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!
Why does BC housing have such a messy system?
Every college does. It’s a lot to juggle. But it sounds like things didn’t come out the way you wanted, and I’m sorry about that. On the bright side, perhaps your new situation will gift you with a lifelong friend.
Do you think it would be different if I wasn’t here?
Yes. Everyone’s important and everything’s connected. Including you.
Do you need a new post it dispenser?
My assistants got me a new dispenser, thanks! But I’m still a little sad that the old one disappeared and hasn’t been returned.
Why does BC keep lights on overnight in locked buildings (gym, lower) when they can save $ and conserve energy?
Not all locked buildings are empty. My awesome colleagues in facilities and housekeeping use this time to ensure buildings are well maintained and clean.
“It’s complicated” is the answer to almost any question related to a building that lots of human need to use. It might be that there are people working 24/7 in the space, it might be housekeeping staff, it might be some specialized equipment that needs to be on all the time and that the lights are tied to it. When I’ve asked my friends in facilities about specific buildings at specific times there’s always a reason the lights are on. What makes sense at home doesn’t always work the same way for commercial or academic buildings.
Just hangin’ out, like I do.
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
How do I synthesize cafeinnderal, the ultimate study drug?
IDK, but with the wide availability of coffee, tea, and energy drinks, it’s hard to see why you’d need anything else. Here’s an ebook about caffeine chemistry:bit.ly/bcl-caffeine-chemistry, and some fun books on the history of coffee: bit.ly/bcl-coffee-history .
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 🙂
What do I do if my roommate walks in on me beating it?
I would suggest trying to avoid that situation altogether by doing that in a more private location. Failing that, apologies always go a long way, as do promises that they won’t be subjected to it again.
most peculiar question asked this semester
IDK if it was peculiar as much as it was challenging: How to determine whether to use heat (A) or light (hx) in an electrocyclic ring opening?
Who will win the NBA finals? Will our king LeBron be able to bring it home?
It sounds like LeBron is already bringing home his own crown with 144 playoff double-doubles. You should ask my cousin the Magic 8-ball about predictions. I’ll refer you to the bleacher report’s current bracket: bit.ly/bleacher-nba-2025.
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.
Favorite horror/thriller book?
You’re in luck, because we have a nice, long, crowd-sourced list of horror and thriller books. Check it out: http://bit.ly/4jAvQ33
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.
Tralalero Tralala or Bombardiro Crocadilo
Both look like the offspring of AI slop and an evolved Pokemon during a radioactive incident. I’ll let brainrot fandom have the last word on the decision.
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?
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”.
What would you name the bunnies & other animals around campus?
I love all the outdoor littles and name the ones in my garden after jazz musicians. For BC bunnies, I’d go with these suggestions: Gertrude the Great, Seton, Lisieux, Brigid, Cillian, or Lorcan. Best place for BC bunnies is outside O’Neill near Woods Hall.
Do you like the popcorn chicken at BC?
I like the idea of both. But again, I don’t eat.
Do you like jerk chicken?
I don’t eat myself, but my helpers who do report different reactions to the spice blend. Lots love it, some don’t.
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.