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.
J’adore la vibe de Belgium Casino, il procure une sensation de frisson. Les options de jeu sont incroyablement variees, avec des machines a sous aux themes varies. Il offre un coup de pouce allechant. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, par ailleurs des recompenses supplementaires seraient parfaites. En somme, Belgium Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs. Par ailleurs l’interface est fluide comme une soiree, ajoute une vibe electrisante. Un point fort le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, offre des bonus constants.
Tout apprendre|
Найцікавіше: https://ukrdigest.com/nepiznane.html
Eski ama asla eskimeyen 90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?yla dolu bu yaz?da bulusal?m.
Хочу выделить раздел про Evinizde Estetik ve Fonksiyonu Birlestirin: Ipuclar? ve Trendler.
Смотрите сами:
https://anadolustil.com
Tarz?n?zda 90’lar?n esintilerini hissetmeye baslad?g?n?za eminim. Gecmisin izlerini tas?maktan korkmay?n!
seo продвижение сайта агентство seo продвижение сайта агентство .
seo partner http://optimizaciya-i-seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-moskva.ru/ .
J’ai un faible pour Gamdom Casino, ca donne une vibe electrisante. Le catalogue est un paradis pour les joueurs, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Le service client est excellent. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, de temps en temps plus de promotions variees ajouteraient du fun. En conclusion, Gamdom Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. D’ailleurs la navigation est claire et rapide, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Un plus les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, propose des privileges sur mesure.
Lire la suite|
http://bigdive.eu/ site regroupant des instructions pour obtenir des freebets et bonus
раскрутка сайта франция optimizaciya-i-seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-moskva-1.ru .
http://www.yelkovanyachts.com – Web Access Yelkovan Yachts
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?yla gunumuzun trendlerine meydan okumaya ne dersiniz?
Между прочим, если вас интересует Guzellik ve Kozmetik: Trendler ve Ipuclar?, загляните сюда.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://guzellikturk.com
90’lar?n buyusunu modern dunyaya tas?mak hic bu kadar kolay olmam?st?. Unutulmayan bu donemin guzellik s?rlar?n? unutmay?n!
как продвигать сайт статьи http://statyi-o-marketinge7.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??
Хочу выделить раздел про Evinizde Estetik ve Fonksiyonu Birlestirin: Ipuclar? ve Trendler.
Ссылка ниже:
https://anadolustil.com
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmek, tarz?n?za farkl? bir boyut kazand?rabilir. Denemeye deger degil mi?
агентство продвижения сайтов агентство продвижения сайтов .
оптимизация сайта франция цена http://www.optimizaciya-i-seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-moskva.ru/ .
J’ai un faible pour Gamdom Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, incluant des paris sportifs pleins de vie. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, de temps a autre quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient cool. Globalement, Gamdom Casino vaut une visite excitante. A noter la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, booste l’excitation du jeu. Un plus les paiements securises en crypto, cree une communaute soudee.
Avancer|
seo top agencies https://www.reiting-seo-kompanii.ru .
Дивитись подробиці: https://worldwide-ua.com/didzhytal.html
90’lardan gunumuze uzanan guzellik anlay?s?na ?s?k tutan bu rehberle, zaman?n otesine gecen bir tarz elde edin.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Guzellik ve Kozmetik: Trendler ve Ipuclar?”, нашел много полезного.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://guzellikturk.com
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmek, tarz?n?za farkl? bir boyut kazand?rabilir. Denemeye deger degil mi?
материалы по seo материалы по seo .
Найкраще прямо тут: https://infopark.com.ua/tekhnolohii.html
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
“Moda ve Konforun Zirvesi: Trendler ve Ipuclar?” konusuyla ilgili olarak harika bir makale var.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://sadesik.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
Yeri gelmisken, eger Modern Mobilya Tasar?mlar? ve Dekorasyon Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya bir bak?n.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://modernsturk.com
Unutmay?n, her cilt tipi guzeldir ve dogru bak?m ile daha da guzellesir.
Cilt bak?m?na dair dogal guzellik s?rlar?n? ogrenmeye haz?r m?s?n?z?
Bu arada, eger Modern Mobilya Trendleri ve Dekorasyon Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://evimtarzi.com
Cilt bak?m?n? hayat?n?z?n bir parcas? haline getirin ve fark? gorun.
Оновлення на тему: https://infoquorum.com.ua/navchannia.html
рекламное агентство seo рекламное агентство seo .
локальное seo блог statyi-o-marketinge6.ru .
голосовое управление жалюзи http://avtomaticheskie-zhalyuzi.ru/ .
Найкраще прямо тут: https://press-express.com.ua/suspilstvo.html
¿Sacrificas tus necesidades por las de él constantemente? Lee esto https://lasmujeresqueamandemasiadopdf.cyou/ Descarga gratis y aprende a equilibrar tus relaciones de forma saludable.
seo ranking services seo ranking services .
Cilt bak?m?na dair dogal guzellik s?rlar?n? ogrenmeye haz?r m?s?n?z?
“Cilt Bak?m? ve Guzellik: Trendler ve Ipuclar?” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin oras? tam bir bilgi hazinesi.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://bakimruhu.com
Cilt bak?m?n?n buyusu ile tan?s?n ve hayat?n?za kazand?r?n.
