'The late J.O. Incandenza's Meniscus Optical Products Ltd.'s development of those weird wide-angle rear-view mirrors on the sides of automobiles that so diminish the cars behind you that federal statute requires them to have printed right on the glass that Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear...'
Begin: Page 550 (“For reasons that Pemulis couldn’t for the life of him, Ortho Stice seemed to be in there…”)
End: Page 601 (“Orin’s smile wasn’t as cool as he thought as he told the seated figure that that was a matter of opinion.”)
Start Date: 1/1/11
Finish Date: 1/7/11
Note Profile: 16 notes (230–245), including the notorious #234
It’s time to get cranking again, people, don’t you think? It’s a new year and all, hopefully everyone slept in today, there’s no time like the present, etc.
Unilaterally moving everything back a day so we can start on the 1st—makes it neater, cleaner, easier to keep track of. See you next Saturday.
Hey … can’t believe! An infinite jest reading blog! Just found it by chance.
Did you know, that there’s a german translation out since end of 2009?
Title: “Unendlicher Spass” Phenomenal, outstanding translation.
1545 pages! Took me 7 months. But I’m still enthusiastic.
Reading tempo of deathmarch-followers seems to slow down – haha ….. but cool – stay on! And if you are through, start again!
All the best from Germany …
P.S. Anybody able to explain the meaning of “fantods”? (the howling fantods – DFW blog, I occasionally visit)
Ye olde dictionary (.com) says:
1. Usually, fantods. a state of extreme nervousness or restlessness; the willies; the fidgets (usually prec. by the): We all developed the fantods when the plane was late in arriving.
2. Sometimes, fantods. a sudden outpouring of anger, outrage, or a similar intense emotion.
Regarding Kraut’s statement: My partner’s family is German, and while on holiday, last week, we experienced some fantods by-way-of discussing the ideas on pg. 569. DFW talks about different types of depression. We tossed around the thought of depression always being a physical, brain-centered attack- or if it can originate outside of the brain….if so, where?
Started using Kindle over the holidays – Makes for easier marching!
The IJ back cover describes the Incandenzas as “endearingly screwed-up”. I’m finally getting that endearingly part. Also, funny how past stages come to play in current stages. I’m now questioning my original thoughts on bad Hal and how he comes to be. Time will tell.
I miss what Orin misses.
” . . .basically to piss her stephusband off.” I wish I could have had a conversation with DFW.
I’m still here, nothing new to comment…just living a “normal” life compared to the reading…and resolved to not have fantod episodes….or fewer this year
The best part of this week for me was the footnote 234 (which I did not read before). This gives a lot of background detail that is useful in understanding the book. Once again the footnote reveals more story than the main part of the book. I liked the point about an insane person who us somehow OK, because they can at least still function. Also, two insane people who complement each other can result in near sanity as a whole. As to the main body text. I am wondering why Orin is so fooled by Steeply. Also, a large part of this week was the adventures of Lenz and Bruce Green. I guess it must be important, but but I can’t help but wonder: where is this going?
I’m a bit behind this week as I just didn’t have it in me, sorry coach. Return to form next week.
Keeping up with my “every other week” posting habit. Can’t seem to catch up….