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.
Программисты строят цифровой мир kraken зеркало kraken онион kraken онион тор кракен онион
birxbet birxbet .
J’adore l’energie de Lucky 31 Casino, il procure une sensation de frisson. La bibliotheque est pleine de surprises, offrant des sessions live immersives. Il rend le debut de l’aventure palpitant. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les paiements sont surs et efficaces, cependant des recompenses supplementaires dynamiseraient le tout. En somme, Lucky 31 Casino offre une experience inoubliable. Notons aussi la plateforme est visuellement captivante, facilite une immersion totale. Un avantage les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, garantit des paiements rapides.
https://lucky31casinoappfr.com/|
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Azur Casino, il cree une experience captivante. Les options de jeu sont infinies, incluant des paris sportifs pleins de vie. Il offre un demarrage en fanfare. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Le processus est clair et efficace, mais encore des bonus diversifies seraient un atout. En resume, Azur Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. En plus la plateforme est visuellement dynamique, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. A noter les transactions en crypto fiables, cree une communaute soudee.
Voir les dГ©tails|
nextlevelads.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
boosttraffic.click – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
мостбеь https://mostbet12040.ru/
Daily Bargain Spot – Consistently find great deals, new offers every day.
займы онлайн
займы онлайн кз
бесплатная консультация юриста онлайн Консультация юриста онлайн Онлайн консультация юриста предоставляет удобный формат общения, позволяющий получить ответы на свои вопросы, не выходя из дома или офиса. Это экономит время и деньги, которые могли бы быть потрачены на посещение юриста лично. Кроме того, онлайн консультации часто доступны в более широком временном диапазоне, включая выходные и праздничные дни.
Je ne me lasse pas de Azur Casino, on y trouve une energie contagieuse. La selection est riche et diversifiee, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. Le bonus de depart est top. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les gains sont transferes rapidement, neanmoins des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. En somme, Azur Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. A noter le site est fluide et attractif, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. A souligner les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, qui dynamise l’engagement.
https://azurcasinobonusfr.com/|
мостбет авиатор http://mostbet12040.ru
proclicklab.click – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
Discount Portal Online – Amazing savings appear daily, perfect for smart shoppers.
Deals Hub Online – Fantastic discounts appear every day without fail.
Je suis enthousiasme par Action Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. La bibliotheque est pleine de surprises, offrant des sessions live palpitantes. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Le service d’assistance est au point. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, rarement des offres plus genereuses seraient top. En somme, Action Casino offre une experience inoubliable. Pour completer le design est style et moderne, booste le fun du jeu. Particulierement fun les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, offre des recompenses continues.
Commencer Г naviguer|
Hot Savings Hub – Always discover fresh deals, the offers update daily.
rapidleads.click – Loved the layout today; clean, simple, and genuinely user-friendly overall.
онлайн займ на карту
Daily Shop Picks – Found a useful item that simplified my buying process today.
Je suis bluffe par Action Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. Avec des depots instantanes. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les paiements sont securises et instantanes, mais encore des bonus diversifies seraient un atout. En fin de compte, Action Casino est une plateforme qui pulse. Ajoutons aussi le design est moderne et energique, facilite une experience immersive. A noter les transactions crypto ultra-securisees, renforce la communaute.
Continuer ici|
virallaunch.click – Color palette felt calming, nothing distracting, just focused, thoughtful design.
mostbet kg http://www.mostbet12040.ru
Discount Finder Hub – Great discounts appear here, updated every single day.
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog
posts on this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website.
Studying this information So i am glad to convey that
I have a very excellent uncanny feeling I discovered
exactly what I needed. I such a lot certainly will make sure to
don?t fail to remember this website and provides it a glance on a continuing basis.
¿Te conformas con menos de lo que mereces por miedo? Cambia eso https://lasmujeresqueamandemasiadopdf.cyou/ Descarga gratis el bestseller de Robin Norwood. Tu valor no es negociable.
скачат мостбет скачат мостбет
займы в кз
перепланировка в москве перепланировка в москве .
Shop Today Deals – Found a practical item that made buying things smoother.
Je ne me lasse pas de Azur Casino, il procure une sensation de frisson. Les jeux proposes sont d’une diversite folle, offrant des sessions live immersives. Il rend le debut de l’aventure palpitant. Le support est pro et accueillant. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, parfois des recompenses supplementaires dynamiseraient le tout. En conclusion, Azur Casino est un must pour les passionnes. Par ailleurs l’interface est fluide comme une soiree, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. Un atout les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, renforce la communaute.
Aller au site|
домео ремонт квартир отзывы домео ремонт квартир отзывы .
Shop Deals Online – Came across something practical that made selecting items easier.
