tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320122821206856402024-03-06T04:21:39.905+08:00Wishcatcher<b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-49197792555730228322012-01-02T18:05:00.009+08:002012-01-13T07:52:57.546+08:00Philippine Speculative Fiction 7 (PSF7): Lineup Announcement<span>Over a hundred stories were submitted, with roughly around 400,000 words in total. It took us one whole month to read (and reread, and reread) the stories. Another week was spent arguing, negotiating, deciding and then re-deciding which stories would be included in this year's anthology(it was a tough process; aside from the fact that Alex's and my poetics are vastly different, the stories submitted were all of a certain quality that it was literally like pulling teeth to get us down to 24); and another month for me to get all our rejection and acceptance letters out. But after what seemed like a loooong time, we finally (finally!) have the PSF7 lineup!</span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><b><span>PSF7 stats and trivia:</span></b></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>14 males / 10 females</span></div><div><span>23 of the 24 will find their first home in PSF</span></div><div><span>1 story was written after an author realized she was broke (I have every faith she has recovered since then, folks!)</span></div><div><span>1 story is the last leg of a troika of erotica (it rhymes!) written over a period of 3 years</span></div><div><span>3 stories are from first time fiction authors</span></div><div><span>1 story's idea was stolen from a pastor's sermon</span></div><div><span>1 story is the last short fiction the author will be writing until he finishes his novel</span></div><div><span>0 stories were from time travelling Filipino Vikings (darn it, I was hoping with the numbers we would have at least 1!).</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><b><span>Philippine Speculative Fiction 7: Lineup!</span></b></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div><span>1. All That We May See by Kenneth Yu</span></div><div><span>2. All the Best of Dark and Bright by Isabel Yap</span></div><div><span>3. Bastard Sword by Nikki Alfar</span></div><div><span>4. Chasers by Chris Mariano</span></div><div><span>5. East of the Sun by Dean Francis Alfar</span></div><div><span>6. Faith in Fiction by James Constantino Bautista</span></div><div><span>7. Mother of Monsters by Philip Corpuz</span></div><div><span>8. Never Land by Mo Francisco</span></div><div><span>9. Oblation by Paolo Chikiamco</span></div><div><span>10. Pet by Kristine Ong Muslim</span></div><div><span>11. Sarsarita Time by Melissa Sipin</span></div><div><span>12. The Call of the Chained God by Dariel Quiogue</span></div><div><span>13. The Changes by Benito Vergara</span></div><div><span>14. The Commute to Paradiso by Charles Tan</span></div><div><span>15. The Day Nostalgia Swept Over a Town by F. Jordan Carnice</span></div><div><span>16. Dragon's Orb by Vincent Michael Simbulan</span></div><div><span>17. The Likeness of God by Crystal Koo</span></div><div><span>18. The Little Things the Datu Did by Andrew Drilon</span></div><div><span>19. The Love Spell by Julian dela Cerna</span></div><div><span>20. The Nature of Apocalypse by Joseph Anthony Montecillo</span></div><div><span>21. The Scrap Collectors by Arlynn Despi</span></div><div><span>22. username: tanglaw by Eliza Victoria</span></div><div><span>23. What the Body Remembers by Tin Lao</span></div><div><span>24. What You See by Ian Rosales Casocot</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -0.25in; "><span>Now, if any of you can guess by title alone (well, and what little clues I have given), on which story is which based on the trivia above, I will believe that you have some secret mind power; or, at the very least, that you have secretly hacked my email. Seriously, if you can, by the power of your gut feel, guess which one's which, you can win a copy of Philippine Speculative Fiction vol. 6 (PSF6) which I will give during the launch. Send your guesses to kate.osias at gmail.com :)</span></span></div></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><b><span>PSF6 News</span></b></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The anthology has garnered positive reviews, with several bloggers / editors / writers voicing their opinions and favorite stories in the antho. (RocketKapre keeps track with a number of them; go to this website if interested www.rocketkapre.com). The most recent news bit was from GMA News Online (by Mean Ortiz), which named PSF6 (along with Alternative Alamat edited by PSF contributor Paolo Chikiamco and Heartbreak & Magic by PSF contributor Ian Rosales Casocot) as one of the notable books of 2011. Yay! :)</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>And... that's it for now folks. Tune in for more updates on the launch! :)</span></div><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-1408223503013947932011-11-29T14:37:00.003+08:002011-11-29T14:39:23.287+08:00Shameless Plugging: Two stories outJust plugging my two stories out currently online (for free!):<div><br /></div><div>There's Makisig's Heart (my take on an Ilokano epic):</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://philippinegenrestories.blogspot.com/">http://philippinegenrestories.blogspot.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>And, Connections, my non-specfic story (gasp!):</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://philippinesfreepress.com.ph/?p=4440">http://philippinesfreepress.com.ph/?p=4440</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Read up if you guys have the time, and let me know what you think. :)</div><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-44636530419995771602011-09-26T10:28:00.004+08:002011-09-26T10:34:37.959+08:00PSF7: 5 days to go! and Other Matters<div><b>PSF7</b></div><div><br /></div>Let's go people, I have faith in y'alls! Remember, I always respond within 24 hours (unless it's a Saturday, haha), so please resend if you have not heard from me.