
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.
Привет! Хочу предупредить новичков: не все клубы одинаково полезны. Чтобы не слить депозит и получить выигрыш, проверяйте RTP слотов и изучайте статистику выплат. Я составил подборку рабочих вариантов с минимальным депозитом от 10 рублей — смотрите тут: казино лев официальный сайт. Делитесь опытом!
1win официальный сайт регистрация http://1win12047.ru/
п»їJust now, I had to find Zithromax quickly and found a reliable pharmacy. It allows you to order meds no script securely. In case of a bacterial infection, this is the best place. Discreet packaging available. Visit here: website. Highly recommended.
Привет всем! Решил поделиться, как найти честное онлайн игровой сайт в 2025 году. Главное — не гнаться за большими бонусами, а смотреть на лицензию и отзывы реальных игроков. Я собрал список проверенных площадок с минимальным депозитом — вот тут: Лев казино. Кто уже пробовал?
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have remember your stuff previous to and you are simply extremely great. I actually like what you have obtained here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which through which you say it. You’re making it entertaining and you still take care of to stay it smart. I can’t wait to learn much more from you. That is really a terrific web site.
Мы изготавливаем дипломы любой профессии по приятным ценам. Для нас очень важно, чтобы дипломы были доступными для большинства наших граждан. Купить диплом университета korrespondentweek.ru/nastoyashhiy-diplom-dlya-trudoustroystva
Всем привет! Поделюсь лайфхаком: чтобы не слить депозит впустую, выбирайте онлайн игровой клуб с лицензией от уважаемого регулятора. Я проверил десятки сайтов и оставил только те, где реально выводят. Список тут: РЎСѓРєР° зеркало. Кто уже играл — подтвердите?
казино 1win отзывы http://1win12047.ru
This article practically radiates enthusiasm — fantastic!
Greate post. Keep posting such kind of information on your page. Im really impressed by your site.
1win app 1win12047.ru
I appreciate the genuine passion you bring to your work.
You’re on a roll — this is spectacular content!
Every line felt alive — incredible writing!
Лечение зависимости от алкоголя у мужчин в Москве от клиники «Частный Медик 24». Мы предлагаем индивидуальный подход к лечению мужчин, учитывая все особенности организма.
Получить больше информации – http://skoraya-narkologicheskaya-pomoshch16.ru/http://skoraya-narkologicheskaya-pomoshch16.ru
You’re such a vibrant writer — this was amazing!
You have an incredible ability to inspire and excite!
Your writing is a powerhouse of enthusiasm — great job!
This article left me feeling inspired — fantastic work!
I gained so much clarity from this article.
You’re on FIRE with content like this — amazing job!
When someone writes an paragraph he/she keeps the thought of a user in his/her brain that how a user can be aware of it. So that’s why this paragraph is great. Thanks!
Ребята, не тратьте время на левые сайты! Чтобы выбрать платящее казино, обращайте внимание на: лицензию Curacao или Мальты, а также на частоту выплат. Я лично протестировал десятки платформ и оставил только те, где нет скрытых условий. Весь список — по ссылке: Retro. Делитесь опытом!
http://moroleon.gob.mx/index.php/2016/11/24/semana-internacional-de-la-no-violencia-contra-la-mujer-pinta-tu-mundo-de-color-naranja/
Всем здравия! Недавно искал, где реально можно выиграть в онлайн казино. Оказалось, что многое зависит от провайдера игр. Проверяйте статистику выплат, читайте форумы. Составил актуальный рейтинг на 2025 год с прямыми ссылками: Eldorado Рльдорадо Eldorado Рльдорадо. Интересно, кто из вас уже играл здесь?
