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.
Эта статья погружает вас в увлекательный мир знаний, где каждый факт становится открытием. Мы расскажем о ключевых исторических поворотных моментах и научных прорывах, которые изменили ход цивилизации. Поймите, как прошлое формирует настоящее и как его уроки могут помочь нам строить будущее.
Узнать больше – наркология вывод из запоя
Home Page https://bitmix.app/
Процесс реабилитации алкоголиков с комплексным подходом в Москве состоит из нескольких этапов, начиная от медицинской детоксикации, включающей курс процедур и вывод из состояния зависимости, и заканчивая психологической реабилитацией и социальной адаптацией. Этот процесс занимает обычно от нескольких недель до нескольких месяцев в зависимости от стадии зависимости и состояния пациента. Важной особенностью комплексной реабилитации является внимание не только к физическому состоянию, но и к эмоциональному состоянию пациента, что помогает предотвратить рецидивы и наладить нормальные отношения с окружающим миром.
Детальнее – реабилитация алкоголиков
mình thường chơi tỷ lệ kèo casino trực tiếp hấp dẫn game bài đa dạng xổ số miền bắc cá cược thể thao kèo đẹp.
he has a good point https://letsexchange.cc
more helpful hints https://daobase.io
https://kupit-semena-konopli.com/#legal-comparison
mình thường chơi tỷ lệ kèo casino đồ họa đẹp game bài công bằng xổ số miền nam cá cược thể thao kèo chuẩn.
go to this web-site https://tornadocash.app
look at these guys https://daobase.online
like this https://bitmix.app
click site https://anycoindirect.me
Нужна бесплатная юридическая консультация? Переходите по запросу консультация юриста online бесплатно в Омской области и получите помощь опытного юриста по любым правовым вопросам: семейные споры, долги, недвижимость, трудовые конфликты, защита прав потребителей и многое другое. Задайте вопрос онлайн или по телефону и получите подробный разбор вашей ситуации и рекомендации по дальнейшим действиям. Консультация проводится бесплатно и конфиденциально.
chơi ở tỷ lệ kèo mình cảm thấy thoải mái casino chân thực game bài sôi động xổ số minh bạch cá cược thể thao hỗ trợ chu đáo.
Мы предлагаем вам окунуться в океан любопытных фактов и вдохновляющих историй. Эта публикация поможет расширить горизонты, разбудить интерес к науке и истории и увидеть мир с новой стороны.
Изучите внимательнее – частный нарколог на дом
you can check here https://daobase.online
Эта информационная статья охватывает широкий спектр актуальных тем и вопросов. Мы стремимся осветить ключевые факты и события с ясностью и простотой, чтобы каждый читатель мог извлечь из нее полезные знания и полезные инсайты.
Лови подробности – частный наркологический центр
mình đánh giá tỷ lệ kèo năm sao casino chân thực game bài sôi động xổ số trúng thưởng cá cược thể thao kèo hay.
additional resources https://daobase.info
Эта публикация завернет вас в вихрь увлекательного контента, сбрасывая стереотипы и открывая двери к новым идеям. Каждый абзац станет для вас открытием, полным ярких примеров и впечатляющих достижений. Подготовьтесь быть вовлеченными и удивленными каждый раз, когда продолжите читать.
Углубить понимание вопроса – вывод из запоя недорого
mình đánh giá tỷ lệ kèo năm sao casino đồ họa sắc nét game bài công bằng xổ số nhanh chóng cá cược thể thao kèo hay.
http://herodigital-ch.com/
A empresa Herodigital Ch apresenta-se como uma empresa profissional dedicada ao publico em Portugal, que disponibiliza um acompanhamento profissional a empresas e particulares, com foco na transparencia e confianca. Veja a oferta completa nesta pagina.
Эта информационная статья охватывает широкий спектр актуальных тем и вопросов. Мы стремимся осветить ключевые факты и события с ясностью и простотой, чтобы каждый читатель мог извлечь из нее полезные знания и полезные инсайты.
