The Howling Fantods

Judd Staley has put out the call for papers for the Nov 20 2009 DFW conference in New York. Footnotes: New Directions in David Foster Wallace Studies. Hit the link for info and the address to send your abstracts to.

 

In MASSIVE news (for me)... I've booked tickets to attend. Yes, that's right, this Australian will be at the NY DFW conference! Exciting stuff.

A.V. Club on where to begin when reading DFW for the first time.

Just a quick update while I work on a proper write-up.

 

The Remembering David Foster Wallace panel was fantastic. The theatre could fit 170 people, and it looked pretty full to me. I was super nervous beforehand, so after the technical difficulties (my new laptop that I use all the time at work didn't want to output to the Bangarra Theatre AV system) and a subsequent open office to powerpoint conversion (which messed up the formatting), it ran pretty smoothly. We were also filmed by ABC TV. If all goes well we'll have some footage of the panel in the not-too-distant future.

 

Massive thanks and shout-out to fellow panel members Kate Crawford, Julian Murphet, and Caroline Hamilton (do you have something I can link to, Caroline?). They all spoke wonderfully. I can't wait to catch up with you all soon.

 

Big thanks and hello to everyone who was there who had visited the fantods. I was amazed at the number of hands that shot up after Kate asked how many of you were familiar with the site - thank you.

 

Special thanks to:

Lena, for lying on the ground next to a beverage spill (my fault, not hers) that resulted in a spectacular photo.

Hugh, who took us on an unexpectedly scenic route to our next destination and shared fine cider and conversation with me on arrival.

Gabrielle, who shares my appreciation for a specific moment in IJ and then ensured I didn't leave my IJ 1st edition behind at the end of the night (phew!).

Kevin, who drove up from Canberra to attend (check out his thesis if you haven't already, I forgot to name drop it during my bit even when it was in my notes in front of me) but had to drive back straight after :(

And finally, Bo. Sometimes this world feels way too small. In a good way. 

 

Greets to everyone who helped celebrate afterwards (Sorry I can't remember all the names, it was too hard). I don't plan on that being a one off. Next time I'm in Sydney I expect another get together, although let's pick somewhere that doesn't kick us out at 11:30pm on a Saturday night!

 

On a final note, I ran up to the Number One Wine Bar by myself with a copy of IJ in hand when it was clear all were still settled at the venue near the SWF. I got there at 9:20pm and did a loop of the place and waited at the front door. If I managed to miss anyone before I left please get in touch, I'll make it up to you next time I'm in Sydney.

Let's see how this goes...

 

The official bar of the SWF is  the Number One Wine Bar Goldfields House 1 Alfred Street Circular Quay. I'll be there around 9:15pm tonight, with a copy of Infinite Jest. If you know you are coming email me (I'll check my email after the session; alternatively say 'hi' after the panel). 

 

You can discover what I look like on the DFW panel info page.

 

Hope to catch some of you either at the panel at 6, or out later. Nick

 

I bought yet another copy of Infinite Jest yesterday. While browsing in the writers' fest bookshop I stumbled across the biggest pile of paperback copies of IJ that I have seen in Australia. Nice. 

 

I know someone who has read pretty much everything by DFW except IJ, and only for size / portabilty reasons. I said I'd buy a copy and cut it into three sections to allow for the endnotes to be attached (duct tape should do the trick) first to section 1, and then to section 2.

 

As for the timing of it all check this out. Infinite Summer: read Infinite Jest over the summer (or winter!) 09. I'm just finishing up a read currently. This could be dangerous.

I've just missed my first session... The vibe here at the SWF is amazing! I would advise if you are planning to come to the DFW panel tomorrow get here early. I know I was pushing it getting here 10mins before the start of the session I just missed... but I should have known. There are, I believe, 180 available seats in the theatre tomorrow. If you want to be inside, make sure you arrive with plenty of time to line up before hand.

 

And now for a photo. This is the view just 5 metres from the entrance to the theatre where I'll be speaking tomorrow.