<div><br /></div><div>For those who have submitted already, our reading period begins in October, so expect to hear from us somewhere in early November (or earlier, depending on the average length of the stories we have received).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Other Matters</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Attended the Nick Joaquin Literary Awards last week (also known as Mo Francisco's birthday bash, haha). It was... interesting. The food was good. Met new writers (who, of course, I badgered into an oral contract to give stories for PSF). But the program was unclear.</div><div><br /></div><div>That said, Alex and I (in separate instances) won luggage in the raffle. Not a bad evening. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Other (Other Matters)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you need some inspiration for your stories, here are some fiction from PGS:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.philippinegenrestories.com/">http://www.philippinegenrestories.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, there's a new story from PSF contributor Tin Lao:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://philippinesfreepress.com.ph/2011/09/24/workshop/">http://philippinesfreepress.com.ph/2011/09/24/workshop/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-14853648080956595692011-05-30T15:49:00.007+08:002011-05-30T16:32:39.997+08:00Philippine Speculative Fiction volume 7<p class="MsoNormal">People are still basking in the afterglow of the successful book launch of PSF6 (you can read about it <a href="http://www.rocketkapre.com/2011/psf6-launch-photos/">here</a>, <a href="http://sungazer.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/philippine-speculative-fiction-6-book-launch/">here </a>and pictures <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63494885@N06/sets/72157626712396039/">here</a>), which makes this the best time to open our virtual doors for the next volume: <b>Philippine Speculative Fiction volume 7 (PSF7)</b>, to be edited by yours truly and fellow writer, action-adventure-sci-fi enthusiast (and also my husband!), <b>Alex Osias</b>, is now officially open for submissions.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Please read the guidelines below. Don't be afraid to email or facebook me (yes, I have declared 'facebook' to be a verb), if you have questions.</p><p class="MsoNormal">On a related note, PSF6 immediately sold out last Saturday. We are thinking of doing another print run, so if you want a copy or several, drop me a note so that I can forward it to our publisher, Dean Alfar.</p><p class="MsoNormal">___________________</p><p class="MsoNormal">Editors Alex and Kate Osias invite you to submit short fiction for consideration for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Philippine Speculative Fiction volume 7</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Philippine Speculative Fiction </i>is a yearly anthology series, which collects a wide range of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">stories that define, explore, and sometimes blur the boundaries of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and all things in between</b>. The anthology has been shortlisted for the Manila Critics’ Circle National Book Award, and multiple stories from each volume have been cited in roundups of the year’s best speculative fiction across the globe.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">First-time authors are more than welcome to submit; good stories trump literary credentials any time.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Submissions <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">must</b> be:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. speculative fiction—i.e., they must contain strong elements or sensibilities of science fiction, fantasy, horror, magic realism, alternate history, folklore, superheroes, and/or related ‘nonrealist’ genres and subgenres</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. written in English</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. authored by persons of Philippine ethnicity and/or nationality</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Submissions <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">are preferred </b>to be:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. original and unpublished</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. no shorter than 1,000 words and no longer than 7,500</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. written for an adult audience</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In all cases, these preferences can be easily overturned by exceptionally well-written pieces. In the case of previously-published work—if accepted, the author will be expected to secure permission to reprint, if necessary, from the original publishing entity, and to provide relevant publication information.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Submission details</b>:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. No multiple or simultaneous submissions—i.e., submit only one story, and do not submit that story to any other publishing market until you have received a letter of regret from us. We don’t mind if you submit to contests.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. All submissions should be in Rich Text Format (saved under the file extension ‘.rtf’), and emailed to kate.osias at gmail.com, with the subject line ‘PSF7 submission’.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">The deadline for submissions is midnight, Manila time, September 30, 2011.</b> Letters of acceptance or regret will be sent out no later than one month after the deadline.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Editors’ notes:<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. Please don’t forget to indicate your real name in the submission email! If you want to write under a pseudonym, that’s fine, but this can be discussed upon story acceptance. Initially, we just need to know who we’re talking to.