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.
1win hisobni to‘ldirish http://1win5509.ru/
1win aviator demo uz http://www.1win5509.ru
Fiquei impressionado com BETesporte Casino, e uma plataforma que pulsa com emocao atletica. A variedade de titulos e impressionante, incluindo apostas esportivas palpitantes. O bonus de boas-vindas e empolgante. Os agentes respondem com velocidade, acessivel a qualquer hora. Os ganhos chegam sem demora, embora ofertas mais generosas dariam um toque especial. Em sintese, BETesporte Casino garante diversao a cada rodada para entusiastas de jogos modernos ! Alem disso o site e veloz e envolvente, facilita uma imersao total. Um diferencial importante as opcoes variadas de apostas esportivas, proporciona vantagens personalizadas.
Aprender os detalhes|
Dogal guzelliginizin s?rlar?n? ortaya c?karmaya var m?s?n?z?
“Kad?n Modas?nda Stil ve Fonksiyonel Oneriler” konusuyla ilgili olarak harika bir makale var.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://giyimtarzi.com
Unutmay?n, her cilt tipi guzeldir ve dogru bak?m ile daha da guzellesir.
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
Yeri gelmisken, eger Modern Moda: Zarafet ve Stil Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya bir bak?n.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://modaevreni.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
1вин актуальный промокод http://www.1win5509.ru
Cilt bak?m?n?z? bir ust seviyeye c?karman?n zaman? geldi, siz ne dersiniz?
Kozmetik Dunyas?nda En Yeni Guzellik Trendleri ve Ipuclar? hakk?ndaki bolum ozellikle hosuma gitti.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://bakimsehri.com
Cilt bak?m?n? hayat?n?z?n bir parcas? haline getirin ve fark? gorun.
Guzellik ve kozmetik konusunda en guncel ipuclar? ve trendler burada!
“Ask ve Tutku ile Mutfak Tarifleri Kesfi” konusuyla ilgili olarak oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://yemekruhu.com
Umar?z bu trendler, tarz?n?za yeni bir soluk getirir.
higher levels unlock access to more major https://kollegi-deutsch.ch/archive/157672 rewards and personalized offers. 1xBet app for Android and iOS – Download the app and Navigate in the app interface.
1win tikish qanday qilinadi 1win tikish qanday qilinadi
Cilt bak?m?na dair dogal guzellik s?rlar?n? ogrenmeye haz?r m?s?n?z?
“Guzellik ve Bak?mda Yenilikci Yaklas?mlar” konusuyla ilgili olarak harika bir makale var.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://zariften.com
Cildinizin dogall?g?n? ve sagl?g?n? korumak sizin elinizde.
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
“En Iyi Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Trendleri 2023” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://anadoludekor.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
1win aviator hack uz 1win5509.ru
1win uz bonus 1win uz bonus
1вин техподдержка 1вин техподдержка
https://www.behance.net/edwardtorres37
Hello would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re utilizing?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads
a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price?
Cheers, I appreciate it!
1win o‘yinlarni tomosha qilish https://1win5510.ru/
This is very interesting, You’re an excessively skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and sit up for seeking extra of your great
post. Additionally, I have shared your website in my social
networks
Cilt bak?m?n?n puf noktalar?na dair bilmeniz gereken her sey burada!
Yeri gelmisken, eger Moda ve Stil Rehberi: En Yeni Trendler ve Kombinler ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://modaruhu.com
Unutmay?n, her cilt tipi guzeldir ve dogru bak?m ile daha da guzellesir.
Представляем вашему вниманию национальные парки и заповедники России.
Кстати, если вас интересует Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы, загляните сюда.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://alloopt.ru
Спасибо за внимание! Надеюсь, вам было интересно.
Guzellik s?rlar?n? ve trendlerin ard?ndaki detaylar? kesfetmeye haz?r olun.
