2012 Resolutions, Month One: Infinite Jest, Definite Failure

I failed at my first New Year's resolution.

I even failed at the revised version of my first resolution.

I had originally planned to read both Infinite Jest and REAMDE in January. After realizing that finishing just one of those would itself be a chore, I revised the resolution to reading just Infinite Jest.

February started today, and I've read 437 pages (including end notes) of Infinite Jest. A great number of novels don't have page numbers in the 400s, and for many others, p. 437 would put me just a couple hours' reading away from finishing.

"A fellow of infinite jest who is disappointed with me"
Image via Wikipedia

But this is Infinite Jest.The fact that I've read 437 pages means that I have just under 1,000 pages left to read.

As my son would (annoyingly) say: FAIL!

But I'll keep truckin' along. I'll get to the end of the book eventually.

But that doesn't mean I will put off February's resolution: Write a solo for unaccompanied clarinet. I've been tossing ideas around, and come this weekend, I'll start putting them on paper. The as-yet-unwritten piece is currently titled "For the Birds" and comprises three short solos, each depicting a different avian friend: "The Hungry Owl," "The Woodpecker," and an undetermined third bird.

The third bird should be something regal, reserved, calm, and calming, but I don't want it to be a swan. That's just too overdone. Suggestions are appreciated. When you think of a calm and regal bird, what do you think of?