Dear Owls,

Like most schools of higher education, Keene State College offers so many degrees that it can be hard to decide on the “right one”. It is imperative to pursue studies that will keep you captivated. While it seems inappropriate for me to offer a simple solution by recommending you with the best major, English, I do have suggestions that might help you narrow your search for the perfect major. After all, when people ask what you are studying it is your right to answer with confidence and pride.

There is no way to know that we are choosing the right paths for ourselves. I would even argue that there are plenty of alternatives in life that could still lead to happy endings. However, there are simple ways to tell when things are not as they should be. As the old saying goes, trust your gut. When it comes to grand decisions such as “What do you want to be when you grow up?” you have to listen to your instincts. An unexpected stomach ache might be your body’s way of telling you that something just isn’t right. So I suggest that if something in your veins feels wrong as you tell people about your intended program of study, it might help to seek alternative options.

Photo by: William Wrobel

Exploring classes focused in other fields can create an epiphany. Taking a course on nutrition might provoke you to realize a dream to become a dietician, or it can reinforce the fact that history studies are the bee’s knees. With the availability of courses out there, I encourage students to seek electives that expand the material they have studied. Pushing boundaries and stepping outside of our comfort zones is very much a part of the college educational process and doing so just might help narrow your search for the perfect major.

An important warning: do not under any circumstances pursue a degree that somebody else wants you to complete. I repeat, if somebody has chosen your path for you, stray. At the end of the day, this is your life. It would be a shame to push your innermost desires off to the side to pursue a degree in something your grandparent, sibling or parent pressured you into. Just because you are good at something or a career path is common in your family does not mean that you are predestined to follow the trend. Seek out your own dreams and never let anyone persuade you from achieving them.

If you are struggling to formulate any ideas for a major, it is okay. Take the time to sit down and truly consider how you want to see your life go. Write down your interests. Once you have generated these ideas, start to connect them to programs of study that follow similar criteria.

If something feels wrong, it usually is. So if you wake up on Tuesday for your 8 a.m. history class and all you can think of is how you wish you could help your pal on the soccer team with a new injury, maybe it is time to read up on sports medicine. With so much information easily accessible on the Internet, we have no excuse not to explore alternatives.

Essentially, there is no specific formula for calculating the right major. My advice is to consider the strategies I have mentioned above in order to narrow your search. I believe that if you take time to consider your future now, you’ll feel much happier and secure in your career later. Good luck deciding; don’t ever worry that it is too late to change the course of your life.

Yours, Arline

Arline Votruba can be contacted at avotruba@kscequinox.com

Dear Fellow Senior Owls,

I understand what it is like to think you are starting your last semester. Due to a miscommunication, I found out halfway through my supposed “last semester” that I had one more to go. (So be sure to consult your advisor and confirm this is indeed the final stretch!) Although I had completed my program, I was a few credits shy of the graduation requirement. To my pleasant surprise, when I returned home for winter break I felt grateful to know I’d be coming back to Keene for one final run. So here is what I learned from last semester to apply to, my actual last semester.

The time is going to fly by far quicker than you  realize. We all seem to end finals week saying “I can’t believe a whole semester has gone by again.”

Yet, it does not always occur to us to take advantage of the brief time we have during the semester.

Now that it is my last, it is crucial I stop pushing the many things I want to do in Keene to the side. Try that restaurant you’ve never gotten around to eating at, see a show at the Colonial and join a new club.

Though it may be your last semester, it is never too late to start a new project or join a new group. Do not hurt yourself by procrastinating. If this is your final semester, it should be your strongest.

You now know what to expect. While I emphasize the importance of getting your work done, there are times when social activity is more important.

If there is a performance at the Redfern you really want to see, or a themed night at your favorite bar, do not sacrifice the chance for some fun if you can spare a few study hours for leisure. It is crucial to finish with good grades but I think the social aspect of college life is almost equally as important.  When you move away with your degree you will be grateful for the memories of nights you spent with friends rather than studying, what’s most important is finding a balance.

Do what you always said you would like to. If you have perpetually blown off joining a club or attending an exercise class at the gym that you are interested in, there is  less than a semester’s worth of weeks left for you to take action.

