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.
UnlimitedPotentialHub – Articles inspire and navigating pages is easy.
hb88 – https://hb88-vn.com
important source https://kittenswap.buzz
Get More Information https://g8keep.org
pin up https://pinup5012.ru/
La plateforme 1xbet apk: paris sportifs en ligne, matchs de football, evenements en direct et statistiques. Description du service, marches disponibles, cotes et principales fonctionnalites du site.
see post https://avalonfinance.cc/
Thankfulness to my father who shared with me regarding this weblog, this webpage is really remarkable.
Chic Fashion Spot – A clean presentation of stylish outfits with simple, intuitive browsing.
visite site https://beraborrow.cc
read this article https://prjx.online
Trendy Bright Boutique – A bright, modern feel throughout the store with simple, organized browsing.
timelessdiscoverhub – TimelessDiscoverHub offers unique items with a carefully curated classic feel.
antiquemarketcentral – AntiqueMarketCentral features well-curated products that reflect timeless style.
La plateforme 1xbet burkina faso: paris sportifs en ligne, matchs de football, evenements en direct et statistiques. Description du service, marches disponibles, cotes et principales fonctionnalites du site.
Discount Explorer – Clear product presentation keeps the browsing flow natural and convenient.
Site web 1xbet apk rdc – paris sportifs en ligne sur le football et autres sports. Propose des paris en direct et a l’avance, des cotes, des resultats et des tournois. Description detaillee du service, des fonctionnalites du compte et de son utilisation au Congo.
В этом что-то есть. Теперь мне стало всё ясно, благодарю за информацию.
Winz coolbet bonuses are designed for improving your gameplay process. how other people on mobile gadgets, at all on desktop – winz Casino works on any devices.
fashion outlet click – Items appear modern, browsing feels fast and user-friendly.
EverForest Studio – Simple and well-presented products make exploring effortless.
read this https://ethereal.credit
Ever Forest Essentials – Browsing feels smooth, items are simple, clean, and appealing.
ExpandPotentialHub – Nice mix of content and smooth navigation experience.
GrowthExplorer – Content motivates and the site runs smoothly.
check out here https://alchemix.center/
NameDrift Online – Stylish products displayed nicely, exploring the site is easy and fast.
NameDrift Collections – Stylish selections offered, browsing feels natural and enjoyable.
Site web 1xbet cd apk – paris sportifs en ligne sur le football et autres sports. Propose des paris en direct et a l’avance, des cotes, des resultats et des tournois. Description detaillee du service, des fonctionnalites du compte et de son utilisation au Congo.
browse around these guys https://unich.icu/
La plateforme 1xbet burkina faso: paris sportifs en ligne, matchs de football, evenements en direct et statistiques. Description du service, marches disponibles, cotes et principales fonctionnalites du site.
Site web 1xbet inscription rdc – paris sportifs en ligne sur le football et autres sports. Propose des paris en direct et a l’avance, des cotes, des resultats et des tournois. Description detaillee du service, des fonctionnalites du compte et de son utilisation au Congo.
Site web de pari foot rdc: paris sportifs, championnats de football, resultats des matchs et cotes. Informations detaillees sur la plateforme, les conditions d’utilisation, les fonctionnalites et les evenements sportifs disponibles.
Такая последовательность обеспечивает медицинскую точность и безопасность процедуры, позволяя добиться быстрого улучшения самочувствия без необходимости госпитализации.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – https://narkolog-na-dom-v-chelyabinske16.ru/narkolog-vyzov-na-dom-chelyabinsk/
Next Gen Lifestyle Hub – Products are innovative and browsing the site is effortless and fun.
special info https://kinetiq.lat
http://heartmedseasybuy.com/# Heart Meds Easy Buy
Site web de pari foot rdc: paris sportifs, championnats de football, resultats des matchs et cotes. Informations detaillees sur la plateforme, les conditions d’utilisation, les fonctionnalites et les evenements sportifs disponibles.
purefashionoutlet.shop – Fashion outlet displays appealing pieces, shopping here is smooth and convenient.
trendy fashion outlet – Pieces appear well curated, navigation feels simple and clear.
useful link https://camelot.click
Continue https://theo.exchange
super tv ao vivo – https://super-tv-ao-vivo.com
Site web de parifoot rd congo: paris sportifs, championnats de football, resultats des matchs et cotes. Informations detaillees sur la plateforme, les conditions d’utilisation, les fonctionnalites et les evenements sportifs disponibles.
Site web 1xbet inscription rdc – paris sportifs en ligne sur le football et autres sports. Propose des paris en direct et a l’avance, des cotes, des resultats et des tournois. Description detaillee du service, des fonctionnalites du compte et de son utilisation au Congo.
La plateforme 1xbet apk: paris sportifs en ligne, matchs de football, evenements en direct et statistiques. Description du service, marches disponibles, cotes et principales fonctionnalites du site.
La plateforme en ligne telecharger 1xbet apk: paris sportifs en ligne, matchs de football, evenements en direct et statistiques. Description du service, marches disponibles, cotes et principales fonctionnalites du site.
more tips here https://hyperliquid-wiki.cc
Ever Forest Creative – Items feel well-curated, simple, and the overall experience is smooth.
Капельница — это не «секретный коктейль», а набор узких модулей, каждый из которых отвечает за одну задачу. Мы включаем ровно один новый модуль за раз и заранее обозначаем стоп-критерий, чтобы не тянуть терапию «по инерции». Параллельно настраиваются поведенческие элементы: свет, тишина, дыхательные ритмы и «окна» питья. Это снимает часть нагрузки с организма и ускоряет наступление целевых маркеров.
Подробнее – вызов врача нарколога на дом краснодар
advice https://kittenswap.cc