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. If you’d like to write a cover letter with your brief bio and publishing history (if applicable), do feel free to introduce yourself—but not your story, please. If it needs to be explained, it’s probably not ready to be published.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. We advise authors to avoid fancy formatting—this will just be a waste of your time and ours, since we will, eventually, standardize fonts and everything else to fit our established house style.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">There will be compensation for selected stories</b>, but we’ve yet to determine exactly what.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>In previous years, we’ve provided contributor copies of the book, as well as small royalty shares, but we are considering shifting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Philippine Speculative Fiction</i> to digital format, so we may be shifting to outright financial payment as well. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Please help spread the word!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Alex and Kate Osias, co-editors</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Dean Alfar, publisher</p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-10915889744326434942011-04-09T15:42:00.003+08:002011-04-09T15:45:42.594+08:00PSF6: Test Covers<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNfHNkbkF1GDXaX3M3DJsiakv937jOCU-rG5lNXzXCN5Kb1wwdtt9XlwwistjeTSUD86bficLG_eTwtOrlGNvP05CsG66Jf-7vTSyEDQt1LvD_ot-ejiOmqyNI7Z8In6n41mw1te7TMI4/s320/cover+PSF6.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593486254184143874" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN49J5wO718mPAoozhiHKW4cplG6_xo-_rQhvSGhaNaYtvubzuHJh3FHW8TQwxXaij5s9p-ZhK_hM329gliqZHSx3gH6fxjNKpPs10PVzCNl6lWISksJZGqUK2IEUh3UuYBqTfHNyoi69/s1600/back-cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN49J5wO718mPAoozhiHKW4cplG6_xo-_rQhvSGhaNaYtvubzuHJh3FHW8TQwxXaij5s9p-ZhK_hM329gliqZHSx3gH6fxjNKpPs10PVzCNl6lWISksJZGqUK2IEUh3UuYBqTfHNyoi69/s320/back-cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593486257124498962" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-51182415709092507212011-01-23T11:38:00.011+08:002011-01-25T16:56:43.245+08:00PSF 6: Lineup Announcement<span class="Apple-style-span">After several months of reading (and reading, and reading), intense discussions, emails and follow ups, Nikki and I are pleased to announce the <b>Philippine Speculative Fiction 6 </b>line up (in no particular order):</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>A</i><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>lternative Histories</i> by Ian Rosales Casocot</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Strange Adventures in Procreation</i> by Andrew Drilon</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Lament of the Counselor</i> by Jay Anyong</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>The Grim Malkin</i> by Vincent Michael Simbulan</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>A Smell of Mothballs</i> by Mailin Paterno</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Ashland</i> by <span class="Apple-style-span">Elyss G. Punsalan</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Carpaccio (or, Repentance as a Meat Recipe) </i>by Arlynn Despi</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Eternal Winter </i>by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Maria Pia Vibar Benosa</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>From the Book of Names My Mother Did Not Give Me</i> by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Christine V. Lao</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Hollowbody</i> by Crystal Koo</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Offerings to Aman Sinaya</i> by Andrei Tupaz</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>On Wooden Wings</i> by Paolo Chikiamco</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Prisoner 2501 </i>by Philip Corpuz</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Resurrection</i> by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Victor Fernando R. Ocampo</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Simon's Replica</i> by Dean Alfar</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Break in at Batay Street</i> by Francis Gabriel Concepcion</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>The Big Man</i> by Asterio Gutierrez</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>The Bookshelves of Mrs. Go</i> by Charles Tan</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>The Impossible and the R.S.C. Gregorio del Pilar</i> by Alex Osias</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>The Kiddie Pool</i> by Kenneth Yu</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>The Storyteller's Curse </i>by Eliza Victoria</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Villainoguing</i> by Joseph Montecillo</span></li></ol></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">For those interested in stats (like me, haha) this year, we have 22 stories total, of which 21 will see their first publication in PSF6. There are 15 guys and 7 gals in the anthology and the story subsets include horror, sci-fi, 2nd world and urban fantasy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">It is such a great honor to be on the editorial team this year. I hope to see you all in the book launch, which we expect to happen sometime in March!</span></div><div><br /></div><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-80374980791212604152011-01-13T13:45:00.003+08:002011-01-13T13:47:21.468+08:00PSF6 Update: TOC coming soon!Hello folks! Sorry for the delay, but due to technical problems, we haven't been able to announce the TOC. But never fear, we are still right on schedule for the ultimate deadline. :)<div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned for more updates on this blog, or find me on Facebook for more frequent, status-sized updates. :)</div><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-9088084753836356042010-12-15T16:17:00.001+08:002010-12-15T17:12:14.635+08:00PSF6 Update: Letters are outLet me know if you haven't received anything from us. :)<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-27364513544235113282010-12-08T18:08:00.003+08:002010-12-08T18:11:10.209+08:00PSF 6: And so it begins...