займы казахстана
Алкогольная зависимость держится на двух опорах — нейробиологической и поведенческой. Первая проявляется в нарушении систем вознаграждения и сна, в скачках настроения и тревожности, из-за чего «тяга» переживается как единственный быстрый способ облегчения. Вторая — в привычках и сценариях, когда стресс, одиночество или праздники автоматически связываются с употреблением. Кодирование в клинике адресует обе опоры одновременно: фармакологические методы снижают ожидаемую «награду» от алкоголя или формируют защитный барьер, а психотерапевтические — учат распознавать триггеры, переключать внимание и выдерживать эмоции без выпивки. Такой комбинированный подход особенно эффективен в первые месяцы трезвости, когда физиология уже не поддерживает употребление, а поведенческие маршруты ещё инерционны. Мы честно проговариваем возможности и ограничения: кодирование не «лечит одним уколом», но создаёт окно стабильности, в котором человек успевает перестроить быт, сон, питание и систему поддержки.
Ознакомиться с деталями – https://kodirovanie-ot-alkogolizma-shchelkovo3.ru/kodirovka-ot-alkogolya-ryadom-shhyolkovo/
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Action Casino, il propose une aventure palpitante. Il y a un eventail de titres captivants, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Avec des depots instantanes. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les gains arrivent sans delai, cependant quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. En bref, Action Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. A noter la plateforme est visuellement electrisante, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. Un point cle les evenements communautaires engageants, renforce le lien communautaire.
Cliquer pour voir|
Je suis bluffe par Azur Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. La selection est riche et diversifiee, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Le suivi est toujours au top. Le processus est fluide et intuitif, cependant des bonus diversifies seraient un atout. En conclusion, Azur Casino vaut une visite excitante. En complement l’interface est intuitive et fluide, ajoute une vibe electrisante. Un atout les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, offre des recompenses regulieres.
Commencer Г dГ©couvrir|
Smart Shopping Picks – Came across a helpful product that sped up my shopping process.
Je suis captive par Lucky 31 Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, avec des slots aux graphismes modernes. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des spins gratuits. Le support est pro et accueillant. Les gains sont verses sans attendre, malgre tout des offres plus genereuses seraient top. En bref, Lucky 31 Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. A souligner la navigation est claire et rapide, facilite une immersion totale. Un avantage notable les nombreuses options de paris sportifs, cree une communaute vibrante.
DГ©couvrir davantage|
Smart Shop Portal – Came across a useful item that saved me time today.
J’adore la vibe de Azur Casino, on ressent une ambiance festive. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Le bonus de bienvenue est genereux. Les agents repondent avec efficacite. Les transactions sont d’une fiabilite absolue, rarement plus de promotions variees ajouteraient du fun. Pour conclure, Azur Casino merite une visite dynamique. Pour completer la plateforme est visuellement captivante, amplifie l’adrenaline du jeu. A mettre en avant les options de paris sportifs variees, garantit des paiements securises.
Aller en ligne|
nextlevelads.click – Bookmarked this immediately, planning to revisit for updates and inspiration.
мостбет оператор https://mostbet12040.ru/
proclicklab.click – Color palette felt calming, nothing distracting, just focused, thoughtful design.
boosttraffic.click – Pages loaded fast, images appeared sharp, and formatting stayed consistent.
Je suis captive par Azur Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, offrant des experiences de casino en direct. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Le support client est irreprochable. Le processus est simple et transparent, malgre tout des offres plus importantes seraient super. En bref, Azur Casino garantit un plaisir constant. En plus la navigation est simple et intuitive, facilite une experience immersive. Un avantage les nombreuses options de paris sportifs, cree une communaute vibrante.
Aller sur le web|
J’ai une affection particuliere pour 1xBet Casino, on y trouve une vibe envoutante. Il y a un eventail de titres captivants, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Il donne un avantage immediat. Le service est disponible 24/7. Le processus est fluide et intuitif, a l’occasion plus de promotions variees ajouteraient du fun. Pour faire court, 1xBet Casino offre une aventure memorable. En complement la navigation est claire et rapide, ajoute une vibe electrisante. Particulierement attrayant les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Ouvrir le site|
1x bet 1x bet .
Je suis fascine par Lucky 31 Casino, on ressent une ambiance festive. Le choix de jeux est tout simplement enorme, avec des machines a sous aux themes varies. Il offre un demarrage en fanfare. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Les paiements sont securises et instantanes, mais encore quelques free spins en plus seraient bienvenus. Au final, Lucky 31 Casino est un lieu de fun absolu. Pour completer la plateforme est visuellement dynamique, permet une plongee totale dans le jeu. Un atout les transactions en crypto fiables, cree une communaute soudee.
Tout apprendre|