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.
1xbet resmi giri? 1xbet resmi giri? .
goliath casino bonuskode https://www.goliath-casino.com .
icebet casino bonus [url=www.icebet-online.com]icebet casino bonus[/url] .
Когда тело перестаёт «гореть», в работу включается фармакологическая поддержка тяги и настроения, а также простые поведенческие техники. Мы помогаем организовать трезвые вечера, составить список альтернатив «наград» и заново привязать удовольствие к безопасным ритуалам — прогулке, спорту, тёплой еде, общению. Если тревога остаётся высокой, врач мягко корректирует схему, а психолог учит распознавать и «разгружать» триггеры раньше, чем они наберут силу. Такой блок — не про «волю», а про доступные инструменты, которые работают даже в уставшем состоянии после рабочего дня.
Детальнее – https://lechenie-alkogolizma-vidnoe4.ru/lechenie-alkogolizma-besplatno
Je suis captive par Azur Casino, on y trouve une energie contagieuse. Les titres proposes sont d’une richesse folle, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Il booste votre aventure des le depart. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, toutefois des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. Pour finir, Azur Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs. Par ailleurs le site est rapide et style, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. Un avantage notable les tournois frequents pour l’adrenaline, offre des bonus constants.
DГ©couvrir le contenu|
Мир переходит в онлайн kraken onion kraken рабочая ссылка onion сайт kraken onion kraken darknet
goliath casino bonuskode goliath-casino.com .
кухни на заказ санкт петербург от производителя http://kuhni-spb-12.ru .
1xbet mobil giri? https://1xbet-14.com/ .
goliath casino mobile http://www.goliath-casino.com/ .
скачать 1win на телефон официальный сайт https://1win12019.ru/
консультация юристов онлайн Юридическая консультация: бесплатный или платный вариант? Разобраться, какой вариант консультации подходит именно вам, — это важный шаг. Бесплатная консультация — это отличный способ получить общее представление о проблеме и оценить перспективы дела. Если же вам требуется более глубокий анализ и индивидуальный подход, платная консультация станет разумным вложением в защиту ваших прав и интересов.
goliath casino bonuskode http://www.goliath-casino.com .
1xbet tr 1xbet tr .
рейтинг сео агентств рейтинг сео агентств .
1xbet lite 1xbet-14.com .
goliath casino online [url=https://www.goliath-casino.com]https://www.goliath-casino.com[/url] .
1 win 1 win
Городская среда Петрозаводска со сменой ветров с Онежского озера, короткими сумерками и сезонными перепадами влажности может усиливать тревожность в вечерние часы. Мы учитываем это с момента первого контакта: согласованная парковка, отдельный вход без вывесок, короткая регистрация без «толстых анкет», приглушённый тёплый свет в зоне ожидания и отсутствие громких объявлений. Родственникам предоставляются «тихие окна» связи — лаконичные апдейты в фиксированное время, чтобы не перегружать пациента и не дёргать команду в критические окна наблюдения. Такой «мягкий» контур снижает сенсорную нагрузку, стабилизирует вариабельность ЧСС к сумеркам и сокращает число импульсивных просьб «усилить на ночь».
Детальнее – лечение в наркологической клинике петрозаводск
кухни под заказ спб http://kuhni-spb-10.ru/ .
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already ;) Cheers!
ice bet casino ice bet casino .
Je suis accro a Lucky 31 Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. Avec des depots fluides. Le service est disponible 24/7. Les paiements sont surs et efficaces, a l’occasion des bonus diversifies seraient un atout. En somme, Lucky 31 Casino est une plateforme qui fait vibrer. A noter le site est rapide et style, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. A souligner les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, garantit des paiements rapides.
Emmenez-moi lГ -bas|
icebet88 icebet88 .
диплом купить липецк диплом купить липецк .
кухни от производителя спб http://kuhni-spb-10.ru .
startsomethingnewtoday.click – Found unique strategies I couldn’t find anywhere else online recently.
