Author Archives: Eugie Foster

Hobkin Update, Morning in the Running for Least Fun Evah

By | |
4 Comments

Thanks to everyone for all the support and get well soon thoughts for Hobkin!

Hobkin slept with me for most of the night and is doing reasonably well, probably better than fosteronfilm, actually. Since I’m in session, Matthew stayed up to watch over the lil guy for the second night/day in a row (my husband’s circadian rhythms are whack) and has been doing all the other caretaker duties so that I can get what sleep I can. Hence, Matthew’s low on sleep and a bit ragged around the edges from these last couple days.

It’s such a blessing that he can be there 24×7 at times like these, but it’s also less than optimal because Hobkin is really a mommy’s boy, and I can do things with him that no one else can—like force feed him meds. Did I mention that after the first dose of amoxicillin, the silly beastie decided he no longer considers it a nummy treat? Sigh. Not sure how my boys are going to fare come Hobkin’s afternoon med. time. I anticipate a pink, sticky mess…pinker and sticker than the one he and I made this AM.

Another reason to nominate this morning as Least Fun Evah: the East/West MARTA rail lines weren’t working when I arrived at Five Points station. They were busing people to their East/West destinations, but from Five Points, once I get off the Northbound, I just transfer to the Eastbound for one stop to get to the capitol. So it’s walking distance. Rather than deal with the bus, I set out to hoof it…in the breezy, blustery cold. And I started off in the wrong direction (of course). Fortunately, the capitol sits at the top of a hill and is crowned by a shiny, gold dome. Hard to miss. Even for someone as directionally challenged as me.

Walked in the door at work to a rush bill. Off and editing while I still couldn’t feel face or fingers and not only hadn’t I even tasted my coffee, I hadn’t even poured it yet. But things are slowing down a bit now. Thankfully. But I’m really not going to be at my best today.

Hobkin at the Vet’s

By | |
20 Comments

So fosteronfilm is right now with Hobkin at the vet’s for an emergency visit.

Trying not to freak out. I can’t be there ’cause I’m still at work, and even if I got off now, it’s terribly unlikely unto impossible that I’d be able to make it to the vet’s in time for the appointment. (My car’s at the North Springs MARTA station, I’m at the capitol, and the vet’s office is in Lawrenceville.)

We think Hobkin simply managed to scratch or cut himself in a, er, delicate area, but the alternative—internal bleeding—is something that we’re not willing to gamble on. Ergo vet visit. And that scary-panic alternative is giving me serious cold sweats and shakes. Glancing compulsively at the cell phone awaiting updates…

[Edit – Update 1: Thanks for everyone’s support and good wishes. Very much appreciated. Hubby just called. They think Hobkin’s got kidney/bladder stones or possibly an infection. They’re trying to x-ray him now to confirm whether he’s got kidney stones. (I REALLY wish I was there to assist with that.) More updates as they come in…

Update 2: X-rays were clean but the vet says that doesn’t preclude the possibility of stones. They decided that rather than sedate Hobkin to do a blood test, it would be safer to observe him for a couple days and administer antibiotics. So husband and skunk are heading home now with some amoxicillin and various directives and things-to-watch-for. Not a minor scratch but not as dire as other possibilities. Fretting and anxiety to continue but turned down a notch or two.

Update 3: Everyone’s home now, and I’m curled up on the couch with Hobkin—not sure who’s reassuring whom. On the medication front, had a flash of inspiration. In my experience, most critters really like the taste of amoxicillin, but Hobkin grouses and fights being force-fed with a feeding syringe (understandably), so I thought to try to offer it to him in a saucer. The lil guy lapped it right up, making what might have been a stressful and unpleasant 3x/day experience for all a nice treat instead! Hurray for small blessings.]

Sale: “The Reign of the Wintergod” to Pseudopod; ToC-mates in 2009 Relief Anthology

By | |
8 Comments

So tired. Paying for the sleep deprivation of the last week+ now. Upped dose of stimulants and pouring caffeine as quickly into my system as possible, but I’m still stumbling into door frames and blinking dazedly at the computer screen—although my heart’s pattering double-time. Wheee. Praying that I can fumble through today without making some calamitous boo-boo.

dude_the flew down this weekend for our annual Superbowl watching tradition. My one football game a year, and it was a great one. We decided to root for the guys wearing yellow and black (although it was a toss-up, as I like red, too), and they won! Favorite moment: winning touchdown when the ball-catching guy sat and hugged the ball after he caught it. Awww…

And dude_the introduced us to this fabulous television series, How I Met Your Mother, which stars Alyson Hannigan and has cameos from other Buffy/Firefly alums: Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, and Morena Baccarin. Enjoyed it greatly. Made it through 1.5 seasons in a two-day marathon session. Must see more.

   


Writing Stuff

New Words:
• 1000 on The Stupid Novel. Actually managed to get some writing done during session. A sign of the apocalypse?

Received:
• 74-day SALE of “The Reign of the Wintergod” (reprint) to Pseudopod. Hurray!
• Note from J.K. Richard, the editor of the Animal Welfare anthology that “Running on Two Legs” will be appearing in, with a link to a list of the authors in that volume. I’ll be sharing a ToC with such excellent folks as Michael Jasper, Michael Merriam, Diane Payne, Mike Stone, Jennifer Brozek, and Jetse de Vries. Much coolness.

Happy Year of the Ox and more reviews of IZ220 and “Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest”

By | |
2 Comments

Happy Chinese New Year!

