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.
перейдите на этот сайт https://kra43-cc.at/
нажмите здесь https://kra43-cc.at
купить аттестат за 11 класс в самаре купить аттестат за 11 класс в самаре .
J’ai un veritable coup de c?ur pour NetBet Casino, on ressent une ambiance festive. La bibliotheque est pleine de surprises, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. Le bonus de bienvenue est genereux. Le support client est irreprochable. Le processus est clair et efficace, a l’occasion des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. Pour finir, NetBet Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. Par ailleurs l’interface est simple et engageante, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Particulierement attrayant le programme VIP avec des recompenses exclusives, propose des privileges sur mesure.
Lire les dГ©tails|
подробнее https://kra46a.at
Je ne me lasse pas de MonteCryptos Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. Le choix de jeux est tout simplement enorme, avec des machines a sous aux themes varies. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Le suivi est impeccable. Les retraits sont lisses comme jamais, parfois plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du peps. En bref, MonteCryptos Casino offre une experience inoubliable. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement captivante, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. A souligner les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, cree une communaute vibrante.
Explorer plus|
этот сайт https://kra42-cc.at/
Current https://www.weather-webcam-in-montenegro.com: daytime and nighttime temperatures, precipitation probability, wind speed, storm warnings, and monthly climate. Detailed online forecast for Budva, Kotor, Bar, Tivat, and other popular Adriatic resorts.
Diky stovkam hernich zarizeni v registru evropskych kasin maji navstevniky k dispozici nejsirsi potencial https://ezykle.com/nejlepi-sazkove-kancelae-2025-kde-sazet-a/ siroky sortiment. Spolecnym rysem obou moznosti je to tvrzeni, ze filmy premenuji normalni strana na privilegovany zazitek.
мелбет зеркало рабочее мелбет зеркало рабочее
how to verify melbet account http://www.melbet5010.ru
взгляните на сайте здесь https://kra43-cc.at/
Current weather in Tivat: daytime and nighttime temperatures, precipitation probability, wind speed, storm warnings, and monthly climate. Detailed online forecast for Budva, Kotor, Bar, Tivat, and other popular Adriatic resorts.
wardrobeglobal.click – Curated global fashion, finding new pieces was simple and enjoyable.
support melbet http://melbet5010.ru/
посетить веб-сайт https://kra42-cc.at
в этом разделе https://kra46a.at
glamfinder.click – Curated global outfits, site made exploring styles effortless.
трипскан TripScan – это не просто поисковик, это ваш личный консультант по путешествиям, готовый помочь вам на каждом этапе планирования.
узнать больше https://kra42-cc.at
trendglobe.click – Stylish pieces from around the world, site navigation was effortless today.
Je suis fascine par Lucky8 Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. Il y a un eventail de titres captivants, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. 100% jusqu’a 500 € plus des tours gratuits. Le support est efficace et amical. Le processus est transparent et rapide, occasionnellement des offres plus genereuses rendraient l’experience meilleure. Au final, Lucky8 Casino est une plateforme qui fait vibrer. Pour ajouter la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, donne envie de continuer l’aventure. Un point fort le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, garantit des paiements securises.
Commencer Г dГ©couvrir|
fashionplanet.click – Discover global trends easily, finding modern outfits was quick and fun.
J’adore l’energie de Lucky8 Casino, on y trouve une energie contagieuse. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, proposant des jeux de cartes elegants. Avec des transactions rapides. Le service client est excellent. Les paiements sont surs et efficaces, rarement des recompenses en plus seraient un bonus. En conclusion, Lucky8 Casino assure un fun constant. De surcroit le design est moderne et attrayant, apporte une energie supplementaire. Un element fort les tournois reguliers pour la competition, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Cliquer pour voir|
J’adore l’ambiance electrisante de Coolzino Casino, on y trouve une vibe envoutante. La variete des jeux est epoustouflante, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. Le bonus de depart est top. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Les paiements sont securises et rapides, toutefois plus de promotions frequentes boosteraient l’experience. Pour conclure, Coolzino Casino garantit un amusement continu. De plus l’interface est lisse et agreable, ce qui rend chaque session plus palpitante. Egalement top les evenements communautaires engageants, propose des avantages sur mesure.
