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.
J’adore l’atmosphere olfactive de Spinit Casino, on ressent une ambiance delicate. Il y a une profusion de jeux captivants, avec des slots aux designs parfumes. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Le suivi est irreprochable, garantissant un support de qualite. Les transactions sont fiables, bien que quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient bien venus. Pour conclure, Spinit Casino vaut une visite sophistiquee pour les fans de casino en ligne ! Par ailleurs le site est rapide et attractif, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Un plus les evenements communautaires engageants, qui booste l’engagement.
spinitcasinobonusfr.com|
1xbetgiri? http://www.1xbet-15.com .
xbet giri? xbet giri? .
1xbet g?ncel 1xbet g?ncel .
xbet giri? xbet giri? .
http://herengezondheid.com/# goedkope Viagra tabletten online
1xbet yeni adresi 1xbet yeni adresi .
1xbet 1xbet .
1xbet tr 1xbet tr .
1xbet tr 1xbet tr .
www-882884.com – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
1xbetgiri? https://1xbet-15.com/ .
1xbet resmi http://1xbet-15.com/ .
https://caivarmuebles.com/mana-10-de-febrero-de-2016-numeros-8/
Cildinizi s?martmak icin haz?r olun!
“Cilt Bak?m? ve Dogal Guzellik S?rlar?” konusuyla ilgili olarak oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://turkbakimi.com
Cilt bak?m?n?n buyusu ile tan?s?n ve hayat?n?za kazand?r?n.
worldvehicleexpo.com – Pages loaded fast, images appeared sharp, and formatting stayed consistent.
1xbet turkiye http://1xbet-16.com/ .
J’adore l’ambiance lumineuse de BassBet Casino, ca transporte dans un univers de lumieres. Il y a un flot de jeux captivants, incluant des paris sportifs vibrants. Boostant votre mise de depart. Le support client est au top, avec une aide precise. Les gains arrivent sans attendre, parfois des offres plus genereuses seraient lumineuses. Dans l’ensemble, BassBet Casino est une plateforme qui brille pour les joueurs en quete d’adrenaline ! Ajoutons que le site est rapide et captivant, donne envie de prolonger l’eclat. A souligner les tournois reguliers pour la competition, assure des transactions fiables.
https://bassbetcasinopromocodefr.com/|
mjiuzixun.com – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
Где купить Героин в Похвистневое?Обратил внимание на сайт https://wertangast.ru
– по отзывам нормально. Цены приемлемые, курьерская доставка. Кто-нибудь пробовал? Насколько хороший товар?
Je suis charme par Impressario Casino, c’est une plateforme qui evoque le raffinement. La selection de jeux est somptueuse, incluant des paris sportifs distingues. Amplifiant le plaisir de jeu. Le service est disponible 24/7, avec une aide precise. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, parfois des offres plus genereuses seraient exquises. Au final, Impressario Casino offre une experience memorable pour les amateurs de sensations elegantes ! En bonus l’interface est fluide comme un banquet, facilite une immersion totale. Un autre atout les options de paris sportifs variees, assure des transactions fiables.
Emmenez-moi lГ -bas|
1xbet t?rkiye 1xbet t?rkiye .
Je suis emerveille par BassBet Casino, ca plonge dans un monde de vagues. La variete des titres est rapide, incluant des paris sportifs dynamiques. Le bonus de bienvenue est rapide. L’assistance est efficace et professionnelle, avec une aide precise. Les transactions sont fiables, parfois des recompenses additionnelles seraient lacustres. Au final, BassBet Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs pour les fans de casino en ligne ! A noter le design est moderne et dynamique, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. A souligner les paiements securises en crypto, assure des transactions fiables.
https://bassbetcasinobonusfr.com/|
1xbet turkey 1xbet-10.com .
1 x bet giri? http://1xbet-10.com .
Very nice article. I certainly love this site.
Stick with it!
Je suis totalement envoute par Spinit Casino, ca plonge dans un monde aromatique. Il y a une profusion de jeux captivants, offrant des sessions live sophistiquees. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. L’assistance est efficace et professionnelle, garantissant un support de qualite. Les retraits sont fluides comme un parfum, parfois des bonus plus varies seraient un bouquet. Au final, Spinit Casino vaut une visite sophistiquee pour les fans de casino en ligne ! En bonus le design est moderne et chic, facilite une immersion totale. Egalement appreciable les paiements securises en crypto, qui booste l’engagement.
spinitcasinobonusfr.com|
J’adore l’elegance de Impressario Casino, il procure une experience distinguee. La selection de jeux est exquise, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Le suivi est irreprochable, offrant des reponses claires. Les retraits sont fluides comme la Seine, parfois des bonus plus varies seraient un plus. Pour conclure, Impressario Casino est un incontournable pour les amateurs pour les fans de casino en ligne ! A noter l’interface est fluide comme un bal, ce qui rend chaque session plus raffinee. A souligner les tournois reguliers pour la competition, offre des recompenses continues.
