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.
http://melbet-kz.us – домен с минимальной поддержкой
Eski ama asla eskimeyen 90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?yla dolu bu yaz?da bulusal?m.
Зацепил материал про Evinizde Estetik ve Fonksiyonu Birlestirin: Ipuclar? ve Trendler.
Смотрите сами:
https://anadolustil.com
Nostalji dolu bu yolculukta bizimle oldugunuz icin tesekkur ederiz. 90’lar modas? ve guzelliginin ruhunu hissedin.
http://www.luckypari-uz.cc – ресурс с упрощенным функционалом
http://www.luckypari-uz.cc – портал с отключенным чатом поддержки
https://www.melbet-kz.us – актуальное зеркало 2025 года
J’ai un faible pour Wild Robin Casino, ca invite a l’aventure. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, incluant des paris sportifs pleins de vie. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, cependant quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. Globalement, Wild Robin Casino vaut une visite excitante. Pour ajouter la navigation est simple et intuitive, booste le fun du jeu. A noter le programme VIP avec des recompenses exclusives, cree une communaute vibrante.
Visiter pour plus|
J’adore le dynamisme de Frumzi Casino, on y trouve une energie contagieuse. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Le processus est transparent et rapide, malgre tout quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. En bref, Frumzi Casino merite une visite dynamique. A mentionner le site est fluide et attractif, apporte une touche d’excitation. Un avantage notable les tournois reguliers pour la competition, qui dynamise l’engagement.
DГ©couvrir plus|
https://luckypari-uz.cc/ – ресурс с актуальными результатами
http://luckypari-uz.cc/ – ресурс с ограниченной статистикой
J’adore l’ambiance electrisante de Wild Robin Casino, on y trouve une energie contagieuse. Les jeux proposes sont d’une diversite folle, offrant des tables live interactives. Avec des depots instantanes. Le suivi est toujours au top. Les transactions sont toujours securisees, parfois quelques free spins en plus seraient bienvenus. Globalement, Wild Robin Casino offre une aventure memorable. A noter la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, apporte une touche d’excitation. Egalement genial les tournois reguliers pour la competition, offre des bonus constants.
Aller voir|
https://pvrisband.com
This article had some unique insights, worth sharing http://rosen.moibb.ru/posting.php?mode=post&f=2
2)Кто курит раз в неделю : от 3 часов до 5-7 часов https://jain-nails.ru/vishniy-volochek.html Ну да ,я уже посылку с 15числа жду всё дождаться не могу .
Tarz?n?z? 90’lar?n unutulmaz modas?ndan esinlenerek gunumuze tas?mak ister misiniz? Oyleyse bu yaz?m?z tam size gore!
Зацепил материал про Ev Dekorasyonunda S?kl?k ve Fonksiyonellik.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://evimsicak.com
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmek, tarz?n?za farkl? bir boyut kazand?rabilir. Denemeye deger degil mi?
http://www.melbet-kz.us – восстановить доступ
https://flatbushzombiestour.com
https://luckypari-uz.cc – ресурс с сертификатом безопасности
https://www.luckypari-uz.cc – домен с поддержкой сумов
melbet-kz.us/ – домен с быстрым поиском
luckypari официальный сайт – официальный сайт LuckyPari с поддержкой узбекского языка — зарабатывайте удобно
Je suis accro a Cheri Casino, ca transporte dans un univers de plaisirs. Le catalogue est un paradis pour les joueurs, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Les agents repondent avec efficacite. Les retraits sont ultra-rapides, toutefois des offres plus consequentes seraient parfaites. En fin de compte, Cheri Casino vaut une visite excitante. Pour completer la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, incite a prolonger le plaisir. Un avantage les options de paris sportifs diversifiees, renforce le lien communautaire.
