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://annapurnafoundation.in/2025/08/14/a-verde-casino-free-spins-melyrehato-attekintese-megfelel-e-az-elvarasoknak/
Современный автопортал https://automobile.kyiv.ua свежие новости, сравнительные обзоры, тесты, автострахование и обслуживание. Полезная информация для водителей и покупателей.
The Purple Peel Exploit is catching attention for its unique, natural
method said to support skin renewal and overall vitality.
Users are intrigued by how it blends traditional ingredients with modern wellness trends to
promote a healthier, more youthful appearance.
For those seeking an unconventional yet promising approach to self-care,
the Purple Peel Exploit is worth looking
into.
прогнозы на хоккей сегодня прогнозы на хоккей сегодня .
Compare Kamagra with branded alternatives: ED treatment without doctor visits – Sildenafil oral jelly fast absorption effect
Строительный сайт https://vitamax.dp.ua с полезными материалами о ремонте, дизайне и современных технологиях. Обзоры стройматериалов, инструкции по монтажу, проекты домов и советы экспертов.
Возможно, это будет полезно участникам обсуждения:
Особенно понравился раздел про m-admin.ru.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://m-admin.ru
Рад был поделиться информацией.
Всем привет, нашел интересную информацию по теме:
Между прочим, если вас интересует rustrail.ru, загляните сюда.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://rustrail.ru
Буду признателен за ваши отзывы.
Чтобы разобраться в вопросе, рекомендую ознакомиться:
Кстати, если вас интересует travelmontenegro.ru, загляните сюда.
Смотрите сами:
https://travelmontenegro.ru
Если у вас есть что добавить, не стесняйтесь.
Вот отличный материал, который проливает свет на ситуацию:
Кстати, если вас интересует phenoma.ru, загляните сюда.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://phenoma.ru
Спасибо за внимание.
https://sildenapeak.shop/# brand viagra uk
https://epc.ucsc.edu/2025/07/3629/
горшок с автополивом купить горшок с автополивом купить .
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a weblog web site?
The account helped me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of
this your broadcast offered vivid clear idea
Женский портал https://fotky.com.ua с полезными статьями о красоте, моде, здоровье, отношениях и карьере. Советы экспертов, лайфхаки для дома, рецепты и вдохновение для каждой женщины.
Женский портал https://fotky.com.ua с полезными статьями о красоте, моде, здоровье, отношениях и карьере. Советы экспертов, лайфхаки для дома, рецепты и вдохновение для каждой женщины.
Женский портал https://fotky.com.ua с полезными статьями о красоте, моде, здоровье, отношениях и карьере. Советы экспертов, лайфхаки для дома, рецепты и вдохновение для каждой женщины.
Онлайн женский портал https://martime.com.ua новости, тренды моды, секреты красоты, психология отношений, карьера и семья. Полезные материалы и практические советы для женщин.
Онлайн женский портал https://martime.com.ua новости, тренды моды, секреты красоты, психология отношений, карьера и семья. Полезные материалы и практические советы для женщин.
Онлайн женский портал https://martime.com.ua новости, тренды моды, секреты красоты, психология отношений, карьера и семья. Полезные материалы и практические советы для женщин.
кракен онион
Недавно столкнулся с похожей ситуацией, и вот что помогло:
Хочу выделить материал про tars-rubber.ru.
Ссылка ниже:
https://tars-rubber.ru
Давайте обсудим это подробнее.
Чтобы было понятнее, о чем речь:
Зацепил раздел про rustrail.ru.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://rustrail.ru
Надеюсь, это было полезно.
Согласен с предыдущим оратором, и в дополнение хочу сказать:
Зацепил раздел про travelmontenegro.ru.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://travelmontenegro.ru
Пишите, что у вас получилось.
Недавно столкнулся с похожей ситуацией, и вот что помогло:
Кстати, если вас интересует anclaves.ru, загляните сюда.
Вот, можете почитать:
https://anclaves.ru
Уверен, вместе мы найдем решение.
zithromax
Thank you, I have just been looking for information about this topic for ages and yours is
the best I have discovered till now. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are
you positive about the supply?
Why visitors still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world all is
presented on web?
Уверен, эта информация будет для вас полезна:
Хочу выделить материал про classifields.ru.
Ссылка ниже:
https://classifields.ru
Всем мира и продуктивного дня
Давно слежу за этой темой, хочу поделиться находкой:
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “detoxa.ru”, нашел много полезного.
Ссылка ниже:
https://detoxa.ru
Уверен, вместе мы найдем решение.
Очень рекомендую к прочтению:
Хочу выделить материал про avelonbeta.ru.
Смотрите сами:
https://avelonbeta.ru
Какие еще есть варианты?
Если кому интересно, вот более детальная информация:
Зацепил материал про buytime.ru.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://buytime.ru
Если у вас есть что добавить, не стесняйтесь.
https://malenyfreelancerealty.com.au/verde-casino-la-tua-destinazione-principale-per-il-casino-e-la-grandezza-delle-scommesse/
https://test.lissllc.com/2025/08/11/app-verde-casino-la-tua-destinazione-principale-per-il-casino-e-la-qualita-delle-scommesse/
Чтобы разобраться в вопросе, рекомендую ознакомиться:
Особенно понравился раздел про mersobratva.ru.
Ссылка ниже:
https://mersobratva.ru
Надеюсь, у вас все получится.
Делюсь с вами полезной ссылкой по теме:
Зацепил раздел про localflavors.ru.
Смотрите сами:
https://localflavors.ru
Буду рад, если кому-то пригодится.
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website.
I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future
as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to
get my own, personal website now ;)
горшки с автополивом для комнатных растений горшки с автополивом для комнатных растений .
Personalized serum from is an innovative product stagramer.com, the formula of which is developed based on data about your skin.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe this web site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read
more, thanks for the info!
мостбет скачать мостбет скачать
The mobile casino site is super fast.
my web blog; savaspin
горшок с автополивом купить горшок с автополивом купить .
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent
blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
That is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Simple but very accurate information… Thanks for
sharing this one. A must read post!
It’s very trouble-free to find out any topic on web as compared to textbooks,
as I found this piece of writing at this web
page.
умный цветочный горшок умный цветочный горшок .
Everything is very open with a clear description of the issues.
It was really informative. Your site is useful.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks designed for sharing such a nice thinking, post is pleasant, thats why i have
read it entirely
Покупательские предпочтения в загородном сегменте кардинально меняются. «Зем-Комфорт» отвечает на запросы времени, выстраивая модель развития территорий, где каждый аспект направлен на создание комфортной среды обитания.
Земкомфорт