
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.
Качество картинки радует, все сериалы на русском языке в HD.
https://tageeapp.com/@heatherobryan8?page=about
Для иллюстрации приведена таблица, отражающая распространённые методы терапии и их воздействие на организм:
Детальнее – https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-voronezhe17.ru/narkolog-voronezh-anonimno
Комплексное лечение помогает восстановить работу печени, сердца и нервной системы. Пациенты отмечают улучшение сна, снижение тревожности, нормализацию давления и аппетита уже спустя несколько часов после начала терапии. В зависимости от тяжести состояния курс может быть продлён до 2–3 дней с круглосуточным наблюдением и корректировкой дозировок.
Получить дополнительные сведения – вывод из запоя на дому недорого в волгограде
click https://web-breadwallet.com
see this here https://toast-wallet.net
pronosticos Casas De Apuestas mexico apuestas nba
um bet – https://umbet-login.com
If you’re looking for a convenient way to create personalized stamps, visit stamp creator online
for fast and professional results.
These systems permit people to produce stamps directly in their personal environments.
These builders usually display diminished fees against standard techniques.
Transfer your chosen template or employ their embedded functions.
Review participant comments and evaluate characteristics before selecting.
сюда https://krab4a.at
Жду новинки русских сериалов 2025, особенно детективные жанры.
https://theudtaullu.com/@solomonquilty1?page=about
If you’re looking for a convenient way to create personalized stamps, visit free stamp maker online
for fast and professional results.
One major benefit is the accessibility of rubber stamp makers online.
These builders usually display diminished fees against standard techniques.
Upload your desired design or use their built-in tools.
We highly recommend exploring these services for your stamping needs.
https://dog-machine-601.notion.site/CODE-PROMO-1X-BET-2ea37b46d3b780f98dfdeecbebb340f1?pvs=73
подробнее https://krab4a.at/
codigo promocional 1xbet panama
use this link https://web-breadwallet.com
netassist.click – Overall, professional vibe here; trustworthy, polished, and pleasantly minimal throughout.
комплексное продвижение сайтов москва комплексное продвижение сайтов москва .
webrelay.click – Pages loaded fast, images appeared sharp, and formatting stayed consistent.
wetten – https://wetten-de.com
If you’re looking for a convenient way to create personalized stamps, visit stamp maker
for fast and professional results.
This makes the process faster and more efficient for everyone involved.
Users can select from a variety of fonts, sizes, and shapes.
Examine the mock-up to confirm all elements appear ideal.
Review participant comments and evaluate characteristics before selecting.
connecthub.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
the best adult generator best nsfw video tool create erotic videos, images, and virtual characters. flexible settings, high quality, instant results, and easy operation right in your browser. the best features for porn generation.
If you’re looking for a convenient way to create personalized stamps, visit make stamp online
for fast and professional results.
This makes the process faster and more efficient for everyone involved.
This degree of adaptability guarantees that each imprint fulfills particular demands.
Transfer your chosen template or employ their embedded functions.
We firmly advise checking out these tools for your sealing demands.
зайти на сайт https://krab4a.at/
Особенность подхода заключается в сочетании медицинской и психологической поддержки. После кодирования пациент получает консультации психотерапевта, рекомендации по восстановлению и профилактике рецидивов. Это снижает риск повторного срыва и помогает закрепить результат на долгий срок.
Подробнее – клиника кодирования от алкоголизма в волгограде
Home Page https://toast-wallet.net/
is 1win legit http://www.1win5746.help
net seo poiskovoe-seo-v-moskve.ru .
оптимизация сайта франция poiskovoe-prodvizhenie-moskva-professionalnoe.ru .
Запой представляет собой состояние, при котором организм находится под постоянным воздействием этанола. Это вызывает интоксикацию, нарушение обменных процессов и дестабилизацию психики. При обращении за помощью врач-нарколог оценивает состояние пациента и подбирает индивидуальную схему терапии, чтобы безопасно вывести человека из запоя и предотвратить развитие синдрома отмены. Вмешательство проводится как в стационаре, так и на дому, в зависимости от состояния пациента.
Выяснить больше – вывод из запоя капельница красноярск
посмотреть в этом разделе https://krab4a.at
Правильный подбор лекарственных средств позволяет не только уменьшить проявления синдрома отмены, но и стабилизировать эмоциональное состояние пациента, снижая риск срывов. Реабилитационные программы включают физиотерапию, спортивные занятия и коррекцию образа жизни, что способствует полноценному восстановлению организма.
Получить больше информации – https://lechenie-narkomanii-tver0.ru/lechenie-zavisimosti-ot-narkotikov-v-tveri
Play your favorite games, get bonuses, and win on Pin Up Pin Up
the best adult generator convert photo to sex video create erotic videos, images, and virtual characters. flexible settings, high quality, instant results, and easy operation right in your browser. the best features for porn generation.
aplicación para hacer apuestas Inglaterra paises bajos de fútbol
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the issues. It was truly informative. Your site is useful. Thanks for sharing!
visit our website https://toast-wallet.net
Must-Read Collection: https://tgram.link/apps/vpn-i-tochka-vpn-vless-xray/
Современные методы лечения в наркологической клинике в Новокузнецке основаны на доказательной медицине. При поступлении пациент проходит полное обследование, включающее оценку физического состояния, психоэмоционального фона и наличия сопутствующих заболеваний. На основе полученных данных составляется персональная программа терапии, охватывающая медицинский, психологический и социальный аспекты выздоровления.
Получить дополнительные сведения – наркологическая клиника в новокузнецке
Пациенты отмечают, что особенно важна не только профессиональная помощь, но и спокойная атмосфера. Мягкий свет, тишина, отдельные палаты и деликатная коммуникация персонала — всё это снижает тревожность и помогает организму восстановиться. Эффективность лечения оценивается по конкретным маркерам: улучшение сна, нормализация давления, исчезновение тошноты, восстановление аппетита и уменьшение тяги.
Детальнее – платная наркологическая клиника
vin88 – https://vin88-vi.com
зайти на сайт https://krab4a.at/
сео блог сео блог .
кракен маркетплейс
кракен ссылка
сервисы платных рассылок email сервис рассылки
codigo promocional 1xbet chile
apuestas ecuador vs venezuela
Also visit my web page: Basketball-Wetten.Com
Таблица не заменяет очный осмотр, но показывает, как наблюдения переводятся в действие и когда мы принимаем решение о продолжении/остановке модуля.
Ознакомиться с деталями – http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-krasnoyarske17.ru/krasnoyarsk-narkologicheskij-czentr/
частный seo оптимизатор частный seo оптимизатор .
Что делаем фактически
Подробнее – наркологическая клиника цены