I was in high school at the height of the preppie frenzy, so I wasn't as completely out of it as one might think. But really, I had no idea what to wear, except that I didn't want to be perceived as girly. Or as a boy.

I went to a voc tech high. Most of the girls wore workboots, jeans, and flannels. And REALLY BIG HAIR.

Has anyone traveled with a guitar? Can I take it as my carry-on? I'm paranoid about checking it.

7th grade (1985 ish) was unending shaker sweaters with ribbed racer-back tanks. Except I am pretty sure I only had one, but that is what the popular girls wore-- they were the brand 'Forenza' from The Limited. I cannot for the life of me find a picture of this look, though.

School uniform until age 16. I don't viscerally get a lot of high school issues people talk about, for a number of reasons.

Like, I'm still processing that my sister went to prom. PROM! Like in the fanfics!

I want to go to prom, I decided. And told my mother. Why I felt the need to explain to her I meant as someone's date, I'm not entirely sure. My sister's prom date had graduated high school himself, though.

I was in school long enough ago that we had dress codes - skirts/dresses for girls, no bare legs, no bare feet under sandals, you weren't allowed to wear boots to classes, no jeans or t-shirts for boys. I think they loosened up the year after I graduated.

It is super hard to travel with a guitar. You need a serious case. They will occasionally let you gate-check it, but more often than not, they will not. Loosen all the strings (the biggest potential damage is the neck snapping upon impact because of all the tension from the strings.) Pack the case firmly with balls of newspaper. So firmly that you're not sure the lid will shut. BUT make sure it shuts and locks securely (TSA locks). Label it inside the case and out with your home and destination address. Take pictures for insurance.

Upon arrival, gradually retighten the strings, a little at a time on each, so that you gradually increase the tension on the neck overall. Don't just crank one of them all the way up and then the next. Expect a certain amount of drifting as it gets settled into its new atmospheric conditions.

All I have is a soft gig bag. I'm calling the airline.

I was in a math/science magnet program in middle school, and then wore a uniform in high school, so I pretty much have no idea how to dress. All my prime learn-fashion-from-peer-pressure years were spent among nerds and plaid skirts.

You really, really don't want to fly with a guitar in a gig bag. Remember the United Breaks Guitars guy?

7th grade was all about the brand names. Izod, Jordache, Nike, Swatch... I don't remember if the pastel, button-down oxfords had a preferred brand. I think most at my school had to get by with knock-off brands though. I know my parents weren't willing to spring for the brand names.

Dilemma: Switch seems completely uninterested in the wet food we got for him. Is this just a matter of figuring out what he likes? He's only ever eaten dry food till now, although he did sometimes eat some wet kitten food when he was tiny. (Cortez seems uninterested in the wet food, too. What's wrong with them?!)

When Petri was sick and didn't want to eat much the vet suggested wet food and said to nuke it for 15 seconds or so just to make it easier for him to smell. Even then he was only a little interested. Rosie & Gilda won't eat wet food that has beef in it. I have to stick with the fish or poultry variations.