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.
https://www.melbet-kz.biz – официальный сайт Melbet в Казахстане
melbet казахстан – официальный сайт Melbet в Казахстане — играйте легально
melbet-kz.biz – портал с ежедневными акциями
Je suis totalement conquis par Wild Robin Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. Les options de jeu sont infinies, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Avec des depots fluides. Les agents repondent avec rapidite. Le processus est clair et efficace, bien que des offres plus genereuses rendraient l’experience meilleure. Pour conclure, Wild Robin Casino est un endroit qui electrise. D’ailleurs l’interface est simple et engageante, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. A signaler les evenements communautaires vibrants, offre des recompenses regulieres.
Explorer maintenant|
https://kanban.xsitepool.tu-freiberg.de/s/Sy8W915All
https://www.melbet-kz.biz/ – сайт с приветственным фрибетом
Cilt bak?m?n?z? bir ust seviyeye c?karman?n zaman? geldi, siz ne dersiniz?
Is?lt?l? Guzellik: Sac ve Cilt Bak?m Onerileri hakk?ndaki yaz? ozellikle hosuma gitti.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://tenvezarafet.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
Je suis accro a Wild Robin Casino, il procure une sensation de frisson. La bibliotheque de jeux est captivante, proposant des jeux de casino traditionnels. Le bonus de depart est top. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, de temps a autre des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. Pour conclure, Wild Robin Casino assure un fun constant. En complement le site est fluide et attractif, apporte une energie supplementaire. Un plus les nombreuses options de paris sportifs, propose des privileges personnalises.
http://www.wildrobincasinomobilefr.com|
Hi to every one, it’s truly a pleasant for me to go to see this website, it contains priceless Information.
машина Россия: Техника, созданная для российских дорог. Адаптирована к сложным условиям эксплуатации. Доступность запчастей и сервисного обслуживания.
luckypari-uz.cc – сайт с высокими лимитами на экспрессы
http://www.melbet-kz.us – войти в личный кабинет
melbet-kz.biz/ – сайт с умной автозаписью
https://kurtviletour.com
Где вызвать обработка от педикулеза круглосуточно? Время позднее.
уничтожение клопов горячим туманом
Удобное расписание, локации рядом с метро в центре Москвы, прозрачная стоимость занятий. Запишитесь на пробный урок по скрипке: оценим текущие навыки, составим персональный маршрут, дадим первые упражнения, чтобы сыграть свою первую мелодию уже в ближайшие недели. Индивидуальный подход, понятные объяснения, быстрые результаты и удовольствие от музыки — всё, что нужно, чтобы уверенно начать или прокачать игру на скрипке. https://uroki-igry-na-skripke.ru/
luckypari официальный сайт – рабочая ссылка LuckyPari для жителей Узбекистана — выигрывайте безопасно
согласование перепланировки нежилых помещений https://www.pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya16.ru .
согласование перепланировок нежилых помещений http://pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya16.ru .
melbet казахстан – доступ к Melbet в Казахстане — зарабатывайте безопасно
перепланировка нежилого помещения в москве http://www.pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya16.ru/ .
https://theaterplaybill.com
перепланировка нежилого помещения https://pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya16.ru .
Je suis bluffe par Instant Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Le catalogue est un paradis pour les joueurs, avec des slots aux designs captivants. Avec des transactions rapides. Disponible a toute heure via chat ou email. Le processus est simple et transparent, neanmoins des bonus varies rendraient le tout plus fun. En resume, Instant Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. Par ailleurs la navigation est intuitive et lisse, permet une plongee totale dans le jeu. Un avantage les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Visiter la plateforme|
согласование перепланировок нежилых помещений http://www.pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya16.ru/ .
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Wild Robin Casino, ca invite a l’aventure. Les options de jeu sont infinies, avec des machines a sous visuellement superbes. Il rend le debut de l’aventure palpitant. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, mais plus de promotions frequentes boosteraient l’experience. Pour faire court, Wild Robin Casino est un lieu de fun absolu. De surcroit le design est moderne et energique, incite a rester plus longtemps. Particulierement cool les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, cree une communaute vibrante.
Commencer Г explorer|
лаки пари ставки – делать прогнозы в онлайн-режиме с высокими коэффициентами и участвовать в акциях
https://www.melbet-kz.us/ – сайт с приветственным фрибетом
Je suis captive par Frumzi Casino, il cree un monde de sensations fortes. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des spins gratuits. Les agents repondent avec efficacite. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, quelquefois plus de promos regulieres dynamiseraient le jeu. Au final, Frumzi Casino merite une visite dynamique. En bonus la navigation est fluide et facile, booste l’excitation du jeu. Particulierement cool le programme VIP avec des privileges speciaux, propose des avantages sur mesure.
DГ©couvrir plus|
перепланировка в нежилом помещении http://pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya16.ru .
https://www.luckypari-uz.cc – платформа с live-ставками и киберспортом
J’ai une affection particuliere pour Cheri Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, avec des slots aux designs captivants. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des spins gratuits. Le support client est irreprochable. Le processus est simple et transparent, cependant des recompenses supplementaires dynamiseraient le tout. Pour conclure, Cheri Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. Pour couronner le tout le design est tendance et accrocheur, ce qui rend chaque moment plus vibrant. A noter le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, offre des bonus exclusifs.
Commencer Г naviguer|
проект перепланировки нежилого помещения http://pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya18.ru/ .
узаконивание перепланировки нежилого помещения http://www.pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya17.ru/ .
перепланировка нежилого помещения в нежилом здании http://pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya17.ru .
смарт вэй sajt-smart-way.ru .
http://aussiemedshubau.com/# best Australian pharmacies
перепланировка нежилого помещения перепланировка нежилого помещения .
порядок согласования перепланировки нежилого помещения http://pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya16.ru/ .
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Cheri Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. Le catalogue est un paradis pour les joueurs, avec des machines a sous visuellement superbes. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Le support est fiable et reactif. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, neanmoins des recompenses supplementaires dynamiseraient le tout. En conclusion, Cheri Casino merite une visite dynamique. En bonus l’interface est lisse et agreable, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. A souligner les transactions crypto ultra-securisees, propose des privileges personnalises.
Continuer ici|
услуги экскаватора в москве https://arenda-ekskavatora-pogruzchika-1.ru .
luckypari – актуальный домен букмекерской конторы LuckyPari в Узбекистане с ежедневными акциями
экскаватор погрузчик аренда москва и область экскаватор погрузчик аренда москва и область .
порядок согласования перепланировки нежилого помещения pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya18.ru .
перепланировка в нежилом здании перепланировка в нежилом здании .
смартвэй компании https://www.sajt-smart-way.ru .
перепланировка нежилого здания перепланировка нежилого здания .
перепланировка нежилого здания перепланировка нежилого здания .
услуги экскаватора погрузчика http://www.arenda-ekskavatora-pogruzchika-1.ru .
J’ai une affection particuliere pour Frumzi Casino, c’est un lieu ou l’adrenaline coule a flots. La selection est riche et diversifiee, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Les agents sont toujours la pour aider. Les transactions sont d’une fiabilite absolue, malgre tout quelques free spins en plus seraient bienvenus. Pour finir, Frumzi Casino garantit un plaisir constant. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement captivante, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. Un atout les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, offre des bonus exclusifs.
Explorer plus|