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.
This was such an enlightening read — thank you for sharing your expertise!
узнать tripscan
greenbets – https://www.greenbets-br.com
Many thanks! An abundance of advice.
Usually I don’t read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very great post.
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
Selain itu, keseimbangan antara link Dofollow yang memberikan kekuatan peringkat dan link Nofollow yang memberikan trafik serta sinyal kepercayaan juga harus dikelola dengan bijak.
Привет! Решил собрать только те казино, где лично получил выплату. Критерии: с минимальным депозитом. Все рабочие ссылки — по адресу: Мелстрой казино. Кто уже тестировал эти площадки?
узнать больше сайт трипскан
rey casino – https://rey-casinomx.com
сайт трипскан
https://development.trapshunters.com/cyfrowe-kasyno-vox-casino-online-jedna-sposrod-wiodacych-stron-do-gier-kasynowych-online/
gbg bet – https://gbgbet-br.com
Kent casino предоставляет доступ к актуальным онлайн играм. Каталог регулярно обновляется. Пользователь может выбирать новые форматы. Сайт сохраняет стабильность. Интерес поддерживается постоянно: кент казино скачать
Simply wish to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.
I pay a visit daily a few web sites and websites to read posts, however this webpage offers quality based content.
казино азино777
1win слоты http://1win12048.ru/
узнать трипскан
бот поддержки
Всем привет! Уже третий год играю в онлайн казино, и за это время понял главное: выбирайте площадки с высоким RTP. Избегайте тех, где требуют паспорт или тормозят с выводом. Лучшие казино РФ с поддержкой ЮMoney собрал здесь: казино мелстроя. Кто что может добавить?
Всем здравия! Недавно искал, где реально можно выиграть в онлайн слотах. Оказалось, что многое зависит от RTP автомата. Проверяйте лицензию, читайте форумы. Составил актуальный рейтинг на 2025 год с прямыми ссылками: лев казино. Интересно, кто из вас уже играл здесь?
I all the time emailed this weblog post page to all my contacts, for the reason that if like to read it then my links will too.
azino 777
можно проверить ЗДЕСЬ трипскан сайт вход
This article had my full attention — amazing writing!
официальный азино 777
https://carkeyavondale.com/kasyno-internetowe-kasyna-online-jedna-wsrod-wiodacych-stron-do-hazardu-online/
Hello team!
I came across a 154 helpful tool that I think you should explore.
This platform is packed with a lot of useful information that you might find insightful.
It has everything you could possibly need, so be sure to give it a visit!
https://estacaonerd.com/voce-tem-uma-chapa-e-nao-sabe-como-mante-la-brilhando-veja-como/
Furthermore remember not to overlook, everyone, which one at all times can inside this particular publication locate responses to the most confusing questions. The authors made an effort — explain all of the data using the most most easy-to-grasp way.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really neatly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I’ll definitely return.
I love what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and reporting! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my own blogroll.
Читать далее трип скан
wazamba – https://www.wazamba-br.com
https://cwphost.net/2026/01/09/internetowe-kasyno-vox-casino-jedna-wsrod-topowych-witryn-gamblingowych/
For latest information you have to visit world wide web and on internet I found this site as a best website for hottest updates.
азино 777 официальный сайт
https://allstarservices.net/kasyno-online-kasyno-vox-jedna-wsrod-najpopularniejszych-platform-gamblingowych/
https://www.google.gy/url?q=https://www.lagodigarda.com/booking/pages/code_promo_du_bookmaker_1xbet.html
bbrbet – https://www-bbrbet-mx.com
читать трипскан
официальный сайт азино
https://articecream.sk/kasyno-online-vox-casino-jedna-z-wiodacych-platform-do-hazardu-online/
азино777 на деньги
Ортодонтия, хирургия и детская стоматология в одном месте, переходите <a href=
https://forums.aaca.org/profile/200271-alisa959/
страница сайт трипскан
Основные признаки, при которых необходим вывод из запоя:
Подробнее – помощь вывод из запоя в тольятти
777 azino
rey casino – https://rey-casinomx.com
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.
Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!