As seniors it is still important to make friends with underclassmen. We have wisdom and advice to share with students approaching their senior years as well. Reach out and talk to some of the younger students. A conversation with a more seasoned student could make all the difference in a first-year or sophomore’s semester.

Thank your favorite professor, DC worker and sizzler chef while you still have the chance to. As your weeks wane, recognize those people who have made your days on campus go by smoother. Consider what you can do to give back to the school. You could donate old books to the library or volunteer as a tutor for other kids in your major. Seek opportunities to enhance the campus that has benefitted you so much.

With all that being said, do what makes you happy this semester. The thing about time is that you will never get it back, so use it in a way that makes you feel accomplished, satisfied and smiley. Good luck, I look forward to seeing you when we turn our tassels and throw our caps!

Yours,

Arline

If you have a question for Arline to answer contact her at avotruba@kscequinox.com

Pumpkin Festival will never provoke the same images it did when I was a little girl visiting Keene once a year with my  family to participate in a wholesome seasonal event. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced cider and pumpkin carving stations galore are forever a memory of the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival. Back in 2013 the Keene Pumpkin Festival broke the world record with 30,581 lit jack-o-lanterns. In 2014 the Keene Pumpkin Festival earned a new reputation as reckless college-aged kids participated in the riots that are now more commonly related to Keene and pumpkinfest.

One of the most devastating effects of the events at last year’s pumpkinfest is the change for businesses located on Main Street that relied on the festival as a primary source of profit during the fall months. Pumpkinfest and the weeks surrounding it are historically the busiest weeks of the year for many downtown businesses. I remember going to the Pumpkin Festival in 2013 and waiting in a 40 person line to get food at Local Burger – I can only imagine the revenue that came from the event. Ultimately I find it immensely sad that the businesses on Main Street now suffer due to the careless actions of a bunch of drunken instigators. It irks me more than I am able to explain with words that many of the members of my generation would participate in the madness that took place last year at pumpkinfest. Kids were damaging property–not as a political statement and not to benefit some cause, but for the mere fact of being drunk, out of control and essentially trying to outdo the idiot next to them. Seriously. During pumpkinfest curiosity got me riled up and so I followed the noise that had been spilling into my dorm window for hours from across the bike path. I asked my friend Rose to come with; we would just enter the party and look around then leave. The party was unlike anything I had ever seen. Hundreds – possibly even a thousand – of revved up, intoxicated and celebrating students were crammed into a single backyard. I pushed my way into the heart of the party where people were gathered in a circle around a mud pit. A shirtless man was yelling and beating his chest. Others were throwing entire handles of whiskey and vodka, unconcerned where or whom the glass might break. Not five minutes after entering the chaotic yard I heard a few voices shout “Swat team!”

Photo by: Tim Smith

I instantly grabbed Rose’s hand and led our sober bodies to safety before the stumbling fools trampled us on their way out. When we reached the bike path my throat stung from the chemicals that cops had thrown to disperse the party–tear gas. We stood on the other side of the bike path and watched as hundreds of college-aged students ran from the party in herds. I was shocked. I think that the portrayal by the media made the events appear much more alarming and far more dangerous than they were in relation to the festival itself. From the party I just described it would take about seven minutes by foot to reach the first pumpkin displayed on Main Street. The media made it appear that the irresponsible college parties threatened Pumpkin Festival when in reality I would argue that they were two separate events that simply happened on the same day. Sure the massive crowds were due to the many visitors from other schools, but even so the family festival was never in harm’s way. In defense of the many students riled by the police tactics used to control the scene – it is hard to say for sure what should have been done. Sure, ideally the cops would not shoot rubber bullets and tear gas crowds, but party-goers were throwing bottles and damaging property so it seems violence and harm were already in play. The police needed to intervene. I will never forget the image of walking back home to Owl’s Nest 1. A helicopter was circling overhead demanding that everyone return to his or her home. As I passed by Blake Street I looked down the road at the giant bonfire kids had started in the street. People were out of hand. Of course the police needed to get involved. I had a professor here at Keene State once tell me that in the old days there were massive parties held on the Fiske Quad. He said that fences were put up and everyone would enter and dance the night away until they couldn’t last any longer. Today there is no place to participate in a mass gathering such as this as a community of college kids. Police have become so strict that my roommates received a noise violation resulting in a ticket one night when they had five people at our house total. There is an imbalance of justice and it is hard to say just how this should be adjusted.  Ultimately pumpkinfest demonstrates the faults of our legal system and the resulting poor behavior of college students. While our legal system should recognize that college students are going to party and are better to do it in a safe and controlled environment, those student participants truly need to wake up and recognize that they represent our school, our community and our generation. It hurts my heart to know that a beautiful tradition is forever changed here in town. It hurts even more knowing how pointless and ruthless the behavior had been the cause of such a drastic change in our town’s history. Rest in peace to the Pumpkin Festival – sorry to all of the businesses on Main Street who will have a lull in sales this month in comparison to past years. Mostly, I am sorry to those students whom have to answer the question “were you involved in that Pumpkin riot?” each time they mention that they are a Keene State student because of those students who thought it was cool to earn a name as a rebel without a cause.

