I have a bit of a crooked mouth today. It’s not a smile or a smirk. I found out earlier this week that I did not win a small grant I had applied for. It’s disappointing. I really thought I’d have a little money coming in so I can take a week off from my day job to write. What a luxury that would have been. The sarcasm runs deep. I need to shake it off and on to the next grant. I’m trying to find a steady core between money and creative work.
Anyway, neither here nor there…onto chapter 3 to work through revisions in the novel. I need to resolve the last scene with a groovy escape for my protagonist. I have an inkling of an idea but I haven’t figured out who are allies and who are enemies yet. *rolling my eyes* I just need to write the scene. New written material always comes out so much slower than revising words that are already written out. Then chapter three needs to be updated and reshaped based on the changes that I’ve made to the story and the technology. So much to do, so little time. Feel like the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland… “I’m late, I’m late” “my watch is exactly two days late,” yep that’s my normal modus operandi.
On that note…gotta get back to work.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Despite Another Rainy Monday…
I am punch-love-drunk with blog entries today. Can’t help myself. I’ve had some really bright moments the last couple of days and I wanted to share. I’ve already written about my writing breakthrough so I won’t go into that again. But I’ve been riding the wave of those positive vibes.
Thursday night, I signed the lease to my very first art studio. It’s an itty bitty thing of 200 square feet but I am thrilled to pieces over having a place I can work creatively. A big shout out to chashama for an affordable working space. Hoorah!! I’ll be able to move all of my art equipment into the space on June 1st. Doing a little happy dance.
It’s been tough having had to pack away all my paints and canvases since leaving the OAC residency last March. And I’ve been itching to work in a medium away from language. There are ideas I’ve wanted to work through involving wire screens and canvas to create some mix media pieces. This would be a good way for me to continue doing creative work when I am stuck with the writing. It’s also a space to work on the writing, away from my apartment where I am easily get distracted with T.V., movies and even housecleaning.
I’ll need to buy two small metal lockers to store my equipment. These are open studio spaces so I would like to keep a secure storage space for paints and mediums. If anyone knows of some cheap lockers or would like to donate to the cause, I’d really appreciate it.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Thursday night, I signed the lease to my very first art studio. It’s an itty bitty thing of 200 square feet but I am thrilled to pieces over having a place I can work creatively. A big shout out to chashama for an affordable working space. Hoorah!! I’ll be able to move all of my art equipment into the space on June 1st. Doing a little happy dance.
It’s been tough having had to pack away all my paints and canvases since leaving the OAC residency last March. And I’ve been itching to work in a medium away from language. There are ideas I’ve wanted to work through involving wire screens and canvas to create some mix media pieces. This would be a good way for me to continue doing creative work when I am stuck with the writing. It’s also a space to work on the writing, away from my apartment where I am easily get distracted with T.V., movies and even housecleaning.
I’ll need to buy two small metal lockers to store my equipment. These are open studio spaces so I would like to keep a secure storage space for paints and mediums. If anyone knows of some cheap lockers or would like to donate to the cause, I’d really appreciate it.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Hesher
Hesher The Official Website
Sunday night I went to see a dark movie called Hesher. It blew me away and I should point out this movie is not for everyone. It’s gritty and violent and cruel but in the midst of all that dysfunction is a beating heart of humanity. Theses broken characters are living and fighting in the only way that they know how and creating collateral damage along the way. But when the movie grows quiet and the characters connect, it crackles. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Hesher is scary dangerous and brilliant but Devin Brochu as T.J. steals this movie out from under this fucked-up grown-up world. And of course, Natalie Portman is the cat’s meow in these small indie parts. Story by Brian Charles Frank, screenplay written by Spencer Susser and David Michôd, directed by Spencer Susser. This is one of those small indie flicks that you’ve got to see if you’re looking for a film with a bit of substance. It’s definitely out there and it will push some buttons but it’s so worth it.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Sunday night I went to see a dark movie called Hesher. It blew me away and I should point out this movie is not for everyone. It’s gritty and violent and cruel but in the midst of all that dysfunction is a beating heart of humanity. Theses broken characters are living and fighting in the only way that they know how and creating collateral damage along the way. But when the movie grows quiet and the characters connect, it crackles. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Hesher is scary dangerous and brilliant but Devin Brochu as T.J. steals this movie out from under this fucked-up grown-up world. And of course, Natalie Portman is the cat’s meow in these small indie parts. Story by Brian Charles Frank, screenplay written by Spencer Susser and David Michôd, directed by Spencer Susser. This is one of those small indie flicks that you’ve got to see if you’re looking for a film with a bit of substance. It’s definitely out there and it will push some buttons but it’s so worth it.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Breakthrough, YAY!
