I've decided to write again!

I rediscovered this blog today and the memories of '05 came flooding back. I don't want to forget my life. I will write again. Soon....

Igor finally updated the blog!

I guess this would be as good a time as any to file a new entry. Many have asked, and today I return. (If you consider this a day-- it is very early in the morning). But before I get into things, a few things of note: (1) the blog will be moving back to http://igorvolsky.blogspot.com (I won't pay for the igorvolsky.com domain name any longer) (2) I will again attempt to update more often, perhaps once a week.

Things are good. I got a new much shorter hair cut and some new cloth-- my mom and I spent an otherwise gorgeous rainy afternoon shopping and sipping coffee at Cafe Eclectic. I always feel a bit awkward around Montclair, NJ. The cafe itself rests underneath the window of my one time friend Martin, and since our falling out-- this is something most of you know about-- I’ve always felt awkward in what is sometimes referred to as “Jersey’s NY.”

Midsemester break ended and I arrived back at Marist-- a place I could not wait to get to. In fact, I did not spend a single whole day at home. I arrived on a Friday, after saying a cigarette filled good-bye to Jeremy who was staying at school, and promptly met with Mary.

While at her house, we started a bond fire and I fell into the Lake. For the untraveled, Mary lives in a lake community and her backyard is-- a lake! The bonfire was on the bank of this lake, in a large old pot. But one of the tiles around the fire was missing, cracked by the weight of the pot. Moments after Mary's friends cautioned me, I stepped into the missing tile area and my shoes filled with lake water.

Moments later, Mary's younger sister was standing around the fire, when a flame hit her pants, catching them on fire. Dumb stricken, Chelsea panicked and ran waist deep into the water. We broke out laughing and Chelsea had wet feet. I felt better about myself.

The next day was full of errands. I wanted to get a hair cut, buy cloth, tapestries for my bed at Marist and groceries for the apartment. The first required an unprecedented deal of preparation. I logged online and goolged "shaggy men's haircuts." This picture came up.

I phoned Mary, Brian and Jeremy to ask them for their opinions. Mary hated it, calling it high maintenance and "metro sexual", Brian disliked it, claiming that "I just can't see you with it," and Jeremy, well, he couldn't make up his mind.

Desperate for a change, I went for the hair cut. By then, I had grown tired of my long hair, constantly invading my eyes and precluding productive studying. Plus I always looked weird in pictures and the drying time was excessive.

The appointment was set for 1:30pm. I was scheduled with Richie B., my hair-person from the summer. In July he had cut my hair with a razor and the masochist in me wanted to go back. But, being the procrastinator that I was, I left the house at 1pm and missed the appointment.

Luckily we rescheduled for 2 and my mom and I headed to Cafe Eclectic for some refreshments. Ever since I'd left for college we've had difficulty communicating. She wanted to know about my college life, and I had very little I could tell her. Our conversations were spent analyzing my housemates or questioning my activity. This visit was somewhat different. My mom began telling me about her childhood and I in turn was more open to conversation (that did not involve me!).

By 9pm we had cut my hair (quit fashionably I might add), and done the shopping. I ate quick dinner at home, watched some satellite Russian television and prepared to take off for college. I was in such a rush to leave that I forgot to say goodbye to my 11-year-old brother, David.

And where my mom and I drew together, my brother and I drifted apart. Being 8 years younger than me David has built himself into a world of video games, computer games and internet chat/forum boards. He cares little (and understandably so of course) about my experiences in college and has characterized me, as I have him in some respect, as a visiting, but distant family relative. I hope that this will change with age and effort.

College couldn't be better. I enjoy most classes and do well socially. While Terrorism and Arab culture have disappointed (the former is taught by a distracted, distant and apathetic professor, while the latter is an elementary survey course) Gender, Policy and Law has exceeded all expectations.

The class is taught by a brilliant and insightful professor. Dr. Eckert invites controversy, facilitates thought provoking insight and provides opportunity for idea formulation. The socialization and politicization of feminism is, itself a rich and telling topic, presented properly it’s amazingly fascinating.

