I graduated high school on this date in 1986. I wrote a rendition of Forever Young called Forever Friends, changing the lyrics can you imagine when this race is won to something like can you imagine when high school’s done. I also changed the chorus of Addicted to Love, to Might as well face it I hate Mr. Whartenbee.
That’s when I knew I was destined to be a professional writer.
Also, I looked like this:
I just wanted to put both of those factoids out there for every 17 year-old who is convinced that she is awesome and life will never get better than this.
Also, if you think your hair is cool now? It’s not. It sucks.
So what were you doing in 86? And please don’t say “being born.”
103 shards of brilliance… read them below or add one
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watching she-ra and jem
i…. wasn't born
i'm sorry. i love that pic tho…. i have pictures like that from years ago, and i wonder what exactly was i thinking as a middle schooler…. not that i'm much smarter in college lol
I was a freshman, and my bangs were even bigger. I was also in love with blue mascara.
I was in 9th grade, writing thousands of drivel-filled notes back and forth to my best friend at the time. And folding them all up envelope-like to pass them to her. Oh, and I believe I wore blue AND pink eyeshadow. At the same time. Hoo boy, those were the days…
I too was in L-O-V-E with blue mascara and routinely paired it was max factor's navy eyeliner…And yes I lined the INSIDE of my eyelids. I also love Units and the Wet Seal. Fer Sure!
I was a graduating 8th grade and fighting with my mom to let me wear the blue mascara!!
1986…wow that was actually a decent year in high school for me. We had great movies like the Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles. Then there was the music. Favorite band of all time was {and still is} Duran Duran.
Those were some good times. A life without many responsibilities.
Wishing you a scent-sational trip down memory lane!
Patty
Two years after graduating from an Ivy League university, I was handing out bumperstickers for a rock'n'roll radio station. That's what I was doing in 1986. It was a year or so later that I agreed to the most ridiculous hairstyle (an asymmetrical perm), pictures of which I wouldn't dare to post as bravely as you've posted yours.
I was a freshman. My eyeliner was SILVER and I had the most horrid mullet haircut ever (and I knew it at the time). My favorite “ensemble” was a shiny white shirt with a long tail down the back and purple and black capri pants. Sadly, not preserved on film like yours.
I was born, but I was 3 soooo… I don't remember much. I think I was in love with the Snorks then.
On another note, I did some of that song-changing stuff in high school also. I thought I was the hotness. I know, I wasn't.
Just to make you feel better, I was finishing my sophomore year of college (graduated high school 1984)…
first year of college, enjoying my freshman 15. And I don't mean hookups.
I was finishing my junior year of high school and more than ready to be a senior and blow the proverbial popsicle stand.
And as for my look? More Judd Nelson than Molly Ringwald, if we're sticking to the Breakfast Club analogy.
I'm turning forty in eleven days. How did that happen exactly?
Same as you granny – same as you.
I was nine, that would have been fourth grade with Mrs. Meisenheimer. Reading Gone with the Wind because it was the biggest book in the library.
Just to make you feel better I graduated in '84 with the Preppy Handbook as my bible. Love the turquoise shoes. Might have to dig up an old photo of me in a Fair Isle Sweater and Topsiders.
I was repeating the 11th grade back in Germany and I thought that wearing a polo shirt with a thin leather tie was super cool. And of course, jacket sleeves had to be rolled up!
Trying desperately to be cool rocking my Limited shirt and Guess jeans.
You feel old? I was in law school in 1986.
But I would have rocked it WAY more with those shoes!
Wow, you were so trendy in 1986! I was a junior in high school and while I coveted the look you had, I was much more on the preppy side of the spectrum. Let's see–1986, spent most of my lunch hours in the library hallway studying SAT words with my also-geeky friends…
Just beginning my love affair with my panic attacks. Great year.
I was a junior in high school. And I pretty much looked exactly like you. The white leggings, the oversized shirts that look like I stole them from the Mens XXXL store, and my own shame… the unbelievable amount of make-up in colors never found in the natural world.
I was enjoying 8th grade “graduation” otherwise known as “Moving up Day” so as not to steal the glory from anyone who was graduating at the same time.
I had a mullet.
And curly hair.
Pink tinted classes.
And braces.
