Memories of Teenage Style Horrors

Blog, first person

Memories of Teenage Style Horrors

When I was about 13, I decided to cut my own hair. I’m still not sure what came over me – it was a moment of madness that started badly and got worse as I tried to even up my asymmetrical cuts with further, even more unflattering blows of the scissor. When I looked in the mirror and saw the carnage that I had wrought, it was all I could do not to scream.

My older sister came to fetch me for school and found me crying on my bed, and when I answered her “What’s wrong” by simply lifting my head and letting her see my new do, she kindly stopped herself from laughing or clawing her eyes out in horror at what she saw. Instead, she performed that most vital task of older sisters, which is to dole out fashion advice and styling tips to hormonally confused teenage girls.

With a little bit of product and an understanding of how to use it (at the time I thought that a half a can of mousse was necessary for a single application) she toned down the frizz, and then worked some arcane magic with various bobby pins and flower clips. I was almost afraid to look in the mirror, given the travesty I had seen the last time, but she’d managed to give me not just an acceptable style, but one that was actually flattering.

Her construction held up until after school, when she took me to a hairdresser to have the damage repaired, but it taught me a valuable lesson – no matter how bad things may look, if you know how to style and accessorize, you can end up looking wonderful. Also, you can always rely on your big sister to fix things, no matter how awful it may seem.

K9 Advantix Parasite Control

This is an advertorial - a made up word that describes an advertisement CUNNINGLY DISGUISED as someone's opinion. 



Whatever the time of year or weather conditions, your dog is always at risk from parasites. While fleas are often thought of as a summer problem, something as simple as heating your home can mean year-round scratching and irritation for you and your dog. Remember, it's not just fleas that you have to worry about; ticks and flying insects such as mosquitoes can not only make your dog itchy and uncomfortable, but also transmit potentially life-threatening diseases.

K9 Advantix is an anti-parasite medication from Bayer which has been specifically researched, developed and marketed for dogs. It is effective against fleas, ticks, stable flies, sand flies and mosquitoes – killing any fleas or ticks which land on the dogs as well as repelling ticks, stable flies, sand flies and mosquitoes from touching the dog at all. This helps prevent these blood-sucking parasites from transmitting any other diseases to your pet, which is very handy as some of these diseases, such as Ehrlichosis, have no vaccines available, and others, such as Lyme disease, can be transmitted to people. K9 Advantix is scientifically proven to be effective in preventing the transmission of tick-borne diseases. In one study, some dogs were treated with K9 Advantix and others were not. Each dog was then infected with 100 ticks which were carrying Lyme disease. After 42 days, not a single one of the dogs which had been treated with K9 Advantix had caught Lyme disease, whereas all of the dogs which had received no treatment tested positive.

With its simple spot-on formulation, K9 Advantix is quick and easy to use. Using the appropriate pipette for the size of your dog, just part the hairs at the back of the neck, place the tip of the pipette against the skin and squeeze gently to apply the formula to the skin. Repeat every month for year-round protection against the target parasites. If your dog is medium to large sized, apply equal amounts of the formula to four separate areas down the spine. Getting wet should not affect the performance of K9 Advantix unless your dog spends a prolonged time in the water. If that is the case, you can give Advantix more frequently, as long as you do not use it more than once a week. If your dog needs to be shampooed, either do so before using the medication or two weeks after you have used it.

As well as giving you and your dog protection against uncomfortable itching and dangerous diseases, K9 Advantix gives you peace of mind. Simply take out the easy-to-use pipette once a month and feel confident that your dog will be safe from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, sand flies and stable flies.

Contact your veterinarian today to see if K9 Advantix is right for your furry friend.

10 Computer Case Mods Made from Recycled Materials

This one was interesting. Who knew people do so many things with their computers? I really want some of the pretty old-fashioned looking ones. Picture research took a while though.

http://static.neatorama.com/images/2007-11/computer-piano-compiano.jpg

[Tony Greenberg; http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/gramaphone-itx-hd/]

Household appliances, antiques, even bathroom fittings can be repurposed and recycled to make functional, aesthetically unique computer cases. We’ve picked out the best of the best to inspire you.

(10) VHS Player PC

http://kiwiland.net.nz/projects/tux/front.jpg
[Paul Rosser http://kiwiland.net.nz/projects/tux/index.html]

I can’t imagine that there are many people who’ve watched something on VHS lately. Paul Rosser fashioned this mod when his UK VHS player wouldn’t work in New Zealand, but there’s no need to move continents to recycle your old electronics.

(9) Victorian All-in-One PC

http://steampunkworkshop.com/images/ain25-desk.jpg
[Jake von Slatt; http://steampunkworkshop.com/victorian-all-one-pc]

This PC simply beautiful to look at and Jake Slatt of the Steampunk Workshop manufactured the frame and the base from knick-knack shelves he found at various thrift stores. Some people may say that steampunk has had its heyday, but we defy them to look at this computer and not have their fingers itch with desire to type an email on it while wearing a monocle.