Arline  Votruba can be contacted at avotruba@kscequinox.com

College offers more than just an educational opportunity. In the early weeks of fall I find myself repeating the same advice over and over.    College is your chance to find yourself in so many different ways. In particular, college offers students many student-run organizations and clubs to check out and become a part of.

As a liberal arts college, Keene State College offers a variety of classes that could alter your outlook in ways you never before thought possible. The intention of a liberal arts education is to provide more general knowledge and to develop general intellectual capacities such as reason and judgement, rather than to train students in professional or vocational skills. My recommendation is that while attending Keene State (or any college for that matter) you challenge yourself to try something new that interests you. You might find that as a senior you are still involved with the debate club or dance team even though during your first-year you never thought it was going to be part of your journey. During the early weeks of any semester the various student-run organizations and clubs on campus are just starting back up from break. This is a perfect time and opportunity to go check out that club you were thinking of joining. Now, don’t get me wrong, it is rarely too late in the semester to join a club, so if you are late to start do not be discouraged. I am simply stating that the early weeks of the semester are likely to be the best for joining new groups because lots of other people will be joining at the same time. This is a great time to get acclimated, meet members of the group and start participating.

School is meant to teach us both book smarts and life smarts. What I mean by this is that while you are in the classroom gaining knowledge about a subject, you should take away lessons that can enhance your own life experiences. College is great because we pick our courses and therefore we can study what we like. My belief is that when studying something we love it is likely to be something we are comfortable with and probably something we already understand to an extent. In order to open your mind in unexpected ways it is necessary to go beyond that comfort zone and take a class in a subject you have never studied or join a club for an activity you have never tried but always thought sounded cool. This is when we really learn. It is in the class that we are unfamiliar with that we are forced to think differently. When studying topics we never thought about we are gifted with a new perspective. These are the times we flourish, when we are vulnerable as learners, when it is not easy and when we are truly expanding our minds into new directions.

I remember a few people asked me if I was going to join WKNH before I finally built the courage to sign up. During my first semester as a transfer student I did not push myself to try any clubs. I was concerned that I would be overwhelmed. Looking back I know I was just too nervous to take on learning a whole new hobby. Hosting a radio show seemed like a dream unattainable back in my high school days, but here on a college campus things are different and the day-to-day opportunities we are presented with are ample. This is my third semester hosting Arline Live in Keene and I would not sacrifice my airtime for anything. Streaming playlists that I have chosen over the airwaves of Keene has become one of my most favorite pass times. It required some learning. It has taken practice and experience to become comfortable, but it is a new skill set that was once just a “what if? There are many opportunities to expand your interests within the classroom. For example, I took two semesters of singing lessons that counted for credits. I was able to explore a new hobby with one-on-one lessons as well as rack up more credits for my transcript. Being that Keene State is a liberal arts college the classes offered truly allow you to explore a variety of interests while heightening your education in such subjects. Last spring I took an American Studies course on The Beatles and earned credit for delving deeper into a love of a legendary music group. The class approached a classic musical influence that we are all familiar with through an analytical lens. The class taught me a lot more about band members Paul, John, George and Ringo, but what it really taught me is that there is always much more to understand than just what is at the surface. An avenue often forgotten when studying a technical field is art. There are plenty of art classes here at Keene State like drawing, ceramics, film or photography. There is a medium for everyone to explore.

