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.
Наркологическая клиника в Воронеже предоставляет квалифицированную помощь людям, столкнувшимся с алкогольной или наркотической зависимостью. Мы применяем проверенные методы детоксикации, медикаментозной стабилизации и психологической реабилитации, обеспечивая безопасность и эффективность терапии. Специалисты клиники работают круглосуточно, что позволяет оперативно реагировать на экстренные ситуации и гарантировать индивидуальный подход.
Получить дополнительную информацию – narkologicheskaya-klinika-voronezh9.ru/
Hey! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site?
I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of
a good platform.
грузчик услуга грузчика заказать
Saved as a favorite, I love your website!
помощь при переезде грузчики помощь при переезде грузчики
Лечение алкоголизма в Воронеже — помощь на всех стадиях зависимости особенно важно на этапе, когда у человека ещё сохраняется мотивация к изменениям. Но даже при тяжёлых формах зависимости шанс на выздоровление сохраняется — при условии комплексного подхода.
Детальнее – центр лечения алкоголизма в воронеже
грузчика найти грузчик услуга
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you
share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value
your work. If you’re even remotely interested,
feel free to shoot me an e mail.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added”
checkbox and now each time a comment is added I
get three emails with the same comment. Is there any
way you can remove people from that service? Many thanks!
https://gonzo-casino.pl/
После поступления в клинику проводится осмотр, измеряется давление, оценивается общее состояние. При необходимости проводятся экспресс-анализы на содержание веществ и ЭКГ.
Разобраться лучше – частная наркологическая клиника воронеж.
Медикаментозное лечение: Мы применяем современные препараты, которые помогают облегчить симптомы абстиненции и улучшить состояние пациентов в первые дни лечения. Индивидуальный подбор лекарственных схем позволяет минимизировать побочные эффекты и достичь наилучших результатов.
Получить больше информации – вывод из запоя на дому цена казань
What i do not understood is actually how you’re no longer
actually a lot more well-preferred than you may be now.
You’re so intelligent. You understand therefore considerably in the case
of this topic, made me individually consider it from numerous various angles.
Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved unless it’s something to do with Woman gaga!
Your individual stuffs nice. All the time deal with it up!
Unquestionably believe that which you said.
Your favorite justification appeared to be on the web the easiest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly do
not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
https://gonzo-casino.pl/
I know this web site offers quality dependent
articles and other material, is there any other web site which presents these stuff in quality?
В нашей практике сочетаются несколько видов вмешательства: медико-биологическое, психологическое и социальное. Сначала проводится полная диагностика, включая лабораторные анализы и оценку работы сердца, печени, почек, а также психодиагностические тесты. После этого начинается этап детоксикации с внутривенными капельницами, которые выводят токсины, нормализуют водно-солевой баланс и восстанавливают основные функции организма. Далее мы применяем медикаментозную поддержку для стабилизации артериального давления, купирования тревожных симптомов, нормализации сна и уменьшения болевого синдрома.
Углубиться в тему – http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-mytishchi1.ru/chastnaya-narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-mytishchah/
1вин лицензия уз https://www.1win14006.ru .
https://medzdrav.info/2025/04/17/vse-ob-mrt-gipofiza-protivopokazaniya-sposob-i-gde-sdelat/
I always emailed this web site post page to all my associates,
for the reason that if like to read it then my links will
too.
It’s the best time to make a few plans for the future and it is time to be
happy. I have learn this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few
attention-grabbing issues or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.
I wish to learn more issues approximately it!
gonzo casino
It’s awesome to pay a quick visit this web site and reading the views of
all mates on the topic of this paragraph, while I am also zealous of getting
familiarity.
Под наблюдением врача пациенту вводятся капельницы с растворами, устраняющими интоксикацию, восстанавливается водно-солевой баланс, купируются симптомы ломки или похмельного синдрома.
Получить дополнительные сведения – https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-voronezh9.ru/
Thanks very nice blog!
грузчика найти https://gruzoperevozki-svao.ru
You actually make it seem really easy along
with your presentation however I in finding this topic to be really something that I feel I
might never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very large for me.
I am having a look forward on your subsequent publish, I will attempt to get the hang of it!
mostbet qanunidirmi https://mostbet3043.ru/ .
