I'm about to kick it old school right here, right now. Stand back, my Brooklyn is coming out...this song has been floating around me for the past couple of days. I've been humming it everywhere I go. As much as I love Roberta Flack's version...Lauryn Hill's version shreds me up, tears me to pieces and makes my soul sing. Anyway, enjoy a live performance by Lauryn Hill back in 1999. Peace~
I've taken some time off from my day job so I can focus on my writing. It's only a couple of days but I've escaped from the city and I'm hanging out upstate with my friend Tony. It's been a quiet retreat where I can take deep breaths, spend time writing, and eat lots of yummy healthy food. Well potato chips being the exception to the rule.
I watched the movie Arrival last night. What a fantastic movie!! It was one I wanted to watch earlier in the year but I didn't get a chance to see it. It's a smart, nuanced movie that might be too much for those who are expecting a shoot-at-the-aliens type of movie. Excellent, so glad I watched it with friends.
Also had a little kitty therapy surrounded by several cats who wanted attention from this friendly guest. Plus watching over Tony's two dogs...they crack me up, they are so freakin' cute. Anyway, surrounded by so many animals has helped.
I've also been adding to my novel 800-1,500 words at each stretch. My first night here, I accompanied Tony to his mediation group and hung out in a waiting area writing while he counseled someone. The plan was to write for an hour and then join the meditation group. I don't know where the time went but I looked up and 2.5 hours had gone by in a flash. I had 1,500 words of fresh material to add to the novel. * happy sigh *
That's where I'm at. It's Sunday, I've spent my morning writing. It's been a tough go today but I sat at my desk and just showed up. That's half the battle really. I wrote up 747 new words but I don't really like it very much. May have to go back and trash that section. It's fine. It's just words. Tonight we are going over to play some board games with a group of friends...and if that doesn't happen then maybe watch a couple of episodes of WestWorld. Just got into this show this weekend.
I write and I paint. Then I try to articulate some coherent thoughts about the creative process on this blog. In between those moments of producing work, I take photos, listen to groovy music, watch indie movies, read (a lot), go hear live music (preferably someone that rocks), go to the theater to see a new play from time to time, watch sci-fi movies, and continue to cultivate my curiosity. Then I write about that too.
