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.
https://telegra.ph/Dispergatory-RPA-07-31-3
купить аттестат за 11 класс дешево купить аттестат за 11 класс дешево .
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is needed to get setup?
I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty
penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% positive.
Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
манхва главная манхва с переводом
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you really recognise
what you are speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally talk over with my website =).
We can have a link alternate arrangement among us
обучение кайтсёрфингу Кайт лагерь: отзывы и рекомендации
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading
it, you will be a great author. I will remember to
bookmark your blog and may come back in the foreseeable future.
I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great writing, have a nice weekend!
https://telegra.ph/Kolca-dlya-separatorov-07-31-2
comic book manga comics HD online free
nova comics free comic reader PC
manga reader no ads latest manga updates online
buy from mexico pharmacy buy from mexico pharmacy cheap cialis mexico
Комплексное обслуживание квартир, офисов и коммерческих объектов — клининг в спб по выгодным условиям. Работы проводятся с соблюдением всех санитарных норм.
Профессиональные очистительные услуги в Санкт-Петербурге – это популярное решение для различных людей и компаний. Чистое пространство создает комфорт в рабочей среде. Многие компании предлагают клининговые услуги.
Первым шагом в выборе клининговых услуг является определение своих потребностей. Необходимо выяснить, требуется ли уборка жилых помещений или коммерческих пространств. Также важно учитывать частоту уборки.
Второй этап – найти проверенного подрядчика. Изучите отзывы о клининговых услугах, чтобы сделать правильный выбор. Серьезные фирмы предлагают гарантии качества выполнения работ.
И последнее, перед тем как остановиться на компании, сравните расценки. Разные компании могут предлагать различные расценки на свои услуги. Не всегда высокая цена означает лучшее качество.
Hello! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where
I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
Thanks a lot!
https://www.gagolga.de/includes/articles/?1xbet_promo_code__vip_bonus_up_to____130.html
3d comics online top comics online full color
новые манхвы 2025 манхва на русском
вебтуны читать топ манхвы
anime manga read shonen manga free
free manga app reader read manga no registration
Психолог 4 11
Excellent article. I will be going through some of these issues as well..
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next post thank you
once again.
У сфинксов повышенная выработка кожного сала — это нормально. Им просто нужна регулярная гигиена, как людям. Один-два раза в неделю — и кожа питомца будет в порядке. Какой характер у сфинкса
кайт лагерь Трапеция для кайтсёрфинга: комфорт и поддержка. Выберите трапецию, которая идеально подходит вам.
Hi there, just wanted to tell you, I loved this article.
It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
watch comics free graphic novels online
comics manga online HD comics reader free
манхва бесплатно манхва с переводом
обучение кайтсёрфингу Обучение кайтсёрфингу требует терпения и внимательности. Важно начинать с опытного инструктора, который научит основным навыкам управления кайтом и безопасности на воде.
http://canadrxnexus.com/# CanadRx Nexus
I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
Would you offer guest writers to write content available
for you? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write about here.
Again, awesome web site!
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help 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.
Cheers!
Cделай запрос в сервисный центр в Новосибирске, считаю, что данная поломка не очень серьезная и устройство можно отремонтировать, кликни перейдите на страницу
Thanks , I have recently been looking for info about this topic for ages and
yours is the best I’ve came upon so far. But, what in regards to
the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the source?
Hi, just wanted to say, I liked this post.
It was funny. Keep on posting!
читать манхву читать манхву с переводом
My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on a
variety of websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts
into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
манхва бесплатно манхва для девушек
https://tga-info.ru/izzhoga-proshhaj-kak-obuzdat-kislotnost-i-vernutsya-k-zhizni/
Ahaa, its nice discussion concerning this paragraph at this place at this website, I have read all that,
so at this time me also commenting here.
https://www.drive2.ru/b/710494794215858822/
Great post.
Кожа сфинксов бывает разных оттенков: розовая, серая, голубоватая, пятнистая. Каждый котёнок — уникален, словно маленькая скульптура. Какая температура тела у сфинкса
웅장한 사이트. 여기 많은 도움이 되는 내용이 있습니다.
여러 친구들에게 보내고 delicious에서도 공유할게요.
그리고 당연히, 노력에 감사합니다!
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
Very useful information particularly the last part :) I care for such information a lot.
I was seeking this certain information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
I am regular reader, how are you everybody?
This piece of writing posted at this website is in fact pleasant.
What’s up colleagues, how is everything, and what you want to say about this post, in my view its really amazing in support of
me.
casino candy casino candy .
Не тратьте время на уборку — делегируйте её профессионалам. Услуги клининг спб обеспечивают чистоту и комфорт в любом помещении.
Услуги клининга в СПБ – это необходимость для множества людей и организаций. Поддержание чистоты – это важный аспект в рабочей среде. Многие компании предлагают клининговые услуги.
Определение нужд в клининге – первый шаг к чистоте. Например, нужны ли вам услуги по уборке квартир или офисов. Не забудьте учесть, как часто вам нужна уборка.
Вторым ключевым шагом является поиск надежной компании. Обратите внимание на отзывы клиентов. Надежные компании предоставляют гарантии на свои услуги.
И последнее, перед тем как остановиться на компании, сравните расценки. Цены на клининговые услуги могут различаться в зависимости от фирмы. Дорогие услуги не всегда гарантируют высокое качество.
Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is important and all. Nevertheless just imagine if you added some great photos or video
clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but
with images and video clips, this website could certainly be one of the
most beneficial in its niche. Excellent blog!