
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.
her latest blog https://blendfun.cc/
over at this website https://hyperdrive.lat
Code Promo Melbet 200 Bonus https://telegra.ph/Code-Promo-Melbet-Benin-01-17-2 Code Promo Melbet Cameroun
his explanation https://kyros.lat
anonymous https://hyperdrive.ink
internet seo prodvizhenie-sajtov-v-moskve215.ru .
продвижение сайтов в москве prodvizhenie-sajtov-v-moskve213.ru .
why not try here https://noon.gay
crown casino login – https://crown-casino-us.com/crown-casino-login/
中職賽程粉絲必備的資訊平台,結合智能AI預測系統提供最即時的中職賽程新聞、球員數據分析,以及專業的比賽預測。
1win qeydiyyat 1win qeydiyyat
I was skeptical, but after a month of cross-chain transfers, the clear transparency convinced me.
технического аудита сайта prodvizhenie-sajtov-v-moskve224.ru .
melbet registration promo code
seo partner prodvizhenie-sajtov-v-moskve216.ru .
Online casino games, http://www.pkpestcontrolservice.com/how-to-gamble-safely-essential-tips-for-10/ – Online casino games захватывают восторженное числа РјРЅРѕРіРёС…. Развлечения РІ казино предлагают новаторы форматы, предоставляя возможность добычи РІРЅРµ зависимости РѕС‚ места нахождения.
Публикация предлагает набор слабо связанных идей, которые сложно применить на практике, лишь слегка затрагивая разные точки зрения.
Дополнительная информация – рулетка онлайн
click over here https://noon.lat
1win az casino 1win az casino
pop over here https://orbitcryptoai.cloud/
Сеть стоматологических клиник в Севастополе предлагает полный спектр услуг для здоровья зубов всей семьи. Квалифицированные специалисты работают на новейшей технике с проверенными европейскими материалами. Медицинский центр фокусируется на терапии, восстановлении зубов, имплантах и косметической стоматологии по современным технологиям. Запись на прием доступна на сайте https://24antosplus.ru/ в любое удобное время суток. Клиентам обеспечивается персональное внимание и приятная атмосфера с безболезненными процедурами.
explanation https://tophat.space/
this page https://lombard.pw
https://actuabd.com/cookies/articles/?paripesa_promo_code.html
Indexing and index number checking Robert William Service for Google and Yandex.
speedyindex google chrome
World Health Organization ass profit from this military service?
This religious service is utile for website owners and SEO specialists World
Health Organization need to step-up their visibleness in Google and Yandex,
amend their website rankings, and increase organic fertiliser dealings.
SpeedyIndex helps apace indicant backlinks, recently pages, and site
updates. fast indexing of links using https://t.me/SpeedyIndexBot?start=206352122
Привет! Хочу предупредить новичков: не все онлайн игровые порталы одинаково полезны. Ищите те, где есть прозрачные правила, и обязательно сверяйтесь с независимыми обзорами. Я нашёл несколько платформ 2025 года с бонусами без вейджера — всё собрано здесь: ретро казино. Кто уже успел попробовать?
Для понимания ключевых компонентов лечения ниже представлена таблица, в которой систематизированы основные методы и их назначение.
Подробнее – http://narkologicheskaya-pomoshh-novokuzneczk0.ru/narkolog-novokuzneczk-na-dom/
Друзья, подскажите, куда лучше играть в 2025? Сам недавно протестировал кучу онлайн казино — большинство тянут с выплатами. Остановился на тех, где есть поддержка рубля и вывод за 5 минут. Полный список с RTP и бонусами — по ссылке: болливуд казино РІС…РѕРґ. Кто с чем сталкивался?
В медицинской практике используются различные методы, которые помогают ускорить процесс восстановления. Все процедуры проводятся под контролем специалистов и с учетом индивидуальных особенностей пациента.
Получить больше информации – https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-omsk0.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-gorod-omsk
Clinical finishing, players with best goals to chances ratio
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with useful info to work on. You have done a formidable task and our entire community can be thankful to you.
https://billionnews.ru/templates/artcls/index.php?gama_casino_promokod.html
Привет! Многие спрашивают, где сейчас дают реальные выплаты. Ответ прост: смотрите на условия бонусов. Я собрал актуальный рейтинг казино 2025 с поддержкой рубля — ссылка: sykaaa casino. Пробовали что-то из списка?
http://arendaizrail.com/robin/melbet_promokod_pri_registracii___bonus_kod_na_segodnya.html
Действие и назначение
Получить больше информации – http://vyvod-iz-zapoya-novosibirsk00.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-czena-novosibirsk/
Всем здравия! Недавно искал честную площадку для игры на рубли, и понял: половина сайтов — скам. Советую обращать внимание на минимальный депозит и читать обзоры. Свой топ-7 с моментальным выводом оставил здесь: СЃСѓРєР° funomania.ru. Пишите, кто что знает по теме!
https://fineart.sk/cache/permission/melbet_promokod_pri_registracii___bonus_kod_na_segodnya.html
Привет! Если вы ищете казино с высоким RTP — не гонитесь за громкими названиями. Лучше смотрите лицензию. Мой проверенный список — тут: Eldorado Рльдорадо Eldorado casino. Кто что добавит?
оптимизация сайта франция цена оптимизация сайта франция цена .
1win şifrə unutmuşam 1win5762.help
https://gazetablic.com/wp-content/pages/?codigo_promocional_megapari.html
海外华人必备的ify平台,提供最新高清电影、电视剧,无广告观看体验。
sun – https://sun-vn.com
https://www.neukoelln-online.de/include/pages/codigo_de_promocion_de_1xbet_casino_bono_sin_deposito.html
1win blackjack http://www.1win5760.help
https://www.google.se/url?q=https://lookdecor.ru/include/pgs/?1xbet_promokod_na_segodnya_pri_registracii_besplatno_bonus.html
https://gemmedical.cz/classes/pgs/22bet_promo_code_bonus.html
I blog frequently and I really appreciate your information. This great
article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your
website and keep checking for new details about once a week.
I subscribed to your Feed as well.
https://www.radio-rfe.com/content/pages/code_promo_melbet_bonus_de_paris_sportif.html
Для оказания полноценной помощи вне стен клиники специалисты «ТверьМед» используют портативные устройства: инфузоматы, ЭКГ-мониторы, глюкометры, пульсоксиметры, небулайзеры и наборы медикаментов. Все врачи обучены работе в полевых условиях и готовы к экстренным ситуациям. Отдельное внимание уделяется стерильности и безопасности: используются одноразовые расходники, врач носит маску, перчатки и защитный халат. При необходимости на выезд направляется параллельно медсестра или ассистент с расширенным функционалом.
Разобраться лучше – https://narkologicheskaya-pomoshh-tver0.ru/narkolog-v-tveri-czeny/