Pearlman on Pynchon

[Joe Allonby]

On Thu, Dec 10, 2009 at 7:44 AM, Carvill, John <john.carvill at sap.com> wrote:


>
> Try this experiment: take a tab of LSD, let it take effect, ok? (Lets ignore the supposed disparity in dosage strength between the 60s and today.) Now, try putting on a Beatles album. Ok, assuming you can find the album and get it out of the sleeve, now try just switching on the hi-fi, selecting 'phono' on the amp, getting the record onto the turntable, moving the tone arm across and down onto the vinyl....etc. Can be a *real* challenge if you're tripping. Now imagine sitting down and writing one of the greatest works of 20th Century literature....


Actually, this is the sort of thing that I did routinely during my
tripping days. Operating the hi-fi, I mean. Not writing GR.

(Interesting note: this is the second time today that we're
communicating in two different media and somehow referencing the
Beatles in both. I left Magical Mystery Tour on, by the way. The word
is "know".)

But let's think about what is meant by "while writing". During the
time, say a year, that one is working on a lengthy book one could say
"I was writing that book that year."  If that person goes to a party
and smokes a joint during that year is he still writing the book at
that moment?

I'd say "Yes".

I frequently compose music and write lyrics while vacuuming, doing the
laundry, or showering without an instrument or pen in site because I'm
doing it in my head and can come back to it at any time during the day
no matter what I'm doing. I try not to do this while driving.