The best answer: have tons of fun September 29, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Lobby Book, Relationships , comments closedWhat should you do if someone you once were friends with now ignores you when you walk by? [3561C]
I’d probably move on and, even better, let the person see you having tons of fun with other people. Honestly, don’t give this former friend the satisfaction of knowing you’re thinking about it even. Obsessing can become terribly self-destructive. Remember what G Love says: if you’re hatin’ then you sure aint livin’.
Clueless in Durham September 29, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Lobby Book, Relationships , comments closedHow do I tell a friend to stop bugging a girl who isn’t interested? He thinks it’s romantic to “be patient” but she hates it. It’s been over a year! [3563C]
Incredible that he could be that obtuse after an entire year. Hearing it from a friend (you) might not be sufficient to crack this thick’s nut. Perhaps the focus of his attention should find a nice but direct way to tell him “no thanks.”
Google him! September 29, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Just silly, Lobby Book, Relationships , comments closedWhat happened to Michael Kennedy (grad student)??? He was awesome. [3563B]
Google him, then you’ll know if he’s still awesome!
And the answer is . . . September 29, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : About AP, Lobby Book , comments closedHow old are you? Who are you? [3561B]
I am the ageless sum of my answers.
Scrute the inscrutable September 29, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Lobby Book, Relationships , comments closedWhen will I lose my virginity? [3560C]
Hopefully, when you’re ready and find a willing partner.
Our incomparable reference librarians! September 28, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Duke Libraries , comments closedwhat are the limits of obscurity for questions for reference librarians? i don’t want to ask anything obscure just for the sake of obscurity, i just don’t want to break social conventions.
Our reference librarians are incomparable and will answer any question, no matter how obscure (although you probably shouldn’t ask obscure questions for the sake of obscurity, since that takes them away from genuine work). Give them a shout next time you’re in the library or online using the Ask Us Now! button in upper right corner of the Libraries’ front page.
Curious little creatures September 25, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Duke , comments closedHi Answer Person:
I notice that you answered another question about the crests found on Duke west campus buildings. That addresses only half of my curiosity. What can you tell me about the curious little creatures and people standing on rooftops and partially embedded beside doorways . . . Is there some significance to them? I checked out a book on Duke architecture, but sadly it does not mention these in any depth.
Aren’t they fantastic?! There are two articles in the University Archives digital collection about the construction of Duke University: “Student gets information about stone carving work” and “Sculptors embellish Duke buildings.” The first article implies the sculptors were not using models; the second implies they were: like many things, probably the truth lies somewhere in between.
You should also read the article “The Stonesetters: the men who built the University.” Thanks for your interest and keep looking up!
Office access? September 25, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Duke , comments closedYears ago when I had one employee status at Duke, I came in on a weekend and couldn’t get into the building I worked in. Went to the DukeCard office – sorry buddy, can’t help you. I had to get a specific request from my department to get me access to the building I worked in.
Now I have a faculty position, come in in the evening – same old story. Foolish of me, I know. But why is it so dangerous that I enter an empty building in the evening in which all the doors I don’t have keys to are locked anyway, while the Perkins entrances stand open til god knows how late for any “maniac” to walk in? Does this actually make sense? If you work here, you had better not work here. If you’re anyone in the world driving through Durham at night, come on in!
I had a little trouble following your question, which seems to me should be directed to your department head. As far as late night access to Perkins “for any ‘maniac,’” staff are constantly vigilant for unseemly individuals and library patrons should report inappropriate behavior to a staff member immediately. I suspect the dearth of parking near the library has made late night problems almost non-existent.
AP’s most excellent tome September 25, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : About AP, Lobby Book , comments closedAre copies of the excellent 1993 compilation of your work still available for purchase?
Alas, no. But you can gorge yourself on AP Q&A since 1982 at the Answer Person page. Just look in the menu on the right side of the page under Pages / Perkins Library Edition / 1982-1993.
Article one, section eight, hut, hut, hut September 24, 2009
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Government , comments closedArticle 1 section 8 of the constitution says that “…all Duties, Imposts, and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.” Can you tell me the Supreme Court case where they tried to interpret the meaning of Uniform as used here?
I’m not a lawyer, but the double espresso I just drank has given me the fortitude to take this snap: I would refer you to Knowlton v. Moore 178 U.S. 41 (1900).
