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.
1xbetgiri? http://www.1xbet-14.com .
clickimpact.click – Loved the layout today; clean, simple, and genuinely user-friendly overall.
юридический перевод стоимость юридический перевод стоимость .
кухни под заказ спб кухни под заказ спб .
Выездная бригада действует незаметно: гражданская одежда, быстрый вход без обсуждений на лестничных площадках, краткая коммуникация. На домофон и документы — нейтральные указания, на чеках — общие формулировки. Мы показываем, что конфиденциальность — не обещание, а набор конкретных технологий, встроенных в процесс помощи.
Ознакомиться с деталями – наркологическая клиника нарколог в мурманске
Новые технологии рождают новые идеи kraken рабочая ссылка onion kraken онион kraken онион тор кракен онион
Purpose Hub Online – Inspiring content that helps me focus and relax.
производство кухонь в спб на заказ производство кухонь в спб на заказ .
leadvector.click – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
J’ai un faible pour Azur Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. Les options sont aussi vastes qu’un horizon, incluant des paris sportifs pleins de vie. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, quelquefois quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient cool. Pour finir, Azur Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. En complement la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, booste l’excitation du jeu. Particulierement attrayant les options de paris sportifs variees, offre des recompenses regulieres.
Avancer|
leadfusionlab.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
1xbet mobil giri? https://www.1xbet-14.com .
openmind space – Found some thought-provoking posts today, definitely worth checking often.
устный переводчик стоимость teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
seo продвижение рейтинг компаний [url=https://reiting-seo-kompanii.ru/]seo продвижение рейтинг компаний[/url] .
big thinker – Love how the posts encourage broader thinking without feeling overwhelming.
прямые кухни на заказ от производителя http://www.kuhni-spb-12.ru/ .
inspiration source – Found a great perspective today that helped me shift my mindset.
авиатор 1win отзывы http://www.1win12019.ru
юридический переводчик в москве юридический переводчик в москве .
Mindful Peace Hub – Inspiring posts that encourage inner calm and reflection.
купить диплом о высшем медицинском образовании цена купить диплом о высшем медицинском образовании цена .
Find Serenity Portal – Inspiring posts guide me toward peace and mindfulness.
устный переводчик в москве teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
Inner Peace Hub – Helps me feel calm and inspired every time I visit.
устный перевод цена teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
Je suis emerveille par Action Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. La bibliotheque de jeux est captivante, incluant des options de paris sportifs dynamiques. Il donne un elan excitant. Les agents repondent avec rapidite. Le processus est clair et efficace, a l’occasion des offres plus genereuses seraient top. En bref, Action Casino assure un fun constant. Pour completer l’interface est lisse et agreable, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. Un bonus les options de paris sportifs variees, offre des recompenses continues.
Essayer maintenant|
кухни спб на заказ https://kuhni-spb-12.ru/ .
J’ai une passion debordante pour Azur Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Les jeux proposes sont d’une diversite folle, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Avec des depots instantanes. Le service client est de qualite. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, toutefois quelques tours gratuits supplementaires seraient cool. En resume, Azur Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. D’ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement electrisante, donne envie de prolonger l’aventure. A mettre en avant les options variees pour les paris sportifs, offre des recompenses continues.
Explorer plus|
юридический переводчик стоимость юридический переводчик стоимость .
юридический переводчик услуги юридический переводчик услуги .
устный перевод teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
устный переводчик услуги teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
Mindful Purpose Spot – Content here encourages reflection and a calm mindset.
устный переводчик в москве teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
J’adore la vibe de 1xBet Casino, ca donne une vibe electrisante. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Les retraits sont ultra-rapides, mais encore des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. En bref, 1xBet Casino est un choix parfait pour les joueurs. En complement le design est moderne et attrayant, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. A signaler les paiements securises en crypto, assure des transactions fiables.
DГ©couvrir les offres|
юридический перевод в москве юридический перевод в москве .
юридический перевод юридический перевод .
устный перевод +по скайпу teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
юридический переводчик заказать юридический переводчик заказать .
rankvector.click – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
Юридические переводы от бюро Перевод и Право Юридические переводы от бюро Перевод и Право .
купить диплом руках r-diploma21.ru .
Thanks in favor of sharing such a pleasant thought, post is pleasant, thats why i have read it fully
устный переводчик услуги teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
устный перевод цена teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .
Je suis accro a Azur Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. Les options sont aussi vastes qu’un horizon, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Il booste votre aventure des le depart. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, de temps en temps plus de promos regulieres dynamiseraient le jeu. Pour conclure, Azur Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. Notons aussi la plateforme est visuellement dynamique, incite a rester plus longtemps. Egalement genial le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, garantit des paiements securises.
Commencer Г explorer|
adflowhub.click – Bookmarked this immediately, planning to revisit for updates and inspiration.
юридический перевод юридический перевод .
устный переводчик цена teletype.in/@alexd78/D1bRUvZKB7G .