Frustration leads to an eventual relief (well sort of)

The laptop is still down. I called Avaratech support and they were about as helpful as my grandmother in identifying the problem. The recovery disks don't seem to work and unless I figure something out I will (1) have to find someone with working recovery disks (wink wink) (2) send the laptop in for repair.

My weekend was a lot less exasperating. Spending Memorial Day Weekend in New Hampshire, with friends, was the buffer I needed. I had started working at SleepTech the Monday after school ended and have since wined about not taking more time off. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday provided the perfect opportunity. Needless to say, doing a whole lot of nothing while engaging in a whole lot of something was exciting, relaxing, and enjoyable—as advertised. (Is that opaque enough for you?)

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about: the Prince of Ghana, Lilly's barking patterns, Brian's driving skills, Jeremy’s amazing sense of navigation (we were betting he would never find us) the very generous hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. B (who made me an egg-McMuffin breakfast sandwich!!), Badnarik's new-found New Hampshire celebrity status, Jeremy's ability to (a) identify my voice before I could introduce myself—(I would make a horrible Russian spy, really an embarrassment to the institution) (b) his remarkable phone patience for our multi hour phone marathon (part of it spent sitting in a shall-we say rather disgusting parking lot).

A great many thanks to both Brian and Jeremy--- we should make this a Memorial Day Weekend tradition.

On to the frustration (and relief):

Someone once told me that I'm a very one-dimensional person. I didn’t believe them, until this weekend. Consider the following:

Brian and I were playing pool (Sunday morning) and discussing the romantic relationship in "Joe College," a book both him and I were familiar with. I linked the fictional romance in the novel to my relationship with Lisa. Brian responded with the following: "Jeez Igor, [I know what you’re thinking he could have at least used ‘oy vay!’] I can't even envision you in a relationship or being romantic...I can only see you writing academic papers." (Pardon the loose quoting).

This got me thinking.... if our personality is like an alphabet whose letters (A-Z) represent the spectrum of humanity, then most people can only relate to me in A-J (a completely imaginary personality component that for my purposes includes academia, work , studying etc...).

J-Z is rarely explored or seen. This was confirmed by both Danielle and Clara. But if I'm only defined by a single side or dimension then I could only befriend (in a platonic or romantic friendship) equally bold A-Jers.

Here, size matters. A-J is a fairly narrow spectrum and is as satisfying as a small (2 x 4) blanket on a cold winter night. In other words, if my friendships revolve around A-J and my friends find it difficult to relate to me on other levels (components, J-Z) then other interests (needs etc...) will go unmet.

Panic stricken, I began making phone calls. I wanted to both identify the problem and find a solution. Danielle and I decided (after 3 hours on the phone) that I intimidate people. At work I quizzed Nancy on why I'm unapproachable in the J-Z categories. But none of this helped. Finally I called Laura.

She told me that everyone has their A-J (for some it's academics, for others it's automobiles—these traits act as hooks to pull people in) but friendships develop beyond J, towards Z. She referenced our friendship and my relationship with Clara. In both instances I’ve been able to transcend mere academia. Life provides us with the opportunity to mature, grow and change. With opportunity comes movement towards the Z (a full and comprehensive understanding).

Now if only Laura was as technologically savvy as she is intelligent...

Laptop crash

The laptop has gone under; hopefully no information has been lost. Here is a tease for this evening's post: Lots to tell of the holiday weekend-- including a 3-hour analysis 'personality' conversation-- we reached some epiphanies (I'm not gonna lie). Brace yourselves. I should be up and running by this evening.

A note on euphoria

The experience was magical-- My parents (or "rents" as some people like to call them) have satellite television. The package includes two (2) Nick-at-Nites. Last night both channels ran different episodes of Roseanne simultaneously. I was able to flip back and forth avoiding all of the commercials. I find this noteworthy enough to disturb Nancy and publish.

Decency is too much to ask for

This blog was set up to vent out life's peculiarities. But instead, I used the phone-- to ramble. It's a lot easier to ramble verbally, over the phone (I've come to realize). Maybe I'll use audio blogger in the future...

Here is what I learned: different generations hold different views and beliefs but a respect for humanity, a basic level of morality, should never be abandoned. Easier said than done. To think that those who have been hated can still hate passionately is most depressing. Yet it's an unavoidable reality.

The verdict rests in communication. I'll talk to her before I leave and if she wants to worry, she can do that too. Thanks again for all of your input.

Week in review

I thought the show went well. I rocketed out of work at 2 (I usually leave at 5), picked Laura up at her house, sped up to Poughkeepsie and screamed into a microphone for two hours. She drove-- I wrote and made phone calls. She's leaving this coming Wednesday-- all the writing, calling and driving will be left to me.

Public service announcement: Stay off the roads Mondays 5-7 and Fridays 2-4. To alleviate the inconvenience I am accepting chauffer applications. No experience is required--a valid driver license is a considerable plus.

The last two nights have been interesting. You'll find a quick summary below (and then I'm off to meet the candidate):

Wed 18: I tried the other type (see post below) and liked it. Went out for a cigarette afterwards and got very lost looking for the lake. Finally found my way home-- was very truthful and honest. (But I can't remember what I said).

Thurs 19: Woke up for work on time (remarkably, with no alarm) and felt a bit tipsy (oddly enough) for the first part of the day. Had a cigarette with a co-worker, calmed down and drove to my Scottish dinner. (All the while calling people in search of a 'Wed repeat,' ultimately to no avail.) Back home around 10pm to host a small beer party with friends.