(8) Toilet Case Mod

http://www.envador.com/cases/ToiletPC/ToiletPC01.JPG
[Envador; http://www.envador.com/cases/ToiletPC/]

Certainly a unique design, a toilet-based computer case is not something that necessarily appeals to many. Although, the attention to detail, especially in the brown staining around the rim, could appeal to anyone who remembers their college days with fondness. Given that the only other toilet-recycling we’ve ever seen is using them as garden planters, hats off to Envador for original thinking.

(7) Chest of Drawers PC

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7110/2721/320/Media%20Center%20%2821%29.jpg
[Kyle Shipp; http://hiddenmedia.blogspot.com/2006/04/building-process.html]

While Kyle bought a teeny-tiny chest of drawers from Target to house his PC, this case-mod could easily be adapted for an old piece of furniture that’s knocking around the house, especially if the drawers are no longer running smoothly or are otherwise no longer fit for purpose.

(6) Underwood Typewriter Mod

http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/underwood/images/underwood0022.jpg
[Joel Zahn; http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/underwood/]

An old Underwood No. 5 typewriter was skillfully transformed into a state-of-the art piece of technology when Joel Zahn finally put a long-though-of project into action. We think that the heavy ‘thunk’ of the keys must make writing bitchy emails or angry facebook messages even more satisfying.

(5) The Nagy Magical-Movable-Type Pixello-Dynamotronic Computational Engine

http://www.datamancer.net/projects/engine/computationalengine4.jpg
[Richard Nagy; http://www.datamancer.net/projects/engine/engine.htm]

Another steampunk mod, but this one is more of an installation than a mod. A chair, typewriter and antique cabinetry all combine with the impressive skill of the maker to give a truly impressive fixture, with all the functionality expected of a modern-day computer. Unless, of course, you want to move it.

(4) Lego Mac

http://www.apple-juice.co.uk/images/lego/lego_mac_1.jpg
[Daniele Procida http://www.apple-juice.co.uk/pages/the-lego-mac.php]

This Mac encased entirely in Lego pieces is beyond adorable. The best thing is, when you get tired of it, or need some specific pieces to complete the epic Lego castle you’ve been making, you can take it to pieces and start again from scratch.

(3) Guitar PC

http://www.envador.com/cases/GuitarPC/full_images/IMG_0592.JPG

It’s difficult to see how anyone could have this in their house and resist absent-mindedly picking it up and trying to strum some chords. Many families will have a cheap guitar knocking around after someone gave up on learning how to get girls with music, and the roomy bodies give plenty of space for computer parts.

(2) Wooden Valve Radio PC

http://kiwiland.net.nz/projects/mythie/radio.jpg

[Paul Rosser; http://kiwiland.net.nz/projects/mythie/]

We love old technology repurposed for new, and this PC housed in an old wooden valve radio is absolutely perfect. Even the classiest of rooms would benefit from this addition, and Paul Rosser keeps his in the living room, where it functions as a digital TV recorder by means of the DVR cunningly concealed in the back.

(1) Aquarium PC
http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2005/05/wcg2005_casemod/robert.jpg
[Robert Stoppels; http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2005/05/04/wcg2005_casemod/4]

Water and electronics, together? It seems like madness, but Robert Stoppels managed to make it happen. You do have to worry about the fate of the poor little fish if something went wrong, and also, of course, your own safety. But won’t someone think of the fishes? This unlikely marriage of pets and computers gets our vote for best recycled case for pure foolhardiness.

10 Hottest (Female) Sci-Fi Aliens

This one was odd to write. I am not a man, or a lesbian, so I had to canvass some friends on who counts as hot. Also, I have not seen all these films/shows (shhh!) Guess which ones!


http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/en/images/a/a1/Orion_slave_girls.jpg

There are plenty of sexy women who hail from the planet Earth, but there’s something about the mystique and glamour of the extraterrestrial that makes it fun to dabble outside of our atmosphere once in a while. After some exhaustive research through film, television and comic books, we’ve come up with the definitive top 10 aliens you wish you could be abducted by.

(10) Girl with Three – ahem – “Points of Interest” (Total Recall; Lycia Naff)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sfuOO-Bym6g/TOqQOa17AdI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/xmQITsDNEV8/s128/mary.jpg

Apparently her name was Mary, but we were… distracted. Let’s stop beating around the bush, this alien/mutant/gift-from-god appeals to the teenage boy that still lives inside every man; the boy who knows that three breasts are always going to be better than two. As one of the most iconic parts of the sci-fi Schwartzeneger vehicle, while agreement may never be reached on your differing interpretations of the dream-within-a-dream scenarios, all men canbond over their mutual appreciation of… What was her name again?

