Hello Out There...Is This Mic On?

It's been awhile since I last wrote on this blog. I could make up all sorts of excuses but I'll spare you the list of reasons. Let's start with a clean slate, shall we?  It's been ten years since I started this web log. As I write these words, I keep stopping to take inventory on what I want to write next. I have the song Girl Crush by Little Big Town playing in the background. It's a simple song but it makes me ache. It reminds me that this cold dead heart of mine still has a little life in her yet.

It's been raining and snowing on this cold January day and I've been home with a bit of a migraine. Darn thing sneaks up on me sometimes. Oh wait...Sade is playing now...nope, can't listen to her tonight. I've changed it over to Sam Smith's, Stay With Me.

What have I been up to?  Let's see, I'm working on an application for a Fiction grant.  Ergh. Deadline is next week and I'm almost done with the package.  All I have left to do is upload the materials to the site. I can't do it today because migraines leave me loopy and I always make the oddest mistakes. I'm holding off until I'm a bit more clear headed. Tomorrow might be a better day.

I think I wrote about my escapist fantasies late last year and it keeps popping up for me.  The one where I cash out my 401K and go traveling. Of course, I start thinking about the "stuff" in my apartment and I think, could I do it?  Could I really pick up my life and go exploring? My gypsy soul is definitely singing that tune. I know what it is...it's a real visceral need to shake up my life.  I get too comfortable and I want MORE...I want something else...I want to FEEL something more. Instead of living this lukewarm existence.

Let's see...I've booked my airline ticket and hotel to Paris. I've wanted to go to France since I was 16 years old. Even the thought of the trip has me doing cartwheels in my head. Haha. See...that's what happens when I start thinking of traveling....it's my happy place.

Here are some of my most recent recommendations:
Music:  I'm still obsessed with Johnnyswim.  I went to hear them play last month and they were fantastic live.

Movie: Shape of Water by Guillermo Del Toro

Sci-fi show: Travelers on Netflix

Books:  I've read a slew of books on my hiatus but the best one had to be The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. The story stayed with me long after I put that book down.

That's all for now, I will write more soon.
Peace,
L~

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All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2018 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.

LA is M.I.A in NYC

For the record, I know I have been M.I.A. for quite some time.  I did not fall off the face of the earth although at times it kind of felt that way. My life has been in serious need of some adjustments.

Although, I wanted to start my own editing business...things have detoured a bit from that plan. Instead I landed a full-time permanent gig working as an executive assistant. God! to have decent medical coverage again makes this such a huge relief.  The people I work with are genuinely decent and respectful folks and I'm really grateful for the work and the steady paycheck. It also gives me breathing room to deal with some ongoing health issues as well as time for my creative writing.

I wish I could say that these past few months I have been writing up a storm but alas, I spent a lot of time curled up in the fetal position unable to face making decisions on my novel, on what my next move would be, on what I wanted for myself...you get the picture.  I spent time tutoring (homework duty) with my young nieces (6 year old and 8 year old), binging on two seasons of House of Cards, catching up with my reading, taking care of an ailing body. Basically, trying to sort myself out. Hibernating inside my crabby shell.  

March 3rd I started my new job and my day-to-day changed drastically. I am learning the way this office works, learning new systems, trying to gain adequate access to half a dozen different applications. The stress level is low which is really good. My days are full and by the time I make it home, I've been crashing.  It's been an adjustment but I'm hanging in there. Yay!

Let's see, so much to catch up on but I'm going to pace myself today.  
I'm currently reading an anthology of short sci-fi stories.  It's okay...nothing has excited me quite yet.
The last movie that I saw and that I thoroughly enjoyed was Spike Jonze's HER.  Loved it!!
Just saw the finale to the sc-fi show Helix.  Lots of interesting questions are coming up and I look forward to another season in 2015.
And last week's episode of the Good Wife and Being Human (US ver) left me in a state of shock.  Yes, I am completely hooked.
The three songs that I have on heavy rotation are Pharrell's Happy, Hall & Oates' ManEater, Dawn & Hawkes' cover of I've Just Seen A Face (I've attached the song below in case you wanna listen).
The last play that I went to see was The Architecture of Becoming...it was a collaboratively written piece (never a good idea) Altho' it had some decent moments, what connected the stories was flimsy at best.  I wanted more of the surreal elements they promised at the beginning of the play to play out in a grander way but by the end is was all a big let down.
I know I'm late to the party on this one but I just started watching Game of Thrones, Season 1. Really enjoying the twists and turns...I know there is more to come but I am taking my sweet time with this one.
I've also started writing up a sketch of a monologue. A tiny ember of an idea is surfacing and I wrote what I could of it earlier today.  More to come.
I've also had some groovy dinners with friends: Katt, Yoav, Christine, William, Brenda and skype visits withTony...so glad they are in my life. :-)

Gosh, so that does it for me.  I am going to try to get back on a weekly schedule with these blog entries again but no big promises. In the meantime, I am getting back to work on my writing schedule as well as trying to figure out a decent exercise schedule.  All for now.  

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.

Misfits

I keep meaning to write about this little show on Hulu that my friend Tony turned me on to: Misfits (written by Howard Overman and Jon Brown), for the sci-fi geeks out there looking for something fun...the show is addicting. If you can’t get past the very thick UK accents, close-caption it. Sometimes, that’s the only way you’ll catch the funny one-liners (trust me, you don't want to miss what comes out of Nathan's or Kelly's mouth). All three seasons are currently available on Hulu. And this is the kind of show that I wish I had written and filmed.

It’s about five juvies who are sentenced to work community service together and after a freak electrical storm wind up with super powers. Yep, the premise sounds like crap BUT this show is witty and raunchy and at times even surprising. The actors are really great and I love Iwan Rheon as Simon. His transformation in the story arc of the show is the most compelling and I’m bummed to hear that he’s not returning for the fourth season. Anyway, if you are tired of reality television and really want a new show to sink your teeth into...this is the one.

Here is my disclaimer:  If you are easily offended by masturbation scenes, gratuitous violence, and angst-ridden 20-year olds then this show is NOT for you.  Peace out!!

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 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.

Where Have All the Decent Sci-Fi Shows Gone?

*pushing out my soapbox, testing the mic*

I just found out that Eureka Season 6 has been cancelled.  What the heck is Siffy (Syfy channel) thinking? That show has roughly 2 million viewers. AND IT STILL GETS CANCELLED!! What a huge disappointment!! 
Caprica is gone before it got a chance to take off. 
Battlestar Galatica is gone. 
Firefly is way gone.
Dollhouse is dead (I know this was network tv)
Meanwhile Warehouse 13 is still on the air.  No offense to those that love it but it's mindless fluff.

What is wrong with wanting a science fiction show with some well-developed characters, with decent storylines, with political/social commentary (Battlestar).  I am SO TIRED of meaningless reality television and the American Idol mentality.  I'd like something with a little bit of brain behind it.  Is that too much to ask for?  I know FRINGE is still on but I'm too afraid to watch it because as soon as I do, it will be pulled. 

Que Mierda!!  I quit.  Not watching anymore Syfy. Seriously!  Syfy is not interested in pandering to an audience with a brain these days. They have  WRESTLING in their scheduled line-up for crying out loud.  Unless wrestlers start putting on jet packs in their matches, IT DOESN'T COUNT as science fiction.  I'm going old school and pulling out Blade Runner or Battlestar Galactica DVDs because right now what's left is pretty pathetic.

Grrr!  Argh!!

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.