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.
sell USDT in tourist areas Malta
розовое вино rose Вино к баранине Для идеального сочетания вина и баранины необходимо учитывать способ приготовления блюда и интенсивность вкуса мяса. К жареной баранине, приготовленной на гриле или в духовке, отлично подойдут насыщенные красные вина с выраженными танинами, такие как Каберне Совиньон или Сира. Они помогут сбалансировать жирность мяса и подчеркнуть его аромат.
https://mez.ink/musicloatman09121985
Sell USDT in Vancouver
приводы somfy https://avtomatika-somfy77.ru/ .
https://beteiligung.stadtlindau.de/profile/%D0%9A%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%8C%20%D0%9A%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%20%D0%9C%D0%B5%D1%84%D0%B5%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%20%D0%9C%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%85%D1%83%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%83%20%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%86/
проект перепланировки и переустройства http://www.proekt-pereplanirovki-kvartiry5.ru .
That is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to searching for
extra of your great post. Additionally, I’ve shared
your website in my social networks
USDT P2P trading Thailand
dragonmoney
Лоукост авиабилеты https://lowcost-flights.com.ua по самым выгодным ценам. Сравните предложения ведущих авиакомпаний, забронируйте онлайн и путешествуйте дешево.
https://hub.docker.com/u/swalahhuys
Hi there everyone, it’s my first go to see at this website, and paragraph is truly fruitful in favor of
me, keep up posting these articles.
Предлагаю услуги https://uslugi.yandex.ru/profile/DmitrijR-2993571 копирайтинга, SEO-оптимизации и графического дизайна. Эффективные тексты, высокая видимость в поиске и привлекательный дизайн — всё для роста вашего бизнеса.
sell USDT in Indonesia
https://bio.site/diabeidigib
В этой информационной статье вы найдете интересное содержание, которое поможет вам расширить свои знания. Мы предлагаем увлекательный подход и уникальные взгляды на обсуждаемые темы, побуждая пользователей к активному мышлению и критическому анализу!
Получить дополнительную информацию – https://quick-vyvod-iz-zapoya-1.ru/
https://shootinfo.com/author/alneilnabhan/?pt=ads
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different web
page and thought I might as well check things
out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to finding out about your web
page repeatedly.
If some one wishes expert view regarding running a blog afterward i advise him/her to visit this web site, Keep up
the good work.
В этой статье вы найдете познавательную и занимательную информацию, которая поможет вам лучше понять мир вокруг. Мы собрали интересные данные, которые вдохновляют на размышления и побуждают к действиям. Открывайте новую информацию и получайте удовольствие от чтения!
Читать дальше – http://cvision.com/product/the-red-dot
Hi! I’ve been reading your site for some time now and finally got
the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from
Kingwood Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the good work! https://ulfishing.ru/libraries/pgs/?ramenbet__slotu__bonusu_i_azart_bez_pereruva.html
https://odysee.com/@Lee_patriciam02750
Лоукост авиабилеты https://lowcost-flights.com.ua по самым выгодным ценам. Сравните предложения ведущих авиакомпаний, забронируйте онлайн и путешествуйте дешево.
Предлагаю услуги https://uslugi.yandex.ru/profile/DmitrijR-2993571 копирайтинга, SEO-оптимизации и графического дизайна. Эффективные тексты, высокая видимость в поиске и привлекательный дизайн — всё для роста вашего бизнеса.
гидроизоляция цена gidroizolyaciya-cena-3.ru .
https://www.montessorijobsuk.co.uk/author/cehocioicibi/
https://www.longisland.com/profile/fast1xbet
I am really impressed with your writing skills and also
with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme
or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the
nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.
you are really a excellent webmaster. The web site loading pace is amazing.
It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you’ve performed a magnificent process in this
matter!
https://potofu.me/r6ozbjox
sell USDT in Famagusta
проект реконструкции квартиры проект реконструкции квартиры .
дизайн человека построить бодиграф хьюмен дизайн человека рассчитать бесплатно с расшифровкой по дате рождения дизайн человека рамблер
https://www.altoimpactoperu.com/v-prezentm-cazino-verde-escapada-dvs-de-pariuri/
The art of developing engaging content is a complex process that requires a deep understanding of target audiences and their preferences. It would be fascinating to see you explore how these concepts align with cutting-edge trends, such as artificial intelligence, and how they can be leveraged to enhance engagement. Your talent for uncovering key insights is truly outstanding. Thanks for always providing such priceless perspectives—I’m looking forward to your next post!
click: https://talkchatgpt.com/
gpt chat
https://pixelfed.tokyo/blackprinceborne13
https://kazan.land/
dove posso trovare bactrim economico in compresse
https://muckrack.com/person-27442394
авто из Кореи Индивидуальный заказ авто из Кореи: Создайте автомобиль по своему вкусу.
https://dev-pixelquest21.pantheonsite.io/2025/08/03/pozdravete-verde-casino-code-sshhnostta-na-2/
onlinecanadianpharmacy com
https://chatbot.poleviotte.fr/index.php/2025/08/04/verde-casino-italia-la-tua-destinazione-principale-5/
авиатор прогнозы телеграм http://1win1168.ru/
Аренда авто в Краснодаре бизнес
USDT to USD cash NYC
https://bio.site/ydugahioht
вывод из запоя круглосуточно
vivod-iz-zapoya-minsk005.ru
лечение запоя
Полностью поддерживаю, и вот еще одно подтверждение:
Хочу выделить материал про tars-rubber.ru.
Ссылка ниже:
https://tars-rubber.ru
Всем добра!