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.domashnee-tv-i-internet-voronezh.ru/ – узнать о поддержке интернет-технологии и цифровые сервисы в частных домах
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Просто и понятно о валютных курсах”, есть отличная статья.
Смотрите сами:
https://exchangetrade.ru
Кстати, если вас интересует Обсудите лучшие советы по ипотеке, загляните сюда.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://best-ipoteka.ru
צפוניות. – מה שלומך, אייר? אתה מחזיק מעמד? – קולו, צרוד מעייפות, היה מלא אכפתיות. – היא ניסתה בסדר, יקירי,” היא הייתה אומרת, וקולה נשמע רגוע באופן מוזר. – התגעגעתי אליך מאוד. תחזור בקרוב. היא sexforyou
ganabet casino iniciar sesion ganabet-online.com .
Особенно понравился раздел про Просто и понятно о валютных курсах.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://exchangetrade.ru
growthflow.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
buy amoxil: amoxicillin 500mg capsules antibiotic – buy amoxil
casino ganabet l?nea http://www.ganabet-online.com/ .
Howdy would you mind letting me know which web host you’re working with?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a honest price?
Thanks, I appreciate it!
J’adore la vibe de 1xBet Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. Les options de jeu sont infinies, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les gains arrivent sans delai, par contre quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. En somme, 1xBet Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. Notons egalement le design est style et moderne, ce qui rend chaque moment plus vibrant. Un bonus les transactions en crypto fiables, offre des recompenses continues.
Voir le site|
https://odessaforum.getbb.ru/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26682
Je suis bluffe par 1xBet Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Le bonus de bienvenue est genereux. Le suivi est impeccable. Les transactions sont d’une fiabilite absolue, de temps a autre des offres plus genereuses rendraient l’experience meilleure. Pour finir, 1xBet Casino est une plateforme qui pulse. Par ailleurs l’interface est simple et engageante, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. Particulierement fun les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, renforce la communaute.
Continuer Г lire|
J’adore l’energie de Lucky 31 Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. Le catalogue est un paradis pour les joueurs, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Il donne un avantage immediat. Le support est pro et accueillant. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, en revanche plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du peps. En bref, Lucky 31 Casino vaut une exploration vibrante. Pour ajouter la navigation est claire et rapide, facilite une immersion totale. Un bonus les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, qui booste la participation.
DГ©couvrir le contenu|
good day 4 play promo code free spins http://goodday4play-online.com .
Мы не составляем «супер-смеси» «на всякий случай». Капельница — это набор модулей, каждый из которых отвечает за конкретную задачу: гидратация, электролиты, гастропротекция, антиоксидантная поддержка; при показаниях — мягкая анксиолитика. Порядок модулей зависит от ведущего симптом-кластера и времени суток.
Разобраться лучше – капельница от запоя цена в мурманске
https://yelkovanyachts.com/ – SSL Enabled for Contact
мостбет мобильная версия скачать мостбет мобильная версия скачать
newsky88 slot http://www.newsky-online.com .
1xbet resmi giri? 1xbet-7.com .
casino ganabet http://www.ganabet-online.com .
advista.click – Pages loaded fast, images appeared sharp, and formatting stayed consistent.
ganabet iniciar sesi?n https://ganabet-online.com/ .
goodday casino goodday casino .
«СтаврМедЦентр» собирает лечение из коротких модулей с понятными целями: быстро стабилизировать соматику, вернуть управляемый сон, снизить реактивность вечера, обучить «перехвату» импульса и закрепить это в спокойной рутине. Фармакологию используем дозированно, опираясь на витальные показатели и переносимость; поведенческий контур запускаем сразу: свет, вода, дыхание, цифровая гигиена, семейные договорённости. Ниже — ориентировочная архитектура маршрута. На практике последовательность и длительность настраиваются под конкретного человека и его среду.
Подробнее – наркологическая клиника ставрополь
newsky88 wallet http://www.newsky-online.com/ .
good day 4 play no deposit bonus good day 4 play no deposit bonus .
good play 4 day http://www.goodday4play-online.com .
good day 4 play kod promocyjny good day 4 play kod promocyjny .
ganabet casino iniciar sesion https://ganabet-online.com .
J’adore l’energie de Lucky 31 Casino, on y trouve une vibe envoutante. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, avec des slots aux graphismes modernes. Le bonus de bienvenue est genereux. Le support est rapide et professionnel. Les transactions sont toujours securisees, occasionnellement des offres plus importantes seraient super. Pour faire court, Lucky 31 Casino assure un fun constant. A signaler le site est rapide et engageant, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. A signaler les evenements communautaires engageants, propose des privileges sur mesure.
Essayer maintenant|
good day 4 play casino promo code https://goodday4play-online.com .
ganabet casino ganabet-online.com .
Je suis enthousiasme par 1xBet Casino, il propose une aventure palpitante. Les titres proposes sont d’une richesse folle, proposant des jeux de casino traditionnels. Le bonus de depart est top. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, toutefois des bonus plus varies seraient un plus. Globalement, 1xBet Casino est un endroit qui electrise. Ajoutons que la navigation est claire et rapide, amplifie l’adrenaline du jeu. Particulierement cool les options de paris sportifs variees, offre des recompenses continues.
Touchez ici|
мостбет сайт бк мостбет сайт бк
ganabet bono 1,000 casino https://ganabet-online.com .
Je suis captive par Action Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. Le catalogue de titres est vaste, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. Il donne un elan excitant. Les agents repondent avec efficacite. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, occasionnellement quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. Globalement, Action Casino est un lieu de fun absolu. De plus l’interface est lisse et agreable, booste le fun du jeu. Particulierement interessant les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, renforce le lien communautaire.
Commencer maintenant|
1x giri? http://www.1xbet-7.com .
ganabet+casino http://www.ganabet-online.com .
one x bet http://www.1xbet-7.com/ .
стоимость согласования перепланировки в бти стоимость согласования перепланировки в бти .
good day slot casino good day slot casino .
Je suis fascine par Lucky 31 Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Disponible a toute heure via chat ou email. Les gains arrivent sans delai, de temps a autre des offres plus genereuses rendraient l’experience meilleure. Pour finir, Lucky 31 Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. Pour ajouter le design est moderne et energique, incite a prolonger le plaisir. Un avantage notable les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, qui booste la participation.
Visiter aujourd’hui|
goodday4play goodday4play .
https://domashniy-internet-kazan.ru – заказать срочно fiber-optic интернет-преимущество для жителей Казани
newsky88 login register newsky-online.com .
good day 4 play casino good day 4 play casino .
ganabet https://ganabet-online.com .
newsky88 http://newsky-online.com .
стоимость согласования перепланировки квартиры стоимость согласования перепланировки квартиры .