With the amount of writing suckage I was producing, I really needed a decent writing day. It was just a moment but it worked. Hoorah! I think I may even have to print this out and stick it on my wall to remind me that writing eventually happen if I keep at it. All of a sudden I saw a way out of my painted corner.
Earlier, I called Christine up from my writing group to tell her that I was probably not going to bring in any pages to the group on Friday. This alone left me feeling a bit sour. Her advice was to bring the two pages so we could have a chance to talk about it. I said, “Really?” in the highest, whiniest voice I could muster, “but it all sucks and I’m stuck.” She said, “Yes, we’ll take a look and you can talk it through with us.” I gave a big sigh and said, “Okay”
I took out my two measly straggly pages that I wrote in the last week and just read it over. All I was going to do was print out copies for my peers. But then I thought, let me at least finish the scene. Four pages and 906 words later….I finally, finally, FINALLY finished writing/revising Chapter 2.
Okay, I’m off to look at an art studio in Harlem. Hopefully, it’s not the size of a dark closet. Maybe, just maybe, I can bring over some of my painting supplies and have a working space to paint again. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Peace~ L
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Earlier, I called Christine up from my writing group to tell her that I was probably not going to bring in any pages to the group on Friday. This alone left me feeling a bit sour. Her advice was to bring the two pages so we could have a chance to talk about it. I said, “Really?” in the highest, whiniest voice I could muster, “but it all sucks and I’m stuck.” She said, “Yes, we’ll take a look and you can talk it through with us.” I gave a big sigh and said, “Okay”
I took out my two measly straggly pages that I wrote in the last week and just read it over. All I was going to do was print out copies for my peers. But then I thought, let me at least finish the scene. Four pages and 906 words later….I finally, finally, FINALLY finished writing/revising Chapter 2.
Okay, I’m off to look at an art studio in Harlem. Hopefully, it’s not the size of a dark closet. Maybe, just maybe, I can bring over some of my painting supplies and have a working space to paint again. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Peace~ L
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
*grumble, grumble*
Sitting at my desk, working on my novel and nothing is coming out today. Can’t force it, can’t make it happen. The more I grasp at this ephemeral material the less access there is to it. I’m frustrated!! Wrote a grand total of 68 words today. I’m not a happy camper. In fact, my inner writer wants to throw herself on the floor in a fit of rage. A bit dramatic I know…but full throttle kicking and screaming out of sheer frustration. I need an intervention. The belief in my own ability to finish this project is flagging today. I can feel hot, biting tears filling up my eye sockets as I write these words out. Yes, a bit overly dramatic. I have to remember that I’ve gotten this far with the story. I have managed to finish projects in the past so I am capable of finishing this one. And just because I don’t “feel” it today doesn’t mean it will NEVER come. The inner critic has the bullhorn today and all I can hear is, “I can’t write.” I think a long walk after work is needed. I’m so caught up in my own head that I’ve forgotten how to breathe. Peace~
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monsoon season begins
This very Tuesday morning I woke up to yet another day of rain. I pulled myself out of bed, forced myself into the shower and it helped to wake me up. I dried my hair frizzy, put on some warm clothes, pulled on a pair of waterproof boots, put on my black trench coat, picked out a bright blue umbrella and out the door. As soon as I walked half a block, the skies opened up and down it poured, full on. The sky rumbled with thunder as dark clouds rolled overhead. The drops came down so hard it splashed up and drenched my dress slacks up to my knees. At least, they were the warmer ones. I kept walking and the rain kept coming down harder. It felt like it was picking up speed. That’s when I discovered that my waterproof boots are no longer as I felt water seep into my left boot. Ergh. So this is the first hour awake on Tuesday. Yep, I’m ready to pull the ostrich maneuver and hide under my duvet today. But alas, I continued on to my day job.
