Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
To Read: Atmospheric Disturbances, by Rivka Galchen
Review
Early in Rivka Galchen's debut novel, Atmospheric Disturbances, the narrator, Dr. Leo Liebenstein, explains the Doppler effect and thereby introduces the novel's extended metaphor. Leo laments that trying to make sense of his suddenly uneven life is "like trying to determine the actual frequency of an object moving away from me at an unknown speed and in an unknown direction, and not knowing whether it in fact was me or the object doing the moving."
The object in question is Leo's wife, Rema, a vaguely mysterious Argentinean woman more than a few years his junior. At the start of the novel, Leo is convinced that Rema has been replaced with a "simulacrum," — a woman who very much resembles Rema physically (she even stands the same way, with her hips tilting slightly inward) and temperamentally, but seems to be just a bit off. Ever the calm, reserved psychiatrist, Leo quietly accepts this simulacrum's arrival, but internally, he is baffled and ungrounded — for once, he cannot reason any deductions from the observable facts. Where is the real Rema? Was she abducted, or did she leave willingly? Is this permanent, or temporary? Instead of confronting the problem head-on, Leo follows a series of bizarre clues that amount to an investigation of the inner workings of the Royal Academy of Meteorology, and specifically one of its researchers: Tzvi Gal-Chen. This investigation, he presumes, will lead him to Rema. The resulting story develops into a beautiful meditation on the nature of observation and perception.
Leo's quest to understand the language and ideas of meteorology stands as a complex, thought-provoking metaphor for his quest to understand the course of his relationship with Rema. Gal-Chen's research, it turns out, centers on the one fundamental problem with meteorology: accurately describing present conditions is exceedingly difficult, making future forecasts almost impossible. Mirroring that, Galchen — the author — suggests that interpersonal relationships are equally challenging to describe and thus predict. And, considering the stylistic, intellectual, and empathetic authority with which she writes, it's very hard to disagree with her.
- Tom Roberge
Early in Rivka Galchen's debut novel, Atmospheric Disturbances, the narrator, Dr. Leo Liebenstein, explains the Doppler effect and thereby introduces the novel's extended metaphor. Leo laments that trying to make sense of his suddenly uneven life is "like trying to determine the actual frequency of an object moving away from me at an unknown speed and in an unknown direction, and not knowing whether it in fact was me or the object doing the moving."
The object in question is Leo's wife, Rema, a vaguely mysterious Argentinean woman more than a few years his junior. At the start of the novel, Leo is convinced that Rema has been replaced with a "simulacrum," — a woman who very much resembles Rema physically (she even stands the same way, with her hips tilting slightly inward) and temperamentally, but seems to be just a bit off. Ever the calm, reserved psychiatrist, Leo quietly accepts this simulacrum's arrival, but internally, he is baffled and ungrounded — for once, he cannot reason any deductions from the observable facts. Where is the real Rema? Was she abducted, or did she leave willingly? Is this permanent, or temporary? Instead of confronting the problem head-on, Leo follows a series of bizarre clues that amount to an investigation of the inner workings of the Royal Academy of Meteorology, and specifically one of its researchers: Tzvi Gal-Chen. This investigation, he presumes, will lead him to Rema. The resulting story develops into a beautiful meditation on the nature of observation and perception.
Leo's quest to understand the language and ideas of meteorology stands as a complex, thought-provoking metaphor for his quest to understand the course of his relationship with Rema. Gal-Chen's research, it turns out, centers on the one fundamental problem with meteorology: accurately describing present conditions is exceedingly difficult, making future forecasts almost impossible. Mirroring that, Galchen — the author — suggests that interpersonal relationships are equally challenging to describe and thus predict. And, considering the stylistic, intellectual, and empathetic authority with which she writes, it's very hard to disagree with her.
- Tom Roberge
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Guilty pleasure
I listen to the radio in the morning. I find that when I don't, my mood turns to homicidal much earlier in the day (around 11am) than when I do (homicidal switch goes on at 3pm).
I usually listen to KMEL online but lately they've been playing absolute crap so I've clicked another HD station on the radio player: Pride Radio.
And I know it's gay, but I love it. It makes me feel like I'm in a club, a gay club, but one where everyone is happy and jumping around.
I usually listen to KMEL online but lately they've been playing absolute crap so I've clicked another HD station on the radio player: Pride Radio.
And I know it's gay, but I love it. It makes me feel like I'm in a club, a gay club, but one where everyone is happy and jumping around.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Yes.
Yes. I'm going to do laundry during flash flood warnings.
My laundry is waiting for me at the laundromat while I'm held hostage by 20 degree winds and intermittent storms.
Yay me.
My laundry is waiting for me at the laundromat while I'm held hostage by 20 degree winds and intermittent storms.
Yay me.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Today: Possibly Hungover
Uhhhhhh. My head is fuzzy and I'm feeling slightly less excited tonight. 3 "French Perfections" and 3 glasses of wine? Yeah, no wonder I was on top of the world.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The 40 Year Old Virgin
Still cracks me up. I don't know if I will always empathize with Steve Carell (even though I no longer fear being the 40 year old virgin) or if it's just that good of a movie. I love his character. I love that he dresses up to play poker with the guys. I so empathize with the geek that tries so hard to fit in only to come off as a "possible serial killer". LOL.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Promises, promises
BFF: You can be a carpenter if you promise, promise, promise, promise not to turn butch.
Me: I'm going to shave my head and wear a toolbelt that drags my jeans down so you can see my butt-crack.
BFF: (high pitched shrieking)
Me: I'm going to wear one long earring and one stud.
BFF: NO! NO! NO!
Me: I'm going to shave my head and wear a toolbelt that drags my jeans down so you can see my butt-crack.
BFF: (high pitched shrieking)
Me: I'm going to wear one long earring and one stud.
BFF: NO! NO! NO!
Monday, May 26, 2008
A good first line for an autobiography
Cheese, like romance, entered my life late. I wonder how much of this I can attribute to being Asian.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Childish Competitions
The plants on my fire escape are growing nicely. After failing last year, what with my roommate and I being unemployed and not having any time to do such taxing things as watering the plants everyday, I'm very pleased and hopeful for this year's crop. I hope it grows larger and more beautiful than the downstairs neighbor's plants. Smug bastards with their matching pots.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Still
Blissed out from being San Francisco and waxing poetic over everything.Went to the grocery store today and they had Almondina - delicious, crispy natural cookie things.
$2.99 at the Met on Vanderbilt. Pricey, but cheaper than the $3.49 they're charging you online.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
To do
Sign up for furniture classes - June
Web design - Nicole and Denise
Pilates/Dance - something to make your body rock hard.
Paint apartment
Web design - Nicole and Denise
Pilates/Dance - something to make your body rock hard.
Paint apartment
Monday, May 19, 2008
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