
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.
bitcoin wallet with balance
buchmacher lizenz
My web page – WettbüRo Konstanz
If some one wants expert view concerning blogging afterward i advise him/her to pay a quick visit this website, Keep up the pleasant work.
wallet recovery earnings
посмотреть на этом сайте водка казино официальный
Trend Store Picks – Nice display of stylish items, navigation was very easy.
Trend Store Corner – Loved the clean design, browsing trendy items was quick.
В этой статье представлен занимательный и актуальный контент, который заставит вас задуматься. Мы обсуждаем насущные вопросы и проблемы, а также освещаем истории, которые вдохновляют на действия и изменения. Узнайте, что стоит за событиями нашего времени!
Выяснить больше – https://jornalalef.com.br/2024/05/12/atletico-go-x-cruzeiro-onde-assistir-ao-vivo-escalacoes-e-palpites-brasileirao-2024-serie-a-hoje-12-05-jornal-alef
sportwetten forum strategie
My webpage; live wette
ссылка на сайт водка казино регистрация
купить диплом медсестры купить диплом медсестры .
Купить права
Приобретение водительских прав — важный шаг на пути к самостоятельности и свободе передвижения. Наш сервис предлагает вам возможность быстро и надежно получить водительское удостоверение, которое соответствует всем необходимым требованиям и стандартам. Мы понимаем, насколько важно иметь законные документы для управления транспортным средством, и гарантируем качество и легальность наших услуг.
Наши водительские права помогают значительно сэкономить время и избежать длительных и сложных процедур в автошколах и государственных учреждениях. Мы сотрудничаем только с проверенными специалистами, которые обеспечивают полный пакет документов, подтверждающих вашу квалификацию и знания правил дорожного движения. Приобретая права через наш сервис, вы получаете возможность управлять автомобилем без лишних хлопот и задержек.
Подробнее водка казино регистрация
Ister basit bir proje ister daha karmas?k bir is olsun, DIY projeleri her zaman eglenceli ve odullendirici olabilir.
Кстати, если вас интересует DIY Dunyas?na Giris: Pratik ve Estetik Cozumler, загляните сюда.
Смотрите сами:
https://yapjust.com
Kendi el emeginizle harika seyler yaratmak sab?r ve yarat?c?l?k ister. Projelerinizde basar?lar dilerim!
узнать казино хани мани зеркало
Отличный выбор для аренды яхт, смотрите здесь <a href=
https://a.pr-cy.ru/dubai-riviera.com/
Главная honey money casino регистрация
TMO Picks Hub – Loved the user-friendly setup, moving between pages was fast.
купить фен дайсон оригинал https://www.fen-d-1.ru .
копия аттестата купить https://www.r-diploma27.ru .
ChoiceHubOnline – Attractive layout, premium items, and convenient navigation.
дайсон официальный сайт стайлер для волос с насадками купить цена https://fen-d-2.ru .
SelectYourChoice – Smooth layout, high-quality products, and effortless browsing.
Когда нужна срочная помощь, служба Stop-Alko в Екатеринбурге может выехать на дом, провести диагностику, капельницу и восстановление сил.
Получить больше информации – вывод из запоя на дому недорого
выберите ресурсы водкабет
WildVault – Browsing is comfortable and the rustic-themed products are showcased nicely.
фен dyson официальный сайт http://fen-d-1.ru/ .
дайсон купить в москве дайсон купить в москве .
Trend Market Hub – Items displayed clearly, moving through the site felt fast and simple.
Skyline Style Hub – Quick-loading pages, fashionable products arranged nicely, smooth navigation.
Я извиняюсь, но, по-моему, Вы не правы. Давайте обсудим это. Пишите мне в PM, поговорим.
At winz online flash burn lose weight network we provide more than 6,000 Internet slot machines – free and for demo versions.
sportwetten geld zurück erfahrungen
Also visit my web blog – wetten ergebnisse vorhersage (Henry)
Подробнее vodka bet casino
дайсон стайлер для волос купить цена с насадками официальный сайт fen-d-1.ru .
дайсон официальный сайт фен цена http://www.fen-d-2.ru .
купить фен дайсон официальный https://fen-d-1.ru .
dyson стайлер официальный сайт fen-d-2.ru .
фен дайсон купить официальный fen-d-1.ru .
дайсон фен цена официальный сайт https://fen-d-2.ru/ .
подробнее водка казино вход
Trend Market Corner – Items neatly displayed, navigation around the site was effortless.
дайсон стайлер для волос купить официальный сайт цена с насадками https://fen-d-1.ru .
dyson фен официальный сайт https://fen-d-2.ru/ .
dyson фен купить dyson фен купить .
фен дайсон fen-d-1.ru .
купить дайсон стайлер с насадками для волос цена официальный сайт http://fen-d-2.ru .
dyson фен купить fen-d-1.ru .
дайсон фен цена официальный сайт http://fen-d-2.ru/ .
фен дайсон купить официальный http://www.fen-d-1.ru/ .
Эта обзорная заметка содержит ключевые моменты и факты по актуальным вопросам. Она поможет читателям быстро ориентироваться в теме и узнать о самых важных аспектах сегодня. Получите краткий курс по современной информации и оставайтесь в курсе событий!
Детали по клику – http://marinebuffet.fr/article-1