Bu arada, eger Fonksiyonel ve Estetik Mobilya Cozumleri ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://icmekanturk.com
Kendinize en uygun guzellik rehberini bulun ve yeni baslang?clar yap?n.
вывод из запоя краснодар
narkolog-krasnodar016.ru
вывод из запоя краснодар
Сегодня мы отправимся на виртуальную экскурсию в уникальные уголки природы России.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы”, нашел много полезного.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://alloopt.ru
Вот такое у нас получилось погружение в мир природы.
Excited about $MTAUR’s potential in the $14.78B gaming sector. Presale perks like value appreciation are drawing me. Game’s minotaur hero is iconic.
minotaurus ico
Начнем путешествие по магическим уголкам российских заповедников.
По теме “Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы”, есть отличная статья.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://alloopt.ru
Рад был поделиться с вами этой информацией. До новых встреч!
Dogal guzelliginizin s?rlar?n? ortaya c?karmaya var m?s?n?z?
Kozmetik Dunyas?nda En Yeni Guzellik Trendleri ve Ipuclar? hakk?ndaki yaz? dikkate degerdi.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://bakimsehri.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
1win oynalgan sayt uz https://1win5509.ru
1win aviator app uz http://1win5509.ru/
1win yutuq olish yo‘li http://1win5509.ru
Представляем вашему вниманию национальные парки и заповедники России.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы”, нашел много полезного.
Ссылка ниже:
https://alloopt.ru
Вот такое у нас получилось погружение в мир природы.
https://rant.li/fefvsiacabic/kataniia-kupit-gashish-boshki-marikhuanu
Публикация посвящена жизненным историям людей, успешно справившихся с зависимостью. Мы покажем, что выход есть, и он начинается с первого шага — принятия проблемы и желания измениться.
Только факты! – https://runcms.org/obshhestvo/vosstanovlenie-organizma-pri-deficzite-zheleza-kapelnicza-ferinzhekt.html
Dogal guzelliginizin s?rlar?n? ortaya c?karmaya var m?s?n?z?
“Moda ve Konforun Zirvesi: Trendler ve Ipuclar?” konusuyla ilgili olarak cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://sadesik.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
1win promo bilan bonus olish https://1win5509.ru/
Эта статья предлагает живое освещение актуальной темы с множеством интересных фактов. Мы рассмотрим ключевые моменты, которые делают данную тему важной и актуальной. Подготовьтесь к насыщенному путешествию по неизвестным аспектам и узнайте больше о значимых событиях.
Не упусти шанс – https://sugita-2007.com/?p=268
1win app yuklash uz 1win5509.ru
Profitez du code promo 1xbet 2026 : recevez un bonus de 100% sur votre premier depot, jusqu’a 130 €. Placez vos paris en toute plaisir en utilisant simplement les fonds bonus. Apres l’inscription, il est important de recharger votre compte. Si votre compte est verifie, vous pourrez retirer toutes les sommes d’argent, y compris les bonus. Le code promo 1xbet est disponible via ce lien — Code Promo 1xbet Togo. Le code promo 1xBet sans depot est valable pour les nouveaux utilisateurs en Afrique du Sud, au Gabon et en RDC. Ce code promotionnel 1xBet offre des bonus gratuits 1xBet et des tours gratuits 1xBet aujourd’hui. Utilisez le meilleur code promo pour 1xBet et recevez votre bonus d’inscription 1xBet en quelques clics.
Завод «СХТ» проектирует и строит весовые комплексы под ключ с полной автоматизацией и отечественным ПО. Собственные сервисные бригады и метрологическая лаборатория обеспечивают ремонт и поверку в кратчайшие сроки. Подробности, примеры реализованных объектов и запрос коммерческого предложения — на https://xn--q1aci.xn--p1ai/ География поставок — вся Россия, от монтажа до ввода в эксплуатацию.
