It is remarkable to me that some people who come across in their writing as truly passionate about their work suddenly clam up the moment they retire: they probably deserve the appellation "academic" because it might be that their passion was really for their position rather than for the work per se.
My life depends on my not being limited in any way in the pursuit of what I love. That means no gaps in attentiveness. That's why boredom means so much to me: it has revealed kernels of insight at the very center of sound, the magic and mystery seem to be best conveyed by signs that seem not to mean anything and by seemingly mindless repetitiveness.