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; ">To all those who submitted to PSF6: I have begun but have not yet finished writing those letters so don't panic if you haven't received one yet. I have an internal quota (yeah, I'm really an auditor) but hopefully, I will be done by December 15. And no, there is no rhyme or reason in the way I'm going about the letters (really, lol).</span><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-87121095587127890882010-11-15T15:14:00.003+08:002010-11-15T15:47:07.163+08:00Philippine Speculative Fiction 6: Deadline Today<p class="MsoNormal">Hello everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>First of all, thanks to everyone who have submitted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nikki and I are deeply touched with all the hard work people have put into writing their stories, with some submitting their stories in between call center calls, while others sent theirs in between meetings outside the country.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s really incredible to see how much story affects so many of us that despite the demands of our careers and families; despite the limitations of finances or time; despite the distractions that abound, so many still found ways and means to explore their imagination.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What’s even more incredible is that so many took the time to write them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">For those still in the process of editing, writing, trimming, adding, deducting, dividing and bullying your stories into place, take heart.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You still have several hours left to pacify your stories and submit. :)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now, for some business.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I personally have tried to respond to everyone who submitted within (roughly) 24 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are a number of reasons why you may have not received an email from me confirming the receipt of your submission:</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Gmail failed.</b> Hard to believe, but I hear it happens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Your email or my response may have been lost in the fiery underbellies of the Internet where all viagra-related spam should be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">I failed.</b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am, of course, merely human with a predisposition for coke zero.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While high on the said beverage, I may have deleted or erroneously categorized your submission.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I tend to believe I’m fairly organized, so chances are, I logged in your submission but have not responded to you because of my sugarless high.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3)<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">You failed.</b><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I use Gmail’s filtering functionality to keep your submissions out of my spam folder.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This means that your subject heading is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">extremely </i>important.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While I do catch the occasional recalcitrant submitter and transfer them safely into the submissions folder, I cannot be certain I’ve caught all.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Whatever the reason, the safest thing to do is to simply re-send your submission to me (kate.osias at gmail).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> Don't worry if you've forgotten whether I've responded or not. Just send again to be on the safe side, and let me figure out how to work out our submissions inventory.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Again, thank you for all the hard work people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Looking forward to reading your submissions! :)</p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-14285848215283116672010-07-12T14:01:00.003+08:002010-07-12T14:02:49.972+08:00Philippine Speculative Fiction 6!<p class="MsoNormal">I am honored to be co-editors with Nikki this year! Read the invite below :)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">______________</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Editors Nikki Alfar and Kate Aton-Osias invite you to submit short fiction for consideration for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Philippine Speculative Fiction volume 6</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">.</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Philippine Speculative Fiction </i>is a yearly anthology series, which collects a wide range of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">stories that define, explore, and sometimes blur the boundaries of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and all things in between</b>. The anthology has been shortlisted for the Manila Critics’ Circle National Book Award, and multiple stories from each volume have been cited in roundups of the year’s best speculative fiction across the globe.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">First-time authors are more than welcome to submit; good stories trump literary credentials any time.