VLVL2 (1): Missing Links

[Tim Strzechowski]

A few wayward terms and phrases on which I was unable to locate information:


1.  Is there a basis (classical or otherwise) for the name "Thapsia" (3.18)?

2.  "An elegant little imported-looking chain saw, about the size of a Mini-Mac" (4.28).  Does anyone know if there is an actual chainsaw designed like this?  And what exactly is a Mini-Mac?

3.  "with the Japanese buying up unprocessed logs as fast as the forests could be clear-cut" (5.31).  What is the history behind this?

4.  Who or what is "Mme. Gris"?   "Apres-logging shoes" (6.8)?  I assume the latter is a Pynchon invention?

5.  "Six Rivers Conference" (7.1)?  It sounds like a reference to Zoyd and Buster's high school athletic days.  Is it?

6.  "South Spooner"?  "Two Street"?  (7.11)   Any ideas?

7.  "The woodstoves were good for boiling, frying, even some baking, and some of the cabins had butane burners as well [...]" (9.8).  Anyone know what these devices look like?

8.  "the Blind-Side Gazette" (9.36)?  Is there such a publication, or is it another P invention?

9.  "He and Hector exchanged the briefest of thumbgrips" (11.5).  Is this a reference to the hipster handshake of gripping the thumbs and wrapping fingers around the base of the thumb, shaking?

10.  "After all the smiles, and all the tears ---" (11.22).  This *really* sounds like a line out of a song, but I cannot place it.  Any idea?

11.  "great berm" (12.29).  Anyone know what this is?  


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