Winter: Now on Tumblr.

I am now on Tumblr. My account is here. I have a blog post on there, so this is only one of my online blog-journal-things. By the way, why is there a period after "Tumblr"? Curious.

Tomorrow is my good friend Hannah's birthday party; which should be fun. I believe there will be music, seeing as she asked us to bring instruments. Currently I only play piano, so I shall bring a largish keyboard over (she said I could!), but sometime she says she'll teach me guitar. I also want to learn some kind of "blowing" instrument (woodwind or brass), but I agree with what my Grandma Shannon says: It's probably too late in the game to join band. So I think I'll try to do it outside of school.

Speaking of music, Ezra is trying to set up a band for me, Hannah, and Olivia to play in. It was originally intended as a wrock (wizard rock) band, but we might do other things as well. I have written two Dumbledore-related songs so far, and am working on a third titled "Ode to Lemon Drops." But I think we'll do a variety of things, and most of all have fun. I think this will work out well.

I have to go see I Am Number Four now, but I'll try to post again soon.

Until then, farewell!

-Lewis

My First Job

Indeed. I work at a place in Creedmoor called Silent Forest. It's basically an outdoor haunted house, but it's a really fun place to work at. I only have one night left as I write this, but it's awesome. I, the undertaker/mortician, creep out of my little shack, bang the tin roof with my scythe-stick, and say darkly humorous things. We don't get payed until the first week of November, but it's a decent sum: $200, more or less. I'm guessing $203. My plan is to put half of it into savings, and use half of it for whatever I will (probably books).

I know this was a short post, but I'm tired.

Goodnight!

English Journal #2 - Technological Dependence

* In the book Anthem there is a lack of modern technology. Think of two inventions of technology you could not live without. Why? How do they make your life easier and more enjoyable?

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I'd say that one thing I need to make my way through life would be a computer. This is because of my habitual tendency to type up stories. I find this faster and easier than writing things by hand. I am not saying that I am opposed to writing things by hand; that is how I originally wrote this entry. It is merely simpler to type. The other thing I feel to be a necessity would be a phone. If I become lost, or if there is an immediate emergency, I find calling to be much more useful than mail or birds.

I'm sure I could adapt without these--I am relatively hardy--but they both make life easier.

L*M*W

[Not in journal] This reminds me of something I so often wonder: Have the vaccines and medicines that have strengthened us against disease also weakened our immunities? What I mean by this is that we might be pampering our health. If somehow we did lose our technological advancements, would we all die from weakness? For example, lions eat raw meat. The germs (usually) do them no harm. But if we ripped into an antelope, we might catch something awful. Basically, with all this medical help, our bodies might not think that they need primitive defenses, and lower them. We may be spoiling ourselves. This last paragraph here was sparked by something Tom Monteleone wrote on the side in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel. Just something to chew on...so to speak.

English Journal #1 - Utopian Society

In all of the books we will read this semester, all of them contain the theme of a utopian society. What in your opinion are the characteristics of a perfect utopian society?

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First of all, I would like to address the matter that each individual has his or her own concept of a perfect world. As commonly stated, "If you try to please all, then you will please none." My world and yours are as different from one another as they are from any other. Humans are seldom, if ever, satisfied with perfection. Such is our nature.

My utopia would be be, at least in part, an oneiric and hauntingly nostalgic abode littered with bookshops and Key-lime soda fountains. Each said bookshop would be unique: one location might have a store cat, another a second-story balcony from which to watch the sunset, and yet another might sport marble pillars. Classics would boast leather covers with silver or gold lettering. I would live in a large brick house with a family of my own and several pets. These animals would include cats, dogs, rats, mantises, fishes and other aquatic animals, frogs, scorpions, millipedes, tarantulas, beetles, chameleons, pythons, corn snakes, turtles, tortoises, exotic birds, and crows, as well as a horse range and a goat and cow in front to keep the grass short. You can tell I'd run a mini-menagerie, and seeing as it's my world, I would even keep crocodiles. I would ride horseback as opposed to driving and dragons, giant eagles, or gryphons for aerial journeys. I would make a living by writing poems, novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, essays, journal entries, blog posts, and book reviews.

My utopia would be a peculiar one--one bizarre creatures and settings, such as signposts with faces, a sky below the ground, and doors leading to different time periods. There would be angels in the sky and serpents beneath the ocean's frothing waves. My mind would weave reality itself as seen fit. Life would be a dreamscape.

My home would have three stories (excluding the basement) and a large backyard with a stream. The house would feature at least one study piled high with books, maps and globes, astronomical instruments, perhaps a bust or two, and a large desk to sit at. In the foyer would be a stone fountain and a good-sized tank housing sharks, rays, and eels. A garden would reside at one side of my house: one containing flowers, trees, shrubs, rocks, and a koi pond. Since I am a fantasy lover, I would keep an armory with different makes of sword, shield, and other things of assault and defense.

You mustn't think I intend harm; the armory and archery range are purely for display and enjoyment. Peace would be abundant. Hate and war would be things of fiction. There would be no judgment, prejudice, or stereotypes of any sort. Love and kindness would always come first.

All things, living and inanimate, would retain the ability to communicate. Intellect and wit would be valued over strength. My favorite books would forever remain in print. I would meet many famous persons, alive or deceased on Earth. However, I would not wish to be all-knowing; I like mysteries. I would never run out of ideas for stories, but always have few enough at a time to write. These are among my utopian visions.