The past few months I have been asked the same questions over again: “How’s college?” “Eh. It’s good, different.” “How about the commute?” “The commute is the same, it’s only eight blocks from my high school.” College so far, I can honestly say, I have enjoyed it. New friends, schedule, workload, and experiences I will hold for the rest of my life.

If I have learned anything the past three months, it would definitely be to better manage my time. I have had a procrastination problem my whole life. I am always up late finishing assignments to the last possible second, missing deadlines, emailing professors, and somehow still making the grade. The work is not difficult. Lets look at the situation: “One hour until the assignment is due… that’s enough time to check Facebook.” Why do I put so much more stress on myself? My Mom says it “runs in the family.” Oh well. I’m sure almost every college student would agree, it’s not easy managing everything on your plate at the same time: work (Fridays and Saturdays), family responsibilities, personal responsibilities and hobbies, a girlfriend, school work (all do at the same time), and somewhat of a social life. I’m not one to say much, considering school is a priority to some extent. So I’ll do what I can. Yes, I know there are ways to better manage my time. I’ve tried them all, trust me. I’ll learn eventually. I guess that’s what college is for. I know what I want to do as a career. It’s time to wake-up, end the semester on a good note, enjoy the winter break, and start new.

http://adorepics.com/college-memes-caitlins-blog-liberty-university-resident-admissions/

“You Can’t Judge a Book by its Cover”

Sitting among my closest friends in High School and I would spend most of my time in silence. Why, you may ask? It’s not that they disliked me, considering I have known these guys for years, or I couldn’t keep a conversation; rather I had no interest in what they talked about most of the time: sports and video games. Even better, sports-video games. Everyday. All the time. I had other ideas in mind, as I sought out my own outlet through music. Most people, who don’t know me very well would say I am a quiet guy, who minds his own business. And I agree with them 100%. However most people have never seen me play the drums. Who’s the quiet one now?

I have always had a passion for music, whether it was blasting my parents Bruce Springsteen records, playing classical piano for 5 years, or trying to learn guitar to some extent. All it took were two words: Rock Band. Everyone starts somewhere, right? Finally, a video game I could relate with and actually enjoy playing.

Picture this: My 8th grade graduation party, my family is over. My cousins and I spent the entire evening in my basement playing “The Beatles Rock Band” (a game that I easily mastered). My cousin Katie asked “Hey Mikey, have you ever considered playing drums? You’re really good.” I had a basic concept of rhythm. If Dave Grohl could do it, why couldn’t I? Piano had grown old, so I figured I’d give it a try. To no surprise my parent’s got me a drum set. I was hooked. I don’t know what it was. The rush, the energy, the thought of hitting things.What better way to let out any anger or stress? It was fantastic. I didn’t need sports or video games. I found my own path as a self-taught drummer. Something I enjoyed, that not one of my friends would ever understand. Oh well, I’d say that’s their loss.

Subject: Question regarding homework MTH 2003.

Dear Professor Anonymous

I am having some trouble answering the questions on the homework due this Monday. I would really appreciate any input to finish the work for next class. Thank you and enjoy your weekend.

Best regards,

Michael Ruocco

MTH 2003, MWF: 12:25

Hi Everyone, it’s Michael Ruocco. For those of you that don’t know, I like music. I wasn’t sure if the band tee-shirts gave it away. It is really the only thing I understand and what I hope to be associated with in the future. Whether it is being a musician/performer playing drums or working on the business side;management,record labels, producing, etc. To no surprise, here is my  10 song playlist that represents me. They are my favorite songs by the artist listed, that I listen to frequently. Enjoy.

To begin, before I listen to a song, I pay more attention to the actual music playing rather than the lyrics. This made the assignment a challenge. The songs above lyrically do not represent who I am. These are some of my favorite songs that tell the story of this past summer: The memories shared between my best friends, the concerts/music festivals I went to, and the flow.

This past summer I saw my favorite band, Foo Fighters, at Firefly Music Festival and was physically in the presence (mission accomplished) of my role model Dave Grohl. “These Days” is one of the best songs by the Foo’s and the way I remember my account with my best friends at Firefly. I was also able to see Grouplove, Portugal.The Man, and Cage the Elephant. Three bands that have made it into my “List” and whose songs are fun, sound amazing, and are poetically written.

“A Dustland Fairytale” and “Flashlight” can be called the songs of the summer, at least for my group of friends. These were the songs we were always playing and singing along to. Staying up late, screaming the lyrics for everyone to hear, walking home, and listening to it all over again. The best times of my life.

“Limousine” is about a rather sad and gory subject, I’d rather not get into. The song is melodic and  creeps down your spine. It’s incredible. It is the conversations on the topic, of “Limousine”, and the intricate lyricism of Jesse Lacey’s voice that I will always remember.

“Asthenia”, “Guns for Hands”, and “Home” are songs by three bands I have yet to see. They are fun, loud, and I could listen to them anytime of day. No matter how I’m feeling, these songs make me better. It’s a beautiful thing.

Who am I? I am a music lover. It is something I could talk about for hours and you could not shut me up. It is how I relate to things things and what I am thinking about all day: when I can I plug in and listen to that new song or artist? This is who I am with my closest friends and what I hope to be with my classmates…some may call a “music nerd”. Oh well.