I have read all of Gravity's Rainbow, except for the very last episode, which is a measly 27 pages. The last 110 pages took me two sessions of reading, the first in my room from 4 to 6 (I dozed off somewhere between 5 and 5:30), and the second, strangely enough, in McCabe from 7:15 to 9:00. In the latter block (less than two hours, mind), I read a full seventy-five pages, meaning that my pace shot up to approximately ten pages every fifteen minutes (as calibrated by the quarterly Clothier chimes). Maybe there is something to be said for the library atmosphere. Or maybe it's just an awesome book.

In between the sessions I went to Sharples for the second time today, again just walking straight past the swipers. It's phenomenal. The bar was the worst possible (cheesesteak), but Centerstage had some decent offerings, including my absolute favorite individual Sharples item, cornbread pudding. The purpose of this break from my normal eating habits was to meet with Erik and Ben and Dave to discuss music for the formal. The conversation was as entertaining as might be imagined, and Dave demonstrated his ability to blow a sysco cup from one cup into another. An issue is what to play for slow dancing that isn't cheesy contempo r+b and pop. Answer: Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, etc. Marvin Gaye, Al Green, etc. Stereolab, Air, Wyclef, the Beatles, The Magnetic Fields, etc. etc. Mike Cantor? Strauss? I walked out with Ben, who changed his mind outside McCabe, but I decided to go in anyway. I read in the third floor area with the log table. Marc came over at one point and sat down to read across from me. Anyway, it was productive and enjoyable. To celebrate nearly finishing the book, I decided to go to Tango on time.

In fact, I was the first one there, besides David. First Adena showed up (that's her name?) one of two soft brunettes with whom I share smiles when I pay them dobale, but whom I don't know at all. Then Jessica, who I have wanted to call Julia since we were first introduced, she should be a Julia, Jessica is too ordinary a name for someone as blond and ordinary as she; a silly filly really, bushy-tailed and self-conscious. Then old-buddy Liza and the rest of the regulars, including Joanne, Eileen, Laura, all more experienced but still acquiescent and unsure. The ratio was as always usually at least twice as favorable as surf city, and I played follower for a good part of the time. The lesson was really helpful and I felt like I was improving. At the end, we all stuck around to dance for a good while (I didn't get home until nearly midnight.) It's funny how different people's comfort levels are. Jessica seemed to be constantly pulling away, and complaining that we were in the wrong position whenever we pivoted close. It was true to some extent; we ended up next to one another rather than squared off much of the time for some reason. With other partners I had more and less success with the balancing thing (one person stiffens and surrenders to the control of the other, who tries to maintain her balance by moving in a circle around her), and got better at leading pivots and the cross. I felt so good that I even did some history reading when I got home. Lots of stuff to do. Remember to get a free plant, buy tickets, etc.

switching it over to AM
looking for a truer sound
still recall the call letters
steel guitar, settle down