A shout-out to John Williams

To one of my favorite composers. He's eighty years old and, so far as I know, still at it. I am aware that he scored War Horse, which was scarcely half a year ago, and that's a great trait for an artist in any form: to not only create something original, but to create many original things, unique to even each other. This man is amazing!

Random Bagpipe Rant

Bagpipes.

Who would dare deny their greatness? They sound like something out of a heavenly dream, despite their loudness, and they are a symbol of Scottish culture (I'm part Scottish). They're visually appealing, too. Apparently the fathers of two of my friends play together - men I've never met, but the friends are both amazing people, one of whom can do a great Irish accent when reading stories.

I'm still looking at getting a guitar teacher after my Applause! theatre work is done for the time being, and I must still continue piano, but someday, someday.... Maybe. Fingers crossed.

(In Scottish accent) -

Love,

Lewis

The Herb Moore Trio

I might be the only one for miles around who knows about the Herb Moore Trio, or just Herb Moore as they are known on iTunes. They have three albums I know of: Dragon Dreams; H2O Overture; and Sophia's Garden, the last of which I am now listening to for the first time. I first discovered them when I was twelve, typing "dragon" on the computer at Barnes & Noble to see what I'd find in terms of music. I listened to samples of the first two tracks, and at some point in time asked if they had any in stock. It's out of print...but I found it on iTunes a year ago or so. Score one for Apple!

Herb Moore is very calming instrumental jazz which gives one a peaceful, calm feeling of ease. A bit like Zen or Celtic music. It's really great music, perfect for falling asleep or meditating. It's hard to describe, but it makes me feel lost in time - you know? Like my troubles are washed away. Oneiric is a word I like, but not a common term; it's not even recognized as a word on here. These pieces are oneiric. And they make me feel nostalgic too, for reasons hard to pin onto the screen.

Herb Moore is not well known - I could not find them on YouTube - but I recommend you look into them on iTunes if interested, or perhaps order a used CD online.

Peace to you all,

Lewis

First Volunteer Shift

In case I haven't mentioned in the past, I volunteered for two hours today at the West Regional Library. What I basically did this time was label and shelve books on hold. It really did not seem like two hours, because it was actually quite a bit of fun. Those of you who live in my area ought to visit WRL sometime; it's a great library.

I've thought about looking into library science as a career...not sure yet. I want to do something theatre-related, and maybe I could also be a librarian. It is said that library-folk oft have another job. I'm not sure what to study to be a playwright - creative writing? Theatre arts? I might also act, but perhaps as more of a hobby than as an actual career. The same goes for playing music.

I also might have mentioned my plans to move to Europe. They remain intact, although I'm not quite sure how the transition works. Brighton and Hove, in the United Kingdom, sounds like a gorgeous place to live. Who knows? I might even do something for BBC - creative people sometimes do many things, like Brian Jacques and Ray Bradbury. I'm starting to read scripts, currently Shakespeare's Othello, to get a feel for the craft. I read here that it takes at least ten years to become a good playwright, and I think I have that much time.

Maybe I'll do that now.

Fare-thee-well,

Lewis

After the Crack of Dawn

I'm up rather early this morning, and have to leave for school in less than an hour. Thought I'd get an article in. But what should I say? This is what I refer to as "blogging for the sake of blogging." Nothing wrong with it, I suppose. Recently I began two new blogs, and I plan on a fourth. In Number Four, I'll blog about music. I still need to get guitar lessons, but I've been playing piano for many years (and still must improve, ha). I'm thinking to call myself Winter...is that one taken? My styles seem to be rock, epic, and relaxing. I think I can manage, no?

Here it is. The sun seems to be rising, so I'm going to post there now, but I shall hopefully return soon.

Love,

Lewis

Why Am I Awake?

Look at the hour! Goodness. I felt like writing another blog post, so here it is. I am listening to David Foster's version of "Carol of the Bells" (mentioned in the previous post). It is a beautiful piece of music, any time of year. I remember reading Harry Potter while listening to it. Don't ask why, 'cause I don't know. I need to reread those; they were unbelievably good. When Deathly Hallows - Part 2 comes out, I will be uber excited, but sad when it ends too. I grew up with Harry....

As mentioned a couple times, I have a guitar now and I am currently teaching myself basic chords. Hannah will help me with the other stuff. Ah, yes: Did I offend anyone? I hope not, but I, too, am allowed an opinion (objective opinions may make a good post). Just know that I love you (in a friendly sort of way), and that I hold you all in high esteem. So. Guitar. I figured out a few snippets of songs via individual strings, such as the Harry Potter theme, the climax of "Journey to the Cave" (HP6), "Smoke on the Water," "Brand New Day" (Dr. Horrible), etc., etc. I have at least one out of three basic chords down; need to check if I remember the other two. It's actually a lot of fun.

I had a piano lesson on Saturday (yesterday). It had been a while, and now I have playing homework (which I'm actually remembering this time). This is turning out interesting. I like to participate in more than one art; I am attempting to get into acting once more, but need to persevere yet. Visual arts I'm semi-decent at, but I do not often engage in them. Ezra says that a person usually has two arts (he has at least three...ha), and I agree on the jack-of-all-trades level, but I think it is possible to do more than two things, even if for fun.

Fun - that's what it's about, yes?

On another topic, I still do not know what I want to do as an adult career. I know I've got time, but STILL. I'm thinking between teacher and librarian now, but neither seem to pay well. (Not in it for money, but I would like to be able to make a living, too). I want a job that I can live off of, but also I have time to do stuff I love (read, write, etc.).

One more spontaneous item to this random post: I would like some tea. Oh, and yes: I stayed up all night somehow.

So, tea.

I will post later.

G'day!
Lewis

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

Happy New Year!

Here it is: 2011. The second year of the second decade of the first century of the third millennium. And as I attempted to convey in the last post, life goes on. I feel compelled to tell you (not sure why) what the first thing I ate this year was: A bowl of blueberry/oats cereal. Anyway, I think I have some resolutions, which I may or may not change:

• Write a sizable novel
• Learn guitar
• Take Drivers' Ed (I keep saying that!)
• Get more involved at school
• Read a book of 1,000+ pages (finishing The Stand would count)
• Watch an episode of Doctor Who
• Leave the country (vacation wise)
• Read/finish certain books
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• Dracula
• The Graveyard Book
• Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
• A Christmas Carol
• The Stand, as mentioned before
• Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower IV)
• Year's Best SF 14
• Preludes & Nocturnes (Sandman 1)
• For the Win
• Visit my Florida friends, whom I have not seen for years
• Get something published in a book/magazine/anything printed
• Record a song
• Write a script
• Play Quidditch (yes, you read correctly)
• Start learning a language (I'm thinking Spanish or French)
• Get back into acting

Whoa, that's a lot! I didn't expect that many. Now I don't know if I'll be able to do all of them, but "shoot for the moon," eh?

Sorry; my computer is acting up. I spent HOURS writing this post, and now most of it's gone. I don't think I'll rewrite it, but I'm very ticked now.

Anyhow, happy new year and all that, and I'm going to bed now. Maybe I'll post more later.