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Submissions <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">must</b> be:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. speculative fiction—i.e., they must contain strong elements or sensibilities of science fiction, fantasy, horror, magic realism, alternate history, folklore, superheroes, and/or related ‘nonrealist’ genres and subgenres</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. written in English</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. authored by Filipinos or those of Philippine ancestry</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Submissions <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">are preferred </b>to be:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. original and unpublished</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. no shorter than 1,000 words and no longer than 7,500</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. written for an adult audience</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In all cases, these preferences can be easily overturned by exceptionally well-written pieces. In the case of previously-published work—if accepted, the author will be expected to secure permission to reprint, if necessary, from the original publishing entity, and to provide relevant publication information.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Submission details</b>:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. No multiple submissions—only one story will be considered per author.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. All submissions should be in Rich Text Format (saved under the file extension ‘.rtf’), and emailed to <a href="mailto:kate.osias@gmail.com">kate.osias@gmail.com</a>, with the subject line ‘PSF6 submission’.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. The deadline for submissions is midnight, Manila time, November 15, 2010. Letters of acceptance or regret will be sent out no later than one month after the deadline.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Editors’ notes:<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">1. Please don’t forget to indicate your real name in the submission email! If you want to write under a pseudonym, that’s fine, but this can be discussed upon story acceptance. Initially, we just need to know who we’re talking to.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. If you’d like to write a cover letter with your brief bio and publishing history (if applicable), do feel free to introduce yourself—but not your story, please. If it needs to be explained, it’s probably not ready to be published.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. We advise authors to avoid fancy formatting—this will just be a waste of your time and ours, since we will, eventually, standardize fonts and everything else to fit our established house style.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Compensation for selected stories is, alas, currently up in the air. In previous years, we’ve provided contributor copies of the book, as well as small royalty shares—but we don’t want to make guarantees just yet, as we are presently exploring alternative publishing avenues. Rest assured, though, that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Philippine Speculative Fiction volume 6</i> will see publication by the first half of 2011, in a form that will be accessible to the general reading public.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Please help spread the word! We’d really appreciate it if you’d publish this invitation on your blog, e-group, etc.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nikki Alfar & Kate Aton-Osias, co-editors</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Dean Alfar, publisher</p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-76587839997137621832009-08-10T09:12:00.000+08:002009-08-10T13:12:13.059+08:00I'm not a fluke; I'm lucky<p>Yay!</p> <p>Thanks to my hubsand (who edited), the LitCritters (who inspired), and Dean (who believed).</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-71461839986346469662009-02-23T04:28:00.000+08:002009-02-23T09:28:45.913+08:00Good News, Bad News<p>Monday found me opening an email from the people at Serendipity saying that my story is part of the Best of Serendipity. While on one hand, I'm ecstatic (to be part of only 12 stories of the virtual anthology is wonderful), I was a little put off by the fact that they had forgotten to inform me and had just remembered to tell me yesterday evening (Manila time). But I forgive them because I was a late in my submission even then, so I guess we're just even (it doesn't hurt that I also owe them my citation in the Year's Best as well :).)</p> <p>But while a late email wasn't enough to keep me from jumping up and down with joy, knowing that Serendipity has already issued its final issue was. It seems like a lot of the markets are closing down this year and it makes me feel sad. It seems like I'm seeing the death of an era. An era that I had just discovered so recently. </p> <p>Oh well.</p> <p>Anyway, I would appreciate anybody and everybody if they could visit <a href="http://www.magicalrealism.co.uk">Serendipity</a> and see the other wonderful stories that they had the honor of publishing over the years (and, if you have time, visit mine as well :P).</p> <p>Hopefully, Serendipity and others like it, will find another life, another form, in the not so distant future.</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-23910819366465186972009-02-02T09:04:00.000+08:002009-02-02T14:04:52.923+08:00How Japan Can Save The World (What, no cheerleader?)<p>Some interesting bit of news from <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/182542/output/print">Newsweek.</a></p> <p>On other news, my last quarter storm has passed. On to more maudlin (if not exactly routine) projects.</p> <p>Goodness, its February already...</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-35313782715996200992009-01-05T09:51:00.000+08:002009-01-05T14:51:34.797+08:00Picture Taking with the Gang<p>Here's some of the pix from last December 30. </p> <p>Its been an on-going joke that Hector (who is exactly one week older than Dean and Nikki's youngest, Rowan) and Rowan would have the kind of love story that would rival those epic florid romance novels. While I do find the notion interesting, for me, what I'm most glad of is that at the very least, my son will have someone his age to play with and grow up with.