Infinite Summer

P. 21

"The clicks of his portable clock were really composed of three smaller clicks, signifying he supposed preparation, movement, and readjustment."

The three states he talks about here seem to be a constant theme. Preparing to get high ..... Preparing to quit getting high........
This is quite like thinking or maybe taking some action that is not committed yet.

Movement or taking action - also seen throughout as motivation.

Readjustment - I think this comes later. (Adjustment disorder????)

The discussion about drug addiction is also about addiction to behaviors, thoughts, emotional states, roles (heads), winning, avoidance, and all that goes with the human condition. Dealing with the things we don't want to deal with for whatever reason that has been laid on us by nature and/or nurture.

I am kind of into these three states and seeing the book through this filter.

Does anyone else see these as maybe the 3 sections of the book? If there are 3 sections? Or 3 stages of life?

I am reading this passage right now.

3 stages of life I don't think so, neither 3 parts of the book. I think Erdedy somehow projects his own concerns here about his issues with substance on surrounding objects - the ticking clock, the bug which does nothing but going in and out of the hole, appearing and disappearing. So it is something along the lines what you wrote in first post - preparation, taking action aand readjustment to normal functioning I guess. It seems very much like a vicious circle to me which he can't step out of. It is very much that way with addiction, you circle your problem, your illness, but can't fight it. Like in a philosophical puzzle about a squirrel and a fox.