
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.
When I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
After I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!
С момента начала лечения пациент получает доступ к круглосуточной линии поддержки. Врачи, психологи и координаторы готовы ответить на вопросы, помочь с корректировкой схемы лечения, поддержать в ситуации риска срыва. Эта функция особенно востребована в первые недели после выписки, когда человек сталкивается с триггерами в привычной среде и нуждается в дополнительной защите. Связь может осуществляться по телефону, через защищённый мессенджер или с помощью мобильного приложения клиники.
Узнать больше – lechenie-narkomanii-samara0.ru/
lsm99 – https://lsm99-888.com
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thank you!
http://skyiwredshjnhjgeleladu7m7mgpuxgsnfxzhncwtvmhr7l5bniutayd.onion
Всем привет! Уже третий год играю в онлайн казино, и за это время понял главное: выбирайте площадки с честными условиями. Избегайте тех, где требуют паспорт или тормозят с выводом. Лучшие платформы 2025 с поддержкой СБП собрал здесь: клубника казино. Кто что может добавить?
net seo prodvizhenie-sajtov-v-moskve111.ru .
купить задание для студентов kupit-kursovuyu-50.ru .
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
jogos win app – https://jogos-win.com/jogos-win-app/
Здравствуйте! Хочу предложить проверенный способ выбора казино: обращайте внимание на наличие live-чата, а не только на бонусы. Я составил список платформ 2025 года, где можно играть анонимно. Всё по ссылке: Лев. Делитесь впечатлениями!
Тиха?я работа мотора и уверенное ускорение — норма для исправного авто. Если что-то пошло не так — нужен ремонт двигателя автомобиля. Устраняем течи, стуки, проблемы с запуском и компрессией. Восстанавливаем заводские допуски и ресурс. Никакой спешки — только точность, правильные инструменты и опытные мотористы. После проверки и ремонта машина снова едет без рывков и запахов. Запись удобная, консультация по телефону бесплатная.
Если вы мечтаете о надежном и уютном жилье, обратите внимание на строительство каркасных домов в спб, обеспечивающие комфорт и долговечность.
Сегодня каркасные дома отвечают самым высоким требованиям комфорта и надежности.
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. Is there a way you are able to remove me from that service? Cheers!
After I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I receive four emails with the exact same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks!
http://shiftdelete.10tl.net/member.php?action=profile&uid=252011
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I receive four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Kudos!
When I initially commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that service? Cheers!
Всем привет! Поделюсь лайфхаком: чтобы не слить депозит впустую, выбирайте онлайн казино с лицензией от уважаемого регулятора. Я проверил десятки сайтов и оставил только те, где нет блокировок без причины. Список тут: Мелстрой гейм. Кто уже играл — подтвердите?
Всем здравия! Недавно искал надёжное казино для игры на рубли, и понял: половина сайтов — скам. Советую обращать внимание на скорость выплат и читать отзывы. Свой топ-7 с моментальным выводом оставил здесь: мелстрой гейм. Пишите, кто что знает по теме!
When I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Kudos!
1win token http://1win5740.help
Стройте уют и комфорт с каркасный дом под ключ в спб, сочетая качество и доступные цены.
Для тех, кто рассматривает строительство каркасного дома, советуем обратиться к профессионалам.
winshark casino app – https://winshark-casino-au.com/winshark-casino-app/
1win uganda login registration https://1win5740.help
seoservices.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Cheers!
Если вы мечтаете о надежном и уютном жилье, обратите внимание на каркасные дома в спб, обеспечивающие комфорт и долговечность.
Выбирая каркасное строительство, вы инвестируете в надежность и качество.
Jasa backlink Kami menawarkan backlink murah dan berkualitas untuk para pemilik website di Indonesia. Pemasangan 100% manual dan aman.
It’s in reality a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
продвижение веб сайтов москва prodvizhenie-sajtov13.ru .
aviator 1win aviator 1win
профессиональное продвижение сайтов профессиональное продвижение сайтов .
Стройте уют и комфорт с каркасный дом под ключ в спб, сочетая качество и доступные цены.
Современные защитные средства помогают сохранить каркас в отличном состоянии на долгое время.
When I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
daddy – https://daddy-br.com
Отписываюсь по 1к20.получилось в принципе неплохо,но и супер тоже не назовешь. припирает по кумполу практически сразу. сделано было пару напасов. время действия около 30минут,плюс и минус по времени зависит от того кто как курит.если сравнивать с 203 то кайфец по позитивнее будет.и еще было сделано на спирту.Вообщем щас сохнет 1к15 сделанный на растворителе. протестим отпишем. Смущает только одно-осадок остается.не до конца вообщем растворяется,а так все нормально. https://mef-kypit-online.store Всем здравствуйте! Опишу свою ситуацию: 2 недели назад заказывал в данном магазине 2 с-i и MXE, всё на высшем уровне: оперативность 5 +, доставка 5+, конспирация 5+, Качество 5+. Нареканий к Магазину нет, только благодарность!!! В этот раз сделал заказ в Понедельник, оплатил во Вторник. В пятницу только получил трек. На сегодня Трек не работает. Звоню в курьерку они говорят, что такой трек у них не зарегистрирован. Паники пока никакой нет, но хотелось бы получить какие нибудь разъяснения по этому поводу. Заранее спасибо!Вы же разумный человек, должны понимать все это.
When I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!
rankhigher.click – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it!
When I initially commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thank you!
After I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!
Качество сносное…
mostbet казино, мосбет официальный сайт казино предлагает разнообразие азартных игр. Здесь пользователи могут наслаждаться слотами, а также присоединяться в захватывающие турниры. Облик площадки удобен, а служба поддержки всегда готова помочь.
сайт заказать курсовую работу kupit-kursovuyu-49.ru .
Если вы мечтаете о надежном и уютном жилье, обратите внимание на дома каркасные, обеспечивающие комфорт и долговечность.
Каркасные дома предлагают большой простор для дизайнерских решений.
كرة القدم المصغرة – https://mini-football-eg.com