Leon Stevens's Blog, page 5
August 20, 2025
Weird Wednesday: I, Robot
Isaac Asimov’s 3 Laws of Robotics state:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.These laws were meant to protect the humans in Asimov’s futuristic stories from harm by robots.
The pursuit of humanoid robots started in the 18th century, with most designed to bang on a drum or play a woodwind. But today, we make them to compete in Robot Olympics.
The first Robot Olympic Games were held in Beijing last weeks and featured robots dancing, running, boxing, and playing football.
Oh and falling down. They do that a lot.
As many track and field enthusiasts know, the 100 meter race is the showcase event.
If you are unaware, human runners are disqualified if they leave their designated lane. So we should create the 3 laws of robot running.
A robot may not leave their running lane or, though action or inaction, allow another robot to leave their lane.Go to 1.Too far dude. I don’t know how you got past #2 anyway. On your mark. Get set. Hey, wait. What are you doing? Get away from me! Stop it! Aaaaah!-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
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August 19, 2025
Tuesday Tirade: World Events
There’s a lot going on in the world that makes me say, “How do they get away with that?”
The Rules of War
Yes there are rules. Based on the Geneva Convention, International Humanitarian Law governs armed combat to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Basically, fighting can only target other combatants and the supplies to those combatants.
You know where I’m going with this. Most recently, during the Israeli-Hamas war and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there have been thousands of civilian casualties and damage to non-combatant property. So how do the perpetrators get punished? I’ll assume the International Court in The Hauge is the primary decider of these violations.
Protection Agreements
When Ukraine separated from the Soviet Union, they had nuclear weapons, which they gave up in 1994. According to the Budapest Memorandum, it included commitments from the US, Russia, and the UK to:
Respect the independence, sovereignty, and existing borders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Refrain from the threat or use of force against these countries. Not use economic coercion to influence them.I haven’t read the fine print but there were also security assurances given to those countries to make up for not having nuclear deterrents.
Obviously there are loopholes, and if we can’t trust International agreements, what can ne trust.
International Borders
I caught a clip of the EU leader saying that no international border can be redrawn though force. If Russian is able to ignore that rule…
Emergency Executive Orders
This is an obsession with the current US president. Everything seems to be an emergency, but it does serve his purpose to do what he wants without having to follow the normal channels of democracy.
How far will he take it? That’s the scary part.
Tariffs
There’s a reason that countries purchase products from other countries. Competition, specialization, workforce, and access to natural resources all combine to reduce consumer prices.
Trade is never equal. there are going to be countries that buy more stuff for totally logical reasons, so using the trade deficit argument is assinine.
One Person
Yeah. Him.
The President of the United States has been the most powerful person in the world for decades. That’s a lot of influence for one individual to wield, and when you hand that power to an asshole …
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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August 18, 2025
Music Monday: Kevin Puts
Once and a while I’ll hear a piece of orchestral music that makes me stop what I’m doing an just listen. Thankfully I wasn’t operating heavy machinery or performing a surgical operation when I heard this string quartet composition by Kevin Puts.
Kevin Matthew Puts is an American composer, best known for his opera The Hours and for winning a Pulitzer Prize in 2012 for his first opera Silent Night and a Grammy Award in 2023 for his concerto Contact.
If you enjoy a bit of dissonance in your modern orchestral music but not too much dissonance because it can become grating to the soul, here’s the first movement of the Grammy winning concerto:
Since I had never heard of Puts before I checked out a few more of his compositions and thought his Marimba Concerto would be a good choice.
I don’t know what is more impressive, writing this piece of the playing of the marimba part. If you want to jump ahead, it gets crazier around 7:50.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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August 17, 2025
Songs for a Sunday: Stranger Things
No, I have never watched the show, and before you say, “But you gotta! It’s soooo good,” it’s not that I don’t want to watch it, I just don’t know what service it is on and before you say, “How could you not know it’s on Netflix?” I’ll say I know that now because I just looked it up and realized I did know what service it was on.
So by now, you know that I don’t have Netflix. I do have a friend who has it and when I house sit I will watch a few shows, but to get into a show with 4 seasons under its belt is a daunting task.
The show has been credited for the resurgence in popularity of 80s songs like Kate Bush’s 1985 hit, Running Up That Hill, and Metallica’s Master of Puppets (both great songs, BTW).
Which brings me to two things previously unknown to me. Finn Wolfhard is Canadian and he is in Stranger Things.
When I first heard this song I thought it was the German band Milky Chance.
