Living in a Moment

My name is Dr. Tereik al-Damiri, but I usually go by T. I live here in Crownsville with my wife Gyda, our daughter Hana, my service dog Meeko, Gyda’s dog Fenrir, and my cat Sandwiches. I’m an archaeologist who’s splitting my time between doing digs in the Valley of the Kings, curating a museum exhibit at the Atlanta History Center, and doing publicity on my book that’s just been released in English for the first time. Though I was born in Cairo and will always consider it to be home, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than here in this small town with my beautiful wife and our gorgeous daughter, I’m truly happy.

[t-al-damiri-phd]

Come find me on Discord.  I’m  heySHIELDsister#2569   Just let me know who you are.

I’m devastated to be losing this group, but we’ll all get through this and huge thanks to V for being the best, most understanding admin ever!

[t-al-damiri-phd]

Come find me on Discord.  I’m  heySHIELDsister#2569   Just let me know who you are.

I’m devastated to be losing this group, but we’ll all get through this and huge thanks to V for being the best, most understanding admin ever!

[t-al-damiri-phd]

There’s a smirk on her face as she listens. He’s trying to ask her for help and it’s incredibly amusing. “Only because I feel bad for you and your lack of fashion know how.” She said, shaking her head. “I have to tend to a horse with a torn ACL at six pm, but if you have time, I’ll tak you to Bloomingdales now and help you sort out something.”

“I’ve got time, I’m off today, but I have to have something figured out by the weekend, they want to do some shots on Sunday and I’ve been putting this off, but I really can’t anymore.”  Tereik smiled, “I really appreciate the help, I just want to this project properly, but I haven’t done much press work in the States and I’m not totally sure what’s expected of me, other than that they expect something “fashionable.””

[t-al-damiri-phd]

“Wow, I am honored,” she said resting her hand over her heart pretending to be slightly choked up about Tereik’s request. As someone a fan of art and history she thought his collection at the museum in Atlanta was pretty impressive. A rather insightful being, Corrina enjoyed her conversations with the archeologist, picking his brains on certain topics. “You know as an artist I’m gonna have to push you out of your comfort zone. Like, can we at least get you to wear other colored hoodies to start with?”

Tereik smiled, “That’s why I came to you, I’ve always been more about comfort than anything, but this is different than most of the things I’ve ever had to do.  I did one picture when they took the shot for my book and I’ve used that for everything I’ve done until now.  I can’t justify doing that this time and I want to do a good job so the museum gets the business it deserves from the project.  I don’t mind other colors, this hoodie could have been any color, it just happened to be the one I found that was the most comfortable and I just keep buying the same brand every time I wear one out, I just want to be comfortable, but I’m totally at your mercy, do what you will with me.” 

[t-al-damiri-phd]

“If I’m being completely honest here, I’m probably not the right person to be taking out for this. I’ll just tell you to go with the most comfortable pair of jeans you’ve got and said black hoodie.”

“That sounds amazing and exactly like what I’d pick out for myself, but they really insisted that this needed to be something fashionable and I’m not totally even sure what that means.  I just want to do this right, it’ll be good for my job and it might be something my daughter will think is cool one day.” 

[t-al-damiri-phd]

“You choose to dress like that?” Winter couldn’t hide the surprise in her voice even if she had wanted to, giving him another one over. Clearly, they were both two completely different species. The day Winter was ever caught dead in anything like he was wearing, the world must’ve come to end — but even then, she still wouldn’t. A fashionista she was and every day was practically a run way to someone like her. “I could never say no to someone who clearly needs help in the fashion department, but just don’t say I didn’t warn you. Like I said, my taste is expensive.”

T shrugged, still irritated by her tone, but devoted enough to his project that he was willing to deal with is.  “I guess I’ve just got other priorities, work, family, that sort of thing, I just want to be comfortable and I don’t really care what I look like most of the time, but this is a different situation and I want to present myself the way I’m expected to.  I can handle whatever you pick out, I just don’t want to look like too much of a tool, I’m still a normal guy, so fashionable, but not a dick, can you do that?” 

