Bullet Point Entry

I haven't written in awhile.  For the most part, I've been busy with summer activities.  

• Still dealing with some health issues.  Altho things are on the upswing.  Yay! Not feeling quite so terrible.  
• I'm learning to spend time relaxing which is hard work for someone who is used to constantly working.  I was thinking about what my life was like several years ago: I was working several jobs to make ends meet, taking grad classes and making a go of my creative writing.  It's been quite the adjustment.    
• Last weekend, I even spent some time sunbathing in my backyard.  The day was warm with a rich breeze and I was so caught up in the book that I was reading that I burned.  Lots of Aloe Vera slathered on for several days after that.  
• June 24th, I went to see Tegan and Sara live in concert.  They were fantastic and I always enjoy their live performances.  
• June 27th, I went to see Neil Gaiman at Carnegie Hall. He read from a couple of stories while a string quartet played along as they projected graphic images. Loved it!  So much fun and a much appreciated birthday gift from a good friend.  
• I have also been suffering from a bad case of World Cup fever.  Sunday afternoon is a big game between Mexico and Netherlands.  Eek.  Can't wait! 
• I've been reading lots of fiction.  Currently reading Hate List by Jennifer Brown.  The writing is okay but it has some really decent emotional moments.  
• I've been pulling books from my overflowing bookshelves and setting them out for neighbors to scavenge.  I've managed to fill and give away two boxes of books. 

What else?

• My writing has stalled.  I've been writing on scrap paper again.  Can't quite get enough momentum on either of the pieces I've been working on.  So I keep writing bits and pieces.  
• I'm on my first week of giving up sugar. For the next six weeks, no fruit, no fruit juices, no sugar, no honey, no starchy veggies, no rice and no soda.  I'm just adding to my very long list of food restrictions. This getting healthy is hard work.  
• I have to add aerobics to my exercise routine. hmmm.  Again getting healthy is hard work.
• Also, I am hooked on the Canadian sci-fi show Continuum.  I caught the first season on Netflix and now I'm moving through season 2. 
• Last but not least, I'm working on a new set of goals.  It's mid-year and I'm reassessing what I've accomplished so far.  Time for a new set  for the second half of the year.  I can't believe we are almost done with July...good lord, time seems to pick up speed as we get older.  Yikes!

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.

Only Lovers Left Behind

I can't remember when I saw this movie, last week or a lifetime ago but Only Lovers Left Behind- written and directed by Jim Jarmusch starring Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston is gorgeous.  It's a dark romance when two Vampire lovers are reunited and they spend some quality time together after hours.  It's slow paced and decadent at times.  The soundtrack reverberates in the background, discordant but nuanced with each scene. Jarmusch is genius, I think the last movie I saw of his was Night on Earth (1991) but this film reminds me to go check out the rest of his work.  It's the kind of movie that I can disappear into as the characters have long winding conversations about art and music and the state of the world. Tilda Swinton is other-worldly as Eve. This actress can do no wrong, she is invested in Eve and her face is so expressive, she's allows audience members to read her very soul. Beautiful work on her side.  Tom Hiddleston is that tortured musician as Adam. He plays well against Swinton but the funnier moments are played with Ian (played by Anton Yelchin) and Ava (played by Mia Wasikowska).  After watching this movie, I wanted to turn around and go watch it again. There is certain quality to the smaller movies that I go see that keep me enthralled.  The dialogue, the story arc, the soundtrack when they hit these points properly they stay with me long after I have left the theater.  Bravo.  I hope more go to see this one.  It's definitely worth it.  

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.

Words and Pictures

On Friday afternoon, after an early release from work, I went to see a little indie flick called Words and Pictures starring Clive Owens and Juliette Binoche.  It's a romantic comedy but more importantly it's a dialogue revolving around the creative process.  How creatives use their medium in this case writing and painting to try to convey a point of view through their work.  Owens plays a frustrated writer who drinks to sublimate the suffering of being unable to create.  While Binoche plays a painter who struggles to find a way of new way of being able to work her craft while suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The language is gorgeous when either of them talk about Words or Pictures. They frame the movie under a guise of a war against the other but really it was a chance to challenge and dialogue around the medium in question. As far as the romantic element, it's wonderful to see earthy adults having real dialogues about their pain and how they are able to find a way of relating to one another, at times a bit sideways and odd but refreshing and open.  A woman who sat behind me said to her friend that she thought it was heavy-handed at times. For someone like me who loves language, well let's just say I soaked it in and spent the day writing because I was inspired.  Lovely little film, I hope others get a chance to catch it.  

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.