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.
Everline Hub – Well-organized catalog with items that are easy to locate and explore.
UrbanWild Finds Hub – Clean interface and trend-forward layout create a smooth browsing experience.
https://mentalhealtheasybuy.com/# Trazodone
Wonderful website. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you on your effort!
Magnificent web site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you on your sweat!
WildWood Lane – Creative items presented clearly, pages load quickly, and navigation feels smooth.
This was one of the best reads I’ve had in a while.
gift ideas collection – A broad collection of ideas arranged thoughtfully, making browsing pleasant.
I visited multiple web pages but the audio quality for audio songs current at this web site is genuinely marvelous.
Fantastic site. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you on your effort!
Когда организм на пределе, важна срочная помощь в Санкт-Петербурге — это команда опытных наркологов, которые помогут быстро и мягко выйти из запоя без вреда для здоровья.
Выяснить больше – вывод из запоя дешево
Great website. A lot of useful info here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you to your effort!
zuverlässige wett sportwetten kombiwetten tipps [http://www.lasuitehairdresser.it]
Fantastic web site. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to a few pals ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your sweat!
Visita https://juegosdetragamonedas.me/ y encontraras las mejores tragamonedas gratis de Latinoamerica. Ofrecemos una amplia seleccion de juegos de proveedores internacionales, ademas de diversos bonos y giros gratis por registrarte. Disponemos de una practica version movil. Depositos y retiros son faciles.
В этой статье мы обсудим процесс восстановления после зависимостей, акцентируя внимание на различных методах и подходах к реабилитации. Читатели узнают, как создать план выздоровления и использовать полезные ресурсы для достижения устойчивых изменений.
Углубиться в тему – вывод из запоя в стационаре
Shop Today Picks – The product selection looks appealing, and the interface is user-friendly.
yourgiftcorner.shop – Thoughtful gift picks are displayed clearly, and browsing feels pleasantly simple.
Fantastic site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you for your sweat!
WildWood Picks Lane – Clearly presented fashion items with fast-loading pages and smooth navigation.
Find the newest info here > http://lipetskregionsport.ru/
Стационарное лечение запоя в Химках. Предлагаем комфортные условия для пребывания пациентов и круглосуточный медицинский уход.
Узнать больше – помощь вывод из запоя
StyleCentral – Quick-loading pages and intuitive layout make finding fashion items effortless.
TrendHunter – Smooth scrolling and clear product display make shopping enjoyable.
Magnificent web site. Plenty of helpful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you to your sweat!
После введения капельницы пациент получает «вечернюю карточку»: правила гидратации малыми порциями, световую гигиену, два-три спокойных действия на вечер и чек-лист признаков, при которых нужно связаться с дежурным врачом. Такой бытовой протокол повышает переносимость терапии и делает ночь предсказуемой.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-v-kazani16.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-na-domu-kazan-czena/
I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to look at new things you post…
Вызов нарколога на дом — это не «универсальная капельница», а управляемая последовательность маленьких шагов с понятными целями и точками проверки. В наркологической клинике «КубаньМед Резолюция» выезд врача, инфузионная поддержка и лечение зависимостей складываются в дорожную карту: мы начинаем с короткого триежа, формулируем рабочую гипотезу, включаем минимально достаточный модуль, назначаем «окно оценки» и только затем либо выключаем модуль, либо изменяем одну переменную. Такой подход снижает фармаконагрузку, предотвращает полипрагмазыю и делает динамику прозрачной: пациент и семья видят, что именно помогает и когда вмешательство завершается.
Подробнее тут – нарколог на дом вывод
Excellent web site. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you in your effort!
You have a real talent for simplifying complex subjects.
moomoo証券 解約
Great site. Plenty of useful info here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you in your effort!
Электроника растаможена моментально, таможенное оформление электроники москва
https://skpropertiesuae.com/author/luellaw082966/
Discover what’s new
Great site. Lots of useful info here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!
FreshStylesNow – Products are easy to spot, and site navigation is very convenient.
https://www.inkitt.com/promocode570
http://www.orangepi.org/orangepibbsen/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=148391&page=3#lastpost
Modern Roots Finds Hub – Well-laid-out items look modern and fresh, exploring is simple.
SilverBranch Hub – Loved the style and organization, makes discovering items fun.
https://4portfolio.ru/view/view.php?id=18092&showcomment=3136444
http://www.bisound.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2946935#post2946935
You’ve made this topic far more approachable.
https://network-7905894.mn.co/members/37198239
Лечение пивного алкоголизма в стационаре Балашихи. Мы предлагаем эффективные методы лечения зависимости от пива.
Подробнее тут – вывод из запоя капельница
https://vhearts.net/forums/2/
В городе и ближайших районах клиника «УралМед Трезвость» обеспечивает оперативный выезд и амбулаторный приём без очередей. На этапе первичного контакта координатор уточняет только клинически значимые моменты: постоянные препараты и дозы, аллергии, эпизоды судорог/психозов в прошлом, базовые показатели (АД/ЧСС/SpO?, если доступны), длительность симптомов, возможность организовать «тихое окно» на 20–30 минут. Вместо долгих разговоров — короткая, спокойная логика: где безопаснее начать (дом/амбулатория/стационар), какую ближайшую цель выбираем, в каком интервале ждём эффект и что считаем сигналом для связи с дежурным врачом.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – наркологическая клиника лечение алкоголизма
Your writing always inspires me.
Modern Roots Collection Spot – Freshly curated products, navigation feels smooth and convenient.
Fastidious respond in return of this difficulty with firm arguments and telling everything about that.