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.
Je suis totalement envoute par Spinit Casino, ca offre un plaisir enchante. La variete des titres est magique, proposant des jeux de table elegants. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Le support client est enchante, offrant des reponses claires. Les transactions sont fiables, neanmoins des bonus plus varies seraient un chapitre. En bref, Spinit Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs pour les amateurs de sensations enchantees ! Par ailleurs la navigation est simple et magique, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. Un plus les tournois reguliers pour la competition, renforce le sentiment de communaute.
https://spinitcasinobonusfr.com/|
J’adore l’atmosphere musicale de BassBet Casino, on ressent une ambiance de studio. La variete des titres est harmonieuse, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. Le bonus de bienvenue est rythme. Le support client est melodieux, toujours pret a jammer. Les gains arrivent sans delai, cependant des bonus plus varies seraient un riff. En bref, BassBet Casino est une plateforme qui groove pour les fans de casino en ligne ! A noter l’interface est fluide comme un riff, ce qui rend chaque session plus groovy. Particulierement interessant les options de paris sportifs variees, offre des recompenses continues.
https://bassbetcasinobonusfr.com/|
zakolata.xyz – Pages loaded fast, images appeared sharp, and formatting stayed consistent.
Keno’s all about probability, but managing your numbers is key! Seeing platforms like 88lucky ph slot prioritize secure registration & a wide game selection is reassuring for players. Good user experience matters!
binaryoptionstrade.xyz – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
Уважаемый клиент, я вам уже не раз писал в личке что от вас у меня заказов не было. Все кто делал заказы уже давно получили свои посылки. Кому вы оплачивали я не знаю. https://voxmax.ru Дай думаю зайду поздороваюсь с мамонтами опасного бизнеса.:hello:
cryptocurrencytrade.pw – Loved the layout today; clean, simple, and genuinely user-friendly overall.
Ich habe eine Leidenschaft fur Snatch Casino, es entfuhrt in eine Welt voller Nervenkitzel. Die Auswahl ist atemberaubend vielfaltig, mit interaktiven Live-Spielen. Der Bonus fur Neukunden ist attraktiv. Der Service ist absolut zuverlassig. Transaktionen laufen reibungslos, allerdings gro?ere Boni waren ein Highlight. In Summe, Snatch Casino ist ein Ort fur pure Unterhaltung. Ubrigens die Navigation ist unkompliziert, das Spielerlebnis bereichert. Ein gro?er Pluspunkt die zahlreichen Sportwetten-Moglichkeiten, die Teilnahme fordern.
Snatch Casino|
В клинике применяются комплексные программы, охватывающие все стадии терапии. Такой подход позволяет обеспечить пациенту полный спектр помощи — от первой консультации до социальной адаптации.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – https://narcologicheskaya-klinika-omsk0.ru/
Ich habe eine Leidenschaft fur Snatch Casino, es ist ein Ort, der begeistert. Das Portfolio ist vielfaltig und attraktiv, mit spannenden Sportwetten-Angeboten. Er gibt Ihnen einen tollen Boost. Der Support ist schnell und freundlich. Zahlungen sind sicher und schnell, dennoch mehr Bonusvarianten waren ein Hit. Zusammenfassend, Snatch Casino ist ein Muss fur Spieler. Ubrigens die Seite ist schnell und einladend, einen Hauch von Eleganz hinzufugt. Ein tolles Feature die regelma?igen Turniere fur Wettbewerbsspa?, sichere Zahlungen garantieren.
snatch-casino.de|
Cilt bak?m?n?n puf noktalar?na dair bilmeniz gereken her sey burada!
“En Iyi Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Trendleri 2023” konusuyla ilgili olarak harika bir makale var.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://anadoludekor.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
Ich habe einen Narren gefressen an Snatch Casino, es schafft eine mitrei?ende Stimmung. Es gibt eine beeindruckende Anzahl an Titeln, mit modernen Slots in ansprechenden Designs. Mit sofortigen Einzahlungen. Die Mitarbeiter antworten schnell und freundlich. Zahlungen sind sicher und schnell, von Zeit zu Zeit mehr Bonusangebote waren spitze. Zusammengefasst, Snatch Casino bietet ein einmaliges Erlebnis. Zusatzlich die Navigation ist einfach und klar, zum Weiterspielen animiert. Ein starker Vorteil ist das VIP-Programm mit exklusiven Stufen, die die Begeisterung steigern.
