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.
what does rybelsus look like: Affordable Rybelsus price – Semaglu Pharm
Растворы для детоксикации
Разобраться лучше – http://narcolog-na-dom-ekaterinburg00.ru
Миссия нашего центра – оказание всесторонней помощи людям с зависимостями. Основные цели нашей работы:
Детальнее – вывод из запоя недорого казань
скачать 1win официальный сайт https://1win22075.ru .
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site.
You have some really great articles and I think I would
be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of
the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some
content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please send me an email if interested. Thanks!
интернет провайдеры по адресу
inernetvkvartiru-krasnodar001.ru
провайдеры интернета в краснодаре по адресу проверить
Touche. Sound arguments. Keep up the amazing spirit.
mostbet kyrgyzstan http://www.mostbet33001.ru
Ниже приведены ключевые сигналы, при появлении которых требуется немедленное реагирование:
Получить больше информации – нарколог вывод из запоя
Основой успешной работы клиники “Луч Надежды” является команда высококвалифицированных специалистов, которые искренне стремятся помочь людям в борьбе с зависимостью. Наши врачи-наркологи высшей категории обладают большим опытом в лечении различных видов зависимости и владеют современными методами детоксикации, купирования абстинентного синдрома, кодирования и фармакотерапии.
Выяснить больше – вывод из запоя срочно круглосуточно уфа
Присоединяйся к приключениям с обворожительными женщинами города https://spb-night.com/
1win md http://1win14035.ru .
Hi there very cool blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful ..
I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?
I am happy to search out numerous helpful information here in the post, we need
work out more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
“Finally, a natural solution that actually targets nail fungus at the root! I’ve tried so many creams that just sit on the surface, but this deep-penetrating mist sounds like a game-changer. Love that it’s packed with antifungal oils and skin-repairing ingredients—plus, no harsh chemicals. Thanks for the detailed review!
pagina oficial de 1win pagina oficial de 1win .
пин ап блэкджек пин ап блэкджек
Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is magnificent,
as well as the content!
It’s remarkable to pay a visit this web site and reading the views of all colleagues about this paragraph, while I
am also eager of getting experience.
Everything is very open with a very clear description of the challenges.
It was definitely informative. Your site is useful. Thank you for sharing!
sweet bonanza xmas sweet bonanza xmas .
Перед тем как перейти к описанию методов и стоимости, важно определить основные показания для кодирования. Ниже перечислены ключевые признаки, при наличии которых кодирование рекомендуется как этап комплексного лечения:
Разобраться лучше – http://kodirovanie-ot-alkogolizma-odintsovo2.ru
Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using?
I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
The reason I ask is because your design and style
seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S Sorry for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
http://Life-Pics.ru/user/CortezHallock/
E2Bet
Blog Comment: If you’re a cricket fan in Pakistan, E2Bet is the
platform for you. They cover all major tournaments with detailed betting options.
My go-to website for cricket betting!
porno fisting ass
Затяжной запой представляет собой состояние, при котором организм накапливает токсичные продукты распада алкоголя, нарушается работа сердца, печени и нервной системы. Без своевременного медицинского вмешательства возможны серьёзные осложнения: судороги, алкогольный психоз и острые нарушения гемодинамики. В Красноярске клиника «Красмед» предлагает круглосуточную службу вывода из запоя с применением передовых методик детоксикации и постоянным контролем состояния пациента.
Подробнее тут – срочный вывод из запоя красноярск
Перед тем как перейти к описанию методов и стоимости, важно определить основные показания для кодирования. Ниже перечислены ключевые признаки, при наличии которых кодирование рекомендуется как этап комплексного лечения:
Подробнее – http://kodirovanie-ot-alkogolizma-odintsovo2.ru
интернет провайдеры по адресу
inernetvkvartiru-krasnodar002.ru
какие провайдеры интернета есть по адресу краснодар
оборудование конференц залов оборудование конференц залов .
Баку в Азербайджане – идеальное место для жизни: рейтинг топ-4 стран от российского тревел-блогера
https://x.com/kiselev_igr/status/1933125321907208219
конференц зал под ключ конференц зал под ключ .
оборудование конференц зала https://www.oborudovanie-dlya-konferenc-zala4.ru .
cost of prednisone 40 mg prednisone uk over the counter can i buy prednisone online in uk
Semaglu Pharm: does semaglutide help with inflammation – п»їBuy Rybelsus online USA
1win онлайн https://1win22075.ru/ .
http://prednipharm.com/# PredniPharm
Профессиональное магазин косметологического оборудования для салонов красоты, клиник и частных мастеров. Аппараты для чистки, омоложения, лазерной эпиляции, лифтинга и ухода за кожей.
I every time emailed this website post page to all my friends, since
if like to read it then my links will too.
sweet bonanza vavada sweet bonanza vavada
Популярный напиток назван природным спасителем печени
https://x.com/kiselev_igr/status/1933151530749710465
LipiPharm: Lipi Pharm – what tier drug is atorvastatin
ultimate AI porn maker generator. Create hentai art, porn comics, and NSFW with the best AI porn maker online. Start generating AI porn now!
“Finally, something that works on both skin and body sculpting without harsh chemicals. AquaSculpt seems like a smart and natural way to boost confidence and glow!”
Наркологическое лечение на дому начинается с приезда врача в течение 30-60 минут после вызова. Специалист проводит первичную диагностику состояния пациента, включая измерение артериального давления, пульса и уровня кислорода в крови, а также общую оценку тяжести интоксикации. Затем врач подбирает оптимальный состав лекарств для детоксикационной капельницы, которая эффективно очищает организм от токсинов, восстанавливает водно-солевой баланс и нормализует работу внутренних органов.
Подробнее – http://www.domen.ru
пин ап сайт на узбекском https://pinup3007.ru .
мостбет скачать приложение http://mostbet33001.ru
мостбет официальный сайт http://www.mostbet33001.ru
вход 1win https://1win22075.ru .
букмекер кыргызстан http://www.mostbet33001.ru
ultimate createporn generator. Create hentai art, porn comics, and NSFW with the best AI porn maker online. Start generating AI porn now!
ultimate AI porn maker generator. Create hentai art, porn comics, and NSFW with the best AI porn maker online. Start generating AI porn now!