
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.
можно проверить ЗДЕСЬ маркетплейс
Детокс — это не универсальный раствор «от всего», а набор целевых вмешательств. Мы восполняем жидкость, корректируем электролиты, поддерживаем функции печени, мягко снижаем тремор и тревогу, готовим нервную систему к ночному сну. Каждая доза сверяется с реакцией организма — нет гонки за моментальным «оглушением» симптома ценой побочных эффектов и вечерних откатов. После купирования острой фазы пациент получает понятные правила на 48–72 часа: вода порциями, лёгкая еда по расписанию, «тихий режим» перед сном, запрет на «подвиги» и конфликтные разговоры, критерии связи с врачом. Мы отдельно объясняем, что делать в «тёмные часы» — когда повышается тревожность и усиливается тяга: короткая прогулка рядом с домом, тёплый душ, дыхательные практики, контакт с «своим» человеком, отключение экранов. Такие простые действия бесплатны, но именно они удерживают медицинский эффект и переводят состояние в предсказуемую стабилизацию.
Изучить вопрос глубже – vyvod-iz-dlitelnogo-zapoya
A truly fantastic read. Your writing style is both engaging and informative.
Recommended Reading https://lumi-wallet.io/
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your website?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the
way of content so people could connect with it
better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two
images. Maybe you could space it out better?
Can you tell us more about this? I’d love to find out more details.
website for making money
1win uz promo kod http://1win5514.ru/
заказать кухню в спб от производителя kuhni-na-zakaz-2.ru .
мелбет com http://www.melbet5001.ru
https://telegra.ph/Code-promo-1xbet-2026-NEW888–Bonus-VIP-130-12-23
Этот обзор предлагает структурированное изложение информации по актуальным вопросам. Материал подан так, чтобы даже новичок мог быстро освоиться в теме и начать использовать полученные знания в практике.
Получить полную информацию – https://kewfestival.org/travelling-alteration-impression
https://hallwayis.edu.sg/magna-aliqua-ut-enim-ad-minim-venia-m-quis-nostrud-exercitation-ullamco-2/
https://jobs.windomnews.com/profiles/7640088-bonusmel-bet
кухни под заказ спб кухни под заказ спб .
http://nedvizhimostt.ru/profile.php?u=giantcrack2
кухни под заказ в спб кухни под заказ в спб .
кухни на заказ санкт петербург от производителя kuhni-na-zakaz-3.ru .
мелбет как вывести деньги мелбет как вывести деньги
https://blogs.clemson.edu/upstate/forged-in-4-h-in-union-county/picture2-4/
興味深いブログ https://nazenazeblog.com/ をご覧ください。最新のエンターテイメントに関する記事を掲載しています。きっと楽しい時間をお過ごしいただけます!ブログの様々なカテゴリーは、当サイトを訪れるすべての人にとって興味深いものとなり、きっと常連読者になっていただけるでしょう。
посмотреть на этом сайте krab2.cc
linked here https://lumi-wallet.io
узнать больше Здесь магазин
кухни на заказ санкт петербург от производителя kuhni-spb-17.ru .
Автономные очистные сооружения для любого типа проживания, узнать больше <a href=
https://www.bahamaslocal.com/userprofile/1/276588/septiccomfort99.html
кухни под заказ кухни под заказ .
кухня на заказ спб от производителя недорого кухня на заказ спб от производителя недорого .
Привет старичок Купить кокаин, бошки, гашиш удалить. Перепутал окнаграц вам джентльмены!
заказать кухню спб kuhni-spb-19.ru .
читать krab2.cc
Because the admin of this web page is working, no hesitation very soon it will be famous, due to its quality contents.
продолжить krab3.cc
мелбет отзывы 2022 мелбет отзывы 2022
мелбет как вывести деньги https://www.melbet5001.ru
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://nhahangvanchai.com/dish/khoai-tay-chien
Зависимость — это не только физическая, но и психологическая проблема. Врач-нарколог предоставляет первичную психологическую помощь, помогает справиться с тревогой, страхами и чувством вины. Если необходимо, пациенту предлагаются дальнейшие консультации с психологами клиники «Новое Дыхание».
Выяснить больше – нарколог на дом недорого в красноярске
здесь магазин
Продолжение кракен
you can find out more https://toast-wallet.net/
Этот информативный материал предлагает содержательную информацию по множеству задач и вопросов. Мы призываем вас исследовать различные идеи и факты, обобщая их для более глубокого понимания. Наша цель — сделать обучение доступным и увлекательным.
Кликни и узнай всё! – https://gdziegrac.net.pl/legalna-ruletka-online-gdzie-mozna-grac
https://unmpharm.com/# mexican drugstore online
Hello my family member! I wish to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include approximately all important infos.
I would like to look extra posts like this .
bot crash melbet telegram http://melbet5001.ru/
website for making money
melbet cricket app download https://melbet5001.ru
look at this now https://jaxxwallet-web.org/
посетить сайт krab2.cc
https://nyupharm.xyz/# canadian pharmacies online
Мы предлагаем вам подробное руководство, основанное на проверенных источниках и реальных примерах. Каждая часть публикации направлена на то, чтобы помочь вам разобраться в сложных вопросах и применить знания на практике.
Изучите внимательнее – https://jornaldiadia.com.br/pesquisa-de-opiniao-aponta-que-maioria-dos-produtores-rurais-adota-plantas-de-cobertura