руководства по seo руководства по seo .
Усі деталі за посиланням: https://press-express.com.ua/didzhytal.html
Je suis completement seduit par Betify Casino, il procure une sensation de frisson. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. Avec des depots instantanes. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, mais encore des offres plus genereuses seraient top. En bref, Betify Casino vaut une visite excitante. En plus le design est moderne et energique, incite a prolonger le plaisir. Un point cle les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, propose des privileges personnalises.
Betify|
Cilt bak?m?n?n puf noktalar?na dair bilmeniz gereken her sey burada!
“En Iyi Mobilya ve Dekorasyon Trendleri 2023” konusunda bilgi arayanlar icin harika bir makale var.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://anadoludekor.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
Алкогольная детоксикация — важный этап в процессе борьбы с зависимостью от алкоголя, направленный на очищение организма. Признаки синдрома отмены могут быть серьезными и включают беспокойство, потоотделение и тремор. Методы детокса различаются от медицинской помощи до домашних программ реабилитации. Возвращение к трезвости требует поддержки родных и понимания психологии зависимости. Функция печени значительно страдает от чрезмерного употребления алкоголя. Безалкогольные альтернативы, такие как безалкогольные напитки, помогают избежать вреда и восстановить здоровье. Узнайте больше на vivod-iz-zapoya-vladimir024.ru.
J’ai un faible pour Betify Casino, ca invite a l’aventure. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, comprenant des jeux crypto-friendly. Avec des transactions rapides. Les agents repondent avec rapidite. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, occasionnellement quelques free spins en plus seraient bienvenus. En resume, Betify Casino est un must pour les passionnes. Notons aussi la plateforme est visuellement electrisante, booste l’excitation du jeu. Particulierement fun les evenements communautaires engageants, propose des privileges sur mesure.
Cliquez ici|
Guzellik ve kozmetikte her zaman gecmisten al?nacak dersler bulunur. 90’lar?n modas?ndan guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmeye haz?r olun.
Хочу выделить материал про Guzellik ve Kozmetik: Trendler ve Ipuclar?.
Ссылка ниже:
https://guzellikturk.com
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmek, tarz?n?za farkl? bir boyut kazand?rabilir. Denemeye deger degil mi?
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
Bu arada, eger Modern Mobilya Trendleri ve Dekorasyon Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://evimtarzi.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
Je suis enthousiasme par Betify Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. La gamme est variee et attrayante, offrant des sessions live palpitantes. Il booste votre aventure des le depart. Le support client est irreprochable. Les transactions sont d’une fiabilite absolue, de temps en temps quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. Dans l’ensemble, Betify Casino est un endroit qui electrise. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. Un atout le programme VIP avec des privileges speciaux, renforce la communaute.
Aller sur le site web|
Je suis accro a Belgium Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, offrant des sessions live immersives. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des free spins. Le service est disponible 24/7. Les retraits sont fluides et rapides, a l’occasion des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. Au final, Belgium Casino vaut une visite excitante. Ajoutons que la plateforme est visuellement electrisante, permet une immersion complete. Un avantage les paiements securises en crypto, propose des avantages uniques.
Commencer maintenant|
Great post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I am
impressed! Very helpful information specially the final part :) I
handle such information much. I was looking for this certain information for
a long time. Thanks and best of luck.
J’adore la vibe de Belgium Casino, il procure une sensation de frisson. La selection de jeux est impressionnante, avec des slots aux graphismes modernes. Il offre un demarrage en fanfare. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, neanmoins plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du peps. Dans l’ensemble, Belgium Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. A mentionner le design est moderne et attrayant, booste le fun du jeu. A signaler les tournois reguliers pour la competition, assure des transactions fluides.
Apprendre comment|
Je suis enthousiaste a propos de Gamdom Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. Le choix de jeux est tout simplement enorme, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des free spins. Le support est pro et accueillant. Les paiements sont securises et instantanes, a l’occasion plus de promotions frequentes boosteraient l’experience. Pour conclure, Gamdom Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. De surcroit l’interface est lisse et agreable, permet une plongee totale dans le jeu. Un element fort le programme VIP avec des privileges speciaux, offre des recompenses regulieres.
Cliquer pour voir|
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 “Ev Dekorasyonunda Modern ve Estetik Cozumler”, нашел много полезного.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://evimturk.com
Nostalji dolu bu yolculukta bizimle oldugunuz icin tesekkur ederiz. 90’lar modas? ve guzelliginin ruhunu hissedin.
купить диплом техносферная безопасность купить диплом техносферная безопасность .
Все найновіше тут: https://infostat.com.ua/
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
Bu arada, eger Kozmetik Dunyas?nda En Yeni Guzellik Trendleri ve Ipuclar? ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Iste, linki paylas?yorum:
https://bakimsehri.com
Unutmay?n, her cilt tipi guzeldir ve dogru bak?m ile daha da guzellesir.
Розгорнути подробиці: https://ukrdigest.com/all-articles
I appreciate, cause I discovered just what I was having a look for.
You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you
man. Have a great day. Bye