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.
Для наглядности представлена таблица с основными направлениями терапии и их эффектами:
Ознакомиться с деталями – лечение в наркологической клинике
click to read more https://cryptoconverter.biz/
basics https://swapzome.cc/
Withdrawals no hidden fees. Clear.
download jokabet apk for android
Free international dating site. Thousands of men and women cheap weight loss drugs
my review here https://onefimesecret.com/
Ключевым моментом является выбор надежных специалистов для реализации проекта.
готовые проекты каркасных домов https://gotovye-proekty-domov9.ru/karkas/
see here now https://cryptoconverter.biz/
новые бездепозитные бонусы в казино за регистрацию с выводом без пополнения
Круглосуточный формат критичен именно из-за «первой ночи»: в это окно нестабильны тревога, сон, вегетативная реактивность. Мы не «усиливаем всё сразу», а по одному параметру доводим систему до целевого коридора. Так удаётся избежать полипрагмазии и сохранить управляемость процесса: пациент и семья заранее знают, какие цифры считаются нормой, когда звонить дежурному, как организовать свет и тишину, чтобы ночное восстановление действительно состоялось.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – https://narkologicheskaya-clinika-v-rostove-na-donu16.ru/narkologiya-rostov-kruglosutochno/
Команда клиники — это врачи-наркологи, психиатры-консультанты, специалисты интенсивной терапии, клинический психолог, психотерапевт и медсёстры с опытом круглосуточного поста. Мы разговариваем «языком фактов»: витальные показатели, шкалы симптомов, дневники воды и сна, малые бытовые цели. Такой язык исключает стигму и «магическое мышление»; он понятен семье и помогает принимать решения без страхов и «подстраховочных» излишков.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – вывод наркологическая клиника в ростове-на-дону
Растаможка москва получилась дешевле, чем ожидали
https://gitea.biutag.com/calebolney2140
посмотреть в этом разделе vodkabet онлайн казино
Excellent website. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your sweat!
view publisher site https://onetimesecret.info
Resources https://cryptoarbitrage.sh
Первая задача при выезде — быстро отделить угрозы от симптомов, которые можно безопасно стабилизировать на дому. Таблица ниже иллюстрирует, как стартовые наблюдения превращаются в проверяемые гипотезы, конкретные действия и решения в «окнах оценки». Она не заменяет очной диагностики, а объясняет архитектуру первых часов, чтобы у семьи был ясный ориентир.
Подробнее тут – психиатр нарколог на дом
потолки натяжные самара потолки натяжные самара .
натяжные потолки потолки натяжные потолки потолки .
Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply excellent and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.
купить диплом в краснодаре о среднем образовании купить диплом в краснодаре о среднем образовании .
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 and see if the problem still exists.
casino nsw app – https://casino-nsw-77.com/casino-nsw-app/
discover this https://simpleswap.cc
You have such an authentic and compelling voice.
informative post https://onetlmesecret.com
Quick bets save time during live games.
jokabet ios app download
this article https://swapzome.cc
перенаправляется сюда водкабет
Completely captivated from beginning to end — amazing!
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much, However I am encountering difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand why I cannot join it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!
Nice answer back in return of this matter with solid arguments and explaining the whole thing concerning that.
Спасибо! Обращайтесь Купить кокаин, бошки, гашиш Поздравляю всех с наступающим Новым 2013 Годом! Желаю в год Змеи: 1. Мутить тока на спирту! 2. Отваривать основу. 3. Сушить естественным способом. 4. Поменьше “ловить бледного”! :) Ну а магазу Chеmical-Mix желаю Процветания, Оперативности, и качественной разнообразной продукции!работал с данным магазином, и по сей день работаю!!! отличный… сегодня посылочка только пришла! товар отличный особенно CHM 100.. спасибо за качество!!
недорогие потолки недорогие потолки .
проект перепланировки и переустройства квартиры проект перепланировки и переустройства квартиры .
mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs: mexico drug stores pharmacies – reputable mexican pharmacies online
Читать далее https://krab2at.cc
натяжные потолки самара цены натяжные потолки самара цены .
После проведения процедур пациент чувствует заметное облегчение: исчезает головная боль, снижается тревожность, восстанавливается сон и аппетит. Это создаёт основу для дальнейшего прохождения курса лечения зависимости.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – http://narkologicheskaya-clinika-v-nizhnem-novgorode16.ru/
read this https://onefimesecret.com
That is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to seeking extra of your great post. Additionally, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality
articles or blog posts in this sort of space . Exploring
in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website.
Studying this information So i’m satisfied to show that I’ve a very
good uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed.
I such a lot indisputably will make sure to don?t omit this web site and provides it a look regularly.
узнать больше Здесь водкабет
Читать далее vodkabet
pop over here https://simpleswap.cc/
Наш официальный сайт уже доступен > http://hammill.ru/
натяжные потолки потолочкин натяжные потолки потолочкин .
В «ЮжУрал Детокс Центр» инфузионная терапия собирается из модулей. Каждый модуль имеет одну цель, измеримый маркер и стоп-критерий. Мы избегаем одновременного подключения нескольких новых элементов, чтобы не потерять причинно-следственную связь. Ниже — примерная «сетка» компонентов; фактическая схема подбирается индивидуально, только по показаниям.
Выяснить больше – вызвать капельницу от запоя
No blocks or mirrors needed anymore. Direct access always, even in restricted areas.
download here
Since the admin of this web site is working, no doubt very soon it will be well-known, due to its quality contents.