</p> <p>I know it's selfish. But growing up as an only child (my brother only came along when I was 11), wasn't pretty. Everybody I knew had some sibling who would be their <em>kakampi</em> despite whatever gang wars that occured in our little universe. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, I don't think Alex and I could afford another child to give Hector company. Seeing Rowan and Hector together consoles me a bit, in that, at the very least, he is not alone. In addition, he also has his Ate Sage (Dean and Nikki's eldest), although having grown up with a brother so far behind me in years has made me doubtful if Hector and Sage would actually find something in common.</p> <p>Whatever the case, I fervently hope that though Hector and Rowan and Sage don't share the same gene pool, they will consider each other family.</p> <p><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SWGrXgoKCtYAAFbvIy81/c-MG-1396picmail.jpeg?et=5lYbjEQHYV%2COhcLo%2CxlIXw&nmid=0" border="0"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SWGrNQoKCtYAAFAMgiA1/c-MG-1375picmail.jpeg?et=E%2CY%2CPy6aTWXisAQthdAp5g&nmid=0" border="0"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SWGqvgoKCtYAAES1IAA1/c-MG-1361picmail.jpeg?et=dRAz1bzzos14qIokRFNArg&nmid=0" border="0"></p><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SWGq2QoKCtYAAES1ICA1/c-MG-1375picmail.jpeg?et=%2B9iSyrp9QRD%2CmtQ1%2C9qg%2CA&nmid=0" border="0"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SWGq9QoKCtYAAEdLRxo1/c-MG-1368picmail.jpeg?et=j16%2B5i9rVuNAS4spCZ8Mjg&nmid=0" border="0"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SWGrGwoKCtYAAEvoW801/c-MG-1379picmail.jpeg?et=2%2BKOxvcC24rPJHZmaA%2Bihg&nmid=0" border="0"><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-91086743079178758092008-12-22T05:48:00.000+08:002008-12-22T10:48:09.633+08:00Editor's Choice and New Year Epiphanies<p>Yay! Just found out today that my story, <a href="http://www.bewilderingstories.com/issue311/ghost_moments.html">Ghost Between Moments</a> published in <a href="http://www.bewilderingstories.com">Bewildering Stories</a> was considered to be part of the review editors' favorites for the fourth quarter! That's so cool!</p> <p>Now, if only I could write more. 2009 looms in the not so distant horizon and its going to be quite a challenge to equal my 2008 writerly accomplishments, but, we'll see. If I do fail, at least it will not be because I did not try, right?</p> <p>*</p> <p>This year has proven to be a year of growing up for me. Now, more than ever, I'm forced to accept that I'm not quite the end product, but instead, I'm simply a work in progress. Perhaps I'll always be a work in progress. In the past, I had believed that you could have one perfect state - just like characters in a book, who eventually reach a point where, flawed or not, they no longer feel the urge to change - but of course, the one perfect state is impossible unless you're like Buddha or something.</p> <p>And that's fine.</p> <p>It doesn't bother me as much now that I make mistakes; nor does it behoove me to admit and acknowledge them. Instead, I strive to not repeat the errors in my past and move on. I don't dwell; neither do I whine (too) much. I've even learned how to talk (with less sarcasm) about what bothers me, even when the pain is raw. But most importantly, I know, with irrevocable certainty that someone is more important than me in the bigger schema of things. My son, though not the center of my universe, definitely occupies several galaxies that before his existence, I had not known were voids of emptiness.</p> <p>On to 2009!</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-40660514531687702262008-12-02T05:59:00.000+08:002008-12-02T10:59:09.401+08:00Because Love Doesn't Have To Make Sense<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3">When we first met, I was young (and not just younger) and you, were already you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a crowded coffee shop, filled with good juju and over several frappes, we talked, and laughed, and fell in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, it was our seeming difference – where I was aggressive, you were calm, where I was loud and insecure, you were even tempered and confident – that made you irresistible me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for you, as you would tell me later on, it was my seeming crazy self-importance – the fact that I seemed to know that the world owed me (and I owed the world) something far greater than what I already had.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3">It wasn’t easy, after we got married.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3">I wanted excitement, and romance, and adventure, while you desired the quietness and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Babylon</st1:place></st1:city> 5 and sleepy Sunday afternoons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a long road since then, but it was good road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through protocultures, Bango Bubbles, cold noses in the middle of the night, stolen blankets, and unexpected snuggling in the early morning, we learned how to love each other despite and because of our own eccentricities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You learned to value physical touch (and Gossip Girl, and cut-throat Acquire); I learned how to value time (and Band of Brothers, and vat-less Science Fiction). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And somewhere in between, we were blessed with a son who taught us that yes, we could still love each other (and laugh, hysterically, about our own foolishness), despite being deprived of sleep, and rest, while being overcome with worry for every little thing that he does.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3">Perhaps we are not the best of pairings still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still fight, and argue; we still don’t completely understand the “kampi system” (though we have come a long way since we began).