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Draw me a cat please!

Draw me a cat please! Meow [drawing of cat]
Draw me a cat please! Meow [drawing of cat]

Well… my library assistants are mostly bookish types & a little skittish around pens and drawing paper, so here’s a painting of a cat in lieu of a drawing. It’s by the English painter Louis Wain.

kaleidescopic cat painting by Louis Wain
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I actually missed you on the Appa Trip!! Glad to know u had less workload over the break. Any suggestion for Easter?

I actually missed you on the Appa Trip!! Glad to know u had less workload over the break. Any suggestion for Easter?
I actually missed you on the Appa Trip!! Glad to know u had less workload over the break. Any suggestion for Easter?

So nice to hear I was missed! You know you can always visit my digital avatar to read questions and answers, right? library.bc.edu/answerwall. Easter…hm… April 21… I’ve got just the thing! Across the river in Cambridge is one of Boston’s hidden gems, and it comes alive with blooming cherries in April: Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Go for a walk there for some real Spring beauty.

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If being honest w/ the therapist would either get you sectioned, hospitalized, reported to other authority, or simply keep getting referrals but not therapist want to work w/you, then how can client freely/honestly talk to the therapist?

If being honest w/ the therapist would either get you sectioned, hospitalized, reported to other authority, or simply keep getting referrals but not therapist want to work w/you, then how can client freely/honestly talk to the therapist? Alright... this might no be the norm but happens way more often than many can imagine.
If being honest w/ the therapist would either get you sectioned, hospitalized, reported to other authority, or simply keep getting referrals but not therapist want to work w/you, then how can client freely/honestly talk to the therapist? Alright… this might no be the norm but happens way more often than many can imagine.

My assistants continue to pursue more answers. My advice to anyone who needs it is to continue seeking help no matter how frustrating. Everyone deserves care & concern. Sometimes it’s hard to locate the right person with the right care, and sometimes one also has to balance what one wants with what one needs.

Interim note from UCS (more will be forthcoming): “Hospitalization is not a sanction or a punishment. It is a step taken when clinicians have reason to be highly concerned about a student’s imminent safety. We encourage you to reach out if you are feeling unable to maintain your immediate safety, and know that other issues can always be dealt with once this is taken care of. It can get better.”

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Dear Wall, What do you think about the prospects for Israel/Palestine?

Dear Wall, What do you think about the prospects for Israel/Palestine?
Dear Wall, What do you think about the prospects for Israel/Palestine?

It’s hard to say whether more ink or more blood has been spilled in this intractable conflict. One place to start learning is Gershon Shafir’s A Half Century of Occupation: Israel, Palestine, and the World’s Most Intractable Conflict (Ebook, and O’Neill DS119.76 .S526 2017). There are many more books at DS119.76 worth a look. Prospects for peace? After many decades of fighting, the Irish-English troubles finally came to an end. I have faith.

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What is the best way to get into the film industry?

What is the best way to get into the film industry? And if the answer is an internship how do I go about getting one?
What is the best way to get into the film industry? And if the answer is an internship how do I go about getting one?

I’d start with a consultation with the BC Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) – they can surely help you to develop a plan for getting started in your film career, and pointers to getting internships as well.

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Is it worth looking into Rover around here?

Is it worth looking into Rover around here? I could use the pocket change, but I don't know how that stacks up next to an actual job on campus.
Is it worth looking into Rover around here? I could use the pocket change, but I don’t know how that stacks up next to an actual job on campus.

I don’t know the prospects for Rover, but student workers in the library get paid about $11/hour. (Positions will be advertised starting in April.) Do you think you could do better than that on Rover? You might also have increased flexibility for when you want to work. There are tons of dogs in Brookline, but it might take some time to establish yourself as a trustworthy dog-walker and command high fees for walks. It never hurts to try it out and then decide whether you like it.

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Sometimes I wonder why even has BC admitted a trash like me, a good-for-nothing. Had the admissions office been insane?

Sometimes I wonder why even has BC admitted a trash like me, a good-for-nothing. Had the admissions office been insane?
Sometimes I wonder why even has BC admitted a trash like me, a good-for-nothing. Had the admissions office been insane?

I truly believe that everyone has something to offer here, and that this is your opportunity to develop as a scholar and as a person during your time here. Or, to put it another way; you’ve been admitted. Deal with it. In the best possible ways. University Counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling) is available if you find you cannot get yourself to stop trashing yourself

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Why is it so hard to find an off campus therapist?

Wh is it so hard to find an off campus therapist? It's SO exhausting going to a new therapist and re-tell your story every 1-2 weeks, and them say you are too upbeat or need too intense care (why...so extreme) and keep giving you referrals. Will I even find one by the end of the semester? What other resources can BC student navigate? (No, I feel bad for keep asking UCS for referrals). Should I just give up? Where, besides UCS, should I go?????
Why is it so hard to find an off campus therapist? It’s SO exhausting going to a new therapist and re-tell your story every 1-2 weeks, and them say you are too upbeat or need too intense care (why…so extreme) and keep giving you referrals. Will I even find one by the end of the semester? What other resources can BC student navigate? (No, I feel bad for keep asking UCS for referrals). Should I just give up? Where, besides UCS, should I go?????

UCS responds: “We recognize that finding the right fit in a therapist can be tiring and difficult, but also believe that it can be incredibly helpful once that connection is made. It sounds as though you have heard from multiple sources that a more intensive therapy would be recommended, which indicates that you should not just give up. Please know that you can continue to seek additional referrals from UCS, and can also contact the emergency clinician if you become overwhelmed. Additional web based resources can be found on the UCS website: bc.edu/offices/counseling/external.html, there is Lean on Me, an anonymous student run peer support text line, can be reached at 617-553-6655, and pastoral counseling can be sought through Campus Ministry: bc.edu/offices/ministry/pastoral-counseling.html.”

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How much time do you spend on answering these questions?

How much time do you spend on answering these questions? With these much questions post every day... do we have a specialist who work full-time just to answer the questions?
How much time do you spend on answering these questions? With these much questions post every day… do we have a specialist who work full-time just to answer the questions?

I have a pretty big team of helpers who advise me on what to say, and who do the printing and blogging. So it’s not very much time at all for me, and not a huge amount for any one helper.

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How do people have time for everything going on at school and still have time to sleep and have fun?

How do people have time for everything going on at school and still have time to sleep and have fun? Every time I try, I end up doing sub-par in class.
How do people have time for everything going on at school and still have time to sleep and have fun? Every time I try, I end up doing sub-par in class.

You sound like a perfect candidate for some academic coaching and time management skill training at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors). Because I think you should do well in class, sleep AND have some fun – give it a try.