Specifically I recall telling people how excited I was to take a photography class. Although it is my last semester, I am finally in a photography class and I could not be more excited about it. While my schedule is already packed with classes I took on the fifth to explore a medium that I have always felt curious about. There are a lot of ways for you to get involved on campus and I can assure you that getting involved will enhance your college experience in ways that will carry into your life beyond. Participating in clubs and on campus activities has been a way for me to shape and mold my own life in new ways I never expected while meeting new people who share my interests. Following graduation I am sure to carry my hobbies and skills acquired while practicing them into life after college. I encourage you to do the same.

Arline Votruba can be contacted at avotruba@kscequinox.com

“I’m hungry, but I don’t know what to eat.” Stop. One day, somewhere between the advent of fast food restaurants and vending machines, the word ‘hungry’ lost its meaning. In a society equally obsessed with body image and junk food, it can be hard to find a happy medium. The image expectations and availability of unhealthy food are counter productive.

Over the course of my time at Keene State College I have learned the importance of healthy eating. I encourage anybody to start making healthier choices when it comes to mealtime. The sooner you start a new routine, the quicker it becomes a good habit.

There are no secret tricks to eating healthy. No one diet is best suited for all people. Many healthy lifestyles exist and it is important to determine a diet that works for your body and keeps you feeling good. While there is no ‘perfect diet’, there are a couple of basic things to keep in mind while deciding what to eat. First, I like to imagine what would happen to the food if I left it out on the counter unwrapped for a couple of days. While it seems a silly suggestion, there is some science behind it. Food that spoils – goes bad, gets moldy or browns within a couple days of being opened – is likely to be made up of fresher and more natural ingredients than a food that can sit unchanged for days on end. Try to avoid foods that can be left out for days because if it takes weeks or months for it to spoil, you can only imagine the work your body must do in order to digest it.

The greatest benefit of healthy eating has been the physical effects, and I am not talking about weight loss. For me, choosing a banana over chips or carrots over a donut has actually changed my taste buds. After sticking to a diet primarily consisting of nuts, vegetables, fruit and grains, I have found that my overall attitude is brighter. I no longer spend time sleeping off a stomach ache from too much fried food. Instead, eating healthy provides me with tons of essential nutrients that keep me feeling refreshed and alive.

Healthy eating improves every aspect of your life. The things we eat affect our brain function, skin health and overall mood. When I eat healthy I feel energized and stay full longer than I would if I were fueled with junk food.

Although my diet strategies seem to work for me, it is important to do research and decide on what eating habits are best for you. Some of the first and biggest steps toward eating healthy are simple. Two big problems are soda and sodium. I think we could all stand to try to limit our habit of adding

John Keefe / Equinox Staff

salt to already tasty dishes and to eliminate soda from our menu altogether. People often do not realize that food has as much sodium as it does. I personally never reach for a saltshaker, but if you truly feel it is necessary, at least take a bite before sprinkling more salt. One of the struggles I find most common is that people complain that they are thirsty and then drink a sugary liquid that does not help to hydrate them. My best advice is to focus on drinking as much water as possible, as often as you can.

Drinking lots of water keeps you hydrated and can even make you feel more full. When you think that you feel hungry it is important to pick healthy snacks. One of my strategies is to pick a healthy option. If I decide that I do not feel in the mood to eat it, perhaps I am not as hungry as I had been thinking. Another big problem is eating really late at night. The weekends often provoke me to take the trek to Ramunto’s to chow on some two dollar slices. While it is fun to adventure and participate in the culinary aspects of Keene culture, it is crucial to eat in moderation. Strive to find a healthy ratio of meals you cook yourself with meals you purchase elsewhere Going out to eat is one of the most problematic areas of dieting in this country.

