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The Spinoff
a day ago
- General
- The Spinoff
Read the winning essay in the 2025 Landfall Young Writers' Essay Competition
Ava Reid's essay titled 'Two and a half mealworms'. Upstairs, past the naked lady poster, I became aware of their traces. A tiger stared at me from a decorative fan pinned to the wall. An e-scooter helmet sat next to a broken clothes rack. There were eight oil column heaters, four stained couches, two worse armchairs, and one blue cock ring hanging neatly on the window latch. This was my first impression of my new flat. I never met the previous tenants, and we threw out most of their things, but I still think of them sometimes. I can picture them drinking on the deck, throwing food at the walls, doing what proper breathers do. I know that they slept here, and had sex here. I'm sure they were cold. The term 'material culture' is frequently used in archaeology to refer to artefacts made before the Industrial Revolution, but it can also describe the objects in our lives today. The things we leave behind carry meaning, and we are drawn to explain them. I started thinking about the traces while I was at work. People leave a lot of rubbish in cafés, between their coffee cups and crumpled serviettes, like tātarakihi shedding their skins. Commonly, there are receipts, plastic bottles, maps, sunglasses. I come across them when clearing tables and try to remember who they belonged to. Or I make it up. A hastily scribbled note reading 'Bargain Chemist nasal spray, Bora Bora' can feel like a love letter when I stuff it in my pocket. I make lists. Group items. Spend my shift trying to figure out who forgot $91.97 of vitamin C and Voltaren purchased from Chemist Warehouse. Maybe an old man off a cruise ship — Ovation of the Seas or Celebrity Edge. He would have had little square glasses, a fleece vest and a limp. I worry about his joints. Sometimes I find strange things. I'm not sure the customers realise my mind can extend beyond hospitality. Two and a half mealworms are left on a highchair, nestled between chewed bits of curly fries. I feel obliged to ignore them. But instead, I take photos and show all my coworkers, then research whether babies can eat bugs. It's socially acceptable to clear the table, but thinking beyond that gets weird. I cross into an unrecognised grey area, the interstice between normal and invasive, public and private — if you have ever looked in a stranger's trolley at the supermarket, you know what I mean. Once, a nameless diary was left in the bathroom, and while trying to find a phone number to return it, I saw a scheduled abortion. It didn't matter that it was an accident. Not everything can be looked at and thought about. Where is the line? The beach by my old house was once a settler rubbish dump. Amongst the driftwood and seaweed are bricks, shards of patterned chinaware and glass bottles. I used to trudge down to the water in my gumboots. When I wanted a change from looking for crabs, I'd dig through the mud and rinse things clean in the sea. Everything was special. I never felt like I was prying. Middens across Aotearoa help us to understand the past. They guide the construction of narratives about our ancestors' lifestyles. Te Pokohiwi-o-Kupe is one of the earliest Māori archaeological sites in Aotearoa, with exceptionally varied midden pits. The material culture includes shellfish, bird and dog bones, and fragments of moa eggs. Things left at this site reveal lavish resource-rich lives and extensive communication networks. A tool made from the spiralling shell of an exotic sea snail was discovered here, linking the narrative back to our tūpuna in Hawaiki. Storytelling is integral to knowing who we are. Middens are like burst black rubbish bags, pecked open by tarāpunga on the side of the road. Weaving between sun-baked Indomie packets, avocado seeds and rotting meat, I look at the houses behind the debris. I am a timeblind archaeologist stuck in the moment. I want to put a face to it. I am nosy. Do archaeologists worry about the future when the dynamic has flipped and someone is meticulously cleaning dirt off their rubbish with a tiny brush? 'No wonder the female from burial #3 had a protein-deficient diet. Her associated midden was weakkk.' What about when the proof of their existence is numbered and photographed, with a ruler for scale? I think they would be more upset if I rummaged through their recycling bin. Time has socially cleansed the archaeological traces of our ancestors. You can look at ancient rubbish for as long as you want! Theorise it to death. You're not being rude, but inquisitive; a good student. What traces will remain of us, and what stories will they inspire? Yesterday, I walked past a gender reveal in the Botanic Gardens. It was proper, like you have seen a hundred times on Instagram, with a 'BABY' sign, balloon pop and lots of teary cheering. Perhaps our descendants will discover a stratum of pink confetti, optimistic microplastics characteristic of the 21st century. They will dissect our rituals and overemphasise the mundane. We won't be able to do anything about it. Three cat-shaped bottles of 'Katy Perry Meow!' eau de parfum watch over the bathroom in my flat now, with glistening lilac diamante eyes. Somebody living on Hyde Street in 2024 liked this enough to buy it three times before abandoning it in the gutter. I think that says a lot about them, but maybe I shouldn't be so judgemental. After all, I picked up the cats and brought them home. Material culture rains off us like dandruff. Detritus forms small, unknown intimacies — from the people who leave things behind to those who find them. I should leave the perfume bottles for the next tenants so they can wonder about the lingering aroma of 'soft sexuality' and 'sensual spirit'. We glimpse another life and can't help but inflate it, dream it up: the boys, the bugs, the cats.
