Chef
LE
I do like the Long Closing in Taylor's ritual and which I enjoy reciting when those opportunities present themselves. I have yet, for all my years, managed to crack the Tracing Boards.
You are very right in mentioning a healthy LOI, in my instance every Wednesday during the season in my 'civvie' lodge, however my military lodge meets a few hours ahead of a regular meeting to rehearse at Gt. Queen St.
It has been the custom for the IPM to do the long closing for several years now, it's nice as the last piece of 'extra' ritual that even a Master who delegates a lot of work still does.
As for TBs, I learnt them years ago and am not the only one to do them in our Lodge. It's surprising how many Masons of many years standing have never heard the 1st degree TB.