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.
Magnificent website. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks on your effort!
FashionChoice Hub – Trendy selections are nicely displayed, making the shopping experience enjoyable.
I’m not sure exactly why but this blog is loading incredibly slow for me.
Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
Fantastic web site. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you for your effort!
https://www.dicoding.com/users/bongachatru/academies
Great web site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you on your sweat!
Wonderful web site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your effort!
https://blogs.uoregon.edu/mmj3/2015/03/04/whats-on-your-phone/#comment-206079
Fantastic web site. Plenty of helpful info here. I am sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks to your effort!
wikipedia reference forex broker negative balance protection
Great site. Lots of useful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you on your effort!
Wonderful site. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks on your sweat!
DreamBigToday – Positive vibe, user-friendly structure, and effortless navigation.
Magnificent website. Lots of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you on your sweat!
http://officaldrp.forumex.ru/viewforum.php?f=14
Great website. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks to your effort!
заказ курсовых работ http://www.kupit-kursovuyu-22.ru .
pin up qanday pul yechiladi pinup5010.ru
нелепые ситуации Смешные случайности — это незваные гости наших будней. Я однажды вышел из дома в совсем не подходящей обуви: тапки под цвет шуршащего дождя, и весь двор смеётся, словно в театре. На перекрёстке мне попалась старенькая собачка, которая решительно повела меня той же тропой, по которой мы идём каждый день: её хозяин наверняка удивлён, почему мы сегодня идём не в ту сторону. В метро я случайно сел к людям с одинаковой футболкой и мы все вместе устроили настоящий клуб «кто мы и что же мы несём». И каждый раз такие казусы напоминают: жизнь любит сюрпризы, и иногда они бывают милыми.
Excellent site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks in your sweat!
узнать больше Здесь Спортики
Great web site. Plenty of useful info here. I’m sending it to a few pals ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you for your effort!
Great site. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks on your sweat!
Excellent site. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks to your sweat!
visit homepage forex broker guaranteed stop loss
Great site. Plenty of helpful information here. I’m sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your effort!
Magnificent web site. A lot of useful info here. I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you on your sweat!
Fashion Choice Shop – Modern fashion options are shown clearly, making browsing quick and smooth.
подробнее Силовые акции
I personally find that this platform exceeded my expectations with robust security and great support. I moved funds across chains without a problem.
Great web site. Lots of useful info here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your effort!
найти это https://krab1l.at/
Таможенное оформление грузов москва под ключ
https://git.genowisdom.cn/wadek886379279
Wonderful site. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your sweat!
Great site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you on your sweat!
pin up balansni ko‘rish https://pinup5010.ru/
Wonderful website. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks on your effort!
Смотреть здесь https://cryptocloud.club/threads/vse-o-stejkinge-kak-zarabotat-na-stejkinge.143/
you could try these out fca licensed forex broker
LifeDirectionNow – Content is organized and accessing posts is quick and simple.
find here https://vapeheart.shop/
Wonderful site. Plenty of useful information here. I’m sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your sweat!
SuccessGuide – Fast site, well-organized content makes browsing very convenient.
Ниже — практическая карта первых часов. Она помогает всем участникам понимать логику действий, точки контроля и критерии перехода. Если ответ «плоский», меняем один параметр и возвращаемся к оценке в назначённое время — без хаотичных «усилений».
Подробнее можно узнать тут – капельница от запоя анонимно на дому мурманск
Great site. Plenty of helpful information here. I am sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your sweat!
Sunset Crest Studio Online – Easy browsing with a warm, inviting aesthetic throughout.
пин ап пополнение счёта http://www.pinup5010.ru
Fantastic site. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks on your sweat!
Great web site. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you on your effort!
Magnificent website. Plenty of helpful information here. I am sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you on your sweat!