Serenity Now!!!

I went and walked around a bit for lunch. It’s a mild sunny day but I didn’t go very far, Times Square is packed with tourists today.* sigh * Yes, I know they are good for the economy of New York City but must they all stand in large groups of clustered walls. I am developing a new dash and slide walking method to get through the throngs of people. It just doesn’t make for a relaxing walk. Since I only had 30 minutes…I was out there just long enough to get some air, grab a quick sandwich and go back to the office. I really miss smoking, on days like this I really want one.

Anyhoo, as I was walking back to the office a woman passed me in a blue polka dot dress and Durango boots. It was a cute look, the dainty feminine dress juxtaposed against the squared toe boots. A flight of fancy and she seemed to be pulling it off as she took long strides down the street carrying with her a lime green messenger bag. She was not shy about color or making a statement. If I wore that same outfit, I don’t think I could pull it off. You have to have a certain bravado and carefree air about you to do that and get away with it. Even if I wasn’t working at a finance company, I know my tendency is plain jane black and grey clothing. Occasionally, I will have a moment of wanting color with some crazy pattern. I digress, I went off on this tangent and now I don’t know what my point is.

Ah yes, a walk around Times Square is neither relaxing nor much for clearing the cobwebs. Instead, it puts me in a bit of a bad mood. I came back grumpier than when I left. So much for getting some air. I think I may have to come up with a Holo-Band to escape for awhile. For all those Caprica fans…you know what I mean.

Peace,
L~


All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Upcoming Readings

Hi folks,

I'm doing a couple of readings, November 5th and 13th as part of the New York Foundation for the Arts Boot Camp Arts Festival.  If you are in NYC, I

 hope you can drop by one of the readings (details below)--will be great to see you there.

You can see the full schedule of events here: (http://nyfabootcampfestival.wordpress.com/schedule/)

NEW YORK FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS BOOT CAMP ARTS FESTIVAL

In Abundance:  Poetry Reading Featuring Liliana Almendarez and Wanda Phipps 
November 5, 2010 at 6-7pm
The Bowery Poetry Club ( http://www.bowerypoetry.com/#Event/95992 ) 
308 Bowery
New York, NY 10012
Tickets $5 at the door.

Liliana will be reading from her book of poetry, A Scorched Page.  She will read from some of her new work as well.  Her poems are inspired by nature and every day life. From folks waiting for a train to the birds that fly past her backyard, to the memories that sneak up on a quiet afternoon, they are all fair game for inspiration.

Wanda will read from her two books: Wake-Up Calls: 66 Morning Poems and Field of Wanting: Poems of Desire as well as the new work, Silent Pictures Recognize the World,written in response to static photographic images which mutate in writing into film noir scenes and dark romances. Stephen B. Antonakos will accompany her on guitar with tonal equivalents to the poems. Her work honors dailiness, the details of the personal, as well as the ecstasy of randomness that brings us all together.

and

Artist Highlights:  Liliana Almendarez, Wanda Phipps, Kate Kirtz, Ryan Murdock, and Gretchen Farrar

November 13, 2010 at 7pm
LaunchPad ( http://brooklynlaunchpad.org/ )
721 Franklin Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11238, FREE!!!

A night of poetry reading, musical performances, and a film screening.  Reading by Liliana Almendarez, Wanda Phipps (accompanied by guitarist Stephen B. Antonakos), and Kate Kirtz.  Short film screening by Ryan Murdock.  Musical performance by Gretchen Farrar.

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Today I am super duper grateful for my support system.  :-)  Last night, my writing group met and we discussed writing.  Lots of constructive feedback is good to hear.   Then Christine and I went to dinner and chatted a bit longer about what we’re struggling with in terms of writing. She suggested I put aside the play and work on my sci-fi story that has been bubbling up for me.  Mind you, Tony has been saying the same thing but I couldn’t hear him. I was stubbornly trying to push through this brick wall.  Anyway, the suggestion made a huge difference because I woke up this morning motivated.  So as I put to wash 5 loads of laundry, I am also going to spend the day putting the word out on some upcoming readings and taking some quiet time to write.  Those are my top two priorities everything else I get accomplished will be gravy.  Wish me luck~

It's now 1:25 pm in the afternoon and I spent the morning writing.  My eyes are sparkling.  I wrote up the first five pages to my very first sci-fi novel.  It's a rough first draft but it's exciting.  I also managed to finish three loads of laundry.  Two more to go and I'll be done with that as well. I could keep going with the story BUT I need some lunch and finish up some other things.  YAY!!!

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Anybody want to buy me a winning lottery ticket?

Today, I’m in a bit of a foul mood. I’m off my game and I can’t quite get back on track. My writing has been off…mostly because I haven’t been getting up early enough to do it. However, I’m feeling overwhelmed (with life/career/writing) and under motivated to make much headway in that realm. I could blame it on the grey days, severing ties with my ex, mild migraines but the reality is that I’m just feeling down and grey myself. It’s too easy to begin a long litany of complaints but what’s the use in that. It does nothing but allow me to spin my wheels for a spell.

I feel antsy, like I have one foot out the door but I have no idea where I’m going. I have a couple of readings coming up at the Bowery Poetry Club and at Launchpad. I’ll send out specifics this weekend. Just need to sit in front of my computer and post it. Eeek!!

I also have some work to do to find some actresses for a 10-minute reading of my play for a showcase at the end of November. Just might poke some friends to help me it.

The job I currently have pays the bills but I miss having time for the creative work. You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t. I know weeks ago I was griping about worrying over money. Now that I have the job, now I’m vexed over lack of time to write * rolling my eyes *. Did I tell you? I bought a little purple African violet for my desk…the poor thing…the environment is too cold for it…it’s getting leggy and the leaves are curling and the little purple buds are fading fast. I may take her home soon.

This past weekend, I was in Boston for the New England Comic Con convention. *Yep, waving my freak flag*. It was cool, I got a chance to see James Marsten and Amber Benson during a Q&A session. I missed hearing Charisma Carpenter speak but que se va hacer. Also Obama was in town and happened to speak at the same convention center. Secret Service gave me the heebie jeebies but that’s just another tangent. Anyway, the weekend was okay but I could feel myself thinking I was wasting time with this distraction. I am impatient and want to make a much needed leap in my creative career. What that looks like…how that will manifest itself…I don’t know yet. Despite the upcoming readings…I just feel like I’m not doing enough, working hard enough, making enough work...writing enough. I feel hard pressed for time and the pressure keeps mounting. Even as I write this...I could feel tightness in my throat. I just drank a bit of hibiscus tea to help with that. God! I love the taste of that tea.

Anyway, I am staring out the window overlooking Times Square and I know I really want to leave New York City and start over somewhere else. I wish it could be in Barcelona or Trieste…away from the States. God! At this point even Montreal or Toronto will do. I’ve been thinking about Vermont as a possibility as well. I just want to live a simple life, work on my art and writing, get rid of my student loans to free up some cash to travel. I still want to go to Paris, Greece, Morocco, and the list goes on but I feel held back from those possibilities at the moment. And I know it’s me, I feel the limitations of that reality right now. I seem to be closed off to the possibilities because my scope / world view is so narrow at the moment. I can’t get past the basic idea of paying bills and staying afloat. I’m just really tired of doggie paddling my way through this career. Anybody want to buy me a winning lottery ticket?

This is where I am today. I hope this feeling will pass. Look at that…the sun is peeking out.
L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.