Monday, April 25, 2011

Curious minds

I am currently working on caffeinating myself awake. I tossed and turned until ~2:30 am with a 6:30 am wake up call. Four hours of sleep…blah! ;-p. I tried a bit of writing but my brain wasn’t really cooperating so I let that go after a short while. I am restless and this constant rain does not help my melancholy disposition.

So after my family lunch on Saturday, I walked over to Barnes and Noble and wandered around. I went to the last floor which has books of poetry and science fiction in close proximity and came across some of Michio Kaku’s books; a physicist who has co-authored papers on string field theory. I’ve wanted to pick up his books for a while because he discusses the possibilities or impossibilities of science fiction technology. I’m not a scientist by any stretch of the imagination but I am curious and fascinated by both quantum physics and string field theory. I can take it in small doses because my poor brain goes into meltdown mode if I try to contemplate the notion of parallel universes for too long. But Kaku has a way of making very complex scientific material accessible to a neophyte like me. Intellectual curiosity…I’ve got this trait in sheer abundance. There is a fine line between letting my imagination stretch and knowing too much information… not sure what that line is yet…but I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve gotten there. Anyway, I digress, so I bought up three of Kaku’s titles: Physics of the Impossible, Parallel Worlds and Hyperspace. Hoorah!! I have an inkling of a new story in the back of my head and I’ll need to start jotting down some of these notes on index cards.

I also picked up Finch by Jeff VanderMeer. I’ve been reading his non-fiction title BookLife and he has an interesting way of using language and humor. So I thought I would see how his fiction reads. I think Finch is also his first book as a full-time writer. As in no longer working a side/day job to make ends meet but rather have a whole day stretch before him to work on his novel. He did write in BookLife that he barely left his apartment or spoke to anyone for 3 months finishing up his novel, which I think is pretty cool (for lack of a better phrase ‘cause I’m barely awake). Hence, my curiosity.

All right, so despite buying up these new titles, do you think I had presence of mind to put any one of these titles into my bag this morning….uhm, nope! So when I go into my bag this morning, on the train to work, I think I’m going to pull out a Kaku title only to find my bag empty. Drat!! I had also taken out my working pages of my novel and left them on my desk at home. Double drat!!
I need another cup of tea and move around a bit before I fall asleep with my eyes wide open.

Peace,

Lily~



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.

Wilted State

I can't sleep tonight.  
I went to see the newest remake of Jane Eyre.  There is something about period movies that makes my romantic sensibilities lose control.  Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, screenplay written by Moira Buffini. 
The language was lush and the quiet moments hummed with intensity.  Visually stunning, landscape as stark and bare as the protagonist.  Declarations of love, poetic.  The loneliness and longing so palpable it takes a strangle hold and dares not let go. Left in its wake is me in a bit of a wilted state.  I guess it does no good to wallow.  Must get some rest...


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, April 23, 2011

Rain, rain, go away....

Saturday morning and I am sitting in front of this post trying to come up with something interesting to write.  Can you smell the smoke?
 
Let's see, writing group went well last night, I had decent feedback. I'm not sure how to address some of their comments within the story yet.  I'll just have to think on it.  I plan on writing today but I've had a late start and I have a family lunch to go to shortly.

My niece Gexy turned 15 this week.  I can't believe I am an aunt to a 15-year old teen.  When did that happen?  And can we stop the aging process please?  Like right now.  She had her first student show at Pratt's Saturday Art Program last Saturday and I am blown away at her talent.  Gexy has a quirky brain and I like being surprised by her interpretation of the way she sees the world. Interesting to say the least.

I'm trying to organize my brain to what to do after lunch.  There are errands to run, kitty litter to buy and box to clean out.  There are chores in the house to take care of...blah!  This is the time when I most need someone else to take care of that for me.  Who am I kidding?  I'm sure I will tackle it when I get back from lunch this afternoon.  And fit in some writing.  Hmmm maybe I'm approaching this all wrong.  Perhaps today I'll try to fit in the chores and just write.  If I want to finish this novel this year, I need to make the most of my weekends on this project.  Yes, my head is on straight now.

Which reminds me, someone sent me a manuscript of their novel and I'd also like to take a read of that as well.  I'll convert it into a PDF and upload it onto my Nook.  And there is also Kathe Koja's book, Under the Poppy.  I've been wanting to read this book for ages but I was waiting for some down time.

All right, I'm off to a birthday lunch.

Peace,

Lily


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.