Photo © 2012 Markus Spiering
Click here for original image.
A hundred geeks with cameras. Yup, and I was buried smack-dab in the middle of ’em. Didn’t want to be there. Didn’t mean to be there.
I remember in a high-school science class, we saw a film of an amoeba eating a paramecium. The amoeba’s body flowed around its prey, and after it had the poor bug surrounded, it just, kinda… digested it, right there, just like that. The paramecium squiggled and squirmed, tried valiantly to escape, but too little, too late. And then—poof!—it shimmered and was absorbed into the predator. It was gone.
That was me, that poor, little paramecium. My goofy boyfriend pulled me in before I knew what was going on. And by the time I realized what was going on, I was surrounded, and being digested by an amoeba, and unable to escape.
Chet had begged me to come along. He said I’d enjoy it. For the record, I didn’t. But I was glad he was finally enjoying something. He’s been so bent out of shape since he lost his job last April. Laid off on April the first, if you can get that joke.
We scaled back on our standard of living. That didn’t bug me so much. But what really surprised me was how much it got him down. He stopped doing anything constructive, spent all day watching TV, wasn’t looking for work, said we’d do fine on his unemployment check.
We’ve been surviving on peanut butter and ramen noodles and pasta and frozen burritos. I don’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal.
I started by bugging him about his lack of work. He said he wanted a little vacation. I gave him a little vacation, then asked again. He said he was trying, but that nothing was available. I didn’t believe him, not that much. I asked him what job ads he had responded to each day. Most days, he just ignored me. Some days, yelled at me. I told him we could no longer afford cable TV. He convinced his parents to pay the bill.
I thought of getting ahold of a sledgehammer and having an “accident” with the TV set, but then I thought twice: we might need to sell it someday.
He was partially right, of course. There were no jobs in his field. But what bugged me most was that he was letting it get to him. His mind began wasting away to nothing, nothing at all, all day everyday. And as each day continued, he sank lower into the couch, and further into pity party.
I didn’t know how to snap him out of it. But his birthday gift did. One of his old office buddies sent him a digital camera, along with a really cool-looking book about how to take fun pictures about anything at all.
So when he threw himself into the hobby, and the hobby became an obsession, and a obsession became an endeavor, and when he began studying photography and framing and composition and lighting, and posted photo after photo to Flickr, and when he began hanging out with other camera-heads, and started talking about pursuing it professionally… I wanted to object. But not for the reason you might think. I wanted to object, because I was beginning to feel ignored.
But at least he was smiling again, and I had missed his smile. And the TV remained powered-off, except for the weekly exhibitions of his latest photos, which he would force me to watch, no matter how many hours I had worked that day.
Then, when he begged me to come to this big gathering of camera-heads, I gave in. I didn’t want to at first, but he pushed me and pressed me, and then he cuddled up next to me and told me about how much fun it was going to be to get away and that we hadn’t had a vacation in forever and that I needed a break—which was true. And he kissed me, and I melted and said yes. Sigh.
I hated it, didn’t enjoy it at all. There were no other camera-head-significant-others there. The food was okay, but the guest speaker spoke only camera-ese, and told only stupid camera jokes and camera stories. Then those assembled talked all afternoon about gadgets and techniques and awards, and showed each other the contents of their camera cases. Chet even got some business advice, which may or may not have been good advice, but he was enjoying himself, even though I had no idea what anyone was talking about.
“This is my girlfriend, Katy.”
And I smiled and faded into the background, maybe fondled a drink and tried to look interested in what they were saying while pondering the intricacies of the room’s potted flora. Too much, too far, too long. I was out of it. I so wanted to go home.
We started toward the door, walked out into the afternoon sun. I made a move toward the car, but Chet grabbed my hand and pulled me in the opposite direction. I looked up and saw that we were surrounded by a growing crowd, which was closing in around us on all sides. I was trapped, and one of the geeks with a camera was pointing it right at me. The other targets pointed their cameras back at him, but I was defenseless, hair akimbo, probably with a piece of spinach stuck between my teeth… not that it mattered, as no one could see my teeth.
The geek said, “Alright! Ready everybody?! Cheeeezzze!”
And everyone said, “Cheeeezzze!”
“Hold on!” He interrupted them, futzing with his camera. “Okay…”
“Quick!” said Chet. “Somebody fire before he reloads!” And raised his camera and took aim.
And that’s when the geek pulled the trigger.
ссылка на сайт vodka casino
веб-сайт водка бет
Продолжение retro casino официальный
Источник водка бет
посмотреть в этом разделе newretrocasino
на этом сайте vodka casino
В этой статье мы рассмотрим современные достижения в области медицины, включая инновационные методы лечения и диагностики. Мы обсудим важность профилактики заболеваний и роль технологий в улучшении качества здравоохранения. Читатели узнают о влиянии медицины на повседневную жизнь и ее значение для современного общества.
Узнай первым! – нарколог на дом анонимно
Reading this on a difficult day was a small bright spot, and a stop at oakmeadowcommercegallery extended that brightness, content that improves a hard day is content that has earned a particular kind of place in my reading habits and this site is occupying that uplifting role for me today which I appreciate clearly.
Adding this site to my regular reading list, the post earned that on its own, and a quick stop at ideamapper sealed the decision, the kind of place worth checking back with from time to time because it consistently produces material that holds up against a critical reading too which I really value.
Смотреть здесь retro casino официальный
Picked up a couple of new ideas here that I can actually try out, and after my visit to dragonebony I have even more notes saved, this is the kind of resource that pays you back for the time you spend on it which is rare to come across in this corner of the web.
