On the other side of the holidays

I made it through the holiday season in one piece, more or less.  Family dinners were made. Presents were passed out.  Most leftovers were eaten, etc. This weekend I spent time cleaning out my room from the tall stack of papers that had piled up over the last several months.  I have finally cleared it out once and for all. I chucked old journals that I will not be taking with me when I find some new digs.  Lightening my load starts now.
It was a mild day on Saturday, enough to grab a wrap sweater, a cup of tea and sit in the back yard enjoying a bit of sun on my face, while reading Candace B. Pert's Molecules of Emotion on the science behind mind-body medicine. She makes biochemistry and brain mapping accessible. I was enjoying the quiet afternoon and despite having a mild migraine I just wanted to take it in for all its worth. I curled up and took a nap and it helped dispel the headache.
This week we will be ringing in the New Year.  I think I'm going to spend that night writing. Perhaps finally break out my novel and really start revising it. Even the thought of it makes my stomach rumble. Anyway, that's all I have for now.
Peace,
Lily~


All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 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.

Interstellar

A few days ago I went to see the Christopher Nolan film, Interstellar.  It's about a team of scientists who travel through a wormhole to find a way of saving a dying humanity.  The premise was sound.  The beginning and middle part of the movie I was invested as an audience member.  When the team landed in the planet made of water and the tidal waves began I was gripped with anxiety, the scene was nail-biting. Unfortunately, at times, the sound system was so loud that I had to cover my ears and I would miss some information.  There is a point in the story arc where I was pulled out and I wanted to call bullshit.  I won't mention which part of the movie it is BUT it was so glaring for me that the suspension of belief was over and it was hard to remain captivated from that point on.  The science in the movie was enjoyable and there is something about space travel that absolutely fascinates me.  At least it was worth it from that perspective.

Peace,
L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 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.

Duck and Run

I'm having a difficult night tonight. After many years of my folks "threatening" to sell the family home they are finally going to make that leap. It's strange how hard it's hitting me.  I've lived in this house on and off since I was eight years old.  For those keeping count that's a mighty long time. Even though I knew this was coming down the pipeline it has always felt like it was further off into the future.  Alas, that is not the case.  It feels strange to know that the house that I grew up in will no longer be ours. It's strange how we attach ourselves to material structures.  Even though I've been helping with the many renovations for just this purpose...it feels strange that in a few months it will go up on the market.  Goodness...who is ready for that?  Which of course also means its time to look for a new place to live.  And again, who is ready for that? I've moved so many times in the past seven years that I'm ready to find something all my own. Everything is changing... even me.  I just have to accept how things are transpiring and hopefully the next couple of months will bring interesting opportunities.

Peace,
L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 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.

Wild

Last Friday, I went to see Reese Witherspoon in Wild, written by Nick Hornby and Cheryl Strayed, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee.  This film goes deeper and darker than any movie I've ever seen Witherspoon in and she is really quite amazing in it.  The story is about a young woman who goes on a 1,100 mile solo hike across the Pacific Crest Trail to grieve the loss of her mother and the end of her marriage and to regain a sense of herself again. The emotional center of the movie was right on and I'm so glad I had a chance to see it.  It made me want to buy a backpack and head out for the nearest trail ...too bad I don't know jack about camping.  I may have to do a little research and see about joining a group.  Hmmm we shall see.

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 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.

Wasted Love by Matt McAndrew

Wasted Love was sung by Matt McAndrew on The Voice Monday night and it completely resonated...check it out. 

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 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.

Holiday Cheer

For the past several years, every time the holiday seasons came around I approached it with a a bah-humbug attitude. Everything felt like a chore during that time.  Shopping, cooking for family, even the incessant christmas music that started blasting everywhere the day after Thanksgiving.
This year, I've embraced it.  At the very least, I am facing the holiday with a lot of gratitude.  Grateful that my family is healthy and boisterous and they have a fantastic sense of humor.  Grateful for a new steady job that's afforded me some decent health benefits to help me sort out my myriad of health issues. Grateful for feeling a lot less pain for the first time in many, many years.  I hadn't realized how much it had weighed down on my spirit until the burden began to lift. I am beginning to enjoy life again and all the little wonders around me.  I am grateful that the above has helped clear more time for writing and I've been doing it on a more consistent basis.  Less whinging, more writing, you can't beat that.  I am grateful for friends who love and support me and my work.  Grateful for it all. I've managed to get most of my holiday shopping done online so no brutal shopping crowds...hoorah!! I've written up most of my holiday cards but I have a handful left to go.  Now if I can only get my room clean of dust bunnies I'll really be cooking.  I had a day off from work yesterday which gave me a day to run errands and get some things done.  Plus...I enjoyed walking in Washington Square during the first snowfall last Wednesday.  Had big fat snowflakes cling to my eyelashes.  Anyway...having a lovely time during this holiday season.

Peace,
Lily~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 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.

December Update

The Book Launch Reading last Wednesday (12/3) at The Nuyorican Poets Cafe went well.  My piece  "Blanca's Monologue" from my play Glass Knives was 4.5 minutes long.  Concise, to-the-point and well-received, as is this update. Haha.  No, but seriously I was so nervous and anxious over this piece and this particular performance that I was surprised at how smooth the actual night went.  As an audience member highlights for me were Polly Frost's piece and seeing Pamela Sneed perform/recite her piece. Glad I had the chance to see them.  And of course always great to see Dano Madden's work and James Armstrong's work. I'm pleased that I went out there and presented work myself.  Hurrah on that front.

Saturday night I went to see the movie The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch. The story about Alan Turing, the English mathematician that help break the German Enigma code during World War II.  The ending had me wanting to bawl my eyes out.  Every time I read or hear about a Queer person committing suicide, either in the present or in the past, it absolutely breaks my damned heart.  Anyway, I can't write much more than that because this small post will turn into a rant. The movie itself revolves around Turing's work in creating the machine to help break the code and some of what transpires in his life after the war.  Cumberbatch is amazing in the title role.

Peace,
L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 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.

Mild Winter Night

It was a balmy Friday night in New York City.  The rain was coming down in a thin oily mist.  The streets were reflective giving over to the noise of passing traffic. My romantic sensibilities were heightened by the elegant way the night sparkled.  My boots splashed up water onto the back of my work trousers.  The wool coat kept me warm against the occasional gust of icy wind racing up the Park Slope hill. It's beautiful on this mild winter night. I enjoyed the feel of the thin film of water on my face and smiled into the darkness.  Romantic sensibilities indeed.  You'd think someone was in love or something.  Ah! Just in love with a solitary walk in the rain, enjoying the dark quiet night.  Lovely!

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 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.