Exponential Ramblings

  I have a few errands to run this morning so I pulled into Mill Mountain and felt disheartened a little. I understand why the department secretaries at Roanoke College feel a little sad at the end of the term. They said that they get attached to the students. You see them for four years and *poof* they're gone. Well, I have become attached to these rascals and critters despite my best intentions to go about my own business. In education, whether you are a student, teacher, or support, you get attached to each other. I know they will be back in a month, we will all be back in a month and well rested.   It is not like I am going to be completely bored out of my skull during this time either. I have projects to finish, paperwork to fill out, books to buy for next term, books to read over break, and a variety of other miscellaneous items to work on.   So I will sit here and reflect on my gingersnap coffee, not on what has been but what will be because I am always excited f...

  I don't think I could ever do Nelson Mandela any justice in a simple blog post because the simple fact of the matter is that we need to live fearlessly like he did. I am sure he had his faults, just like every human does. But there are very few people in our lives that have the capability to reach across countries and time to teach about strength, faith, and love.   I come across people everyday whose light is dim. Very dim. Their soul is lost. To what? That I do not know. I do know that I am surrounded by a sea of lost souls starving for a direction. They are atheists, they are Christians, they are your uncle, your sister, your next door neighbor, or your grocery store clerk. They are not just tired. They are drained and weary.   They are storing the worst energy one could carry with them, negative energy. They carry anxiety, depression, confusion, and anger. I am not sure if I can pinpoint the cause to one particular thing in our society. It may be very persona...

  And thus, with one fell swoop, kittens, November ends. It ended on a sharp and a flat pitch played together. As always in life, there is not a perfect balance or pitch but a juggling of circus clowns. Speaking of which, Thursday, December 5th at 7pm, there will be a Roanoke College Jazz and Wind Ensemble concert in the theatre of Olin. I have no idea what the Wind Ensemble is doing but below is what the Jazz Ensemble is playing, in order: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy soloists: Dan (trumpet), Malcolm, Mitch (guitar) So What (think Charles Mingus version) soloists: Shane (bari sax), Marcus (piano), Brielle (bass), Mitch (guitar) Back Home Again in Indiana (think Preservation Hall version) soloists: Dan (trumpet), John (trumpet), Matthew (guitar), Ruth (xylophone) Christmas Time is Here soloist: Amanda (alto sax) Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man soloist: Ruth (vocals) Granada Smoothie soloists: Amanda (alto sax), John (trumpet), Shane (Bari sax) ...