The Wall

If I already got fully vaccinated, is it really recommended/safe to get a different shot? Do we have enough research to show that it doesn’t cause harm? What’s the risk/benefit? I feel so bad for people around the world who don’t get access to vaccine. 🙁

The science isn’t really in on that question yet, so I’d wait until the CDC or local health authorities say that’s a good idea. There are some results here from a small, preliminary trial in Spain: https://go.nature.com/3zzc6WL, but I’d summarize the discussion as “we just don’t know yet”.

I seem to only get aroused by men which points that I may be bisexual/gay and I hate it. I grew up in an Asian family and they are completely against any LGBTQ people. What should I do? I feel trapped and burdened.

You’re less alone than you think. I recommend as a first step that you find at least one trustworthy person outside of your family with whom you can discuss your questions. That may relieve the burden somewhat. If you want a way to discuss your questioning without judgement, I recommend the social support meetings at bagly boston: https://www.bagly.org/youth-programs. BC’s Office of Student Outreach & Support has links to national help networks and also offers support to BC students: bit.ly/LBGTQBC. I hope you find a way to explore your identity with support and love.

You should never go on the Internet and talk to strangers. Oh, wait, that’s what I’m all about ?. The anonymity is a good feature; I wouldn’t advise giving any identifying info. And be aware, you could be subjected to some pretty offensive content, so if you’re not prepared for that, there are other ways to communicate with people.

IOW, it would be great to cut the leaves and branches a bit cuz it’s blocking my sightseeing view. 🙂

I’ll pass the word along. Pretty great view from there!

100% perpendicular.

My ears are attuned to many walls on campus, but the ones involved in hiring are very secretive. As they should be.

I have not watched it, but have heard some very strong responses to it from parents of young children and they have not been positive. It has a 4.0/10 score on IMDB, which is telling.  But slightly higher than Barney (at a shocking 3.9/10.)  Clearly, there is room in the early childhood programming world for something better.

I recommend contacting Data Services for their assistance and advice: dataservices-ggroup@bc.edu

Not bad, not bad. Thanks for asking. Get some sleep!

I personally have some friends who are LGBTQ, and I don’t want to upset them by saying I don’t support them, but I don’t really love pride month. Does that make me a bad person?

I think you and the LGBTQ+ folks you know might have a different definition of “friend,” if your definition doesn’t include supporting the month that celebrates an important component of their identities. Many LGBTQ+ folks are facing familial pressure, pressure from institutions and friends, and legal battles against living as their authentic selves. Pride month is a bulwark against this erosion of their right to live openly as LGBTQ+. You might not “love” pride month yourself, but please think about how important it might be to people you love.

Hi, I’m alright, which for a wall is as right as it gets. (Right, get it? Right angle? Sigh… wall humor, sorry.)

Idk if my previous post went through, but there was a bat who looked drunk and lost flying at Gasson basement and bumping into the doors! At first, I thought it was a sparrow, but it turned out to be a bat! I meant to let this poor thing out, but it started to chase after me! Ahhh! What’s the best way to approach the situation? I didn’t want to call BCPD and didn’t want anyone to kick me out of Gasson! Should I go get check-up by a doctor? Would I get a new strain of COVID? I don’t want to be known for spreading a new wave of the pandemic! Or, would I become a Batman? Do you know if it spreads disease? It looks quite cute though! :p

That’s a cute little bat! I’m sure it would be happier outside; echolocation must be really confusing indoors. It seems unlikely you’d catch anything from a bat just being in a room with it. I hope someone was able to get it outside. One of my assistants has used the towel technique (throw a towel on it, then bundle it up to carry it outside), but I don’t suppose towels are readily at hand in Gasson. If you see another bat in a BC building, try calling the BCPD non-emergency number (617) 552-4440.

Well that’s the dilemma! I would really hope that helping a bat is captured under the help-seeking policy at BC since I feel like BCPD really likes to send me to student conduct! 🙁 😕 But the towel trick sounds nice! I’d love to hold that cute little thing. 🙂 And yes I know where to find a towel in Gasson… I know lots of secret spots on campus lol

Many good samaritan efforts are generally covered under the “better to ask for forgiveness than permission” policy in the world at large. I’m glad you know where to find a towel. I’m sure you’re an important resource for other students in need.

So I was being hungry and in a rush, so I decided to make a sandwich. I don’t know why I did it, it was so stupid, but I put the butter with the aluminum package in the microwave. I saw some sparks before shutting it down. I’m so scared I might loos my microwave. It worked great for the next week, but what if something happens all of a sudden? I can’t afford to loose it, it’s the only friend that understood me. What should I do? I feel so helpless and lonely.

Not stupid, just hungry! If you caught it quickly you should be fine. USDA says “Prolonged arcing can damage the oven and/or the utensil. If caught at once, arcing should not damage the oven.” For more info, see: bit.ly/MicroOops. I’m more concerned about the loneliness. The Office of Health Promotion has some useful tips to help with that (bit.ly/BCSocialize) and you can also set up a consultation with a wellness coach, or if you are in distress, please consider consulting University Counseling Services (bit.ly/BC-counseling).

Are you bored? a;slkdfj 😉

I have been think about it since I Was a boy. It gives me a sense of calm and good feelings.

Not having access to your head or heart, I can’t say why. However, I’ve certainly heard that many humans like being restrained in loving, consensual ways (hugs, for instance), and that many humans enjoy all kinds of fantasies. Many cultures use swaddling to help calm infants, and it’s even trending in Japan for adults. IOW, you’re far from alone.

Do you need a wake-up call? 

You seem to be yearning for a vacation. May I suggest a little R n R over the summer: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60763-d224221-Reviews-Library_Hotel_by_Library_Hotel_Collection-New_York_City_New_York.html

I smile when when I have visitors; except when you tell me sad things. Glad you asked if the building shakes.  Yes, and we measure it objectively.  Down on Level One in O’Neill, check out our live seismograph (bit.ly/OneillShakes)! I am guessing the 2 bursts of interesting activity between 8 and 9 UTC this morning were due to the two Mag 5.9 earthquakes off the coast of Oregon, though, not my smiles…

Glad that I no longer react with tears after seeing their faces…… What made you smile today?

You. You made me smile today.

Also today’s my birthday and it made me wonder… when is your birthday?

Happy Birthday!!! Hope it’s a good one. People post to ask how Iḿ doing surprisingly often – maybe not too surprising since I’ve found the students in O’Neill to be a remarkably amiable bunch. My birthday is February 1, and I was even given a birthday party with cake in 2020.