цвет с доставкой недорого купить магазин цветов
Ключевым направлением работы является индивидуальный подход к лечению. Мы понимаем уникальность каждого пациента и начинаем с тщательной диагностики, изучая медицинскую историю, психологические особенности и социальные факторы. На основе этих данных разрабатываются персонализированные планы лечения, включающие медикаментозную терапию, психотерапевтические программы и социальные инициативы.
Узнать больше – vyvod-iz-zapoya-na-domu rostov-na-donu
mostbet qeydiyyat pulsuz https://mostbet3042.ru/ .
1win букмекерская зеркало https://www.1win22084.ru .
This is very fascinating, You are an excessively professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and stay up for in the hunt for extra of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
https://salonsharm.com.ua/sklo-dlya-far-yak-vybraty-yakisni-komponenty-dlya-vashogo-avto
https://audiotheatr.ru/
С учётом всех этапов (детоксикация, терапевтическая работа и адаптация) курс занимает от одного до трёх месяцев, в зависимости от индивидуальных особенностей пациента.
Подробнее – https://lechenie-narkomanii-volgograd9.ru/lechenie-narkomanii-i-alkogolizma-volgograd/
Запой — это не просто продолжительное пьянство, а острое состояние, требующее срочной медицинской помощи. Без профессионального вмешательства организм человека стремительно разрушается, возрастает риск инфаркта, инсульта, алкогольного психоза и летального исхода. Именно поэтому вывод из запоя должен проходить под контролем нарколога, с использованием проверенных медикаментов и поэтапной схемы стабилизации. В наркологической клинике «ВитаМед Плюс» организована круглосуточная помощь в Химках, включая выезд врача на дом и приём в стационаре.
Получить больше информации – https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-v-himki1.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-cena-v-himkah/
Лечение вывода из запоя на дому в Мурманске организовано по четко структурированной схеме, включающей следующие этапы, каждый из которых играет ключевую роль в оперативном восстановлении здоровья:
Узнать больше – нарколог вывод из запоя
Полноценное восстановление включает не только прекращение приёма наркотиков, но и формирование здорового образа жизни, навыков эмоционального самоконтроля и социокультурной адаптации.
Узнать больше – наркологическое лечение наркомания в волгограде
кайтсёрфинг инструктор
заказать цветы с доставкой доставка цветов цена
Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words
in your post seem to be running off the screen in Chrome.
I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to
do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
The style and design look great though! Hope you get
the problem fixed soon. Many thanks
https://pompach.ru/
Useful information. Lucky me I found your website unintentionally, and I’m shocked why this coincidence didn’t happened
earlier! I bookmarked it.
XEvil 6.0 automatically solve most kind of captchas,
Including such type of captchas: ReCaptcha v.2, ReCaptcha v.3, Google captcha, Solve Media, BitcoinFaucet, Steam, +12k
+ hCaptcha, FC, ReCaptcha Enterprize now supported in new XEvil 6.0!
1.) Fast, easy, precisionly
XEvil is the fastest captcha killer in the world. Its has no solving limits, no threads number limits
2.) Several APIs support
XEvil supports more than 6 different, worldwide known API: 2Captcha, anti-captchas.com (antigate), rucaptcha.com, death-by-captcha, etc.
just send your captcha via HTTP request, as you can send into any of that service – and XEvil will solve your captcha!
So, XEvil is compatible with hundreds of applications for SEO/SMM/password recovery/parsing/posting/clicking/cryptocurrency/etc.
3.) Useful support and manuals
After purchase, you got access to a private tech.support forum, Wiki, Skype/Telegram online support
Developers will train XEvil to your type of captcha for FREE and very fast – just send them examples
4.) How to get free trial use of XEvil full version?
– Try to search in Google “Home of XEvil”
– you will find IPs with opened port 80 of XEvil users (click on any IP to ensure)
– try to send your captcha via 2captcha API ino one of that IPs
– if you got BAD KEY error, just tru another IP
– enjoy! :)
– (its not work for hCaptcha!)
WARNING: Free XEvil DEMO does NOT support ReCaptcha, hCaptcha and most other types of captcha!
panaloko.info | best online casino game
Названа группа крови с самым слабым иммунитетом
https://x.com/MKids3447/status/1927460092779090278
I’ve been using AquaSculpt for a few weeks now, and the results are seriously impressive—my energy levels are up, and the stubborn fat is finally starting
to disappear. If you’re thinking about trying it,
I found this detailed breakdown super helpful:
AquaSculpt reviews
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
программное обеспечение цена лицензионное программное обеспечение
доставка цветов на дом заказ цвет доставкой на дом