OMG–you totally looked like Claire! I'm so jealous. I'm just a little behind you–I was a freshman in high school. Writing notes with hearts dotting the i's, in total and complete love with Kevin Calloway–a senior! My sister loved Duran Duran. Me, not so much. But Sixteen Candles and Breakfast club are still two of my all-time favorite movies ever. I got drunk a bunch that year–orange wine coolers were my favorite. The 80s–what a decade! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
I was 11, in Phoenix, cried every day of 6th grade, had a sexist male teacher who thought I should buck up and accept the boys' teasing me because it meant they liked me. 7th and 8th got worse. Then I moved to SF and went to a tiny hippy private high school and everything improved.
In June 1986, I had just finished my freshman year of high school and was enjoying one of my last “work-free” summers by riding everywhere on my 10 speed. Since I was JUNE, I was definitely lamenting the humidity and AquaNet's lack of effect.
Well, I was beginning school, does that count? And despite the age difference, I have a picture of myself with almost the exact same hairstyle.
In 1986 I was finishing 8th grade and I'm pretty sure I had that same hairdo.
Duuude! We are the same age. On this date in 1986, I was just getting back from an all night bender at Golf 'N Stuff (miniature golf + water park) where they had a free party to keep all us kids from driving around the city drunk and killing their family members.
My how times change.
86? Rockin' some stand-up collars and a tragic Western Mass do while working out my awkward Sophmore year. Your hair was awesome. Mine morphed into some crazy teased Aqua Net monster.
(A lesson to the young-ins: Don't go tanning. I attended my 20th high school reunion last fall and holy hell, did some of the ladies look leathery.)
Pure awesomeness!
I was graduating middle-school…
-I used a round brush to curl my bangs UP and my hair style was shaved on one side and long on the other… I was hot
-I traded one florescent Converse high-top sneaker with my BFF so we each wore one of the other's sneak
– I was in love with a boy named Drew Romeo… still can't find him ANYWHERE
In 1986, I was running away from a disastrous freshman year of college by moving to NYC for a few years to act professionally.
I'm freakin older. I graduated in 85 so I was away at college having “wake and bakes” and missing a lot of classes. Omg I miss those days. And the pot. I just take xanax now instead.
Awesome.
I was a freshman with a major perm and neon socks. I wonder if I kept the orange neon fishnets for costuming purposes?
turning a year old…that better?
I was breakdancing in the 8th Grade.
June 1986…I was 2 and a half, so potty training I guess? And trying to get my mom to take my sister back to the store.
I was finishing my Freshman year, wishing I could get a spiral perm that would stick and cursing my fine hair. I had mastered the layered look, upturned collars, and was looking forward to getting contacts (gas-perm of course) and losing the braces. Yeah, I remember the 80's. That music is the soundtrack to my growing-up years!
I was a 5th grader, living in West Berlin and worshiping at the altars of Boy George, A-ha and the Pet Shop Boys.
My favorite outfit was a purple and red polka dot oversized sweater with matching leggings and ballet flats.
And I had a perm.
I…was not being born! But my little sister was. Lol.
Also, I rocked the shiny, happy braces look through an enormous chunk of the 90s. So. Yeah.
Not too thrilled with you calling yourself old, since I graduated two years BEFORE you did.
You guys looked very cute and innocent, though.
I was at the skating rink, praying some boy would try and kiss me. Or at the very least, ask me to couple skate to Glory of Love by Peter Cetera.
I looked exactly as you did, permed hair, very breakfast club
Oh darling Anon, that's not a perm.
Not by a longshot.
Keep these coming! They're awesome. (If depressing, in all sorts of ways.)
Remarkable how blue mascara figures so prominently into 1986.
I was 9 years old attempting to rock this look since my older sister was 19. I was doing lots of spelling bees!
I freaking love you for posting that photo. L-O-V-E.
June 1986: I had just finished eighth grade, which was only surpassed by sixth grade as my suckiest year of school. However, I'd been free of my braces for over a year.
I was pegging my jeans and layering brightly colored socks (I think–it's a time period I've tried hard to black out).
I had mega bangs, and wore fluorescent coloured suspenders (each strap a different glowing colour, of course!)with my cut off jean shorts and jelly shoes. Ahhh, the good old days!
86? Good lord. I met my now husband in 1986.
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