Infinite Summer

Hmmm, interesting to think about. There was also a blue rose in Twin peaks, which I think symbolized secrets. I know DFW was a Lynch fan so wouldn't be surprised if his writing was influenced by him, consciously or subconsciously.

Storm, thanks for the interpretation of the color blue by Lynch and Wallace. I now see how IJ is related to _Blue Velvet_.

As I'm writing this, I'm watching Federer-nemesis Rafael Nadal (in a blue shirt) warm-up for his match against David Ferrer at the Masters Series event in Montreal. That was the tournament covered so memorably in 1995 by DFW in his essay "String Theory." One point he keeps making in the piece is that in '95 the color scheme of the venue is arterial-spurt blood red – the tarps behind the courts, banners around the tournament site, shirts of the tournament staff, concession stands, everything – in order to complement the logo of the event's then sponsor, du Maurier cigarettes. Which, coincidentally, were named for the British actor Gerald du Maurier in an endorsement deal. He was both the son of the illustrator and novelist George du Maurier, who created the character Svengali, and father of the novelist Daphne du Maurier, who wrote Rebecca. Hmm, let's see here; red suggests nicotine, Svengali, Mrs. Danvers – addiction, surrendering freedom and choice, obsessive attachment to dead people. Definitely fertile Wallace territory.

Minor historical note: a few years ago the ATP decided to change the color of the court in all Master Series hardcourt tournaments to improve visibility for TV. The new color? Blue.