Joined $MTAUR rush—prizes await. ICO’s tokenomics sound. Mazes challenging.
minotaurus presale
https://internet40617.pointblog.net/5-hechos-fГЎcil-sobre-detox-examen-de-orina-descritos-85333274
Detox para examen de orina se ha vuelto en una opcion cada vez mas popular entre personas que buscan eliminar toxinas del sistema y superar pruebas de analisis de drogas. Estos suplementos estan disenados para ayudar a los consumidores a limpiar su cuerpo de sustancias no deseadas, especialmente las relacionadas con el consumo de cannabis u otras sustancias ilicitas.
Uno buen detox para examen de orina debe brindar resultados rapidos y confiables, en especial cuando el tiempo para desintoxicarse es limitado. En el mercado actual, hay muchas alternativas, pero no todas garantizan un proceso seguro o rapido.
?Como funciona un producto detox? En terminos claros, estos suplementos actuan acelerando la depuracion de metabolitos y residuos a traves de la orina, reduciendo su nivel hasta quedar por debajo del nivel de deteccion de ciertos tests. Algunos trabajan en cuestion de horas y su accion puede durar entre 4 a seis horas.
Parece fundamental combinar estos productos con adecuada hidratacion. Beber al menos 2 litros de agua al dia antes y despues del consumo del detox puede mejorar los beneficios. Ademas, se sugiere evitar alimentos dificiles y bebidas azucaradas durante el proceso de desintoxicacion.
Los mejores productos de purga para orina incluyen ingredientes como extractos de plantas, vitaminas del tipo B y minerales que apoyan el funcionamiento de los organos y la funcion hepatica. Entre las marcas mas vendidas, se encuentran aquellas que tienen certificaciones sanitarias y estudios de resultado.
Para usuarios frecuentes de marihuana, se recomienda usar detoxes con margenes de accion largas o iniciar una preparacion anticipada. Mientras mas prolongada sea la abstinencia, mayor sera la potencia del producto. Por eso, combinar la planificacion con el uso correcto del detox es clave.
Un error comun es suponer que todos los detox actuan identico. Existen diferencias en contenido, sabor, metodo de ingesta y duracion del efecto. Algunos vienen en envase liquido, otros en capsulas, y varios combinan ambos.
Ademas, hay productos que incorporan fases de preparacion o purga previa al dia del examen. Estos programas suelen instruir abstinencia, buena alimentacion y descanso previo.
Por ultimo, es importante recalcar que ninguno detox garantiza 100% de exito. Siempre hay variables individuales como metabolismo, historial de consumo, y tipo de examen. Por ello, es vital seguir las instrucciones del fabricante y no relajarse.
1win yutuq olish yo‘li 1win5509.ru
Публикация предлагает читателю не просто информацию, а инструменты для анализа и саморазвития. Мы стимулируем критическое мышление, предлагая различные точки зрения и призывая к самостоятельному поиску решений.
Это стоит прочитать полностью – https://gerbangtimurnews.com/jersey-persija-laku-keras-usai-juara-piala-presiden
1win uz 1win5509.ru
Сегодня мы отправимся на виртуальную экскурсию в уникальные уголки природы России.
Кстати, если вас интересует Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы, загляните сюда.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://alloopt.ru
Спасибо за внимание! Надеюсь, вам было интересно.
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
“Moda ve Konforun Zirvesi: Trendler ve Ipuclar?” konusuyla ilgili olarak cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://sadesik.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
Сегодня мы отправимся на виртуальную экскурсию в уникальные уголки природы России.
Кстати, если вас интересует Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы, загляните сюда.
Ссылка ниже:
https://alloopt.ru
Рад был поделиться с вами этой информацией. До новых встреч!
Откройте для себя прекрасные и загадочные места, которые находятся под охраной в нашей стране.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Изучение ООПТ России: парки, заповедники, водоемы”, есть отличная статья.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://alloopt.ru
Надеюсь, вы нашли это путешествие по природе познавательным.
1win ishonchli saytmi 1win ishonchli saytmi
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a blog website?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of
this your broadcast offered bright clear idea