times, we bounce ideas off of each other and constructively critique each other when necessary.

During the holiday break, Matt was working on many different projects, including brochures, posters, and wallet cards. He often drew his inspiration for these designs from different pieces we found on the internet. As such, I'm always on the look out for interesting pieces to share with Matt, and all of you.

Recently, I discovered some great new graphics on the Art of Manliness Blog. These "posters" try to teach good cell phone manners through the use of graphics and design. When I saw them, I thought to myself "Self, these would be great to hang in a Chapter Room!"

If you are trying to curb your own cell phone habits (or if you're an Advisor trying to teach them to young men) these could be some great tools to start with. Check them out at this link:

http://artofmanliness.com/2013/01/08/smartphone-etiquette/

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Good news everybody!

The PA DeMolay website, located at http://www.pademolay.org, is back up and running! Huzzah! I appreciate your patience as we sorted out our server issues.

With that in mind, today is going to be a fairly short post, as I'm in the process of updating everything over on the website. As usual, when I'm in need of a short post, I took a trip over to The Art of Manliness for ideas. They never let me down!

As many of us will be flying this holiday season (or within the next year), I encourage you to take a look at their article titled How to Fly Like a Gentleman. It has some great tips on travelling as well as some basic life lessons. Check it out and see what you can get out of it!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

The 8th Precept - Manliness?

When I write these blog posts, I often try to not use the same source for material too often. However, once in a while I run across something of great value that forces me to be a little bit flexible with that. In many cases, that source is the Art of Manliness. The amount of material that is pertinent to our young men (and our adults) is really impressive and often times very apt.

Recently, they posted an article entitled "Essential Etiquette for Young Men." This is really a composite article - it have some fresh material, but it offers links to a vast amount of other articles they've posted on several related subjects. These include how to write an email effectively, how to make an apology,  effective listening, and even dating advice. These are all really great pieces.

But, I'm also a realist. I know many of you aren't going to take the time to read those articles. What I'd really like to see is a Chapter Advisor picking an article for every meeting (there are at least 6 months worth of articles available at that rate) and distill the ideas to present to the young men. Better yet - have a young man distill the ideas himself and give the presentation! Wouldn't it be great to have a "Manliness" expert in your Chapter? That would be a great mentoring opportunity for sure. It's just a thought...

On another Art of Manliness related note - if you're looking for a gift for that newly graduated / alumni member of your Chapter, check out the Art of Manliness Collection. Available on Amazon.com for less than $20, it includes two great books - The Art of Manliness and Manovationals. These two would provide great guidance for those about to set off for College or about to enter the real world.

Get out there and be manly!

Frat ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Facing Your Reputation

One of the most important lessons young people are being forced to learn revolves around their online reputations. At Key Man, the staff hosted a workshop about what you can / should post on the web and how. As I said at the beginning of that workshop, "we aren't trying to say Facebook is the devil and you shouldn't use it. Rather, we want you to harness it's power for good instead of bad." It was a great workshop and I was delighted to find that most of our young men really get it and are careful about their postings.

Conveniently, the folks over at The Art of Maniless have posted a great related article as part of an on-going series. Entitled Manage Your Online Reputation, the piece hits on all of the major aspects of ensuring that you have a good online identity. Give a read, it's certainly worth your time.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Public Speaking 101

This past weekend, Bro. Alex Rauschenberger and I had the opportunity to speak with Jurisdictional DeMolay Leaders all throughout the world at the annual DeMolay International Sessions. One thing that became apparent to us was that every jurisdictional officer comes from a different background of teaching, learning and developing their home States and Chapters. It amazed me to see that leaders our age, throughout the world, have different abilities of speaking in front of a crowd with such elegance. It dawned on me that people don't just happen to have a keen ability to speak in a public setting, but it takes years of experience. I decided to do some detective work and I found a great article by our friends over at the ArtofManliness.com. As you're reading this, think of what you're good at in terms of public speaking, what you can work on and anything that'll make you the best public speaker you can be!

Public Speaking Tips - The Art of Manliness

Cheers!

Frat!~ Matt Blaisdell

Tattoos - the Other Side of the Story

The other day I wrote a post about a Master Mason in California, Bro. Roni Zulu, who has made quite a name for himself as a tattoo artist. In that post I talk about the importance of creativity and expression, even if it's something we don't necessarily agree with. As I suspected, I made "Dad" Labagh cringe a little, but he did understand where I was coming from and the reasoning behind the post. However, he requested that I write a piece about the decision making process as it relates to tattoos - offering a counter argument, per se.

The first thing you should take a look at comes from "The Art of Manliness Blog - Think Before You Ink." Take a moment to check it out. We'll be here.

Okay, obviously the post isn't trying to dissuade someone from getting a tattoo, but rather enjoins them to really think the decision through and to make sure that they are making a good choice. No one can argue with that advice. If you are going to permanently change your physical appearance, you need to really think that decision out, as it's hard to reverse.

"But, you can get tattoos removed!", you cry. Why yes, yes you can. However, the reality of tattoo removal is much more painful that most people realize. Not only will it cause you personal discomfort, but it will also set you back a pretty penny. Tattoos are relatively cheap to have done, but removal costs can be multiple times more to get removed. This is just another point to consider when making your decision.

The other piece of this equation, at least for young people, is parental involvement. Some young folks go get tattoos and think that they can hide them from their parents. First of all, at least from a DeMolay perspective, this is very disrespectful and flies in the face of our first Precept - Filial Love. You can't and shouldn't try to hide this kind of life decision from your parents. Even if you don't agree, it's best to consult them and let them know what you are thinking.

So, if you want a tattoo, what should you do? We recommend that you sit down and create a pros and cons list. Weigh all of the options and share it with your parents. Taking time to make the right decision can only benefit you in the long run.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

The Edge of Manliness

First, I'd like to apologize for the lack of a post yesterday. I was out of the office and therefore didn't get a chance to put anything up. However, I'm making up for it today with an article that should raise a few eye brows.

One of the long running pieces over www.artofmanliness.com is a series called "So You Want My Job" wherein the blog interviews men in high profile or interesting professions to find out how they got there. Sounds pretty tame, right? In general, they are - but today is something a little different. Today is something that will probably raise "Dad" Labagh's blood pressure a little bit. Today, we talk about becoming a tattoo artist.

Yes, you read that right. While many DeMolays go on to jobs in business, politics, law enforcement, or other suitably regular professions, some are just not cut of that cloth. Some of our members are artistic and showy and have a passion for the arts. We have to recognize that the "normal" career path may not be for everyone.

There is also a secondary reason that I am posting this article. The man who is profiled, Roni Zulu, is a Master Mason and Past Master in California. He has been profiled in many Masonic publications for his alternative approach the fraternity and the changing imagery of Masonry today. While some may question the career path of tattoo artist, I don't think anyone would question the dedication of Bro. Zulu or his moral character. He is proud of the fraternity - heck, he's wearing a Masonic ring in the picture at right. Should we judge a man just because he has a tattoo? I guess that's up to you...

So You Want My Job: Tattoo Artist - with Roni Zulu

Enjoy the article!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony