Post #397882 by Billy the Crud on Thu, Jul 31, 2008 2:17 AM

On 2008-07-30 12:39, Tiki King wrote:
The following (the part in quotes) I wrote in 2000, it's on my websight, but I thought it fits here...

"Ok, so I have been an avid Fez wearer for years,
and I am most often asked one of three questions.

1. What's the deal with the Hat?
2. Are you really a Shriner?
3. Do the Shriners know you stole that hat?
   Well, Hmmm, lets see now...
4. What's it to ya?, Punk!
5. No, and this is not a Shrine Fez,
   and
6. See answer #2.
   Now, I have nothing but the highest respect for our fine Fezzed friends at the Shrine, but I am not trying to pretend to be, or make people think I am, a Shriner. I will say that the first Fez I ever acquired was indeed a Shrine Fez, but I ended up not wearing it because I felt that in a way it was like flying the colors of a club you are not in. So instead I set myself up with my own custom Fez. But I still have to deal with the occasional question. They are usually benign, but there are those who feel compelled let me know (accompanied by a disgusted sneer) that I am not a Shriner, or in the case of those who know nothing of either, a Mason, and I explain that they are right, and that is why I am not wearing a Shrine Fez. If they are still there, I point out the Logo, a rhinestone studded, martini drinking Tiki with the crossed torches, and the leopard lining. Sometimes they warm up, sometimes they do their best to kill me with their eyes. It is usually older women who get the most upset. Maybe they are aged Rainbow girls, or Eastern star, or possibly their late husbands were of the craft. Maybe all of the above. Maybe they feel that I am mocking that which they hold dear. Who knows. But for some reason my Fez just pisses them off. They gesture at me, spilling their Johnny walker red over nicotine stained fingers. "Yur no schriner" they'll slur. I don't bother explaining, they usually wave me off anyway and turn back to the bar. "He'sh no schriner" they complain to the bartender. The Bartenders don't seem to care one way or another. A few years getting people drunk for a living and a guy in a funny hat is just not a big deal.
   So, why do I wear the Fez?
   I wear the Fez because it suits me.
   Don't like it?
   Then don't wear one,
   Punk!"

Now, I have met many Shriners while wearing my Fez, and all in all they have been very nice about it. Usually they are courious about the Tiki embelem, and what ask lodge it is from. After I explain it is not a Shrine fez, and that I am not a Shriner, Tell them about who I am and what I do, they are usually Ok with it. At last years Oasis, I did encounter one Shriner who seemed a little annoyed at first, asking what it meant and such, but was by no means hostile. I also have friends who are Shriners, and it does not bother them.
Here is my custom Fez...

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http://www.tikiking.com Neat Tiki and Ukulele Stuff to see and buy
http://www.tikiking.com/idol Hear the King sing!

[ Edited by: Tiki King 2008-07-30 14:18 ]

You see, THAT is a cool fez for a non-Shriner. I think it would ROCK if Otto put out some(limited edition, of course) red fezzes for Oasis with Moroccan-style, or even head-hunter logos on them. The company that supplies the Shrine will also supply anyone else that wants their logo on one.