Browse: Home / 2012 / May / 25 / Amidst the Geeks

Amidst the Geeks

By on May 25, 2012

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.

Posted in , | Tagged , | 116,905 Responses

116,905 responses to “Amidst the Geeks”

  1. Diplomi_lbKr
    Diplomi_lbKr November 20, 2025 at 6:55 pm |

    купить аттестат за 11 класс вечерней школы купить аттестат за 11 класс вечерней школы .

  2. ymnie shtori s alisoi_onki
    ymnie shtori s alisoi_onki November 20, 2025 at 6:55 pm |

    умные шторы с алисой http://prokarniz27.ru .

  3. shtori na pylte ypravleniya_icsi
    shtori na pylte ypravleniya_icsi November 20, 2025 at 6:56 pm |

    рулонные шторы на пульте управления [url=www.prokarniz28.ru/]www.prokarniz28.ru/[/url] .

  4. jaluzi s elektroprivodom_rpPt
    jaluzi s elektroprivodom_rpPt November 20, 2025 at 6:56 pm |

    жалюзи с электроприводом купить жалюзи с электроприводом купить .

  5. shtori na pylte ypravleniya_ihsi
    shtori na pylte ypravleniya_ihsi November 20, 2025 at 6:58 pm |

    рулонные шторы на пульте http://www.prokarniz28.ru/ .

  6. shtori na pylte ypravleniya_grsi
    shtori na pylte ypravleniya_grsi November 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm |

    рулонные шторы с пультом управления рулонные шторы с пультом управления .

  7. Calvin Eilertson
    Calvin Eilertson November 20, 2025 at 7:02 pm |

    clickdynasty.click – Pages loaded fast, images appeared sharp, and formatting stayed consistent.

  8. jaluzi s elektroprivodom_pkPt
    jaluzi s elektroprivodom_pkPt November 20, 2025 at 7:03 pm |

    пластиковые жалюзи с электроприводом [url=prokarniz23.ru]prokarniz23.ru[/url] .

  9. ymnie shtori_lust
    ymnie shtori_lust November 20, 2025 at 7:03 pm |

    умный дом шторы умный дом шторы .

  10. reiting seo kompanii_erEt
    reiting seo kompanii_erEt November 20, 2025 at 7:03 pm |

    seo продвижение рейтинг seo продвижение рейтинг .

  11. Crystle Mcright
    Crystle Mcright November 20, 2025 at 7:05 pm |

    roiboost.click – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.

  12. CharlesCaste
    CharlesCaste November 20, 2025 at 7:05 pm |

    подробнее https://kra42-cc.at

  13. reiting seo kompanii_feEt
    reiting seo kompanii_feEt November 20, 2025 at 7:05 pm |

    топ seo компаний топ seo компаний .

  14. shtori na pylte ypravleniya_tysi
    shtori na pylte ypravleniya_tysi November 20, 2025 at 7:06 pm |

    рулонные шторы на пульте http://prokarniz28.ru .

  15. EduardoSlact
    EduardoSlact November 20, 2025 at 7:06 pm |

    проверить сайт https://kra43-cc.at/

  16. Cleo Arellanes
    Cleo Arellanes November 20, 2025 at 7:07 pm |

    clickstormpro.click – Color palette felt calming, nothing distracting, just focused, thoughtful design.

  17. reiting seo kompanii_egEt
    reiting seo kompanii_egEt November 20, 2025 at 7:08 pm |

    рейтинг seo агентств рейтинг seo агентств .

  18. JosephGix
    JosephGix November 20, 2025 at 7:08 pm |

    студия дизайна интерьера спб современный дизайн интерьера

  19. shtori na pylte ypravleniya_tksi
    shtori na pylte ypravleniya_tksi November 20, 2025 at 7:08 pm |

    рулонные шторы с пультом рулонные шторы с пультом .

  20. ymnie shtori_zbst
    ymnie shtori_zbst November 20, 2025 at 7:09 pm |

    умные шторы [url=www.prokarniz23.ru]умные шторы[/url] .

  21. melbet_tlOn
    melbet_tlOn November 20, 2025 at 7:09 pm |

    скачать казино мелбет melbet5010.ru

  22. reiting seo kompanii_weEt
    reiting seo kompanii_weEt November 20, 2025 at 7:09 pm |

    seo рейтинг seo рейтинг .

  23. shtori na pylte ypravleniya_jxsi
    shtori na pylte ypravleniya_jxsi November 20, 2025 at 7:10 pm |

    римские шторы с пультом управления http://prokarniz28.ru .

  24. reiting seo kompanii_nxEt
    reiting seo kompanii_nxEt November 20, 2025 at 7:11 pm |

    рекламное агентство seo [url=www.reiting-seo-kompanii.ru]рекламное агентство seo[/url] .

  25. shtori na pylte ypravleniya_idsi
    shtori na pylte ypravleniya_idsi November 20, 2025 at 7:12 pm |

    шторы на пульте управления шторы на пульте управления .

  26. canadian pharmaceutical companies
    canadian pharmaceutical companies November 20, 2025 at 7:13 pm |

    I really like it when folks get together and share ideas. Great website, continue the good work!

  27. shtori na pylte ypravleniya_zssi
    shtori na pylte ypravleniya_zssi November 20, 2025 at 7:13 pm |

    рулонные шторы на пульте [url=http://prokarniz28.ru]http://prokarniz28.ru[/url] .

  28. Roderick Limbach
    Roderick Limbach November 20, 2025 at 7:14 pm |

    seostorm.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.

