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.
esportebet – https://esportebet-br.com
Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook
group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really
enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thank you
Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is simply great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
https://staging4.developersmatrix.com/2026/01/22/1xbet-bonus-code-australia-allinmax-e130-bonus/
Great post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful information specially the last part :) I take care of such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
This post is worth everyone’s attention. How can I find out more?
https://www.bmabogados.cl/2025/12/18/koeszoenjoen-a-verde-casinonek-a-vezeto-internetes-fogadasi-menekueles/
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: Рльдорадо eldorado официальный сайт. Делитесь опытом!
В данной обзорной статье представлены интригующие факты, которые не оставят вас равнодушными. Мы критикуем и анализируем события, которые изменили наше восприятие мира. Узнайте, что стоит за новыми открытиями и как они могут изменить ваше восприятие реальности.
См. подробности – https://www.go2lofoten.no/2025/01/13/havornen-i-lofoten
Публикация предлагает читателю не просто информацию, а инструменты для анализа и саморазвития. Мы стимулируем критическое мышление, предлагая различные точки зрения и призывая к самостоятельному поиску решений.
Расширить кругозор по теме – https://vfkeducacao.com.br/courses/2a-fase-materias-gerais
The vivid descriptions of the conditioning process are etched in literary history. A Brave New World PDF makes these passages accessible for detailed study. Witness how the fear of flowers and books is instilled in infants to serve the economy. https://bravenewworldpdf.site/ Aldous Huxley New Brave World Pdf
The ultimate revolution is the one that changes man himself. The Brave New World PDF describes this revolution. It is a look at the final stage of human control, where the mind and body are fully conquered.
18bet – https://18bet-mx.com
It’s genuinely very complex in this active life to listen news on TV, therefore I just use world wide web for that purpose, and take the hottest information.
Привет! Если вы ищете клуб с частыми выплатами — не гонитесь за громкими названиями. Лучше смотрите реальные отзывы. Мой проверенный список — тут: ретро казино. Кто что добавит?
такой трипскан
bet7k – https://www.bet7k-br.com
Keep this going please, great job!
This is the kind of content that keeps me coming back.
What’s up i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also make comment due to this good article.
Приветствую! Только что вывел 15 тысяч с одного из платформ — и решил поделиться списком тех, кто реально работает в РФ. Смотрите на лицензию. Все проверенные варианты — тут: Рльдорадо. Кто уже играл? Какие суммы выводили?
bet esporte – https://betesporte-br.com
What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this
I have found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads.
I hope to give a contribution & help different users like its aided me.
Great job.
Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Superb choice of colors!
Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.
I have read so many content about the blogger lovers except this post is in fact a pleasant piece of writing, keep it up.
https://www.aceprobe.com/paroysiasi-toy-verde-kazino-o-korufaios-proorismos-toy-kazino-istoy-sas/
⭐ Najważniejsze:
– Ponad 1500 gier
– Błyskawiczne wypłaty – średnio 4 min 37 sek!
– Bonus 100% do 2000 PLN + 50 darmowych spinów
– Darmowe wpłaty i wypłaty – każda złotówka dla Ciebie
– 6 poziomów VIP z przywilejami
Płatności:
– Natychmiastowe transakcje
– Minimalny depozyt 20 PLN
– Najwyższe standardy bezpieczeństwa
– Licencja MF RP
Nagrody:
– Zwrot 10% strat
– Pule nagród 200k
– Reload bonusy
– Tematyczne akcje
Aplikacja mobilna:
– Tylko minimalna przestrzeń
– Szeroka kompatybilność
– Test bez ryzyka
– Czat na żywo
Kontrola:
Kontroluj wydatki – przypomnienia + samowykluczenie.
Zarejestruj się w lotto kasyno aplikacia i odbierz bonus!
Hazard może uzależniać.
7slots – https://7slots-mexico.com
Привет! Многие спрашивают, где сейчас дают реальные выплаты. Ответ прост: смотрите на условия бонусов. Я собрал актуальный рейтинг казино 2025 с минимальным депозитом — ссылка: Мелстрой казино. Пробовали что-то из списка?
Ребята, не тратьте время на левые сайты! Чтобы выбрать платящее казино, обращайте внимание на: поддержку рубля, а также на условия бонусов. Я лично протестировал десятки платформ и оставил только те, где выводят за час. Весь список — по ссылке: болливуд казино. Делитесь опытом!
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
Выравнивание зубов у профи, смотрите здесь <a href=
https://otsovik.com/job/moskva/ooo_stomatologicheskaya_klinika_ortolayk/
bet777 – https://bet777-mx.com
В этом что-то есть. Огромное спасибо за помощь в этом вопросе, теперь я не допущу такой ошибки.
бренд Montale, https://oudpashminakrd.ru/ известен своими уникальными ароматами, которые создают атмосферу роскоши и уюта. Каждый может найти здесь нечто, что впишется именно ему. Данные подчеркнут вашу уникальность и выразят незабываемое впечатление.
Get to know the creative work of puma777 and explore new horizons and inspiring ideas.
The platform known as Puma777 provides users with diverse entertainment choices.
moverbet – https://moverbet-login.com
в этом разделе трип скан
Hello would you mind letting me know which web host you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a reasonable price? Kudos, I appreciate it!
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Thanks!
подробнее трипскан вход
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Thanks a lot!
Can I simply just say what a relief to discover somebody that genuinely understands what they’re discussing over the internet. You certainly realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people have to read this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you’re not more popular since you surely possess the gift.
dobrowin – https://dobrowin55.com
https://geekcircles.com.ng/verde-casino-destinatia-dvs-de-frunte-pentru-casino-si-perfectiune-de-pariuri/
Your style is very unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.
This web site certainly has all the information I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Why visitors still use to read news papers when in this technological globe
everything is presented on net?
obabet – https://obabet-br.com
платный нарколог на дом narkolog-na-dom-krasnodar-2.ru .