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.
1xbet mobil giri? 1xbet mobil giri? .
Cilt bak?m?n?z? bir ust seviyeye c?karman?n zaman? geldi, siz ne dersiniz?
Turk Mutfag?n?n Geleneksel ve Modern Lezzetleri hakk?ndaki yaz? dikkatimi cekti.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://turklezzeti.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
Cilt bak?m?n?n puf noktalar?na dair bilmeniz gereken her sey burada!
Lezzetin Zirvesine C?karan SofraKeyfi Hikayeleri hakk?ndaki bolum ozellikle hosuma gitti.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://sofrakeyfi.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
Start your journey to financial freedom with our guide.
On the topic “Master financial management with TaleStrucker”, there is an excellent article.
The link is below:
https://talestrucker.com/
Continue to learn and apply new financial strategies!
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?yla gunumuzun trendlerine meydan okumaya ne dersiniz?
По теме “Ev Dekorasyonunda Modern ve Estetik Cozumler”, нашел много полезного.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://evimturk.com
Tarz?n?zda 90’lar?n esintilerini hissetmeye baslad?g?n?za eminim. Gecmisin izlerini tas?maktan korkmay?n!
Start your journey to financial freedom with our guide.
I was hooked by the section about Tips for beginner investors and saving money.
The link is below:
https://noobastro.com/
Your financial well-being is in your hands!
ремонт гидроизоляции фундаментов и стен подвалов https://gidroizolyaciya-cena-8.ru/ .
мостбет скачать приложение https://mostbet12036.ru/
Je suis epate par Betzino Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. Les options de jeu sont infinies, offrant des sessions live immersives. Le bonus de depart est top. Le service d’assistance est au point. Les transactions sont d’une fiabilite absolue, mais des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. En conclusion, Betzino Casino offre une experience inoubliable. A signaler l’interface est intuitive et fluide, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. Particulierement fun le programme VIP avec des avantages uniques, renforce le lien communautaire.
Aller sur le site|
If you are new to investing, these tips will help you save money.
On the topic “Master financial management with TaleStrucker”, it’s a real treasure trove of information.
Here, I’m sharing a link:
https://talestrucker.com/
Choose your strategy and start your journey to financial freedom.
услуги гидроизоляции подвала https://gidroizolyaciya-cena-8.ru .
Sizi gecmisten ilham alan guzellik ipuclar?yla dolu bu nostaljik yolculuga davet ediyoruz. 90’lar modas?n?n s?rlar?na goz atal?m m??
Кстати, если вас интересует Guzellik ve Kozmetik: Trendler ve Ipuclar?, загляните сюда.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://guzellikturk.com
90’lar?n guzellik s?rlar?yla tarz?n?za yeni bir soluk kazand?rabilirsiniz. Eski moda, yeni size ilham olsun!
наркологические клиники в москве наркологические клиники в москве .
можно ли купить диплом сварщика можно ли купить диплом сварщика .
обмазочная гидроизоляция цена работы обмазочная гидроизоляция цена работы .
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
“En Iyi Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Trendleri 2023” konusuyla ilgili olarak cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
[url=https://anadoludekor.com]https://anadoludekor.com[/url]
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
карниз электро http://www.elektrokarniz797.ru .
электрические гардины для штор https://www.elektrokarniz797.ru .
гидроизоляция цена за рулон гидроизоляция цена за рулон .
Pinco oyunları ilə böyük qazanc əldə et. Ən yaxşı oyun platforması — pinco az. Pinco casino rəsmi saytı təhlükəsizdir.
Pinco kazino təhlükəsiz ödəniş üsullarına malikdir.
гидроизоляция цена работы за м2 [url=https://gidroizolyaciya-cena-8.ru]https://gidroizolyaciya-cena-8.ru[/url] .
закодироваться в москве закодироваться в москве .
Tarz?n?z? 90’lar?n unutulmaz modas?ndan esinlenerek gunumuze tas?mak ister misiniz? Oyleyse bu yaz?m?z tam size gore!
Особенно понравился раздел про Ev Dekorasyonunda Modern ve Estetik Cozumler.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://evimturk.com
Tarz?n?zda 90’lar?n esintilerini hissetmeye baslad?g?n?za eminim. Gecmisin izlerini tas?maktan korkmay?n!
телефон наркологии телефон наркологии .