Refinery29
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
6 Trendy Haircuts To Try, From The 'Kicked Bob' To 'Clavi-Cut'
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Are you feeling a quiet urge to refresh, or even reinvent? The year has flown by — you might be reflecting on how it has been going and thinking about how to finish strong. If you're anything like me and my split ends, you're due for a haircut and feeling ready to shed the dead weight and start fresh. But the big question is: What do you want to do with your hair? I've learned that some of the best haircuts are made in the planning phase before you plop into the salon chair. Most stylists recommend coming to your appointment with reference photos and a clear understanding of what you want. So, with that in mind, we're bringing you an inspiration board of popular haircuts. From the effortless and air-dried "kicked bob" to the soft "skinny bangs" and the protective style of the moment ("Bora Bora braids"), let these photos and trend predictions set your next haircut into motion. Razor bob View this post on Instagram A post shared by yesly (@yesly) When we polled hairdressers about the haircut of the moment in 2024, most mentioned the bob (really a classic more than a trend). The specific style of bob should be personalised to your hair type and texture. However, if your hair is straight or wavy, Adam Federico, R+Co stylist and VP of creative development, said that the trending cut is the razor bob. It's cut, at least in part, with a razor instead of scissors to achieve blunt lines and more movement. The effect? Federico calls it "a more textured, lived-in look" and "less fussy" than a traditional bob. "I think of it as a little bit rock 'n roll," he explains. "It can have an edge, or it can feel bohemian. It's more modern with a softer, more dynamic texture." Important consideration: Before opting for a razor bob, it's important to consider that the cut may require more frequent touch-ups due to its textured nature. For styling, Federico recommends a texturising paste or spray (we love the Cool Girl Texturising Mist) to deliver a little bit of grit and separation. A generous spritz of dry shampoo through your ends could also work. Midi bob View this post on Instagram A post shared by HAIR • BY • SUZI • ANGELINA (@ The "midi" bob is a slightly longer, grown-out version of the Italian bob. For the uninitiated, the Italian bob is a chin-length chop often flipped to one side for volume and shape. The midi bob, by contrast, falls a bit longer, hovering just above the shoulders. But like the Italian bob, it's often parted to one side to encourage '90s supermodel volume. "Old money" is what Suzi Angelina, a London-based hairstylist and colourist calls this specific look: a midi bob paired with creamy sand blonde colour. Her "old money" hair post racked up 432,000 likes and climbing). Clavi-cut View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mara Roszak (@mararoszak) The clavi-cut — a haircut falling at the clavicle or collarbone — is a modern, cooler version of the humble lob (long bob). Celebrity stylist Mara Roszak posted the quintessential clavi-cut on actress Zoe Saldana in 2024. "The front sections are cut slightly shorter than the back sections, which further emphasises the collarbone," explains Federico of the cut, which has the structure and shape of a classic bob but with more length. "It provides enough length to experiment with various styles, while still maintaining the ease and chicness of a shorter cut," adds Federico. "It's perfect for those who want a manageable length without committing to a shorter bob." Styling tip: For a clavi-cut, Federico recommends adding a moisturising leave-in cream to your hair routine. Specifically, he uses the R+Co High Dive Moisture + Shine Crème. "This product will help maintain the cut's sleek look and enhance its natural movement, ensuring your hair always looks polished and shiny, never dull," he says. Skinny bangs View this post on Instagram A post shared by Julie Fortiz (@hairjules_) A skinny bang is soft, wispy and unlike other types of bangs. It's not a blunt bang or even a curtain bang, but a very thin bang, more like a few short pieces that will flutter around the hairline. 'A few pieces are shorter in the middle to help push longer pieces out to frame the eyes and cheekbones," explains hairstylist Marwa Bashir. They can work on any cut, from a bob to a long cut, as Bashir explains, "They can be easily blended in" just to add dimension around the eyes. For styling, Bashir says that most people find it helpful to style their shorter "skinny bang" pieces using a round brush and a blow dryer or blowdry brush. If your hair is prone to frizz, consider an air-dry cream (like the Rōz Milk Hair Serum) to keep the bangs from lifting in the humidity or rain. 'Bora Bora' braids View this post on Instagram A post shared by Toni Bravo (@bonitravo) One of the chicest braiding trends we've seen blow up this summer — with influencers wearing the braids on their island-hopping vacations — is aptly called "Bora Bora" braids. The versatile protective style, a nod to the tropical destination, was coined by New Jersey hairstylist Omobolanle Ajao, who shares her technique on IG. Bora Bora braids offer an effortless hybrid between wavy sew-ins and wispy pick-and-drop micro braids. "They give a more voluminous appearance [compared to] similar braids and also show less scalp,' adds Federico. Kicked bob View this post on Instagram A post shared by Laura Polko (@laurapolko) The "kicked" bob is equal parts cut and styling. 'The kicked bob features slight flips at the ends, where the hair curves upward," explains Marie Nino, an NYC-based hairstylist and colourist. A kicked-out bob is an above-the-shoulder, almost one-length square bob. "The only layers are usually very light around the face with a blunt end to the rest. This type of cut allows the hair to naturally 'kick out' or slightly flip naturally," adds Bashir. What's great about this cut is that, in most cases, it will style itself — with a tiny bit of direction. An air-dry cream (like R+Co Cool Wind pH Perfect Air-Dry Crème) will prep your hair and moisturise it to defend against frizzing. Then while your hair is wet, tuck it behind your ears, lightly scrunch, and air-dry. And who said short hair isn't easy to style?
