sustainable systems & storytelling
Twelve years ago, I recall trying on clothes at Ann Taylor Loft and noticed that my usual size small was swimming on me. Hmm. I sized down and then kicked myself for not owning a scale. My existing clothes fit the same, so I was fairly certain that I hadn't lost weight. Since that time,... Continue Reading →
I'm not a judgmental person. I'm fully supportive of everyone doing as they please, so long as they aren't putting others at harm. However, I always feel a bit conflicted when people unknowingly harm themselves based on false advertising. One of the most evident examples of this is the standard American diet. Over the last... Continue Reading →
About two weeks ago, I presented a prompt on your most unpopular opinion. I have been shunned so thoroughly that I forgot my most controversial opinion. This will likely piss some folks off. That's okay. It's an idea I first considered in my freshmen Psychology 101 course around 15 years ago when learning about "waffle"... Continue Reading →
The government can only give what it first takes. Universal Basic Income (UBI) may begin as supplemental income. However, the increase in the money supply will lead to inflation and, in turn, an increased cost in good. Recipients will demand an increase in UBI to account for the difference. While UBI may begin as a... Continue Reading →
I scoffed when I recently saw a leaked FBI document listing imagery of the Betsy Ross flag as a call sign for extremist militia members. I think it's actually a call sign for American history buffs and 10-years-old school children, but I digress. Reality is bleeding over into parody. We've reached the point in society... Continue Reading →
I'm a very laid-back person. Most people who know me my entire life have never seen me angry. But lately, there's a trend happening in society that starting to get under my skin. The same people who say "my body, my choice" shortly thereafter bring up student loan forgiveness. What I hear is: "my debt,... Continue Reading →
In 1999, my sewing teacher invited her students to participate in an international relief effort. At ten years old, I spent much of my summer sewing up quilts for Kosovo. They were simple quilts, with a sheet of batting sandwiched between two coordinating sheets of cotton fabric, secured with yarn knots at regular intervals. The... Continue Reading →
My first experience with affirmative action was as a naive 18-year-old first stepping foot into my college dorm building. After a lifetime of high marks in school, scoring in the top percentile on standardized tests, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, the university had offered me a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, $5,274 per... Continue Reading →
From a young age, I knew that I could not go to college unless I did well academically. A full decade before submitting college applications, I knew that education came at a cost. When it came time to apply for college, I spent months researching how best to fund the endeavor. I studied vigorously in... Continue Reading →
After over two decades of perfect health, I've spent the last five years navigating a devastatingly broken system. From outlandish insurance premiums and confusing deductible requirements, to lackluster care and unfair loopholes, I am not happy. I've been frustrated but patient as I make strides towards a clear diagnosis and a resolution of symptoms. In... Continue Reading →
I recently had a conversation about the current atmosphere of sensitivity, political correctness, and the pressure to please everyone. People seem to either be walking on eggshells or instigating for the sake of being controversial. Quite frankly, nothing tangible or sustainable is being achieved by these attitudes. What's the controversy all about? Between the tear down... Continue Reading →
Cancer is rampant in the world and in the media. Nearly all of us have been affected, whether personally diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or watching a friend's battle on social media. It's scary and it's disarming. And yet, it's a topic that comes up in the news and conversation. People understand, even to the... Continue Reading →
We all have that one friend, coworker, or family member that gossips incessantly about the dumbest things. Did you hear what you Aunt Carol said? Did you see what Kim Kardashian wore? Did you watch the latest episode of The Bachelor? It's like a disease where they cannot stop talking. Despite, the "no, I haven't,"... Continue Reading →
The news is filled with emotion-driven stories of wrong-doing, finger-pointing, and demands for immediate for change. You flip on Fox News or CNN and catch a glimpse of the latest travesty, which you'll discuss over drinks with your friends the next day. You scroll through Facebook or Twitter and click "like" on the posts and... Continue Reading →
My parents limited my media diet as a child. I was allowed one hour of PBS on weekdays, an hour of cartoons on the weekends, and Disney VHS tapes on occasion. I never had a game console and the only computer games I played were educational in nature—math, science, geography, and art. For the most... Continue Reading →
existential ergonomics 
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