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.
read this article https://gluex.io/
click here for info https://yieldfi.pro/
click site https://theo.exchange
В этом информативном тексте представлены захватывающие события и факты, которые заставят вас задуматься. Мы обращаем внимание на важные моменты, которые часто остаются незамеченными, и предлагаем новые перспективы на привычные вещи. Подготовьтесь к тому, чтобы быть поглощенным увлекательными рассказами!
Посмотреть всё – https://straightaheadmanagement.com
В этой информационной статье вы найдете интересное содержание, которое поможет вам расширить свои знания. Мы предлагаем увлекательный подход и уникальные взгляды на обсуждаемые темы, побуждая пользователей к активному мышлению и критическому анализу.
Подробнее тут – https://www.docmetal.com/aotm
Мы предлагаем вам окунуться в океан любопытных фактов и вдохновляющих историй. Эта публикация поможет расширить горизонты, разбудить интерес к науке и истории и увидеть мир с новой стороны.
Ознакомьтесь поближе – https://www.digitalexporter.com.tr/dropshipping-nedir-ve-nasil-yapilir
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
cheers
Эта статья для ознакомления предлагает читателям общее представление об актуальной теме. Мы стремимся представить ключевые факты и идеи, которые помогут читателям получить представление о предмете и решить, стоит ли углубляться в изучение.
Погрузиться в научную дискуссию – https://www.blues-festival-utrecht.nl/uncategorized/3_notaris-1594122472-html
Quality content is the main to invite the people to pay a visit
the web site, that’s what this web page is providing.
If you would like to obtain a good deal from this article then you have to apply such methods to your won web site.
онлайн сукааа казино регистрация В целом, Sykaaa Casino предлагает конкурентоспособный набор услуг для игроков, ориентированных на реальные ставки. Если вы готовы испытать свою удачу, это казино может стать вашим новым любимым местом для азартных развлечений. Главное – играть ответственно и помнить, что азарт должен приносить удовольствие, а не становиться источником проблем. Удачи за игровыми столами!
Very energetic blog, I loved that bit. Will there be a part 2?
daily deals corner – Products look attractive, navigating the site is easy and pleasant.
пин ап бонус по промокоду http://pinup5014.ru/
FLO Styles – Fashion items displayed nicely, navigation feels simple and user-friendly.
Этот информационный материал привлекает внимание множеством интересных деталей и необычных ракурсов. Мы предлагаем уникальные взгляды на привычные вещи и рассматриваем вопросы, которые волнуют общество. Будьте в курсе актуальных тем и расширяйте свои знания!
Что скрывают от вас? – https://www.dante.at/ueber-uns/dante
Your passion brings this content to life — excellent work!
FLO Online Hub – Items are well arranged, exploring the outlet is effortless and easy.
Этот информационный материал собраны данные, которые помогут лучше понять текущие тенденции и процессы в различных сферах жизни. Мы предоставляем четкий анализ, графики и примеры, чтобы информация была не только понятной, но и практичной для принятия решений.
Выяснить больше – https://trend.zenchin-fair.com/762516-afp01
Your energy transformed my mood instantly — thank you!
look at more info https://boros.cfd/
smartpurchasinghub – SmartPurchasingHub has a carefully arranged selection that makes shopping smooth.
basics https://toast-wallet.net/
check these guys out https://jaxx-web.org
Crest Collective Picks – A refined interface with strong product visibility gives the shop a premium feel.
https://www.seyhancanta.com/blog/another-blog-post
her explanation https://jaxx-web.org/
official site https://prjx.online
Find Out More https://liquity.cfd
http://centroculturalrecoleta.org/blog/pages/?1xbet_promo_code_pakistan_5.html
premiummarketcentral – PremiumMarketCentral delivers a thoughtfully curated assortment that makes exploring items fun.
moved here https://jaxx-web.org/
пин ап вход узбекистан https://www.pinup5014.ru
look at these guys https://kittenswap.cc
Hi! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell
you I truly enjoy reading through your blog posts. Can you recommend any
other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects?
Many thanks!
Fashion Outlet Deals – Items appear appealing and organized, navigating feels effortless.
clickamplify.click – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.
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!
Перейти к полной версии – https://roaminginsider.com/solo-travelling-changes-personality
click here to read https://toast-wallet.net/
Going Here https://toast-wallet.net
В этой статье вы найдете уникальные исторические пересечения с научными открытиями. Каждый абзац — это шаг к пониманию того, как наука и события прошлого создают основу для технологического будущего.
Детальнее – https://pro4aek.ru
try this out https://toast-wallet.net
I like what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.
Таможенное оформление контейнеров москва без простоев
https://onlyaimovies.com/@gpdselina79129?page=about
Get More Information https://kittenswap.buzz
You’ve turned information into pure excitement — impressive!
helpful resources https://toast-wallet.net
приложение к диплому купить в красноярске приложение к диплому купить в красноярске .
shopwiseonline – ShopWiseOnline has a thoughtfully arranged range that simplifies picking products.
https://forms.gle/vyAukMy553QbsvYcA