Saturday night’s concert was a huge disappointment. I don’t even know where to start, I am between despondent over it and completely pissed off over what happened. Jack White played for less than hour and then he left the stage. We all thought he was taking a break and he’d come back out. After waiting twenty minutes, the curtains came down and they announced that the show was over. The complete outrage that rang throughout the crown was palpable. I sincerely could NOT believe it.
I had gotten there early, sat in a mostly empty theater and read a book. I love the quiet of an empty theater before a show. There is a hushed sound for a good long while, before the crowds come in, that leaves me feeling peaceful. I was excited but calm. I even broke my healthy eating choices by having a hot dog with mustard and a ginger ale for dinner. Ergh! I regretted that decision much later.
Anyway, the opening act was not my cup of tea. It was twangy act from the Midwest that left me yawning. It happens. They only sang a few songs but I had to take a walk around to get away from listening to them. It’s been a long time since I walked around Radio City Music Hall and I’d forgotten how it looks with its red velvet carpets and gawdy gold walls. Another break between opening act and then Jack White was on.
White played with the all-male band. He played a bit erratic, he’d start up an intro to one song and then cross over to another intro to another song before settling in on some version of a third song. I don’t know what the fuck he was doing. He was having trouble with the sound in the venue, there was a back echo that was making him mad. He was having trouble with how calm the place was at the beginning because he asked the audience if “this was an NPR convention?” which was meant to be funny but it came off as snide. I’m not sure what he was expecting? This was a sit down venue and everyone was on their feet…what more was he expecting with the limitations of the space? Folks bum-rushing the stage? He also had some choice words for folks in the front rows. I think he was arguing with someone who was taking either pics of him or video. He kept yelling at them to cut it out. Then he also castigated someone for clapping in between a song, he was offended. Really?! He did play an okay set…he had a really good moment with his electric guitar but one moment does not a concert make. Anyway, when he finally signed off, I thought he was just taking a break and he’d be back. But alas, that did not happen.
I’ve always heard that he was a bit of a diva but I wrote it off as being eccentric. After all, his talent level was on the high side so it was easy to write off. Now his eccentricity was affecting ME [yes, I am having a selfish moment] and I was not happy. I paid hard-earned money to see him live and I resented the fact that he gave us less than an hour’s worth of show. In that case, I could have watched a YouTube version of the show for free. The couple who sat in front of me kept going on and on about how they paid $500 for their tickets and how it was the last time they’d go to one of his concerts. I’m with them. WTF? I was livid as I left the theater. So much so that I got into a shouting match out in the streets with some random New Yorkers. I surprised myself. My apologies for losing my damn mind. I may not have paid $500 for the ticket BUT this concert-going experience has left a sour taste. Believe me when I tell you, I am BITTER!!
Good thing that my last concert for this season will be HEART! I am hoping they will right the wrongs of this past Saturday by giving a kick ass performance this coming Wednesday. After Heart, I’m taking a break from the live concert experience, perhaps save a little cash to go on holiday in the New Year. Some friends want to go to London and I am making a serious plea for Barcelona or Greece. We shall see, we shall see.
I am off to make myself a cup of tea, to remind me that I was civilized once upon a time.
Peace,
L~
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.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Happy Friday, Part Deux
Dear readers,
It’s a dark, soaking wet Friday in good ol’ Nu Yawk Sitty…but it’s FRIDAY!! YAY!! Before you start looking for part one of Happy Friday...there isn't one. Hehehe...I just like writing DEUX.
I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge that sometimes I put in way too minutiae regarding my life and that can be a little off-putting. After all, we all have to deal with the every day realities of our lives. So thanks for sticking around and reading my blog anyway.
Being a creative person in this world…is complicated sometimes. In writing this blog, I wanted to share some of my process with a larger audience. But I have found that writing about my writing life…is very similar to making a movie about a writer. Basically, you cut to a montage of a writer at a typewriter or a computer pounding away either in ecstasy or in dismay. Either lying on a bed bemoaning the work, or pacing the room talking to oneself as a writer struggles to get through a section. Riiiiiight!
That’s a romantic notion. I think pounding on a keyboard is right but everything else…eh, not so much. I say all this because this writer works a full time day job to pay bills, who jots character description based on the strangers I come across on the train, who daydreams about frantic love affairs to capture them on the page, who writes lines of poetry on scraps of papers, who is moved by good music and little independent movies, who consumes books like oxygen, who takes care of Pandora (a short haired black Bombay cat), who can’t decide between paying her cell phone bill or buying tickets to see Ed Sheeran in concert (hehehe, true story), who helps her dad with every computer questions he can come up with, who helps her sisters with writing memos, who helps friends revamp resumes, eeek…you get the point. A busy life. Don’t we all have that?
At the same time, I am trying to get healthier in my body, do a little walking, a little stretching, a little yoga, and eating better. I am down 19.5 lbs as of this morning. Hoo-RAH! Trying not to be everyone’s caretaker until I have my own house in order (not an easy lesson after being so good at be there for others). Trying a new outlook on life. Trying new recipes, cooking for myself again, tonight I am making an Okra Veggie Stew. Phew! Just writing this out makes me a little tired…hehehe. No, not really. I’m taking my vitamins and I am ready to go.
It’s really when I’m up late at night staring at the ceiling that I think I’m wasting time. Tick, tock, tick tock, there is much to do. White rabbit syndrome, “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late for an important date.” Yet knowing there is just so much I can do in a day. After writing this blog out, I’ll be off to write my errand list for tomorrow…and try really hard to remember that tomorrow night I’m going to see Jack White in concert. SWEET!!
