I am fairly sure I was 13 in this picture, making it the end of my 8th grade year.  I don’t remember exactly how old I was but I do remember exactly what my friends and I were doing.  We always poured over those teen magazines that were full of “before and after” pictures.  Since most of us were dealing with acne, braces, raging hormones and insecurities we decided that we would prove that if we took “before and after” pictures that we would end up looking like superstars, too. We took “before” pictures of ourselves with no smile, no make-up, an ugly shirt, no jewelry and flat, uncurled, hairspray-less hair.  Then we spent a couple of hours putting on make-up, nice clothes, curling and spraying our hair A LOT, then smiled huge smiles for the “after” shot.  I don’t have the “before” picture. Maybe it was so bad I burned it, I don’t really remember that part. 

Turns out we still just looked like our awkward 13 year old selves. Not superstars. Not anyone who would make River Phoenix turn his head anyway.