Restaurants serve preposterously sized portions and the variety of dipping sauces available is outrageous. Ask for a to go container when your meal arrives and section it in half right away if the portion is too much, this way you do not feel pressured to eat it all in one sitting. When you begin a new diet, do not become discouraged by early frustrations. The first few days you may feel hungry because you are adjusting to different kinds of foods. You could also experience stomach discomfort when initially reintroducing healthy foods into your body. Oftentimes our digestion is affected by diet changes so do not be worried if your stomach feels funny when you alter your eating habits. Be aware that with time your body will crave these healthy foods and you will be far more adjusted to the flavors of healthy options.

Diets are one of the most complained about topics and I find it sad seeing as we have limitless options of food. Establishing healthy eating patterns early on is very important.

The sooner you adjust to eating natural and healthy things, the sooner your insides will start to sing and your skin will begin to glow. Losing a couple of pounds can be nice, but that is merely one of the amazing benefits of eating a well balanced diet.

Arline Votruba can be contacted at avotruba@kscequinox.com

When we graduated high school it was as if we were handed our diplomas and a sign that read, “Ask me what I am doing with my life.” The months following commencement our friends, families and even strangers asked us the prying question.

They inquired what it is that we intend to do. Having been through this period of life, I can attest to the fact that, yes, it is scary. Do not let anybody convince you that it is not. While it is terrifying to be faced with the challenge of choosing what direction to take your life, it is also one of the most beautiful opportunities a person is ever faced with. My advice: do what makes you happy.

Firstly, it is important to realize that you are never too old to answer the question of what you want to do with your life. Today you might feel one way, but if next year you have grown to feel differently it is imperative that you embrace this inner change and pursue the upgraded life plan your heart desires.

Philip Bergeron / Graphic Design Editor

As humans we are constantly in a state of vulnerability because in every facet of life we are exposed to new opportunities. Things as simple as, “Should I hit snooze one more time?” open up a multitude of possibilities. Sure, you can spring out of bed and start your day, but you may just feel that the extra hours you spent alphabetizing your record collection last night warrants a little bonus snooze session. Perhaps you will choose the third — often unintended — option, and turn off the alarm before falling back to sleep, only to wake up too late.

None of these decisions are wrong, so long as you accept full ownership of the action that you take. When making big decisions about things like whether or not to go to school or what subject to major in, you must think for yourself. Everybody else can and will have an opinion about what you should do with your life, but ultimately you must be responsible for your choice because you are the one who will live with it. Making a decision is as simple (or complicated) as getting out of bed in the morning.

After you graduate high school you can jump right into college, pursue a trade, join a branch of the military, participate in volunteer programs such as City Year or the Peace Corps, take a gap year to work, take a gap year to travel, earn your cosmetology license or maybe do nothing at all.

The key is to do what makes you happy. Pick the route that seems to suit your life vision. Any of the above options can bring you through the next phase of your life with a smile, perhaps with the exception of the last. This period of life just after high school is all about establishing independence, so those who do nothing typically are not happy until they decide to start moving in some direction. So pick something, anything. Decide on a goal, short term, long term, small or large, and attack it with full force so you can feel confident and happy about where you are going with your life.

Take pride in what you are choosing to do.

The very best bits of advice I have ever read have all come from an essay written by Mary Schmich. She writes, “Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at twenty-two what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting forty-year-olds I know still don’t.” This line has resonated with me throughout my post-high-school life.

First the words wiggled their way into my thoughts when I transferred from community college to a private college. Again I heard them when I decided after just a semester that I wanted to attend a public school. The words rang through my head as I decided to change my major. These words always reinforced the idea that each of these changes was simply an attempt to follow my inner compass.

No matter how much the direction I was going changed, my path has always been my choice. Ultimately each of these choices has helped me to maintain a happy life. When you decide you are not happy with the direction your life is going, make a change.

Sometimes people are pressured by parents or family members to pursue a degree in a particular subject. Although inheriting a family company might be an option, be sure that such a decision was yours, and not made for you.

An article on Early To Rise lists the five biggest life regrets as recorded by nurse Bronnie Ware. Number one on the list: “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.” Allow this quote to reinforce your choices, let it drive you to live a life true to yourself, so you do not wind up with similar regrets.