Snatch Casino|
Ich bin total hingerissen von Snatch Casino, es ladt zu spannenden Spielen ein. Die Spiele sind abwechslungsreich und fesselnd, mit traditionellen Tischspielen. Er gibt Ihnen einen tollen Boost. Die Mitarbeiter antworten schnell und freundlich. Der Prozess ist transparent und schnell, in seltenen Fallen mehr Bonusoptionen waren top. Kurz gesagt, Snatch Casino ist perfekt fur Casino-Liebhaber. Au?erdem die Benutzeroberflache ist flussig und intuitiv, was jede Session spannender macht. Ein starkes Feature sind die sicheren Krypto-Transaktionen, fortlaufende Belohnungen bieten.
Snatch Casino|
J’adore l’ame soul de BassBet Casino, il cree une ambiance de concert. Le catalogue est riche en emotions, incluant des paris sportifs pleins de vie. Boostant votre mise de depart. Le suivi est impeccable, offrant des solutions claires. Les retraits sont fluides comme une note tenue, parfois des offres plus genereuses seraient soul. Au final, BassBet Casino est une plateforme qui groove pour les joueurs en quete d’adrenaline ! De plus la navigation est simple et rythmee, ajoute une touche de soul. Particulierement cool les options de paris variees, offre des recompenses continues.
https://bassbetcasinopromocodefr.com/|
moeinclub.com – It’s helpful that recent posts are clearly visible — keeps things fresh.
Je suis emerveille par Spinit Casino, ca plonge dans un monde de legendes. Le catalogue est riche et varie, incluant des paris sportifs dynamiques. Renforcant votre capital initial. Le support client est enchante, toujours pret a transformer. Les transactions sont fiables, parfois plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient de la magie. Dans l’ensemble, Spinit Casino est une plateforme qui enchante pour ceaux qui aiment parier en crypto ! A noter la navigation est simple et magique, ajoute une touche de mystere. A souligner les options de paris sportifs variees, assure des transactions fiables.
spinitcasinobonusfr.com|
Thank you for every other informative blog. The place else may I am getting that
kind of information written in such an ideal
manner? I have a undertaking that I’m simply now operating on, and
I have been at the glance out for such info.
moeinclub.com – The design is clean and mobile-friendly, good for on-the-go reading.
خرید ویپ
cepjournal.net – Design is consistent across pages; the branding comes through well.
moeinclub.com – It’s helpful that recent posts are clearly visible — keeps things fresh.
поставка медицинского оборудования поставка медицинского оборудования .
поставщик медоборудования https://medoborudovanie-postavka.ru .
поставщик медицинского оборудования поставщик медицинского оборудования .
поставка медоборудования https://medoborudovanie-postavka.ru/ .
поставщик медицинского оборудования поставщик медицинского оборудования .
медтехника medicinskaya-tehnika.ru .
Top materials of the week: https://prathamonline.com
медицинская техника медицинская техника .
Learn more here: https://eprajournals.com
медтехника https://medicinskaya-tehnika.ru/ .
Current recommendations: https://tdea.pk
медтехника https://medicinskaya-tehnika.ru/ .
поставка медоборудования medoborudovanie-postavka.ru .
1xbet ?ye ol 1xbet ?ye ol .
медицинская техника медицинская техника .
1xbet g?ncel 1xbet g?ncel .
Hey There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is a really neatly written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your useful information. Thank you for
the post. I will certainly comeback.
медицинская техника медицинская техника .
1xbetgiri? 1xbetgiri? .
поставка медоборудования https://medoborudovanie-postavka.ru .
медицинская техника медицинская техника .
shemplymade.com – It would be nice to see more user reviews or customer stories.
xbet xbet .
moeinclub.com – Some posts feel brief and could benefit from more depth or images.
bahis siteler 1xbet bahis siteler 1xbet .
медтехника http://medicinskaya-tehnika.ru .
1xbet yeni adresi 1xbet yeni adresi .
медоборудование медоборудование .
оборудование для больниц https://medicinskoe–oborudovanie.ru .