[t-al-damiri-phd]

Lena had been wandering around town for a while when she heard a familiar voice appear from next to her. When he mentioned needing help, she knew she’d immediately do all she could for his aid. “Well, congratulations, first off.” She chuckled, before giving him a shrug. “I’m nofasionista, but I can sure to my best to tell you what goes and what doesn’t?” She offered.

“Thanks,” Tereik said with a smile, “I’m excited about it, I’ve done a little bit of press here in the States, but this is by far the biggest project I’ve been asked to do and I’m really determined to do it properly.”  He laughed, “I’m definitely  not either, but I figured that between the two of us, we can come up with a few things that should work for this, don’t you think?” 

[t-al-damiri-phd]

As Tereik explained to him it started to make sense so he nodded and looked at him.  “Well I would be happy to be that person for you, I just need to know how much you want to spend so what we know where to start looking.” He replied smiling as he looked at him.

“I don’t really care how much we spend, I’ve got a pretty unlimited wardrobe budget since I never really use it, so anything is fine.  I don’t want to look like an asshole though, like I don’t want some million dollar suit that I’m only going wear once, so I guess I’m looking for something fashionable, but not overly extravagant.” 

[t-al-damiri-phd]

“firstly, that’s awesome. and secondly, of course. do you have anything specific in mind, like something you’ve seen online or maybe even on tv that you’ll like to try? either way i’m totally down to help.”

“It’s pretty exciting.  It’s not the first time I’ve had to do this kind of thing, but it’s the first time it’s happened outside of Egypt, so I’m excited about it, but I really want to make sure I do it right and can convince people to come check out the museum and maybe even buy my book.  Even if it doesn’t, I just don’t want to make myself look like an idiot, I don’t mind doing interviews, but they usually just want to do one shot, this is my first full photo shoot.”  He shrugged and cleared his throat, “I’m not really sure, I don’t really know anything about fashion, maybe we could just look around and see if something jumps out at us.”

[t-al-damiri-phd]

text ;; (( open ))

max : oh no way, that's cool

max: wanna know what's crazy? i've lived here six months and haven't been to atlanta like ??

max: everytime i try things get in the way. but like crownsville is so nice

tereik: I actually lived in Atlanta from when I was 12 until I was 18, then I moved back about two years ago and bought a house here in Crownsville.

tereik: Well, if you get there, come check out the Atlanta History Center, it's a super cool museum and I run the Egyptology department, so I can show you around.

tereik: If that's not creepy, I mean. I'm just really proud of my work there.

[t-al-damiri-phd]

“Oh, totally!” she quickly greed. if there was one thing that she loved was some shopping. “now i don’t claim to be the most fashionable person, but I know a thing or two about looking hot. so i think i could help a bit.”

“That’s alright, I’m not either, but I really need some help.  I’m hoping to entice some more people to come and check out my museum exhibit, we’re coming up on the first anniversary of me opening it and we’re trying to get people to buy my book.  I’d just really appreciate getting some assistance, since apparently the way I dress now is totally unacceptable.

[t-al-damiri-phd]

I Need Your Assistance!

I’m working on a project that involves an interview where T answers questions sent to him from the public, and I’d love to get some from you, so if you could just send them here, I’ll have him answer them in character!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R3NTWDY

This is just for fun, but serious questions only would be appreciated since I am hoping to turn this into an actual article soon.  Thanks!

[t-al-damiri-phd]

I Need Your Assistance!

I’m working on a project that involves an interview where T answers questions sent to him from the public, and I’d love to get some from you, so if you could just send them here, I’ll have him answer them in character!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R3NTWDY

This is just for fun, but serious questions only would be appreciated since I am hoping to turn this into an actual article soon.  Thanks!

