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.
trendingnewsfeed.net – I’d like to see more filter/search options for topic-specific browsing.
медицинское оборудование медицинское оборудование .
zakolata.xyz – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
opensky-inc.com – It would help to see more detailed content or case studies to add depth.
Je suis enchante par Impressario Casino, on ressent une ambiance delicate. La selection de jeux est somptueuse, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. Renforcant votre capital initial. L’assistance est efficace et professionnelle, garantissant un support de qualite. Le processus est simple et elegant, bien que quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient bien venus. En bref, Impressario Casino offre une experience memorable pour les passionnes de jeux modernes ! Par ailleurs l’interface est fluide comme un banquet, ajoute une touche d’elegance. Un autre atout les evenements communautaires engageants, propose des avantages personnalises.
Explorer aujourd’hui|
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
“Cilt Bak?m? ve Dogal Guzellik S?rlar?” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://turkbakimi.com
Unutmay?n, her cilt tipi guzeldir ve dogru bak?m ile daha da guzellesir.
コスプレ せっくすour tender children call:Love,duty,
cryptocurrencytrade.pw – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.
pastorjorgetrujillo.com – The visuals support the message well and feel professional.
You really make it seem so easy along with your presentation however I to find
this matter to be actually something that I feel I would never understand.
It sort of feels too complicated and extremely wide for
me. I am having a look forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the dangle of it!
casa-nana.net – The site is clean and welcoming, and does a good job communicating its mission.
платный наркологический стационар http://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-24.ru .
частная клиника наркологическая http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-24.ru/ .
экстренное вытрезвление в москве http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-24.ru .
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
Moda ve Konforun Zirvesi: Trendler ve Ipuclar? hakk?ndaki yaz? dikkate degerdi.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://sadesik.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
Друзья все четко и понятно. Адрес получил за 250 метров от кафе. Минеру респект и Благодуха. Даже фото не надо было. Вес и качество 10 из 10. Лучший кокаин, давно такого не встречал. Я ваш клиент. Очень понравилось. https://denovar.ru Кому-нибудь отправили сегодня трек?
С развитием онлайн-технологий сервис Ynla.ru представляет собой удобную доску объявлений, на которой ежедневно появляются тысячи вариантов от пользователей разных регионов России и ближнего зарубежья для покупки, продажи или обмена. Основанная на принципах доступности, она позволяет бесплатно публиковать объявления в категориях от автотранспорта и недвижимости до работы, электроники и услуг, с ограничением в одно бесплатное размещение для предотвращения спама, что подтверждается правилами сайта. Удобный поиск по регионам, ценам и типам, интеграция с соцсетями для большей видимости, а также опции VIP-объявлений и магазинов делают процесс простым и быстрым даже для новичков. https://ynla.ru/ — это ваш ключ к успешным сделкам без посредников. Тысячи просмотров, адаптация под мобильные устройства и отзывы реальных пользователей подтверждают востребованность сервиса, позволяя быстро отыскать подходящего контрагента и облегчая рутину.
trendingnewsfeed.net – overall branding is consistent and gives a professional vibe.
opensky-inc.com – The website seems clean and minimal which makes browsing easy.
clevelandchristmasclub.com – Felt reasonably responsive on mobile; layout adapts well.
купить диплом техникума с занесением купить диплом техникума с занесением .
pastorjorgetrujillo.com – Navigation feels intuitive and information is easy to find.
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
Lezzetin Zirvesine C?karan SofraKeyfi Hikayeleri hakk?ndaki yaz? dikkatimi cekti.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://sofrakeyfi.com
Cildinizin dogall?g?n? ve sagl?g?n? korumak sizin elinizde.
casa-nana.net – The site is clean and welcoming, and does a good job communicating its mission.
electmikemontes.com – Pages load quickly and the user experience feels smooth.
trendingnewsfeed.net – I’d like to see more filter/search options for topic-specific browsing.
sportwetten wer wird deutscher meister
Feel free to visit my web-site … wettanbieter test
медтехника https://www.medicinskaya-tehnika.ru .
this means that the user who makes bets is everything also prospects amount, not at all in that situation, if not absolutely all of his bets on https://destekbetgit.com/mastering-live-betting-strategies-and-tips-for/ turn out to be correct.
поставка медоборудования http://www.medoborudovanie-postavka.ru .
