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 , | 134,718 Responses

134,718 responses to “Amidst the Geeks”

  1. Williamnat
    Williamnat November 30, 2025 at 4:00 pm |

    Состав инфузии мы подбираем под доминирующие симптомы и сопутствующие заболевания. Цель — вернуть управляемость телу, а не «насытить» организм всем сразу. Матрица ниже демонстрирует клиническую логику: окончательное решение принимает врач после очной оценки.
    Подробнее можно узнать тут – наркологический вывод из запоя в рязани

  2. canadian pharmaceuticals online safe
    canadian pharmaceuticals online safe November 30, 2025 at 4:02 pm |

    Wow, that’s what I was exploring for, what a data! existing here at this webpage, thanks admin of this web site.

  3. kypit kyrsovyu_ftKt
    kypit kyrsovyu_ftKt November 30, 2025 at 4:02 pm |

    купить курсовая работа купить курсовая работа .

  4. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:02 pm |

    shop new picks – Items loaded quickly and the layout was easy to follow.

  5. kypit kyrsovyu_qxMt
    kypit kyrsovyu_qxMt November 30, 2025 at 4:03 pm |

    курсовая заказать недорого https://www.kupit-kursovuyu-2.ru .

  6. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:05 pm |

    wearcentral – Fast-loading pages with tidy layout made browsing enjoyable.

  7. Jameskix
    Jameskix November 30, 2025 at 4:05 pm |

    кликните сюда кракен это

  8. Jameskix
    Jameskix November 30, 2025 at 4:05 pm |

    Подробнее здесь кракен официальный сайт

  9. kypit kyrsovyu_kqOl
    kypit kyrsovyu_kqOl November 30, 2025 at 4:06 pm |

    курсовая заказать недорого http://www.kupit-kursovuyu-1.ru/ .

  10. kypit kyrsovyu_hkKt
    kypit kyrsovyu_hkKt November 30, 2025 at 4:06 pm |

    курсовые заказ https://kupit-kursovuyu-8.ru/ .

  11. kypit kyrsovyu_unst
    kypit kyrsovyu_unst November 30, 2025 at 4:07 pm |

    курсовая работа недорого http://www.kupit-kursovuyu-6.ru/ .

  12. kypit kyrsovyu_giMt
    kypit kyrsovyu_giMt November 30, 2025 at 4:07 pm |

    заказать студенческую работу kupit-kursovuyu-2.ru .

  13. JerryHog
    JerryHog November 30, 2025 at 4:07 pm |

    Качественный магаз!Уточнять не у кого ! https://12vl.ru Все хорошо, ждем товар, когда будет сразу дадим знать.Отличный Магаз, Все четко!!!

  14. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:08 pm |

    atticcreationshub – Easy navigation and interactive features encourage learning and inspiration.

  15. kypit kyrsovyu_kbOl
    kypit kyrsovyu_kbOl November 30, 2025 at 4:10 pm |

    сколько стоит сделать курсовую работу на заказ [url=http://www.kupit-kursovuyu-1.ru]http://www.kupit-kursovuyu-1.ru[/url] .

  16. canadian pharmaceuticals online safe
    canadian pharmaceuticals online safe November 30, 2025 at 4:10 pm |

    I know this web site offers quality depending articles or reviews and additional stuff, is there any other web page which offers such stuff in quality?

  17. kypit kyrsovyu_agMt
    kypit kyrsovyu_agMt November 30, 2025 at 4:11 pm |

    заказать курсовую работу качественно kupit-kursovuyu-2.ru .

  18. Rodneyemick
    Rodneyemick November 30, 2025 at 4:11 pm |

    в этом разделе кракен зеркало

  19. kypit kyrsovyu_amst
    kypit kyrsovyu_amst November 30, 2025 at 4:11 pm |

    заказать практическую работу недорого цены [url=https://kupit-kursovuyu-6.ru/]kupit-kursovuyu-6.ru[/url] .

  20. Deniseboymn
    Deniseboymn November 30, 2025 at 4:11 pm |

    However, bitcoin hyper, it is unlikely this will happen at the first launch of layer-2.

  21. 7yue4f3m.icu
    7yue4f3m.icu November 30, 2025 at 4:12 pm |

    Brilliant article! https://1hey6lh.top/borderlands-4-datamine-suggests-ava-was-replaced-in-gearboxs-new-looter-shooter-and-now-fans-want-the-divisive-character-back-we-were-robbed-of-a-generational-story/

  22. Contributors-218755
    Contributors-218755 November 30, 2025 at 4:12 pm |

    В чем суть дизайна человека? Стратегическое мышление. Хочешь узнать, какая ты на самом деле? Сообщайте прежде, чем действовать: Успех Манифестора зависит от того, насколько они могут проявлять инициативу, не вызывая сопротивления. Узнайте свой тип, стратегию, авторитет и способности. Постоянная занятость не гарантирует результата. Генератор здесь для деятельности. Какой тип самый редкий в дизайне человека? Осознанный выбор точки приложения усилий. Где можно найти деньги в бодиграфе? Где деньги в дизайне человека. На что опереться, когда сложно?
    https://khm-human-design-oc-ru-pnz.hdof.ru

  23. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:14 pm |

    horizon picks hub – Fast-loading pages and organized layout made shopping effortless.

