Congratulotions!

The vast majority of the time, my family cannot afford to see traveling shows - meaning the big ones, like Sweeney Todd and The Lion King. Along with those two, one I've very much wanted to see for a long time is Wicked. This spin-off on the novels of Lyman Frank Baum was filled with hilarity and great singing - the lady who played Elphaba had a simply amazing range. It is a national acting troupe, I believe; I should like to join one someday, even if only temporarily. We went out to Durham to see the show, and had to navigate ridiculous crowds, but in the end it was totally worth it. I really ought to read the book. There were plenty of made-up words (congratulotions among them) and awesome puns such as "Witch is witch?" - this one being followed by a tap-danced rim-shot.

Today we bought several drawing pencils and some other artsy things at A.C. Moore, which I am now eager to put to use. This summer I'd like to teach myself the art of knitting. My dear friend Kate says that she learned off the internet; and given the fact that I am almost temporarily liberated from school, I ought to have time. No bets on the guitar-playing, but I might give it a shot. All in its eventual time, yes? Honestly I do not know about my going to college at this point; I think it can be useful, but is not necessarily for everyone, as society would have some believe. I intend to be a freelance writer, which requires no degree. So if I get accepted into Pratt Institute (where they have a renowned writing program), I will go, but I don't know if I honestly want to study English and/or Computer Science elsewhere unless I can become self-employed. The thought of sitting in a cubicle for fifty years not only bores me; it actually depresses me. I'm not trying to knock on those who do it - I am merely saying it is not for me. I think it's a personality thing. Hopefully I shall find a way.

For now, I am forced to attend the enormous time-waster known as public school. Wish me luck!

Lewis

Thankees! And Traveling

"If you don't want it, give it back!" - Tia Dalma

"We are eternally grateful!" - Alien toys from Toy Story

"You owe me one." - Han Solo

"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest."  - William Blake

"To give thanks in solitude is enough. Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go. Your prayer knows much more about it than you do."  - Victor Hugo

"Hey, ho, let's go!" - The Ramones

"Adventure is out there!" - Charles Muntz

"Do as I say, obey, and stay...in...here!" - Claude Frollo (Disney's 1996 version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

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What am I thankful for? I would say my friends, whom I love dearly; my own intellect and artistic inclinations; my dog; cats in general; swords (mostly); the fact that our planet is ideal for living things; and that while my life could be better, I have it pretty good compared to some peoples. I suppose I can even say I am thankful for conflict; my life is as an ongoing story, and any story without conflict tends to bore me half to death. So while I may not appreciate my adversaries at a personal level, it is with their help that I grow stronger. I need some adventure to add a little spice. Being a teenager has its perks - don't get me wrong - but more than ever I feel the urge to "break chains" and go off to explore the world. Ah, how I would love to see Italy...and Germany and Ireland.... For now I am stuck in the United States, which seems to be crumbling from the inside. I do not blame President Obama. People who say the economic upset is his fault are either ignorant or stupid, or, more often than not, both. But anyhow, I'd like to see the United Kingdom, Canada, and Belgium, as well as France and possibly even Egypt, depending on safety. Spain, Kenya, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Argentina, Morocco, Norway - you get the idea. I'm thankful that such places exist. And I am grateful to whatever Fate-gods may or may not be there that I have the potential of going.

Back on thankees: it is not reasonable to hold a thank over one as an excuse to do bidding. For instance, if I get you a nice gift and then punch you, you're more than welcome to be ruffled about the slugging and not be swayed by my claims of "I got you a gift; you must kiss my feet!"

It doesn't work that way for me.

Now back to the travel, as it has been on my mind for a good while. I was communing earlier this day with my friend Tinplate, and she made an interesting point about going to a place for the mere sake of truthfully claiming one has been there. That's tourism, she says, and one ought to have a better reason for going to a where. I agree - do not wish to venture outside the States just to say I have done so. I want to see the world with my own eyes. It beats pictures in a book any day. Aside from fleeing this sinking ship of a nation, I'd like to see African savannah animals in the wild, to see Notre Dame's spooky engravings, to see the rolling hills of Ireland. And besides, I have a Londonian cousin, whom I would like to visit on her turf as opposed to Chicago, where our grandparents reside.

I can taste the foreign airs; my oneiromantic dreams hold visions of going elsewhere, and they are getting ever stronger. I heard today that perhaps my country is ascending a bit from ruin; is it true? I do not know where I eventually plan to settle, maybe Canada or something, but maybe - maybe - I shall be able to stay in America if all goes well. I don't plan to live big in terms of where I live or what I own, but travel does seem to be getting pricier. I just need to survive a bit longer, and I can be free to go where I will, free from the oppression of my eccentric peculiarities. I plan to own a rapier (maybe even a sharp one), I can write all I want, doodle on an art pad...you get the picture. Anyhow, I suppose I shall close this post now.

Good day!

- Lewis

To Be or Not to Be...a Playwright

Ah, yes - another theatrical post! This pertains to one of my favorite things (apart from general theatre and acting): writing! I am as of yet experienced, seeing as my play readings consist of two Wildes and three Shakespeares, plus some other partial things. I have a long way to go. But as of a couple of Saturdays ago, I am taking playwriting lessons at Applause!. (Remember them?)

I realized the great usefulness that comes from selecting random magazine pictures and using them as inspiration. I need to write out the one with Queen Sadoree.... Anyhow, I'm looking forward to X number of years from now, when I hope to travel the world, fueled by my inner artician: writer, actor, artist, musician, and possibly even dancer. But primarily a writer. According to Thoreau (or was it Emerson?), life is best lived simply. That's one reason I am OK with eReaders such as my Kindle. While paper pages are preferable (ha), I think it is a necessary sacrifice as opposed to lugging around a library. I think I'd take the aforementioned Kindle, a laptop or whatever I'm writing on at the moment, a sketchpad, perhaps a bound journal, The Good Hat (my fedora), and essentials such as clothing and whatnot. Otherwise I'll travel light.

Speaking of dreams to come, it is almost eleven PM., and I have school tomorrow. But not for the rest of the week! This will be my first meat-free Thanksgiving, I think. Not that I ever cared much for poultry. I would have ham. But I look forward to cheesy potato casserole. And the dogs' expressions when they see all the people-food. And I shall write plays all the while!

Much love to you all,

Lewis M. Winter