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.
заказ кухни спб kuhni-spb-28.ru .
https://memeandchill.com/articles/melbet_promo_code___sports_welcome_bonus.html
doce – https://doce-br.com
https://elovebook.com/read-blog/42845
Ищете русские сериалы смотреть бесплатно онлайн? Онлайн-платформа rseriali.net предоставляет бесплатный доступ к обширной коллекции сериалов различных жанров в высоком качестве без регистрации и навязчивой рекламы. Посетители способны наслаждаться премьерами 2025-го, рейтинговыми русскоязычными и международными сериальными продуктами, турецкими постановками и американскими бестселлерами через комфортный поиск по направлениям, периодам и территориальному происхождению. Сервис регулярно обновляет каталог свежими сериями, обеспечивает стабильное воспроизведение на любых устройствах.
вывод из запоя на дому в краснодаре вывод из запоя на дому в краснодаре .
Use the betwinner promo kodas 2025 during sign-up at https://bet-promo-codes.com/sportsbook-reviews/betwinner-registration/ to activate your welcome bonus instantly.
gg999 login – https://gg999-login.com
Рекомендую компанию как экспертов в области компрессорного оборудования в Беларуси. Провели полный аудит нашей системы сжатого воздуха и предложили варианты экономии электроэнергии.
https://slimly.site/ryanocz9133686
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of information. I’m happy that you shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
The list of the best online casinos with fast payouts win https://vodka-games.store/
Что получите за 24 часа
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – narkologicheskaya-klinika-anonimnaya-pomoshch
другие krab4 cc
Вывод из запоя в Тольятти — это медицинская процедура, направленная на очищение организма от продуктов распада алкоголя и восстановление нормального состояния здоровья. Длительное употребление спиртных напитков приводит к серьёзной интоксикации, нарушению работы нервной, сердечно-сосудистой и пищеварительной систем. Самостоятельные попытки прекратить запой могут быть опасны, поэтому оптимальным решением является обращение к врачу-наркологу, который проведёт лечение безопасно и эффективно.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-v-tolyatti17.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-tolyatti-na-domu/
Основные направления включают:
Подробнее тут – https://narkologicheskaya-pomoshh-v-volgograde17.ru/narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-volgograde
Лечение в клинике включает несколько последовательных этапов, каждый из которых направлен на достижение стабильной ремиссии и восстановление здоровья пациента.
Подробнее тут – https://narcologicheskaya-klinika-v-novokuzneczke17.ru/narkolog-v-gorode-novokuzneczke
бесплатный период upster reklamnyj-kreativ4.ru .
Покупали поршневой компрессор Remeza для небольшого участка, работает как часы. Спасибо Мацунак за честную гарантию и своевременное ТО.
https://mountainretreatcabinrentals.com/agent/athenamonds893/
https://remonthome.com/files/pgs/1win-promokod.html
brapub – https://www.brapub-br.com
Привет всем!
Ищете, где купить виртуальный номер навсегда? Мы предлагаем постоянные виртуальные номера для смс, регистрации и других целей. Это удобный способ сохранить свои данные конфиденциальными. Постоянный виртуальный номер – это универсальное решение для бизнеса и личной жизни. Сделайте выбор в пользу наших услуг.
Полная информация по ссылке – https://www.headline.co.id/33464/nomor-telepon-rumah-solusi-komunikasi-yang-aman-dan-efisien
купить виртуальный номер навсегда, купить виртуальный номер телефона, виртуальный номер
купить виртуальный номер навсегда, постоянный виртуальный номер, купить номер телефона навсегда
Всего наилучшего и комфорта в общении!!
There’s definately a lot to know about this topic. I really like all the points you have made.
Hello everybody, here every one is sharing these kinds of experience, so it’s nice to read this webpage, and I used to pay a visit this web site every day.
можно проверить ЗДЕСЬ krab4.at рабочий адрес
Смотреть здесь krab4.cc актуальный адрес
узнать больше krab4.at
rivalry – https://rivalry-br.com
Вы сгораете, пока другие богатеют. Ваша жизнь — ресурс в чужих руках. Вы — массовка в собственном сценарии.
https://telegra.ph/Human-dizajn-Dizajn-chelovek-Raschet-bodigrafa-Dizajn-cheloveka-proektor-01-24
-генератор тип личности дизайн;
-дизайн человека генератор описание;
-тип личности генератор это;
-генератор это дизайн человека;
-тип личности генератор;
проверить сайт krab4.cc сайт
a/b тест баннеров reklamnyj-kreativ5.ru .
You always deliver top-notch content — keep it up!
I appreciate the generosity in your writing — you always share so much value.
You’ve set the bar incredibly high — WOW!
I appreciate how engaging and informative this was.
This post is bursting with brilliance — wow!
Thank you for expressing this so clearly.
I learned so many new things from this article.
One of your best pieces yet — absolutely loved it.
Such a wonderfully written explanation.
Just WOW. This exceeded every expectation!
This is one of the most helpful articles I’ve seen recently.
This was refreshingly exciting — loved it!
So many great insights packed into one post.
This was incredibly helpful — thank you!
I gained so much clarity from this article.
Thank you for putting so much heart into your writing.
This article gave me a whole new perspective.
This is exactly the kind of excitement I love to read!
This post was absolutely fantastic from start to finish.
This is the kind of writing that keeps readers coming back — excellent!