Dear Absolut Mono,

Mono may compromise your liver function and alcohol is processed in the liver.  Further, mono often inflames the liver, and alcohol makes this inflammation worse. Consult with your physician about alcohol use and any other medications you may be taking. Usually, mono patients should avoid alcohol for two months after the onset of symptoms.

If this is going to be difficult for you, you might want to contact Deborah Lewis, Alcohol Projects Coordinator at 255-4782.  She'll have some good info on how to refrain from alcohol.

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is often called the "kissing disease".  Kissing can spread the virus, but more commonly coughing, sneezing, or sharing a glass or cup transmits mononucleosis. Early symptoms of mono can be vague, such as headache, chills, easy fatigability, fever and sore throat.  As the disease advances, its manifestations become more obvious; fever; feeling of extreme exhaustion; tender, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin.  If any of my nieces or nephews are experiencing these symptoms call Gannett Health Services at 255-5155. 

Like my mother, Eunice, used to say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  Eat well and sleep well to keep your resistance strong.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Frustrated,
Sometimes our dreams can reveal our secret (or not so secret) desires and wishes.  My guess is that whatever is missing in your life is getting played out in the safe area of your dreams.  The trick is to figure out exactly what it is and then look at how you can follow up on it in an appropriate way.
 
You are 100% correct about refraining from pursuing a relationship with someone who is married.  That can only lead to trouble.  What you can do is take some time to think about the attributes and qualities of the person that you are attracted to and look for others who have those qualities, and are also unattached.
 
It might also help to set aside some time in wakeful hours to visualize an appropriate outlet for that sexual energy.  Talking the situation through with a trusted friend might help bring the fantasy out into the light and exhaust it.  Another method for getting unwanted thoughts out of your head is to use the cognitive technique of replacing that thought with another as soon as it comes up.  Plan ahead by having a vision of a comforting place in mind.  Whenever the thought of your dream appears, replace it immediately with your more appropriate pleasant image.

In recent years, there has been a greater openness about sexual dreams and fantasy and a greater recognition of how common this behavior is for both men and women.  Having a fantasy about a particular sexual practice or activity does not mean that a person actually wishes to engage in that behavior or that he or she would enjoy the behavior.

Fantasies are not real, they cannot hurt anyone. Just because a person writes a book about murder does not mean they are more likely to kill someone. Fantasizing about something inappropriate does not make you more likely to do it in real life. You still know the difference between right and wrong.

 

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Off Kilter,

Unfortunately this is how the building was constructed in 1988/89. The problem is definitely worse in some of the columns of rooms than others.  A very large percentage of the rooms are totally level.  I remember there were plenty of discussions and evaluations of the building prior to opening and the decision was made to accept the building as constructed. It is totally safe and not shifting.  When the bathroom vanities were installed they were installed level; however, they could not do much with the floors due to the existing toilets and tubs.

I passed your compliments on to the staff at the Statler.  Since the hotel supports the educational mission of the Hotel School, they excel in service.  They have also recently refurnished the lobby, the public areas and all the guest bathrooms.  Be on the look out for some new updates to Banfi's soon.  Glad you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again soon.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Niece,

Thank you so much for telling me about this.  You definitely have the right to a good night's sleep and furthermore, this is considered a bias incident.  Under Cornell's specific definition, "a bias incident is an act of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation by unknown perpetrators that occurs on the Cornell campus...that one could reasonably conclude is directed at a member or group of the Cornell community because of that individual's or group's actual or perceived age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity/presentation, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any combination of these or related factors." 

When you or any member of the Cornell community experience or witness bias activity, please contact a member of Cornell's Bias Reporting Team.  One member is Sharron Thrasher, Director of Student Affairs and Diversity in Campus Life, 255-5511.  You could make the call yourself, but since this particular incident is probably impacting a number of people in Balch, you could make the call with your Residence Hall Director.  Either way, please report this as soon as possible. 