[t-al-damiri-phd]

To say that Winter hadn’t zoned out during the first half of this conversation would’ve been a complete lie. She hardly pays much attention to anything that had no importance to her and with the bored expression of her features, it was fairly obvious. “My taste in clothing is probably a little too expensive for someone who prefers to lounge around town in hoodies,” her dark hues shifting to her own outfit before falling back on the other, “Unless you’re willing to spend a couple hundred on your attire then I’m the wrong person to ask.”

In an instant, Tereik regretted asking for help.  It wasn’t the first time someone had made assumptions about his life based on the way he dressed, but he always found it irritated.  “I’m not worried about the cost, I dress like this because I typically prioritize comfort over style, but money is not an issue, at all.”  T didn’t like to flaunt his money, but he had a lot of it thanks to his job as a semi-famous archaeologist, the book he’d written, and his father’s estate, he just tried to live a normal lifestyle, mostly for the sake of his daughter and wanting her to be a well-adjusted kid.  “I just need some help finding something that will look good in a photo shoot, but if it’s beneath you, feel free to say no.” 

[t-al-damiri-phd]

Mackenzie was sat drinking his coffee while listening to Tereik, turning man he smiled and nodded his head.  “ Of course, but wouldn’t you rather ask a friend?” He asked as he looked at the man, wondering why he was asking him, he was sure Tereik would have had some friends that knew him better, surely they’d be better for this?

T wasn’t entirely sure why he hadn’t called someone he was closer to, but he wanted to do this right and he needed someone who knew this world to help him out.  “I don’t know anything about fashion, when I got my suits for work my mother helped me pick them out and I need help again, but not enough that I’m going to fly her over from Egypt.  I just need help from someone who’s going to give me an honest opinion about how I look in things, but also understands what’s actually fashionable, because I know less then zero about it.” 

[t-al-damiri-phd]

“Alright, I’m a big enough person to admit when I need help, and I need help.  I’ve got a minor interview at the museum on next week, it’s just for a magazine that gets distributed in museums all over the state, but they just told me that they want to do a photo shoot and they went me to wear something ‘fashion forward.’ I have three suits I alternate for work and otherwise I live in my black hoodies, because that’s what I’m comfortable in.  Would you possibly be willing to come shopping with me and help me find something I can actually wear for this stupid thing?” 

[dear-nicoletta]

A few drops of sweat drip down her aching back as she unpacks yet another box, the second to last of the evening. The shop lights are still bright, causing a soft pulsing sensation to push behind her tired eyes. With a bite of her lip, the box cutter is set back out onto the counter as she pulls out the newest set of planners that will be placed in the front window. Their vibrant prints and patterns bring a soft smile to her face. A smile that she forces to stretch wider as the door chime signals the entrance of a patron, and she curses under her breath. The clock on the register reads 8:30, half an hour after closing. Nicoletta had forgotten to lock the door. Pushing a sweaty chunk of hair out of her eyes, she stands to greet the newcomer as nicely as possible. “Welcome to Dear Diary! I’m terribly sorry, but we closed at 8. Is there anything I could help you find right quick?”

[t-al-damiri-phd]

If there was one thing Tereik was really good at, it was staying organized.  With his work and mother taking to him Egypt regularly, and working in Atlanta and having his wife and daughter here in Crownsville, he needed to take detailed notes to keep his schedule straight, so leaving his planner behind in his apartment in Cairo was probably the worst thing he could have done.  It was hard to keep things straight when he had to rely on his jet-lagged memory, and he couldn’t justify having his mother mail it to him, so he had her take pictures of the pages he’d written in and he was in the market for a new planner so he could get his life back on track.  He’d gotten back into town late after giving a private tour of his museum exhibit in Atlanta and he’d stopped at the store to get a new one, but he hadn’t realized they were closed.  

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize, I can come back tomorrow.  I just need a new day/month planner, I left mine on another continent and I feel like I’m missing a limb trying to walk around without it.”