Если вы ищете надежную клинику для вывода из запоя, обратитесь в «Детокс» в Краснодаре. Услуга вызова нарколога на дом доступна круглосуточно. Врачи приедут к вам в течение 1–2 часов и окажут необходимую помощь.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – нарколог на дом краснодарский край
Всем привет! Поделюсь лайфхаком: чтобы не слить депозит впустую, выбирайте онлайн платформу с высоким RTP. Я проверил десятки сайтов и оставил только те, где реально выводят. Список тут: ДживиСпин казино. Кто уже играл — подтвердите?
Друзья, расскажу по-честному: я долго искал надёжный слот-сайт, и наконец нашёл рабочие варианты. Советую смотреть на скорость обработки вывода и избегать тех, где поддельные отзывы. Актуальный список лучших платформ на 2025 — по ссылке: Lev. Пишите в комментариях, какие казино вам зашли!
всем привет заказывал в етом магазе год назат постоянно но тут спустя год ко мне приходит сатрудница фскн говорит вы на мужны в качестве свидетеля типо в некоторых пасылках обнаружили наркотики и из моего города только я 1 заказывал дала павестку я непришол пришла сама и давай меня допрашивать я включаю дурака говорю я только кросовки и пуховик заказывал говорю а наркотиков там небыло , она все с моих слов записала и сказала больше меня непобиспокоят. я думал всё хана магазу Купить наркотики | Где купить наркотики? Описание грамотное и понятное, клад нашел в считаные минуты.Все пришло довольно быстро.
You’ve done an amazing job explaining this.
Great job — your writing just keeps getting better.
1win пополнение 1win пополнение
This absolutely energized my day — thank you!
купить фен выпрямитель дайсон купить фен выпрямитель дайсон .
Yes, our company are the fanduel casino sign in. us are a license from the Michigan tips for verification gambling (MGCB), and we have been functioning in the game entertainment.
Your energy transformed my mood instantly — thank you!
выпрямитель dyson corrale купить vypryamitel-dsn-kupit.ru .
When someone writes an article he/she retains the thought of a user in his/her brain that how a user can be aware of it. So that’s why this post is great. Thanks!
Greate pieces. Keep posting such kind of info on your page. Im really impressed by your blog.
Привет! Хочу предупредить новичков: не все казино онлайн одинаково полезны. Чтобы не слить депозит и получить выигрыш, проверяйте RTP слотов и изучайте отзывы. Я составил подборку рабочих вариантов с минимальным депозитом от 10 рублей — смотрите тут: казино голд. Делитесь опытом!
купить выпрямитель дайсон пенза в наличии vypryamitel-dsn-kupit-3.ru .
Привет! После череды обманов наконец нашёл казино, где реально платят. Смотрите на наличие лицензии. Список надёжных вариантов — тут: РЎРЈРљРђ РЎСѓРєР° РІС…РѕРґ. Кто уже играл?
dyson выпрямитель dyson выпрямитель .
Привет, форумчане! Решил поделиться лайфхаком: как найти казино РФ, где реально платят без задержек. Главное — не верить рекламе, а смотреть на статус регулятора и реальные рейтинги. Я собрал проверенные варианты с выводом на Сбербанк — ссылка тут: Ретро. Кто уже пробовал?
выпрямитель для волос dyson airstrait купить vypryamitel-dsn-kupit-2.ru .
Actually, I wanted to get antibiotics for a tooth infection and found this reliable site. They provide antibiotics without prescription fast. For fast relief, this is the best place: click here. Cheers.
Greate pieces. Keep posting such kind of information on your blog. Im really impressed by it.
Ребята, не верьте громким обещаниям! Настоящее онлайн казино должно иметь прозрачную политику выплат. Я отсеял все подозрительные площадки и оставил только платящие варианты — смотрите здесь: New Retro. Кто уже выводил оттуда?
Если вы ищете надежную клинику для вывода из запоя, обратитесь в «Детокс» в Краснодаре. Услуга вызова нарколога на дом доступна круглосуточно. Врачи приедут к вам в течение 1–2 часов и окажут необходимую помощь.
Углубиться в тему – нарколог на дом вывод в сочи
скачать 1win казино http://www.1win12047.ru