Vogue
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
15 Effortless Hairstyles To Help You Stay Cool This Summer
Summer is the perfect season to experiment with a new hairstyle. It helps to have a few uncomplicated looks on rotation. When the weather is blazing hot. Take inspiration from actress Lily Collins and make a sleek bob your haircut of choice to style out this summer, or copy singer Dove Cameron and keep your hair off your neck with playful space buns. Nothing beats an easy, breezy hairdo at this time of year. Below, a round-up of chic summer hairstyles to try in the balmy weeks to come. Bora Bora braids The ultimate goddess braid upgrade, Bora Bora braids are achieved using human (rather than synthetic) hair extensions to create an effortless hybrid of wavy sew-ins and wispy pick-and-drop microbraids. To maintain the curls, separate your hair into two bunches every night before bed, creating loose twists. Next, wrap your hair with a silk scarf, which will prevent unwanted flyaways. Two-tone braids
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
MIT scientists find first evidence that rivers form coral reef passes
In a new groundbreaking study out of MIT, researchers proved a theory that island rivers help shape and maintain the health of a reef rather than impacting it negatively. The findings stand to change conservation efforts for the better. In a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Geophysical Research Letters, the MIT team described reef passes as "deep, navigable channels dissecting coral reefs around volcanic islands." These are basically wide channels that cut through the coral and serve as conduits for ocean water and nutrients to filter in and out. As many reef passes are found to form near large island river basins, researchers had previously assumed a relationship existed between the two. However, the theory remained unproven until now. The authors of the latest study showed "how coral reefs line up with where rivers funnel out from an island's coast." These water channels play a direct role as a freshwater body meets the sea, providing circulation throughout a reef and maintaining the health of corals by allowing saltwater and transporting key nutrients, a media release by MIT explained. The study impacts scientists' understanding of how coral reefs form and function, as much discussion has been brewing about this symbiotic interaction in recent years. MIT researchers focused on the Society Islands, a chain in the South Pacific Ocean around Tahiti and Bora Bora. However, the pandemic limited their ability to work onsite, needing to rely on satellite images and maps. Lead study authors professor Taylor Perron and graduate student Megan Gillen found that "reef passes are deep channels cutting through reef barriers and flats that facilitate wave- and tide-driven circulation. These passes regulate flow between lagoon and ocean." "It is well known that rivers discharging freshwater and sediment off islands affect reef structure and composition," study authors added. However, was there a direct connection between outlets of large island rivers and reef passes? Thanks to geospatial analysis of the archipelago, the researchers discovered that river basins drain to parts of the reef, essentially creating an underwater highway. River erosion actually shapes these coral formations. Rivers running towards the ocean created these eroded depressions in the coastline over time. The study authors identified two river-driven reef pass formation mechanisms: reef incision and reed encroachment. Incision refers to how "rivers cut passes into reefs exposed when the sea level is lower." Encroachment refers to where "old river channels on land are preserved as passes when sea level rises." "Reefs migrate toward the islands as sea levels rise, trying to keep pace with changing average sea level," observed Gillen. The study further states that the results "show how rivers may support reef health over geologic timescales by enhancing water circulation between lagoons and oceans." "A lot of discussion around rivers and their impact on reefs today has been negative because of human impact and the effects of agricultural practices," said Gillen. "This study shows the potential long-term benefits rivers can have on reefs, which I hope reshapes the paradigm and highlights the natural state of rivers interacting with reefs," she added Now, with this knowledge proven, Gillen will be exploring how rivers could be engineered to promote circulation and reef health. You can view the full study in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
I spent $20,000 to take my kids to a resort in Bora Bora. People thought I was wasting money, but I'd do it again.
