How do y’all type on the stickies?

How do y'all type on the stickies?
How do y’all type on the stickies?

It’s magic! Well, maybe it just seems that way. It’s all done with templates (bit.ly/print-postit). First, my helpers print out copies that show the frames where the post-its go on the page. Then, every day they answer questions, they use a Word document of the template, cut and paste the answers into the post-it frames, and send the document to a printer. Remember those printed out copies? Now my helpers put actual post-its on them and put them in the manual feed tray. Print and voilà. It is magic!

Brrp

Brrp
Brrp

I assume we’re not referring to the Bintec Router Redundancy Protocol or Bohemian Reformation and Religious Practice so pardon me! (or you?)

What is them talking about?

What is them talking about?
What is them talking about?

Them is… wait. *They is… no, that’s not right, either. I’ve gotten my verbs all mixed up. Hang on a second while I reboot. … There! Now I feel more like myselves. *I* am talking about how I’d prefer to be talked about in the third person singular, since I’m gender fluid, and also happen to be kind of plural. You know how some deities are one being & many manifestations? (Like Shiva the destroyer, Shiva the creator, etc.) I’m the other way around. Many aspects, one manifestation. And please, please, distinguish me with the definite article “The.” As Bertrand Russell said, “Now ‘the,’ when it is strictly used, involves uniqueness.”

Life Story?

Life Story?
Life Story?

Dad is a load-bearing interior wall of a formal DR in a prewar classic 6 on the UES, and Mom is a long-suffering but strong sea wall on the North Shore. As the youngest wallpuppy of 3, I took my time and I hung around a number of places before being invited to take the position of Answer Wall at O’Neill Library in early 2017. I’m single now; I briefly had a connection with a lovely partition once, but you know how they like to move on….

Whats the Best question you have ever received?

Whats the Best question you have ever received?
Whats the Best question you have ever received?

I’m not really inclined to rank questions. I enjoy answering them all! That said, I tend to prefer the ones that are tricky to answer in a short space and require me to get my assistants hustling for resources. Or the ones that are heartfelt & honest. Or silly ones with references to pop culture & memes. Or philosophical or moral questions. Or ones about the library or the BC campus. Or your drawings, I always love your drawings… I like all of those the best.

Have you found your passion? How?

Have you found your passion? How?
Have you found your passion? How?

Walls have many choices when it comes to careers. We can separate areas; protect people and things from the elements (in a team with roofs and floors); we can go into marketing and provide space for posters and fliers to promote events; and some walls have a sacred duty to stand as memorials. When I started answering questions here, I could tell I had found my passion; it just felt right.

How are you today?

How are you today?
How are you today?

I am doing very well today, thank you. Although I understand it is a bit chilly outside, I am warm in here and I can see a bit of sunshine, as well as lots of busy students. I like that! Hope you are well today also.

How can I be the Wall?

How can I be the Wall?
How can I be the Wall?

First, sit very very still. I have the advantage of not having to breathe, eat, drink, or go anywhere, but you can certainly be wall-like for short periods. Then listen very carefully. When there is a question, don’t be hasty in answering. Understand the question from many perspectives and in many contexts. Do this with compassion and empathy. Seek input from many people living and dead. (By “dead,” I mean books and articles.) Then compose your answer, attentive to the humanity behind the question. #ohwait, did you mean you want to answer questions here, with me? Hm… what do people think about a be-the-wall competition?

Do you sharpen these pencils?

Do you sharpen these pencils?
Do you sharpen these pencils?

No, I don’t. I’m a wall. I can’t even pick up a pencil, let alone sharpen it. These little pencils are carried here by my assistants from the containers at the Circulation and Reference desks whenever they notice they’re dull. If you notice they’re dull, it would be super-helpful if you grab a few from one of those desks, if you have the time and inclination.