Short Of Funds

Getting really short with money due to the lack of work in my area of mystery shopping, plus having bills to pay, and hence if you can help out please send via PayPal donations to jazzbodave@outlook.com


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Book 85 - Samuel R. Delany "Nova"

Samuel R. Delany "Nova" (Gollancz)







It is easy to forget that one of the joys of science fiction is the immersion into worlds. The old Golden Age of Science Fiction (think Campbell, et al) was often nothing more than immersion and the science of dreams. And it is just as easy to forget that the immersion into strange, incomprehensible worlds that reflect our fears of what will happen to us did not start with the cyberpunk movement. In another golden age of science fiction (think Ellison, et al) authors were exploring new ideas in science, in the mind, and in writing. The balance of all these parts was often unachievable (depending on the ability of the writer) but, when executed, made the finest writing.

All this to preface a book that does a good job at all. Nova is not Delany’s greatest work, but it is a very good book. This is the story of a rich captain trying to fly his ship through a nova to obtain one of the rarest things in the universe and, consequently, bring down his main rivals. Others who have read this may quibble with me on some of my word choices in this brief description, but that speaks to the complexity of this relatively short novel, and the layers of understanding that can be brought to bear. What leaps this above the standard science fiction novel is that it does not so much focus on the destination, but on the journey, and on the people taking that journey. The trip in the star does not even occur until the last twenty pages. But, by then, the star and the destination are not important. Instead, what is important is what makes up this civilization, and the people that inhabit it. And what you will notice is that you are now a part of that civilization; of that universe. And even some throwaway ideas (those ideas that seem to help the verisimilitude of the author’s universe) come back to be important points At times I couldn’t help but think that this is the writing that gave William Gibson his base. And that Delany would have written cyberpunk back then if computers were what they are now. This is not a light breezy read but worth the time to explore.

Wish List Hopes

As you may know, I am a mystery shopper.
This means that sometimes because the work is ad hoc work some months are better and some months are very quiet. November and December, strangely enough, is the thinnest.
This is the period where my meagre funds are really stretched to the limit.
Often I find Xmas period bleak and hope that being the good person I have been in the past, I present my wish list!

1/ LJ subscription is not due til Feb but I would love some help here.

2/ Amazon gift cards are always welcome, as they carry pretty much everything one could need.

3/ I am an avid book reader so I am hoping if you have a really old book or two (particularly a music-related book ) that you don't want any more? I collect old music books. Old books are a treasure and would be found a good home as I volunteer once a month at a charity organisation (Well, pretty much any book will, but really old books and new books in perfect condition are the most sought-after at the monthly charity sale.)

4/ My Amazon wishlist  www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/printview/UPTND9H4H2LK. As always, I welcome gifts from that list, so please surprise me.

5/ I would love some Xmas cards. I will PM address to you on request.

6/ Almost forgot. A record turntable deck similar to this with its own speakers.



 
7/ Monetary donations will be much-appreciated esp. with bills - donate via PayPal to jazzbodave@outlook.com

8/ Perhaps the most difficult - peace in the world.

That is it. Thank you for reading.

Good Morning!

Ashford Visit

I did some visits in Ashford today. One of them was to do with the County Square shopping mall and the other three were at the Designer Outlet - all non-purchase visits at fashion stores.

It is now reported time. Listening to some classical music as I slowly and methodically complete these reports.

Just Wondering

What do you do to get rid of stress?

What is something that is popular now that annoys you?

What are you going to do this weekend?

Good Night