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.
Продолжение сайт vodka bet
rankpulse.click – Overall, professional vibe here; trustworthy, polished, and pleasantly minimal throughout.
o become a Pinap Kazakhstan client, you must register and undergo the mandatory identity регистрация в Pin Up
Ваш бизнес — болото из «надо»? Стройте успех только на своем «Да».
https://bit.ly/generator-human-design-live
-человек генератор дизайн человека;
-тип личности генератор дизайн человека;
-дизайн человека генератор описание;
-генератор тип личности дизайн;
-дизайн человека генератор кто это;
-генераторы дизайн человека;
-тип личности генератор дизайн;
https://md.ctdo.de/s/Uroidijn8-
Хватит инвестировать свой ресурс в мусор. Ваш мотор заведен для чужой поездки.
https://bit.ly/generator-human-design-live
-тип личности генератор дизайн человека;
-человек генератор кто это;
-хьюман дизайн генератор;
-дизайн человека генератор кто это;
-человек генератор дизайн человека;
Ребята, не тратьте время на левые сайты! Чтобы выбрать рабочее казино, обращайте внимание на: поддержку рубля, а также на отзывы. Я лично протестировал десятки платформ и оставил только те, где выводят за час. Весь список — по ссылке: Мелстрой. Делитесь опытом!
Всем привет! Уже третий год играю в игровые клубы, и за это время понял главное: выбирайте площадки с быстрыми выплатами. Избегайте тех, где требуют паспорт или тормозят с выводом. Лучшие казино РФ с поддержкой ЮMoney собрал здесь: Мелстрой гейм. Кто что может добавить?
Какие слова… супер, блестящая фраза
1win casino, https://1win-e7xyl.buzz/ предлагает уникальное развлечение для любителей азартных игр. Здесь вы найдете широкий разнообразие азартных слотов, от классических до современных. Каждый игрок сможет найти что-то, что подойдет по вкусу. Кроме того, 1win casino устраивает различные акции и поощрения, что заставляет расширить шансы на выигрыш. Играйте с удовольствием в 1win casino и наслаждайтесь азартными играми!
I love what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my own blogroll.
o become a Pinap Kazakhstan client, you must register and undergo the mandatory identity вход в Пин Ап
What i do not understood is actually how you’re not actually much more smartly-preferred than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You already know thus significantly in the case of this subject, made me personally believe it from numerous various angles. Its like men and women are not fascinated unless it’s something to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. Always handle it up!
здесь сайт водка бет
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Exceptional work!
o become a Pinap Kazakhstan client, you must register and undergo the mandatory identity Pin Up
инъекционная гидроизоляция стен инъекционная гидроизоляция стен .
Опять приняли решение из головы? База дизайна человека вернет точность выбора.
https://generator-human-design-tut.g-u.su
-тип личности генератор дизайн;
-дизайн человека генератор описание;
-генератор это дизайн человека;
-тип личности генератор;
-человек генератор кто это;
-генератор это в дизайне человека;
обучение seo обучение seo .
посетить сайт зеркало водкабет
Вы — батарейка для чужих амбиций? Где в вашем графике ваша жизнь? Выжаты как лимон ради чужих идей?
https://generator-human-design-tut.g-u.su
-генератор по дизайну человека;
-тип личности генератор дизайн;
-дизайн человека генератор описание;
-человек генератор кто это;
-генератор это в дизайне человека;
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for beginner blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.
читать водка бет
What’s up everybody, here every one is sharing these kinds of familiarity, thus it’s fastidious to read this web site, and I used to pay a quick visit this web site every day.
Hello, yes this article is genuinely nice and I have learned lot of things from it on the topic of blogging. thanks.
этот контент сайт водка бет
boostsignal.click – Color palette felt calming, nothing distracting, just focused, thoughtful design.
Ну короче усе круто, магаз супер, всем советую!!! купить кокаин, мефедрон, бошки, марихуану Брал пару раз все было чотко!! всем советую)идиоты – это ты очень мягко к ним))
Нужен памятник? памятник уфа — гранитные и мраморные изделия. Индивидуальные проекты, точная обработка камня, оформление и монтаж. Надёжное качество и внимательное отношение к деталям.
boostsignal.click – Color palette felt calming, nothing distracting, just focused, thoughtful design.
Thank you for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next post thank
you once again.
Для гарантированного и анонимного авторизации на сервис Кракен, в частности в атмосфере непрекращающихся блокировок, со стороны контролирующих органов, принципиально важно практиковать строго подтвержденные источники. что будет если зайти на сайт кракен
Ваш бизнес — болото из «надо»? Стройте успех только на своем «Да».
https://dzen.ru/a/aXHyZKIqwmcfjrhy
-хьюман дизайн генератор;
-человек генератор кто это;
-дизайн человека генератор описание;
-тип генератор в дизайне человека;
-генератор в хьюман дизайне;
Watch online videos from Pin Up Casino official website Pin Up
взгляните на сайте здесь vodkabet
Нужно авто? авто из японии 2025 заказ поиск, проверка, оформление и доставка авто из разных стран. Прозрачные условия, помощь на всех этапах и сопровождение сделки до получения автомобиля.
https://GreatClassified.com/61/posts/1/1/1789069.html
o become a Pinap Kazakhstan client, you must register and undergo the mandatory identity Пин Ап казино
Watch online videos from Pin Up Casino official website Пин Ап казино
https://jeemainresult2017.com/1xbet-singapore-bonus-code-1xmaxbono-e130-bonus/
https://www.france-ioi.org/user/perso.php?sLogin=1xbetpromo3
https://txwarriorfoundation.org/1xbet-registration-promo-code-bangladesh-allinmax-e130-bonus/
Хватит предавать себя ради чужого одобрения. Отдаете всё другим, оставляя себе пустоту.
https://generator-human-design-tut.g-u.su
-генератор по дизайну человека;
-тип личности генератор это;
-тип генератор в дизайне человека;
-дизайн человека генератор;
-человек генератор дизайн человека;
-генератор тип личности дизайн;
https://articlescad.com/1xbet-india-promo-code-1xmaxbono-bonus-130-56181.html
seo онлайн seo онлайн .
Watch online videos from Pin Up Casino official website Пин Ап
Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, excellent site!
пояснения казино водкабет
Wonderful blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring
writers? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid
option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed
.. Any tips? Bless you!
Hi friends, its fantastic article regarding tutoringand fully defined,
keep it up all the time.
https://share.evernote.com/note/83b491cb-ee51-1540-c929-2b718caebaa6