Although I discourage you from dwelling over the future, it is important to set some general long-term goals. Choosing a profession to strive for ensures that you will end up working in a field that you enjoy. I think the most terrifying thought is to be someone who wakes up every morning to go to a job that they hate. If this is ever the case for you, quit and seek other options. The world is too vast, opportunity is too ample to terrorize your sanity spending precious moments of life doing things you abhor.

Now ask yourself, what are you going to do? Although I cannot answer this question for you specifically, I generally advise that you decide for yourself the path you wish to follow. Allow others to open your mind to the many routes out there, but always remember to lead the way in your own life.

Arline Votruba can be contacted at avotruba@kscequinox.com

On Feb. 20, 2015 Joeannan released “Roll Me Under”, a single off of “The Charles River Shake EP.” Instantly catchy, “Roll Me Under” brings with it promise that this is just the beginning of many excellent pieces to come from the current Berklee College of Music student.

Do not hesitate to check out what this single has to offer your music-hungry ears. It combines elements of rock, folk and blues to create an addicting trifecta of sound.

“Roll Me Under” demonstrates an artist who has put tremendous effort into truly mastering his craft.

The song is both lyrically and musically sharp, demonstrative of the skills that the young artist is developing while pursuing a degree in Professional Music.

The serious tone of the initial 15 seconds invites you to continue listening as the choppy piano riff ends in a playful run down the keys.

Dark undertones throughout this piece encourage you to access those dark cobweb-infested corners of your soul while nodding along to the beat. It is the kind of song you will catch yourself humming just after the first listen. Promotions Coordinator at WKNH Angela Scionti said, “The beginning is very heavy and it draws me in to listen further.

“I really enjoy the dark tones of the piano.” When the music transitions with the introduction of drums and guitar the song instigates foot tapping to the groove of the electric reggae beat. The chorus is easy to learn and hard to resist singing along with. The repetitive chorus is enhanced by the use of tension through the piece.

While the chorus comes often, it is used to bring us back to familiar lines in between the troubling images sprinkled through each verse such as, “Ain’t it so ugly, lost all my money, my mind like a junkies, I’m wrong.”

Unlike most pop lyrics, the lines of “Roll Me Under” offer beauty in a dark place.

It is no surprise that this single was released so brilliantly polished. Years of music lessons, including private drum lessons with renowned drum instructor and Berklee Professor Gil Graham, have led Joeannan to this point in his musical career. By the end of his first year at Berklee he had composed, written, produced and copyrighted his first original song, “March.”

The introduction of vocals is instantly satisfying to the listener through the use of quick rhythmic lines.

As the piece progresses it is evident that Joeannan has impressive control over his vocals.

The opening line “Look on the road, the sirens a glow, the liquor’s a-flow and I’m gone,” is enticing, especially to an early-20s audience struggling along during this confusing period of life. At one minute 15 seconds the song reveals urgency as Joeannan begs, “I’m goin’ down, so roll me, roll me, under.” By the end of the song the chorus becomes a chant that we are all belting out.

Two minutes 40 seconds in Joeannan’s voice carefully quivers, “I’m just a fool with a dyin’ scream,” expelling emotions that give the listener a sense of the passion emanating through his vocal chords. Then at three minutes 30 seconds the song transitions into the bridge and breaks its pattern by slowing its pace down entirely.

It then rebuilds to the initial cadence with teasing vocals from Joe. Molly Mae, the female vocalist, contributes angelic pitches to the dreamy harmonies, helping to carry out the final choruses of the song. Joe’s passion is palpable as he holds notes like during the final verse when he sings, “Oh I’m going down and I won’t make no sound.”

He succeeds in delivering himself to the audience, a very challenging task for any artist. Co-General Manager at WKNH, Kerrianne Thomas, said, “The song itself is sexy and soulful.

“The vocals are really beautiful, Joe has a really great voice,” she addresses the technical side of production adding, “The engineers and recording sound very well done.”

“Roll Me Under” has been stuck in my head for days and I am not getting sick of it. If you, like myself, enjoy supporting up-and-coming artists with genuine talent, I highly recommend giving Joeannan a listen.