Plongez-y|
Для юридических лиц это идеальный вариант — полное сопровождение сделки – таможенный брокер для юридических лиц
https://luckypari-uz.cc – адрес с безопасным API
http://luckypari-uz.cc – ресурс с упрощенной навигацией
Prisma Games offers thrilling, immersive games with innovative mechanics and vibrant visuals. A go-to platform for Canadian gamers seeking excitement and high-quality gameplay: Prisma Games portfolio and projects
РедМетСплав предлагает широкий ассортимент качественных изделий из нестандартных материалов. Не важно, какие объемы вам необходимы – от небольших закупок до масштабных поставок, мы обеспечиваем своевременную реализацию вашего заказа.
Каждая единица продукции подтверждена всеми необходимыми документами, подтверждающими их качество. Опытная поддержка – наша визитная карточка – мы на связи, чтобы улаживать ваши вопросы по мере того как находить ответы под особенности вашего бизнеса.
Доверьте потребности вашего бизнеса профессионалам РедМетСплав и убедитесь в множестве наших преимуществ
Наши товары:
Изделия из молибдена МД-50 Изделия из молибдена МД-50 являются высококачественным продуктом, подходящим для различных промышленных применений. Молибден обладает отличной устойчивостью к высоким температурам и коррозии, что делает эти изделия надежными в суровых условиях эксплуатации.Продукты из молибдена МД-50 применяются в производстве деталей для атомной энергетики, аэрокосмической отрасли и других технологичных направлений. Они гарантируют долговечность и эффективность работы.Не упустите возможность купить Изделия из молибдена МД-50 и улучшить производственные процессы! Доступная цена и отличные характеристики делают этот товар идеальным выбором.
J’adore l’ambiance electrisante de Instant Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Avec des transactions rapides. Les agents repondent avec rapidite. Le processus est clair et efficace, parfois des bonus varies rendraient le tout plus fun. En fin de compte, Instant Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. Pour ajouter la navigation est claire et rapide, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. A noter les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, qui stimule l’engagement.
Obtenir les dГ©tails|
http://www.melbet-kz.us – сайт с текстовой версией
лаки пари узбекистан – надежная платформа в регионе — ставки на LuckyPari с поддержкой UZS
qcxrmyy.com – Overall, professional vibe here; trustworthy, polished, and pleasantly minimal throughout.
https://www.melbet-kz.biz – платформа с топовыми коэффициентами
creativegiftplace – The layout is clean and the browsing experience felt smooth and enjoyable.
melbet – актуальный домен букмекерской конторы Melbet с локальной поддержкой с приветственным предложением
http://www.melbet-kz.biz – начать зарабатывать
QQ88 là cổng game uy tín hàng đầu Châu Á, mang đến kho game khủng như: Casino, nổ hũ, bắn cá, đá gà, xổ số,… tham gia đăng ký lần đầu tại QQ88 nhận 88k
creativegiftplace – Overall a positive first visit; excited to check the updated selections soon.
https://www.luckypari-uz.cc/ – сайт с live-трансляциями матчей
http://www.melbet-kz.us – открыть сайт ставок
creativegiftplace – The user experience was smooth and the visuals were appealing.
http://melbet-kz.biz – платформа без SSL-сертификата
Je suis emerveille par Instant Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. Les options sont aussi vastes qu’un horizon, incluant des options de paris sportifs dynamiques. Il donne un avantage immediat. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, mais encore quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. En bref, Instant Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement captivante, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. A souligner les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, offre des recompenses continues.
Plongez-y|
http://www.melbet-kz.us – запустить приложение
creativegiftplace – The user experience was smooth and the visuals were appealing.
startsomethingawesome – The collection is interesting, will definitely revisit for more great finds.
simplystylishstore – Love the sleek fashion picks here, very stylish and easy to browse.
http://www.melbet-kz.biz – домен без SSL-редиректа
UkMedsGuide safe place to order meds UK legitimate pharmacy sites UK
melbet-kz.us/ – сайт для прямого набора
https://www.melbet-kz.biz/ – портал с live-трансляциями
creativegiftplace – Bookmarking this one for future gift needs—very clean and useful platform.