I spent $20,000 to take my two young adult kids to a resort in Bora Bora for a family wedding. My kids were old enough to appreciate the culture, beauty, and privilege of the experience. I believe in investing in experiences while we're healthy and able to enjoy them together. When I told people I was spending $20,000 to take my two kids to Bora Bora, the reactions ranged from wide-eyed surprise to outright judgment. "You're taking them to a five-star resort?" someone asked. "Don't you have college to pay for in the Fall?" said another. The answer to both was, "Yes." My kids, however, weren't "little kids." At 18 and 21, they're young adults, and this trip was about much more than a luxury vacation. It was for a wedding of dear family friends, a bucket-list trip, and a memory I wanted us to share. Between flights, resort fees, and excursions, my husband and I spent a lot. Yes, it was expensive. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Travel has been a constant in our family. From the time they were infants, I made it a priority to expose my kids to different places and cultures. Now that they're adults, those values have only deepened. I didn't want Bora Bora to be something they only saw on social media or waited decades to experience after hearing our stories. I wanted them to feel what it's like to be somewhere stunning, unfamiliar, and culturally rich — and to do it together. This was more than a once-in-a-lifetime trip for the kids. This was me scratching off an item on my own bucket list. There are things I want to do while I still can. Life happens when you're making plans, and we had the time, means, and opportunity to make this happen. Our youngest is heading off to college in a few months, making my husband and me empty nesters. We can, of course, still travel together as a family, but our dynamics will change now that we aren't under the same roof. Plus, the kids might want to travel with their friends in the future. Our son even commented that this would be our last "real family vacation" now that they are all grown up. I think he meant the last family vacation that Mom and Dad would fully fund. The hope is that one day, the kids can pay for us! Some friends were shocked that we would "waste" this kind of money on a week's vacation in general. Others wondered why we wouldn't just go as a couple, because the kids wouldn't appreciate it. I understood where they were coming from. But I also knew this would be amazing for my kids, who are thoughtful, responsible, and aware of how special this trip would be. We swam in crystal-clear water, snorkeled beside blacktip reef sharks and manta rays, and ate meals with our toes in the sand. On the night of our snorkeling excursion, my 21-year-old turned to me and said, "I get why people say this is paradise. This is an adventure of a lifetime. Thank you for bringing us here." That moment alone was worth it. These weren't kids on vacation; they were young adults engaging with and enjoying the world. We learned cultural wedding customs and traditions, immersed ourselves in the Tahitian language as we conversed with the local staff, and learned about the rich history of French Polynesia and what allows the islands to maintain their natural beauty through the care of the local residents. Sure, we got some great Instagram-worthy shots of beautiful sunsets to document our experience and memories. We also had late-night and early-morning conversations with each other while lounging by the pool or on our deck, which created more memories. To me, these things are never a waste. The time away from daily life is a lifelong education, and the amazing cultural experience was priceless. As parents, we save for college, for weddings, for our future. But we forget the value of right now. I'm in my 50s. My kids are on the cusp of full independence. We're healthy. We're close. I don't want to wait for the "perfect time" to make more memories. This trip was a financial stretch, but it was also a gift for all of us. The older I get, the more I realize that the best investments aren't always in things. Sometimes they're in memories and experiences that change you forever. Read the original article on Business Insider
