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To be or not to be?

To be or not to be?
To be or not to be?

Being is definitely better than not being. Please recall that this quote, in Act III, Scene 1 of Hamlet, was asked by a young man who suspected that his mother and stepfather had arranged the murder of his father. He was thinking that not-being would “end/ The heartache and the thousand natural shocks/ That flesh is heir to.” If you’re suffering heartache that makes you think about not being, please get help immediately: call the counseling office at 617-552-3310 (8:45-4:45 M-F) and ask to speak to the Psychological Emergency Clinician (PEC), or visit the office in person in Gasson 001. (If you’re just quoting Shakespeare’s Hamlet to show your appreciation for a fine play, here’s a 3-minute version you might find entertaining: bit.ly/3-minute-hamlet. Click “show more” for the lyrics, so you can understand the thick Glasgow accent.)

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Writing pains me. Not writing pains me. Having written and re-reading what I produced pains me. Which one is more painful or are they even comparable?

Writing pains me. Not writing pains me. Having written and re-reading what I produced pains me. Which one is more painful or are they even comparable?
Writing pains me. Not writing pains me. Having written and re-reading what I produced pains me. Which one is more painful or are they even comparable?

To paraphrase Oscar Wilde: The only thing worse than writing is not writing. I think I’d say they’re comparable but different in quality, not just degree. The pain of writing is equivalent to the pain of stumbling blindly through the dark. The pain of not writing is the pain of avoiding doing the thing you know must be done, which only grows bigger the longer you avoid it. The pain of re-reading is the pain of your own vulnerability magnified by self-doubt. Offset the first by taking breaks as rewards, the second by setting a schedule, and the third by telling your internal critics to enjoy a vacation. It also helps to find a friendly, trusted audience, even of one. I look forward to hearing about what you’ve written!

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Is there a bus that runs to the BC property on hammond Pond Parkway/the Chestnut Hill Mall during the summer? Can there be, if there isn’t :)?

Is there a bus that runs to the BC property on hammond Pond Parkway/the Chestnut Hill Mall during the summer? Can there be, if there isn't :)?
Is there a bus that runs to the BC property on hammond Pond Parkway/the Chestnut Hill Mall during the summer? Can there be, if there isn’t :)?

There is not (and shuttle service is greatly reduced in summer), but I would suggest you let Transportation know of your unmet needs. They can be reached at (617) 552-0151 or transportation@bc.edu. I feel for you!

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Can the temp of the library be reduced? I’m so hot!

Can the temp of the library be reduced? I'm so hot! [drawing of sun]
Can the temp of the library be reduced? I’m so hot!

It looks like the problem with being too cold on June 1 may have been overcorrected! You can report any problem anywhere on campus by logging into your Portal account and clicking on the link for Facilities Work Ticket. Allow the App to find your location and you can report that the building is too hot. If you want a cooler place to study visit the Theology and Ministry Library on the Brighton Campus. My cousin, the bulletin board in the lobby, tells me it’s 63 degrees there!

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Why does religion still exist today?

Why does religion still exist today?
Why does religion still exist today?

The search for meaning and truth will exist long after our material existence ceases. Victor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, may help you understand why the Human heart longs for more. This book is currently available at O’Neill Library, or the Theology and Ministry Library at call number D810 .J4 F72713 [1985 or 2006].

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What do you do when you get tired but something needed to be done soon?

What do you do when you get tired but something needed to be done soon?
What do you do when you get tired but something needed to be done soon?

As a wall, I am fortunate not to have to contend with sleepiness, but I know that it can make any type of project more difficult. There are a few ways to deal with being tired in the face of a looming deadline. One of the most common responses is to drink a caffeinated beverage (coffee, tea, soda, etc.). While that might be a popular option, it isn’t a great longterm solution. When you are tired, sleep is the most effective cure. If the deadline is truly immediate, such as within the next few hours, try taking a brief “power nap,” which some research (such as http://bit.ly/BCSleep) suggests can be effective. If your deadline is a bit further in the future, you really can’t beat the benefits of a set sleep schedule. When planning the timeline for your work, factor in consistent and reasonable amounts of sleep and stick to your schedule. Some phones and other devices can even be set up to remind you when you should go to sleep so that you establish the optimal sleep schedule. Good luck!

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Can the temp of the library be increased? It’s so cold

Can the temp of the library be increased? It's so cold [drawing of snowman]
Can the temp of the library be increased? It’s so cold

I’m so sorry you’re cold. So are my human assistants. I’ll report the cold, but don’t get your hopes up too high. Have you ever noticed that part of the stereotypical outfit of a librarian is a cardigan? The library isn’t chilled for our comfort; it’s for the books. They don’t need to be cold, per se, but they do need to be kept dry, and the most efficient way to do that is to remove moisture with an air-conditioning system. Above a certain temperature and humidity, molds begin to multiply, and mold is the the #1 enemy of paper. (Fire is also a problem, of course, but much rarer.) So, my assistants all sympathize, but there’s little we can recommend but to either a) wander the library in search of a less chilled area or b) join the library fashion-world and don a cardigan.

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Is this what you look like naked? :)

Is this what you look like naked? :)
Is this what you look like naked? 🙂

I think what I looked like this past week was more like what it looks like when I leave the house. I haven’t been naked in a long time thanks to all your awesome questions on post-its! But I’m pretty close now, wearing my summer wardrobe.

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Did you have a good time and also learn new things?

Did you have a good time and also learn new things?
Did you have a good time and also learn new things?

I did, thanks! It was a terrific networking opportunity, and the program was excellent, including a thought-provoking and engaging keynote on building a more diverse environment, as well as lightning talks covering a wide range of topics. I got a strong sense that the audience valued my presence and that other libraries may consider inviting a wall of their own to answer questions.

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My grammar is flawless – “on Newton” being an abbreviation for “on Newton Campus” (em-dash may be used to function as a comma above).

My grammar is flawless - "on Newton" being an abbreviation for "on Newton Campus" (em-dash may be used to function as a comma above).
My grammar is flawless – “on Newton” being an abbreviation for “on Newton Campus” (em-dash may be used to function as a comma above).

I’m sorry! Your grammar is indeed perfect, and I’m not sure how I read “on Newton” as anything other than the Newton campus. (If walls could blush, I’d be beet red right now!) I will look into the wilting of flowers on the Newton campus and provide an answer when I find one.

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How do I tell my roommate I do not want to live with him anymore?

How do I tell my roommate I do not want to live with him anymore?
How do I tell my roommate I do not want to live with him anymore?

My advice is to be direct, clear, and steer clear of making it a commentary on his personality or your relationship. Also, give him as much notice as possible so that he will be able to find an alternate roommate or roommates. These sorts of conversations can be awkward and uncomfortable, but trying to avoid them entirely or postpone them as long as possible will only make the experience worse.

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How much money does BC spend on landscaping?

How much money does BC spend on landscaping?
How much money does BC spend on landscaping?

Official word from facilities on the landscaping budget is that “the University has operating expenses upwards of 980 million dollars annually. The landscaping operating costs are perhaps the smallest yearly investment made into the buildings and properties portfolio but it has a great return on investment…” The Wall agrees about the returns. If I weren’t so committed to being vertical, I’d go lie on the lawn and let the blossoms fall on me.