[Upcoming Event]
I’ve been invited to read one of my poems at the New York Times VOCES Affinity Group Event for Hispanic Heritage Month on October 10, 5:30-8:30 pm at 620 Eighth Ave. New York, NY 10018. Open to the public. Palabras, Ritmo y Arte A Celebration of Latino Poetry, Music And Art Featuring spoken word artists, musicians and a mixed media artists gallery showcasing the vibrant words and art of Latinos from the Tristate area.
Have an amazing Friday!
Peace,
L~
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.
It’s a dark, soaking wet Friday in good ol’ Nu Yawk Sitty…but it’s FRIDAY!! YAY!! Before you start looking for part one of Happy Friday...there isn't one. Hehehe...I just like writing DEUX.
I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge that sometimes I put in way too minutiae regarding my life and that can be a little off-putting. After all, we all have to deal with the every day realities of our lives. So thanks for sticking around and reading my blog anyway.
Being a creative person in this world…is complicated sometimes. In writing this blog, I wanted to share some of my process with a larger audience. But I have found that writing about my writing life…is very similar to making a movie about a writer. Basically, you cut to a montage of a writer at a typewriter or a computer pounding away either in ecstasy or in dismay. Either lying on a bed bemoaning the work, or pacing the room talking to oneself as a writer struggles to get through a section. Riiiiiight!
That’s a romantic notion. I think pounding on a keyboard is right but everything else…eh, not so much. I say all this because this writer works a full time day job to pay bills, who jots character description based on the strangers I come across on the train, who daydreams about frantic love affairs to capture them on the page, who writes lines of poetry on scraps of papers, who is moved by good music and little independent movies, who consumes books like oxygen, who takes care of Pandora (a short haired black Bombay cat), who can’t decide between paying her cell phone bill or buying tickets to see Ed Sheeran in concert (hehehe, true story), who helps her dad with every computer questions he can come up with, who helps her sisters with writing memos, who helps friends revamp resumes, eeek…you get the point. A busy life. Don’t we all have that?
At the same time, I am trying to get healthier in my body, do a little walking, a little stretching, a little yoga, and eating better. I am down 19.5 lbs as of this morning. Hoo-RAH! Trying not to be everyone’s caretaker until I have my own house in order (not an easy lesson after being so good at be there for others). Trying a new outlook on life. Trying new recipes, cooking for myself again, tonight I am making an Okra Veggie Stew. Phew! Just writing this out makes me a little tired…hehehe. No, not really. I’m taking my vitamins and I am ready to go.
It’s really when I’m up late at night staring at the ceiling that I think I’m wasting time. Tick, tock, tick tock, there is much to do. White rabbit syndrome, “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late for an important date.” Yet knowing there is just so much I can do in a day. After writing this blog out, I’ll be off to write my errand list for tomorrow…and try really hard to remember that tomorrow night I’m going to see Jack White in concert. SWEET!!
[Upcoming Event]
I’ve been invited to read one of my poems at the New York Times VOCES Affinity Group Event for Hispanic Heritage Month on October 10, 5:30-8:30 pm at 620 Eighth Ave. New York, NY 10018. Open to the public. Palabras, Ritmo y Arte A Celebration of Latino Poetry, Music And Art Featuring spoken word artists, musicians and a mixed media artists gallery showcasing the vibrant words and art of Latinos from the Tristate area.
Have an amazing Friday!
Peace,
L~
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.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Who Turned the Power Up?
It's Wednesday night and I'm feeling better today. My energy is back up and the hacking cough has subsided (somewhat). Really the only place where the cough acts up is in the ice boxes that I travel in a.k.a. MTA trains.
I'm in a pensive mood tonight. I have a lot of work to do. A lot of writing yet to be done. The pressure is in my gut. The tension in my jaw. Tight. I keep stretching my neck...and it won't let go. There are too many things by way of distraction and all I want is some quiet. I may have to go back to getting up at 5 am to write for a couple of hours. It's the only time of day that seems to work. Ergh! I am not a morning person but drastic times call for drastic measures. And I want to finish the story arc of this novel.
I've actually been thinking about buying an Underwood manual typewriter. I've been getting a bit fed up with technology of late. This idea just made me giggle and I've already changed my mind to....it's going to be the gift I buy myself once I finish writing this first novel. We all need incentives.
Pandora just plopped down against my leg to get her belly rubbed. She doesn't quite understand "busy writing"...'cause in her life...it's always a good time to get a belly rub.
Oh goodness, I feel like my brain is on overdrive. Who turned the power up? I think it's time for me to unplug.
Oh wait...one last thing before I go...Jack White concert on Saturday night....WooHoo!!
Uhm yep, I think I'm done now.
Peace,
L~
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.
I'm in a pensive mood tonight. I have a lot of work to do. A lot of writing yet to be done. The pressure is in my gut. The tension in my jaw. Tight. I keep stretching my neck...and it won't let go. There are too many things by way of distraction and all I want is some quiet. I may have to go back to getting up at 5 am to write for a couple of hours. It's the only time of day that seems to work. Ergh! I am not a morning person but drastic times call for drastic measures. And I want to finish the story arc of this novel.
Pandora just plopped down against my leg to get her belly rubbed. She doesn't quite understand "busy writing"...'cause in her life...it's always a good time to get a belly rub.
Oh goodness, I feel like my brain is on overdrive. Who turned the power up? I think it's time for me to unplug.
Oh wait...one last thing before I go...Jack White concert on Saturday night....WooHoo!!
Uhm yep, I think I'm done now.
Peace,
L~
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.
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