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.
The best choice I made for portfolio tracking. Smooth and easy onboarding. Charts are accurate and load instantly.
электронный карниз для штор provorota.su .
I personally find that i value the useful analytics and trustworthy service. This site is reliable.
adelevatepro.click – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.
карниз моторизованный http://www.elektrokarniz1.ru/ .
В статье представлены ключевые моменты по актуальной теме, дополненные советами экспертов и ссылками на дополнительные ресурсы. Цель материала — дать читателю инструменты для самостоятельного развития и принятия осознанных решений.
Неизвестные факты о… – https://webcenter.in/index.php/2023/09/25/solar-panels-101-a-beginners-guide-to-solar-energy
карниз с приводом для штор elektrokarniz1.ru .
Je suis epate par Pokerstars Casino, il procure une sensation de frisson. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, offrant des sessions live palpitantes. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Le suivi est toujours au top. Les gains arrivent sans delai, neanmoins des offres plus genereuses rendraient l’experience meilleure. En resume, Pokerstars Casino garantit un plaisir constant. En bonus la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. Un atout les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, assure des transactions fluides.
Cliquer pour voir|
trafficgear.click – Loved the layout today; clean, simple, and genuinely user-friendly overall.
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Wow, incredible weblog format! How lengthy have you been running a blog for? you make blogging look easy. The total glance of your site is wonderful, let alone the content material!
казино банда
карнизы для штор с электроприводом http://www.elektrokarniz2.ru/ .
прокарниз http://elektrokarniz2.ru .
электрокарнизы москва elektrokarniz495.ru .
Этот информационный материал привлекает внимание множеством интересных деталей и необычных ракурсов. Мы предлагаем уникальные взгляды на привычные вещи и рассматриваем вопросы, которые волнуют общество. Будьте в курсе актуальных тем и расширяйте свои знания!
ТОП-5 причин узнать больше – https://royaloceantravel.com/convergent-and-divergent-plate-margins
электрокарниз двухрядный http://www.elektrokarniz495.ru .
карниз электро http://www.elektrokarniz98.ru/ .
электрокарниз москва https://elektrokarniz98.ru .
автоматические карнизы для штор автоматические карнизы для штор .
электрокарнизы в москве электрокарнизы в москве .
1win нужен ли паспорт http://www.1win5521.ru
Ищете просторное такси для семьи, команды или багажа? Minivan Online подаст 8 местный минивэн вовремя, с детскими креслами без доплат и фиксированными тарифами на трансферы в аэропорты Москвы. В автопарке только свежие HYUNDAI Grand Starex, VW Caravelle, Mercedes V Class и другие — чистые, комфортные, с климат контролем. Подробности и онлайн заказ — https://minivan.online/ Вежливые водители со стажем 20+ лет и большой багажник решат задачу любой сложности.
игра 1win отзывы http://1win5521.ru/
содержание kraken вход
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to
this excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking
and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this blog
with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
Публикация предлагает читателю не просто информацию, а инструменты для анализа и саморазвития. Мы стимулируем критическое мышление, предлагая различные точки зрения и призывая к самостоятельному поиску решений.
Узнай первым! – https://iob.uog.edu.et/events/elegant-light-box-paper-cut-dioramas-1
на этом сайте kra45 at
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox
and now each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with
the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from
that service? Cheers!
авиатор 1win играть http://www.1win5521.ru
подробнее кра сайт
подробнее здесь kraken ссылка
J’ai une affection particuliere pour Stake Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Avec des depots fluides. Disponible 24/7 pour toute question. Le processus est clair et efficace, rarement des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. En conclusion, Stake Casino est un must pour les passionnes. Notons egalement la navigation est intuitive et lisse, apporte une energie supplementaire. Un point fort les evenements communautaires pleins d’energie, qui stimule l’engagement.
Continuer ici|
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to
this outstanding blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS
feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates
and will share this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
опубликовано здесь vodka bet
1 win. https://1win5521.ru/
1win приложение скачать на андроид официальный сайт https://www.1win5521.ru
1win вход 1win вход
Je suis accro a Pokerstars Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. On trouve une gamme de jeux eblouissante, offrant des sessions live immersives. 100% jusqu’a 500 € plus des tours gratuits. Disponible a toute heure via chat ou email. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, par contre plus de promotions frequentes boosteraient l’experience. Pour finir, Pokerstars Casino merite un detour palpitant. A mentionner l’interface est simple et engageante, facilite une immersion totale. Un bonus les options de paris sportifs diversifiees, cree une communaute soudee.
Voir maintenant|
Je suis completement seduit par Pokerstars Casino, ca transporte dans un monde d’excitation. Il y a un eventail de titres captivants, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. Avec des depots rapides et faciles. Le suivi est impeccable. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, bien que plus de promotions variees ajouteraient du fun. Au final, Pokerstars Casino assure un fun constant. D’ailleurs l’interface est fluide comme une soiree, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. Egalement top le programme VIP avec des privileges speciaux, qui stimule l’engagement.
Aller Г la page|
1 dby https://1win5521.ru/
такой casino vodka
узнать больше vodkabet водка казино
веб-сайте vodkabet прямо сейчас
Je suis sous le charme de Pokerstars Casino, il cree une experience captivante. La gamme est variee et attrayante, incluant des paris sportifs pleins de vie. Le bonus de depart est top. Le service d’assistance est au point. Les retraits sont lisses comme jamais, occasionnellement des bonus diversifies seraient un atout. Pour conclure, Pokerstars Casino est un endroit qui electrise. En bonus la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Un bonus le programme VIP avec des recompenses exclusives, renforce le lien communautaire.
Entrer|
как вывести с 1win https://www.1win5521.ru
смотреть здесь vodkabet водка казино
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
вход Banda Casino
страница kraken официальный сайт
Профессиональные бригады, которые выполняют кровельные и фасадные работы в Москве и области https://www.aek-stroy.ru/ . Монтаж и ремонт крыш, утепление и облицовка фасадов, гидроизоляция, замена покрытия. Используем качественные материалы, соблюдаем технологии и сроки. Гарантия на все виды работ. Бесплатный выезд мастера и расчет сметы — звоните!
beef casino официальный