'A Musician’s Day', Group Show at Neighborhood Gallery, New York

A Musician's Day

An artist must regulate his life.  Here is my precise schedule.  I rise at 7:18; am inspired from 10:30 to 11:47.  I lunch at 12:11 and leave the table at 12:14.  A healthy horse-back ride on my property from 1:19 to 2:35.  Another round of inspiration from 3:12 to 4:07.

From 5:00 to 6:47 various occupations (fencing, reflection, immobility, visits, contemplation, dexterity, swimming, etc.) .

Dinner is served at 7:16 and finished at 7:20.  Afterwards from 8:09 to 9:59 symphonic readings out loud.

I go to bed regularly at 10:37.  Once a week I wake up with a start at 3:14 a.m. (Tuesdays.)

I eat only white foods: eggs, sugar, shredded bones, the fat of dead animals, rice, turnips, sausages in camphor, pastry, cheese (the white varieties) , cotton salad, and certain kinds of fish (skinned).

I boil my wine and drink it cold mixed with fuchsia juice.  I have a good appetite but never talk when eating for fear of strangling.

I breathe carefully (a little bit at a time) and dance very rarely.  When walking I hold my sides and look steadily behind me.

Being of serious demeanour, it is unintentional when I laugh.  I always apologize very affably.

I sleep with only one eye closed; I sleep very hard.  My bed is round with a hole for my head to go through.  Every hour a servant takes my temperature and gives me another.

For a long time I have subscribed for a fashion magazine.  I wear a white cap, white socks and a white vest.

My doctor has always told me to smoke.  He even explains himself:  "Smoke my friend.  Otherwise someone else will smoke in your place."  (Mémoires d'un amnésique.)

— Erik Satie