Thank you so much for sharing your story! I've had family members on food stamps, and lived below the poverty line for a number of years growing up and there is just such a misunderstanding associated with food stamps and other welfare support systems. It breaks my heart. It's tough enough to try to figure out how you're going to get food on the table without the added burden of so many assuming you are some kind of leech on society. I'll be thinking of you and your family and wishing you all the best in 2013!

I would absolutely be willing to stand in line to see Jon Stewart again. I attended the Rally to Restore Sanity in DC, but that was more about wading through crowds with crazy-awesome signs and less about standing in line. I stood in line for the midnight showing of the final Harry Potter, but there are a few movies I would be willing to commit that act of insanity for as I'm not big on movie theaters (hello claustrophobia!) These days my line-standing is done online, trying to nab a spot in popular races (Marine Corps Marathon, I am looking at you).

I'm 6'2, my fiance is 6'5 and my dad was 6'8. Sitting on a plane for four hours with your legs crammed up underneath your chin because the person in front of you decided to recline all the way back is a wee bit different than not being able to see at concerts. I'm typically more than happy to let shorties jump in front of me for a better view. Especially because as Anna pointed out below we already feel conspicuous enough in a world made for shrimps. Being tall seems to automatically give everyone and their uncle the right to comment "How TALL are you?" "Did you play basketball?" "Man, you guys are going to have tall kids!" So, maybe next time you decide to recline into someone's knees you should think a bit...

At 6'2, with a fiance who is 6'5, I loathe the recline feature. Loathe it. If I'm lucky enough to grab an exit row (I try, honestly. But I tend to procrastinate checking in, because oh shiny, distracting things!), I have no issue with those in front reclining, as I have ample leg room to use and abuse. However, if as is often the case, I'm not able to grab an exit row, things get a little ugly. As planes we're designed for those standing no more than 5'0 and weighing approximately 90 lbs my knees are scrunched up against the seat in front of me. And God forbid someone attempt to use the recline feature. I will purposely knee you in the back until you get the message! No, I'll ask politely if they don't mind forgoing the recline feature for the duration of this flight. If they refuse, THEN I knee them in the back until the get the message. I don't believe it's especially rude to use the recline feature, unless it's clear the person sitting behind can't really accommodate your reclining as their legs are taking up all available space. Also, if you are short, please for the love of all that is good in the world, don't take those precious exit row seats. There is nothing more frustrating than passing someone smugly chilling in the exit row when they can't be more than 5'3 as you sadly shuffle to your seat with .2 inches of leg-room to suffer out the flight.

Sizing means absolutely nothing these days. I own pants from a size 8 to a size 12 and shirts from S-XL. Each store and brand fits differently and when I go thrifting I throw sizing to hell and eyeball clothing before trying them on or purchasing them.

Good luck with grad school. I'm sure you'll rock it!