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.
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done a formidable task and our entire neighborhood shall be thankful to you.
sykaaa казино android Бездепозитный бонус от Sykaaa Casino – это, безусловно, привлекательная возможность для тех, кто хочет начать свое знакомство с миром онлайн-казино без финансовых рисков. Главное – подходить к этому с умом: внимательно изучать условия, быть готовым к процессу отыгрыша и не забывать, что азарт должен приносить удовольствие, а не становиться причиной проблем. Если вы готовы рискнуть, то почему бы и нет? Возможно, именно этот бездепозитный бонус станет вашим счастливым билетом в мир больших выигрышей! Удачи!
Самый надёжный таможенный брокер москва, 100%
https://learnhub.greellc.com/@zita3305150238?page=about
Discover More Here https://wik.ipedia.pro/wiki/Documentation
1win скачать последнюю версию https://1win5522.ru/
читать зеркало водка бет
ссылка на сайт https://krab2a.at
carefulmarketcentral – CarefulMarketCentral presents well-chosen products in a clean and organized layout.
добрый день форумчане!) https://niharika.biz по моему ты уже сам все расположилЗахожу 24-го, фигакс, бан.
sykaaa casino бонусы для новичков Привет, любители азарта! Сегодня мы поговорим о “Большая Sykaaa Casino” – площадке, которая привлекает внимание многих игроков. Если вы только присматриваетесь к этому казино или уже решили попробовать свои силы, то этот обзор поможет вам разобраться, как быстро и без проблем начать игру, а также чего ожидать от самого сайта.
index http://gearpumpyakinaka.blogspot.com/2017/03/
нажмите здесь vodkabet
you could try these out https://swapzome.cc
этот контент водкабет
Смотреть здесь водка бет
1 вин бет http://1win5522.ru
New World Deals – The selection is interesting, and navigating pages is smooth and responsive.
Если в момент обращения сохраняются абстинентные симптомы, сначала проводится детоксикация и нормализация сна. Лишь после стабилизации обсуждаются методики кодирования.
Изучить вопрос глубже – https://kodirovanie-ot-alkogolizma-v-spb16.ru/
this https://swapzome.cc
World Discovery Deals – Items appear well-curated, and the site experience is quick and smooth.
Читать далее водкабет
my blog http://clampmeterzenmei.blogspot.com/2016/02/clamp-meter-buying-guide.html
visit this web-site https://onetlmesecret.com/
1win xyz почта вход https://1win5522.ru/
important site https://cryptoconverter.biz
школьное образование онлайн школьное образование онлайн .
здесь водкабет
сукааа казино на андроид Для тех, кто, возможно, еще не в курсе: бездепозитный бонус – это подарок от казино, который вы получаете просто за регистрацию или выполнение каких-то простых условий, но без необходимости вносить свои деньги на счет. Это как бесплатный билет на аттракцион – можно покататься, получить удовольствие, а если не понравится, ничего не потеряешь. Для новичков это отличный способ познакомиться с интерфейсом, ассортиментом игр и понять, нравится ли им само казино. А для опытных игроков – шанс протестировать новые слоты или просто увеличить свой банкролл без вложений.
ссылка на сайт https://krab2a.at/
В Мурманске длинные сумерки, влажный ветер и «звонкие» подъезды старого фонда повышают чувствительность к свету и звуку. Поэтому выезд «Северный Медлайн» начинается с настройки среды: приглушается верхний свет, обеспечивается проветривание без сквозняка, смартфоны переводятся в «тихий режим» с «белым списком» близких. Только после этого врач проводит осмотр и запускает инфузионную терапию. Такой «тихий» сценарий снижает потребность в седативных препаратах и сохраняет физиологичность сна в первую ночь.
Подробнее – [url=https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-murmansk15.ru/]врач вывод из запоя в мурманске[/url]
the dog house играть, the dog house, the dog house slot, dog house играть, дог хаус слот, dog house автоматы, the dog house автомат, зе дог хаус, слот дог хаус, dog house слот, the dog house в рублях, the dog house residentslots, слоты собаки, the dog house на деньги, слот собачки, the dog house casino, собачки слот, the dog house играть на деньги
have a peek here https://usdtswaptrx.com/
internet https://playsightcdn.playsight.com/provider-event/details/
Check This Out https://slmpleswap.app/
сайт vodkabet
WildRidge Bloom Designs – Vibrant colors and natural touches make browsing here enjoyable.
Круглосуточная наркологическая помощь — это не набор «сильных капельниц», а последовательный клинический процесс с понятными этапами, метриками и окнами оценки результата. В наркологической клинике «ВолгаМед Резонанс» каждый вызов и каждое обращение переводятся в управляемый маршрут: от короткого телескрининга и очного осмотра до прицельной инфузионной терапии и бережной поведенческой поддержки. Мы работаем незаметно, анонимно и корректно: немаркированный транспорт, нейтральная экипировка, лаконичная документация без стигматизирующей лексики, единая точка связи 24/7 для семьи.
Изучить вопрос глубже – narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-nizhnem-novgorode16.ru/
Fresh Worlds Collection – Products are neatly organized, making browsing feel natural and comfortable.
I blog often and I genuinely thank you for your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed as well.
Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
Discover Hidden Worlds – The offerings are appealing, and browsing different pages is simple.
закрытые школы в россии закрытые школы в россии .
посетить веб-сайт https://krab2a.at
official statement https://onefimesecret.com
Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with approximately all vital infos. I’d like to look extra posts like this .
подробнее https://krab2a.at
Подробнее здесь https://krab2a.at/
find more information https://betplay.sh
get more https://cryptoconverter.biz/
Подробнее https://krab2at.cc/