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.