
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.
Какой месяц выдался на Mamas.Ru! Давайте вместе посмотрим, о чем говорили в марте.
По теме “Обсуждаем последние записи в дневниках мам”, там просто кладезь информации.
Вот, можете почитать:
http://mamas.ru/blog.php
Это были самые горячие обсуждения марта. Ждем вас с новыми темами в следующем месяце.
Давайте подведем итоги марта и посмотрим, какие темы стали самыми популярными.
Между прочим, если вас интересует Подготовка и празднование Нового года 2013: идеи и советы, загляните сюда.
Вот, можете почитать:
http://mamas.ru/forumdisplay.php?f=115
Большое спасибо за ваше внимание! Наверняка в следующем месяце будет еще больше интересного.
A helper for choosing the right drug and dose.
Pocket DrugGuide
«Дела семейные» https://academyds.ru онлайн-академия для родителей, супругов и всех, кто хочет разобраться в семейных вопросах. Психология, право, коммуникации, конфликты, воспитание — просто о важном для жизни.
Reverse?converts average glucose back to A1C. a1c to eag calculator
«Дела семейные» https://academyds.ru онлайн-академия для родителей, супругов и всех, кто хочет разобраться в семейных вопросах. Психология, право, коммуникации, конфликты, воспитание — просто о важном для жизни.
Трэвел-журналистика https://presskurs.ru как превращать путешествия в публикации. Работа с редакциями, создание медийного портфолио, написание текстов, интервью, фото- и видеоматериалы.
Sbototo
Hey!
Read the link – blackjack strategy for trusted online casino
Have a great day!
почему не работает мелбет melbet1034.ru
Попробуй обратиться в сервисный центр в Нижнем Новгороде, предполагаю, что данная поломка не очень серьезная и устройство можно отремонтировать, кликни на сайт
Трэвел-журналистика https://presskurs.ru как превращать путешествия в публикации. Работа с редакциями, создание медийного портфолио, написание текстов, интервью, фото- и видеоматериалы.
лучший фильм 2 онлайн смотреть аниме онлайн
Magnificent website. Plenty of helpful information here.
I’m sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And naturally, thank you on your sweat!
Трэвел-журналистика https://presskurs.ru как превращать путешествия в публикации. Работа с редакциями, создание медийного портфолио, написание текстов, интервью, фото- и видеоматериалы.
gengtoto login
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of
any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
аттестат за 11 классов купить в алматы аттестат за 11 классов купить в алматы .
серия фильм онлайн лучшие мультфильмы онлайн
фильм полностью онлайн онлайн мультфильмы для детей
Hi, bro!
Read the link – fruit slots 777 real money
Good luck:)
https://www.saffireblue.ca
как купить аттестат 11 классов как купить аттестат 11 классов .
купить аттестаты за 11 класс отзывы цена купить аттестаты за 11 класс отзывы цена .
онлайн фильм 2025 онлайн фильмы в хорошем качестве
Greetings!
Read the link – welcome bonuses blackjack online casino
Enjoy your bonuses!
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by
him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble.
You are wonderful! Thanks!
One place for trusted, evidence?based drug information.
pocketdrugguide
One?tap A1C conversion for point?of?care decisions. hbaic converter
СХТ-Москва – компания, которая железнодорожные, карьерные, автомобильные и складские весы предлагает. Продукция соответствует современным требованиям по точности и надежности. Гарантируем оперативные сроки производства весов. https://moskva.cxt.su – тут видео-презентация о компании СХТ представлена. На сайте узнаете, как происходит производство весов. Предлагаем широкий ассортимент оборудования и придерживаемся лояльной ценовой политики. Стремимся удовлетворить потребности и требования наших клиентов.
where can i get generic methocarbamol without prescription
I’m extremely inspired along with your writing skills
as neatly as with the structure in your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it your self?
Anyway stay up the nice high quality writing, it’s rare to
see a nice weblog like this one today..
элконтсервис
Попробуй обратиться в сервисный центр в Нижнем Новгороде, предполагаю, что данная поломка не очень серьезная и устройство можно отремонтировать, кликни на сайт
candy casino https://candy-casino-2.com .
Sbototo
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is really
informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if
you continue this in future. A lot of people will
be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
melbet .com http://melbet1031.ru
онлайн фильмы лета новые аниме 2025
«Академия учителя» https://edu-academiauh.ru онлайн-портал для педагогов всех уровней. Методические разработки, сценарии уроков, цифровые ресурсы и курсы. Поддержка в обучении, аттестации и ежедневной работе в школе.
фильмы онлайн hd 1080 сериалы онлайн бесплатно
купить диплом в екатеринбург реестр купить диплом в екатеринбург реестр .
Свежие скидки https://1001kupon.ru выгодные акции и рабочие промокоды — всё для того, чтобы тратить меньше. Экономьте на онлайн-покупках с проверенными кодами.
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article! It is the little
changes which will make the largest changes. Many thanks for sharing!
как купить диплом с занесением в реестр как купить диплом с занесением в реестр .
можно ли купить легальный диплом http://arus-diplom35.ru/ .
https://t.me/wine_it
Clinically vetted drug information at the point of care.
Drug Guide
Свежие скидки https://1001kupon.ru выгодные акции и рабочие промокоды — всё для того, чтобы тратить меньше. Экономьте на онлайн-покупках с проверенными кодами.
подписчики телеграм Как увеличить просмотры в Instagram: советы и рекомендации. Создание качественного контента и использование хештегов. просмотры инст