Why hasn’t Cardinal O’Malley ever come to campus? Are there ever any opportunities for BC students to hear him?

Why hasn't Cardinal O'Malley ever come to campus? Are there ever any opportunities for BC students to hear him?
Why hasn’t Cardinal O’Malley ever come to campus? Are there ever any opportunities for BC students to hear him?

He comes every year for commencement with the exception of 2013, when he protested BC’s choice of commencement speaker, Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, over his views on abortion. He also attends C21 events from time to time. One way to hear him is to go to a weekday noon mass at the Archdiocese pastoral center. Call the pastoral center to see if he’ll be at the mass, or whether there are other opportunities to hear him in the area. bit.ly/cardinal-sean

Is the derivative or the integral of your life more important?

Is the derivative or the integral of your life more important?
Is the derivative or the integral of your life more important?

I’d say both, but in different ways. A derivative is going to tell you about what’s going on at a particular moment, and it’s important to live in the moment. But the whole area under the curve of your life is also important to show you the big picture. The derivative may cloud your mind during rough periods (“I’m going downhill fast!”), but integrating over the course of your life (with the limits being birth and death) can reassure you that this is just a phase.

how can I become an answer-er? dream job!!!

how can I become an answer-er? dream job!!!
how can I become an answer-er? dream job!!!

I’m planning on hanging around here a long time. To become one of my helpers, you generally have to be a regular library employee at BC. That’s a pretty sweet job, too; my helpers say this is one of the best libraries to work at. But we are brainstorming ways to bring in more student voices to the answering side of me. So stay tuned!

Is it abnormal to have no feeling about romance or sex at this age?

Is it abnormal to have no feeling about romance or sex at this age? Realize all my friends have some experience / thoughts, but I have none?
Is it abnormal to have no feeling about romance or sex at this age? Realize all my friends have some experience / thoughts, but I have none?

Everybody processes that part of their lives differently, and not always on the same schedule as everyone else. If it makes you uncomfortable or causes problems for you it might be worth talking to a therapist or counselor (Campus Health Services can help with that), but I’m reading more puzzlement than distress in your question. Be yourself, you’ll be fine.

To what extent can [you] assign blame…

To what extent can [you] assign blame to people who fall in the face of adversity?
To what extent can [you] assign blame to people who fall in the face of adversity?

Why does blame need to be placed in a situation where someone has fallen in the face of adversity? Failure, while sometimes demotivating, is an important part of learning — rather than asking yourself Whose fault is this?, try asking What can this teach me?

People always make fun of my last name…

People always make fun of my last name b/c it sounds like "Penguin." How do I cope?
People always make fun of my last name b/c it sounds like “Penguin.” How do I cope?

I’m sorry people are doing that. Perhaps let them know that they aren’t the first to notice. Or say, “It’s my cross to bear; I didn’t choose it.” It isn’t remotely meaningful that your surname happens to rhyme with a word in English. Maybe you could even learn all about penguins, and use the tired joke as a cue to inundate someone with penguin facts?

How can you tell if you’re deeply infatuated…

How can you tell if you're deeply infatuated with someone or actually in love?
How can you tell if you’re deeply infatuated with someone or actually in love?

I would say having a very idealistic view of someone suggests infatuation. Placing someone on a pedestal like that can often lead to flaws being ignored and lofty expectations not being met. Love, on the other hand sometimes means having affection for someone whilst being more accepting of whatever flaws they may have.

How to ask for space in a relationship without hurting your partner?

How to ask for space in a relationship without hurting your partner?
How to ask for space in a relationship without hurting your partner?

One of my helpers suggested you name specifics needs: I need some time for x (for example, writing projects, meeting friends for coffee, quiet time to do work, etc.). Hopefully your partner will be understanding.  If not, it might be time to reevaluate if you and your partner have compatible rhythms, and expectations.

What is your opinion of Montenagro?

What is your opinion of Montenagro?
What is your opinion of Montenagro?

Do you mean the new country in the Balkans, slightly smaller than Connecticut, recently a region of Yugoslavia, and before that an independent state after breaking from the Ottoman Empire? It’s an old place with a long history, but a relatively new independent country, currently rebuilding its infrastructure and economy after many years being part of Yugoslavia and sustaining damage during wars in the 1990’s. The coastline and mountains are beautiful. More info: bit.ly/cia-montenegro. Or do you mean the dark comedy Swedish film from 1981?