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I get impatient with you; and you, sometimes, find me unreasonable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at the end of the day, even if things don’t make sense anymore, we still love each other.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3">We are the best of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are the best of lovers.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><o:p><font size="3"> </font></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3">Happy Anniversary (Week), my Beloved.</font></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-13379571805015552482008-11-21T06:15:00.000+08:002008-11-21T11:15:45.992+08:00A Rough Week<p><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="http://wishcatcher.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SSYnoQoKCtYAAEfOfLc1"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SSYnoQoKCtYAAEfOfLc1/iC3984F21-8C79-4BB2-BF42-FBDD08090DC8.jpg?et=m7t3ZT1V%2BjwEiF6dFK3eMg&nmid=0" border="0"></a></span>It's been a week of painful endings, virtual email fights, tenuous beginnings, unreconciled reports, shallow sleep, a little writing and inevitable goodbyes. Somewhere in between, we found time to put up a humble-sized christmas tree, take pictures, cry, go to the doctor, eat chocolate, and simply enjoy the time we had.</p> <p>I love my son, Hector. But I think I speak for my entire (small) family when I say I'll miss yaya Janice.</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-48737335642559774882008-11-14T10:45:00.000+08:002008-11-14T15:45:20.928+08:00String Addiction: For A Musical Weekend<p>A couple of weeks ago, Dean introduced the string version of I Dare You To Move by Switchfoot. I was enthralled. Now, some weeks later, I have probably listened and relistened to every (modern) song redone by a string quartet. My favorites include some classics I had already loved prior to being "string-ed", but also include one or two I've only heard in string version (ergo, I don't really know if it sounds better in strings or not).</p> <p>For those wanting some music without the lyrics, I recommend the following (all can be found in You Tube):</p> <p>1. String Quartet Tribute to Seether and Amy Lee - Broken</p> <p>2. String Quartet Tribute to The Killers - Mr. Brightside</p> <p>3. String Quartet Tribute to Evanescence - My Immortal</p> <p>4. String Quartet Tribute to Oasis - Wonderwall</p> <p>5. String Quartet Tribute to Full Metal Alchemist (I only have a vague idea about this anime, but I love the string soundtrack)</p> <p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YjSPqdQzRrs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param">http://www.youtube.com/v/YjSPqdQzRrs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param</a> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YjSPqdQzRrs&hl=en&fs=1">http://www.youtube.com/v/YjSPqdQzRrs&hl=en&fs=1</a>" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p> <p>6. String Quartet - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80w9URZ6nIE">Helena</a></p> <p>7. String Quartet - Through the Fire and the Flames</p> <p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/pTSnhBOaknM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param">http://www.youtube.com/v/pTSnhBOaknM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param</a> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/pTSnhBOaknM&hl=en&fs=1">http://www.youtube.com/v/pTSnhBOaknM&hl=en&fs=1</a>" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-65600270844997303982008-11-06T12:25:00.000+08:002008-11-06T17:25:44.701+08:00Breed of Auditor<p>Strange as it may seem, auditor though I may be, I find some auditor species to be just as strange as I probably am to other people (oh, and yes, there are types of auditors, just like there are types of doughnuts and chocolates, lol). In particular, I find IT auditors kind of odd.</p> <p>It's not that I don't understand them, exactly. I'd like to think that being the general auditor (with a burgeoning specialization in Treasury, which is a choice of logistics rather than of actual preference) that I am, I know enough to talk the talk with the almost best of them, if not walk it (the talk, I mean). But they do weird things, say weird things, that even I find cutely pecuilar.</p> <p>For one thing, they rarely keep physical working papers. They tend to keep everything in databases (gasp!) and they actually know how to manipulate the Lotus application to its fullest (double gasp!). For another, they have weird terms, which I understand (sort of), but laced with a certain humor I could almost grasp. For example:</p> <p>IT Auditor 1: Just ping me when you're done with your documentation</p> <p>IT Auditor 2: Wow, parang server.</p> <p>IT Audiot 1 & 2: (laugh)</p> <p>General Auditor Known As Kate: ....</p> <p>These kinds of situations gets me thinking that perhaps, one day, people will even find me stranger (causing other auditors to write a post similar to mine) once I actually become proficient with Treasury Products. Currently, it's quite difficult since there aren't really other Treasury Auditors with whom I could create slang with. Maybe when there are more of us, I could joke about derivatives and swaps, and repos, and, mark to market rates.</p> <p>Right now though, I can't even think of a lame joke about these things that routinely give me headaches nowadays. And the potential stranger version of me seems so distant, so foreign. So all I can do is watch IT auditors laugh and chat and feel, with an epiphany that I don't want to accept yet, that perhaps, after all, by sheer number, I'm the really strange one.</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-37906188045096571792008-11-05T09:34:00.000+08:002008-11-05T14:34:17.939+08:00Blast from the Past<p>Just got the lay out for our wedding album today (I know, I know, its been three years, but it's a long story). Here are some of the pix of that wonderful day:</p> <p><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SRE99AoKCtYAAF5tnD01/1819.jpg?et=pLe6LF2uwO5jAT%2CJsR8w2g&nmid=0" border="0"></p><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SRE@EwoKCtYAAGBcvTA1/2425.jpg?et=7agT%2CLduhVCDzijqYc19SA&nmid=0" border="0"> <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.wishcatcher.