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.
согласование перепланировки нежилого помещения в нежилом здании https://pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya17.ru/ .
мос бет http://www.mostbet12039.ru
согласование перепланировки нежилых помещений pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya17.ru .
официальный сайт mostbet официальный сайт mostbet
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? hakk?ndaki bolum ozellikle hosuma gitti.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://bakimruhu.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
швейное производство в питере arbuztech.ru .
переустройство нежилого помещения http://www.pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya17.ru/ .
согласование перепланировки нежилого помещения в нежилом здании https://www.pereplanirovka-nezhilogo-pomeshcheniya18.ru .
швейная фабрика в питере http://arbuztech.ru .
Cilt bak?m?na dair dogal guzellik s?rlar?n? ogrenmeye haz?r m?s?n?z?
Lezzetin Zirvesine C?karan SofraKeyfi Hikayeleri hakk?ndaki yaz? dikkatimi cekti.
Kendiniz bak?n:
https://sofrakeyfi.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
Je suis completement seduit par Betify Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. Les options de jeu sont infinies, offrant des sessions live immersives. 100% jusqu’a 500 € plus des tours gratuits. Le support est rapide et professionnel. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, cependant des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. En resume, Betify Casino est une plateforme qui pulse. A noter la navigation est intuitive et lisse, facilite une experience immersive. Egalement excellent les evenements communautaires vibrants, offre des recompenses regulieres.
DГ©couvrir|
mostbet официальный сайт регистрация mostbet официальный сайт регистрация
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”, есть отличная статья.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://evimturk.com
Guzellik, gecmisle gunumuz aras?nda bir kopru kurmakt?r. 90’lar?n moda s?rlar?, bu koprunun onemli parcalar?ndan.
швейная фабрика в питере [url=http://www.arbuztech.ru]http://www.arbuztech.ru[/url] .
yelkovanyachts.com – Company Website Information Page
перепланировка в нежилом здании перепланировка в нежилом здании .
Je suis enthousiasme par Betify Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. Les options sont aussi vastes qu’un horizon, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. Le bonus d’inscription est attrayant. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, par contre quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. En somme, Betify Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement dynamique, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. Particulierement interessant les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, cree une communaute vibrante.
Commencer Г explorer|
жалюзи на пульте жалюзи на пульте .
перепланировка в нежилом здании перепланировка в нежилом здании .
пошив футболок на заказ http://www.miniatelie.ru/ .
Je suis emerveille par Belgium Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, comprenant des jeux crypto-friendly. Il booste votre aventure des le depart. Disponible a toute heure via chat ou email. Le processus est clair et efficace, de temps a autre des offres plus consequentes seraient parfaites. Au final, Belgium Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. En extra le design est style et moderne, incite a prolonger le plaisir. A mettre en avant les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, renforce le lien communautaire.
Obtenir des infos|
Je suis emerveille par Belgium Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Les options de jeu sont incroyablement variees, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Les agents repondent avec efficacite. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, malgre tout des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. Dans l’ensemble, Belgium Casino est une plateforme qui pulse. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement dynamique, ajoute une vibe electrisante. Un element fort le programme VIP avec des recompenses exclusives, qui stimule l’engagement.
Explorer maintenant|
производство одежды miniatelie.ru .
аренда экскаватора погрузчика цена аренда экскаватора погрузчика цена .
Je suis enthousiaste a propos de Gamdom Casino, ca transporte dans un monde d’excitation. Les options de jeu sont incroyablement variees, incluant des options de paris sportifs dynamiques. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, toutefois des bonus plus varies seraient un plus. Pour conclure, Gamdom Casino est un endroit qui electrise. A noter l’interface est lisse et agreable, apporte une energie supplementaire. Un plus les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, assure des transactions fiables.
Jeter un coup d’œil|
горизонтальные жалюзи с электроприводом горизонтальные жалюзи с электроприводом .
экскаватор погрузчик москва https://arenda-ekskavatora-pogruzchika-1.ru/ .
Dogal guzelliginizin s?rlar?n? ortaya c?karmaya var m?s?n?z?
“Turk Mutfag?n?n Geleneksel ve Modern Lezzetleri” konusuyla ilgili olarak cok faydal? bilgiler buldum.
Asag?daki linke bakabilirsiniz:
https://turklezzeti.com
Sagl?kl? ve dogal bir cilt icin duzenli bak?m sart.
