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.
What’s up, I log on to your blogs daily. Your story-telling style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!
нажмите здесь Мега онион
Hi, I log on to your new stuff daily. Your humoristic style is awesome, keep up the good work!
Узнать больше Mega онион
Следующая страница Мега ссылка
Highly energetic article, I enjoyed that bit.
Will there be a part 2?
узнать Мега сайт
DreamHaven Deals – The clean display of items made exploring the shop feel refreshing.
перенаправляется сюда Мега онион
oaktrendemporium – Easy to navigate, products are displayed clearly and attractively.
Вся динамика фиксируется в единой карте наблюдения. При переводе в амбулаторную точку мы не «сбрасываем» историю: решения продолжаются с учётом уже сделанного и реакции пациента на вмешательства.
Подробнее – http://vyvod-iz-zapoya-v-voronezhe15.ru/
перенаправляется сюда Mega ссылка
Городской ритм Петрозаводска с озёрным ветром, короткими сумерками и сезонной влажностью повышает сенсорную нагрузку в вечерние часы, поэтому наш маршрут спроектирован «мягко». Координатор заранее уточняет подъезд, парковку, код домофона, рекомендует «тихий режим» связи и присылает нейтральное уведомление о визите. Бригада приходит в гражданской одежде, сумки — без логотипов, разговоры — короткими фразами. Такое поведение снижает у пациента и семьи реактивность, выравнивает вариабельность ЧСС к сумеркам и уменьшает потребность «усиливать» схему на ночь. Если на предзвонке выявлены «красные флаги» — неукротимая рвота, выраженная дезориентация, «скачущий» ритм, одышка — мы предлагаем стационар сразу, чтобы не терять время на повторные маршруты.
Детальнее – нарколог капельница на дом петрозаводск
https://pennivermectin.com/# Penn Ivermectin
Sun Wind Market – Intuitive layout and well-organized products made shopping convenient.
Таможенное оформление автомобилей москва без сюрпризов
https://www.metproperty.com/author/julietathrelke/
brightoakboutique – Clean interface, products are easy to locate and explore.
collectiveoakemporium – Products are displayed neatly, and navigating is hassle-free.
здесь [url=https://www.neurokc.com]Mega darknet[/url]
Howdy I am so grateful I found your website, I really found you by mistake, while I was researching on Aol for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.
В поисках надежного поставщика редкоземельных металлов и сплавов? Обратите внимание на компанию Редметсплав.рф. Мы предлагаем обширный каталог продукции, обеспечивая превосходное качество каждого изделия.
Редметсплав.рф обеспечивает все стадии сделки, предоставляя полный пакет необходимых документов для законного использования товаров. Неважно, какие объемы вам необходимы – от мелких партий до крупнооптовых заказов, мы готовы обеспечить любой запрос с прекрасным качеством обслуживания.
Наша команда службы поддержки всегда на связи, чтобы помочь вам в выборе товаров и ответить на любые вопросы, связанные с применением и характеристиками металлов. Выбирая нас, вы выбираете достоверность в каждой детали сотрудничества.
Заходите на наш сайт Редметсплав.рф и убедитесь, что качество и уровень нашего сервиса – наилучшее решение для вашего бизнеса.
Наши товары:
Медная однораструбная редукционная переходная муфта под пайку удлиненная 10х9 мм твердая пайка М3 ГОСТ 32590-2013 Приобретите высококачественные медные однораструбные редукционные муфты под пайку от Редметсплав для надежного соединения трубопроводов. Гарантированная прочность и устойчивость к коррозии. Идеальны для различных систем отопления, водоснабжения и прочих технических целей.
нажмите Mega onion
веб-сайт Mega onion
Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What
host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
A recent advisory from Super Lock and Key in Tampa focuses on how burglars are quietly upgrading their methods and looking for weak points in residential security
.
According to the locksmiths, many of the problems start with outdated locks, weak strike plates, and doors that haven’t been reinforced for years
.
To help reduce the risk, Super Lock and Key recommends upgrading to modern deadbolts, stronger door hardware, and, where appropriate, smart lock systems that provide more control and visibility
.
Anyone interested in the complete breakdown of these 2025 break-in tactics and the recommended security upgrades
can follow the coverage at the link below
:
https://natlawreview.com/press-releases/super-lock-and-key-super-locksmith-tampa-warn-homeowners-about-new-2025
DreamHavenOutlet Online Picks – The layout was intuitive, allowing me to move across sections effortlessly.
жалюзи с электроприводом жалюзи с электроприводом .
Главная Mega даркнет
deutschland ungarn wettquoten
Review my web-site – Beste Online Wettanbieter, Shop.Safecam.Org,
пластиковые жалюзи с электроприводом https://prokarniz23.ru .
этот сайт Мега онион
содержание Mega даркнет
Тем, кто ценит практичность и долговечность, подойдут новогодние композиции из искусственных цветов: они годами сохраняют форму и цвет, не требуют ухода и всегда выглядят как только что созданные. На странице https://www.florion.ru/catalog/novogodnie-kompozicii-iz-iskusstvennyh-cvetov интернет-магазина «Флорион» собраны стильные варианты для дома, офиса, витрины или праздничной фотозоны — от лаконичных современных композиций до классических новогодних решений. Такой декор удобно хранить и использовать из года в год, создавая узнаваемый фирменный новогодний стиль вашего пространства.
пластиковые жалюзи с электроприводом http://prokarniz23.ru/ .
страница Мега сайт
жалюзи для пластиковых окон с электроприводом prokarniz23.ru .
жалюзи автоматические цена жалюзи автоматические цена .
алюминиевые электрожалюзи http://www.prokarniz23.ru .
Urban Choice – Finding products was effortless thanks to an organized display.
алюминиевые электрожалюзи http://www.prokarniz23.ru .
Crest Studio Market – The catalog was simple to explore, making shopping quick and easy.
пластиковые жалюзи с электроприводом prokarniz23.ru .
Live wetten schweiz dass online spielen
This was really informative. https://610ckvxnz.icu/category/news/
Bright Deals Store – Products are organized and finding items is simple — I had a pleasant shopping time.
Универсальной «сильной капельницы» не существует. Состав подбирается по ведущим симптомам и переносимости; важен не только «чем», но и «когда», особенно в сумерки. Примеры ниже — ориентир для понимания логики. Реальная схема собирается индивидуально.
Углубиться в тему – вывод из запоя на дому цена в воронеже
сколько стоит купить диплом медсестры сколько стоит купить диплом медсестры .
beste fa cup wettanbieter
Also visit my homepage … Pferderennen online Wetten
Эта карта — рабочий инструмент: она не только структурирует действия персонала, но и снижает тревогу пациента и семьи. Появляется чувство контроля: понятно, что происходит сейчас и к чему мы идём через час, три и до утра.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – наркологическая клиника нарколог
Sun Wind Treasures – User-friendly design with organized sections improved the shopping flow.