Rome

And exhausting day in Rome. A lovely end with drinks with new friends.

Storm Clouds

A storm's a brewing. Spent the afternoon writing.

Parco Di Paestum

Walking among ancient Greek ruins in Italy.

Amalfi Coast

A little sunshine at the Amalfi coast.

Pandora

Last week, Pandora passed away. She was 16.5 years old. Today I'm super sad.  She was a good kitty who kept me company when I wrote and who needed her belly rubbed before she settled down for a nap.  She kept me company and sane for the past 13.5 years.  I can't begin to tell you how much I will miss her.

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2015 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.

Having a Moment

I'm exhausted. I just need a break.  I picked Pandora up from the vet tonight after work.  They had to pull quite a number of teeth. I came home with a ziplock bag of them.  She's grumbly and growly on my bed, high on pain medication.  Bless.  She will be out of commission for a couple of days but I hope by next week she'll be back to her old self. I keep taking breaks to check on her.

I need a vacation. Eyes on the prize...October can't come fast enough.  Day job doesn't seem to letting up either.  Not griping about work. It is what it is.  I just need to slow down and breathe.

On that note, I'm going to curl up and read for a little while.

Peace,

L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2015 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 Solstice

I am very grateful for a sweet co-worker who sent me the following Neil Gaiman link. I've been struggling with my writing and my place in the world because of it.  Gaiman's words were soul-nourishing.  I don't say this lightly, I felt myself tearing up as I read his words. The fact that this co-worker sent me Gaiman related writing and it hit so close to home...well let's just say it leaves me a bit lost for words. I want to write more but it won't capture the depth of gratitude I feel at the moment.  Anyway, Friday I felt really lucky to be alive.

Anyway, today I spent the day taking care of laundry and packing whatever I can. I don't have too much left to pack.  Mostly clothes, toiletries, odds and ends. I could probably pack up the rest in a couple of hours.  Now all I have to do is land an apartment. I am grateful for the apartment coming my way.  It's been awhile since I've had a place all to myself...it's gonna be good no matter where I end up!!  * big cheesy smile *

Is there more?  Probably but I've written the most important parts down for now.
Peace,
L~


All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2015 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.

Location Not Available Yet

I am located on the other side of the door.
You, yawn, scratch and wonder what next.
We are not sharing secrets over tea, since you remember the before-time. You knew me way back when...You talk so much I've stopped listening, that doesn't stop you from continuing your incessant chatter. I am careless with your memories. The thin rain has started to fall leaving a thin sheen over the afternoon. You plunder my thoughts with ginger-scented letters. Sugar on my tongue and madness consumes me for a spell. I am trying to put enough distance between my body and your touch, between your laughter and my want, between my words and your music. There is so little difference between us, space-wide. The glass of water had been sitting on the window ledge too long. How warm your skin tastes against my lips. The room hums with your breathing, it reminds me that I'm still alive, barely.

Astray

What does lost look like?

Having gone astray, missed the way
Not used to good purpose, opportunity/time/labor wasted
Preoccupied
Distracted/distraught

Notebooks piled on a desk
Deadlines locking down the day
Somehow we have lost our way
Sunlight breaking through cloud cover beckons
A clock against a white wall, the red hand tick~tocks along
There is a strangle hold

Scientists have created the coldest molecule (minus 273 Celsius)
Did it just get cold in here?

I missed you yesterday, across a span of words captured on the web
You missed me too, dead pixels, corrupt links and all.
With so much new technology we hold onto radio silence. It's the safest way to exist without you.

Scientists have created the coldest chemically induced molecule and injected it into my bloodstream. It's the safest way to exist without you.

Hush

Hush. I'm in the middle of a thought.

Wednesday Rains

Oh Wednesday, that insipid day in the middle of the week.  I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  There is a saying that goes if you want to start your day right, you get up with purpose.  Hmmm.  I think my purpose is on snooze. I want to crawl back into bed, pull the duvet over my head and call it a day.  I know it's the old ostrich maneuver not wanting to face what this day will bring. I have my hair wrapped up in a towel willing it to dry whilst writing this entry, when really I should be getting ready for work.  I need to leave in 10 minutes but I'm not sure I'm ready to face the cold rain or the packed train.  And the longer I wait, the worse it will be.  * Sigh *  I need some traveling music.  A-ha!  Avicci's Wake Me Up will be my morning song.  May the day be a blessing!!

Peace,
L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2015 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.

Dead Air

January light is spare, glints on
the corners of our eyes. Boots crack
icy snow with every step. A bitter
wind chafes tender spots above
cheeks leaving behind red patches.
Kisses. You buried yourself under
my skin. We are lost, a rapid decline,
a force upon us, bottomless free fall.
What is left is the sound of your breath.


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.

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.

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.

Quick writing update

As promised, I finished Clara Betta last night. Hoorah!  Doing a little snoopy dance around my room.  I  have to give a big shout out to my very good friend Christine for all the wonderful feedback.  Her words of encouragement and the fact that she read almost every single version of this story has been a huge help in this process!! Of course, big thank yous to all the other readers Tamara, Patrick and William. All the feedback helped me cross the finish line on this project fairly quickly. :-)  Yep, that's a smiley face. I am sending it out this afternoon to a literary magazine I scoped out a couple of months ago. Hopefully, it's a good fit.  We shall see.  Wish me luck.

