Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
I know the soda and coffee machines aren’t the most reliable ever. They’re much more mechanically complex than vending machines, which means they break more. While we do try to report issues, it is ultimately up to the companies (Coca Cola and A&B Vending) to fix them. But, ANYONE can call or email them whenever they’re broken, so feel free to contact them yourself. You can also use your One Card at the vending machines across the atrium on floor 2 next to the Center for Teaching Excellence.
I hate to interfere with the suspension of disbelief that is crucial for making my presence enjoyable and useful for my visitors. But, even though you can’t see right through me, I’m all for transparency. So I will fess up that a sizable cadre of library staff answer these questions, with frequent referrals to other sources in the library, BC, and beyond.
Apple Music boasts more individual tracks than Spotify, and has far more exclusive content. Also, if you already use a Mac/iPhone, Apple Music will integrate seamlessly compared to Spotify. However, Spotify’s discovery tools (like Discover Weekly) make finding new artists easier and requires less intervention from you. That same discovery allows for better radio stations than Apple Music. Spotify also has a free tier, which Apple music doesn’t. Personally, I like Spotify for the radio reason alone. For a more detailed rundown, check out bit.ly/AppleSpotify-BC.
We do! There’s a copy available in the Popular Collection (just to my left) and an online version available through OverDrive (bit.ly/bc-overdrive). Both appear to be in use right now–it looks like others agree with you!
Thankfully, I am secure in my place. But it sounds like my table colleagues are not so stable. I’ll alert the people in charge and get those tables back in line.
I am sure there will be another snow day, but you will likely need to wait until next winter (or the winter after that). On average, April in Boston receives no more than 1″ of snow.
No, I haven’t. Wall physiology and brain chemistry aren’t really conducive to that sort of thing. Also, I like my reality stable and predictable.
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.
Believe it or not, you’re not the first to ask this question. In September last year, I answered it thus: “The best analysis of this question the Wall is aware of is here: bit.ly/bc-airspeed,” and I continue to stand by that answer.
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!
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.
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?](http://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/032018-2.jpg)
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?
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).
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 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 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.
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.”
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!
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!