Эта доказательная статья представляет собой глубокое погружение в успехи и вызовы лечения зависимостей. Мы обращаемся к научным исследованиям и опыту специалистов, чтобы предоставить читателям надежные данные об эффективности различных методик. Изучите, что работает лучше всего, и получите информацию от экспертов.
Подробности по ссылке – капельница от запоя в Костроме
Подробнее водкабет
нажмите, чтобы подробнее водка бет
Liked that the post landed without needing to manufacture controversy or take a contrarian stance for attention, and a stop at rubyorchardmerchantgallery continued that grounded approach, content that earns attention through quality rather than provocation is the kind that builds long term trust rather than burning it on quick wins.
Читатели получат представление о том, как современные технологии влияют на развитие медицины. Обсуждаются новые методы лечения, персонализированный подход и роль цифровых решений в повышении качества медицинских услуг.
Подробнее – капельница от похмелья услуги
Эта статья освещает различные аспекты освобождения от зависимости и пути к выздоровлению. Мы обсуждаем важность осознания своей проблемы и обращения за помощью. Читатели получат практические советы о том, как преодолевать трудности и строить новую жизнь без зависимости.
Не упусти важное! – лечение алкоголизма с выездом на дом
Главная vodkabet
узнать больше Здесь retro casino официальный
Смотреть здесь tripscan сайт
здесь водкабет
Следующая страница vodkabet
взгляните на сайте здесь casino retro
нажмите здесь casino retro
найти это водка бет
Этот обзор сосредоточен на различных подходах к избавлению от зависимости. Мы изучим традиционные и альтернативные методы, а также их сочетание для достижения максимальной эффективности. Читатели смогут открыть для себя новые стратегии и подходы, которые помогут в их борьбе с зависимостями.
Открой скрытое – капельница от запоя в Костроме
В статье рассматриваются различные стратегии борьбы с зависимостями, включая проверенные методы и реальные истории успеха. Читатель узнает, какие подходы наиболее эффективны и как начать путь к выздоровлению.
Получить дополнительную информацию – вывод из запоя на дому круглосуточно
Did not expect much when I clicked through but ended up reading the whole thing carefully, and a stop at momentumthroughdirection kept that engagement going, sometimes the unassuming sites turn out to deliver more than the flashy ones which is something I have learned to look out for over time online lately and across topics.
Pleasant surprise, the post delivered more than the headline promised, and a stop at clarityoverconfusion continued that pattern of under promising and over delivering, the rarest combination on the modern web where most content does the opposite by promising the world and delivering thin recycled summaries instead each time you click on something interesting.
нажмите, чтобы подробнее vodkabet
другие https://slon4-at.com/
Узнать больше retro casino бездепозитный бонус
Узнать больше newretrocasino
Reading this felt productive in a way most internet reading does not, and a look at aviaryelder continued that productive feeling, sometimes the open web feels like a waste of time but sites like this remind me why I still bother to look around rather than retreating to old reliable sources for everything I need.
Different feel from the algorithmically optimised posts that dominate the topic, and a stop at bisonfudge reinforced that human touch, you can tell when a site is being run by someone who reads what they publish versus someone just hitting submit and moving on quickly to the next assignment without checking the result.
другие newretrocasino
Я считаю, что Вы не правы. Предлагаю это обсудить. Пишите мне в PM, пообщаемся.
winx96 casino, winx96 casino offers a captivating experience for punters. With countless games available, everyone can find something to enjoy. Join the excitement today at winx96 casino and explore amazing rewards and bonuses!
Pass this along to anyone you know dealing with similar questions, the answers here are clear, and a stop at strategymap adds even more useful material, this is the kind of resource that deserves to circulate widely rather than getting lost in the constant churn of new content online that buries good work daily.
веб-сайте водка бет
dubizzle com sharjahbuy property in palm jumeirahtwo bedroom apartmentscheap hotel apartments in satwa dubaibuying a house in dubai procedure palm jumeirah apartments for sale hertz long term rental dubaial majid property bur dubaidubai apartment for rent weekly The 10 most common mistakes first-time buyers make in Dubai
В этой публикации мы предложим ряд рекомендаций по избавлению от зависимостей и успешному восстановлению. Мы обсудим методы привлечения поддержки и важность самосознания. Эти советы помогут людям вернуться к нормальной жизни и стать на путь выздоровления.
Почему это важно? – вызов нарколога на дом запой
нажмите здесь retro casino бездепозитный бонус
Эта публикация исследует взаимосвязь зависимости и психологии. Мы обсудим, как психологические аспекты влияют на появление зависимостей и процесс выздоровления. Читатели смогут понять важность профессиональной поддержки и применения научных подходов в терапии.
Доступ к полной версии – психиатр иркутск бесплатно
Honestly this was a good read, no jargon and no padding, and a short look at intentionalvector kept that same feel going which I really appreciated, the writer clearly knows the topic well enough to explain it without hiding behind big words or filler that often gets used to seem clever.
нажмите, чтобы подробнее трипскан ссылка
Этот текст представляет собой обзор свежих данных и исследований в области медицины. Он призван помочь читателям понять, как научные достижения влияют на лечение, диагностику и общее состояние системы здравоохранения.
Полезно знать – частная наркологическая клиника в Иркутске
22bet бонусы и промокоды 22bet бонусы и промокоды
I usually skim posts like these but this one held my attention all the way through, and a stop at berrycovemarkethouse did the same, that is a strong endorsement coming from me because I am usually quick to bounce when content gets repetitive or fails to deliver on its initial promise made in the headline.
Now feeling the quiet pleasure of finding writing that takes itself seriously without being self serious, and a stop at momentumcoordination extended that subtle pleasure, the gap between earnest and pretentious is fine and this site has clearly chosen to land on the earnest side without slipping over into pretentious which is impressive.
читать newretrocasino