2013: The First book. AKA That Book You Always Wanted To Read But Were Afraid To Ask Down From The Shelf

[Frizzi]

Thanks, Justin :-)
See you all soon!

[Grace]

Darn it, I did vote, and I can't make it on the 28th because I'll be out of town! I'm "20%" in on my Kindle edition. I wanted to read this because I also found DFW popping up everywhere and thought I'd better have a look. So far, I'd say the verbosity isn't really that compelling. If there are major insights in here, they seem to be lost in the sauce,

[Ezisbest]

Very excited guys - this one really commands attention!

[Ganit]

Just found this and thought that some of you might have the time to read : http://infinitesummer.org/archives/1934

I Love his description of the challenge (especially the end-notes :))

[Justin]

Just in case you get stuck in the excruciating Eschaton chapter:
http://infinitedetox.wordpress.com/es...

[Sanj]

A 2006 article by DFW on Roger Federer that I enjoyed:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/spo...

[René]

That is sooooo DFW!

"These are times, as you watch the young Swiss play, when the jaw drops and eyes protrude and sounds are made that bring spouses in from other rooms to see if you’re O.K."

[Justin]

Yes. But I hate Fed. I'm guessing DFW, being an old tennis geek, appreciated Fed more than me though. I'm sure if he could he'd rewrite it all about Nadal now.

[René]

Having read the article, I disagree. He mentions Nadal in terms that indicate that Nadal may be the proverbial shit, the man-of-the-moment, but Federer's game transcends the zeitgeist, so to speak.

"For reasons that are not well understood, war’s codes are safer for most of us than love’s. You too may find them so, in which case Spain’s mesomorphic and totally martial Rafael Nadal is the man’s man for you — he of the unsleeved biceps and Kabuki self-exhortations."

I don't know much about tennis myself, having been the sort of adolescent who hides from the humiliation of sports, but from what I get from the article, it seems that all evidence points to a single style of play since rackets became so much more light and powerful, and Federer is the sole representant of a style of play that exists in the present but theoretically shouldn't.

[Justin]

The thing is, I agree with you. Techinically, Fed is a genius with the racket. But he's unbelievably smug and wears clothes like his mummy dressed him. So, I can't bear him... Haven't you seen him in that Ferrer-Rocher advert?

[Ganit]

Hey guys,
my message has nothing to do with the Infinite book but I'm sure it will make some of you smile :)

We are organizing, this Thursday 14/2, a charity/fund raising event for the association Jaccede.com (accessibility for people with limited mobility).
In the spirit of Valentine's day it will be a Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction!!!
It would certainly be a fun and funny night...so if you don't have plans yet for St. Valentin come and join us.
You can find more information (the concept and the candidates that you may "buy") on this site :
www.jaccede-valentin.com and you can also buy your tickets there.
See you, maybe, on Tuesday and if not, by the end of the month...

[René]

I have a question: if, hypothetically, I was to "purchase" a bachelorette, sit her down in a restaurant and spend literally the entire evening reading to her from "Infinite Jest", could I go to jail?

[Ganit]

Just don't forget to wake her up when you leave the restaurant :)

[Erin]

René wrote: "I have a question: if, hypothetically, I was to "purchase" a bachelorette, sit her down in a restaurant and spend literally the entire evening reading to her from "Infinite Jest", could I go to jail?"

hilarious.

[Justin]

Hello Infinite Jesters!

Okay, are we all set for this Thursday? I was thinking of booking an area in the Apparement café again? (www.apparemment-cafe.com). For 7pm? It's just I've got a bit of a busy week and I've not got a lot of time to come up with somewhere else/new.

[Ganit]

good for me!

[Viviane]

Hello, Good for me too, though 7pm might be too early (I m usually late when the meeting is at 8pm...so..will be very late)

See you then !

Viviane

[Justin]

Oops sorry, is it normally 8? I couldn't remember... Shall we say 8 then?

[Viviane]

Fine for me ! But if most prefer 7pm, I don't mind being late...if you don t :)

[Ganit]

8pm is perfect for me :)

[Alan]

Zut, I am double-booked! If its seven, I can pop down for a bit then zoom away and pretend I live a fast-paced exotic lifestyle.

[Georgina]

Hi all ! impossible for me this time round - already booked on Thursday.

Have fun !

[Erin]

I am in for Thursday at 8!

[Justin]

Shall we just start at 7 then for Alan? I'm happy to do that. Wouldn't want to exclude anyone.

[Ganit]

Both are ok for me...
But what about the others? I think that 7 of us chose this date ... Is everyone still available ?
For the moment it seems that it's only Alan (for short time) Vivian (later), Erin , you and me...

[Justin]

Where is René hiding?!
Didn't we have about 12 of us turn up last time?
Has Infinite Jest killed the group?

[Ganit]

and that was his book... so he must come or we'll talk about him :)

[Justin]

Any ideas how many are coming? Four, maybe five of us (Me, Erin, Vivianne, Ganit, poss Alan)? Frizzi, Lindsay? Kiwi? René?

I kinda need to book tonight cos I won't get a chance tomorrow nor to check online here tomorrow (my phone can't do that (!) and I won't be near a computer). Or shall I just book for ten people and we wing it?

[René]

I'ma gonna be dere!

[Alan]

Es tut Mir lied, my after thing has become a dinner thing and a can't make it thing. I will tell you all now the book was impenetrably self absorbed and I became nearly angry reading it, saving grace being the enormous,ly impressive talent of the boy. Climb Everest all you want, but make me want to be cold and hungry with you. If you please.

[Kiwi (Karin)]

Hi guys. Just realized that I hadn't connected to the thread since chosing the book - tststs....
I'll be there 2morrow - and both times are fine by me, so majority decides (hihi, neatly passed the decision on).
Cheerily Kiwi

[Justin]

Alan: fair enough... We'll chuck some copies of it at the wall for you tomorrow night.
René, Kiwi: cool!

Okay, I'm gonna book for TEN and cross my fingers. Booking for 7.30pm too, just in case anyone can get there earlier, cos I might not be able to stay too late... see you tomorrow at the Apparment (link above).

[Harald]

I haven't read the book, so I'm afraid I won't be there tonight.

[Ganit]

Harald...I doubt any of us finished the book?

Anyone? Erin? René???

[René]

Well, what does "finishing" a book mean, anyway? The notion is just so subjective. We could debate it all day and not make any headway at all.

[Yazy]

I had the book in my hands and I hope this counts cause I want to be there. Even not for long if 10 is the limit.

[Justin]

There is no limit, Yazy. Anyone can come and give their tuppence worth! I'll be there from about 7.30.

[Yazy]

yee'ha!

[René]

Great evening, everyone! Just to follow up on the content of the cartrige in the book that mimics a motherly embrace and sends all viewers into a profound hypnosis. I looked up the link I had read on slate.com. The article is here: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/cu..., it's a current youtube phenomenon known as "ASMR videos". Haven't yet watched any so can't tell you if it works or not.

[Ganit]

the first to try should inform us...before and, if also possible, after :)