Strange Little Collecting Project

I suffer from analysis paralysis. I have a hard time committing to opinions. Ironically, I am the most opinionated about what people should do with their opinions. I wrote about this a couple years ago . (I have such analysis paralysis that it took me 5 minutes to convince myself that it wasn't too egotistical to link to an old blogpost in a new blogpost). When forming an opinion, I subconsciously consider it from the perspective of all parties involved. (I think this comes from years of reading papers from the perspective of the devil's advocate since my inability to commit to opinions seems to be getting worse and worse). It is because of this over-analysis that I have a reoccurring stress dream where I am forced to make an executive decision about something unimportant like choosing a restaurant or movie. (Stop judging me...you have your weird thing, too). It is also because of this analysis paralysis that I do not understand everyone's insistence on being so opiniona

If you know a teacher or two in North Carolina, and you've been on social media in the last day or so, you know that NC legislators are at it again. Yesterday, Governor Pat McCrory announced that he is making it a goal in the near future to raise teacher salaries. When I first saw the headline, I was ecstatic. Finally, the hardest working people I know will get what they deserve. But when I read the article, I realized just how wrong the state has managed to get it...once again. Pat McCrory's plan is to pay new teachers with 0-5 years of experience $33,000 a year starting in the 2015-2016 school year. That is up from the current $30,800 that first year teachers in NC receive giving teachers with 1-5 years of experience a $2,200 dollar raise. Teachers with 6 and 7 years of experience will also be raised to $33,000 giving them between a $1,780-1,330 raise for the 2015-2016. All of this sounds great. ($33,000 is still a slap in the face when you consider the hours teachers work,

I would like to speak on behalf and in favor of literal language. I feel the need to speak for literal language because literal language can no longer speak for itself; it can no longer be trusted.  Last year, the internet claimed another victim. Reputable dictionaries (not just the Urban Dictionary) included the non-literal meaning of literally. Merriam-Webster now defines literally as meaning “actually” and “virtually.” The Cambridge online dictionary also included a modified definition of literally that describes how it is used to create dramatic effect. The word literal is just another victim of our changing times. It can now join unanswered questions, articles that aren’t presented as lists, carrying cash, card catalogues, and privacy at the Island of Misfit Toys. One of my biggest pet peeves has quickly become the flagrant (flagrant 2 for my basketball readers) misuse of literally. (What can I say? You were right Joanie Mitchell…and Passenger; I didn’t appreciate “literally”