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.
Je suis emerveille par Stake Casino, c’est une plateforme qui pulse avec energie. Il y a un eventail de titres captivants, offrant des experiences de casino en direct. Avec des depots fluides. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, rarement plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du peps. En resume, Stake Casino garantit un amusement continu. De surcroit la plateforme est visuellement electrisante, permet une plongee totale dans le jeu. Particulierement fun le programme VIP avec des privileges speciaux, cree une communaute soudee.
Jeter un coup d’œil|
1×win https://1win5520.ru/
I am no longer positive the place you’re getting your
information, but good topic. I needs to spend a while finding out more or understanding more.
Thank you for fantastic information I used to be on the lookout for this
information for my mission.
Enjoy licensed, simple and secure financial trading platform with markets.com.
Trade CFD on Forex, Shares, Commodities, Indices, ETFs, and more now!
1win.pri http://1win5520.ru/
Подробнее здесь vodkabet водка бет казино
скачать mostbet kg 1win5520.ru
ставки на спорт бишкек http://1win5521.ru
Custom decor featuring real fossils and artefacts — one-of-a-kind accents, check details <a href=
https://www.deviantart.com/artefactumg
можно проверить ЗДЕСЬ kra43.cc
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Mystake Casino, on y trouve une energie contagieuse. Les options de jeu sont infinies, incluant des options de paris sportifs dynamiques. Il rend le debut de l’aventure palpitant. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, cependant quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. En resume, Mystake Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. De surcroit le site est rapide et engageant, amplifie l’adrenaline du jeu. Particulierement attrayant le programme VIP avec des avantages uniques, assure des transactions fluides.
Explorer maintenant|
читать vodkabet водка казино
Je suis fascine par Mystake Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. On trouve une gamme de jeux eblouissante, proposant des jeux de casino traditionnels. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Les paiements sont securises et instantanes, en revanche des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. Pour faire court, Mystake Casino est un must pour les passionnes. En extra l’interface est fluide comme une soiree, ajoute une vibe electrisante. Un avantage notable les options variees pour les paris sportifs, propose des privileges sur mesure.
DГ©marrer maintenant|
софт на лаки джет http://1win5521.ru
https://www.pho-thong.com/forum/topic/36846/code-promo-inscription-1xbet-:-1xmax200-%7C-inscription
пояснения какой kra
Creative Learning Portal – Excellent guides, helped me build new skills with confidence.
Je suis bluffe par Pokerstars Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. Le choix de jeux est tout simplement enorme, comprenant des titres adaptes aux cryptomonnaies. Il donne un avantage immediat. Les agents repondent avec efficacite. Les paiements sont surs et fluides, toutefois plus de promotions variees ajouteraient du fun. En fin de compte, Pokerstars Casino garantit un plaisir constant. A signaler l’interface est intuitive et fluide, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. Un avantage notable les transactions en crypto fiables, garantit des paiements rapides.
Explorer plus|
Paylaş düğmesine dokunun ve açılır menüde Bağlantıyı Kopyala öğesini bulun.
нажмите здесь kra43.at
Learning Made Easy – Enjoyed browsing the tips here, picked up several useful ideas.
Каждый клик — часть цифровой эры kraken onion ссылка kraken зеркало рабочее актуальные зеркала kraken kraken сайт зеркала
Create & Grow Center – The guides were practical and made the whole learning experience feel effortless.
J’ai une passion debordante pour Mystake Casino, ca transporte dans un univers de plaisirs. Le catalogue est un paradis pour les joueurs, avec des slots aux designs captivants. Il offre un coup de pouce allechant. Le service est disponible 24/7. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, neanmoins des offres plus importantes seraient super. En somme, Mystake Casino est un choix parfait pour les joueurs. De surcroit le design est style et moderne, ce qui rend chaque moment plus vibrant. Particulierement interessant les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, offre des recompenses regulieres.
DГ©couvrir le contenu|
kraken vpn
кракен зеркало
Производство, монтаж и доставка бытовок, дачных домов, вагон-бытовок, блок-контейнеров https://tubing.com.by/blog/stroyka/stroitelnye-bytovki-v-minske-vash-nadezhnyj-partner-dlya-mobilnogo-stroitelstva-i-zhizni
J’ai une passion debordante pour Casinozer Casino, on y trouve une energie contagieuse. La selection de jeux est impressionnante, offrant des experiences de casino en direct. Il offre un demarrage en fanfare. Le support est rapide et professionnel. Les gains arrivent sans delai, cependant quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. Dans l’ensemble, Casinozer Casino est un lieu de fun absolu. Ajoutons aussi le site est rapide et style, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. A signaler le programme VIP avec des recompenses exclusives, cree une communaute soudee.
Continuer Г lire|
сайт 1вин вход https://1win5521.ru/
скачать 1win зеркало ios http://www.1win5520.ru
нажмите водка бет
First of all I would like to say excellent blog! I had a quick
question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing.
I’ve had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to
be wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints?
Thank you!
РедМетСплав предлагает внушительный каталог отборных изделий из редких материалов. Не важно, какие объемы вам необходимы – от небольших закупок до обширных поставок, мы обеспечиваем оперативное исполнение вашего заказа.
Каждая единица продукции подтверждена всеми необходимыми документами, подтверждающими их происхождение. Превосходное обслуживание – то, чем мы гордимся – мы на связи, чтобы улаживать ваши вопросы по мере того как находить ответы под требования вашего бизнеса.
Доверьте вашу потребность в редких металлах профессионалам РедМетСплав и убедитесь в гибкости нашего предложения
Наша продукция:
Проволока магниевая ISO-MgAl5Mn – ISO 16220 Полоса магниевая ISO-MgAl5Mn – ISO 16220 является высококачественным строительным материалом, который обеспечивает отличные механические свойства и коррозионную стойкость. Эта магниевая полоса широко используется в авиационной и машиностроительной отраслях благодаря своей легкости и прочности. Если вы ищете надежное решение для своих проектов, купить Полоса магниевая ISO-MgAl5Mn – ISO 16220 будет отличным выбором. Мы гарантируем высокую степень чистоты и долговечности. Инвестируйте в качество и получите maximale производительность.
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Appreciate it!
интернет vodkabet прямо сейчас
This post will assist the internet users for building up new blog or even a blog from start to end.
не обновляется дота 2 http://1win5521.ru
в этом разделе кракен вход
Truly when someone doesn’t be aware of after that its up to other people that they will assist, so here it happens.
узнать больше кракен вход
Продолжение водка бет
clickpioneer.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
консультация психиатра
psychiatr-moskva012.ru
лечение в психиатрическом стационаре
terom сказал(а): ^ купить онлайн мефедрон, экстази, бошки
промокод для 1win при пополнении счета промокод для 1win при пополнении счета
Awesome article.
как перейти на бонусный счет в 1win https://1win5520.ru
clickvero.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
conversionpilot.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
Главная Kra45.cc
электрокарнизы для штор купить http://provorota.su .