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.
What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious knowledge about unexpected
feelings.
click https://astherus.us/
Hi! I realize this is kind of off-topic however I needed to ask. Does managing a well-established blog such as yours require a large amount of work? I am brand new to blogging however I do write in my diary everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!
additional info https://astake.buzz/
click over here now https://astake.buzz/
look at more info https://exponent.bond
Такая комплексность обеспечивает воздействие на физические, психологические и социальные факторы зависимости.
Подробнее – принудительное лечение от алкоголизма
investigate this site https://prismagent.org/
read more https://aixbt.buzz/
Full Report https://prismagent.agency
see here now https://agents-land.xyz/
click reference https://hyperdrive.my
Тем, кто нуждается в длительной терапии, «КузбассМед» предлагает комфортные условия стационара с круглосуточным наблюдением. Здесь пациенты размещаются в индивидуальных палатах, проходят курсы терапии, реабилитации и психокоррекции. Обстановка в клинике напоминает оздоровительный центр: мягкое освещение, тишина, доступ к библиотеке, возможность общения с психологом и ежедневное участие в восстановительных мероприятиях. Медицинские сестры и врачи находятся на дежурстве 24/7, что позволяет немедленно реагировать на любые изменения в состоянии пациента.
Выяснить больше – https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-novokuzneczk0.ru/narkolog-novokuzneczk-na-dom
click here for info https://heyanon.lat/
important link https://heyanon.my
Semen Padang FC – https://Semen-Padang-FC.com
official statement https://xmaquina.cc/
Ребята, а вы знаете, где сейчас реально выиграть в онлайн-казино? После десятков проверок остановился на платформах с аудитом RNG. Важно: возможность игры с телефона. Актуальный рейтинг с джекпотами и кэшбэком — по ссылке: лев казино. Обсуждаем!
интернет продвижение москва интернет продвижение москва .
Привет! Многие спрашивают, где сейчас дают реальные выплаты. Ответ прост: смотрите на отзывы за последние 3 месяца. Я собрал актуальный рейтинг казино 2025 с фриспинами за регистрацию — ссылка: ДЖРР’Р’РРЎРџРРќ дживиспин. Пробовали что-то из списка?
хороший магазин,было дело работал с ними) https://republique-dominicaine-live.com вот как то это всё не ахуенно.Если вас не затруднит проясните ситуацию.полность с тобой согласен
24小時即時更新nba賽程表比分、賽程表，以及NBA球星數據統計和表現分析。
find more https://heyanon.my
Диплом бакалавра. Мы предлагаем дипломы любых профессий по невысоким ценам: fgts.abpromotora.com.br/2025/10/05/kupit-diplom-o-vysshem-obrazovanii-nedorogo-254
Ребята, а вы знаете, где сейчас реально выиграть в онлайн-казино? После десятков проверок остановился на честных клубах. Важно: вывод без комиссии. Актуальный рейтинг с джекпотами и кэшбэком — по ссылке: болливуд казино зеркало. Обсуждаем!
view https://hyperdrive.pw/
Resources https://upshift.ltd
kraken
кракен онлайн
https://lux4man.ru/kupit-virtualnyj-nomer-telefona-navsegda/
Решение, куда обращаться при запое, напрямую влияет на безопасность. Одно дело — случайный выездной «специалист» без адреса и гарантий, другое — официальная наркологическая клиника в Реутове, несущая ответственность за свои действия. «РеутовМед Сервис» выстраивает помощь так, чтобы каждый шаг был прозрачным и медицински обоснованным, а не строился на обещаниях «вылечим за час». Уже на этапе первого звонка специалисты уточняют длительность запоя, виды и объёмы алкоголя, возраст пациента, хронические заболевания, перенесённые ранее судороги, делирий, проблемы с сердцем и давлением, какие лекарства уже давались. Эта информация позволяет не «ставить капельницу вслепую», а выбрать безопасный формат: стационар, выезд на дом или комбинированный подход. В клинике используют только сертифицированные препараты, одноразовые системы, следуют протоколам, учитывающим реальные риски, а не запрос «сделайте, чтобы уснул и не мешал». Важен и человеческий аспект: здесь не унижают, не морализируют, не угрожают учётом. Пациент воспринимается как человек с заболеванием, а не как «виноватый», а это повышает готовность к сотрудничеству и к последующим шагам в сторону трезвости.
Узнать больше – https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-reutov10.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-v-stacionare-v-reutove
Приветствую! Только что вывел 15 тысяч с одного из платформ — и решил поделиться списком тех, кто реально не блокирует аккаунты. Смотрите на скорость обработки заявок. Все проверенные варианты — тут: СЃСѓРєР° казино. Кто уже играл? Какие суммы выводили?
check that https://xmaquina.cc/
1win poker otağı https://www.1win5760.help
funrize casino login – https://funrize-us.com/funrize-casino-login/
1win azerbaycan http://www.1win5760.help
Try your luck in an exciting gamezeus hades slot and find out which god will win this battle!
To start, it’s important to understand the rich theme and appealing design of the game.
find out here https://universalx.cc/
site web https://elara.cc
1win az canlı mərclər https://www.1win5760.help
sites https://blendfun.xyz
go to my blog https://colend.my/
Heia! Testet Mega Joker-appen i noen uker og vil dele tanker.
Plusser:
– Regulert – Lotteritilsynet-godkjent
– Lynrask cashout – bankkonto på kvarter
– Test gratis – ubegrenset lekepenger
– Supermeter – 99% RTP når i bruk
– Jackpot – progressiv pott
Grenser:
Du må sette limiter før første spinn. Systemet låser av seg selv ved limit.
Jeg:
– Satte inn 500 kr (Vipps)
– Vant 1200 kr i Supermeter
– Cashout – penger på konto på 14 min
Last ned: App Store – søk “Mega Joker”
Sett grenser!
image source https://noon.gay/
internet https://flaunch.my
these details https://xmaquina.us/
read https://astake.lat
Pin Up Casino Azərbaycanda ən populyar kazino saytıdır. Burada çoxlu slotlar və Aviator var. Qazancı kartınıza tez köçürürlər. Mobil tətbiqi də var, telefondan oynamaq çox rahatdır. Giriş linki https://pinupaz.jp.net/# Pin Up yoxlayın.
check my blog https://universalx.buzz
Canlı casino oynamak isteyenler için rehber niteliğinde bir site: cassiteleri.us.org Hangi site güvenilir diye düşünmeyin. Onaylı bahis siteleri listesi ile rahatça oynayın. Detaylar linkte.
malina casino – https://malina-casino-au.com