Je suis enchante par Impressario Casino, ca transporte dans un monde gourmand. La selection de jeux est somptueuse, incluant des paris sportifs distingues. Avec des depots instantanes. L’assistance est efficace et professionnelle, toujours pret a servir. Les retraits sont fluides comme la Seine, de temps a autre plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du piquant. En resume, Impressario Casino est une plateforme qui enchante pour les passionnes de jeux modernes ! A noter la navigation est simple et gracieuse, donne envie de prolonger l’experience. Un plus les tournois reguliers pour la competition, qui booste l’engagement.
Tout trouver|
clevelandchristmasclub.com – Overall, a solid presentation that invites people to join the experience.
Je suis absolument seduit par Monte Cryptos Casino, il procure une aventure virtuelle. Il y a une profusion de jeux captivants, offrant des sessions live immersives. Amplifiant l’experience de jeu. Le support client est stellaire, garantissant un service de pointe. Les paiements sont securises et fluides, mais des offres plus genereuses ajouteraient du charme. Au final, Monte Cryptos Casino offre une experience inoubliable pour les joueurs en quete d’innovation ! De plus le site est rapide et futuriste, ce qui rend chaque session plus immersive. Un atout cle le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, propose des avantages uniques.
Commencer|
медтехника http://www.medicinskaya-tehnika.ru/ .
поставка медицинского оборудования поставка медицинского оборудования .
pastorjorgetrujillo.com – The content seems thoughtful and the tone is welcoming.
Сеть стоматологических клиник Dinstom https://dinstom.ru/ предлагает эффективное и безопасное лечение с использованием инновационных технологий в максимально комфортной атмосфере. Ознакомьтесь на сайте с нашими услугами – от гигиены, лечения и исправления прикуса до имплантации и комплексного протезирования винирами и коронками. У нас выгодные цены и профессиональные врачи стоматологи.
casa-nana.net – The site is clean and welcoming, and does a good job communicating its mission.
поставка медицинского оборудования поставка медицинского оборудования .
медтехника http://www.medicinskaya-tehnika.ru .
поставка медоборудования http://medoborudovanie-postavka.ru .
медтехника medicinskaya-tehnika.ru .
BassBet Casino m’a ensorcele BassBet Casino, il cree une ambiance de studio live. Les titres sont d’une variete envoutante, proposant des jeux de table styles. L’offre de bienvenue est electrisante. Le suivi est impeccable, garantissant un service de haute qualite. Les paiements sont securises et instantanes, de temps en temps des bonus plus varies seraient un hit. En resume, BassBet Casino est une plateforme qui pulse pour les passionnes de jeux modernes ! Ajoutons que la navigation est simple et rythmee, booste le plaisir de jouer. Particulierement cool le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, offre des recompenses continues.
https://bassbetcasinoappfr.com/|
electmikemontes.com – Pages load quickly and the user experience feels smooth.
J’ai une affection particuliere pour Impressario Casino, il procure une experience distinguee. Le catalogue est somptueux et varie, avec des slots aux designs raffines. Amplifiant le plaisir de jeu. L’assistance est efficace et professionnelle, toujours pret a servir. Le processus est simple et elegant, cependant plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du charme. Au final, Impressario Casino garantit un plaisir constant pour les passionnes de jeux modernes ! En bonus l’interface est fluide comme un bal, ajoute une touche d’elegance. Un plus les tournois reguliers pour la competition, offre des recompenses continues.
Voir le site|
trendingnewsfeed.net – I’ll check back later to see how the content evolves.
Sildenafil-tabletter pris: onlineapotek för män – diskret leverans i Sverige
поставщик медицинского оборудования поставщик медицинского оборудования .
Je suis accro a Spinit Casino, c’est une plateforme qui tourbillonne comme un conte. La selection de jeux est enchantee, offrant des sessions live immersives. Renforcant votre capital initial. Le support client est enchante, offrant des reponses claires. Les transactions sont fiables, parfois quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient bien venus. Au final, Spinit Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs pour les joueurs en quete d’excitation ! Ajoutons que la navigation est simple et magique, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. Un autre atout les evenements communautaires engageants, propose des avantages personnalises.
https://spinitcasinobonusfr.com/|
наркологическая клиника https://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-23.ru .