I founded this university with a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.  By making this call you can help insure a climate of civility, decency and respect on campus.  Thanks.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear '09er,

The Class of 2009 ice cream flavor will be unveiled today, October 20 between 3:30 and 5:30 in the Balch courtyard or in the Carol Tatkon Center if it rains.  The ice cream was supposed to debut on the first day of Orientation, but due to a scheduling snafu the inaugural tasting is today.  Let me know what you think of the flavor,
and be sure to pick up your free Class of 2009 T-shirt while you're there!

As for the standard deviation and how it relates to your prelim scores, it is a statistical model for both you and your professor to figure out how you did relative to the class average (mean).  In grading, we assume that most grades will follow a normal curve, known to many as a bell curve.  The standard deviation is essentially a statistical average of how far the individual results were from the mean.  In a normal curve, 68% of the population will fall within one standard deviation of the mean.  So let's say the class mean was a 75, and with a little number crunching, the standard deviation is calculated to be 5.  That would mean that 68% of the class scored between 70 and 80 on the exam.  In that normal distribution, about 95% of people would score within two standard deviations of the mean, or between 65 and 85 in our example.  The professor determines course grades, so they choose how the mean relates to grades, or whether it is important to use a normalized criterion at all.  The professor may decide that the mean is lower than what they want it to correspond to in letter grades, and may shift the grades, so that a mean of 75 may actually equal a C+, and so on.  But that is up to the discretion of the professor, and if that is the case, you'll want to speak with your professor to understand how they are using the mean and standard deviation to correspond to your final prelim grade.  If you end up taking stats during your time here you'll get a more in depth analysis, but now I think it's time to taste some ice cream...

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Cold Feet,

I guess you haven't turned your heat on yet either.  It sure is getting cold at night.

Doctor Denton PJ's...now that shows your age!  These one piece footed pajamas are hard to come by these days.  In fact, I couldn't find any locally.  There is a company in Buffalo http://www.jumpinjammerz.com/  that manufactures similar pajamas with feet, but alas, no drop seat in the back!  I've never tried them, but it might be worth checking out.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear skating fan,

Ice skating is a great workout and a fun social outlet.  Many student groups rent Lynah Rink for private functions, as well as neighboring rinks in the Ithaca area.  Unfortunately there is not a master list of free skating events, it simply depends on what groups you belong to.  Lynah ice time is a popular activity with the Class Councils.  Email Jennifer Davis (jd49) to get on your class' listserve for all of their events.  Beyond that, keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground, and you may find more free skating events that you can participate in.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Spookster,

My favorite haunt for Halloween is the haunted house at Llenroc (Cornell spelled backwards), 100 Cornell Ave.  It's really spooky and so much fun.  My goblin friends and I will be there on Saturday, October 29th.  Show up any time from 5-8. It's $2 at the door which goes to charity.  Thanks to all my nieces and nephews of Delta Phi, Kappa Delta and Delta Delta Delta for putting on this annual spooktacular event.

If you are busy that evening you might want to go to Iron Kettle Farm in Candor, 20 miles south of Ithaca. They have an amazing Halloween display and lots of activities, 9-6 every day in October (http://www.ironkettlefarm.com/).  It's oriented to little kids, but very elaborate, so worth the trip.  They also have a great farm stand and yummy fall treats.

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Measuring,

A little bird told me that he is 6 feet 8 inches tall.  He's a leader that we can all look up to!

Uncle Ezra   

Dear Groggy,

I'm feeling sleepy just reading your question!  Fortunately we have a sleep expert here on campus, Professor Maas, who teaches Psych 101, and is world renown for his research on sleep.  Even his license plate is "PWR SLEEP."  So I went to the source and asked Professor Maas what you should do.  He explained, "Your biological clock is not in synch with the hours you spend in bed."

He recommended that you try going to sleep a little later and maintaining a regular sleep wake schedule Monday through Monday, including weekends.  That is, go to bed and wake up at the same times every night and morning.  He said, "Within two weeks you should be able to fall asleep within 20 minutes.  At that point you can slowly increase the hours in bed by going to bed 15 minutes earlier each week until you are getting your quota of nine hours of sleep every night.  You need that many to be fully alert all day long."  I hope you're feeling alert for those morning classes soon.

Uncle Ezra