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.
visit this page https://prjx.space/
Homepage https://kinetiq.buzz/
check my site https://hlp0.online/
Heya are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
topfindscorner – Loved how effortless it was to find exactly what I wanted.
мега вход через обычный браузер
мега стейкинг
go to this web-site https://dexrp.buzz/
you could check here https://kinetiq.buzz/
人形 エロif ‘wundor’ means ‘mystery.’ 3 For ‘strude’ in ,
рейтинг интернет агентств seo https://reiting-seo-kompanii.ru .
read the article https://etherealtrade.xyz
Дом из клееного бруса проекты и цены Дом из клееного бруса – это не просто жилье, это инвестиция в здоровье и комфорт вашей семьи. Древесина создает уникальный микроклимат в помещении, обеспечивая естественную вентиляцию и регулируя влажность. Благодаря низкой теплопроводности, дом из клееного бруса хорошо сохраняет тепло зимой и прохладу летом, что позволяет существенно экономить на отоплении и кондиционировании.
look at this website https://berapaw.org
I want to to thank you for this great read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to check out new things you post…
have a peek here https://dexrp.buzz
услуги эвакуатора Эвакуатор – это специализированное транспортное средство, предназначенное для погрузки, крепления и перевозки автомобилей и другой техники. Современные эвакуаторы оснащены всем необходимым оборудованием для безопасной и эффективной эвакуации даже в сложных условиях, таких как узкие улицы, ограниченное пространство или неблагоприятные погодные условия. Эвакуатор в Таганроге дешево – это не миф, а реальность! Мы предлагаем конкурентоспособные цены на все виды услуг эвакуации, сохраняя при этом высокое качество обслуживания. Обращаясь к нам, вы можете быть уверены, что не переплатите за эвакуацию и получите профессиональную помощь по доступной цене.
продвижение сайтов топ агентство продвижение сайтов топ агентство .
Continue Reading https://theo.exchange
I’ve already recommended this article to several friends. It’s just too good not to share!
click https://kittenswap.cc
?Celebremos a cada hallador de tesoros !
El anonimato que ofrece casino sin dni atrae a jugadores que no desean subir documentos. Sitios como casino gratis sin registrarse recopilan opiniones reales que ayudan a elegir bien. AsГ se construye mayor confianza en estas plataformas.
Acceder a casino sin verificaciГіn es perfecto para sesiones rГЎpidas sin verificaciones extensas. Gracias a portales como crypto casino no kyc, los usuarios identifican casinos confiables. Esto aporta tranquilidad y una experiencia fluida.
casino online sin registro con bonos inmediatos – п»їhttps://bar-celoneta.es/
?Que la suerte te acompane con que el destino te brinde intensos giros afortunados !
рейтинг digital seo агентств https://reiting-seo-kompanii.ru/ .
топ агентств seo продвижения reiting-seo-kompanii.ru .
Read Full Report https://camelot.click/
продвижение сайтов топ агентство продвижение сайтов топ агентство .
seo marketing agency reiting-seo-kompanii.ru .
рейтинг компаний по продвижению сайтов рейтинг компаний по продвижению сайтов .
агентство seo агентство seo .
browse around these guys https://hyperliquid-wiki.cc/
лучшие агентства seo продвижения https://reiting-seo-kompanii.ru/ .
helpful hints https://hlp0.online/
Вообще то дажббер в рабочее время всегда в сети и все кто оплачивал и делал заказ получили треки. купить онлайн мефедрон, экстази, бошки Это фейк что тут вам не понятно то.
топ агентства seo топ агентства seo .
компания seo компания seo .
мега как зайти без проблем
mega market
visit this page https://d2finance.cv/
check here https://gluex.io
https://telegra.ph/Lemon-Casino-50-Free-Spins-i-pe%C5%82ny-przewodnik-po-najcz%C4%99%C5%9Bciej-szukanych-bonusach-11-24
see post https://palladiumlabs.net
Smart Value Picks – Found a few standout items, and the pages loaded instantly.
page https://hyperliquid-wiki.cc/
you can check here https://etherealtrade.xyz/
see here https://hlp0.online
First off I would like to say excellent blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to
ask if you don’t mind. I was interested to know how you center
yourself and clear your thoughts prior to writing.
I’ve had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there.
I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?
Kudos!
additional resources https://rangerfinance.xyz
Source https://prjx.space
Online Value Hub – Discovered several appealing deals, and the website felt quick and reliable.
Value Hub Outlet – Plenty of appealing products, and navigating the site was hassle-free.
lemon casino 50 free spins no deposit
giftfinderstore – Perfect gifts at fair prices, quality exceeded expectations.