As I got onto the train and listened to people cough and wheeze through the first three express stops…it made me realize that there is some virus going around. It’s really when my hypochondriac self kicks into high gear and I just want to cover nose and mouth as a five year old sings Frère Jacques between bouts of a hacking phlegmy cough. Ick. *giggle* And you know she still doesn’t know how to cover her mouth yet as she shares all these lovely germs with the rest of us within a 3 feet vicinity. Bleck. (:-p)
So what is my writing update? Well, Sunday and Monday I was out of commission with yet another migraine. They seem to be coming on more aggressively these past 6 months. Not good for the overall well being and they are too painful to settle down and write for any length of time. However, that was yesterday. Today, my plan is to go home tonight and do some writing. I’m functioning again today so I may as well take advantage of the clarity. I have writing group on Friday so I’m hoping to bring in the rest of chapter 2. This is all new material that I’ve added during this rewrite process.
Wish me luck that it works.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
As I got onto the train and listened to people cough and wheeze through the first three express stops…it made me realize that there is some virus going around. It’s really when my hypochondriac self kicks into high gear and I just want to cover nose and mouth as a five year old sings Frère Jacques between bouts of a hacking phlegmy cough. Ick. *giggle* And you know she still doesn’t know how to cover her mouth yet as she shares all these lovely germs with the rest of us within a 3 feet vicinity. Bleck. (:-p)
So what is my writing update? Well, Sunday and Monday I was out of commission with yet another migraine. They seem to be coming on more aggressively these past 6 months. Not good for the overall well being and they are too painful to settle down and write for any length of time. However, that was yesterday. Today, my plan is to go home tonight and do some writing. I’m functioning again today so I may as well take advantage of the clarity. I have writing group on Friday so I’m hoping to bring in the rest of chapter 2. This is all new material that I’ve added during this rewrite process.
Wish me luck that it works.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Friday's blog entry
The sky is thick with grey clouds today and I’m sleepy from taking allergy medicine early this morning. I’m ready for a nap and I’ve barely started my day.
Yesterday (Thursday) I did some writing. Didn’t get very far with it and I’m not sure where to take this section. I am trying to trust the process but the control freak part of me has a hard time letting go of the white knuckle grip. Hmmm. When I just let go the story seems to unfold on its own. I can see the images and hear the dialogue between the characters. It’s like getting invited to a party and just sitting there and taking notes of everything that happens. Listening in on all the conversations and putting it down as fast as I can. It’s all very exciting. But when I try to control the forward motion of the story, it’s like playing director and giving the characters instructions on where they should stand and what they should say. That way of writing gets exhausting and then I don’t want to go back to the page. Ergh * crooked mouth.* The one thing that has worked is I have to write a little bit every day. It doesn’t matter how good it is or how much I write, I just have to put some words down. It’s more important to get something down then to allow myself to flounder too long.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Yesterday (Thursday) I did some writing. Didn’t get very far with it and I’m not sure where to take this section. I am trying to trust the process but the control freak part of me has a hard time letting go of the white knuckle grip. Hmmm. When I just let go the story seems to unfold on its own. I can see the images and hear the dialogue between the characters. It’s like getting invited to a party and just sitting there and taking notes of everything that happens. Listening in on all the conversations and putting it down as fast as I can. It’s all very exciting. But when I try to control the forward motion of the story, it’s like playing director and giving the characters instructions on where they should stand and what they should say. That way of writing gets exhausting and then I don’t want to go back to the page. Ergh * crooked mouth.* The one thing that has worked is I have to write a little bit every day. It doesn’t matter how good it is or how much I write, I just have to put some words down. It’s more important to get something down then to allow myself to flounder too long.