Cilt bak?m?n?z? bir ust seviyeye c?karman?n zaman? geldi, siz ne dersiniz?
“Turk Mutfag?n?n Geleneksel ve Modern Lezzetleri” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin harika bir makale var.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://turklezzeti.com
Cildinizin dogall?g?n? ve sagl?g?n? korumak sizin elinizde.
http://yelkovanyachts.com/ – Load Luxury Cruiser Platform
getmoreforshop – Easy navigation and great offers, perfect combo for quick shopping.
Guzellik ve kozmetikte her zaman gecmisten al?nacak dersler bulunur. 90’lar?n modas?ndan guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmeye haz?r olun.
Между прочим, если вас интересует Guzellik ve Kozmetik: 90’lar Modas?ndan Ipuclar?, загляните сюда.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://aynakirildi.com
Tarz?n?zda 90’lar?n esintilerini hissetmeye baslad?g?n?za eminim. Gecmisin izlerini tas?maktan korkmay?n!
Цифровая трансформация ускоряет развитие kraken онион кракен onion сайт kra ссылка kraken сайт
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 Modern ve Estetik Cozumler.
Ссылка ниже:
https://evimturk.com
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmek, tarz?n?za farkl? bir boyut kazand?rabilir. Denemeye deger degil mi?
ремонт в подвале https://gidroizolyaciya-cena-7.ru .
Learn how gamers can improve their financial management skills.
Incidentally, if you are interested in Practical tips for financial well-being with CactiCarely, take a look here.
The link is below:
https://cacticarely.com/
We hope these tips will help you become financially successful.
Discover practical tips for financial well-being with CactiCarely.
By the way, if you are interested in Tips for beginner investors and saving money, check out here.
Here, I’m sharing a link:
https://noobastro.com/
Continue to learn and apply new financial strategies!
мостбет кз скачать mostbet12037.ru
Welcome to the world of financial management with TaleStrucker!
I especially liked the section about Tips for beginner investors and saving money.
Here, I’m sharing a link:
https://noobastro.com/
Use this knowledge to achieve your financial goals!
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” konusuyla ilgili olarak oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://tenvezarafet.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
“Zamans?z S?kl?k ve Klasik Giyim Onerileri” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://klasikstil.com
Cilt bak?m?n? hayat?n?z?n bir parcas? haline getirin ve fark? gorun.
Cilt bak?m?n?z? bir ust seviyeye c?karman?n zaman? geldi, siz ne dersiniz?
Cilt Bak?m? ve Dogal Guzellik S?rlar? hakk?ndaki bolum dikkate degerdi.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://turkbakimi.com
Cilt bak?m?n?n buyusu ile tan?s?n ve hayat?n?za kazand?r?n.
сырость в подвале многоквартирного дома [url=www.gidroizolyaciya-cena-7.ru]www.gidroizolyaciya-cena-7.ru[/url] .
наркология в москве наркология в москве .
Learn how gamers can improve their financial management skills.
By the way, if you are interested in Master financial management with TaleStrucker, take a look here.
See for yourself:
https://talestrucker.com/
Use this knowledge to achieve your financial goals!
автоматический карниз для штор http://www.elektrokarniz797.ru .
Start your journey to financial freedom with our guide.
By the way, if you are interested in Master financial management with TaleStrucker, check out here.
Here, I’m sharing a link:
https://talestrucker.com/
Your financial well-being is in your hands!
электрокарнизы для штор электрокарнизы для штор .
литокол гидроизоляция цена gidroizolyaciya-cena-8.ru .
пластиковые жалюзи с электроприводом https://avtomaticheskie-zhalyuzi.ru .
Dogal guzelliginizin s?rlar?n? ortaya c?karmaya var m?s?n?z?
Bu arada, eger Estetik ve Fonksiyonellik: Ideal Mekan Tasar?m? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://evsahnesi.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
наркологический частный центр [url=http://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-28.ru]наркологический частный центр[/url] .
карниз с приводом http://www.elektrokarniz499.ru .
Центр дистанционного образования – Академия НАДПО – https://nadpo.ru/ – это возможность пройти профессиональную переподготовку или повышение квалификации. Посетите наш сайт, ознакомьтесь с большим перечнем программам для обучения, а само обучение осуществляется онлайн, с выдачей диплома.