
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.
The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Brazil Sex Guide
???? ???? ??? aviator-game-predict.com .
компании по ремонту квартир компании по ремонту квартир .
dealspotter – Loved how quickly I found bargains, website loading was very fast.
PureField Choice – Clean, organized display makes exploring items effortless.
Thích nhất ở S666 là hỗ trợ 24/7.
москва ремонт квартир москва ремонт квартир .
rocket wala game aviator-game-predict.com .
PureField Collection – Smooth experience with well-arranged products.
сайт мелбет http://v-bux.ru .
Я оцениваю тщательность и качество исследования, представленного в этой статье. Автор предоставил надежные источники и учел различные аспекты темы. Это действительно ценный ресурс для всех интересующихся.
отделка ремонт квартир москва https://rejting-remontnyh-kompanij-moskvy.com .
aeroplane game money https://www.aviator-game-predict.com .
автоматическая рулонная штора https://rulonnye-zhalyuzi-avtomaticheskie.ru/ .
Этот обзор дает возможность взглянуть на историю и науку под новым углом. Мы представляем редкие факты, неожиданные связи и значимые события, которые помогут вам глубже понять развитие цивилизации и роль человека в ней.
Узнать напрямую – https://segredosdojardim.com/7-plantas-aromaticas-e-bonitas-para-a-varanda-repele-as-moscas-e-os-mosquitos-3
премиум ремонт квартир москва https://www.rejting-remontnyh-kompanij-moskvy.com .
hawai jahaj ka game https://aviator-game-predict.com/ .
Подробнее как попасть на кракен
качественный ремонт квартир в москве [url=https://rejting-remontnyh-kompanij-moskvy.com]качественный ремонт квартир в москве[/url] .
установить рулонные шторы цена https://rulonnye-zhalyuzi-avtomaticheskie.ru/ .
????? ???? ??? [url=http://aviator-game-predict.com]http://aviator-game-predict.com[/url] .
Посетите официальный сайт бренда : https://poloniya.ru/
Thank you for writing this. https://3nz9f.icu/leeds-aaronson-was-wasteful-v-southampton/
рулонные шторы с электроприводом на окна https://rulonnye-zhalyuzi-avtomaticheskie.ru .
Сам магаз работает хорошо все в сроки, консперация тоже на высшем уровне) купить, кокаин, мефедрон, гашиш, бошки Калачинск Я заказал еще 19 числа на сайте, оплатил 23 числа, ТС выслал 25 числа, тогда я и тут зарегился, так как он отправил не той службой, думал кинули. Пришло все вчера, забрал днем, попробовал вечером
рулонные шторы на электроприводе рулонные шторы на электроприводе .
Я бы хотел отметить качество исследования, проведенного автором этой статьи. Он представил обширный объем информации, подкрепленный надежными источниками. Очевидно, что автор проявил большую ответственность в подготовке этой работы.
Смотреть здесь рабочие кракен зеркала
автоматические рулонные шторы на окна [url=http://www.rulonnye-zhalyuzi-avtomaticheskie.ru]автоматические рулонные шторы на окна[/url] .
You explained this very clearly. https://3nz9f.icu/
Hey there are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Find Female Escorts Brazil
battery aviator game apk battery aviator game apk .
shopnfind – Items loaded quickly, exploring deals was smooth and simple.
This is gold, thank you! https://playfina-de88.com/zu-teuer-keine-leistung-vorsicht-vor-diesen-spielern/
ремонт квартиры под ключ фото и цены в москве http://luchshie-remontnye-kompanii-moskvy.com .
В первые часы важно не «залить» пациента растворами, а корректно подобрать темп и состав с учётом возраста, массы тела, артериального давления, лекарственного фона (антигипертензивные, сахароснижающие, антиаритмические препараты) и переносимости. Именно поэтому мы не отдаём лечение на откуп шаблонам — каждая схема конструируется врачом на месте, а эффективность оценивается по понятным метрикам.
Углубиться в тему – https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-v-ryazani14.ru
dog house megaways slot http://www.wwwpsy.ru/ .
shopdiscover – Nice selection of products at low prices, browsing felt fluid and easy.
Modern Harbor Hub – Browsing is smooth and products appear quickly without delay.
?????? ??? ???? ?? ?? ????? http://www.aviator-game-deposit.com/ .
электрокарниз купить в москве электрокарниз купить в москве .
БОт для скачивания
Open the doors to the world of gambling entertainment and enjoy the game ivibet. com!
A major draw of ivibet is the vast array of games available.
aviator game [url=www.aviator-game-best.com]aviator game[/url] .
рейтинг компаний по ремонту квартир в москве рейтинг компаний по ремонту квартир в москве .
электрокарнизы для штор цена электрокарнизы для штор цена .
udane wala jahaj http://aviator-game-predict.com .
фирмы по ремонту квартир в москве фирмы по ремонту квартир в москве .
PureField Market Place – Clean layout and items are very easy to browse.
Я восхищен тем, как автор умело объясняет сложные концепции. Он сумел сделать информацию доступной и интересной для широкой аудитории. Это действительно заслуживает похвалы!