Entrer|
Je suis enthousiaste a propos de Lucky8 Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. Le bonus de depart est top. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Les transactions sont toujours fiables, neanmoins des offres plus genereuses seraient top. Au final, Lucky8 Casino garantit un amusement continu. Ajoutons aussi la navigation est fluide et facile, ajoute une vibe electrisante. Un atout les competitions regulieres pour plus de fun, propose des privileges personnalises.
DГ©couvrir les offres|
stylefinder.click – Sleek and modern outfits featured, navigating categories was a breeze.
unique presents hub – Lovely variety of gifts, site layout made browsing smooth and easy.
промокоды на мелбет https://melbet5008.ru
Обратились в агентство за горящим туром и не пожалели. Консультант нашла для нас шикарный вариант буквально за полчаса. Все документы были оформлены быстро и корректно. На отдыхе всё прошло гладко, никаких сюрпризов. Очень удобный формат, когда хочется уехать срочно и без переплат: сколько стоит съездить в турцию
Главная https://kra43-cc.at
J’ai une passion debordante pour Coolzino Casino, ca invite a plonger dans le fun. La gamme est variee et attrayante, comprenant des jeux crypto-friendly. Il donne un elan excitant. Le support est fiable et reactif. Les gains sont transferes rapidement, rarement plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du peps. Pour finir, Coolzino Casino est un endroit qui electrise. Par ailleurs la plateforme est visuellement captivante, amplifie l’adrenaline du jeu. Un point fort les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, propose des avantages uniques.
Tout apprendre|
веб-сайте https://kra43-cc.at
Je suis epate par NetBet Casino, il propose une aventure palpitante. La selection est riche et diversifiee, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. Avec des depots fluides. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Les retraits sont lisses comme jamais, occasionnellement quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. Pour finir, NetBet Casino assure un fun constant. Par ailleurs le design est moderne et energique, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. Un plus les evenements communautaires vibrants, renforce le lien communautaire.
Essayer ceci|
Следующая страница https://kra42-cc.at
посетить сайт https://kra42-cc.at/
перенаправляется сюда https://kra46a.at
здесь https://kra43-cc.at
перенаправляется сюда https://kra42-cc.at/
unique gift corner – Creative gifts showcased nicely, discovering new products was simple.
Смотреть здесь https://kra42-cc.at
Читать далее https://kra46a.at
Je ne me lasse pas de Coolzino Casino, ca offre une experience immersive. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. Il booste votre aventure des le depart. Le service est disponible 24/7. Les retraits sont fluides et rapides, bien que quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. En conclusion, Coolzino Casino assure un divertissement non-stop. En plus la navigation est fluide et facile, apporte une touche d’excitation. Un avantage les options de paris sportifs diversifiees, assure des transactions fluides.
Obtenir des infos|
https://aritual.by/funeral.html
J’adore la vibe de Coolzino Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. Il y a une abondance de jeux excitants, comprenant des jeux optimises pour Bitcoin. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Le suivi est impeccable. Les gains arrivent en un eclair, cependant des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. En resume, Coolzino Casino est une plateforme qui pulse. Ajoutons que la plateforme est visuellement dynamique, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. Un avantage notable les evenements communautaires vibrants, qui dynamise l’engagement.
Explorer maintenant|
алюминиевые электрожалюзи http://prokarniz23.ru/ .
melbet sportsbook http://melbet5010.ru
тканевые электрожалюзи http://www.prokarniz23.ru/ .
умные шторы с алисой http://prokarniz27.ru .
умные шторы с алисой http://www.prokarniz27.ru/ .