https://www.newyorker.com/books/flash-fiction/the-wife-on-ambien
As someone who takes Ambien, I can attest to some unusual things that happen under the influence. Although usually it's Amazon orders that I remember considering but not ordering. For instance, I considered making my NYT subscription digital rather than print and apparently I did do that because no paper was here today but a change in billing email was. Also I sometimes find cracker crumbs on my chest in the morning. I also have had deliveries of clothing in the wrong size so I am not as careful under Ambien.
A bit worrisome. I have been advised to powder the hall in front of my door to make sure I don't leave the apartment at night. As a child I walked in my sleep so it may not be the Ambien at all.
Fun story anyway.
I could imagine that it could be odd, even unsettling, to find out the next morning that you've done things you don't remember, Patti. From what I know (I don't take Ambien myself), you're not the only one who's had those experiences.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, yikes. How does the powdering retard the unconscious behavior? Are alternatives to Ambien effective?
ReplyDeleteI have a variety of necessary tasks today, but hope to have a SSW entry finished soon. Koff.
Piet Nel has a good set of reviews up at this site/post: https://www.blackgate.com/2025/08/31/the-best-short-sf-the-magazine-of-fantasy-science-fiction
Ah...the powder more a detection device for possible night strolls. Still, yikes, indeed.
DeleteTodd, that is a good set of reviews, with links to read the stories. I wish I could remember to check out the Black Gate site more often.
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DeleteThat's it, Todd.
ReplyDeleteI've heard other similar Ambien stories. I have always been a good sleeper, so never needed it.
ReplyDeleteLate today, as I had my right eye cataract done yesterday and had to be downtown this morning at 8:15 to have it checked. I'm OK, apparently, but need to go back in six weeks to get it checked and see if I need a new prescription, as I have astigmatism in the right eye.
Lee Goldberg's CROWN VIC consists of two novellas ("Ray Boyd Isn't Stupid" and "Occasional Risk") about tough ex-con Ray Boyd. Goldberg starts with a POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE scenario, throws in plenty of sex, then turns everything upside down. The second story features a femme fatale at a rundown motel in Arizona. Both are outrageous and sometimes crude, but fun page turners. Then Goldberg wrote CROWN VIC 2: IF I WERE A RICH MAN. I think he wrote it for his brother Tod's anthology, EIGHT VERY BAD NIGHTS, a collection of Hannukah Noir. This one involves jewels still outstanding from a previous robbery, with Ray trying to get his hands on them. If you like Goldberg - and who doesn't? - you should check these out.
Jeff, I am glad to hear that your cataract surgeries have both gone well.
DeleteI have one up this week. Didn't have a chance to pop in here this morning. https://casualdebris.blogspot.com/2025/09/invasion-of-robots-by-roger-elwood.html
ReplyDeleteExcept for the new cat's bad influence, I am sleeping much better in the last few years than I ever had. I hope that continues. I have to go to bed late and wake up late though. And I always wake up groggy.
ReplyDeleteThe story sounds good ... I will read it soon.
Nobody likely to be later in me in getting squared away, but mine's up, too, along with Frank and Tracy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracy!
ReplyDelete