Listen yourself by going to https://soundcloud.com/joe-annan.

Arline Votruba can be contacted at avotruba@kscequinox.com

It has come to my attention that there are young folks who do not seem to feel that their privates need to be private anymore.

While I am very supportive of anybody who is comfortable in his/her own skin, I also feel there are limits to when self-exposure is necessary, much less appropriate.

My point is specifically geared toward a recent incline of Instagram posts that are more than just a little racy. I am talking about photos of men and women completely naked, compromised by tiny virtual stamps or emoticons. I have seen nipples covered by star-shaped stamps show up on my newsfeed more than once over the past month.

This is not okay.

Being confident does not require you to expose yourself publicly. True confidence requires the self-respect to refrain from posting things that may compromise your reputation.

Sarah Morrison / Equinox Staff

True confidence knows that the whole world does not need to see you naked to know you are brave.

True confidence knows that real beauty is felt, not seen and that posting photos with hopes of disproving this will always be ineffective.

I do firmly agree that it is your body and you are welcome to do whatever you want with it. The act of taking naked photos does not offend me.

My trouble comes when I am scrolling through my feed on Instagram and suddenly I am face to boob with a naked photo of an acquaintance.

While you may rebut with, “If you don’t like my photos then don’t follow me,” I want to be clear ­— it is not just me who disapproves of such posts.

While the Internet opens the virtual world to limitless opportunities, it is necessary when using a website that you are aware of their Terms of Use. According to Instagram’s most recently updated Terms of Use under the Basic Terms section, number two on the list specifically states, “You may not post violent, nude, partially nude, discriminatory, unlawful, infringing, hateful, pornographic or sexually suggestive photos or other content via the Service.”

Case and point, while I feel your semi-nudes are inappropriate, you have agreed to Instagram’s contract saying you would not post such obscenities.

While I hate to zero in on the ladies, they are the only ones I see posting these kinds of pictures. As a woman, it saddens me that there are other women who are putting it all out there for the world wide web to see.

I believe that while our bodies are miraculous works of art, they are very personal. Each of us is equipped with our very own set of breasts to expose only to our own chosen audience.

It baffles me that there are ladies who desire to open this viewing up to the entire virtual world. Respect is my concern.

When you post a picture that shows the curves of your breasts and the insides of your thighs, you are truly closing the door on privacy.

You have now exposed yourself in ways you cannot undo. Think future relationships. If you met the love of your life and their parents happen to be hip and on Instagram, how would you feel about them following you?

How about in 10 years, when you decide to apply to work for the government and they fish up these old portraits?

The problem with posting over-exposed photos is that the Internet holds onto them forever. You may change your mind about how you feel, but certain things can never be unclicked. Consider the effects of the photos you post before you upload them.

Arline Votruba can be contacted at avotruba@kscequinox.com

We have all been there, signing a paper and pausing to lift up the pen while shaking our heads, half giggling and half scared to death by the idea that yet another year has passed. Living in what was earlier regarded as “next year” can cause some anxiety. Recognizing that an entire twelve months has passed you by again can be daunting, especially granted that there are some things you may personally want to change.

It is important when considering resolutions to choose realistic ones. While it would be great to decide that this year you are going to walk on the moon or achieve universal peace, it is beneficial to choose New Year’s resolutions based on achievable adjustments that will lead to reasonable long-term goals.

According to a study done by the University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology on Jan. 1, 2014, the top five New Year’s resolutions for 2014 included the following: lose weight; get organized; spend less, save more; enjoy life to the fullest; stay fit and healthy. While these are all very good intentions, they are also vague. Accomplishing such ambiguous desires requires replacing the habits standing between you and the goal. It is crucial to first define your goal and then follow up by determining the steps necessary to succeed.

Maybe you are interested in losing weight. Realize you cannot simply rely on hopes. Begin implementing a new meal plan and exercise schedule and eventually you will lose weight.

Those who dream to get organized — begin by ridding your life of the disorganization that has caused your discomfort. Go through your clothes and the rest of your possessions. If you can live without it, donate it. If it is garbage, then it should have been in the trash already.

