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.
https://www.activeforall.co.in/blog/classic-watches
Replika Uhr Herren Kollektion Mode Uhr Replika – Mode Uhren Replika sind trendige Accessoires, die jedes Outfit aufwerten. Sie sind in einer
https://techplanet.today/member/1xbetvip453
отзывы о сайте купить диплом отзывы о сайте купить диплом .
FashionStyleTrend – Items looked trendy and were easy to browse through.
FashionTrendyHub – Modern, organized layout made checking fashion items a pleasant experience.
TrendFashionSpot – Browsing was enjoyable, modern styles presented in an organized way.
Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i
was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you
reduce it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get
so much lately it’s driving me mad so any help is very much appreciated.
This is easily the most enthusiastic post I’ve read today!
Such a powerful and well-written post.
You’ve taken this topic to a whole new level — amazing!
What a wonderfully written and informative post.
Я оцениваю информативность статьи и ее способность подать сложную тему в понятной форме.
TrendFashionHub – Stylish products showcased neatly, browsing was smooth and fun today.
This post is bursting with value — amazing!!
Your explanations are always spot-on.
What a wonderfully written and informative post.
Your writing always stands out — keep it up!
экстренный вывод из запоя краснодар
vivod-iz-zapoya-krasnodar024.ru
вывод из запоя цена
Я прочитал эту статью с большим удовольствием! Автор умело смешал факты и личные наблюдения, что придало ей уникальный характер. Я узнал много интересного и наслаждался каждым абзацем. Браво!
найти это водка бет
Right now it appears like WordPress is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Подробнее здесь vodka bet
выберите ресурсы vodkabet
дом престарелых инвалид стоимость Пансионат для инвалидов в Москве цены: сравните условия и выберите лучшее Мы понимаем, как важно сделать правильный выбор, поэтому предлагаем вам ознакомиться с нашими ценами и условиями проживания, а также сравнить их с другими пансионатами для инвалидов в Москве. Мы уверены, что наше предложение является одним из лучших на рынке и соответствует самым высоким стандартам качества.
https://bl555.studio/
каталог vodka bet
Перейти на сайт vodkabet новый сайт
как купить диплом http://r-diploma3.ru/ – как купить диплом .
Особенно понравился раздел про Обсудите лучшие советы по ипотеке.
Ссылка ниже:
https://best-ipoteka.ru
проститутки 1500 проститутка на час часто запрашивают для конкретных случаев
интернет vodka bet
verifică bilet melbet https://melbet5012.ru
melbet pentru PC https://melbet5011.ru
Подробнее здесь водка бет
Gunstige Uhrenreplika kaufen Mode Uhr Replika: Trendige Accessoires fur jeden Anlass Mode Uhren Repliken sind trendige Accessoires, die jedes Outfit aufwerten. Sie sind
Every weekend i used to go to see this web site, because
i wish for enjoyment, for the reason that this this site conations actually
fastidious funny information too.
цвета по картинке онлайн – сервис определения цвета по картинки. Technguides – отличный сайт для определения цвета пикселя бесплатно.
MhfaPharm: canada drugs online review – MhfaPharm
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to
be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries that they just
don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the
top and also defined out the whole thing without
having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will
likely be back to get more. Thanks
сайт водка бэт
melbet pariuri virtuale https://melbet5011.ru
Между прочим, если вас интересует Финансовые советы для автомобилистов, загляните сюда.
Смотрите сами:
https://24leasing.ru
организация по уходу за инвалидами Дом престарелых инвалид цена: факторы ценообразования и доступные варианты Цена на проживание в доме престарелых для инвалидов зависит от различных факторов, таких как уровень комфорта, спектр предоставляемых услуг и состояние здоровья постояльца. Мы предлагаем различные варианты размещения и ценовой политики, чтобы каждый мог выбрать оптимальный вариант, соответствующий своим финансовым возможностям.
Между прочим, если вас интересует Финансовая грамотность: советы и ошибки заемщиков, загляните сюда.
Смотрите сами:
https://kreditmedia.ru
По теме “Лучшие советы для культурных и бюджетных путешествий”, нашел много полезного.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://tourismstore.ru
Bright Fashion Corner – Found several stylish gems quickly thanks to the simple layout.
Источник vodkabet новый сайт
melbet bonus de bun venit melbet bonus de bun venit
Особенно понравился раздел про Лучшие международные маршруты и путешествия.
Смотрите сами:
https://supertourism.ru