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.
ПрофильДорс – отечественные межкомнатные двери
seoshift – Content reads clearly, helpful examples made concepts easy to grasp.
Appreciate the recommendation. Let me try it out.
Tajriba va xavfsizlik: Platformada tarjimai hol bilan shug‘ullanish, yutuqlarni tez yotqizish va mijozlar xizmatlari orqali tezkor yordam olish mumkin|
Qidiruvlar va maslahatlar: 888starz uz foydalanuvchilarga yangiliklar, promo aksiyalar va yangi o‘yinlarni kuzatish imkoniyatini taqdim etadi
promo code 888starz https://888starzbet-uz.com/promo-code/
seonexus – Found practical insights today; sharing this article with colleagues later.
888starz uz xavfsiz o‘yin muhitini yaratish uchun yuqori xavfsizlik choralarini qo‘llab-quvvatlaydi, shaxsiy ma’lumotlar maxfiy bo‘ladi|
O‘yinchilarga doimo yordam beruvchi xizmatlar faol bo‘lib turadi
888starz download apk https://888starzbet-uz.com/apk/
find here Crypto
Kuchli parol siyosati va ikki faktorli tasdiqlash orqali hisoblar xavfsiz qilingan|
Yordam xizmatlari 24/7 faol bo‘lib, o‘yinchilarga tez yordam beradi
promo code 888starz https://888starzbet-uz.com/promo-code/
Our assessment provides Ghanaian players with factual insights needed to make informed decisions greenbet online casino
Работа мечты умерла. Осталась только работа выживания. Глобальные тренды 2026 https://telegra.ph/Problemy-sovremennogo-rynka-truda-i-globalnye-izmeneniya-02-24
seoshift – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.
seonexus – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
В этом что-то есть. Я согласен с Вами, спасибо за помощь в этом вопросе. Как всегда все гениальное просто.
online marketing, https://www.authoraevia.com/forum/topic/ev-ve-temizlik-urunleri/ is important for businesses today. Leveraging digital strategies helps companies attract a broader audience. Effective campaigns can lead to higher conversions and elevated brand awareness.
pop over to this site Exchange
Kirish: 888starz uz — bu raqamlar va imkoniyatlar olamidagi o‘yinlar dunyosi, ular orqali har kim o‘z xavfsiz o‘yin tajribasini yaratishi mumkin|
Qidiruvlar va maslahatlar: 888starz uz foydalanuvchilarga yangiliklar, promo aksiyalar va yangi o‘yinlarni kuzatish imkoniyatini taqdim etadi
888starz promo code https://888starzbet-uz.com/promo-code/
Ребята решили вопрос.. Вместо 307 выслали компинсацию в виде 1220. Давно не курил такие миксы, живы отдыхают, концентрацию 1к20 делал. https://foto-wallpapers.ru ребят, как узнать того чимакала добавил в скайп, и на каком сайте оформляется заказ?Надеюсь этот вопрос решится …….
my sources Make money on gold
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely think this amazing site needs a lot more
attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the
info!
It’s impressive that you are getting ideas from this paragraph as well as from
our dialogue made at this time.
1win sin bloqueo 1win sin bloqueo
What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & aid different customers like its aided me. Great job.
The African online gaming market has witnessed remarkable growth, with platforms https://vipgreenbet.org
Thanks for sharing this detailed information. I highly suggest exploring sv88.estate, a deeply trusted digital platform that offers modern design, exceptionally fast loading speeds, and perfectly secure online transactions.
I’m skeptical about the timeline you proposed, but I’m willing to test it. If this holds up, it changes how we structure our entire outreach program.
The African online gaming market has witnessed remarkable growth, with platforms greenbet casino
Playing at an online casino offers an exciting way to enjoy your favorite games. You can explore various options like slots, blackjack, and poker. With exciting offers, you can increase your chances of winning. It’s vital to select a reputable casino site to ensure a safe gaming experience. So, get ready to play online casino, https://yajnabhoomi.com/2026/01/26/descubre-la-magia-de-777-casino-tu-destino-de-4/ and have a chance to win big!