Friday 20: After work and the show I became a chef. Cooked spaghetti (all in preparation for Gartland of course) with friends while dancing to Russian music. (Laura liked it, said that it sounded like SKA and big band).

Saturday 21: A lounge-around day of doing nothing except for feeling guilty about doing nothing. A “Democratic” party in the afternoon and a Mary/Sarah “Wed. type” activity closer to evening.

I was also offered an analysis of my new 'so-called' bad boy image: "Igor, it's because you have been too good your entire life. I got all the fun stuff out of my system in high school. You didn't. You're doing it now but it's interfering with other responsibilities."

Very true. Lots to do and lots to avoid (doing) tomorrow. (In search of the balance... now off to the party).

Scottish connection

No time for reflection today either. My co-worker has to go to the airport tomorrow to pick up his family from Scotland (he's Scottish and he has an accent) so I'm flying solo with the all of the scheduling, must get some sleep. But I am mixing it up a bit, went to Borders tonight instead of B & N. (Fancy, I know-- I've now moved from "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" to "Terror Incorporated.")

The book pitch should be in the mail this Friday (keeping my fingers crossed-- haven't touched it yet-- all this smoking is sure taking up a lot of time...). A different kind of smoking tomorrow (haven't tried that stuff yet) and what promises to be an exciting "Scottish dinner" on Thursday. (My parents are on vacation, I'm all alone at home with nothing to eat. My Scottish co-worker invited me over to dinner at his house (to meet his family). Great food, great people. I'm there).

Big post over the weekend-- no work in the morning, I'll be able to write! (I don't know if I want to quit... it is relaxing... we'll see how it goes, thank you for the comments ).

Out of school but still procrastinating

Some reflection is long over due-- it's coming, I promise. Just please don’t fine me like they do in the library. Trying to juggle work (oh, lots to tell there!), book (coming along nicely, thank you very much) and research (staying at Barnes and Noble until it closes, just reading without buying anything).

The cliché end of first year of college entry is also on its way (keep your pants on Amanda). Right now, it's time for cigarettes (just don't read the entry below this one) and relaxation with Mary. A thorough post tomorrow—who knew cloth could be so expensive!? ($74 for 2 pairs of shirts and 2 pairs of pants—no longer need to barrow from Jeremy. I’m finally becoming independent).

There is a purpose

There is some guilt associated with the smoking. I'm quitting once I get home-- one pack of nasty Winstons in my pocket-- it's Tuesday--4 days of smoking left. After that, no more. Right now it's just another work distraction. That is its purpose. (See, it's not pointless!)

My first final is on Thursday, so I have some time to procrastinate-- unfortunately.

Sleepless in Poughkeepsie

Here I am lying in my bed, unable to sleep at 3:31am. I just finished watching DH and Grey's Anatomy. The tape wouldn't play on my roommate’s VCR so I had to hijack a TV from next door. (Just make sure you return it tomorrow morning Igor). DH is very soap-operish... I keep on telling myself to stop watching but every Sunday that feeling of anticipation creeps up within me and there is no avoiding it. So watch it I did-- without commercial interruption.

But as I lay here thoughts of summer and umm... finals (which I have yet to study for) keep me awake. Lots to do tomorrow and in the coming days. I leave college on Friday and re-start my summer job (I worked in the same position last year).

The place is called SleepTech. It's a sleep study administration office-- they coordinate and process sleep studies for (almost) the entire tri-state area. Last year I was as an assistant to the Millburn (New Jersey) coordinator. This year I've been delegated to computer work (probably data entry or scanning). More on this later, a full report next Monday.

Radio later today (in almost 12 hours) and I still haven't written the show. The coffee merchants are going to make a fortune off me tomorrow. Lots of group projects and (I'll try) to squeeze in the weekly political column. That has been relegated to the back burner-- grades come first.

I'm going to try and sleep. Lets see if all this writing helped… (maybe if I just get everything on blog, it will clear my head and I’ll be able to sleep)

Procrastination at its finest

Here I am, still in the library trying to study for finals. The work load is there, the motivation isn’t. I don't' know what it is but I'm always doing things at the last minute. If I don't have the time pressure -- forget it! It's never getting done. So I've opened this new blog while listening to Russian music.

I also have a horrible headache, it's not going away. I took Excedrin, Advil & smoked a cigarette. To no avail. It's not even a migraine any longer--some weird tension headache... maybe I need Excedrin Tension. I don't know. Perhaps a nap might help.

Tomorrow is the final Luske-Volsky show of the semester. But don't worry we'll be on all through the summer. Never going away... OOh, ok no politics on this blog, no promos either. That will be the last of it.

Here's the deal: I'll do all my work after DH and Grey's Anatomy. I promise. (It is rather intimidating sitting in the library and watching everyone else doing work...)

Welcome

The temptation to blog has been tremendous. I can no longer resist. With the summer I'll have more time for both personal and political blogging. This site will serve as a diary/journal of daily events and occurrences. I have a horrible memory so a personal log is long overdue.

Well, it's finally here-- for now it's just another procrastination tool, soon it will become a memory jogger. It's almost 4:30pm, gotta get to dinner and call my mom. Today is Mother's Day. I'm thinking of changing the template of PT again... any suggestions? (I just don't like the gray).

Speaking of gray... Grey's anatomy tonight at 10pm, right after desperate housewives! (I call this show research)