Nights are filled with recreation. Mornings run into afternoons. That's my world. (More later, in about a week).

Credited with policy

Yesterday Bruce [Luske] and I hosted the first "Luske-Volsky Show" of the season. Dead air could have sounded better. Our levels were jumpy, the guests were cranky and we were tired. Even the political website is defunct-- my current service provider, NetFirms is not compatible with the new script designed by TemplateTunning. I must buy a new provider and transfer the project. But even this is problematic.

Woxcom, the compatible server is having problems with their pay service PayPal. I have to wait for the problem to resolve itself before proceeding with my project. Needless to say, my sails are windless.

I've also been trying to write politically-- but every time I sit down to draft ideas, I distract myself with various forms of entertainment. Perhaps I should plan for today, before (and instead of) thinking about tomorrow (a.k.a. take Brian’s advise.)

At least my relationship is strong and my classes are fascinating. "Gender policy and politics" has proven to be orgasmic. We debate issues of gender in Supreme Court cases and study the impact of gender bias on law and politics. The readings generate high-level discussions and the hour and a half flies by in a minute. The next class is Thursday and I'm already itching to do the reading and present my case. (We have been divided into presentation groups to explain and opine on a Supreme Court decision.)

I'm also in sync with my "Terrorism" class (did you know terrorism was used in post-colonial liberation movements i.e. the Jewish fight against the British in Palestine and the Albanian struggle against France etc.?) and my "Arab Culture and Perspectives" course.

The latter is taught by a Palestinian professor with first hand experience in Lebanese refugee camps. Before watching a documentary on Palestinian refugees living in the Gaza Strip, I shared my nomadic history with Professor Hajjaj (this is a 3-hour night class so we had time) -- born in the Ukraine in '86, moved to Israel in '91 and to America in '93.

The DVD offered a humanitarian view of the Palestinian plight and visibly upset Professor Hajjaj. Our second instructor offered to show us "the Jewish side" of the conflict; professor Hajjaj glared at me accusatorily. As Brian said, when I relayed this experience to him, "you did set Israeli policy at the age of 6..." so we’ll see if my grade suffers…

A face lift Joan Rivers could be proud of

My political website is getting a facelift. It's been some time coming but the reveal should take place tomorrow (Wednesday) over at www.politicalthought.net. I hope you all can make it.

This week should be filled with work and concentration-- I have invested little time in academia and politics; it's time to get my parents' monies worth. Luck for me, fall semester holds great promise-- I'm taking classes on Arab culture, modern terrorism and myths of gender. This blog will serve as an extension of class discussions and (as always) a space for personal reflections.

Keep reading and I'll keep writing, I promise.

Why is Igor writing another blog?

I'm sitting on the couch with Kirsten. Kirsten just spoke oin her cell phone-- "they just called" she told me. That means that we'll be leaving soon, since they are here. I'm very anxious to leave, with them. Kirsten tell me they're a lot of fun and I believe her.

Jeremy is dj-ing again-- he's become the house music man. Because the self-proclaimed expert, Jacob Meade-- our visitor from Connecticut College (looked at it, not impressed) did not know about Don Hanley, the front man for the Eagles. It's an emberassing moment, as you can all well imagine. To be defeated so easily.

Brian is sitting on the couch, next to me. He has a pretty bad case of "restless leg syndrome", what Dr. Nahmias, my favorite SleepTech physician calls, "RSN." It's the same thing, even the symptoms are similar. We had to go for a walk. Well, first we walked, then we ran- ultimately, we jogged. But not like those crazy athletic joggers you see at 6am-- we're not as intense. Running takes dedication, and conviction. Brian and I lack these qualities. I can only speak for myself. So don't hold him accountable.

Steph is on the phone with her roommate. She's seeing her next week, when she goes back to college. But she'll be out soon-- the roommate cannot possibly be more stimulating then the E4 residents and their guests. But Brian tells me that she's been on the phone with "for a while" I guess we are pathetic.

