AtDTDA: (12) whatever has happened to my brain? 350

[mikebailey at speakeasy.net]

kelber@
>
> Dally leaves the party through some sort of magic portal. Very similar to Lew's leaping through
> the dynamite portal. Both ended up going to Europe soon after. Later in this section, Reef
> magically survives an avalanche (Vibe-induced) and resurfaces disguised as an "East Coast nerve
> case" soon headed for Europe. Later Kit starts out on a passenger ship for Europe and through
> some magic portal ends up on a military ship bound for Europe. It's almost as if there has to
> be some sort of epiphany or magical transformation to loosen these characters from the American
> provincial mind-set, making them "ready" for Europe.
>

all very true: travel and transformation are in a 
way, maybe, THE big theme in AtD (?)

still, I relate Dally's portal to just regaining
consciousness when she gets dropped off at home,
like the party scene in Bongwater but with more
primitive and consciousness-erasing drugs...
like high school Friday nights of reds & wine
and, um, people I know getting pushed out of
car doors onto their parents' front lawns at 3 am...


> >"smooth gent with blindingly pomaded
> >grey hair and a gigantic emerald ring on his pinky" -
> >who is that dude? 

well, since Robin is observing the 4th great 
injunction, and keeping silence on the occult
implications, I'll cite another great injunction
("guard the secrets: reveal them constantly")
and spill what little I know or can find out

-- the emerald ring would seem to associate the
mysterious smooth gent with Hermes (emerald tablets)

-blindingly pomaded hair: almost like a halo?

--of garnets:  (It would be nice to be able
to drink them), wikipedia says, 
"In the USA it is known as the birthstone for January.[1] 
It is the state mineral of Connecticut.[3] 
It is also New York's gemstone."

on a more spacy level: http://www.charmsoflight.com/garnethealingproperties.html

"Garnet cleanses and re-energises the chakras.  It revitalises, purifies and balances energy, bringing serenity or passion as appropriate.  Inspires love and devotion.  Garnet balances the sex drive and alleviates emotional disharmony.  It activates and strengthens the survival instinct, bringing courage and hope.  Stimulates past-life recall.  Sharpens perceptions of oneself and others.  Garnet removes inhibitions and taboos.  It opens the heart and bestows self-confidence.

Garnet regenerates the body and stimulates the metabolism.  It treats disorders of the spine and spinal fluid, bone, cellular structure and composition.  Purifies the heart, lungs, blood and regenerates DNA.  Garnet boosts the immune system and energy levels."