The Deific Wordsmith

Prelude: Notebook

I can basically do anything if I put a thought into it. I can dance, do sports, play instruments, and play games. But sadly, no matter what I do, I can't excel in any of it. I'm not bad at it, but I'm not good at it either.

I lack talent in everything.

Time flew and I had to accept the fact that no matter what I do, no matter how hard I work for it, I will only stay at that mediocre level.
Yes, not all the time hard work pays off, which is true for me. In the past, I really despise myself for the lack of any talent. I wouldn't be so bitter if I have a talent for singing or dancing at the least. But no matter how I sang the song, it always turned out plain and nothing special. Similar with dancing, I danced in the beat like others did but somehow they decided I wasn't cool enough to join their so called circle and thought it was stupid.

Yeah, stupid people thinking they were cool themselves, which they are.
So stupid of me.

However, that was all in the past. I'm turning twenty three tomorrow and it's childish to still have those silly thoughts so I left it in the past. As you can see, I took the hobby of writing. Writing down what I see, my thoughts about it, some random things, stories I can think about, and anything that might interest me.

Some would say that my hobby is too early for my age and I should do it if I'm older and have nothing to do anymore.

Screw them. I'll do anything that I want. It's not like I don't have anything better to do and aside from my work, there's not much to do anyway so I write. It's been going on for almost a year now and I'm running out of pages. Now that I mentioned it, did I say that tomorrow is my birthday?

Ah, I still remembered the time where I turned 22 last year. I made a promise to myself that I will jot down everything that is happening around me starting that moment.

Of course, I don't want to re-write everything here. Not because I don't want to recall those embarrassing moments of my past year!

Anyway, tomorrow is a new episode in my life so I should move on and forget the past. A new chapter of my life will begin so I need to buy another notebook to write it all down. Maybe a binder would be good, no?

***

So I went out to buy a new notebook or a binder of sorts so I can just refill it if it ran out of leaf. Right.

I went to a nearest bookstore which is called National Bookshop. Yeah, very original. I went inside and a short lady greeted me on how good the afternoon is. She was brimming with smiles so I felt I was obligated to smile back, so I did. I asked her if they have any Note Binders available. She showed me some of their products in different sizes but somehow I didn't like the designs and was looking for something that will practically suit my royal taste. And I didn't notice I was thinking aloud so I told her I was talking to myself.

I left the store. Again, I searched for bookstores close by and found two more shops just five blocks from each other but then again they doesn't have what I was looking for. I was going to give up searching for today since it was getting late when I stumbled into an old bookshop. There's no huge bookstore sign on top of it, just a four to five feet sign board standing in the left side of the old grating green door saying:

We sell:

Old Books and articles

Notebooks

Journals

Dictionaries

Etc.

I was already in front of it so it's fine if I take a look and ask around for the last time. At first, I was hesitant to enter because the door is basically screaming that she is going to break any moment without notice. So I slowly opened the door and a very audible creaking resounded. I went in and slowly closed the door behind me.

This time no one greeted me like the first three stores I visited earlier. What welcomed me was the smell of dusty old books and the antique atmosphere of the entire shop. The entire shop felt small because of the bookshelves on the wall and the scattered books under it. Added by the packed tables and chairs, it gave me a feeling I cannot explain. In the center was a swirling flight of stairs thrice a normal person's height with a few piles of books which comes in different sizes and colors. Some scattered around each steps. I was caught up in the antique scenery that I forgot why I came in for.

I looked for the counter and there I saw an old man maybe in his late 60s watching me with interest.

"It's been quite a while since the last time I have a customer here. What can I do for you, young man?", he said with a somewhat nostalgic and excited tone.

The old man has a mysterious atmosphere around him. I just assumed that maybe because in my point of view he knew a lot of things in life that I do not know yet. Not because he was old and experience a lot of things in life, but because of the stacks of books around him that was piled in random yet towering order. Did he read all those books? I can only wonder.

I went to the point and asked him if he has some note binders available. I wasn't really expecting new ones since it was an antique book shop. The old man smiled and pointed me to the next floor east shelves. So I asked permission before going up the staircase before excusing myself.

As I gone up the stairs, I glanced at the kind of books scattered on the steps and saw some interesting titles like "Art of Crafting", "The Girl who leapt through time", "So you want to be an Engineer?", "So you want to be a Wizard?", and some related to history and such.

I made a mental note to try picking some of these books later and maybe learn something. Of course I'm noting it here in my notes or rather my diary.

*I'm going to pick some interesting books here in my next visit and of course read it.

After a dozen or more careful steps, I arrived at the second floor. Surprisingly, I wasn't surprised at all at the arrangement of books here. It was the same view in the first floor. The only difference is that there are fewer books here and there are a lot of old scrolls, old notebooks, some half-opened boxes, and a lot of school and office supplies which are rather old but still usable.

I went to the eastern shelves as per instruction and saw a bunch of old notebooks, notebinders, some sort of diaries, journals, and some books. I rummaged through the shelves, checking to see if there something that might interest me. Some of the notebooks here were half full, some with interesting doodles in it that I don't know if it was written by a kid or not.

After half an hour of delving, I found something interesting. There's something about it that caught my attention. It was a notebinder of sorts because of its size and the design but when i inspected it inside I realized it's not refillable. So basically it's not a notebinder, just a big notebook maybe 12 inches wide and 13 inches long or so. It was covered with fine black leatherette and the pages were stitch binded which made it sturdier. And luckily, there wasn't anything written inside it so I decided that this will be my new diary starting tomorrow!

I checked the time, it was almost 6 PM so I hurried down the counter to pay for the notebook.

The old man smiled when he saw me.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

I nodded and gave him the notebook.

"You found something very valuable here young man.", he uttered while letting a small chuckle. "But I won't sell this to you."

"What?", I asked, confused by the old man's words.

"I'm not finished yet.", the old man added. "I just want you to write your name here."

He picked up a black pen under his desk and told me it also comes with a pen. He opened the notebook and showed me where to write.

This notebook belongs to:

I don't remember something like this was written here before or maybe I just missed it. I brushed the thought and wrote my name on it.

This notebook belongs to:

Klein Wright

I closed the notebook and asked the old man how much it was.

"I told you I won't sell it to you. I'll give it to you as a gift but promise me you'll come back and visit me sometimes.", the old man said with a humble smile.

I asked him why he's giving it just like that and received nothing in reply. So I just gave my thanks and promised I'll visit him next time.

I left the store with a satisfied expression because I found what I was looking for but felt a little guilty for receiving it for free. I made a mental note to pay the old man a visit sometime and maybe bring some finger foods.

I arrived at my apartment at 7:30 PM. I made dinner for myself and had my fill. After washing the dishes, I made sure that every nook and cranny was clean before going to my bedroom. I didn't forgot to take a hot shower too because I can't sleep if haven't taken one.

I took the notebook out of my bag and jumped into my bed. I lie down, holding it high with both hands under the bright fluorescent light which casted a shadow on my face.

"Tomorrow, a new chapter of my life will be recorded in your pages."

I brought it a little closer to my face and flipped its cover but I noticed a slight change which shocked my whole system.

This notebook belongs to:

Klein Wright

Bound by body, mind, and soul.