It reminds me of something Sally Mann said in a documentary about her process and her work. About how she would take an intensive time to put together a show and when the exhibit was hung and done, she would feel down because she would think to herself, “that’s it. That’s all I’ve got left. I’ll never be able to take another photograph again.” This woman is an amazing photographer and her work is stunning. But she also talks about the only thing that gets her past that point is to go out and shoot. It can be anything but it’s about taking just one more photo. I guess that’s all one can do. We keep working. Plodding through it. It’s not very exciting or glamorous but it’s putting the time in. Tony compares it to putting money in the bank. Eventually it will all pay off.
Peace,
L~
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Quiet before the storm...
I managed to do some writing yesterday (Tuesday). Another page and a half added to the story. It’s moving forward. I’m not sure I’ll have much in the way of giving any pages to my writing group on Friday but we shall see. Tonight I’m attending a reading to support some of my fellow writers. Then home to do some work. It’s going to be a late night.
Today, I feel as if I’m in a holding pattern. There are several projects that I’m going to be involved with in the next couple of months and it’s the quiet before the storm. I’m excited at the opportunities that are arising and a little anxious over how much time/energy will be left over for my creative writing. I guess some juggling skills are in order. Who am I kidding?! I love, love, LOVE being busy…if I’m not doing half a dozen things with hair on fire then I’m bored senseless. And boredom’s not a friend of mine. It keeps me in a constant state of melancholy pining and we need to loosen that strangle hold, don’t we? All for now.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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 feel as if I’m in a holding pattern. There are several projects that I’m going to be involved with in the next couple of months and it’s the quiet before the storm. I’m excited at the opportunities that are arising and a little anxious over how much time/energy will be left over for my creative writing. I guess some juggling skills are in order. Who am I kidding?! I love, love, LOVE being busy…if I’m not doing half a dozen things with hair on fire then I’m bored senseless. And boredom’s not a friend of mine. It keeps me in a constant state of melancholy pining and we need to loosen that strangle hold, don’t we? All for now.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
This is where I’m at…
Last night, I got home made myself a big salad of leafy greens and some crumbly feta cheese and basically inhaled it. I had a very early lunch at 11:30 am…not my idea…and by the time I got home I was hun-gry! By 6:45 pm I was in front of my computer working on my novel. I worked until 8:30 with a few minor phone interruptions.
Writing: it was very slow going but I was mentally ready that it was going to come out like molasses. After not working on the novel for quite awhile it will take time to find my way back into the middle of the story again. It won’t take long if I put some time into the work every night this week. The only way to get through a difficult area is to just write my way out of the corner.
I also managed to do some light stretching and exercise. My poor body has needed some movement. This office work (day job) and then writing life just keeps me seated most of the day. Despite the short 12 minute walk back and forth to the subway, that’s just not enough of a workout. I keep having dreams about running at a flat out run so even my dreams are about movement. I’m a bit sore this morning but I’ll do some yoga tonight to stretch those tight hamstrings. Eeek!
Hmm what else? Oh yes, so I’m down to the last 40 pages of Under the Poppy. It’s so good that I didn’t want to put it down this morning. I managed to get to a good holding point but I want lunch to come around quickly so I can buy a knish and sit out in the middle of Times Square to finish off the rest of this novel. Yep, that’s all I’m worried about at the moment.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Writing: it was very slow going but I was mentally ready that it was going to come out like molasses. After not working on the novel for quite awhile it will take time to find my way back into the middle of the story again. It won’t take long if I put some time into the work every night this week. The only way to get through a difficult area is to just write my way out of the corner.
I also managed to do some light stretching and exercise. My poor body has needed some movement. This office work (day job) and then writing life just keeps me seated most of the day. Despite the short 12 minute walk back and forth to the subway, that’s just not enough of a workout. I keep having dreams about running at a flat out run so even my dreams are about movement. I’m a bit sore this morning but I’ll do some yoga tonight to stretch those tight hamstrings. Eeek!
Hmm what else? Oh yes, so I’m down to the last 40 pages of Under the Poppy. It’s so good that I didn’t want to put it down this morning. I managed to get to a good holding point but I want lunch to come around quickly so I can buy a knish and sit out in the middle of Times Square to finish off the rest of this novel. Yep, that’s all I’m worried about at the moment.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Uhm...yeah
The weather is finally starting to warm up and Mother’s Day was spent bbq-ing at my folk’s place. Lots of hot dogs with plenty of mustard and ‘kraut. Yum!! I don’t go near the burgers because my family makes them so well done that they may as well be charcoal bricks. Bleck! However, spicy sausages helped mitigate that loss.