Lighter fun

I'm sitting here, in Marist College, playing with lighters. Yes, it is what we all pay $30,000 a year for-- the opportunity to play with lighters. We can't do it at home; we're only permitted to play at school. So this is why, dear parents, we are anxious to go back each summer; it's the lighters. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

And for the record a safety lighter lighter is no different than a non safety lighter lighter.

The first step towards "just say no!" (See, Nancy Reagan was useful for something!)

Relationships facilitate development. In this sense, they are inherently selfish. Over the past few weeks I’ve learned--with no help from the Reagans,-- that I never turn down an opportunity. This has both positive and negative connotations. While opportunity opens new doors, it sometimes forces me to place the wishes of others above my own needs. Consider the case of The Citizen Magazine. Elaine, the editor, asked me to write an article, and I accepted. Then reality hit. Busy weekends and even busier weekdays prevented any serious composition. Work and friends were kept above the political fray.

"I want to write my pieces with passion and dedication. My efforts would be lackluster otherwise—and right now, I simply don't have the time." This was the gist of the email. There were no apologies or regrets. Writing for the magazine would stretch time to its breaking point. It's a sacrifice I don't have to make. Besides, I'm much happier with others.

Oh, what a week!

I've been checking my hits and you've been checking the blog. Thanks for the attention. (As you know, I'm just not very good at dealing with it.) But enough about you... here is what's new with me: I have entered a wonderfully unexpected romantic relationship..... and I got a hair cut.

My parents don't like my hair, and they probably wouldn't like the relationship either. But that's okay... I'm all about defying them anyway. Text book teenage hood is what I'm going for. I have six months left (until I'm 20), and a lot of time to make up for.

First on the relationship and then, of course, (I can't help myself) the hair.

A quick overview for the perceptive (aka 'you're so vain you probably think this song is about you'): we're rooted in a strong friendship, a comfortable tacit understanding and a magical connection-- that's more than anyone could ever ask for. I'm in ‘missing mode’ already.

Now to the hair: Shorter but not short. Styled but not shaped. Shaggy but not hippie. A picture is forthcoming.

Washington D.C.: The Campus Progress Conference was covered by the Washington Post (in two separate articles) AND Sunday Morning television. I will be posting President Clinton’s speech on the political website, if you're interested-- but very inspirational, informative and intriguing (can't think of more "i" adjectives, sorry). The rest of the speakers, including the morning panel of Paul Begala, Thomas Frank and Company were also insightful (ah! got one.) Thomas Frank agreed to a radio interview as Paul Begala and I locked eyes for a good 10 minutes.

Brian and I stayed in the heart of Washington D.C. (thank you, Mr. B!), just blocks from the convention center. The one day political gathering was fallowed by humid sightseeing (we went to the mall, the American National Museum of History and bathed in the WWII memorial water fountain) and relaxation. Our strolls were often interrupted by the D.C. Beggars. According to Clara--the D.C. political authority-- Congress selfishly contains city taxes to a minimum-- hence the lack of social services and obvious poverty.

Overall, the D.C. experience left me energized. On the drive back, between takes of "The Honeymoon," James Paterson's latest audio book thriller, I received a call from Elaine Fernandez, the publisher of The Citizen, a local Hudson Valley magazine. She reported good news: the magazine has tripled its distribution numbers and is in need of a political commentator. That's where I step in. I can use the publication as a promotional springboard for the radio show and as another excuse to write and research politics. I'm already hard at work on my first assignment (or at least I will be on Monday). The deadline is July 24th, so be sure to keep me honest.

The summer stupor is over-- and like a French Fry fryer, I'm plunging myself deep into the cooking oil of Washington politics. But fries are only good in moderation. Saturated fat can lead to heart disease, heart failure, and death (and in my case, I can't even sue!). But I intend to leave plenty of room for matters of the heart. Balance is key.