Tag Archives: Writing

Dogs and writing

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Motivation to write is to me a big enigma. I have been meaning to resume my blog with discipline as the necessary water I know I need to give my thirsty brain. Yet, only corny images like these come to mind. What to do?

Maybe focusing on something completely different from what I know I need to write about is the answer. So here it comes.

I love dogs. My grandfather used to have german Sheppards. They were outside the house and always a bit muddy and distant. But I always loved them. For some strange reason they were all called “Yuta”.

My parents also had german Sheppards and kept the name tradition. At some point they had the terrible idea of getting me a bunny. Long story short, the dog killed the bunny and I got to see that up close. To think about it, I didn’t have good luck with pets growing up. I got a tiny chick at a bazaar, and he died when he moved to my bed in the middle of the night. I got a dog, and someone opened the door to the street and that was it. Another one was a gift from a friend and her mother changed her mind and took it back.

None of that did diminish my love for dogs. For birds, yes, but not for dogs.

When I moved to Chile many years ago, I was walking to work with a friend when 2 hairless dogs came around. They must have been thrown out to die by the river but somehow found us. I promised I would adopt them if they came back to our path that night. And they did.

I only remember Juana as I had to find a home for the other one before they both ate the furniture and walls of my rental. Juana stayed with me until she died in 2013. She lived in 2 other houses in Chile and 2 apartments in New York. She was destined to have a good life. I loved her so much. She still has a facebook page: Juana the Dog. Check it out. She was a gorgeous latin american stray dog.

She walked with me through the Gates exhibit in Central Park. She ran with me by the East River. She enjoyed the snow and the heat.

She was one hell of a dog. I miss her. A toast to her and you all for a wonderful 2024!

 

Until the end of the world

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Movies and music used to be an important part of my life. I used to hang out with cool friends that could speak for hours about Win Wenders and obscure soundtracks. I never knew too much about those myself but I guess I brought other things to the conversation. Fascination for example, and endless curiosity.

Courtesy of the pandemic we now have access to all streaming channels available. This includes Criterion. And yes, I finally got to watch the movie with such a great title and amazing soundtrack. It turns out that the soundtrack was more successful than the movie. I can see how excruciating it would have been to watch it at the movie theater. At home, with pauses for life and sleep, it is a 5-hour masterpiece of imagination and travel.

It got me thinking about art and artsy people that spend their lives following their passion and making a name for themselves. I admire their courage and dedication. So much to say about their time and understanding of the world. I am not sure much will be left to reminisce about in 50 years. Maybe I am already too old to appreciate new trends, but somehow I doubt tiktok will pass the test of time.

That takes me to reading. For years I have felt guilty and sad about only reading for work. I reminisce of the summers at my grandparents farm, laying in a hammock and devouring book after book. It is difficult to replicate that sense of eternity and lack of urgency that allows you to just embody the story the characters are going through. It also takes good writing. And that is as precious as gold.

I am very partial to certain authors and styles. I guess coming from the country of Macondo I was destined to enjoy the so-called Literatura Fantastica. Cien años de soledad and La casa de los espiritus are my all time favorites. I think it is also about timeless families and stories. I couldn’t get enough from Guadalcanal and now from Largo Petalo de mar.

I am not sure any of those will be the same in English. Each language has its own music and very rarely have I enjoyed a literary translation. Yet, I guess if you don’t know the original language it doesn’t matter. So if you have a chance I encourage you to try some Isabel Allende, Garcia Marquez, Benedetti, William Ospina, and let yourself go.