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.
Эта познавательная публикация погружает вас в море интересного контента, который быстро захватит ваше внимание. Мы рассмотрим важные аспекты темы и предоставим вам уникальные Insights и полезные сведения для дальнейшего изучения.
Заходи — там интересно – https://royaloceantravel.techxanders.info/how-to-travel-with-paper-map
his comment is here https://safeglobal.club/
Nice read, keep it up! https://3nz9f.icu/arsenal-transfer-news-on-folarin-balogun/
Appreciation to my father who informed me about this web site,
this web site is actually amazing.
кухня по индивидуальному заказу спб [url=https://kuhni-spb-11.ru]https://kuhni-spb-11.ru[/url] .
Этот обзор предлагает структурированное изложение информации по актуальным вопросам. Материал подан так, чтобы даже новичок мог быстро освоиться в теме и начать использовать полученные знания в практике.
Посмотреть подробности – https://penboy.org/pgc_simply_gallery/__trashed
Эта медицинская заметка содержит сжатую информацию о новых находках и методах в области здравоохранения. Мы предлагаем читателям свежие данные о заболеваниях, профилактике и лечении. Наша цель — быстро и доступно донести важную информацию, которая поможет в повседневной жизни и понимании здоровья.
Разобраться лучше – вывод из запоя капельница в Симферополе
directory https://beratrax.org
В этом обзоре мы обсудим современные методы борьбы с зависимостями, включая медикаментозную терапию и психотерапию. Мы представим последние исследования и их результаты, чтобы читатели могли быть в курсе наиболее эффективных подходов к лечению и поддержке.
Разобраться лучше – помощь вывод из запоя Москва
кухни на заказ в санкт-петербурге https://kuhni-spb-9.ru .
кухни от производителя спб кухни от производителя спб .
Для девелоперов и производственных компаний решающее значение имеет готовая инфраструктура участка: газ высокой категории, электроэнергия, водоснабжение, водоотвод и документы в порядке. Индустриальные земли у трассы А108 развиваются под МФК «Филипповское», подробности — на https://promzem-a108.ru/ — там же данные по трансформаторным подстанциям, лицензиям и экспертным заключениям. Локация экономит время на согласования и старт проекта.
изготовление кухонь на заказ в санкт петербурге изготовление кухонь на заказ в санкт петербурге .
кухни на заказ спб [url=https://kuhni-spb-9.ru/]https://kuhni-spb-9.ru/[/url] .
Daily Growth Insights – Explore advice and techniques to enhance your personal development.
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will come back later in life. I want to encourage you to continue your great job, have a nice evening!
dailyfamilyfashion – Great selection for everyone in the family, ordering was effortless.
HarborPureGoods – Very user-friendly website, fast checkout, and delivery was timely.
современные кухни на заказ в спб http://kuhni-spb-11.ru .
вывод из запоя круглосуточно тула
tula-narkolog012.ru
экстренный вывод из запоя
кухни под заказ в спб кухни под заказ в спб .
кухни на заказ в санкт-петербурге http://www.kuhni-spb-9.ru .
click here for more https://royco.cc/
кухни на заказ в санкт-петербурге кухни на заказ в санкт-петербурге .
PureHarborShop – Loved the trendy items and the website was easy to navigate.
кухни спб кухни спб .
PureHarborSelect – Loved browsing the stylish items and smooth navigation.
кухни на заказ в санкт-петербурге https://www.kuhni-spb-9.ru .
aviator money https://www.aviator-game-cash.com .
This article has become an essential part of my resource library. Excellent work!
кухня на заказ спб [url=www.kuhni-spb-11.ru/]www.kuhni-spb-11.ru/[/url] .
HarborGoodsShop – Clean, intuitive site and products arrived on time, very satisfied.
more helpful hints https://usdai.cloud/
кухни на заказ санкт петербург http://www.kuhni-spb-9.ru .
aviation game [url=aviator-game-cash.com]aviation game[/url] .
кухни на заказ санкт петербург https://www.kuhni-spb-9.ru .
кухни спб [url=www.kuhni-spb-9.ru/]www.kuhni-spb-9.ru/[/url] .
HarborTrendsStore – Great selection of products and clean website layout.
Медицинская публикация представляет собой свод актуальных исследований, экспертных мнений и новейших достижений в сфере здравоохранения. Здесь вы найдете информацию о новых методах лечения, прорывных технологиях и их практическом применении. Мы стремимся сделать актуальные медицинские исследования доступными и понятными для широкой аудитории.
Углубиться в тему – врач вывод из запоя Москва
Yacht parties, outdoor events and gala celebrations in Dubai — explore details here <a href=
https://www.reverbnation.com/sevenae9
Really clear write-up, the flow makes it simple to understand. While checking additional sources, Hi88 is frequently referenced for having a wide selection of gaming sections organized under one interface.
кухни на заказ в спб от производителя кухни на заказ в спб от производителя .
battery aviator game apk battery aviator game apk .
заказать кухню в спб по индивидуальному проекту http://kuhni-spb-11.ru .
aviator bonus game http://www.aviator-game-cash.com/ .
get redirected here https://kinetiq.lat/
кухни спб http://www.kuhni-spb-9.ru .
click https://d2finance.cv/
заказать кухню в спб по индивидуальному проекту https://www.kuhni-spb-12.ru .
Incredible quest there. What occurred after? Good luck!