Emmenez-moi lГ -bas|
It’s very simple to find out any topic on net as compared
to textbooks, as I found this piece of writing at this web
page.
https://abortit.com/python-tools-to-skyrocket-sales-performance/
Je suis charme par Impressario Casino, ca transporte dans un monde gourmand. La variete des titres est raffinee, avec des slots aux designs elegants. Le bonus de bienvenue est delicieux. Le support client est impeccable, avec une aide precise. Les transactions sont fiables, neanmoins des recompenses additionnelles seraient royales. Pour conclure, Impressario Casino offre une experience memorable pour ceux qui aiment parier en crypto ! Par ailleurs le design est moderne et chic, ce qui rend chaque session plus raffinee. Un plus le programme VIP avec niveaux exclusifs, renforce le sentiment de communaute.
Découvrir aujourd’hui|
1xbet giri? linki 1xbet giri? linki .
купить кухню на заказ спб kuhni-spb-2.ru .
1 xbet 1 xbet .
глория мебель http://www.kuhni-spb-2.ru .
sportwetten sichere strategie (India) deutschland
Je suis completement envoute par Monte Cryptos Casino, c’est une plateforme qui scintille comme un mirage. Les options sont vastes comme un horizon, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. 100% jusqu’a 300 € + tours gratuits. Le support client est irreprochable, garantissant un service premium. Les retraits sont rapides comme une transaction, de temps a autre des bonus plus varies seraient un mirage. Au final, Monte Cryptos Casino est une plateforme qui domine le desert crypto pour ceux qui parient avec des cryptos ! A noter la navigation est simple comme un wallet, facilite une immersion totale. Egalement cool les evenements communautaires decentralises, renforce la communaute.
Visiter la page web|
1xbet turkiye https://www.1xbet-10.com .
https://wearelight.house/blog/an-official-invite-for-you/
1 xbet http://1xbet-10.com/ .
beste bonus wettanbieter
my web-site wetten mit Gratis guthaben
Je suis seduit par Impressario Casino, ca offre un plaisir sophistique. Il y a une abondance de jeux captivants, proposant des jeux de table raffines. Amplifiant le plaisir de jeu. L’assistance est efficace et professionnelle, avec une aide precise. Le processus est simple et elegant, parfois quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient bien venus. Dans l’ensemble, Impressario Casino garantit un plaisir constant pour les amateurs de sensations elegantes ! Par ailleurs le site est rapide et attractif, ce qui rend chaque session plus raffinee. Un plus les options de paris sportifs variees, renforce le sentiment de communaute.
Emmenez-moi lГ -bas|
wellnesstourbus – Mobile health and wellness services bringing care to communities.
1xbet 1xbet .
one x bet http://1xbet-14.com .
May I just say what a relief to find someone who genuinely understands what they’re talking about on the web.
You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important.
More and more people must read this and understand this
side of the story. I was surprised that you’re not more popular
given that you certainly have the gift.
кухни спб на заказ https://kuhni-spb-2.ru .
Je suis seduit par Impressario Casino, c’est une plateforme qui evoque le raffinement. Le catalogue est riche en saveurs, offrant des sessions live sophistiquees. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Le suivi est irreprochable, garantissant un support de qualite. Les transactions sont fiables, parfois des recompenses additionnelles seraient royales. En bref, Impressario Casino garantit un plaisir constant pour les fans de casino en ligne ! En bonus le site est rapide et attractif, ajoute une touche d’elegance. Particulierement interessant les tournois reguliers pour la competition, propose des avantages personnalises.
Entrer maintenant|
https://s66i.info/du-doan-xo-so-kon-tum-31-12-2023/
Дополнительно можно подключить кислородную поддержку, щадящие анксиолитики, противорвотные средства и нутритивную поддержку (по показаниям). Мы всегда объясняем логику назначения: зачем конкретный компонент, что и когда ожидать, по какому признаку поймём, что пора остановиться или поменять параметр. Честность и понятность — лучший способ снизить тревогу и укрепить участие пациента в процессе.
Подробнее – вывод из запоя дешево