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.
В Сочи клиника «Детокс» проводит вывод из запоя в стационаре с круглосуточным контролем врачей. Процедуры безопасны, эффективны и анонимны.
Узнать больше – вывод из запоя цена сочи
Хотите узнать больше о природе нашей страны? Присоединяйтесь к обсуждению.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы”, есть отличная статья.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://alloopt.ru
Надеюсь, вы нашли это путешествие по природе познавательным.
Где сейчас играет Неймар и под каким номером? Нужны быстрые ответы для мобил фанатов mobil futbol. Интересует «неймар рост вес возраст» по годам — удобнее видеть в одной инфографике. Ищу качественные кадры для новых постов и аватарок. неймар фото. Где играет Неймар 2024/2025 и как выглядит его роль? Интересно для анализа комбинаций.
Неймар лучшие фото: портреты, эмоции после гола, командные снимки — хочу собрать сет. Неймар авы: лучше выбирать кадры с равномерным фоном — серый/графит работает отлично. Неймар в детстве: редкие фото из академии «Сантоса» — подскажите архивы. Неймар фото 2024 — без пересвета, контраст средний, чтобы текст поверх был виден.
Неймар барса обои 4К — важно проверить соотношение сторон под ультраширокие мониторы. Где сейчас играет Неймар — закреплю ссылку в профиле, чтобы не терять.
Guzellik ve kozmetik konusunda en guncel ipuclar? ve trendler burada!
Yeri gelmisken, eger Fonksiyon ve Estetik: Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Onerileri ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya bir bak?n.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://dogalyasammobilya.com
Guzellik yolculugunuzda ilham alman?z dilegiyle!
Thank you for some other magnificent article.
The place else may just anybody get that type of information in such a perfect way of writing?
I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the search for such information.
Слив курса литературе ЕГЭ https://courses-ege.ru
mostbet uzcard orqali pul yechish https://mostbet4182.ru/
inspiredgrowthteam.shop – Photos are appealing and layouts are neat — very user friendly.
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
“Is?lt?l? Guzellik: Sac ve Cilt Bak?m Onerileri” konusuyla ilgili olarak cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://tenvezarafet.com
Cildinizin dogall?g?n? ve sagl?g?n? korumak sizin elinizde.
Советы по выбору обоев Неймара: матчи, портреты, training — что лучше для экрана смартфона? Сравнение Неймара 2011 и 2017: темп, решения, пауза — отличный кейс для тактического разбора. Полезная база: статистика, фото, обои и дайджесты — всё в одном месте. http://neymar-kg.com. Неймар Барселона: лучшие моменты левого фланга, ран-ин-за спину и стеночки с Месси.
Неймар лучшие фото: портреты, эмоции после гола, командные снимки — хочу собрать сет. Где играет Неймар сейчас — обновляю подписи к постам, чтобы не ошибаться. Неймар жена, дети — только официальные факты, без слухов; подскажите корректные био-источники. Неймар фото 2024 — без пересвета, контраст средний, чтобы текст поверх был виден.
Неймар какой клуб сейчас — нужен снэпшот для карточек игроков. Где сейчас играет Неймар — закреплю ссылку в профиле, чтобы не терять.
2023 y?l?na damgas?n? vuran guzellik ve kozmetik trendlerini sizler icin derledik.
Fonksiyon ve Estetik: Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Onerileri hakk?ndaki yaz? dikkatimi cekti.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://dogalyasammobilya.com
Trendlere ayak uydurun ve cevrenizde fark yarat?n.
Gelecegin cilt bak?m? ve makyaj trendlerinin izinde olal?m!
Bu arada, eger Zarafetin Is?g?: Moda ve Kulturun Bulusmas? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya bir bak?n.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://stilvezarafet.com
Kendinize en uygun guzellik rehberini bulun ve yeni baslang?clar yap?n.
Gelecegin cilt bak?m? ve makyaj trendlerinin izinde olal?m!
“Sagl?kl? Yemek Tarifleri ve Pisirme Ipuclar?” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://sofrasihri.com
Kendinize en uygun guzellik rehberini bulun ve yeni baslang?clar yap?n.
With $MTAUR coin, collecting in-game currency while running mazes is addictive. Presale bonuses for vesting make holding appealing. Team’s track record impresses me.
minotaurus coin
Guzellik ve kozmetik konusunda en guncel ipuclar? ve trendler burada!
Bu arada, eger En Son Moda Trendleri: S?kl?k ve Konfor ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya bir bak?n.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://turktekstil.com
Guzellik yolculugunuzda ilham alman?z dilegiyle!
Yeniliklere ac?k ve her daim cekici gorunmek isteyenler icin tuyolar.
Guzellik Ipuclar? ve Urun Incelemeleri hakk?ndaki bolum dikkate degerdi.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://parlakten.com
Guzellik dunyas?nda kesfe c?kan herkese sonsuz basar?lar.
A unique aspect of the 1win app is its live betting feature.