Tell me if you think the comparison is apt.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
August 16, 2025
Weekend Wrap-up Aug 15: Battle of the Bullies
All eyes were on Alaska this week as Donald Trump hosted a war criminal on US soil. Putin was greeted with a red carpet, a disgusting playful clap from Trump followed by a smile and a handshake before they posed for pictures on a podium where a reporter called out, “When are you going to stop killing civilians?!”
Putin responded by a gesture that seemed to mean he couldn’t hear the question (I call bullshit, and if he wanted to play the language card, that’s bull too).
After a 3 hour meeting, both leaders stood behind podiums where Putin delivered a well-scripted speech, beginning with highlighting the long history between US and Russia—the good stuff, not all the Cold War stuff—and how he desired to improve relationships between the two powers.
Not a lot about the war they were there to discuss, but the typical propaganda that there is underling causes that need to be addressed.
No. the only cause is you.
Trump on the other hand did his typical rambly of the cuff oratorio not saying much of anything and trying to crack a few jokes along the way. Not to give Putin any credit, but he does—brutal dictator aside—come across as a better politician.
Trump has always voiced his admiration of Putin’s leadership, which is scary, but it would be scarier if Trump was an intelligent politician.
-Leon
In case you missed it:Weekend Wrap-up Aug 15: Battle of the BulliesJust for Fun Friday: Donnie Goes for His PlaydateThursday Thoughts: Too Many Movies?Weird Wednesday: A Brief History of AlaskaTuesday Tidbits: Trump Stuff.Hope you enjoyed the recap! Feel free to share it with others.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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August 15, 2025
Just for Fun Friday: Donnie Goes for His Playdate
All eyes are on Alaska as Little Donnie is in his way for his playdate with his friend Vladdy today. On the agenda is to sit in the sandbox and play with their Tonka trucks. The meeting will undoubtable result in either:
Donald selling the farm (the farm being Alaska) to the Russians for some magic beans which he will declare, “Is the greatest deal in all of history”or
Vladimir will agree to a ceasefireWhich one seems more plausible?
It just so happens we do happen to have the transcript of the meeting.
“Long time no see.”
“Yes. It has been a while.”
“Are we going to do this or just pretend?”
“You know you haven’t finished my ‘So you want to be a dictator’ online course yet.”
“There’s to many words and not enough charts.”
“Ah, yes. Your wonderful charts. You do love the charts. I have the Jr. version if you want.”
“Does it have pictures?”
“It has a string that you put and it tells you what sound the cow makes.”
[clapping sounds]
“Oh, goody, goody.”
“Here you go. Now go and play like a good 79 year old child and I’ll do all the world leader work.”
-Leon
Euphrates Vanished (Kindle/KU)A Matter of Sabotage (Kindle/KU)Don’t feel like buying the book? How about reviewing for free?
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Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
August 14, 2025
Thursday Thoughts: Too Many Movies?
When I saw Star Wars for the first time I was 10 years old. Oh, it was in the same year it came out as well. In my opinion, it was the perfect age and time to see this iconic movie. Old enough to understand the story (Good vs. Evil in case you’re not sure) but young enough to appreciate the wonder of it all.
I still think that the special effects still stand up to the test of time, even with all the CGI today.
But Star Wars is not the franchise with the most movies. Not even close. Godzilla has 38 and James Bond has 25. If you count the Marvel universe, it clocks in at 34.
What is we count TV series spinoffs? I’ve lost count of how many Disney is pumping out, and Star Trek is well on its way to eclipse that franchise with it’s 13th series, Starfleet Academy.
I started thinking about this when Alien Earth premiered this week, marking it’s 10th iteration of the 1979 classic sci-fi horror film. I wasn’t sure I was going to watch it after seeing Alien: Romulus which was extremely disappointing.
In the end it’s all about making money. As long as people will watch, movie and TV studios will keep making them. Hey, Dr. Who is still going.
What franchise do you enjoy or have grown weary of?
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
August 13, 2025
Weird Wednesday: A Brief History of Alaska
The top Google searches this week were: “Where is Alaska?” and “Is Alaska part of Russia now?” so here is a quick refresher.
In 1867, Tsar Alexander the II—
Wait. It started a little earlier than that.
About 40 000 years ago, a couple of nomads wandering the easternmost steppes of Asia noticed herds of cariboo and mammoths crossing over the newly exposed land bridge.
“When did that happen?” one of them asked. “No idea. We should go over there,” said the other. “What if we can’t get back?” the first one said, prompting the first utterance of the phrase, “It’ll be fine.”