Now it’s back to work and I can’t stop yawning and sneezing. Allergy season is upon us full force. I tried getting up at 5:30 this morning so I can spend some time writing…but it didn’t work. I couldn’t stay up long enough to feed my cat much less work. I sat up at the edge of my bed and looked out my window. It just so happened that it was a grey cloud covered morning and that’s all it took for me to turn around and go back to bed for another hour. I have to get myself back on a schedule…it will help me get back on track. Easier said than done.
The one thing I have been doing is reading Kathe Koja’s, Under the Poppy. Her language is elegant. She manages to extract the psychology of her characters therefore the actions they take ring true. I can’t get enough and I’m almost done with this book. The other writing aspect that I admire from her work is the way she’s able to handle the past (relevant to the characters) in snippets during the present conversation between two characters. This is not easy by any means. In fact, I find that I struggle with giving away too much information in these large meandering paragraphs and then when I go back I have to scale it all back down. Koja manages to say so much in a few precise lines about what each is capable of and why. This method is so uniquely hers that I couldn’t emulate it even if I tried. There was one short chapter that I couldn’t quite follow because she was introducing too many voices at one time. But for the most part, she does it so well. Her skill is genius. *sigh*
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got. No news on my novel since *eyes downcast, toe kicking up dirt* I haven’t been working as diligently as last month. I’m going to go home tonight and work on it. No excuses.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Now it’s back to work and I can’t stop yawning and sneezing. Allergy season is upon us full force. I tried getting up at 5:30 this morning so I can spend some time writing…but it didn’t work. I couldn’t stay up long enough to feed my cat much less work. I sat up at the edge of my bed and looked out my window. It just so happened that it was a grey cloud covered morning and that’s all it took for me to turn around and go back to bed for another hour. I have to get myself back on a schedule…it will help me get back on track. Easier said than done.
The one thing I have been doing is reading Kathe Koja’s, Under the Poppy. Her language is elegant. She manages to extract the psychology of her characters therefore the actions they take ring true. I can’t get enough and I’m almost done with this book. The other writing aspect that I admire from her work is the way she’s able to handle the past (relevant to the characters) in snippets during the present conversation between two characters. This is not easy by any means. In fact, I find that I struggle with giving away too much information in these large meandering paragraphs and then when I go back I have to scale it all back down. Koja manages to say so much in a few precise lines about what each is capable of and why. This method is so uniquely hers that I couldn’t emulate it even if I tried. There was one short chapter that I couldn’t quite follow because she was introducing too many voices at one time. But for the most part, she does it so well. Her skill is genius. *sigh*
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got. No news on my novel since *eyes downcast, toe kicking up dirt* I haven’t been working as diligently as last month. I’m going to go home tonight and work on it. No excuses.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Here's what irks me...
So….Matt Dean (MN politician) apologized for calling Neil Gaiman a thief. Well Dean said more than that about Gaiman but no need to repeat verbatim since its utter nonsense. Here’s what irks me about this interchange. Why is it that if a creative person receives $45K for a speaking engagement he is considered a thief? But if a CEO receives a million dollar bonus (after all these bailouts) there is NO outcry? Gaiman replies that he’s given most of the money away to charity. Very noble indeed. HOWEVER, even if Gaiman had kept every red cent so he can continue to do his creative work, why is that wrong? Gaiman happens to be one of the more successful creative types, which I think is great, rock on dude!! But goodness I want to throw up my hands in utter dismay at the complete lack of respect from Dean. Even his apology rang false. Good thing Gaiman can respond to the criticism in such a cool proper British way. My fiery Mexican blood would not have handled it quite so coolly.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
“Resistance is Futile"
Today, I forgot my iPhone at home and it made me realize how addicted I am to being connected via email/text and phone. All my contacts are on that little contraption so I can’t call anyone from work without it in my hand. It’s also been awhile since I had a phone number memorized. At the moment, I have two numbers memorized, my own and my parent’s house. Hehehe. Who else do I need to talk to? The only reason why I know their phone number is because they’ve had it for the last 25 years. Anyway, now without phone in hand, I can’t call up or text my friends when I’m having a slow moment at work. Hmmm. What’s wrong with this picture?