  29. jaluzi s elektroprivodom_ucPt
    jaluzi s elektroprivodom_ucPt November 20, 2025 at 7:14 pm |

    автоматические жалюзи автоматические жалюзи .

  30. DavidLab
    DavidLab November 20, 2025 at 7:15 pm |

    Отличный сервис для тех, кто ценит удобство. Ассортимент впечатляет — от вина до крепких напитков, всё оригинальное. Привозят быстро, даже в часы пик. Теперь если нужна алкоголь доставка москва круглосуточно, обращаюсь только к ним – https://drinkio70.ru/

  31. Kennethdeale
    Kennethdeale November 20, 2025 at 7:15 pm |

    EveraMeds: EveraMeds – EveraMeds

  32. pinko
    pinko November 20, 2025 at 7:16 pm |

    Pinco AZ-da təklif olunan oyunlar həm sürətli, həm də keyfiyyətlidir. Aviator oyunu Pinco-da ən populyar seçimlərdən biridir. Canlı bahisləri sevirsənsə, xüsusilə futbol oyunu zamanı əmsallar sürətlə dəyişir, buna görə də pinco az çox yararlıdır. Mobil slotlar Pinco-da yüksək keyfiyyət və sürət ilə işləyir.
    Pinko kazino həm yeni, həm də peşəkar oyunçular üçün uyğundur. Pinco canlı oyunlarında dilerlərlə ünsiyyət çox rahatdır. Pinko-da depozitlər dərhal hesabda görünür.
    Pinko-da hesab yaratmaq cəmi bir neçə addımdır. Pinco oyunçuların seçimlərinə uyğun təkliflər yaradır.
    Pinco hesab idarəetməsi çox rahatdır.

  33. jaluzi s elektroprivodom_sxPt
    jaluzi s elektroprivodom_sxPt November 20, 2025 at 7:16 pm |

    тканевые электрожалюзи http://prokarniz23.ru .

  34. pinko
    pinko November 20, 2025 at 7:17 pm |

    Kazino oyunlarını Pinco-da test edib daha sonra real pula oynamaq mümkündür. Futbol bahislərini tez yenilənən əmsallarla etmək istəyənlər Pinco-dan istifadə edir. Kazino oyunçuları üçün geniş məlumat bazası — abillionhectares site. Pinco-da limitlər oyunçuya uyğun olaraq dəyişdirilə bilir.
    Pinko kazino həm yeni, həm də peşəkar oyunçular üçün uyğundur. Pinco kazinoda turnirlər müntəzəm keçirilir. Pinco AZ apk yükləyənlər daha sürətli giriş əldə edir.
    Pinco mərc bazarı futbol sevənlər üçün çox genişdir. Pinko aviator oyununda multiplikatorlar çox dəyişkəndir.
    Pinco-da slot seçimləri gündəlik yenilənir.

  35. Louise Butterbaugh
    Louise Butterbaugh November 20, 2025 at 7:17 pm |

    traffichive.click – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.

  36. JosephGix
    JosephGix November 20, 2025 at 7:17 pm |

    дизайн интерьера спб недорого https://dizayna-interera-spb.ru

  37. jaluzi s elektroprivodom_iyPt
    jaluzi s elektroprivodom_iyPt November 20, 2025 at 7:19 pm |

    жалюзи автоматические цена жалюзи автоматические цена .

  38. Larrygut
    Larrygut November 20, 2025 at 7:19 pm |

    зайти на сайт https://kra42-cc.at

  39. ymnie shtori_ebst
    ymnie shtori_ebst November 20, 2025 at 7:19 pm |

    электронные шторы https://prokarniz23.ru .

  40. CharlesCaste
    CharlesCaste November 20, 2025 at 7:20 pm |

    читать https://kra43-cc.at/

  41. melbet_qcMa
    melbet_qcMa November 20, 2025 at 7:20 pm |

    melbet avis melbet avis

  42. jaluzi s elektroprivodom_ojPt
    jaluzi s elektroprivodom_ojPt November 20, 2025 at 7:20 pm |

    тканевые электрожалюзи http://www.prokarniz23.ru .

  43. jaluzi s elektroprivodom_wuPt
    jaluzi s elektroprivodom_wuPt November 20, 2025 at 7:21 pm |

    жалюзи автоматические цена [url=www.prokarniz23.ru]жалюзи автоматические цена[/url] .

  44. ymnie shtori_vjst
    ymnie shtori_vjst November 20, 2025 at 7:22 pm |

    электронные шторы https://www.prokarniz23.ru .

  45. reiting seo kompanii_owEt
    reiting seo kompanii_owEt November 20, 2025 at 7:22 pm |

    seo компания москва reiting-seo-kompanii.ru .

  46. Irvin Bohman
    Irvin Bohman November 20, 2025 at 7:23 pm |

    clickdynasty.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.

  47. CharlesCaste
    CharlesCaste November 20, 2025 at 7:24 pm |

    посетить веб-сайт https://kra42-cc.at

  48. reiting seo kompanii_fmEt
    reiting seo kompanii_fmEt November 20, 2025 at 7:24 pm |

    топ компаний по продвижению сайтов топ компаний по продвижению сайтов .

  49. ymnie shtori_btst
    ymnie shtori_btst November 20, 2025 at 7:24 pm |

    умный дом шторы умный дом шторы .

  50. shtori na pylte ypravleniya_afsi
    shtori na pylte ypravleniya_afsi November 20, 2025 at 7:24 pm |

    рулонные шторы с пультом управления рулонные шторы с пультом управления .

1 … 2,334 2,335 2,336 2,337 2,338 2,339

Leave a Reply