dear readers,
1. What should I do about my laptop with the dead hard drive? I could get a new 100GB drive and replace the noisy fan for less than $150. Is there any reason I should get a whole new computer? This is my current computer.
The postdoc in my lab who was trying to convince me to get a macbook was fairly insistent that my advisor should buy me a new one, but really, there is no way I'm going to ask (I did tell him yesterday that it died and he told me to use grant money to buy an external drive to set up automated back-up, at least).
2. Should I cut my hair? And if yes, how short? (If you suggest too short for a ponytail, you have to suggest a hairstyle that takes no longer to style in the morning) Here's how long it is now (it hasn't been cut in 2 years, hence the scraggy ends):
I've had it cut shorter than my shoulders once that I can remember, when I was 8. Since then, the shortest it's been is just below my shoulders. It's finally long enough that it's annoying, though, since pulling it back into a ponytail doesn't stop the ends from hanging over my shoulder and getting in my face. I wouldn't mind cutting it all off, I think. I've been trying to work up the courage to do that for a long time, actually. I have problems with putting too much effort into my appearance, though, because then people might actually think I care or that I think I look good or something. Plus worries about how any attention to appearance is conflated with trying to look sexy (as Shrinky wrote about here). So, any hairstyle you suggest should still say "I'm invisible; don't look over here". Oh, and my hair is really thin, so layers won't work.
Thanks!
posted by Lucy @ 3:34 PM
15
comments
15 Comments:
I used to have hair that long and I don't miss it at all. I've got it shoulder-length now, which is fairly easy for me. Long enough for a ponytail, short enough to not be a problem if I want to leave it down. Also boring enough to not attract attention! (Though my hair color makes invisibility difficult.)
You should never ask me for computer advice because I'll just tell you to get a powerbook. I love my computer.
Do NOT get a macbook right now. All the new ones since they switched to intel processors have been having issues.
There have been many reports of improperly applied heatsinks on processors, so they are running crazy hot and will break sooner than later.
ANd I have been hearing the cases have been turning yellow and the finish has been flaking off.
i.e. the build quality is very poor from the sounds of it, and your money would be better spent elsewhere.
I should note that I'm not a mac person, despite the evangelical efforts of all the mac users I've met, so really my choices are $150 on new parts for my old laptop, or a new ~$800 PC. Is it really worth it to spend the extra money?
Thanks for the defensive argument next time the postdoc tries to convert me, though, Jesse :)
Dr BH, shoulder-length hair sounds like a good option. I'm kind of tempted to go shorter for something different but I'm too lazy to be bothered with styling anything.
Oh, I never style anything!
If you like your current computer, $150 to fix it isn't bad.
I'm only voting on hair: just above the bra strap. the color is incredible.
I'd say go chin-length, or a bit longer. If you're tempted to cut it short, it's a good compromise, and you can still do one-length and have it look fine. You can also just slap it back with a headband, or whatever passes for headbands these days. I always feel better after a haircut.
I'm with seadragon, I'd go chin length or just a bit longer. I often have my hair that length (it's longer at the moment and annoying me!), and it's really easy to deal with. No styling hassles. Plus, having a lot cut off really helps to strengthen hair and improve its condition.
shrinky, the colour is largely an artifact of the flash. It sadly only looks that nice under the right lighting. The problem with cutting it is the nicer-coloured part gets lost and I'm left with the boring darker brown part (yeah, I'm too lazy for any kind of dyeing)
Since I don't have anything to offer on hair length...I'll stick to the computer.
I had the same problem as you. Hard drive crashed after 3 years.
I replaced it with another hard drive which lasted two years. Of course, when the second one crashed I was a notetaker at an overseas conference...and had three 20-40 page papers on my computer that were due the week I got back. Oops.
Replacing should be fine...but it will likely burn out for the same reason the first one did. Probably a heat sink/fan/cooling issue.
Just keep backing up on a regular basis and it should be OK for the short term.
Apologies for the long comment...and good luck.
I love your hair, Lucy. I'd say don't cut, but I understand how you might get bored and want something different after so many years the same.
If you cut it, do something really different, like chin length.
If you tell the hairdresser you want something that isn't an effort to style, they should be able to do something nice.
Get a bit of shaping around the face if you can't do layers.
I get the haircutting urge--I cut off super long dreadlocks last summer. I think (just based on this pic) that the shoulder length (that people seem to be suggesting) would look awesome. Also, let me know if you want me to dye your hair for you. I'm an amateur, but I'm enthusiastic and have been doing my own for 15+ years. :)
Because you said you'd like to cut it all off but are worried to do so, the answer of what to do with your hair is obvious: cut it all off. It's only hair, but it would be good practice for you to do something bold.
Scrivener, you're probably right. I should just do it. I think part of the problem is people I know in real life always react in horror when I suggest it. I guess I was looking for some encouragement, so thanks :)
Wolfa, camera on a bookshelf on the timer setting.
No Macs. I'd go for the new computer option instead of possibly having to keep replacing parts at $100+ each time. New is always nice, and avoids putting money into something old.
I'll also vote for chopping your hair off if you really want to. Chin-length. I've done the chopping thing (to above the ears from mid-back) and it's effective if you want a change. (As it happened, I hated it, but it only took two years to grow back.) I prefer long hair for invisibility, but it's way too much work.
I vote to have it cut just above the bra strap. I have thin hair myself. I am willing to bet that my hair hair is probably thinner than yours because it starts to break off when it gets to shoulder length (hence I always keep it short even though I would love long hair). I would also suggest getting a body perm as well. Not curly perm, but a body perm. That makes styling so easy, plus that way you can have body without worrying about the layers.
Hope the suggestion is helpful.
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