I grew up without a cell phone attached to my hand. I come from a generation where cell phones were a luxury item but now that we’ve entered upon a generation of on-call /instant messaging/twittering communities…gosh, it’s really hard to go back. I’ve been saying to friends and family that I’m going to scale back from this high tech reality and just go back to a cell phone that only makes calls, nothing more. But truth be told, it’s a lot harder than I thought. This online presence is all-encompassing and without the technology, I feel like I’ve unplugged from the hive. “Resistance is futile.”
I work at a company that limits internet access because of compliance issues so I relied on my iPhone to check e-mails. And now I’m antsy because I haven’t checked e-mail all morning. What kind of twisted nightmare have I allowed in to warp my brain circuitry so that without internet access…I can’t sit still? Hmm? This is one of those moments where all this time on my hands has me thinking too much.
Funny, thinking about this has me recalling something Jeff Vandermeer’s wrote in Booklife about how all this access fragments us. Yes it does!! Dag it!! And now I have 4 and a half more hours before the day is done. I was supposed to go to a gallery opening tonight but unfortunately all the info is on my phone. Argh! I was going to slip the postcard into my book this morning just to have written details but I was running late...so much for a swanky party. Who says swanky in this day in age?
All for now….it’s time to unplug.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
I grew up without a cell phone attached to my hand. I come from a generation where cell phones were a luxury item but now that we’ve entered upon a generation of on-call /instant messaging/twittering communities…gosh, it’s really hard to go back. I’ve been saying to friends and family that I’m going to scale back from this high tech reality and just go back to a cell phone that only makes calls, nothing more. But truth be told, it’s a lot harder than I thought. This online presence is all-encompassing and without the technology, I feel like I’ve unplugged from the hive. “Resistance is futile.”
I work at a company that limits internet access because of compliance issues so I relied on my iPhone to check e-mails. And now I’m antsy because I haven’t checked e-mail all morning. What kind of twisted nightmare have I allowed in to warp my brain circuitry so that without internet access…I can’t sit still? Hmm? This is one of those moments where all this time on my hands has me thinking too much.
Funny, thinking about this has me recalling something Jeff Vandermeer’s wrote in Booklife about how all this access fragments us. Yes it does!! Dag it!! And now I have 4 and a half more hours before the day is done. I was supposed to go to a gallery opening tonight but unfortunately all the info is on my phone. Argh! I was going to slip the postcard into my book this morning just to have written details but I was running late...so much for a swanky party. Who says swanky in this day in age?
All for now….it’s time to unplug.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Pleasure principle
The last couple of days I’ve been trying to get up early to do some writing. The body and mind are just not willing. I get up just long enough to feed my very loud meowing cat. Then I go back to sleep for a couple of more hours. I know I’m capable of getting up; after all, I’ve done it in the past. But…..*yawn*….been too sleepy lately. I think it’s all the allergy medicine I’m taking. Meanwhile, my story is wilting in the corner. Eeek! I’ve got to get my act together and just write.
Meanwhile, over the weekend, I finally picked up Kathe Koja’s book, Under the Poppy. The book came out last November and I’ve held off reading it out of sheer deprivation. Now that it’s in my grubby little hands, I meant to read only a chapter and managed to read 120 pages instead. Her writing is so damn good!! She does an amazing job of allowing the characters to evolve. There is nothing but sheer pleasure reading her work.
I think that’s all I’ve got for now.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
Meanwhile, over the weekend, I finally picked up Kathe Koja’s book, Under the Poppy. The book came out last November and I’ve held off reading it out of sheer deprivation. Now that it’s in my grubby little hands, I meant to read only a chapter and managed to read 120 pages instead. Her writing is so damn good!! She does an amazing job of allowing the characters to evolve. There is nothing but sheer pleasure reading her work.
I think that’s all I’ve got for now.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.
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