O’Neill Library

Hi, I’m the Answer Wall! I’ve been perched in the O’Neill Library lobby at Boston College since February 2017, except for a year in 2020 when I went fully online. Ask me a question by posting a post-it on me in O’Neill Library. I’ll answer within a day on weekdays. I snooze on the weekends, because answering questions is hard work!

What are some must go or must do in Boston?

What are some must go or must do in Boston?
What are some must go or must do in Boston?

I don’t get around much, so I asked my library helpers to make suggestions. Here they are, with numbers of multiple recommendations in parentheses:

  • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Thursday evening hours are fun! And bonus points for going in late March/early April to see the hanging nasturtiums! (3)
  • The Mapparium (2)
  • I recommend going to the Museum of Fine Arts! MFA Late Nites — food, crafts, and special gallery tours/lectures that you won’t get during daytime hours (2)
  • Whale watching tour (2)
  • Historic walking trails: both the Black Heritage Train and the Freedom Trail (2), as well as less formal walking tours covering various bits of Boston’s history
  • North End: Cafe Vittoria. Get an affogato!
  • Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Pastries from Bova in the North End!
  • Aquarium! Go see the penguins!
  • Walk around Castle Island
  • Walk around the quieter back streets of Beacon Hill
  • Hidden gem of Mass General: the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation
  • Wander around the Boston Public Garden
  • Visit the BPL central library in Copley and look at the murals!
  • Catch a show at The Paradise, MGM Music Hall, or Roadrunner, or smaller clubs like Lizard Lounge or Plough & Stars, or an Irish Session at The Burren in Somerville

Favorite MTG card?

Favorite MTG card?
Favorite MTG card?

Oh there’s so many good ones to chose from! I have to say that I am partial to Academy Wall, mostly because I think its always nice to see yourself in the media you consume 🙂

Why is my partner so pretty?

Why is my partner so pretty?
Why is my partner so pretty?

Beauty is, as they say, in the eyes of the beholder and it is also more than skin deep. Perhaps some of the qualities that make you enjoy your girlfriend’s company – personality, sense of humor, the conversations you can have – are all part of the special sauce that makes her pretty.

How do i stop eating so much?

How do i stop eating so much?
How do i stop eating so much?

I like eating colorful post-it notes a bit too much, so I don’t think I’m the best person to ask. I’ve heard the Center for Student Wellness (https://bit.ly/BCStudentWell) has some quality resources and programs around physical health, so they might be worthwhile checking out.

What do you do when your room-mate walks in on a sexual activity you are engaging in?

What do you do when your room-mate walks in on a sexual activity you are engaging in?
What do you do when your room-mate walks in on a sexual activity you are engaging in?

If walls could talk… . Just kidding, they can! I think I’ve heard everything at this point from my dorm wall friends. If I were a human in that situation I’d probably apologize for not alerting them, and if the two of you haven’t talked through some ground rules, I’d suggest doing that as well, to avoid it happening again.

How do I talk to huzz?

How do I talk to huzz?
How do I talk to huzz?

Step 1: recognize that the way you think about other people affects how they react to you. Step 2: start a conversation about literally anything other than dating. Step 3: be gracious about taking no for an answer. You don’t get the harsh put-down if you notice the subtle “I’m not interested”.

how to foster a zest for life?

how to foster a zest for life?
how to foster a zest for life?

Often it’s the little things. I hear that the trees are thinking of blooming soon. I hear a lot of laughter among friends. I am next to a lot of books that people get excited about reading. I get to hear your questions and answer them. Relishing the moments of each day and taking time to be with people seem like a good start for fostering zest.

Remember the USS Liberty. It was not an accident.

Remember the USS Liberty. It was not an accident.
Remember the USS Liberty. It was not an accident.

The declassified history of the incident and the context paints, to me, a pretty convincing picture of bureaucratic screwups in a war zone which led to something terrible. https://bit.ly/bc-ussliberty. A lurid explanation of a tragedy will always be more satisfying than a boring one, but a boring explanation based in reality doesn’t diminish the loss.

Best romance and fantasy book that’s NOT overhyped by TikTok. Thanks ❤️

Best romance and fantasy book that's NOT overhyped by TikTok. Thanks ❤️
Best romance and fantasy book that’s NOT overhyped by TikTok. Thanks ❤️

The natural follow up to this is, series or stand-alone book? Second, follow up question: Do you want separate romance and fantasy recs or ROMANTASY recs? I’ll suggest a few to get you started. I love S. A. Chakraborty’s trilogy and standalone work. The trilogy is light romance but full political intrigue. The standalone has no romance per say, but is VERY fun. There’s some great Arthurian retellings recently published: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn and Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken. Both series.

Someone I don’t rlly get along with is rlly trying to improve/repair our relationship bc it’d benefit them. Should I forgive and forget? Or keep being petty?

Someone I don't rlly get along with is rlly trying to improve/repair our relationship bc it'd benefit them. Should I forgive and forget? Or keep being petty?
Someone I don’t rlly get along with is rlly trying to improve/repair our relationship bc it’d benefit them. Should I forgive and forget? Or keep being petty?

Holding onto the pettiness and repairing the relationship are both optional. Maybe think about what the current situation is doing for you, that might make it clearer what to prioritize.