1win скачать на андроид https://1win-app-apk.com/ru/
dailyvaluehub.shop – Navigation feels intuitive and the filters work really smoothly.
https://elearnportal.science/wiki/User:1xbetbonuscode
inspiredideas.shop – Smooth navigation and fresh ideas, exactly what I needed today.
Dogal guzelliginizin s?rlar?n? ortaya c?karmaya var m?s?n?z?
Modern Mobilya Trendleri ve Dekorasyon Ipuclar? hakk?ndaki yaz? dikkate degerdi.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://evimtarzi.com
Unutmay?n, her cilt tipi guzeldir ve dogru bak?m ile daha da guzellesir.
Cilt bak?m?na dair dogal guzellik s?rlar?n? ogrenmeye haz?r m?s?n?z?
“Dogal Guzellik Yontemleri: Cilt ve Sac Bak?m? Ipuclar?” konusuyla ilgili olarak oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://ipekcilt.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
Сливы курсов по подготовке к ЕГЭ химия https://courses-ege.ru
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
“Faydal? Dekorasyon ve Mobilya Ipuclar?” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://cilginmobilya.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
Cildinizi s?martmak icin haz?r olun!
Yeri gelmisken, eger Kozmetik Dunyas?nda En Yeni Guzellik Trendleri ve Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya bir bak?n.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://bakimsehri.com
Cilt bak?m?n? hayat?n?z?n bir parcas? haline getirin ve fark? gorun.
Cilt bak?m?na dair dogal guzellik s?rlar?n? ogrenmeye haz?r m?s?n?z?
Bu arada, eger Modern Mobilya Tasar?mlar? ve Dekorasyon Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://modernsturk.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
Если вы ищете надёжный и понятный путь к избавлению от алкогольной зависимости — вам стоит заглянуть в статью «Эффективные услуги лечения алкоголизма: путь к трезвой жизни». Подробнее можно узнать тут – http://airlady.forum24.ru/?1-10-0-00001075-000-0-0-1753907880
Слив курсов ЕГЭ информатика https://courses-ege.ru
Вас интересуют природные богатства России? Давайте исследуем их вместе!
По теме “Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы”, есть отличная статья.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://alloopt.ru
Вот такое у нас получилось погружение в мир природы.
Сливы курсов по подготовке к ЕГЭ обществознание https://courses-ege.ru
linebet apps
Ищете современный и надёжный подход к лечению алкогольной зависимости в Саратове? Тогда вам стоит обратиться к статье «Клиника ТорпедоМед: современный ориентир в лечении алкогольной зависимости в Саратове». В ней рассказывается о том, как эта клиника стремится предложить комплексные решения, учитывающие биологические, психологические и социальные аспекты зависимости — то есть применять целостный биопсихосоциальный подход Подробнее – http://kremlevsk.kamrbb.ru/?x=read&razdel=5&tema=643
startsomethingnew.shop – The site’s vibe motivates me to try something different.
Хотите узнать больше о природе нашей страны? Присоединяйтесь к обсуждению.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы”, есть отличная статья.
Ссылка ниже:
https://alloopt.ru
Природа – наш главный учитель и защитник. Берегите её!
Cilt bak?m?n?z? bir ust seviyeye c?karman?n zaman? geldi, siz ne dersiniz?
“Guzellik ve Bak?mda Yenilikci Yaklas?mlar” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://zariften.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
buildlastingtrust.bond – Trust-building content feels honest, not just flashy marketing.
Minotaurus token’s ecosystem ties game, DAO, and rewards seamlessly. ICO phase is buzzing with partnerships forming. As a gamer, I’m all in on this maze adventure.
minotaurus presale
seoanchor.click – Already bookmarked this, I’ll be back for more content.
netfusion.click – Just visited, the design feels crisp and navigation is very smooth.
Вывод из запоя в Самаре на базе стационара — когда важен результат, стабильность и медицинская поддержка 24/7.
Углубиться в тему – наркология вывод из запоя в стационаре самара
findnewtrend.shop – Love the vibe here—very up-to-date and stylish items.
linebet app bangladesh download
Cildinizi s?martmak icin haz?r olun!
Bu arada, eger Zamans?z S?kl?k ve Klasik Giyim Onerileri ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya bir bak?n.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://klasikstil.com
Unutmay?n, her cilt tipi guzeldir ve dogru bak?m ile daha da guzellesir.
Начнем путешествие по магическим уголкам российских заповедников.
По теме “Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы”, есть отличная статья.
Ссылка ниже:
https://alloopt.ru
Жду ваших отзывов и вопросов по теме.
rankmotion.click – Pages load fast, I didn’t notice any lag anywhere.
JEETA-তে যোগ দিন এবং অনলাইন গেমিংয়ের এক নতুন জগতের অভিজ্ঞতা
নিন।
pagevector.click – Color scheme is gentle, doesn’t strain the eyes at all.
clicksignal.click – The navigation is intuitive, found what I needed without trouble.
Мастер на час в Москве https://masternadom24.ru быстрое решение бытовых проблем. Мелкий ремонт, установка, сборка и подключение техники. Пунктуальность, качество и удобный вызов мастера.
What’s up to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this weblog; this blog carries awesome
and actually excellent data for visitors.