Xavfsizlik va himoya: 888starz uz xavfsiz o‘yin muhitini yaratish uchun zamonaviy shifrlash protokollarini joriy qiladi, shaxsiy ma’lumotlar maxfiy saqlanadi|
Foydalanuvchilar uchun yangiliklar, promo aksiyalar va yangi o‘yinlar haqida tez-tez xabardor bo‘lish imkoniyati ko‘rsatiladi
888starz официальный сайт https://888starzbet-uz.com/
kasino-s-ceskou-licenci
Feel free to surf to my web site – ruleta (Deandre)
The African online gaming market has witnessed remarkable growth, with platforms greenbet online casino
Zamonaviy shifrlash protokollari bilan 888starz uz xavfsiz o‘yin muhitini yaratadi, shaxsiy ma’lumotlar maxfiy saqlanadi|
Yordam xizmatlari 24/7 faol bo‘lib, o‘yinchilarga tez yordam beradi
888starz скачать на андроид телефон бесплатно https://888starzbet-uz.com/apk/
slots-gratuits-jeux-de-machine-en-ligne-pour-le-plaisir
Check out my page … spins
padişahbet giris padişahbet
have a peek at these guys Earn crypto
В обзорной статье вы найдете собрание важных фактов и аналитики по самым разнообразным темам. Мы рассматриваем как современные исследования, так и исторические контексты, чтобы вы могли получить полное представление о предмете. Погрузитесь в мир знаний и сделайте шаг к пониманию!
Посмотреть всё – https://pps.umuslim.ac.id/?p=2007
мелбет мобильная версия
Установить Melbet: Android, iOS и компьютер
Приложение Melbet объединяет букмекерскую контору и казино в едином приложении. Доступны live-ставки, казино-игры, прямые трансляции, аналитика и быстрые финансовые операции. Загрузка занимает 1–2 минуты.
Android (APK)
Загрузите APK с официального источника, откройте файл и подтвердите установку. Если требуется включите разрешение на установку из неизвестных источников, затем авторизуйтесь.
iOS (iPhone)
Перейдите в App Store, введите в поиске «Melbet», нажмите «Получить», после установки авторизуйтесь в системе.
ПК
Откройте официальный сайт, войдите в личный кабинет и добавьте ярлык на рабочий стол. Веб-версия работает как полноценное приложение.
Функционал
Live-ставки с мгновенным обновлением линии, казино и слоты, просмотр матчей, подробная статистика, уведомления о матчах, быстрая регистрация и поддержка 24/7.
Бонусы
После загрузки доступны бонус на первый депозит, акционные коды и фрибеты. Условия зависят от региона.
Безопасность
Загружайте только с официального сайта, проверяйте домен, не сообщайте данные доступа третьим лицам и включите 2FA.
Установка занимает несколько минут, после чего доступен весь функционал Melbet.
Platformada yutuqlarni tez yotqizish, mijozlar xizmatlari orqali tezkor yordam olish va xavfsiz tarjimai hol bilan shug‘ullanish mumkin|
Foydalanuvchilar uchun yangiliklar, promo aksiyalar va yangi o‘yinlar haqida tez-tez xabardor bo‘lish imkoniyati ko‘rsatiladi
888 старз https://888starzbet-uz.com/
mostbet скачать на андроид https://mostbet82043.help
Zamonaviy shifrlash protokollari bilan 888starz uz xavfsiz o‘yin muhitini yaratadi, shaxsiy ma’lumotlar maxfiy saqlanadi|
Interfeys va yordam: O‘yinchilarga yordam berish xizmatlari 24/7 faoliyat ko‘rsatadi
888starz registration online https://888starzbet-uz.com/registration/
Good day! I just would like to offer you a big thumbs up for the great info you have got right here on this post. I will be coming back to your website for more soon.
The African online gaming market has witnessed remarkable growth, with platforms green bet
Воздержусь от комментариев.
online casino uden rofus, https://studyinporto.pt/spil-uden-om-rufus-dansk-en-guide-til-ansvarlige/ tilbyder enestående spilmuligheder for gamblere. Her kan du deltage i spil uden bekymringer. Oplev spænding i et pålideligt miljø.
Artikel yang sangat bermanfaat. Banyak pria di Indonesia mencari informasi tentang obat kuat pria.
Penting untuk selalu memilih produk yang
aman dan mendapatkan informasi dari sumber terpercaya.
Как определить практичное решение
Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same
niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
Online Casino Slots, https://revive.atulenterprises.com/2026/02/10/discover-the-exciting-features-of-casino-bounty/ offer fun for players seeking jackpots. With numerous themes and features, each game provides a unique experience. Players can enjoy the enjoyment of each round while trying their luck!
Hi I am so excited I found your webpage, I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Digg for
something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a incredible post and
a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read
through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked
it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the superb jo.
meilleures-façons-de-gagner-des-machines-à-sous
Here is my homepage :: real
my blog Swap crypto
Check Out Your URL Crypto
Foydalanuvchi yo‘nalishi: Foydalanuvchilar uchun qulay interfeys, tezkor ro‘yxatdan o‘tish jarayoni va xavfsiz pul o‘tkazish imkoniyatlari ta’kidlanadi|
Yangiliklar, promo aksiyalar va yangi o‘yinlarni kuzatish imkoniyati bilan 888starz uz foydalanuvchilarini rag‘batlantiradi
888starz online https://888starzbet-uz.com/