A comic strip called Get Fuzzy by Darby Conley seems to have captured the spirit of The Order of the Fez. I'm not sure I quite get the strip (first time I've seen it) but then I'm not sure I get the OOTF, so...
Here's a link to the full strip. [Thanks, Matthew]
I've had several prospective members ask if they have to take the next number in sequence (#14) or should new members be allowed to pick a number? I submit this question to you, the current members of the order. We'll let majority rule but only if all members vote.
PS: I'm going to start nagging you for your essay on fezorocity. You know who you are.
A few members have let me know they will not --at this time-- be placing an order for one of the Official OOTF fezzes designed and lovingly stitched with bleeding fingers by Brother Jason (#13). And that's okay. We are thrilled to have one-of Fez-o-rama originals but it's what's inside the head inside the fez that matters. No one should feel any pressure to upgrade.
"It has been said that those who wear the fez are possessed of a certain “fezorocity”. What is fezorocity? The glib answer would be to say that if you don’t know, I can’t explain it to you. “If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.” I usually consider that sort of answer to be no more than a cop-out, and yet… and yet…
Some years ago, one of the numbers presented in a high school choir concert was a choral setting of Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky”. The director asked me to recite the poem for the audience before the choir sang. Later, I was asked how long it took me to prepare. I replied that there are those of us who have been waiting their whole lives for a chance to declaim “Jabberwocky”, and no additional preparation is necessary. Thus it is with fezorocity, yet it may be that this quality simply lies smoldering within you unrecognized, awaiting only enlightenment to quicken the spark.
Perhaps we can infer the nature of fezorocity from the context in which the fez appears. In the movie Khartoum, General “Chinese” Gordon crowns his dress white uniform with a fez. We see its martial spirit, redolent of latent power, the Charlton Heston of hats, if you will. In Casablanca, Sidney Greenstreet as Signor Ferrari wears the fez. Here the fez shows us that its businesslike functionality underpins an Epicurean enjoyment of sybaritic pleasures. The Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword wear the fez in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Obviously, this headgear is a sinister vessel of oriental menace. Of course, the majority of fezzes we have seen are those atop performing monkeys and happy Shriners. This is the fez as glorified party hat (per the description of Fez-O-Rama’s Jason Rogers). It’s all about fun.
These contexts seem in conflict at first glance, but they are not. Fezoricity is indeed all about fun, but fun that includes a certain panache, a certain je ne sais quoi. It is an appreciation for funny hats that betokens an appreciation for life, with a dignity resilient enough to bear the weight of a funny hat in public. Fezoricity is…
or maybe it just can’t be explained."
Editor's Note: My original plan was to post these essays as comments to the interview with Jason Rogers. but Brother Mobley's thoughtful tract demands a more public space. We'll do the same with future essays.
With one of his custom designed fezzes sitting comfortably on my head, I got Jason Rogers (#13) on the Skype horn today to find out the story behind the fezmonger and Fez-o-rama.
Some are born to the fez, others are called. I believe Jason falls into the latter group. I was surprised --don't ask me why-- to learn that Jason is trained in fashion design and might have written a text book or two.
I asked him about celebrity clients, his favorite designs, The Cult of the Eye, his fictional partner, "Joe," and ukuleles.
The interview runs about 25 minutes and there are a couple of places where the audio got weird because a) the Skype connection was iffy or b) Jason walked into his cavernous, marble-floored Hall of the Fez.
Near the end of the interview, Jason posed a heavy question: Is there some essential quality that is common to all fez wearers and if so, what is it?
I call this quality "fezorocity" and said that our Order would accept this assignment. So, after you listen to the interview (Download MP3), your assignment for this week is an essay (500 words or less): The Nature of Fezorocity.
Post your essay in the comments below.
Pigeon webcam dynamically adds virtual fez: instant shrinerfication
Brother Nelson (#7) points to this fezish story. Like #7, I am certain this means something, I'm just not sure what.
Until such time we gather in meat-space, this photo will have to do for a group photo. I gave some thought to where this imaginary meet-up should take place. If anyone cares to submit alternative locales, send large images (1800 pixels or so). I've posted a larger version on flickr.
Update: Bob Hague (he hates being called #2) liked the photo enough to use it for his desktop. So I've created an image more suitable for that purpose. And here's a different treatment.
Not since those early, heady days of our order have we had two new members in the same week. I could be wrong, but this feels like a movement. Or it could be the prune danish I had for breakfast.
It gives me great pleasure to present Jason Rodgers, Fez #13:
"I humbly apply for position #13 in the Order of the Fez. I feel I am qualified for this honor as not only do I own a small collection of fezzes -as well as a small collection of ukuleles if that counts for anything- but I actually made the fez that #12 is wearing in his photo! That's right, I'm not just a fez enthusiast, I'm a Fezmonger! Last year I made well over 200 fezzes and I just finished cutting the fabric to produce the next batch of Order of the Fez fezzes. My most recent fez related accomplishment was organizing 22 members of the Cult of the Eye in raising over $24,000 for the 24hr Cancer Dance-a-thon. (thanks for your donation!) Let me tell you, there were a lot of people there unprepared to face that much fezzy goodness."
Thank you for your consideration.
Jason Rodgers
It's clear that Jason appreciates the mystic significance of the number 13 and the power and responsibility that goes with Fez #13. Please join me in welcoming Jason, our newest and --some say most roguish-- member.
If you have not put in an order for your only-one-on-the-planet OOTF fez, you can contact Jason at Fez-O-Rama. He tells me he has just put a down payment on a new jet ski and every fez counts.
Join me in welcoming David Fletcher to our order. Herewith, his Petition of Worthiness:
"I would like to become a member of your illustrious organization. I own 2 fez's, a cheap one I bought in Turkey to irritate my wife and a really nice one with a monkey skull recently purchased from Fez-o-rama. It is always good to meet people that share my interest in fine/fashionable head gear. I am currently on active duty, living in Italy, and leader of an underground comic artist cell of the cartoonist conspiracy. I wear my Fez at every meeting. Thank you for your time."
"...one I bought in Turkey to irritate my wife." Has there ever been a better reason?
Dave doesn't elaborate on what "active duty" might mean. It has a military ring to it but I think of myself as being on "active duty," so...
And "leader of an underground comic artist cell of the cartoonist conspiracy?" I think I have wood! Brother Dave! Please tell us more~
I'll go back and review the other photos but I think we have our first bad-ass member of the OOTF.
PS: The T-Shirt reads: "Buzzard Weapons." Better and better.
It's been a while since I asked for photos for my group portrait. Nothing. Zip. Come on, lads. We don't ask much of the membership but we need to maintain some sort of connection. And speaking of pix... has anyone else sprung for a custom fez yet? Be sure to send me a new photo if/when you get yours.