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SRE@QQoKCtYAAGRFzLs1/1415.jpg?et=84WEIH2m70WIbpJXaPkEEg&nmid=0" border="0"><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-38876339550773273032008-10-29T10:33:00.000+08:002008-10-29T14:33:12.871+08:00Stupid Facebook: Warning - I'm Just Complaining<p>All I wanted was to access my son's photoalbum located at my sister in law's site.</p> <p>I have her invitation. Before logging in, I could even view the pictures. And then, I just wanted to see the comments, but the site asked me to register.</p> <p>So I registered. (Twice, because somehow, my first registration got lost - argh.)</p> <p>And then, now I can't even see the photoalbum, nor my sister in law's site, nothing!!!</p> <p>I see nothing! This is what i get for registering.</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-79756032387618299222008-10-27T10:01:00.000+08:002008-10-27T14:01:30.823+08:00Hector Stats<p>Several years from now, when I'm talking to my son's girlfriend, I will have to have some hard facts and stats about him to properly fulfill my embarrass-my-son duties. And so, here they are, as of 27 October 2008:</p> <p>Age: 3 months, 1 week and 4 days old</p> <p>Height: 65 cm (above average percentile)</p> <p>Weight: 7.3 Kilos (slightly above above average percentile but below the 95th percentile)</p> <p>Head Circum: 45 (way,way,way above the extreme percentile)</p> <p>Likes: Shiny, silver things; Mickey Mouse Club; Annie Lenox Songs; Whistling; </p> <p>Dislikes: Fork on plate sounds; rattles</p> <p>Looking at this list, I'm sort of worried with his rather rapid growth (the doctor is also concerned he might become obese, but thankfully, he's not yet at that stage). Especially the head circumference thingie - while it sounds good to have a big head (now, now, dirty minded people, you know what I'm talking about), and in general, we are taught that being above average in anything is also good, for a baby, I don't really know what it means.</p> <p>My only consolation is that he seems healthy, and strong, and happy. And I guess, right now, that's the most I can hope for.</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-50080019037558854982008-10-27T09:50:00.000+08:002008-10-27T13:50:14.104+08:00Bewildering Stories<p><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="http://wishcatcher.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SQVWUAoKCtYAAFv9ykE1"></a></span>Yay! My story is up in Bewildering Stories in this <a href="http://www.bewilderingstories.com/issue311/ghost_moments.html">link</a>!</p> <p>Please visit and share with me your thoughts, if you have time. :)</p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-432012282120685640.post-72723848960173621552008-10-22T12:50:00.000+08:002008-10-22T16:50:21.703+08:00Conservative Parenthood<p>Now, more than ever, I find myself thinking about the intricacies of being a parent. Having been brought up by two not so patient people, I know I'm in danger of being temperamental myself to my child, expecting the best all the time and conveniently forgetting the drama I went through when I had to undergo the weight of my own parents' expectations. I hope I won't though, and I hope that I will actually listen to my more even keeled spouse when my own patience is tested, but I know the risk always loom not too far from me precisely because of my own upbringing.</p> <p>One of the things I've never really thought about, however, is the concept of being "conservative".</p> <p>Just today, I received an email that emphasized (underscored and highlighted), my apparent liberal nature. Here's the situation;</p> <p>A teenage boy asked permission from his parents to go to a party in a hotel in Ortigas. Parents agree, and pick him up two hours after the party began. They find that the party was in a room (not a function room), with beds (god forbid), a lot of kids (mostly boys), some booze and smoke, and their son, playing truth or dare with 9 other kids in a bedroom. The mother (the apparent sender of the email), was freaking out about the entire situation, thinking it was so horrible that something like this could happen. The email then goes on to scare (yes, scare) the recipient parents with this final message:</p><font face="Helv" size="3"> <p>THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PARTY IN [identity protected], AND YOUR CHILD COULD BE IN ONE OF THEM. WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING! </p></font> <p>My first reaction was, OMG, these parents are overreacting. I mean, I don't want my own child to be drinking and smoking, but I also know that you can't actually stop them or their friends (and in fact, the more you do, the more they seem to like doing it, at least that's how my own drinking and smoking friends explained it to me). But what really got to me was that the mother was so upset with her son because he was playing truth or dare (note: he wasn't even drinking or smoking, nor was he caught in a compromising situation).</p> <p>My second reaction, on the other hand, was something along the lines of 'did I miss something?' Perhaps that's what responsible parents do. They freak out when their teenage son is in a hotel room with twenty other kids with loud music, and booze, and girls, even though he obviously is not drinking or smoking. Perhaps, that's the right way to bring up a child. Perhaps I'm just too liberal.</p> <p>My third reaction is what's currently taking a hold of me now: a sort of surreal amusement. Especially, when I read the last line of that email.</p> <p>Which isn't what a responsible parent should do, right? Times like these, I'm just glad moral issues like the ones above are still a long way off.</p> <p> </p><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p><b>Kate</b>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01865683231485970503noreply@blogger.com0