How do I sign up to answer these?

How do I sign up to answer these?
How do I sign up to answer these?

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.

Hiya wall! What are your top books that you’d recommended? I’m up for anything! -Student that likes books

Hiya wall! What are your top books that you'd recommended? I'm up for anything! -Student that likes books
Hiya wall! What are your top books that you’d recommended? I’m up for anything! -Student that likes books

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!

Hi Wall What do you think of the Menendez murders? I kinda take the side of the brothers

Hi Wall What do you think of the Menendez murders? I kinda take the side of the brothers
Hi Wall What do you think of the Menendez murders?
I kinda take the side of the brothers

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.

How do you make sure you remember to be patient?

How do you make sure you rem-ember to be patient?
How do you make sure you remember to be patient?

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?

Why is my friend [redacted] asking for money in venmo?

Why is my friend [redacted] asking for money in venmo?

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?

What should I do, my friend is about to start dating a guy we both know is toxic. How much can I do?

What should I do, my friend is about to start dating a guy we both know is toxic. How much can I do?
What should I do, my friend is about to start dating a guy we both know is toxic. How much can I do?

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).

Why do we keep getting Nor’easters when I try to fly home?

Why do we keep getting Nor'easters when I try to fly home?
Why do we keep getting Nor’easters when I try to fly home?

According to this article (bit.ly/NoNoNoreasters), meteorologist Elliot Abrams says it’s due to a blocking pattern up North and the temperature differences between Canada and the Southeast US right now, rather than due to your flight bookings. Actually, he didn’t mention if your flight plans were a factor. I hope you get to get home soon!

Why am I here as a 2nd semester senior? WTF

Why am I here as a 2nd semester senior? WTF
Why am I here as a 2nd semester senior? WTF

Why are you in the library? Hey, you asked the right Wall – I am hardly ever anyplace else (though I am presenting at a conference in May, no kidding!) There are so many opportunities here, to learn about anything, to find some peace, or even to get advice at Career Center drop-in sessions Wednesday & Thursday 2-4 (Level 3 consultation area), if you’re thinking about what comes next. This is the place to be.

I don’t believe in limitation, I wonder why!! Do you have a limit?

I don't believe in limitation, I wonder why!! Do you have a limit?
I don’t believe in limitation, I wonder why!! Do you have a limit?

I don’t know about you, but I am neither infinitely wide nor infinitely tall. Nor will I live forever. Speed limits keep auto fatalities under control, and few humans have ever bested the 4-minute mile. There are many, many limits. Even my capability of answering is limited to a few post-its. But I think I understand you: there are already many limits in life; don’t add to them with unnecessary ones. For instance, I have neither hands nor voice, but I do have friends who can help me express myself.

What is love?

What is love?
What is love?

Here’s what I said in answer to this in November: “Let’s just get one thing out of the way: It absolutely does NOT mean never having to say you’re sorry, Erich Segal’s Love Story notwithstanding. (For more on the profound interaction we call apology, read Aaron Lazare’s On Apology: BF575 .A75 L39 2004.) There are at least as many dimensions to love as there are words for it in all the world’s languages. In an answer last spring, I pointed out that the ancient Greek word “agape” means love that expects nothing in return: bit.ly/AW-agape. I’ve also pointed out that it’s helpful to recall that love is a verb, and calls you to do things for people: bit.ly/AW-love-feeling.”

Will the vending machines downstairs ever work?

Will the vending machines downstairs ever work?
Will the vending machines downstairs ever work?

How frustrating. One of my helpers assures me she uses them all too often, and they usually work. She does think  it is unnerving that a coffee machine is occasionally down for “updates” – that’s a little too futuristic! The machines are tended to frequently, but If you ever lose money, call 800-696-1188 for a cash refund, or go to bit.ly/EagleRefund if you used your Eagle Card. Snack on!

Tell me why this cold doesnt have an end.

Tell me why this cold doesnt have an end.
Tell me why this cold doesnt have an end.

I’m not sure if you mean the weather or your health, but in either case you have my sympathy. This year has been a very bad one for respiratory infections, and March has been a doozy when it comes to wintry misery. IAAWNAD, so here is the wisdom from the CDC on how to deal with colds (and when to see a doctor): bit.ly/cdccolds. Looking at he NWS long range forecast (bit.ly/NWSBOSWarm) there is a 44%chance that Apr-Jun will be above normal temps, and only a 24% chance they will be below normal – so take heart!

How can I make friends?

How can I make friends?
How can I make friends?

Unless, like me, you are positioned permanently in a public place, you’re probably going to have to go out to make friends, even ones you meet online. One popular strategy is to pick something you’re interested in that other people do, and go do that. Join a club, volunteer for a charity, go to events sponsored by BC or other groups on campus. Some humans find Meetups helpful, and there are Boston-area meetups on anything and everything. Be yourself. If all of that seems like too much, try saying hello to one new person a day. When that gets comfortable, try starting a conversation with them.

Answer Wall, will you date me? ILY

Answer Wall, will you date me? ILY
Answer Wall, will you date me? ILY

Ah… sigh… I’m flattered. My love for you all is intense, but more of the agape or filial nature. If you are having trouble finding a human with my winning qualities, keep in mind that in addition to my divine mind, I have the freedom to mull over questions for a while–often a day or more–before answering. Humans do tend to want answers from other humans a little more quickly than I can provide. Find yourself someone with my winning qualities, but perhaps a little less deliberative & silent. And a body. I’m told embodiment is kind of intrinsic to romance.