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.
leadersunitedgroup.bond – The daily tips keep me motivated to improve small habits.
кухня по индивидуальному проекту http://www.kuhni-spb-2.ru .
мебель для кухни спб от производителя kuhni-spb-2.ru .
1 xbet 1 xbet .
микрозайм онлайн онлайн займы
1xbet mobi 1xbet mobi .
1 x bet giri? 1xbet-15.com .
propecianorxpharmacy.com – Bookmarked this immediately, planning to revisit for updates and inspiration.
кухни от производителя спб недорого и качественно kuhni-spb-2.ru .
Je suis captive par Monte Cryptos Casino, il propose une quete virtuelle. Les titres sont d’une variete eclatante, offrant des sessions en direct immersives. Le bonus d’entree est attractif. Le suivi est d’une efficacite absolue, joignable a tout moment. Les retraits sont rapides comme une transaction, de temps a autre quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient bienvenus. En bref, Monte Cryptos Casino est un must pour les fans de blockchain pour les joueurs en quete d’innovation ! En bonus le site est rapide et captivant, facilite une immersion totale. Particulierement captivant les paiements securises en BTC/ETH, renforce la communaute.
Explorer tout|
globalpartnershipteam.shop – The layout is crisp and clear, makes exploring effortless.
The application gives users opportunities to https://viralsphere.xyz/the-ultimate-guide-to-sports-betting-strategies-34-2/ and earn money.
birxbet birxbet .
1xbet t?rkiye 1xbet t?rkiye .
1xbet g?ncel adres 1xbet g?ncel adres .
изготовление кухонь на заказ в санкт петербурге http://www.kuhni-spb-2.ru .
1x lite 1x lite .
Je suis enchante par Impressario Casino, on ressent une ambiance delicate. La variete des titres est raffinee, incluant des paris sportifs distingues. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. L’assistance est efficace et professionnelle, joignable a toute heure. Les gains arrivent sans delai, neanmoins des recompenses additionnelles seraient royales. En bref, Impressario Casino est un incontournable pour les amateurs pour les joueurs en quete d’excitation ! A noter l’interface est fluide comme un banquet, donne envie de prolonger l’experience. Particulierement interessant le programme VIP avec niveaux exclusifs, propose des avantages personnalises.
Aller sur le site|
leadersunitedgroup.bond – The content is uplifting and very relatable, makes me think.
1x giri? https://1xbet-12.com/ .
получить займ онлайн взять микрозайм онлайн
1xbet yeni giri? 1xbet yeni giri? .
прямые кухни на заказ от производителя http://kuhni-spb-2.ru .
1xbet giris 1xbet giris .
Для активации дополнительных бонусов от букмекера 1xBet, нужно выполнить несколько требований, но использование промокодов позволяют получить их быстрее и проще.Бонусные предложения, доступных игрокам через промокоды 1xBet, не всегда велики, но даже небольшой бонус способен существенно повысить игровой потенциал клиента.Примените промокод, чтобы получить увеличенный 100% бонус в текущем 2026 году.Перейдите по ссылке, чтобы активировать промокод — https://efaflex.ru/include/pages/?promokod_pri_registracii_6.html.
займы онлайн бесплатно микрозайм
one x bet http://www.1xbet-12.com/ .
1xbet guncel 1xbet guncel .
1xbet giri? linki 1xbet giri? linki .
teamfuture.bond – Clean layout, easy to navigate, very user-friendly experience.
1xbet turkey 1xbet turkey .
большая кухня на заказ https://www.kuhni-spb-2.ru .
globalpartnershipteam.shop – The layout is crisp and clear, makes exploring effortless.
1x giri? 1xbet-14.com .
оформить займ займ оформить
кухни на заказ спб кухни на заказ спб .
1 xbet 1 xbet .
1xbet resmi https://1xbet-13.com/ .
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However
I am experiencing troubles with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why
I can’t join it. Is there anyone else getting similar RSS problems?
Anyone who knows the answer can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
Also visit my web blog no deposit no playthrough no max cashout 2021 [Reina]
1xbet 1xbet .
discovervalue.bond – Appreciate the practical advice shared; feels grounded and real.
современные кухни на заказ в спб http://www.kuhni-spb-2.ru/ .
1xbwt giri? 1xbet-14.com .
1xbet spor bahislerinin adresi 1xbet spor bahislerinin adresi .
www-882884.com – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
1 xbet giri? http://www.1xbet-12.com .
1xbet yeni adresi 1xbet yeni adresi .
xbet xbet .
leadersunitedgroup.bond – The visuals support the writing nicely, feels cohesive.
1xbet tr 1xbet tr .