
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.
softroseboutiquehub – Organized interface and fast-loading pages, shopping was effortless.
горизонтальные жалюзи с электроприводом горизонтальные жалюзи с электроприводом .
мелбет мобильная версия скачать на андроид бесплатно melbet5009.ru
télécharger melbet android http://melbet5009.ru/
melbet скачать 2023 http://melbet5009.ru
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the best websites on the web. I am going to recommend this site!
покупка курсовой покупка курсовой .
puregreenemporium – Very user-friendly, shopping flows naturally from section to section.
Смотреть здесь зеркало водка бет
puregreenhaven – Pleasant interface, products are clearly visible and easy to explore.
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.
каталог vodka bet
Loved the points you made here. https://mohog6n.top/
посетить веб-сайт vodka casino
Ключевая идея «ДонЗдрава» — соединить доказательную медицину и понятную пациенту логистику. Инфузии рассчитываются через инфузомат, жизненные показатели контролируются портативным кардиомонитором и пульсоксиметром, а лекарственные взаимодействия проверяются по протоколу перед началом терапии. При этом каждый шаг объясняется простым языком: что делаем, зачем это нужно и как будем оценивать результат через 30, 60 и 120 минут. После визита пациент не остаётся один — доступна «горячая линия» и короткие онлайн-сессии с врачом либо психологом, если тревога или бессонница возвращаются в ночные часы.
Узнать больше – нарколог вывод из запоя
посмотреть на этом сайте казино водка
melbet.kz http://melbet5009.ru/
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this blog’s posts all the time along with a cup of coffee.
в этом разделе водка бет
тотализатор мелбет https://www.melbet5004.ru
новые бездепозитные бонусы в казино 2020 вк quot
greenoutpostlanehub – Clean layout, products are easy to browse and well organized.
нажмите здесь водка казино
Usually I do not learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice post.
softrosefashion – Well-laid-out interface with tidy product sections, shopping felt effortless.
читать водка бет
заказать студенческую работу заказать студенческую работу .
пластиковые жалюзи с электроприводом http://elektricheskie-zhalyuzi5.ru .
I found this post very helpful. https://f1cppa7.top/tag/futebol/
курсовой проект цена https://www.kupit-kursovuyu-9.ru .
курсовые заказ [url=http://kupit-kursovuyu-10.ru/]курсовые заказ[/url] .
Профессиональная чистка зубов и отбеливание в современных условиях <a href=
https://flashboot.ru/profile/Sergei771/
веб-сайт водка казино
softroseboutique – Tidy layout with easy navigation, products were easy to find.
sunset store – Well-organized items and intuitive layout improved shopping.
shop sunset boutique – Intuitive design and responsive layout enhanced browsing.
Домашний визит — это кратчайший путь к облегчению симптомов, когда нет признаков осложнений. Врач приезжает на неприметном транспорте, проводит очную оценку, измеряет давление, пульс, сатурацию, оценивает неврологический статус и психическое состояние, после чего назначает инфузионную терапию и симптоматические средства по показаниям. Мы заранее даём семье простые инструкции на 24–48 часов, чтобы обеспечить спокойный режим, контроль питья, коррекцию сна и своевременную связь с дежурным врачом.
Получить больше информации – https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-moskva8.ru/anonimnaya-narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-moskve/
выберите ресурсы зеркало vodka bet
Был сделан заказ, оперативно связались с продавцом (что радует, он регулярно на связи), оплатили, причем сами намудрили с оплатой – больше по ошибке перевели. Оттого не сразу разобрались с суммой, но потом продавец предложил на сдачу нам выслать пробников) Через неделю позвонил курьер, договорились о доставке в удобном мне месте, что оказалось очень кстати. купить скорость, кокаин, мефедрон, гашиш Всем привет ровной ветке,магаз на 5Фарту в делах парни !:hello:
Explore the latest here
«Трезвая Орбита» — круглосуточная наркологическая клиника экстренной и плановой помощи. Мы работаем по Москве и области 24/7, выезжаем на дом без опознавательных знаков, принимаем в стационаре с круглосуточным наблюдением и ведём пациента до устойчивой ремиссии. Наша философия — безопасность, конфиденциальность и предсказуемый результат: от первой стабилизации до профилактики рецидивов с чётким планом действий для пациента и семьи.
Разобраться лучше – gosudarstvennaya-narkologicheskaya-klinika-moskva
Лечение проходит поэтапно, чтобы пациент не испытывал стресса и перегрузок. Каждый шаг контролируется врачами, а терапия корректируется в зависимости от состояния. В таблице ниже представлена структура программы лечения в клинике «АстраМед Трезвость».
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – частная наркологическая клиника в астрахани
стоимость написания курсовой работы на заказ стоимость написания курсовой работы на заказ .
everymomentpick – Fast and intuitive layout, items are clearly displayed for simple browsing.
makehub – Clean layout with fast-loading pages made exploring items effortless.
сколько стоит заказать курсовую работу сколько стоит заказать курсовую работу .
курсовой проект цена курсовой проект цена .
EverRoot Crafts – Smooth browsing and clear product images made selection simple.
промокод для мелбет 2021 http://melbet5009.ru