ATDDTA (6) 178-179

[robinlandseadel at comcast.net]

             Tore, Tore, Tore:
             I'm not saying that there aren't any numerological 
             concerns in Pynchon's novels, but I AM saying 
             that the idea of deliberately placing certain 
             numerological references on certain pages, and 
             even certain lines, is both extremely impractical 
             and extremely unlikely. Just my 2 cents (and if you 
             print this e-mail out, I'm sure that "2" will appear on 
             page 2....)

It appeared on page 3, you tool of the evil empire, you stooge of the fascist 
state, you-you-you pawn of the T.W.I.T.s!!!!  

Anyway, I still find page 666 of AtD just too perfect. As for page 186 of 
Vineland, let's just say that "octogenarihexation" and "43'd" are just too 
perfect all by their lonesomes, didn't really require any additional extension 
into pagination to work. . . .

Now If's I's gonna beee reeeeeel crazzzzzey (sorry, the cyclomite's 'bout to 
kick in), I would be so foolish as to note that "43'd" is in there on page 342, 
and #342 has all the necessary numerological components to come up with 
2 and 43. But that be crazy talk, beavers of the brain, molars worn down so 
smooth, kinda glassy but now only 2mm high, so to be of little use as actual 
teeth. . . .

. . . .Feel the blast!

There is also the possibility that our beloved author, who does, after all, have 
some sort of technical background---nicht whar?----lashed the thing up hisself 
using Word (or, or, or something spookier. . . .) so there's your pagination. 
Certainly, the editorial possibilities of a computer would be perfect for the 
sorts of cross-branching plots of Pynchon, the storage of historical or 
quasi-historical tid-bits to be later re-located depending on "conditions on the 
ground", addenda, exclusion and inevitably progression to some pre-determined 
climax, predicted in equations presented many chapters back, direct living proof 
of a revelation only the mathematically elect can even perceive, much less 
comprehend, but as uselessly as Byron the lightbulb's awareness of his own 
personal immortality.

Anyway, let's start talking about bowl haircuts, shall we?

". . . .a person in mystical robes appliqued with astrological and alchemical 
symbols, and a bowl haircut with short fringes. . . ." AtD 221

http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/images/magician.jpg

http://www.neilemberg.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/webBowl_Haircut.jpg