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.
кухня глория [url=www.kuhni-spb-12.ru]www.kuhni-spb-12.ru[/url] .
3DАрт 3D Печать и DLP Печать — это технологии, которые позволяют перенести цифровую скульптуру в физический мир. 3D печать, в частности, позволяет создавать объекты из различных материалов, включая пластик, смолы и металлы. DLP печать, с другой стороны, предлагает более высокую точность и детализацию, что особенно важно при создании миниатюр и коллекционных фигурок.
Эта карта не про «красоту таблицы», а про ясность целей. Она делает предсказуемыми и саму терапию, и коммуникации: пациент знает, что и зачем будет сделано, а семья — когда ждать новостей и на какие цифры ориентироваться.
Разобраться лучше – капельница от запоя клиника
J’ai une passion debordante pour Azur Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. Les options de jeu sont infinies, comprenant des jeux crypto-friendly. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Le support est fiable et reactif. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, occasionnellement quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient cool. En resume, Azur Casino offre une aventure memorable. Par ailleurs la navigation est intuitive et lisse, ce qui rend chaque moment plus vibrant. Egalement genial les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, offre des bonus constants.
Consulter les dГ©tails|
устный перевод +по скайпу teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
юридический перевод текстов юридический перевод текстов .
https://indiavameds.xyz/# indian pharmacy
устный перевод услуги teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
юридический переводчик в москве юридический переводчик в москве .
вывод из запоя цена
vivod-iz-zapoya-smolensk028.ru
экстренный вывод из запоя смоленск
J’adore l’ambiance electrisante de Lucky 31 Casino, ca donne une vibe electrisante. Les options de jeu sont incroyablement variees, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Avec des transactions rapides. Les agents repondent avec efficacite. Le processus est clair et efficace, malgre tout quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. En fin de compte, Lucky 31 Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. En plus l’interface est fluide comme une soiree, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. A mettre en avant les options de paris sportifs diversifiees, propose des avantages sur mesure.
Plongez-y|
leadvector.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
clickimpact.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
устный перевод стоимость teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
юридический перевод юридический перевод .
мебель для кухни спб от производителя https://www.kuhni-spb-12.ru .
устный переводчик цена teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
юридический переводчик цена юридический переводчик цена .
buy ivermectin online: Stromectol buy cheap – Stromectol tablets
кухня по индивидуальному заказу спб кухня по индивидуальному заказу спб .
leadfusionlab.click – Pages loaded fast, images appeared sharp, and formatting stayed consistent.
Устный перевод в бюро Перевод и Право [url=https://teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G/]teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G[/url] .
кухни на заказ в спб кухни на заказ в спб .
Je suis enthousiaste a propos de 1xBet Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. Les options de jeu sont incroyablement variees, offrant des sessions live immersives. 100% jusqu’a 500 € plus des tours gratuits. Le suivi est toujours au top. Les gains sont verses sans attendre, par ailleurs des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. Pour conclure, 1xBet Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs. Pour completer le site est rapide et immersif, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. Un element fort les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, propose des privileges personnalises.
Rejoindre maintenant|
юридический перевод стоимость [url=https://dzen.ru/a/aQxedqmz3nz5DDDJ/]юридический перевод стоимость[/url] .
happylifestylemarket.click – Great deals and discounts, shopping here always feels rewarding and simple.
1 win казино http://www.1win12019.ru
rankvector.click – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
discovernewcollection.click – Reliable site, products exactly as described, very happy with purchases.
urbantrendstore.click – Love browsing new arrivals, site makes shopping fun and simple.
happylifestylemarket.click – Website is clean, user experience is smooth, easy to purchase.
learnsomethingincredible.click – Really love the variety of topics, keeps me engaged always.
устный переводчик стоимость teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
юридический перевод заказать юридический перевод заказать .
устный перевод +по скайпу teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
устный перевод в москве teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
юридический переводчик заказать юридический переводчик заказать .
что будет если купить аттестат что будет если купить аттестат .
J’adore l’energie de Azur Casino, il cree une experience captivante. Les options sont aussi vastes qu’un horizon, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Le bonus d’inscription est attrayant. Le support est fiable et reactif. Les gains arrivent sans delai, toutefois des recompenses supplementaires dynamiseraient le tout. Pour faire court, Azur Casino merite un detour palpitant. Pour completer l’interface est intuitive et fluide, ce qui rend chaque moment plus vibrant. Un avantage le programme VIP avec des privileges speciaux, offre des bonus exclusifs.
Apprendre les dГ©tails|
discovernewcollection.click – Smooth browsing experience, found unique items I couldn’t find elsewhere.
happylifestylemarket.click – Products arrived quickly, packaging was neat, very impressed with service.
Портал https://bezdep2026bonus.website/ предлагает актуальную подборку бездепозитных бонусов от проверенных онлайн-казино, которые позволяют новичкам начать игру без вложения собственных средств. Площадка содержит уникальные промокоды для активации бесплатных вращений и бонусных средств в востребованных гэмблинг-заведениях, среди которых PinCo, Sykaaa, Vavada и множество прочих сервисов с выгодными стартовыми акциями. Каждое казино тщательно проверено на надежность, а условия отыгрыша бонусов подробно описаны для удобства пользователей.
кухня на заказ спб http://kuhni-spb-11.ru .
urbantrendstore.click – Easy to browse site, shopping experience was smooth and effortless today.
adflowhub.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
learnsomethingincredible.click – Guides are practical and easy to apply in real life.
clickimpact.click – Color palette felt calming, nothing distracting, just focused, thoughtful design.
Миниатюра Цифровая Скульптура открывает безграничные горизонты для художников, позволяя воплощать самые смелые и сложные идеи в виртуальном пространстве. С использованием специализированного программного обеспечения, скульпторы создают трехмерные модели, которые ранее были немыслимы из-за ограничений традиционных материалов и техник. Эта новая форма искусства сочетает в себе креативность, техническое мастерство и инновационный подход к созданию объектов.
discovernewcollection.click – Easy to navigate site, shopping experience was smooth and fast.
кухни на заказ в спб цены http://kuhni-spb-11.ru .