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.
More Help https://testhakeemshop.ilmoriadigital.com/why-phantom-web-is-the-quiet-superpower-for-nfts-on-solana/
see this https://admblengio.com.uy/why-your-defi-dashboard-lies-and-how-to-fix-it-with-real-time-volume-pools-and-tracking/
1win uganda https://1win5741.help
read more https://kinesio-inks.be/why-coinjoin-matters-a-practical-guide-to-preserving-bitcoin-privacy/
that site https://challenge.bid-dimad.org/why-transaction-signing-portfolio-management-and-web3-integration-still-feel-messy-and-how-to-make-them-work/
check https://tsglobalsoccer.it/2025/06/03/why-market-sentiment-political-markets-and-volume-matter-more-than-you-think/
https://az888cn.com mang đến giải trí liền mạch và tiện lợi.
Здравствуйте!
купить номер телефона навсегда — это надёжность и стабильность на долгие годы. Выбирайте наш сервис, чтобы купить номер телефона навсегда с удобством. Сейчас самое время купить номер телефона навсегда без лишних документов. купить номер телефона навсегда — это цифровая свобода и приватность. С помощью сервиса вы легко сможете купить номер телефона навсегда.
Полная информация по ссылке – https://toponews.ru/novosti/pochemu-stoit-kupit-virtualnyj-nomer-dlya-telegram/
купить виртуальный номер, купить виртуальный номер, купить номер телефона навсегда
купить виртуальный номер для смс навсегда, купить виртуальный номер навсегда, купить виртуальный номер для смс навсегда
Всего наилучшего и комфорта в общении!!
Going Here https://sevenstarltd.co.uk/why-multi-chain-support-transaction-simulation-and-walletconnect-are-non-negotiables-for-serious-defi-users/
navigate to this site https://aula2000.cat/why-multi-chain-support-and-rock-solid-security-are-non-negotiable-for-today-s-defi-wallets/
1win promo code 1win promo code
Всем здравствуйте! Хочу поделиться подборкой онлайн казино, где можно играть с телефона. Важно: прозрачность. Актуальный рейтинг 2025 — здесь: Mellstroy. Пишите, кто с чем сталкивался!
https://vsdelke.ru/wp-content/articles/?gama_kazino_promokod.html
web link https://www.bluwe.com/archives/37908
betsury – https://betsury-br.com/
Привет! После череды обманов наконец нашёл платформу, где реально платят. Смотрите на отзывы игроков. Список надёжных вариантов — тут: казино лев. Кто уже играл?
have a peek at this website https://ec-novo-place.com/why-your-mobile-wallet-matters-using-a-dapp-browser-and-staking-crypto-with-trust-wallet/
official statement https://klening.com/2025/02/05/how-i-read-bnb-chain-transactions-practical-analytics-smart-contract-verification-and-bscscan-tricks/
Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a material! existing here at this weblog, thanks admin of this website.
В этом что-то есть. Теперь стало всё ясно, большое спасибо за помощь в этом вопросе.
В пространстве азартных игр современные платформы доступны множество вариантов. mostbet казино, mostbet-51dfs.blog заинтересовывает людей красивым интерфейсом и богатым выбором игр. Каждый способен получить удовольствие уникальными игровыми моментами.
check this https://equipodefensapyme.cl/why-the-phantom-browser-extension-feels-like-the-right-wallet-for-solana-and-where-it-still-needs-work/
click this over here now https://scentones.com/how-spl-tokens-yield-farming-and-solana-defi-actually-work-a-practical-guide-for-browser-wallet-users/
sonabet casino
Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a stuff! existing here at this website, thanks admin of this web site.
Hurrah, that’s what I was seeking for, what a data! existing here at this web site, thanks admin of this web page.
check this https://www.littleprincessspa.com/wellington/watching-the-tape-practical-ways-i-track-token-prices-volume-and-trending-picks-on-dexs/
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.
Откройте для себя больше – https://pizza-padre.com/inauguration-dimanche-1er-septembre-des-18h
you can check here https://iamsportwear.com/why-modern-crypto-portfolios-need-more-than-a-ledger-managing-bwb-yield-farming-and-multichain-risk/
click resources https://if-sandbox.com/ezinneihenachormd/why-a-browser-extension-is-the-missing-link-between-cex-convenience-and-dex-freedom/
Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a stuff! existing here at this blog, thanks admin of this web page.
