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.
parfum-duhi.ru
зайти на сайт кра ссылка
This game looks amazing! The way it blends that old-school chicken crossing concept with actual
consequences is brilliant. Count me in!
Okay, this sounds incredibly fun! Taking that nostalgic chicken crossing gameplay
and adding real risk? I’m totally down to try it.
This is right up my alley! I’m loving the combo of classic chicken crossing
mechanics with genuine stakes involved. Definitely want to check it out!
Whoa, this game seems awesome! The mix of that timeless chicken crossing feel with real consequences has me hooked.
I need to play this!
This sounds like a blast! Combining that iconic chicken crossing gameplay with
actual stakes? Sign me up!
I’m so into this concept! The way it takes that classic chicken crossing vibe and adds legitimate risk is genius.
Really want to give it a go!
This game sounds ridiculously fun! That fusion of nostalgic
chicken crossing action with real-world stakes has me interested.
I’m ready to jump in!
Holy cow, this looks great! Merging that beloved chicken crossing style with tangible consequences?
I’ve gotta try this out!
можно проверить ЗДЕСЬ кра сайт
I think this is among the such a lot important info for me. And i am glad studying your article. However wanna commentary on few normal issues, The website style is ideal, the articles is really great : D. Excellent job, cheers
J’ai une affection particuliere pour Stake Casino, ca transporte dans un monde d’excitation. Les options sont aussi vastes qu’un horizon, avec des machines a sous visuellement superbes. Il propulse votre jeu des le debut. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, cependant des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. Au final, Stake Casino est un lieu de fun absolu. En extra le design est style et moderne, ce qui rend chaque moment plus vibrant. A souligner les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, propose des privileges personnalises.
Apprendre les dГ©tails|
I know this website presents quality dependent posts
and other information, is there any other web page which
provides such information in quality?
kraken darknet
kraken СПб
Источник vodka casino
Для купирования абстинентного синдрома и снятия интоксикации используются различные подходы. Врачи подбирают их индивидуально, исходя из состояния пациента.
Получить больше информации – вывод из запоя капельница на дому в рязани
зайти на сайт водка бет
нажмите, чтобы подробнее vodkabet новый сайт
найти это casino vodka
другие кракен вход
другие vodkabet водка казино
электрокарниз двухрядный provorota.su .
Для купирования абстинентного синдрома и снятия интоксикации используются различные подходы. Врачи подбирают их индивидуально, исходя из состояния пациента.
Подробнее тут – http://vyvod-iz-zapoya-ryazan14.ru/
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine
Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not
seeing very good success. If you know of any please share.
Appreciate it!
https://bluewavemeds.xyz/# kamagra oral jelly
кракен даркнет маркет
kraken сайт
читать vodkabet премиум онлайн казино
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.
Купить iPhone в Митино
электрические гардины для штор http://www.provorota.su/ .
карнизы с электроприводом купить карнизы с электроприводом купить .
электрокарнизы цена электрокарнизы цена .
Trend hub – Categories were easy to browse, and everything looked stylish.
автоматические карнизы provorota.su .
этот сайт водка бет
прокарниз http://elektrokarniz495.ru/ .
Смотреть здесь vodkabet онлайн казино
электрокарниз двухрядный цена https://elektrokarniz98.ru/ .
карниз с электроприводом карниз с электроприводом .
электрокарниз москва https://elektrokarniz98.ru/ .
Trendy choices – Browsing categories was intuitive, and items had a classy charm.
автоматические карнизы для штор автоматические карнизы для штор .
карнизы с электроприводом http://www.elektrokarniz2.ru/ .
В данной статье вы найдете комплексный подход к изучению насущных тем. Мы комбинируем теоретические сведения с практическими советами, чтобы читатель мог не только понять проблему, но и найти пути её решения.
ТОП-5 причин узнать больше – https://seointellect.com/2023/04/09/boost-your-online-presence-our-top-digital-marketing
Classy trends hub – Finding items was simple, and everything appeared high-quality and stylish.
J’ai un faible pour Mystake Casino, on y trouve une vibe envoutante. Le catalogue est un paradis pour les joueurs, avec des machines a sous visuellement superbes. Avec des transactions rapides. Le service est disponible 24/7. Le processus est simple et transparent, neanmoins des offres plus genereuses seraient top. En somme, Mystake Casino merite une visite dynamique. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, incite a prolonger le plaisir. Egalement genial les transactions crypto ultra-securisees, assure des transactions fiables.
Emmenez-moi lГ -bas|
карниз с приводом для штор http://www.elektrokarniz495.ru .
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m certainly pleased I discovered it and I’ll be
bookmarking it and checking back often!
автоматический карниз для штор elektrokarniz1.ru .
электрокарнизы для штор купить электрокарнизы для штор купить .
Sophisticated picks – Very user-friendly browsing, every item looks classy.
Обратитесь в сервис-центр для решения проблем с вашей поломкой
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour Mystake Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. Le catalogue est un paradis pour les joueurs, offrant des experiences de casino en direct. Avec des transactions rapides. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Les gains sont verses sans attendre, mais encore des bonus diversifies seraient un atout. Pour faire court, Mystake Casino offre une experience hors du commun. Ajoutons que la navigation est fluide et facile, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. Egalement genial les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, cree une communaute soudee.
http://www.casinomystakefr.com|
гардина с электроприводом http://www.elektrokarniz2.ru .
такой кракен ссылка
Elegant finds hub – Browsing was smooth, and the products felt very classy today.
электрокарнизы купить в москве http://www.elektrokarniz1.ru/ .