AtDTDA (38) p. 1065 Dally on the Integroscope

[robinlandseadel at comcast.net]

If I seem to be going in all directions at once, remember
—I'm only trying to sketch a Tree of Diana as it Grows.

When reading this passage/transition my first thoughts went to
Skype: http://www.skype.com/ , we now have trans-global
communication including the visuals, sci-fi futuristic visions 
[remember that the novel we are drawing to a close owes a 
whole lot to science fiction, particularly early science 
fiction/fantasy novels] always involving communications with 
a miniaturized version of whatever party is on the other end 
of the line. Princess Leia projected by r2d2 comes to mind,
there are many others.

Dally is either picking up Merle's transmission or gleaning 
his intent in a more traditionally psychic fashion [organ stab.]
Dally is caught in mid-monologue [or response], speaking to 
her father about marriage. I gave this one a purple tab: René, 
in a cloud of smoke [Gauloises], assumes that Dally is some 
sort of spiritual medium communicating with the dead. Merle is 
nowhere near the room but Dally might as well be all wired up 
with Dad, who is definitely on a time track that's difficult to map.
Merle is still working with alchemy and photography, following
time threads others are not even aware of. René, a quintes-
sentially jaded old pro, just lets it all ride, knowing this is all 
unauthorized use, but it also allows the early "valve" circuitry 
stabilize, burn in the gear, ". . . .allow the components to clash 
and partially cancel and learn one another's expectations. . . ." 
You know—warm up. If you've ever listened closely to a 
Dyna 70 or Marantz 8b go through its changes as it warms up, 
you know what the man is talking about. In fact, close observation
of changes in the playback quality of electronic is a bit like mapping 
a tree of Diana, living procesess seemingly having a mind of their 
own and memories of changes. I've hard-wired speakers to the 
output devices of amplifiers, removing the cheapest and most 
sound-damaging parts and making the sound more dynamic 
and open—"some great veil has been lifted." That result would 
be predictable—K.I.S.S. and occam's razor would apply. But
what I have consistantly observed is that for a day or two
afterwards, the bass would be much more aggresive, all of
the music would seem to move a foot or two closer, it is uncanny.

More mirroring: the radio tower Dally is walking away from has 
a cousin in the Eiffel Tower.

In Pynchon's later books marriage becomes significant—note 
Saure Bummer's thoughts on Rossini and the centrifugal spin 
of love leading to the restoration of the natural order of the 
world. If anyone has argued "all you need is love", that just might 
be our boy. In terms of gear and method, what Geli Tripping did
with A.E. Waite's book of Black Magic would usually result in a 
strikeout, maybe even getting thrown out of the game. Ah, but 
she was in love, felt real compassion resulting in a miracle just 
big enough to work, no bigger. Perfect, in its way.  In Vineland, 
Takeshi & DL finally get it on sometime 'round the Becker/Traverse 
annual food & cards freakout, in Mason & Dixon Rebekah's potent 
wings bringing the two surveyors together, calming the roiling 
waters, was a miracle. It certainly made a  believer out of me. 

>From here on out, we're gonna see a wedding or two, there's a 
decidedly Rossini-like quality of the proceedings from here on in 
as we slide towards Grace, folks all around seem to be having
their respective moments of heaven. Note as well the significance 
of marriage in Alchemy, Merle being the novel's primary signifier 
of alchemy. The tune Dally hums—"C'est pas Paris, c'est sa 
banlieue" [trans. It isn't Paris, it's a suburb of Paris] looks towards 
domestic bliss awaiting, but we all know better. 

"The Marriage of the Sun and Moon" by Andrew Weil comes to mind:

http://tinyurl.com/6kns76

>From the Pynchonwiki:

     Reynaldo Hahn
     Reynaldo Hahn (1875-1947) was a French composer best 
     known for his vocal works, ranging from serious opera and 
     operetta to solo songs. He was the director of the Paris Opéra 
     since 1945.

     Ciboulette—French: Chive. Also a feminine given name, from 
     which the title of this operetta comes.

Some time back in the way-way beyond, in the land before time 
when folks still gave a shit about music, I hosted a radio program 
focusing on the European Art Song tradition, including some fine 
examples of Maggie Teyte:

http://www.cantabile-subito.de/Sopranos/Teyte__Maggie/hauptteil_teyte__maggie.html

I recall that Dame Teyte recorded the works of Renaldo Hahn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meNJ0zNGyZE

Beautiful, evocative stuff.