
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.
additional resources https://lumi-wallet.io/
kraken onion
click https://lumi-wallet.io
This is exactly the energy I needed today!
You have a real talent for communication.
Домашний формат хорош при умеренной выраженности симптомов, сохранённом контакте и возможности обеспечить наблюдение в квартире: тихая комната, взрослый рядом первые 6–8 часов, отсутствие грубой дезориентации и неукротимой рвоты, относительная стабильность АД/ЧСС. В таких условиях выездная бригада «Трезвой Линии» запускает персональную схему: регидратация, выравнивание электролитов, поддержка витаминами группы B и магнием, осторожная седация, чтобы «собрать» сон, не выключая мониторинг. Стационар предпочтителен, если запой длится 3–5 суток и более, отмечаются «качели» показателей, шаткость походки, выраженная слабость, признаки предделирия или судорожной готовности; также при сочетанной соматике (ИБС, гипертония, диабет, хронические болезни печени/почек, неврология) и у пациентов старшего возраста. Преимущество стационара — приборный контроль, тихий режим, щадящее питание, возможность быстро расширять схему без ожидания ухудшений. Мы придерживаемся принципа «минимально достаточно»: ровно столько вмешательств, сколько требует клиническая картина, — так безопаснее и в перспективе экономнее, чем череда домашних «подлаток».
Получить дополнительные сведения – http://vyvod-iz-zapoya-ehlektrostal10.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-na-domu-v-ehlektrostali/
her response https://tokvideodownloader.click/fa/
continue reading this https://tokvideodownloader.click/es/
webpage telegram audience parser
Коли виникла потреба купити фонарик на голову, я обрав налобний ліхтар акумуляторний, адже ліхтар акумуляторний налобний значно зручніший за батарейкові моделі, налобний фонарик добре тримається на голові, ліхтар налобний світлодіодний підходить для туризму, зараз купити налобний ліхтар можна без проблем, а ліхтарі налобні є у великому виборі. https://appsconda.com/index.php/forum/general-discussion/37214-kupiti-nalobnij-fonarik Ліхтарик налобний акумуляторний
Терапия строится из узких модулей с чёткими «выключателями». Мы не «усиливаем» схему без показаний — каждое расширение привязано к конкретной цели и времени переоценки. Ниже — ориентир по основным программам «ЕнисейМед Центра».
Узнать больше – наркологическая клиника вывод из запоя в красноярске
my latest blog post https://www.onlyfake.org/
Alex here — I’ve tried exploring governance and the responsive team impressed me.
Your writing sparks so much excitement — loved it!
Стоматологическая клиника “Киндер Дент” в Люберцах специализируется на детской и взрослой стоматологии с возможностью лечения под наркозом. https://kinder-dent-lyubertsy.ru/ предлагает полный спектр услуг: от профессиональной гигиены и лечения кариеса до имплантации, протезирования и ортодонтии. Клиника оснащена современным оборудованием, включая аппарат Vector для лечения десен. Прием ведут врачи экспертного уровня, работающие даже со сложными случаями. Выполняются услуги по осветлению эмали, монтажу керамических накладок, различные виды протезных конструкций, костная пластика и комплексная имплантация на четырех или шести опорах.
kraken рабочее зеркало
Ridiculous story there. What happened after? Good luck!
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back later on. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!
this contact form https://lumi-wallet.io
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, however great topic. I needs to spend a while finding out much more or working out more. Thanks for wonderful information I was in search of this information for my mission.
find more https://www.onlyfake.org
next https://www.onlyfake.org
If some one desires expert view on the topic of blogging afterward i advise him/her to visit this blog, Keep up the nice job.
investigate this site https://lumi-wallet.io/
visite site https://lumi-wallet.io/
This post is overflowing with high-energy brilliance!
useful reference https://lumi-wallet.io
her comment is here https://lumi-wallet.io
Hi, I do think this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it ;) I may revisit once again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
Learn More Here https://www.onlyfake.org/
You truly have a gift for writing.
over at this website https://lumi-wallet.io/
article https://lumi-wallet.io
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own blog now ;)
Мы уделяем особое внимание сенсорной среде — это не «сервис ради сервиса», а клинический инструмент. Контролируем свет и звук, просим отключить уведомления на устройствах, используем тёплую воду малыми глотками, настраиваем «ритуал 60 минут» перед сном. На этом фоне инфузии переносятся ровнее, латентность засыпания сокращается, а утро встречает ясностью вместо «ваты» в голове. Конфиденциальность встроена в процессы: немаркированные выезды, нейтральные формулировки в документах, разграничение доступа к медданным и отсутствие фото/видео без письменного согласия.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – https://narcologicheskaya-klinika-saratov0.ru/chastnaya-narkologicheskaya-klinika-saratov
I am no longer sure where you’re getting your information, however great topic. I must spend a while finding out more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I used to be looking for this info for my mission.
Если на предзвонке выявляются «красные флаги» — давящая боль в груди, одышка в покое, спутанность сознания, судороги, неукротимая рвота, резкое падение насыщения кислородом — мы организуем бесшовный перевод в стационар. Место резервируем заранее, логистику строим так, чтобы не привлекать внимания соседей и не затягивать старт лечения. При отсутствии угроз терапия может начаться дома с последующим телесопровождением и при необходимости — краткой госпитализацией.
Подробнее – частная наркологическая клиника
Wow, this article was incredibly well put together. Great job!
Hi, Neat post. There is an issue together with your website in web explorer, may test this?
IE nonetheless is the market leader and a huge element of other folks will omit your great writing due to this problem.
special info telegram automation system
Your voice is powerful, clear, and so inspiring!
https://social.japrime.id/read-blog/294381
More Help https://lumi-wallet.io/
i loved this https://lumi-wallet.io/
you can find out more telegram group scraper
You’re becoming one of my favorite writers online.
go now fortnite stats online
You’ve turned a complicated topic into something enjoyable.
click here to read fortnite performance tracker
a knockout post fortnite tracker online