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.
завьялов илья поинт пей PointPay: Стратегии Ильи Завьялова для привлечения и удержания клиентов в крипто-индустрии
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting
my own weblog and was curious what all is required to
get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% sure.
Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
вывод из запоя
vivod-iz-zapoya-krasnodar005.ru
лечение запоя
где купить аттестат где купить аттестат .
Заказать диплом на заказ возможно через сайт компании. orikdok-1v-gorode-ekaterinburg-66.online
завьялов илья поинт пей Point Pay под Руководством Ильи Завьялова: Новые Горизонты
kraken онлайн
Заказать диплом на заказ в столице вы можете используя официальный портал компании. orikdok-1v-gorode-ryazan-62.online
аттестат за 9 классов купить аттестат за 9 классов купить .
888 starz apk 888 starz apk .
Заказать диплом вы можете используя официальный портал компании. orikdok-3v-gorode-vologda-35.online
скачать макросы для варфейс Хочешь быть лучшим в Warface? Пора купить макрос варфейс! Забудь о контроле отдачи, увеличь точность и стань настоящим профи. Не упусти шанс улучшить свою игру!
красный диплом купить красный диплом купить .
Наш агрегатор – beautyplaces.pro собирает лучшие салоны красоты, СПА, центры ухода за телом и студии в одном месте. Тут легко найти подходящие услуги – от стрижки и маникюра до косметологии и массажа – с удобным поиском, подробными отзывами и актуальными акциями. Забронируйте визит за пару кликов https://beautyplaces.pro/verhnyaya-pyshma/
best online pharmacy reviews
Medicine prescribing information. Cautions.
can you take diazepam with mirtazapine
All what you want to know about pills. Get information here.
кракен vpn
макросы на варфейс блади Устали от промахов в Warface? Макросы варфейс – ваш выход! Точность выстрелов возрастет, отдача больше не проблема. Доминируйте на поле боя и наслаждайтесь игрой! Рекомендую!
kraken ios
You are so cool! I don’t believe I’ve read something like this before.
So nice to discover someone with a few unique thoughts on this subject.
Really.. thank you for starting this up. This
web site is something that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!
купить аттестат в москве купить аттестат в москве .
kraken onion
рулонные шторы пятигорск купить Шторы Оптом Пятигорск: Выгодное Предложение для Бизнеса Для оптовых покупателей в Пятигорске предлагаются выгодные условия на приобретение штор. Многие компании сотрудничают с оптовыми клиентами, предлагая широкий ассортимент продукции и гибкую систему скидок.
диплом института купить диплом института купить .
настоящий аттестат купить настоящий аттестат купить .
reputable mexican pharmacies online mexico pharmacies prescription drugs buying prescription drugs in mexico
спб купить диплом спб купить диплом .
кракен актуальная ссылка
lisinopril hydrochlorothiazide maximum dosage
купить аттестат в волгограде купить аттестат в волгограде .
магазин штор пятигорск Купить шторы в Пятигорске: Разнообразие выбора В Пятигорске представлен огромный выбор штор на любой вкус и кошелек. Здесь вы найдете шторы различных цветов, фактур и стилей, которые помогут создать неповторимый интерьер вашего дома.
диплом о среднем купить диплом о среднем купить .
электрокарнизы для штор электрокарнизы для штор .
вывод из запоя цена
vivod-iz-zapoya-kaluga006.ru
вывод из запоя круглосуточно
Профессиональная анонимная наркологическая клиника. Лечение зависимостей, капельницы, вывод из запоя, реабилитация. Анонимно, круглосуточно, с поддержкой врачей и психологов.
интернет провайдеры по адресу самара
domashij-internet-samara004.ru
провайдеры интернета в самаре по адресу
کتاب خانه افعی نوشته بی دیون پورت، اثری جذاب
و پرکشش در ژانر فانتزی و تاریخی است که داستان دختر نوجوانی به نام آنی را روایت می کند.
آنی با ورود به عمارت هکسر و لمس نقوش مارها، به شکلی مرموز
به گذشته سفر می کند و خود را
در یک بیمارستان جذامی قرن یازدهم می یابد.
این رمان برای گروه سنی نوجوان نگاشته شده و با مضامینی چون
سفر در زمان، جادو و شجاعت، خواننده
را تا پایان با خود همراه می کند.
خانه افعی (The Serpent House) رمان تخیلی و تاریخی جذابی از نویسنده ایرلندی، بی دیون پورت است که با ترجمه روان و شیوا شهره
نورصالحی به فارسی منتشر شده و توسط نشر پیدایش به دست مخاطبان رسیده
است. این کتاب نه تنها برای نوجوانان، بلکه برای تمامی علاقه مندان به داستان های فانتزی و ماجراجویانه، تجربه ای
فراموش نشدنی رقم می زند. داستان با قلمی قدرتمند و
توصیفاتی ملموس، خواننده را به عمق ماجراها می
کشاند و او را با شخصیت هایی دوست داشتنی و پیچیده آشنا
می سازد. در آغاز داستان، با آنی،
دختری دوازده ساله که پس از
مرگ مادرش آسیب پذیر و تنها شده، آشنا می شویم.
او به همراه برادرش تام که …
https://ijmarket.com/blog/tag/خلاصه-کتاب/
canadian online pharmacies legitimate by aarp
Эта познавательная публикация погружает вас в море интересного контента, который быстро захватит ваше внимание. Мы рассмотрим важные аспекты темы и предоставим вам уникальныеInsights и полезные сведения для дальнейшего изучения.
Получить больше информации – https://oresagroup.com/hello-world
В обзорной статье вы найдете собрание важных фактов и аналитики по самым разнообразным темам. Мы рассматриваем как современные исследования, так и исторические контексты, чтобы вы могли получить полное представление о предмете. Погрузитесь в мир знаний и сделайте шаг к пониманию!
Получить дополнительную информацию – https://cozinhasaudeedicas.com/suco-de-milho-cremoso-feito-com-3-ingredientes
можно купить диплом высшем образовании можно купить диплом высшем образовании .
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you are a great
author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back someday.
I want to encourage you continue your great posts, have a nice day!
макрос варфейс вк Устали от поражений в Warface? Макросы варфейс – ваш секретный ингредиент успеха! Повысьте точность, упростите контроль отдачи и станьте настоящим мастером игры. Доминируйте над противниками!
mostbet cashback bonus https://mostbet4048.ru/
купить диплом юриста arus-diplom3.ru .
indian pharmacies safe: IndoMeds USA – indian pharmacies safe
аттестат купить за 11 класс аттестат купить за 11 класс .
Профессиональная частная наркологическая клиника. Лечение зависимостей, капельницы, вывод из запоя, реабилитация. Анонимно, круглосуточно, с поддержкой врачей и психологов.
Этот информативный текст выделяется своими захватывающими аспектами, которые делают сложные темы доступными и понятными. Мы стремимся предложить читателям глубину знаний вместе с разнообразием интересных фактов. Откройте новые горизонты и развивайте свои способности познавать мир!
Выяснить больше – https://blog.mh4.jp/archives/115
кракен ссылка