Monday, February 16, 2009

Trying to Get to the Arab Press Archive

I'm trying to get back on top of my research efforts again. I really want to graduate. This is a current draft of my proposal. Craig and I are going to try to go to Tel Aviv in September. I'm wondering if it can work that quickly.

Buy a microfilm scanner. These fuckers are expensive (like, $6000 expensive! Plus I need a new laptop to use the damned thing). There are cheaper ones, but they're bulkier and slower. This model I could keep with me on plane. Here's the sales pitch:



Ellis has suggested that I ask Joel Migdal to write a letter of introduction for me to the Moshe Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University. Hopefully, they would issue me a research invitation and this would help me get through my interview with the Shin Bet at Ben Gurion Airport. Craig and I need ticket money (I'm guessing this will cost the two of us about $4000) and then room and board. I'm going to e-mail the Binational Fulbright Commission in Tel Aviv and see if they can recommend something. Alain McNamara, who runs the Binational Fulbright Commission back in Amman used to provide information to other researchers even if they weren't Fulbright Fellows. Perhaps they will be as kind.

I have to keep myself focused and together. That's so damned hard for me. We'll see what can be done.