Je ne me lasse pas de Gamdom Casino, il cree une experience captivante. La selection de jeux est impressionnante, avec des slots aux graphismes modernes. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Les retraits sont ultra-rapides, en revanche des offres plus importantes seraient super. En bref, Gamdom Casino offre une experience inoubliable. De surcroit le design est style et moderne, facilite une experience immersive. Un atout le programme VIP avec des privileges speciaux, propose des privileges personnalises.
En savoir plus|
Чат Иркутск
Dogal ve etkili cilt bak?m yontemlerine dair tuyolar? kesfedin.
Yeri gelmisken, eger Guzellik ve Bak?mda Yenilikci Yaklas?mlar ile ilgileniyorsan?z, buraya goz at?n.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://zariften.com
Dogal guzelliginizi koruyun ve her zaman en iyi versiyonunuz olun.
smart way sajt-smart-way.ru .
кожаные жалюзи с электроприводом http://avtomaticheskie-zhalyuzi.ru .
продвижение сайтов в топ 10 продвижение сайтов в топ 10 .
швейное производство одежды санкт петербург http://www.arbuztech.ru/ .
автоматические жалюзи автоматические жалюзи .
J’ai un faible pour Betify Casino, ca transporte dans un monde d’excitation. Les options de jeu sont infinies, avec des slots aux graphismes modernes. Il rend le debut de l’aventure palpitant. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, neanmoins des recompenses supplementaires seraient parfaites. En resume, Betify Casino merite un detour palpitant. En bonus la plateforme est visuellement captivante, incite a prolonger le plaisir. Particulierement interessant les transactions en crypto fiables, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Jeter un coup d’œil|
пластиковые жалюзи с электроприводом http://avtomaticheskie-zhalyuzi.ru/ .
Dogal guzellik ve cilt bak?m?nda uzmanlar?n s?rlar?na yak?ndan bak?yoruz.
Guzellik ve Bak?m: Trendler ve Ipuclar? hakk?ndaki bolum dikkate degerdi.
Burada okuyabilirsiniz:
https://ciltruhu.com
Guzelliginizin ve sagl?g?n?z?n anahtar? dogru cilt bak?m?nda sakl?.
жалюзи с мотором жалюзи с мотором .
жалюзи с электроприводом купить жалюзи с электроприводом купить .
компания seo [url=www.reiting-kompanii-po-prodvizheniyu-sajtov.ru/]www.reiting-kompanii-po-prodvizheniyu-sajtov.ru/[/url] .
электрожалюзи на заказ avtomaticheskie-zhalyuzi.ru .
смартвэй официальный сайт смвэй https://sajt-smart-way.ru .
90’lar modas?n? hat?rlayanlar burada m?? Sizlere gecmisin moda ikonu olan donemden ilhamla ipuclar? sundugumuz bu yaz?ya davetlisiniz.
Особенно понравился материал про Guzellik ve Kozmetik: 90’lar Modas?ndan Ipuclar?.
Ссылка ниже:
[url=https://aynakirildi.com]https://aynakirildi.com[/url]
90’lar modas?n?n guzellik s?rlar?n? kesfetmek, tarz?n?za farkl? bir boyut kazand?rabilir. Denemeye deger degil mi?
Укрытие защитное манжеты герметизирующей У-ПМТД-С Трубы ПНД (полиэтилен низкого давления) отличаются повышенной гибкостью и используются для прокладки кабельных сетей, систем водоснабжения и газопроводов.
J’ai une passion debordante pour Betify Casino, on y trouve une vibe envoutante. Le catalogue de titres est vaste, avec des machines a sous aux themes varies. Le bonus initial est super. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, de temps a autre des bonus plus varies seraient un plus. Dans l’ensemble, Betify Casino est un choix parfait pour les joueurs. Ajoutons que le site est rapide et engageant, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. Particulierement fun les evenements communautaires vibrants, cree une communaute soudee.
Explorer plus|
тканевые электрожалюзи http://avtomaticheskie-zhalyuzi.ru/ .
Лучшие девушки для теплого общения и встреч, подробнее тут проститутки индивидуалки
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, делюсь ссылкой:
https://guzellikturk.com
Guzellik, gecmisle gunumuz aras?nda bir kopru kurmakt?r. 90’lar?n moda s?rlar?, bu koprunun onemli parcalar?ndan.