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 app android 1win14038.ru
Terrific work! This is the type of info that should be shared around the net.
Shame on the seek engines for no longer positioning this put up higher!
Come on over and seek advice from my web site . Thank you =)
купить септик для частного дома недорого в московской области http://www.septik-pod-klyuch-1.ru .
Yes! Finally something about online pharmacies.
карниз для штор электрический карниз для штор электрический .
Карнизы для штор купить в Москве Карнизы для штор купить в Москве .
электрокарнизы для штор купить электрокарнизы для штор купить .
I blog frequently and I really thank you for your information. This article has really peaked
my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once per
week. I opted in for your Feed as well.
My web page ฟาร์มผักสลัด
карнизы для штор с электроприводом карнизы для штор с электроприводом .
автоматические гардины для штор автоматические гардины для штор .
интернет провайдер пермь
inernetvkvartiru-perm001.ru
тарифы интернет и телевидение пермь
карниз электро карниз электро .
mostbet online app https://www.mostbet33011.ru
1win скачать на телефон 1win скачать на телефон
https://1npf.com/teplovizor-pulsar-dlya-ohoty/
Алкогольный запой — это острое состояние тяжёлой интоксикации, при котором организм накапливает критические уровни продуктов распада этанола и перестаёт справляться с их нейтрализацией. При этом страдают важнейшие органы и системы: печень, почки, сердце, центральная нервная система. Без квалифицированной медицинской помощи риск развития судорог, алкогольного делирия и полиорганной недостаточности возрастает многократно.
Подробнее тут – vrach vyvod iz zapoya
cazinouri cerință de pariere http://www.1win14044.ru
Predni Pharm: PredniPharm – prednisone no rx
Алкогольная зависимость — это хроническое заболевание, при котором устойчивое влечение к спиртному приводит к тяжёлым медицинским, социальным и психологическим последствиям. Когда пациент осознаёт, что самостоятельно справиться с этой проблемой не получается, наиболее эффективным методом становится кодирование от алкоголизма. В клинике «Ясное Будущее» в Одинцово мы используем сочетание проверенных методик кодирования и комплексной психологической поддержки, что позволяет достичь стойкой ремиссии и вернуть человеку контроль над собственной жизнью.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – kodirovanie ot alkogolizma gipnozom
1win app android 1win app android
1win скачать на ios 1win14042.ru
Howdy very cool web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing ..
I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also?
I’m happy to find a lot of useful information here within the submit,
we want develop extra strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
Автоматические карнизы для штор Автоматические карнизы для штор .
автоматический карниз для штор автоматический карниз для штор .
электрический карниз для штор купить электрический карниз для штор купить .
ограждение места демонтажа Снос дома в Алматы – профессиональные услуги от опытных специалистов.
https://semaglupharm.com/# compounded semaglutide reviews
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several
weeks of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any methods to
stop hackers?
Also visit my blog post Packaging Machinery
Crestor Pharm: CrestorPharm – crestor high intensity
прием цинка Алматы Документы на утилизацию оборудования: полный пакет документов для списания техники.
Бездепозитные бонусы
I’m not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading extremely slow for me.
Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue
on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring
on other blogs? I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would value your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to
send me an e-mail.
I blog often and I really appreciate your information. This great
article has truly peaked my interest. I will bookmark
your website and keep checking for new information about once
per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.
If some one wishes expert view concerning blogging then i advise him/her to visit this web site, Keep up the nice job.
Here is my website :: สมัครสมาชิก ruay
I used to be suggested this blog by way of my cousin. I’m not
sure whether or not this put up is written via him as nobody
else recognize such precise about my difficulty.
You’re incredible! Thank you!
Бездепозитные бонусы
домашний интернет в перми
inernetvkvartiru-perm002.ru
интернет провайдеры пермь
cazinouri cu plată rapidă cazinouri cu plată rapidă
скачать mostbet kg http://mostbet33015.ru
Студия дизайн интерьера в Москве Interioris – https://alsuinteriors.ru/ это возможность заказать уникальный дизайн интерьера, который придаст помещению индивидуальность. Ознакомьтесь со всеми нашими услугами на сайте, посмотрите портфолио и стоимость или приходите на бесплатную консультацию.
Этанол связывается с ГАМК-рецепторами, усиливая тормозные процессы в ЦНС, что ведёт к снижению рефлексов и когнитивных функций. Одновременно происходит повышение активности дофаминовых путей, вызывая ощущение кратковременного «успокоения» и «радости». При прекращении поступления алкоголя к рецепторам наступает синдром отмены — резкое возбуждение, тревожность и дисбаланс нейротрансмиттеров.
Получить больше информации – вывод из запоя клиника санкт-петербруг
안녕하세요! 여기서 처음 댓글을 남기는 거라 간단히 인사드리고 싶었습니다.
당신의 블로그 포스트를 통해 읽는 것을 정말 즐기고 있습니다.
같은 토픽을 다루는 다른 블로그/웹사이트/포럼을 추천해 줄 수 있나요?
정말 감사합니다!
I love reading through an article that can make men and
women think. Also, thanks for allowing for
me to comment!
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you create this website yourself or did you
hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
kudos
Outstanding story there. What happened after? Thanks!
jocuri poker online http://www.1win14043.ru
Crestor mail order USA ai video crestor No doctor visit required statins
скачать mostbet casino http://mostbet33012.ru
Миссия центра “Луч Надежды” — помогать людям, попавшим в плен зависимости, находить путь к выздоровлению. Мы не ограничиваемся лечением, а делаем акцент на профилактике рецидивов, социальной адаптации пациентов и их возвращении к полноценной, радостной жизни без психоактивных веществ.
Ознакомиться с деталями – vyvod iz zapoya na domu nedorogo
Hello, I think your blog could be having web browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however,
when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other
than that, fantastic site!