But it was rather gloomy compared to what I've read from others' experiences.
Everything was a dull brown/black. Maybe it was due to the fact that the dream was about an outbreak of Avian Flu, it possibly had the general theme of death and it was simply out of my ability so early to change.

I didn't get that "wonderful feeling" that everyone seems to get during LDs. Is it going to always be like this for me, or was it just a one time thing?

It was still pretty sick to summon objects and lift objects with the thought of doing so.