I also have a decent draft of the piece that I'll read on Wednesday.  I'm all fluttery nerves about this one and I have to remember to breathe otherwise i'm going to rush through this piece like a bat out of hell. Hehehe.  Seriously! I just have to get the accent down so that will be my homework for the next three nights.  Teek Spanish Ax-cent.  Eek!

Okay, 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.

What Can I Say?

I spent yesterday and today revising my short story, Clara Betta.  I've sent it to a couple of trusted readers but I'm ready to send it out to a literary magazine very soon.  It feels good.
Now it's time to go face my novel again.  I almost restarted revising today but I lost my nerve.
Instead, I faced a box of soaked files. A couple of weeks ago my basement flooded.  I was able to shred five years worth of paperwork.  It made me aware that I could get rid of more stuff.  I have that bug again as I was going thru it all.
I found pages of my time as a sales rep and all the background with my transfer. I didn't realized I've been carrying that around for so long. As I was reading through the material all of the old anger came back up for me.  It's amazing that I've never really let that go.  Good Lord!!  After I ripped the pages up I promised myself that I was letting it all go.
I also finished Sarah Waters, The Paying Guests.  I really enjoy her writing.  I shlepped that 500+ page hardcover back and forth for weeks.  It's interesting that since I know her writing, I was anticipating a twist in her story. And when the obvious twist didn't happen, it  was a surprise.  The ending was bittersweet.

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.

Jackie of all Trades, Master of None

I spent the weekend helping my father renovate our bathroom. Which means I assisted him to cut copper pipes, passed tools while he soldered them into elbow joints, helped cap the open pieces, and held the fire extinguisher when he fired a pipe that was inside the wall.  Eesh.  I have one small burn from melted metal, ouch.  We are not done yet tho', not by a long shot.  There is still so much more left to do and after 11 hours of work on Saturday...I already want to quit. 

On Sunday, I had the day off from being an assistant which means I cleaned house and some laundry. Also unpacked boxes now that I've cleared out my storage space. Trying to figure out what I should keep and what I should chuck.  

Tomorrow, will be more assistant duty.  I just don't know how far we'll get with the work.  More pipes to run across the basement. Not to mention resurfacing the wall, and retiling the floor.  It's going to take us another two weeks before we finish.  

Writing has been put on hold in the meantime.  Ergh.  I am always much moodier when I don't have time to write. I'm going to have to sneak some time in during the week.  I may just get up early again and start writing first thing in the morning.  Might be the tonic I need to face the rest of my day.

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.

Show Me - John Legend

I've had this song running in my head for the last couple of days.  I've been humming it to myself where ever I go.  Humming it on the subway, on my way to work, while I'm working...earworm.  I've been loving life and it's coming through in song.  Just feeling deeply content.  Gotta enjoy these moments when they come.  I've attached the lyrics to his song below...enjoy! L~

  Show Me by John Legend

I realized as I lay down to sleep
We haven't spoke in weeks
So many things that I'd like to know
Come have a talk with me
I need a sign, something I can see
Why all the mystery?
I try not to fall for make believe
But what is reality?
Where do we go?
What do we know?
Life has to have a meaning
Show me the light
Show me the way
Show that you're listening

Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully, just above me
Heaven's watching over me

Guess it's funny how I say thanks to you
For all you've given me
Sometimes the price of what you gave to me
I can't stop questioning
O God of love, peace, and mercy
Why so much suffering?
I pray for the world, it gets worse to me
Wonder if you're listening
When people go
Why do they go?
Why don't you choose me?
But someday I know
I'm gonna go
I hope you're waiting for me

Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully, just above me
Heaven's watching over me

Maybe we'll talk
Some other night
Right now I'll take it easy
Won't spent my time
Waiting to die
Enjoy the life I'm living

Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully, just above me
Heaven's watching over me

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.

Tiny Bit

This week  I've had a head cold. I've been taking supplements to help boost my immune system so that's helped take the edge off what could be a bad cold.  I managed to make it into work and luckily it's been a low-key week there.  Plans for this weekend consist of seeing another play, The Real Thing and helping my dad with some renovation work on our bathroom.  Let's see how long it takes before we start yelling at each other.  Hehehe.  No, I'm kidding.  It will be fine.  We just have two strong personalities.  I'll try to keep mine in check for the duration of this project.

I have not worked on any writing this week and I'm starting to feel the repercussions of that decision. I'll spend some time journaling tomorrow when I get a chance.  I should be right as rain after that.

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.

A Most Wanted Man

I know I'm late on the upswing on this movie, it's been out for months and months but I finally saw A Most Wanted Man last weekend.  What an amazing film!  Phillip Seymour Hoffman is subtle and nuanced in this role and Robin Wright as the American counterpart is flawless.  It's filled with tense political intrigue and the ending made me gasp out loud. Truly. There is something about these spy movies that have always captivated me. I wouldn't have the stones to be in that life.  Who could you trust?  The world is such a dark and twisted place full of enemies of the state and national security is always at stake, how could anyone sleep at night? Ever?

Of course, this makes me think about how Power needs to create an "other"/ an enemy in order to justify torture, murder, rape all in the name of nationalist or religious rhetoric.  Wow!  How did I get here on this one?  You get my drift though, political structures and tactics created for the sake of power.  Maintaining that power.  Ends justifying the means.  We create this fear and FEAR is contagious.  I've gone down the rabbit hole. I won't go on tho'.  That's for a different entry on another blog.  :-)

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.