Two mysteries solved

Mystery #1: six-month hangover. I've written about this one a few times. Beginning during the first week of February, I spent all day every day with: (a) a headache; (b) a flushed feeling in my face; and (c) mild tingling sensations in my face and head.

After dropping about 15 hundo over the course of six months on various doctors, shamans, gurus, quacks, cranks, medicines, tinctures, ointments, preparations, unguents, poultices, and special foods, all to no avail, I was beginning to think that I might have to live the rest of my life this way.

But then, finally, I found a cure: heroin antidepressants.

How? Why? Well, the nasty symptoms started when I did the Clean detox program. Some of the other symptoms I experienced while on Clean were very similar to things I'd been through when I'd gone off antidepressants. (There's a pretty well-defined syndrome associated with serotonin withdrawal.) So, I figured that maybe somehow Clean had had an adverse impact on my seratonin levels, or on serotonin availability, or reuptake, or whatever. Based on that theory, I dug out some of my old Effexor capsules and started up again. Bingo!

I won't say that I've vanquished the hangover completely, but it's about 85% better. I can live with that. (I've already begun phasing off the Effexor again, too; we'll see how that goes.)

Mystery #2: online chicks with pics in their cars. If you're a guy and you do any online dating, you will soon notice that dozens and dozens and dozens of women have pictures of themselves inside their cars--behind the wheel, belted in, looking as if they're driving, or are getting ready to drive, or have just driven. This is so common, you will see it virtually anytime you are online and looking at profiles.

My question: Why? What is the appeal of the behind-the-wheel shot? Why do so many women think this is a good idea? 

Last night, by trolling around online, I found what I believe to be the answer.

Every car has a rearview mirror. Many cars have mirrors on the driver's-side visor. If you turn your rearview mirror toward yourself, and you hold up your camera phone in front of it to do a self-portrait, the mirror will reflect the image from your phone's screen. So, by looking in the mirror, you can see whether you are in frame, in focus, well lit, etc. (The same logic applies to the visor shot; just flip down the visor, hold your camera up in front of the visor mirror, etc.)

Next time I date a woman who's got one of those intra-vehicular shots, I'm going to ask, just to be sure. But I'm pretty sure I've got my answer.

Comments

[VoxAZ]

At least there seem to be fewer bathroom mirror shots. Seriously, I really don't need to see all your lotions & potions (not to mention the dirty towels on the floor that you didn't realize were in frame)

I do have a semi-serious question, though: What kind of woman doesn't have any friends who can take a pic for her? If you need a nice photo for a dating, social media or resume site, why would you settle for some awkward angled, cheesy self-portrait? Were I the type to post pics, I would say to one of my friends or family, "Hey, can you snap a few shots of me real quick? Thanks"

[Special Agent Johnny Utah]

I think some of it is self-consciousness about the whole exercise of online dating. The last woman I dated--someone I met online--did not like me to tell people that that's how we met. There's still somewhat of a stigma attached to it. So, I think some people are reluctant to say to a friend, "Can you take some pics of me for an online dating site?" Also, I, personally, would be super self-conscious asking someone to take my picture when the subtext of the whole process would be, "Okay, I'm trying to look attractive to women..." Fortunately, I've found a couple of workarounds that don't require me to stand in front of a mirror with my camera phone.

[VoxAZ]

I don't know. I guess I can see that there is still some "stigma" to it, though I don't see that happening as much.

Plus...1) I wouldn't want to date someone who didn't have friends she/he felt close enough to to divulge the fact that they were registering for an online dating site. 2) I still think there is enough of a risk to online dating that any woman registering and answering ads should be sure her friends know. 3) Everybody needs photos for something; she could tell a friend it is for Twitter, Facebook, to send to an alumni association....

4) Any of your female friends that I have met would be happy to take pictures of you that were designed to highlight how attractive you are.

[VoxAZ]

(not sure why I typed stigma in quotes)

[Special Agent Johnny Utah]

Maybe cuz you don't really think there's much stigma attached? (I don't think there is, by the way, but some people do.) Anyway, I appreciate your perspective--especially the part about the risk of online dating, which, as a guy, wouldn't have occurred to me--and the compliment. (At least I think it was a compliment, so I'm going to interpret it that way.)