1win website http://1win5741.help
see https://www.squaridroid.com/project/NarmadaHomepage/blog/running-a-bitcoin-full-node-practical-notes-from-someone-who-s-done-it-and-kept-it-running/
1win register 1win5741.help
read more https://healthterest.com/why-solana-nft-collections-yield-farming-and-hardware-wallet-support-matter-and-how-a-browser-extension-ties-them-together/
gtbets – https://gtbets-us.com
Хочу поднять тему, с которой, думаю, сталкивались многие девушки, — проблемы поиска работы.
На первый взгляд кажется, что вакансий много и рынок открыт, но на практике всё не так просто. Часто уже на этапе отклика возникают сложности: либо не отвечают вообще, либо требования завышены так, будто ищут специалиста с 10-летним опытом на стартовую позицию.
Отдельная боль — собеседования. Вопросы иногда касаются не профессиональных навыков, а личной жизни: планы на семью, дети, готовность «задерживаться», «быть на связи 24/7». Создаётся ощущение, что приходится доказывать не только свою компетентность, но и «удобство» для работодателя.
Если есть перерыв в карьере (декрет, уход за близкими, переобучение), его нередко воспринимают как минус, даже если за это время были получены новые навыки. Девушкам без большого опыта тоже непросто — замкнутый круг «нет опыта — не берём, не берём — нет опыта» по-прежнему актуален. Нашла работу на этой площадке
Wow, that’s what I was exploring for, what a data! existing here at this website, thanks admin of this web site.
Привет всем!
Каждому нужен купить постоянный виртуальный номер для безопасности личных данных. Выбирайте наш сервис, чтобы купить постоянный виртуальный номер с удобством. Вы можете купить постоянный виртуальный номер для регистрации в любых сервисах. купить постоянный виртуальный номер — это надёжность и стабильность на долгие годы. купить постоянный виртуальный номер — это цифровая свобода и приватность.
Полная информация по ссылке – https://ardikon.ru/news-242-preimuschestva-virtualnogo-nomera-telefona-kazahstana-dlya-megdunarodnyh-zvonkov-i-bezopasnosti.html
купить виртуальный номер телефона, купить постоянный виртуальный номер, купить виртуальный номер для смс навсегда
виртуальный номер навсегда, купить виртуальный номер, купить виртуальный номер
Всего наилучшего и комфорта в общении!!
Две похожие ситуации никогда не бывают одинаковыми: возраст, вес, сопутствующие болезни, длительность запоя и переносимость препаратов формируют уникальную клиническую картину. Мы исключаем «универсальные» схемы, чтобы не перегрузить организм и не вызвать побочных реакций. Инфузии проводятся только одноразовыми системами, врач соблюдает стерильность, контролирует дозировки и следит за динамикой симптомов. Мы уделяем особое внимание сну и уровню тревоги в первые часы после детокса — именно эти параметры влияют на риск срыва. Для пациентов с сердечно-сосудистыми, эндокринными и неврологическими заболеваниями детоксикация планируется особенно осторожно; при малейших сомнениях мы предлагаем стационар и разъясняем семье, почему это безопаснее.
Углубиться в тему – vyvod iz zapoya na domu korolev
Hurrah, that’s what I was looking for, what a data! existing here at this webpage, thanks admin of this site.
try this website http://technoroofing.co.nz/why-private-keys-nfts-and-yield-farming-matter-and-how-a-pretty-intuitive-wallet-changes-everything/
visit this page https://www-mock.gesedna.net/how-web3-wallets-the-bit-token-and-lending-are-rewiring-centralized-crypto-trading/
dig this https://www.utekvall.se/coinjoin-coin-mixing-and-what-privacy-seekers-actually-need-to-know/
Get More Info https://flamencohandmade.es/why-your-private-keys-cashback-and-a-decentralized-wallet-should-all-live-together/
click this over here now https://clfalumni.org/2025/04/21/why-browser-extensions-matter-for-safe-cross-chain-swaps-and-how-to-think-about-them/
Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological globe the whole thing is accessible on net?
Этот текст призван помочь читателю расширить кругозор и получить практические знания. Мы используем простой язык, наглядные примеры и структурированное изложение, чтобы сделать обучение максимально эффективным и увлекательным.
Кликни и узнай всё! – https://esteticaoncologica.org/materiali/materiale-didattico-corso-aggiornamento-2023/aggiornamento-apeo-2023-fumagalli-anatomia
海外华人必备的ify官方认证平台，24小时不间断提供最新高清电影、电视剧，无广告观看体验。
click this over here now https://sporter.realrobot.ir/picking-a-solana-validator-using-a-browser-extension-wallet-and-handling-spl-tokens-practical-advice-for-stakers-and-defi-users/
捕风追影线上看免费在线观看，海外华人专属官方认证平台，高清无广告体验。