(9) Gaila (Star Trek 2010; Rachel Nichols)

http://img.trekmovie.com/images/merchandise/st09_eggs/rachelnichols.jpg

The prototypical alien fantasy, the green-skinned alien of Captain Kirk’s time on the Starship Enterprise got a feminist update for the 21st century. Thankfully, the exotic green skin and rampant sex appeal didn’t go the way of William Shatner’s singing career. Instead, J.J. Abrams managed to make these Orion babes even more appealing by showing us a green- skinned vixen who won’t bow down to any man. Turns out that an independent woman can be even hotter than one that will cater to your every whim.

(8) Kara Zor-El – alias Supergirl (DC Comics)

http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.moviefone.com/media/2009/12/supergirl.jpg

Hotter than a supermodel, blonder than a fantasy, able to take your breath away with a sweep of her hair. Look! Up in the sky! It's a babe. It's a total hottie. It's Supergirl! Yes, Superman’s little cousin is a bona-fide ten-out-of-ten. Brought in by DC Comics to up their products’ appeal with teen girls, I think she must have appealed to teen boys just as much, if not more. Superman’s iconic ‘S’ sure looks better on Kara. There’s something about a girl who can see through your clothes…

(7) Chiana (Farscape; Gigi Edgley)

http://www.just-whatever.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/chiana_farscape.jpg

There’s nothing more exciting than a rebel without a cause, and Farscape’s Chiana has certainly got the credentials having lied, stolen, cheated and killed her way across half the known universe. Her gray color palette is enticingly intriguing, kind of like a black-and white photo in an encyclopedia came to life and asked you to do naughty things.

(6) Seven of Nine (Star Trek Voyager; Jeri Ryan)

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:zU0CpTqRdDKASM:http://www.trekcore.com/gallery/
albums/sevenofnine/7of9_s4.jpg&t=1

We still don’t know why Seven of Nine had to wear a skin-tight jumpsuit instead of anything
remotely practical for living on a starship, and we have to admit that we still don’t care. While she was born a human, we think that large amounts of alien technology implanted into her body, not to mention being raised by the half-alien, half-computer Borg definitely counts her in the alien category. The hotness credential is, we’re sure unchallenged. One of the best things about prime-time TV during the run of the show, Seven of Nine could assimilate us any time she likes.

(5) Number 6 (Battlestar Galactica; Tricia Helfer)

http://alysonhoag.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/battlestar-galactica-caprica-six-image-22.jpg

Dangerous, mysterious, at times disturbingly violent; Number 6 would only hurt you because she loved you. Or her God told her to. Or just for kicks. That red dress and that figure would have made the show worth watching even if it hadn’t been so amazingly good. Best of all, there are thousands of Sixes, so even if one of them is so busy plotting the downfall of the human race that she can’t make time to see you, you can just call up another.

(4) Anna (V; Morena Baccarin)

http://www.twotalkingmonkeys.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/
morena_baccarin_anna_v.jpg

She rocks the short pixie hair-cut as the leader of the Visitors in this update of the 1983 sci-fi spectacular. Sure, she’s got a slightly predatory look in her eyes at times, and if you accepted her offer to stay over “just for the night” you’d probably wake up to find your apartment redecorated and scented soaps all over the bathroom, but we think she’d definitely make it worth your while.

(3) Leeloo (The Fifth Element; Mila Jovovich)

http://www.just-whatever.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/leeloo_fifth_element.jpg

It’s just something about those bandages. Or maybe the way those orange suspender-things matched her hair. Whatever they were they showed off just enough to get us interested but not so much that we had our fill. Even better, it’s not like Bruce Willis was much of a looker in that movie either, so there’s always the feeling we’d have a chance.

(2) Neytiti (Avatar; Zoe Saldana)

http://illumeateight.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/avatar_neytiri_zoe_saldana.jpg

Okay, so it would be a somewhat unconventional relationship. Maybe she wouldn’t be welcome at the residents’ association meetings when we discuss chopping down some trees. Yes, she’s ten feet tall, and blue, and has a tail, and weird feet, and there is that whole sex- via-a-docking-port conundrum. We’d find a way to make it work! Although, pretty sure we wouldn’t sully our docking-port-connection by also doing it with a flying dragon.

(1) Princess Leia (Star Wars; Carrie Fischer)

http://blstb.msn.com/i/E9/E63E35CB0CAC9243996EFF9FDB1F5.jpg

Two words - golden bikini; surely one of the most iconic movie outifts of all time and fuel for a whole generation’s teenage fantasies. Having led an alliance of rebels and handled herself pretty well in encounters with stormtroopers, she’s definitely not the kind of girl you’d have to carry home from the bar because her heels were hurting. Granted, she did make out with her brother, and cinnamon buns wouldn’t be every girls choice of hair-styling inspiration, but we’re prepared to forgive that. Meeting the parents does have an added thrill when her dad could choke you with his mind.