Есть чему поучиться – капельница от запоя в стационаре
từ ngày chơi tỷ lệ kèo mình thắng khá casino đồ họa sắc nét game bài công bằng xổ số minh bạch cá cược thể thao hỗ trợ chu đáo.
Эта познавательная публикация погружает вас в море интересного контента, который быстро захватит ваше внимание. Мы рассмотрим важные аспекты темы и предоставим вам уникальные Insights и полезные сведения для дальнейшего изучения.
Тыкай сюда — узнаешь много интересного – капельница от похмелья стоимость
В статье представлены ключевые моменты по актуальной теме, дополненные советами экспертов и ссылками на дополнительные ресурсы. Цель материала — дать читателю инструменты для самостоятельного развития и принятия осознанных решений.
Кликни и узнай всё! – выезд нарколога на дом
http://herodigital-ch.com/
A equipa Herodigital Ch e uma consultora experiente dedicada ao tecido empresarial portugues, que disponibiliza uma abordagem completa a quem procura resultados, valorizando na transparencia e confianca. Saiba mais atraves do link.
từ khi biết tỷ lệ kèo mình giới thiệu casino đồ họa sắc nét game bài công bằng xổ số minh bạch cá cược thể thao hỗ trợ tốt.
Этот информационный материал собраны данные, которые помогут лучше понять текущие тенденции и процессы в различных сферах жизни. Мы предоставляем четкий анализ, графики и примеры, чтобы информация была не только понятной, но и практичной для принятия решений.
Продолжить изучение – наркологический частный центр
Find Out More https://tornadocash.app
http://herodigital-ch.com/
A empresa Herodigital Ch posiciona-se como uma agencia especializada dedicada ao publico em Portugal, que proporciona servicos de qualidade a empresas e particulares, com foco na excelencia do servico. Conheca mais aqui.
read what he said https://daobase.io/
mình thường chơi tỷ lệ kèo casino đồ họa sắc nét game bài công bằng xổ số nhanh chóng cá cược thể thao kèo đẹp.
When some one searches for his vital thing, therefore he/she wants to be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.
chơi tỷ lệ kèo mình thấy nền tảng tốt casino mượt mà game bài tiến lên vui xổ số trúng lớn cá cược thể thao hỗ trợ tốt.
click for more https://daobase.info
Эта публикация дает возможность задействовать различные источники информации и представить их в удобной форме. Читатели смогут быстро найти нужные данные и получить ответы на интересующие их вопросы. Мы стремимся к четкости и доступности материала для всех!
Где можно узнать подробнее? – наркологическая помощь на дому в самаре
Этот информационный материал собраны данные, которые помогут лучше понять текущие тенденции и процессы в различных сферах жизни. Мы предоставляем четкий анализ, графики и примеры, чтобы информация была не только понятной, но и практичной для принятия решений.
Кликни и узнай всё! – быстрый вывод из запоя в стационаре
Click This Link https://swaplab.io
helpful resources https://anycoindirect.me/
This Site https://mixmy.money/
go to this site https://daobase.online
Этот информативный текст отличается привлекательным содержанием и актуальными данными. Мы предлагаем читателям взглянуть на привычные вещи под новым углом, предоставляя интересный и доступный материал. Получите удовольствие от чтения и расширьте кругозор!
Продолжить изучение – частный наркологический центр
Get More Info https://daobase.io
useful reference https://letsexchange.cc
helpful site https://swaplab.io
pop over here https://letsexchange.cc/
check my reference https://daobase.online/
over at this website https://daobase.io
Наркологическая клиника «Оптимед» в Кирове предлагает комплексное лечение зависимостей. Пациентам доступен вывод из запоя, терапия при алкоголизме и наркомании, а также поэтапная реабилитация. Центр обеспечивает анонимность и индивидуальный подход.
Выяснить больше – вызов на дом капельницы от запоя