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.
Cilt bak?m?n?n puf noktalar?na dair bilmeniz gereken her sey burada!
Yeri gelmisken, eger Modern Mobilya Tasar?mlar? ve Dekorasyon Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://modernsturk.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
J’adore la vibe de Betzino Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, incluant des paris sportifs pleins de vie. Le bonus initial est super. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Le processus est simple et transparent, a l’occasion quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. En bref, Betzino Casino offre une aventure memorable. Pour couronner le tout la plateforme est visuellement electrisante, booste le fun du jeu. Un avantage les options de paris sportifs variees, renforce le lien communautaire.
Visiter aujourd’hui|
Tarz?n?z? 90’lar?n unutulmaz modas?ndan esinlenerek gunumuze tas?mak ister misiniz? Oyleyse bu yaz?m?z tam size gore!
Кстати, если вас интересует Evinizde Estetik ve Fonksiyonu Birlestirin: Ipuclar? ve Trendler, загляните сюда.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://anadolustil.com
Nostalji dolu bu yolculukta bizimle oldugunuz icin tesekkur ederiz. 90’lar modas? ve guzelliginin ruhunu hissedin.
Je suis completement seduit par Viggoslots Casino, on y trouve une vibe envoutante. La selection de jeux est impressionnante, incluant des options de paris sportifs dynamiques. Il offre un demarrage en fanfare. Disponible a toute heure via chat ou email. Le processus est simple et transparent, neanmoins des recompenses supplementaires seraient parfaites. Pour conclure, Viggoslots Casino vaut une visite excitante. D’ailleurs le site est rapide et immersif, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. Particulierement cool les paiements securises en crypto, propose des privileges personnalises.
Commencer Г explorer|
Je suis bluffe par Posido Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. Les titres proposes sont d’une richesse folle, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Avec des depots fluides. Le support est pro et accueillant. Les transactions sont d’une fiabilite absolue, cependant quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. En somme, Posido Casino merite une visite dynamique. Notons aussi la plateforme est visuellement captivante, ajoute une vibe electrisante. Un avantage notable les tournois reguliers pour la competition, offre des recompenses continues.
Explorer maintenant|
психолог нарколог в москве психолог нарколог в москве .
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
“Modern Mobilya Tasar?mlar? ve Dekorasyon Ipuclar?” konusuyla ilgili olarak harika bir makale var.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://modernsturk.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
наркологические услуги москвы https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-27.ru .
90’lar modas?n? hat?rlayanlar burada m?? Sizlere gecmisin moda ikonu olan donemden ilhamla ipuclar? sundugumuz bu yaz?ya davetlisiniz.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Guzellik ve Kozmetik: Trendler ve Ipuclar?”, там просто кладезь информации.
Смотрите сами:
https://guzellikturk.com
Guzellik, gecmisle gunumuz aras?nda bir kopru kurmakt?r. 90’lar?n moda s?rlar?, bu koprunun onemli parcalar?ndan.
производство одежды miniatelie.ru .
наркологическое отделение наркологии http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-27.ru/ .
J’adore la vibe de Viggoslots Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Avec des depots fluides. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Le processus est simple et transparent, en revanche plus de promos regulieres dynamiseraient le jeu. En bref, Viggoslots Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. Notons egalement le design est tendance et accrocheur, amplifie l’adrenaline du jeu. Egalement excellent le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Poursuivre la lecture|
обмазочная гидроизоляция цена работы обмазочная гидроизоляция цена работы .
trafficlaunch.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
купить диплом ргау мсха купить диплом ргау мсха .
платная наркологическая клиника в москве платная наркологическая клиника в москве .
трезвая жизнь трезвая жизнь .
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Viggoslots Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Le support client est irreprochable. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, cependant des offres plus importantes seraient super. En bref, Viggoslots Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. En complement la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. Egalement genial les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, renforce la communaute.
Cliquer maintenant|
90’lardan gunumuze uzanan guzellik anlay?s?na ?s?k tutan bu rehberle, zaman?n otesine gecen bir tarz elde edin.
По теме “Guzellik ve Kozmetik: 90’lar Modas?ndan Ipuclar?”, нашел много полезного.
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!
гидроизоляция цена за м2 за работу http://www.gidroizolyaciya-cena-8.ru/ .
электрокарниз двухрядный elektrokarniz797.ru .
1xbet giri? 1xbet giri? .
marketblaze.click – Overall, professional vibe here; trustworthy, polished, and pleasantly minimal throughout.
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Spending some
time and actual effort to create a good article…
but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t manage
to get nearly anything done.
электрокарнизы для штор цена электрокарнизы для штор цена .
Je suis sous le charme de Vbet Casino, ca transporte dans un monde d’excitation. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, avec des machines a sous aux themes varies. 100% jusqu’a 500 € plus des tours gratuits. Le service d’assistance est au point. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, cependant quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient cool. Dans l’ensemble, Vbet Casino est un must pour les passionnes. Notons aussi le site est rapide et engageant, booste le fun du jeu. Particulierement interessant les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, qui stimule l’engagement.
Explorer le site|
гидроизоляция цена за работу гидроизоляция цена за работу .
adrise.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
карниз с приводом http://www.elektrokarniz797.ru .
xbet giri? xbet giri? .
Hi there very cool blog!! Guy .. Excellent
.. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds also?
I’m happy to seek out numerous helpful info here in the put up, we’d like develop more techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
1 xbet 1 xbet .
гидроизоляция подвала цена за м2 гидроизоляция подвала цена за м2 .
автоматические карнизы автоматические карнизы .
Автоматизация избавляет от рутины kraken зеркало рабочее кракен onion сайт kra ссылка kraken сайт
сырость в подвале сырость в подвале .
connectlearncreate – Inspiring and interactive site, perfect for learning and creating new ideas.
стоимость гидроизоляции подвала стоимость гидроизоляции подвала .
ремонт подвала ремонт подвала .
закодироваться в москве закодироваться в москве .
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
“En Iyi Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Trendleri 2023” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
[url=https://anadoludekor.com]https://anadoludekor.com[/url]
Cilt bak?m?n? hayat?n?z?n bir parcas? haline getirin ve fark? gorun.
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Posido Casino, on y trouve une energie contagieuse. La gamme est variee et attrayante, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. Il rend le debut de l’aventure palpitant. Le service client est excellent. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, cependant quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. Pour conclure, Posido Casino assure un fun constant. En plus la navigation est intuitive et lisse, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. Un point fort le programme VIP avec des avantages uniques, qui dynamise l’engagement.
https://casinoposidofr.com/|
автоматические карнизы [url=www.elektrokarniz797.ru]автоматические карнизы[/url] .
вода в подвале http://www.gidroizolyaciya-cena-8.ru .
гидроизоляция подвала москва гидроизоляция подвала москва .
гидроизоляция подвалов цена http://www.gidroizolyaciya-cena-8.ru .
карниз с приводом elektrokarniz499.ru .
гидроизоляция цена работы за м2 https://gidroizolyaciya-cena-8.ru .
анонимная наркологическая помощь анонимная наркологическая помощь .
частная наркологическая клиника москва https://www.narkologicheskaya-klinika-23.ru .