  24. Best online casinos that payout
    Best online casinos that payout November 30, 2025 at 4:14 pm |

    Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a blog website?
    The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided
    bright clear concept

  25. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:14 pm |

    shop golden horizon – Fast-loading pages and easy navigation improved the experience.

  26. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:14 pm |

    new grove shop – Browsing was effortless and items were easy to locate.

  27. Jameskix
    Jameskix November 30, 2025 at 4:15 pm |

    Главная кракен сайт магазин

  28. Williamoreby
    Williamoreby November 30, 2025 at 4:16 pm |

    навесной потолок Натяжной потолок СПБ цены: Выгодные предложения от профессионалов В Санкт-Петербурге представлен широкий выбор натяжных потолков по доступным ценам. Обратившись к профессионалам, вы сможете получить консультацию, выбрать оптимальный вариант и заказать установку потолка под ключ. Не стоит экономить на качестве материалов и монтажа, чтобы ваш потолок радовал вас долгие годы.

  29. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:16 pm |

    shop new grove – Items are neatly displayed and navigation felt intuitive.

  30. FrankJeank
    FrankJeank November 30, 2025 at 4:16 pm |

    кликните сюда kraken

  31. Jerryleabe
    Jerryleabe November 30, 2025 at 4:18 pm |

    Таможенный представитель москва — надёжный и честный
    https://seychelleslove.com/@kellemcneill82

  32. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:19 pm |

    wearcorner – Smooth interface, intuitive navigation, and items are easy to explore.

  33. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:19 pm |

    urbanhubselection – Layout is tidy, products are easy to locate, and browsing felt natural.

  34. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:19 pm |

    GoldPlume Picks Shop – Everything is neatly arranged, making shopping enjoyable.

  35. kypit kyrsovyu_lxOl
    kypit kyrsovyu_lxOl November 30, 2025 at 4:21 pm |

    написание курсовой на заказ цена http://kupit-kursovuyu-1.ru/ .

  36. kypit kyrsovyu_obst
    kypit kyrsovyu_obst November 30, 2025 at 4:21 pm |

    написать курсовую на заказ http://www.kupit-kursovuyu-6.ru .

  37. FrankJeank
    FrankJeank November 30, 2025 at 4:22 pm |

    Продолжение Кракин

  38. Contributors-473099
    Contributors-473099 November 30, 2025 at 4:22 pm |

    Что делать, если годы усилий не принесли желаемого. Генератор здесь для деятельности. Увеличивают продуктивность командной работы. Полный разбор с примерами и рекомендациями. Манифестор не для работы , а для влияния. Что мною движет? Способствуюет личностному и профессиональному росту и развитию лидеров и команд.
    https://zjd-human-design-z-ru-niz.axbb.ru

  39. Randyspore
    Randyspore November 30, 2025 at 4:22 pm |

    другие кракен 2025

  40. StevenApady
    StevenApady November 30, 2025 at 4:23 pm |

    Location: 777 San Manuel Boulevard, https://groxery.kreativejohnys.com/descubra-o-mundo-do-1xbet-cassino-diversao-e/. in order to receive them to you necessary deposit to personal electronic wallet not less 30 $ and go to portal of loyalty, in order activate 14 unpaid spins on the day .

  41. kypit kyrsovyu_ldOl
    kypit kyrsovyu_ldOl November 30, 2025 at 4:23 pm |

    курсовой проект цена http://kupit-kursovuyu-1.ru .

  42. kypit kyrsovyu_anst
    kypit kyrsovyu_anst November 30, 2025 at 4:23 pm |

    курсовая заказ купить http://www.kupit-kursovuyu-6.ru/ .

  43. 3m4epxv.top
    3m4epxv.top November 30, 2025 at 4:23 pm |

    Loved the points you made here. https://r9s4m.icu/

  44. Randyspore
    Randyspore November 30, 2025 at 4:24 pm |

    страница кракен маркетплейс

  45. Author-601074
    Author-601074 November 30, 2025 at 4:24 pm |

    Как получать деньги в свою жизнь без надрыва и сопротивления. При помощи анализа своего дизайна люди развивают сильные стороны и прорабатывают слабости, чтобы достичь личностного роста и развития. Дизайн Человека выделает пять энергетических типов: Манифестор, Манифестирующий Генератор, Генератор, Проектор и Рефлектор. Как сделать правильный выбор на работе, в любви и в жизни. Какой тип самый редкий в дизайне человека? Какие тропы обречены на провал изнчально.
    https://x-human-design-l-ru-ba.hdau.ru

  46. FrankJeank
    FrankJeank November 30, 2025 at 4:24 pm |

    Читать далее кракен сайт магазин

  47. kypit kyrsovyu_vgOl
    kypit kyrsovyu_vgOl November 30, 2025 at 4:24 pm |

    написание курсовых на заказ https://www.kupit-kursovuyu-1.ru .

  48. kypit kyrsovyu_jzst
    kypit kyrsovyu_jzst November 30, 2025 at 4:25 pm |

    помощь курсовые http://www.kupit-kursovuyu-6.ru .

  49. kypit kyrsovyu_frOl
    kypit kyrsovyu_frOl November 30, 2025 at 4:26 pm |

    курсовая работа на заказ цена http://www.kupit-kursovuyu-1.ru .

  50. RandomNameNab
    RandomNameNab November 30, 2025 at 4:26 pm |

    tallbirchmarket – Pleasant layout, items are easy to find and browse.

1 … 2,691 2,692 2,693 2,694 2,695

Leave a Reply