002 Jail Cell, Roadside Discoteque, Luck at The Bowery Hotel

Divine comedy?

Dearest Jane,

Picture this. I'm lying on my back in protest of a mattress which is simultaneously too firm and too squishy. My eyes are alert, likely yellow, in the midnight humidity. Tears have slightly smudged my pillow but everything was damp upon arrival so if escape does become necessary, I could leave without a trace. There must be about 5 dogs barking at this point, presumably ownerless (that's less of a crime here). I have come to this foreign country alone. I've flown, driven, and walked to this destination. I have not danced. I'm exhausted, slightly scared, and I'll be spending the next 24 hours in this room that would not compete with the top 500 American jail cells, I'm sure of it. Claire de lune plays through my wired headphones, but its attempt to mask the pounding techno and barking dogs is comedy. I'm just hoping it's divine.

Classical music is perhaps the most unbelievable thing we have and it's not to be forgotten in the "everything everywhere all at once" debate. If we consider every note, on every beat, at every moment, what is cadence made up of? Where does it disappear to? There's rhythm and pause in question here that have the power to move people, to inspire the choreography of humanity. 

Go listen to Bach's Overture (Suite) No. 2 in B minor. Really listen to it and tell me the universe is anything but a dream. One day, folks might question how anything but artificial intelligence could have written that piece, or perhaps how anyone but Bach could have written artificial intelligence. His work has repeatedly been described as one of mathematical manipulation which, I suppose, could be used on either side of both arguments, however the first hypothesis seems of greater improbability as the musical composition is a far more impressive feat. This is not to discount our friends in the profession of computer science; you know I absolutely adore a nerd. I hope to wed one someday. I actually think these types, those who are comfortable with the neurological workings of computers, might agree with me. The contemplation of "if, then", etc. makes sense but sit in front of a symphony and close your eyes. It's magic that arithmetic cannot solve for.

Please excuse the dramatics of my first paragraph. I was, in fact, on vacation. The last six days were far more pleasant than the first and I did appreciate being tested. I'm doing some important work that requires it, actually.

Highlights of Costa Rica include road tripping across the country, surfing in the rain, and spending time with Fritz. I don't need to tell you that the first is the surest way to find treasures. I had the most perfect cigarette & coffee on a pee break turned wood-fired steak lunch at an open air roadside "discoteque". The proprietor chopped the wood that cooked our meal. He gladly offered the single cigarette with my espresso and another patron, the match. Lunch had a nice view of Lake Arenal too. I thought of you the whole time.

With love from my warm bed in New York,

Ireland

P.S. Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major is new to me and also quite moving.

---

Me again,

It's kismet that you should bring up Lucky Strikes as I can hardly get my mind off of luck these days — or cigarettes for that matter. I've found that living in New York is just walking behind a weekday morning smoke, either inhaling in gratitude, or exhaling in disgust. As for luck, Ireland the girl wouldn't dare entertain such an illogical, man behind the curtain, superstitious fairytale however Ireland the older girl has changed her mind. Would you believe it? 

There's this quote from Elif Bautman's The Idiot about Lucky Charms: "I don't think they work". I thought that was pretty good. 

Back to Ireland the girl, she certainly did no such thing as even consider Lucky Charms "working" as a possibility. We were a Raisin Bran household anyway... But I'll tell you this Jane, you'll never meet a lucky person who doesn't believe in it - not truly, and then there's the unfortunate implication that it works both ways (i.e. if Charlie coins himself unlucky, he is almost certain to have wretched luck). The proof is available to us: go believe radically in something and watch it show up everywhere in your life. That's what I'm doing, anyway, and your company would be such a pleasure.

Twins born of Irish descent on 11/11, now that’s nothing to discount. And how did you find the birthday party? The Bowery Hotel is an attractive place to turn 26, for sure and although almost everyone was wearing black, not one person in our party looked boring. Sophie’s pants were fabulous and reminiscent of the Kate Moss naked dress, only flash capturing their true sheerness. I certainly had a ball getting dressed and didn’t even mind when that man and I matched, both in outfit & haircut. I did mind, however, how generally awful he was! The way he repeated my name over and over, speaking with more authority over it each time. I've found that men can look at me with eyes of surprise or desire, but ultimately pride — as if they alone discovered my beauty, it’s virginity lost in that moment, to them. Ya know?

I'm sick. Why must I get sick when my schedule is full? I guess I'm always sick and my schedule is always full. Seems like this might be a chicken/egg situation.

Warmest,

Ireland