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.
promopilotpro.click – Bookmarked this immediately, planning to revisit for updates and inspiration.
узнать vodkabet новый сайт
взгляните на сайте здесь водка бет
Je suis completement seduit par Casinozer Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, incluant des options de paris sportifs dynamiques. Il donne un elan excitant. Le suivi est toujours au top. Les transactions sont toujours securisees, par moments des offres plus genereuses rendraient l’experience meilleure. En somme, Casinozer Casino est un endroit qui electrise. En extra la plateforme est visuellement dynamique, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. Egalement super les nombreuses options de paris sportifs, garantit des paiements securises.
AccГ©der maintenant|
продолжить кракен сайт
можно проверить ЗДЕСЬ vodkabet новый сайт
перенаправляется сюда vodkabet водка казино
J’adore la vibe de Pokerstars Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. Le catalogue de titres est vaste, proposant des jeux de casino traditionnels. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des spins gratuits. Le service client est excellent. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, mais quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. Globalement, Pokerstars Casino est une plateforme qui fait vibrer. De surcroit l’interface est intuitive et fluide, amplifie l’adrenaline du jeu. Un plus les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, renforce la communaute.
Tout apprendre|
kraken android
kraken РФ
Je suis emerveille par Pokerstars Casino, ca transporte dans un monde d’excitation. Le choix est aussi large qu’un festival, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. Avec des depots fluides. Le suivi est d’une precision remarquable. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, par contre des offres plus importantes seraient super. En conclusion, Pokerstars Casino offre une experience inoubliable. Pour completer le design est moderne et attrayant, incite a rester plus longtemps. A noter les tournois frequents pour l’adrenaline, assure des transactions fiables.
Parcourir maintenant|
Hi there mates, its fantastic post on the topic oof educationand fully
explained, keep it up all the time.
Stop by my web page: طرز تهیه سوپ بعد از عمل اسلیو
J’ai une passion debordante pour Stake Casino, on y trouve une energie contagieuse. La bibliotheque de jeux est captivante, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des spins gratuits. Les agents repondent avec efficacite. Les retraits sont lisses comme jamais, par ailleurs des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. Pour finir, Stake Casino est une plateforme qui pulse. En complement le design est moderne et attrayant, apporte une energie supplementaire. Egalement genial les tournois frequents pour l’adrenaline, propose des avantages uniques.
Visiter la page web|
plane crash real money game https://www.aviator-game-deposit.com .
ссылка на сайт kra45
здесь кракен ссылка
plane crash game money download https://www.aviator-game-deposit.com .
aeroplane money game http://www.aviator-game-deposit.com/ .
Hello to all, the contents existing at this web site are really awesome for people
experience, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
Смотреть здесь кракен ссылка
Смотреть здесь kra cc
Перед применением конкретных средств врач проводит обследование, определяет уровень интоксикации и выявляет сопутствующие заболевания. Это позволяет максимально точно подобрать лечение. Ниже представлены ключевые методы, которые применяются для стабилизации состояния пациента:
Получить дополнительные сведения – наркологический вывод из запоя ростов-на-дону
этот контент kra cc
lucky jet краш https://www.1win5520.ru
admasterlab.click – Pages loaded fast, images appeared sharp, and formatting stayed consistent.
Читать далее kraken зайти
кликните сюда kraken войти
Fees are clear transparency, and the execution is always smooth. I moved funds across chains without a problem.
Сочетание медицинских и психотерапевтических мер создаёт устойчивую систему поддержки. Пациенты получают возможность постепенно восстановить утраченное здоровье и психологическую стабильность.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – запой наркологическая клиника
kraken РФ
кракен vpn
Unique Picks Spot – Creative and special gifts available, easy to find today.
J’ai une passion debordante pour Pokerstars Casino, on ressent une ambiance festive. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, avec des slots aux graphismes modernes. Il donne un avantage immediat. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, par contre plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du peps. Pour faire court, Pokerstars Casino est une plateforme qui fait vibrer. A souligner l’interface est lisse et agreable, permet une immersion complete. Un plus les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, garantit des paiements securises.
Entrer maintenant|
подробнее kraken
J’adore le dynamisme de Pokerstars Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. Les jeux proposes sont d’une diversite folle, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Il donne un elan excitant. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Le processus est fluide et intuitif, par moments plus de promotions variees ajouteraient du fun. En conclusion, Pokerstars Casino merite une visite dynamique. En complement la plateforme est visuellement captivante, permet une immersion complete. A souligner les evenements communautaires engageants, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Visiter le site|
??????? ??? https://aviator-game-predict.com/ .
этот контент vodka casino
You actually make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I to find this topic to be actually one thing that I think I might never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m taking a look ahead to your next submit, I will attempt to get the hang of it!
jahaj wala game paisa wala http://aviator-game-predict.com/ .
jeden z hlavnich vyhod zamorskych onlinemist je pocet her https://unirobots.eu/2025/10/24/nejlepi-mobilni-aplikace-casino-pro-eskou/ oferta. Milovnici tradicnich her najit pro sebe rozmanite zpusoby ruleta, blackjack nebo poker zive, navic pro hrace, kteri hledaji autenticke zazitky, existuje Zive Kasino ovladane atraktivni dealeri v poradi Real casu.
ИТ-специалисты — новые инженеры мира kraken onion ссылка kraken маркетплейс зеркало кракен ссылка кракен даркнет
Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thanks
найти это водка бет
Special Occasion Hub – Gifts are unique and suitable for celebrations, exploring was fun.
Creative Gift Ideas – Many unique options available, browsing felt effortless and fun today.
plane crash game money download aviator-game-predict.com .
Gift Outlet Picks – Perfect selection of gifts, exploring the site was smooth and convenient.
aviator money [url=https://aviator-game-predict.com/]https://aviator-game-predict.com/[/url] .
электрокарниз двухрядный https://prokarniz36.ru/ .
посетить сайт vodka bet
conversionlab.click – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.
Everything wrote made a ton of sense. However, think about this, what if you composed a catchier post title? I am not suggesting your information is not solid., however suppose you added a title to maybe get folk’s attention? I mean %BLOG_TITLE% is a little vanilla. You might peek at Yahoo’s front page and note how they create article titles to get people interested. You might add a video or a related picture or two to grab readers interested about everything’ve got to say. Just my opinion, it would make your website a little livelier.