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.
узнать больше kra
brdice app – https://brdice-br.com/brdice-app/
I am sure this post has touched all the internet people, its
really really fastidious paragraph on building up new web site.
Клиника «Похмельная служба» в Нижнем Новгороде предлагает капельницу от запоя с выездом на дом. Наши специалисты обеспечат вам комфортное и безопасное лечение в привычной обстановке.
Узнать больше – скорая вывод из запоя
Сегодня погружаемся в мир величайших футбольных противостояний…
Хочу выделить материал про Хроники и тактика футбольных дерби.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://tottenham-army.ru
Футбол объединяет и разделяет, и дерби — яркое тому подтверждение…
1win mobil ilova uz http://www.MAQOLALAR.UZ
Greetings! Very useful advice within this article! It is the little changes that produce the most important changes. Thanks for sharing!
Смотреть здесь https://krab3a.at
ссылка на сайт https://krab3a.cc/
посмотреть на этом сайте кра
читать https://krab3a.at
1win uz sport tikish https://www.MAQOLALAR.UZ
https://cocexoikanid.ogameteam.com/t51-1xBet-Registration-Promo-Code-Indonesia-1XBIG2026-EUR130-Bo.htm#p686
https://citytech.gr/index.php?route=journal3/blog/post&journal_blog_post_id=9
Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information about this subject for a long time and yours is the best I’ve found out so far. But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you positive concerning the source?
выпрямитель дайсон hs07 купить vypryamitel-dn.ru .
кликните сюда krab2.cc
пылесос дайсон купить в рязани пылесос дайсон купить в рязани .
pokerstars – https://pokerstars-us.com
В Краснодаре клиника «Детокс» предоставляет услугу вызова нарколога на дом. Специалисты приедут к вам в течение 1–2 часов, проведут осмотр и назначат необходимое лечение. Все процедуры проводятся анонимно и с соблюдением конфиденциальности.
Получить дополнительную информацию – narkolog-na-dom sochi
marketlift.click – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.
rankformula.click – Bookmarked this immediately, planning to revisit for updates and inspiration.
подробнее https://krab3a.at
Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for info about this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve found out so far. But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure in regards to the source?
подробнее https://krab3a.at/
В Краснодаре клиника «Детокс» предлагает выезд нарколога на дом. Помощь оказывается быстро, анонимно и круглосуточно.
Выяснить больше – нарколог на дом вывод в сочи
читать https://krab3a.at/
Tremendous things here. I’m very glad to peer your article. Thanks a lot and I am having a look ahead to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?
другие https://krab3a.cc/
https://www.diigo.com/item/note/bm6jj/riv5?k=db6b2953cd3dc9751d2825cf1cbb4750
в этом разделе кра
Thank you, I have recently been looking for info about this topic for a long time and yours is the best I have discovered so far. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you positive about the source?
1win futbol tikish MAQOLALAR.UZ
https://start.me/w/X744XL
кликните сюда https://krab3a.cc
globoplay ao vivo gratis – https://globoplay-ao-vivo-gratis.com
It’s amazing designed for me to have a website, which is useful in support of my knowledge. thanks admin
перейти на сайт https://krab3a.cc
содержание https://krab3a.cc/
https://cdsonla.edu.vn/index.php/vi/component/k2/item/27-beyond-the-college-taking-classes-at-the-graduate-schools?tmpl=component&print=1&start=16
https://ralphouensanga.com/read-blog/63363
rankformula.click – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
такой вход
https://matters.town/me/drafts/RHJhZnQ6MTU3NTczNQ
посетить сайт кракен
I think this is one of the most vital info for me. And i am glad reading
your article. But want to remark on some general things,
The website style is ideal, the articles is really nice :
D. Good job, cheers
Если вы мечтаете о надежном и уютном доме, выбирайте каркасный дом под ключ, который идеально подойдет для комфортной жизни в Санкт-Петербурге.
Экологичность и энергоэффективность делают каркасный дом привлекательным выбором для многих.
Они отличаются легкостью конструкции и высокой скоростью возведения.
1вин apk скачать узбекистан http://MAQOLALAR.UZ
Если вы хотите купить универсальный пульт, заходите к нам на сайт — у нас большой выбор и выгодные цены!
Онлайн-покупка пульта позволяет сэкономить время и получить товар быстро.
Mình thích đoạn nói về việc đổi game để tránh nhàm chán. Với hi88com, nhiều người chuyển từ casino sang bắn cá hoặc nổ hũ rất tiện. Cách bố trí game khá hợp lý.