Verily slammed at work. The legislators are back from their week off hashing out the budget, and this morning was a mad (editorial) dash to clear out the intray before the post-lunch chaos hits.

   


Writing Stuff

The fabulous Jason Sanford drew my attention to a number of shiny reviews of IZ#220 and “Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest” that made me squee:

“disconcerting and thought-provoking in equal measure and should rightly earn its author wider exposure—and perhaps appearances in the Year’s Best and on various award ballots.”
—Colin Harvey, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction

“a classy fantasy, a strange society in which the wearing of masks in not only compulsory, but one in which the mask worn confers a different daily identity…The implications of this are subtly portrayed, as is the response to those who oppose this status quo.”
—Mark Watson, Best SF Reviews

“the best of the issue…A fantastic piece of worldbuilding.”
—Matt Bruensteiner, Garbled Signals

“This surreal story of people living in a beehive society and changing their identity and personality each day…opens out into something dark, powerful and moving…including an ending that successfully avoids cliche and reminds the reader that freedom and self-discovery can lead to a great deal of pain.”
—Sci-Fi Gene

Publishers Weekly Reviews Returning My Sister’s Face & Jason Sanford Recommends “Sinner, Baker, etc.

By | |
8 Comments

Happy Obama inauguration day!

Thought it’d be relatively quiet at work this week, but came in this morning to a mountain of bills. Totally slammed. Guess that’s the price of not having to work this weekend.

   


Writing Stuff

Had a chock-full-o-squee day yesterday. As a follow-up to the IGMS sale, Publishers Weekly reviewed Returning My Sister’s Face and Other Far Eastern Tales of Whimsy and Malice:

“Noted short story author Foster offers a dozen enchanting and sometimes chilling tales alive with elegantly sketched characters and sensibilities drawn from Asian folklore…Readers who long for a break from European medieval fantasy will be charmed and entertained by Foster’s tales.”

I’m a “noted short story author”!

And Jason Sanford Recommended “Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast” as his Story of the Week pick:

“This far future science fiction tale is an exploration of self identity and the masks we all wear in public…a beautifully written and fast-paced tale which is certain to be on many of the year’s best lists.”

Squeeeeee!!

“Beautiful Winter” sold to OSC’s IGMS and first IZ#220 review

By | |
11 Comments

Week 1 of session 2009 down. Felt pretty wiped by end of week, but so far, it hasn’t been too bad. Late night every day (‘cept Friday; the legislators scamper out on Friday as soon as they can, so we hardly ever work late on Fridays during session). But not that late, and I didn’t have to work this weekend.

I think my recent med change is causing me to be less resilient than I was last year. Not much I can do about it but keep on chugging along.

The fierce cold didn’t help. Friday was cold in the way I hoped never to be cold again—that whole moving to the South from the frigid Midwest and all. Painfully cold with a bitter windchill that steals the breath and numbs the face and fingers in under a minute. But it’s warmed up a bit, thankfully. All hail the amazing Georgia sun.

   


Writing Stuff

Eagerly awaiting my contrib. copy of Interzone #220 which is winging its way to me across the pond. I saw a review of the issue from the blogosphere which made me happy. Regarding “Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast”:

“The dream-like world that Foster paints is so beguilingly strange that this tale might have worked just as well even without the explanatory backstory, but regardless this is gloriously strange stuff, and a pleasantly untypical science fiction story.”
—Lawrence Conquest, The Barking Dog

“Beguilingly strange“! Sweet!

Received:
• 90-day SALE of “Beautiful Winter” to OSC’s InterGalactic Medicine Show. This is the story that was orphaned when Prime Books’ Russian Winters anthology got nixed, so I’m extra doubly pleased that the story was able to find such a wonderful new home.

First Story Acceptance and Publication for 2009; Killers Nominated for Black Quill Award

By | |
18 Comments

The first Dragon*Con director’s meeting was tonight. It always seems to be right before the legislative session convenes, right when I’m frantically trying to get as much taken care of before everything gets put on hold. Guess that’s what laptops are for. Multitasking is me.

   


Writing Stuff

The Killers anthology, edited by Colin Harvey, with my story “Beautiful Summer,” is a finalist in the 2nd Annual Black Quill Awards in the category of “Best Dark Genre Fiction Collection.” Go vote, y’all!

New Words:
• 2.6K on The Stupid Novel. Didn’t manage to get it to zero draft, but damn, I’m so close.

Received:
• Not technically a “sale,” but my first story acceptance of 2009. Reprint of “Running on Two Legs” will be in the Pet Rescue/Humane Society Relief Anthology charity project. This anthology will benefit companion animals in need due to Hurricane Ike. Animal welfare is near and dear to my heart, and I’m delighted to be able to do something to help out.

Published:
• To go with my first story acceptance of the year, also saw my first published story of 2009: “Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast” in issue #220 of Interzone. Yay! Shiny cover:


Cover by Adam Tredowski.

Recommendation: LJArchive

By | |
9 Comments

So folks are speculating after the recent LiveJournal layoffs about the future of LJ. (See also this article and this one.)

While I’m not inclined to put too much stock into rumors, I’d be sad if LJ closed down shop—although at the same time I don’t feel that the world would end if it did. But I did decide that it has been too long since I made a complete back-up of my blog. Rectified now.

In case anyone else is casting about for a good archiving application for their LJ, lemme recommend LJArchive (downloadable from SourceForce). While it seems that it’s no longer being supported or upgraded, it’s free and a pretty elegant little bit of software. It archives comments as well as posts, synchronizes smoothly, and does its job quickly and easily.