J’adore la vibe de Action Casino, il propose une aventure palpitante. Le catalogue de titres est vaste, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. Il booste votre aventure des le depart. Le support client est irreprochable. Les paiements sont surs et efficaces, rarement plus de promos regulieres dynamiseraient le jeu. En somme, Action Casino garantit un plaisir constant. Par ailleurs le site est fluide et attractif, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. A signaler les transactions en crypto fiables, offre des recompenses continues.
Ouvrir la page|
Je suis enthousiasme par Lucky 31 Casino, il propose une aventure palpitante. La bibliotheque est pleine de surprises, avec des machines a sous visuellement superbes. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des spins gratuits. Le support client est irreprochable. Les gains sont transferes rapidement, neanmoins des offres plus consequentes seraient parfaites. Pour faire court, Lucky 31 Casino garantit un amusement continu. Par ailleurs le design est moderne et attrayant, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. Un point cle les options de paris sportifs variees, propose des privileges sur mesure.
Voir la page|
Je suis epate par 1xBet Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. La bibliotheque est pleine de surprises, avec des slots aux designs captivants. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Disponible a toute heure via chat ou email. Les paiements sont surs et efficaces, cependant des bonus varies rendraient le tout plus fun. Au final, 1xBet Casino offre une experience inoubliable. En complement le site est fluide et attractif, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Un avantage les evenements communautaires dynamiques, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Cliquer maintenant|
юридический переводчик услуги юридический переводчик услуги .
goliath casino https://goliath-casino.com .
устный переводчик услуги teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
Value Finds Spot – Navigation was simple, and prices felt very fair.
startsomethingnewtoday.click – Motivational resources are excellent, keeps me focused and energized every day.
Je suis bluffe par Lucky 31 Casino, ca transporte dans un univers de plaisirs. Il y a un eventail de titres captivants, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Avec des depots fluides. Le support est rapide et professionnel. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, par ailleurs plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du peps. Au final, Lucky 31 Casino est une plateforme qui fait vibrer. Ajoutons que l’interface est fluide comme une soiree, amplifie l’adrenaline du jeu. Egalement genial les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, qui motive les joueurs.
Trouver les dГ©tails|
кухни спб кухни спб .
Je ne me lasse pas de 1xBet Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. La gamme est variee et attrayante, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. Le bonus d’inscription est attrayant. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, toutefois quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. Au final, 1xBet Casino offre une aventure memorable. A mentionner la plateforme est visuellement captivante, facilite une experience immersive. Egalement genial les tournois reguliers pour la competition, assure des transactions fluides.
Aller au site|
goliathcasino goliath-casino.com .
кухни на заказ спб кухни на заказ спб .
goliath casino app https://www.goliath-casino.com .
Je suis completement seduit par Action Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. La bibliotheque est pleine de surprises, offrant des sessions live palpitantes. Il booste votre aventure des le depart. Le service client est de qualite. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, par contre quelques spins gratuits en plus seraient top. Au final, Action Casino est une plateforme qui fait vibrer. Pour couronner le tout la navigation est intuitive et lisse, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. Particulierement attrayant les evenements communautaires dynamiques, propose des privileges personnalises.
Jeter un coup d’œil|
Компания https://www.antech.ru/ специализируется на производстве и поставках гофрокартонной упаковки для промышленных и торговых предприятий, транспортных и курьерских служб, логистических центров по всей России. Каталог включает тару разнообразных габаритов и типов, упаковочную продукцию, листы гофрокартона и персонализированные варианты, произведенные на базе собственных цехов с применением передовых технологий и высококачественных материалов. Работа напрямую с заводом гарантирует привлекательную стоимость, быстрое исполнение партий различного размера и адаптивную программу льгот для регулярных партнеров, превращая взаимодействие в наиболее рентабельное для компаний разной величины.
globalfindsoutlet.click – Prices are competitive and the offers are genuinely worth it.
кухни на заказ санкт петербург http://kuhni-spb-10.ru/ .
startsomethingnewtoday.click – Easy to navigate site, finding resources was smooth and straightforward today.
кухни на заказ спб кухни на заказ спб .
Bright Finds Portal – Navigation was smooth, and product prices seemed fair.
кухни на заказ санкт петербург http://www.kuhni-spb-10.ru/ .
Value Picks Portal – Smooth navigation and reasonably priced items made browsing enjoyable.