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.
brightcornerstore – Products are easy to find, and the site feels welcoming.
Что мною движет? Управление изменениями и кризисами. в самопознании, раскрытии потенциала, принятии более гармоничных решений и улучшении взаимоотношений. Стратегическое мышление. Почему у генераторов мало денег и как это исправить? Что отличает каждый Тип личности в Дизайне человека. Хочешь узнать, какая ты на самом деле? Манифестор не для работы , а для влияния.
https://a-human-design-cf-ru-sar.hdmy.ru
brandelevate.click – Overall, professional vibe here; trustworthy, polished, and pleasantly minimal throughout.
shop willow picks – Items were easy to view and layout was clear.
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site unintentionally, and I am shocked why this twist of fate didn’t took place in advance! I bookmarked it.
Hey There. I found your weblog the use of msn.
This is an extremely smartly written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your helpful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
artisancentral – Smooth and simple navigation, browsing was very convenient.
https://tvarkaubiurus.lt/
https://dmucialis.xyz/# Buy Tadalafil 5mg
Nice read, keep it up! https://3nz9f.icu/newcastle-still-keen-on-conor-gallagher/
Forest Hub – Easy navigation and organized pages improve the shopping flow.
здесь kraken рабочая ссылка onion
Cơ hội săn thưởng ở OK9 đang nhiều lắm, ai vô trước là hưởng trước, đừng đứng ngoài nhìn người ta nhận quà
нажмите здесь blacksprut darknet
Exactly what I needed today. https://3nz9f.icu/
Go to our website
слоти онлайн слоти онлайн
goldencresthaven – Well-organized listings and neat interface, made browsing simple.
willow corner – Clean design and fast-loading pages made browsing enjoyable.
goldenstylehub – Organized pages and smooth browsing, picking products was simple.
willow hub link – Smooth interface and well-organized products enhanced shopping.
ігри казино онлайн казіно ігри
aplikacja mostbet na androida rejestracja w mostbet
в этом разделе блэкспрут не работает
Проекты домов из клееного бруса Строительство из клееного бруса – это не просто технология, это философия жизни, возвращение к корням и гармонии с природой. Это выбор тех, кто ценит экологичность, комфорт и долговечность своего жилища. Возведение дома из клееного бруса – это инвестиция в будущее, в здоровье и благополучие своей семьи, создание родового гнезда, где будут царить тепло, уют и любовь.
содержание блэкспрут вход
посмотреть на этом сайте блэкспрут ссылка
этот сайт tripscan top
Hi! I know this is kind of off-topic however I needed to ask. Does operating a well-established blog such as yours take a massive amount work? I’m brand new to blogging but I do write in my diary every day. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my personal experience and thoughts online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for brand new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!
Перейти на сайт кракен ссылка
New Grove Collection – Fast navigation and neat pages made shopping pleasant.
DmuCialis: DmuCialis – DmuCialis
golden boutique access – Browsing felt natural and product sections were easy to follow.
В этой публикации мы предложим ряд рекомендаций по избавлению от зависимостей и успешному восстановлению. Мы обсудим методы привлечения поддержки и важность самосознания. Эти советы помогут людям вернуться к нормальной жизни и стать на путь выздоровления.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – наркология вывод из запоя
Управленческие компетенции. Как с помощью ДЧ найти себя и своё место в мире. Куда инвестировать время и деньги. Увеличивают продуктивность командной работы. «Дизайн человека». Где можно найти деньги в бодиграфе? Где деньги в дизайне человека. Как мотивировать опытных коллег и сохранять авторитет. Дизайн человека не предсказывает будущее, а помогает описать уникальную природу каждого человека. При помощи анализа своего дизайна люди развивают сильные стороны и прорабатывают слабости, чтобы достичь личностного роста и развития. Найти свой стиль управления и развить лидерские качества. Манифестор не для работы , а для влияния.
https://z-human-design-kwgx-ru-kk.hdtk.ru
узнать больше kraken сайт
Exactly what I needed today. https://3nz9f.icu/
Продолжение tripskan