While most people would agree that they would like to have more money, we can adjust our spending to save our wallets from frivolous purchases. Start eating at home and avoid buying things you do not consider necessary. Begin putting a set portion of your paycheck into a savings account that you do not withdraw money from. Perhaps your goal is to enjoy life to the fullest — begin writing a list of things you consider to enrich your life. Start each day by reviewing the list and end each day by adding an item.

If you desire to stay fit and healthy, consult your doctor about areas where you could improve your health or subscribe to a health magazine and dedicate yourself to trying to pursue things you read about each week.

This approach to achieving New Year’s resolutions encourages you not to be so concerned with taking over the world all at once, as first you need to develop the proper skills. In our high-paced competitive society, we find ourselves searching for instantaneous results. While everything we do is quick, between the technological age of communication to the drive-thru windows where we can order entire meals that come out in under five minutes, our culture often convinces us that things must happen immediately. The beauty of a New Year’s resolution is that you are blessed with the upcoming twelve months to keep chugging along and fighting to achieve the set goals.

Implementing the resolution is the hard part, not setting the goal. Based on my own experience, persistence is key. There are no shortcuts in achieving life long habits. While a long-term goal may be the driving force, every little step counts. My point being, do not be discouraged and give up at any point. When you slip up with a resolution, although it may be easy to throw in the towel, recognize all progress has not been lost. Remind yourself of your goal, why you made the goal and how you can work towards it with small adjustments.

A common misconception of the ever worried about New Year’s resolution is that if you fail in achieving the goal post-12 a.m. on Jan. 1, you may as well give up. While Jan. 1 is a new beginning based on our concept of a “year” on a calendar, there is little that separates Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Quit thinking that you have to wait to make changes in your life. Each day is a new opportunity to be the person you want to be.

Arline Votruba can be contacted at avotruba@keene-equinox.com

I was walking through the streets of New York City alongside 400,000 other proud participants at the People’s Climate March in September when it happened. 

Through mounds of people I saw the tousled dirty-blond hair all bunched and tied atop his head in a perfect man bun.

Philip Bergeron / Graphic Design Editor

He had a sunflower stuck right through his hair by its long green stem.  The golden-blond tone of his hair was natural and his bun seemed to sit in that perfect place between the top and back of the head. I had never known what it was like to fall in love with a man bun until that very moment.

Since then I feel as though man buns have sprouted from even the most unexpected guys, or perhaps I just began taking notice.

Either way, the trend has taken off as of late and the girls are going wild over it. Facebook feed is flogged with photos of man buns or Buzzfeed articles about the newest hair sensation. Just exactly where the trend originated is difficult to say, mainly because the style has existed in many variations over the centuries.

If you want to really dissect the origin of the hair creation, you may suggest that Buddha first sported the man bun. Although I could take a position for or against man buns, I do not like to generalize.

I have seen man buns, like the one in New York, that make me melt in adoration at the very sight. I have also seen man buns that make me really wish it was not rude to approach a stranger and ask if I could fix his hair.

In either case, man buns exist, and like any other trend, there is no way around it. I remember dedicating myself to a variety of trends over the years that now, looking back, I realize never suited me. In the eighth grade I wore a hot-pink fanny pack as a pencil case. Then, during high school, I wore ripped jeans and Hollister tees.

Over the years I have tried a variety of fads that seemed ideal at the time and later ditched them, realizing I was not being true to myself. It is crucial that we recognize if we like a trend or are simply wrapped up in one. Man buns have swept the nation and are likely to continue popping up until a new hairstyle steals its position. Though I do not think a man bun defines the man, I do think that it has to make the wearer happy, otherwise it serves no purpose.

I am highly against “trends,” as the term itself implies that you are following a fad. Find a hairdo that makes you feel the most like you and wear it proud. Do not dye, cut, or pin your hair in any way unless it is just what you want. Hair is one of our most natural and up-front forms of expression, so it is important that we are honest with our look.

If you like to deal with long hair and the frustrations of brushing, conditioning and tying it up, then by all means, but do not be ashamed if you are more of the simple buzz-cut kind of dude.

Arline Votruba can be contacted at avotruba@keene-equinox.com