Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
Are we talking specifically shows produced by Netflix? Comedy: Bojack, Friends From College, Master of None, and Grace & Frankie. Action: Marvel’s Luke Cage and Marvel’s Jessica Jones (don’t let the Marvel tag fool you, these are great shows in their own right). Drama: Stranger Things (of course), The Crown (of course), Narcos, and The Get Down. I’ll also plug Chef’s Table as a wonderful Docu-series on some of the world’s most influential chefs.
Be honest and direct with your partner about how you’re feeling. If you don’t see each other frequently you’ll be tempted to put off the unpleasant conversation. That’s normal, but it doesn’t actually spare you or your partner the discomfort…and can sometimes make it worse.
It’s unconscionable, but it’s what the market will bear. However, you do have rights, and you should fight for what you need. The Mass Attorney General’s Office has some useful info for student renters: bit.ly/StudentRenterHelp. Also, check the BC help: offcampushousing.bc.edu/resource.
There are many right ways to study, and some of it depends on your personality. But why not set up an appointment for academic coaching at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors), and discuss your learning (and grade) goals with them?
Email the relevant subject librarian with your recommendation (libguides.bc.edu/ask-a-librarian/contact). If you need it quickly, do place an interlibrary loan request (illiad.bc.edu/illiad/bxm/logon.html) and check “yes” for “Should BC purchase this item”.
As a primarily residential campus, BC never closes completely. So, those who make the snow day call try to keep all services available as much as possible. Unfortunately for many, that also means classes are also rarely cancelled. But when there are snow days, check out the library hours page- O’Neill is almost always open.
I know the soda and coffee machines aren’t the most reliable ever. They’re much more mechanically complex than vending machines, which means they break more. While we do try to report issues, it is ultimately up to the companies (Coca Cola and A&B Vending) to fix them. But, ANYONE can call or email them whenever they’re broken, so feel free to contact them yourself. You can also use your One Card at the vending machines across the atrium on floor 2 next to the Center for Teaching Excellence.
I hate to interfere with the suspension of disbelief that is crucial for making my presence enjoyable and useful for my visitors. But, even though you can’t see right through me, I’m all for transparency. So I will fess up that a sizable cadre of library staff answer these questions, with frequent referrals to other sources in the library, BC, and beyond.
Apple Music boasts more individual tracks than Spotify, and has far more exclusive content. Also, if you already use a Mac/iPhone, Apple Music will integrate seamlessly compared to Spotify. However, Spotify’s discovery tools (like Discover Weekly) make finding new artists easier and requires less intervention from you. That same discovery allows for better radio stations than Apple Music. Spotify also has a free tier, which Apple music doesn’t. Personally, I like Spotify for the radio reason alone. For a more detailed rundown, check out bit.ly/AppleSpotify-BC.
We do! There’s a copy available in the Popular Collection (just to my left) and an online version available through OverDrive (bit.ly/bc-overdrive). Both appear to be in use right now–it looks like others agree with you!
Thankfully, I am secure in my place. But it sounds like my table colleagues are not so stable. I’ll alert the people in charge and get those tables back in line.
I am sure there will be another snow day, but you will likely need to wait until next winter (or the winter after that). On average, April in Boston receives no more than 1″ of snow.
No, I haven’t. Wall physiology and brain chemistry aren’t really conducive to that sort of thing. Also, I like my reality stable and predictable.
First, you win the life-lottery and get a staff position at BC Libraries. Once you’ve achieved that, the rest is gravy: you learn a few secret handshakes, pass some tests (that haven’t usually involved physical harm), and get my final approval. I was just kidding about everything past the first sentence. Mostly. If you work at BC Libraries and don’t know whom to ask, ask your supervisor.
Believe it or not, you’re not the first to ask this question. In September last year, I answered it thus: “The best analysis of this question the Wall is aware of is here: bit.ly/bc-airspeed,” and I continue to stand by that answer.
You are definitely in the right place for books. It is hard to recommend without knowing anything more about you, so browsing may be the best way to proceed. The Popular Collection (just to my left) and the books on OverDrive (bit.ly/bc-overdrive) can be good places to find a book. You might also be inspired by looking through the shelves of New Books and Comics and Graphic Novels, both on the first floor of the library.
But here are a few suggestions: For a golden oldie: Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman (PS3562 .I45397 E38 1993) is a short read that can get you thinking of all kinds of possibilities. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami (PL856.U673 N6713 2000 or OverDrive) is another golden oldie, with the narrator looking back on his college days. Two more recent books are Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (PS3558.A42169 E95 2017a or OverDrive or Popular Collection) and Pachinko by Min Jee Lee (PS3612.E346 P33 2017 or OverDrive). Happy reading!
In the United States, the victim does not decide what kind of punishment is appropriate and when it should be delivered. Although the brothers’ abuse claims were substantiated by others, the parents should have been allowed to defend themselves (or plead guilty) in a courtroom. Self-defense is sometimes necessary, but one’s life must be in immediate danger. And it doesn’t help one’s defense if one first blames the murder on the mob.
That can be difficult. When I feel myself getting impatient or angry or frustrated, I try to stop, step back, and breathe (as much as a Wall is able to do those things). Sometimes I need to focus on something else–something nice, like the trees outside the doorway, or something I am grateful for, like all the people who pass by and ask me questions. And sometimes I don’t succeed and am impatient with someone. (Not even the Wall is perfect.)
My friends say the more they can stay stress free and relaxed the less likely they are to become impatient. They recommend regular breathing–usually attached to some meditation or yoga. And staying healthy by eating and sleeping well and getting some exercise (maybe a nice walk around the reservoir). Listening to music–classical or whatever works best for you–can help in situations where you need to wait. Good luck; I think just by asking you are already on the way to being more mindful of yourself and your reactions.
![Why is my friend [redacted] asking for money in venmo?](http://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/032018-2.jpg)
That’s a pretty uncomfortable situation! Financial services like Venmo which have a social media aspect, and promote payments between friends, can be such a useful thing when sharing bills, or selling items. But when a friend is asking for money on them, it’s hard to know how to respond. How would you respond if your friend was asking for money in person?
Unfortunately, it is all too common to see a loved one make a romantic choice that you may not agree with. There isn’t a lot you can do in this situation, but my advise is that you continue to be there for your friend. This does not mean you have to lie about how you feel about the guy your friend is dating or spend time with him, but just be there for your friend. Talk about other things and try to spend time together away from the guy they are dating. And, if you think that the guy is toxic in a dangerous way, know that there are support structures available for you on campus, including Counseling Services (bit.ly/BC-counseling).
