Any good poem recs?

Any good poem recs?
Any good poem recs?

There are just so many good poems that this is a really tough one! What subjects do you enjoy? What styles? Eras? One place to go is the Poetry Foundation (bit.ly/PF-poems), where you can find editors’ picks, or browse by subject or school (style) of poetry from Poetry Magazine’s 100+ year history of publishing, with over 40,000 poems. On their newsletter page, you can sign up for poem-a-day via email. Here’s a nice poem about a wall: bit.ly/goodman-wall.

Is Venus in retrograde because life is whack right now?

Is Venus in retrograde because life is whack right now?
Is Venus in retrograde because life is whack right now?

No. While initial rotation of Venus during primordial times was probably fast and prograde, Venus has been in its present configuration of slow retrograde motion within the age of the Solar System, possibly during the first billion years (Correia, 2003; bit.ly/spinofvenus). It is believed that the present motion of Venus is a steady state between gravitational tides and thermally driven atmospheric tides, as well as tidal dissipation effects due to proximity to the Sun (Correia, 2010; bit.ly/tidalevol).

Is it bad to date during freshman year????

Is it bad to date during freshman year????
Is it bad to date during freshman year????

I don’t think so. Freshman year is such a great period of exploration in general. I would, however, caution about getting so involved with someone freshman year that you limit your other activities. On the other hand, dating seems like a much better option than the hook-up culture, so kudos to you for thinking about it.

How do I find underclassmen to buy me meal plan?

How do I find underclassmen to buy me meal plan? -BC senior (I will! text me)
How do I find underclassmen to buy me meal plan?
-BC senior
(I will! text me)
Me 2 you too :) text me
Me 2
you too 🙂
text me

Venmo? GoFundMe? No, but seriously, if you’re food insecure, that’s a problem. I’d talk to the Financial Aid office to see about options. Start by visiting the Office of Student Services in Lyons; if you’re an undergrad, they can usually get you a next-day or a day later appt. (But if you’re on a flex plan, it might be just that you’re finishing the “bonus bucks” on your flex plan before the actual dining bucks kick in.) Good luck!

I want to FALL in love w/ someone

I want to FALL in love w/ someone
I want to FALL in love w/ someone

Of course! It’s Fall. But sometimes it’s hard to let go of the fear of failure and rejection, as in the classic Chris Isaak song “Wicked Game”: “No I don’t want to fall in love (this girl is only gonna break your heart).” Confide in some good friends, and then take the plunge. May you succeed & feel that rush! If your love isn’t requited, well, that’s why you confided in your friends. They’ll be ready with whatever can console you.

Why does BC love football and grass more than counseling services?

Why does BC love football and grass more than counseling services?
Why does BC love football and grass more than counseling services?

Short answer: it’s not just BC. See this report by the Center for Collegiate Mental Health: bit.ly/ccmh-2017. There’s been a huge increase in anxiety, depression, and threat-to-self rates in college students nationwide that has been increasing demand at counseling centers faster than they can respond. Perhaps you can get your student representatives (ugbc.org) to pressure the administration to do more.

Do bees have thoughts? Asking for a friend.

Do bees have thoughts? Asking for a friend.
Do bees have thoughts? Asking for a friend.

It depends on how you define “thought”. Bees have demonstrated behavior that goes beyond instinct. They can solve experimental problems never encountered in nature. They make decisions based on an effort/reward calculation. They communicate what they learn to each other. But has a bee ever wondered whether to be or not to be? That is a very good question.

Is a hotdog a sandwich?

Is a hotdog a sandwich?
Is a hotdog a sandwich?

Humans seem to be fascinated by ambiguous classifications, especially about hot dogs. Here are other answers: bit.ly/AW-hotdog, bit.ly/AW-hotdog2, bit.ly/AW-hotdog3. The Oxford English Dictionary definitions of sandwich (bit.ly/OED-sandwich) imply that common usage permits broader definitions when those are accompanied by a modifier: e.g., submarine sandwich, open-faced sandwich. Maybe a hot dog is a sandwich when you say, “hot dog sandwich.” While you ponder, listen to this 1949 Louis Prima Band recording of “Yes, We Have no Bananas”; at the 2:40 mark you’ll hear how they said it in New Yawk. bit.ly/YesNoBananas

How to avoid seasonal depression?

How to avoid seasonal depression?
How to avoid seasonal depression?

Great that you’re taking a proactive approach. I’d recommend talking to University Counseling Services (bit.ly/BC-counseling). They can probably give you ideas on how to ward it off and stay happy and healthy this winter.

Why is BC Dining so awful!?!?

Why is BC Dining so awful!?!? [response: Agreed.]
Why is BC Dining so awful!?!? [response: Agreed.]

Ponder what you find awful, and send them feedback about it: bit.ly/BCDiningComment. Maybe they’ll make some changes. My own answer: is it? I’ve had a number of people write about stuff they really like at various dining halls. Maybe it’s a matter of finding the options you like. Or maybe you just needed to vent? At times like these, I’m reminded that I’m glad I don’t eat anything but post-its. It must be so hard finding agreeable food!

I’m going to audition for Hamlet in less than two weeks. Do you think the Queen Mab speech is a good choice?

I'm going to audition for Hamlet in less than two weeks. Do you think the Queen Mab speech is a good choice? (I'm a girl tho) I don't know if it's an appropriate monologue for auditioning for a tragedy and I dunno if I'll be able to portray Mercutio. But I like it.
I’m going to audition for Hamlet in less than two weeks. Do you think the Queen Mab speech is a good choice? (I’m a girl tho) I don’t know if it’s an appropriate monologue for auditioning for a tragedy and I dunno if I’ll be able to portray Mercutio. But I like it.

There’s a pretty good Reddit thread with advice on auditioning for Shakespeare, and you’ve already avoided pitfall #1–doing something from the play you’re auditioning for. bit.ly/bc-mab. We’ve also got a few books on auditioning for Shakespeare that look good, with some collections of scenes for auditions: bit.ly/bc-shakes. The Reddit advice is to pick something similar to your age and gender, but I’d think some gender fluidity would not be amiss. Break a leg!