I didn't vote on the first one because I always post warts and all since I have no beta. (Of the ones I did have one is permanently indisposed and one was terrible- she was making 'corrections' that were grammatical mistakes even I could catch.) But I realize no one else likes that method because it makes you look like you have never seen the inside of an English book.

I voted ticky box on the second, because I go back and forth on my hair all the time. I think shoulder length is the way to go. Still long enough to put back when it's annoying but short enough not to be annoying so often. Any shorter than that and you run the risk of having to keep up with the cut. I always forget short haircuts are a lot more troublesome to keep from looking shaggy. So not short, not long. Something in the middle.