Weird week

This is a weird week. I got some good news yesterday. I got my job! I went through all of that drama with the application and interview, and it turns out I impressed. Many, many thanks to all that helped out with that. Now I just need to live up to the interview.

The reason it’s been a weird week is that I have leftovers from previous weeks to clear out before I feel like I’m on leave. First, I have an echo stress test on Thursday. This is a good thing. After the high blood pressure diagnosis I need to show that there’s nothing seriously amiss with the cardiovascular system. When feeling mature and level-headed I’d tell you that there is nothing wrong, but, who’s mature and level-headed all the time? Also, I’ve been suffering the occasional headache and feeling a bit dizzy on occasion, but these are listed as side-effects of the blood pressure medication I’m on. So, hopefully I’ll get the all-clear and then talk to the doctor about (a) the medication and (b) the weight loss program. I’m not thinking too much about the alternatives here, though. Second, I’ve not gotten to the house yet. We need furniture for our lounge room. We went looking today, and will probably again tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll have a good solution in place before Marianne heads East for New York. One of my main goals for my leave remains being able to sit in a finished lounge room and reading a book there for the time before I got back to work. Third, I have a bunch of projects, all of which are grabbing some of my attention. I’m reading and editing and soliciting – all pretty much at the same time. I’m also developing some new projects, so it’s nonstop.

What else has been going on? Well, I’ve been taking the Sony Reader out for a pretty serious run. I went with Charlie and Aaron’s recommendation and, apart from the fact that I think the screen could be a bit bigger and that I may want to by a light for it, I’m well pleased. I’ve also been reading the new issue of Postscripts. It’s a monster triple issue they put out for WorldCon. I dropped the .rtf of it onto the Reader when I was in Oakland and have been working my way through it. Nothing less than solid, but so far Alex Irvine’s story “Shad” stands out.  Irvine made a real impact when he came along, then sort of dropped into the background.  Right now he’s shaping up as one of the more interesting writers out there, though.  Hmm.  I also went to see The Dark Knight (good, but too long), and bought the Fleet Foxes cd (which is way cool).

Not sure what’s on for the rest of the week.  I’ve been thinking about contributing to a new group blog, but have real doubts.  I’m also working with two new reviewers for Locus. Not sure when that’s going to be public, but I’m very happy with the way it’s playing out right now.

Oh, there is one other thing: my sincerest condolences to my Locus colleague and friend Amelia Beamer, and her family. Amelia’s father-in-law died unexpectedly in London.  It must have been a terrible shock, and people have been rallying around her family as they do.  My thoughts are very much with them.