Now back to 1867, when Tsar Alexander the II decided to unload Alaska to the United States for the sum of 7 million dollars because he was tired of people crossing the Bering Straight to get an extra day to pay their taxes.
During the next twenty years the land remained sparsely populated by the indigenous groups that had lived there for thousands of years. When they were told that they were Americans now, they responded, “Wait! What?”
In 1897, gold was discovered in the Klondike and US politicians frantically pours over maps hoping that the area was part of the deal. When seeing it wasn’t, they rushed to Skagway and set up a bunch of smelly fish canning factories along the coast so that Canadians would give up the land. Indigenous people living in the area said, “Wait. Where are you taking all our fish?”
Chaos ensured for the next five years until all the easy gold was mined and prospectors moved onto Nome, the site of the next great rush, coining the phrase, “There’s no place like Nome.”
Then during a diphtheria outbreak in 1925, an dog sled team broke a 100 mile trail to deliver serum that saved many lives and gave birth not only the Iditarod dog sled race but also Domino’s guarantee of thirty hours or free delivery.
In 1959, Alaska was finally granted statehood to which the Indigenous population said, “Wait! What?”
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
August 12, 2025
Tuesday Tidbits: Trump Stuff.
It’s just too easy to make fun of the current president of the United States. Like the story of Chicken Little everything is dramatic about this guy. Let’s take a look a some things he said this week.
“We’ve never had a president that’s been good at ballroom.”
Good at ballroom? What’s that supposed to mean? But he does want to build a 90 000 square foot ballroom (with chandeliers and gilded with gold, of course) next to the White House.
Fun fact: Did you know that the footprint of the White House is 25 000 square feet? that would mean the ballroom would be over 3 times bigger. then where he is living. And it is estimated it will take 3 1/2 years to build.
“Well, Ukraine — a lot of people don’t know that Ukraine was largely a thousand miles of ocean.“
Was largely? I think most of Ukraine, well all of Ukraine, is land.
“You know, I’m going to see Putin. I’m going to Russia on Friday.“
The meeting isn’t in Russia, it’s in Alaska which used to be Russian … wait, hmmm.
“We have the most beautiful potentially capital in the world”
Potentially capital? It’s not yet?
Let’s get Pam Bondi into the mix. Once Trump declared a crime emergency and took over the DC police, she said:
“Let me be crystal clear. Crime in DC is ending and ending today.“
That’s good news! So we should not hear about any crime taking place then. Then what about this alert last night?
8/11/2025 7:58 PMCrime Alert 3rd District (PSA 301-308)Alert: MPD Units are investigating a Shooting in the1200 block of 12th NW. Lookout for a B/M, dreadlocks, wearing all black clothing. DO NOT TAKE ACTION CALL 911 W/ EVENT #I20250395486 Sent to 3rd District (PSA 301-308) Alert DC Sent by MPD CAD #8703
That’s all I can handle for one day…
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
August 10, 2025
Songs for a Sunday: Riell/Roan
Music has relied on image as much as the songs for a long time. David Bowie, Alice Cooper, and Kiss where the first I remember, then Twisted Sister and all the glam bands of the 80s (and Boy George) Dark eyeliner was popular in the 90s before Marilyn Manson brought the full facial look back and Insane Clown Posse took it to another level.
Now a few singers are embracing the drag queen look, with heavy accented eyes, lips and cheekbones, two of which are Riell and Chappell Roan. Which is which?
RIELL is a rising star within the alt-pop world. Canada-born, RIELL voices her obsession with hardship, self-exploration, and the darker side of the mind through haunting vocals, catchy hooks, and insightful lyrics. Creating a one-of-a-kind style of pop/alt-pop, she is compared to greats such as Halsey, Rihanna, and Adele.
When I hear a song I like, I try to find other enjoyable ones. Unfortunately, or fortunately I suppose, I couldn’t find another worthy of inclusion which is why I decided to add Roan to the mix.
25 is from Riell’s second album, Hymns for the Bitter, released earlier this year.
Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, known professionally as Chappell Roan, is an American singer and songwriter. She is known for her camp and drag queen–influenced aesthetic.
I’m not a fan of Chappell Roan, and I’ll spare you from the earworm producing “Pink Pony Club”, which if you know it has already begun to haunt you for at least a while. Sorry about that. She does have a very good vocal range, though.
The song I’m choosing is Good Luck, Babe only for the ending which I think is one of the most effective one I’ve heard in a while.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
