Exponential Ramblings

The Roanoke College Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble performance is this Thursday, April 16th, beginning at 7:30 PM in Olin Theatre. You know the routine! Here's the line-up for the Jazz Band! MTCM soloists: Andre Schneider (piano) Shane Clarke (bari sax) Matthew Spano (guitar) Mitchell Rothermel (alto sax) Footprints Dan Hall (trumpet) Raymond Wilhelm (tenor sax) Briell Smith (electric bass) John Guidry (trumpet) Amanda Wright (alto sax) Neil Huss (trombone) Andre Schneider (piano) My Favorite Things Sarah Petrosky (vocalist) Matthew  Spano (guitar) Olivia Karkenny (trombone) Summertime Kathleen Poulin (vocalist) Kansas City Shane Clarke (bari sax)   John Guidry (trumpet) Amanda Wright (alto sax) Olivia Karkenny (trombone) Dan Hall (trumpet) Matthew Spano (guitar)

   Green is an emotion I rarely ever wear. Yet, it has come up more often than normal for the past few months. I am not sure why. I used to be very grateful for things. Actually, I have a very weird way of showing that I am grateful. Or, my particular way is such that most normal people do not understand. But due to a lot of poor communication, signals and paths were crossed and I, surprisingly, can get easily confused. I get easily confused when people are not very specific. I am not sure if it's due to lack of vocabulary or the fact that many simple words can take on different connotations. Say what you mean and mean what you say. If I ask for clarification, it is because what was said is far too general for my liking. Sorry, I'm a bit of a verbal snob like that. Be pedantic, you'll score brownie points for trying to sound more educated.     Now that my mind is far clearer than it was two weeks ago, I have to come face-to-face with some doses of reality. I am gree...

   It's been a rough month. There was a lot of noise in my head from outside sources and it became difficult to weed through it. I get overwhelmed when there is too much sensory and information coming in from all directions. This week, I turned all the noises off and started over. My mind cleared, the fog lifted, and I got back to work.    I don't study in the same place for more than two hours. I have added exercise to my routine. Since the doctor mandated that my family eats healthier, I eat healthier. I don't drink as much caffeine and I have more energy. When I am tired, it's no longer painful and I am getting a full night's sleep.  Sooooo.... what to do? Focus on continuing to be healthy. Focus on self-image and self-confidence. Focus on finishing the BS degree and figuring out what I am doing after.  Focus on broadening friendships. Cast a wider net. Make sure you are not with the same group of people every day.    These are all b...

Yeah, yeah, I've been slacking. Bedsides, the majority of the student population does not decide to go to an event until 8-24 hours before the event. Here is our line up for tonight! We never cancel anything at Roanoke College, so expect a full, regular concert tonight beginning at 7:30 PM in Olin Hall! South Side Blues soloists: Matthew Spano (guitar) John Guidry (trumpet) Andre Schneider (piano) Dan Hall (trumpet) Switch in Time Matthew Spano (guitar) Amanda Wright (alto sax) Mitchell Rothermel (alto sax) Don Wimmer (alto sax) Samba de Amour Andre Schneider (piano) Olivia Karkenny (trombone) Matthew  Spano (guitar) Straight No Chaser Amanda Wright (alto sax) Don Wimmer (alto sax) Briell Smith (electric bass) Olivia Karkenny (trombone) Dan Hall (trumpet)

   New Year and all I see scattered in the nanobytes of the web are articles discussing how to be more productive, accomplish more goals, DO ALL THE THINGS BETTER    Quite honestly, I went into freak out  mode when I noticed I had only one more week until the term begins next Monday. My mind went from productivity to "Oh shit... oh shit... oh shit... what do I do now?"    In the mind of a person who has ADHD, we can't just take an hour to gather our thoughts. By the time we get some  of them out, half the day is gone, productivity is gone, and we are left feeling like we didn't get anything done.     So I created one rule for myself when I felt stuck or frozen by fear. Pick something, anything  and do it. The only requirement is that it is not an internet-based activity. The internet sucks us in and constantly entertains our reward center, making it difficult to accomplish those real life goals.    ...

  When we are discussing issues and current events, we have a tendency to want to put ideas and situations in nice, stereotypical boxes. There are problems with this ideology as it continues to further seek division among people who agree that there is an underlying issue but cannot agree on what is the best way to change the circumstances. In many ways, it feels like the art of negotiation and compromise are lost, whether it is in politics or in our own homes.    What I think we can all agree on is that what we want is not only best for ourselves, but what is best for our families, friends, and the community. Maybe the real issue in the starting of a New Year is not losing weight or learning new things. Maybe it is learning to be a better person through the strongest force known to mankind, love. Self Love.  Self love is not only about taking care of your appearance and health. Self love is also about becoming a better person. It is about intangible ideals su...