
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.
Автоматизированные системы дозирования обеспечивают точное введение лекарственных средств, что минимизирует риск передозировки и побочных эффектов. Постоянный мониторинг жизненных показателей позволяет оперативно корректировать терапию в режиме реального времени, обеспечивая максимальную безопасность процедуры.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – нарколог на дом вывод из запоя в уфе
опубликовано здесь создание документов онлайн
веб-сайте https://ufolabs.xyz/
В данной статье рассматриваются физиологические и эмоциональные аспекты зависимости. Мы обсудим, как организм реагирует на зависимое поведение, и какие методы помогают восстановить здоровье и внутреннее равновесие.
Ознакомиться с теоретической базой – Похмельная служба Санкт Петербург
В этой статье рассматриваются актуальные вопросы, связанные с развитием медицинской науки и её внедрением в повседневную практику. Особое внимание уделено вопросам профилактики, ранней диагностики и использованию технологий для улучшения здоровья человека.
Читать полностью – стоп алко
Hi! You never disappoint.
настройка http user agent
узнать https://ufolabs.cc
Главная https://ufolabs.io
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!
Bookmaker hors arjel
подробнее здесь https://ufolabs.io/
Hi! So happy you posted this.
user agent как изменить
посмотреть в этом разделе document generation service
click here to investigate
download tiktok without watermark
Hey friend! You rock!
curl no user agent
Hi! You always deliver joy.
mac os user agent
check this site out
tiktok video downloader
Этот информационный материал подробно освещает проблему наркозависимости, ее причины и последствия. Мы предлагаем информацию о методах лечения, профилактики и поддерживающих программах. Цель статьи — повысить осведомленность и продвигать идеи о необходимости борьбы с зависимостями.
Что скрывают от вас? – Похмельная служба в Санкт Петербурге
Home Page
download tiktok no watermark
Алкогольная и наркотическая зависимость требуют незамедлительного и комплексного вмешательства для предотвращения серьезных осложнений и сохранения здоровья пациента. В Уфе, Республика Башкортостан, опытные наркологи выезжают на дом 24 часа в сутки, предоставляя оперативную помощь при запоях и в случаях наркотической интоксикации. Такой формат лечения позволяет начать детоксикацию в комфортной, привычной обстановке, обеспечивая максимальную конфиденциальность и индивидуальный подход к каждому пациенту.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – нарколог на дом вывод уфа
Услуга “Нарколог на дом” в Уфе охватывает широкий спектр лечебных мероприятий, направленных как на устранение токсической нагрузки, так и на работу с психоэмоциональным состоянием пациента. Комплексная терапия включает в себя медикаментозную детоксикацию, корректировку обменных процессов, а также психотерапевтическую поддержку, что позволяет не только вывести пациента из состояния запоя, но и помочь ему справиться с наркотической зависимостью.
Подробнее – частный нарколог на дом
Эта информационная публикация освещает широкий спектр тем из мира медицины. Мы предлагаем читателям ясные и понятные объяснения современных заболеваний, методов профилактики и лечения. Информация будет полезна как пациентам, так и медицинским работникам, желающим поддержать уровень своих знаний.
Лучшее решение — прямо здесь – стоп алко симферополь
Hello! You’re the best.
u user agent
Fees are responsive team, and the execution is always smooth.
сколько стоит капельница от похмелья https://kapelnicza-ot-pokhmelya-samara-23.ru
Этот документ охватывает важные аспекты медицинской науки, сосредотачиваясь на ключевых вопросах, касающихся здоровья населения. Мы рассматриваем свежие исследования, клинические рекомендации и лучшие практики, которые помогут улучшить качество лечения и профилактики заболеваний. Читатели получат возможность углубиться в различные медицинские дисциплины.
Полная информация здесь – Наркологическая клиника «Похмельная служба» в Пушкино
Solid value packed into a relatively short post, that takes skill, and a look at urbantrendstore continues the dense useful content across more pages, this site clearly understands that respecting reader time is itself a form of generosity which is something most blog operations seem to have forgotten lately across the wider open web.
читать https://ufolabs.xyz/
Hey! This made me happy.
user agent server sip
Этот текст посвящён сложным аспектам зависимости и её влиянию на жизнь человека. Мы обсудим психологические, физические и социальные последствия зависимого поведения, а также важность своевременного обращения за помощью.
Обратитесь за информацией – стоп алко
their website
downloader tik tok
online casino slots, https://alawaellab.com/?p=21630 offer fun for players around the world. These games feature colorful graphics and exciting themes that keep users coming back. With countless winnings, chances of earning are high!
Generic Tadalafil 20mg price MensRxGuide п»їcialis generic
смотреть здесь automated document generator
узнать больше https://ufolabs.xyz
Hello! This post is everything.
user agent не указан
В этой статье мы рассматриваем разные способы борьбы с алкогольной зависимостью. Обсуждаются методы лечения, программы реабилитации и советы для поддержки близких. Читатели получат информацию о том, как преодолеть зависимость и добиться успешного выздоровления.
Подробнее – Похмельная служба в Санкт Петербурге
Следующая страница automated document generator
Hello! So good to see you again.
user agent yandex allow
кухни на заказ в спб кухни на заказ в спб
use this link
download audio tiktok
рулонные шторы крепление на окно https://rulonnye-elektroshtory.ru
Adding this to my list of go to references for the topic, and a stop at everydayessentials confirmed the rest of the site deserves the same, definitely the kind of resource that earns its place rather than getting forgotten the moment the next interesting article shows up in my feed somewhere else on the web.
В данной статье мы акцентируем внимание на важности поддержки в процессе выздоровления. Мы обсудим, как друзья, семья и профессионалы могут помочь тем, кто сталкивается с зависимостями. Читатели получат практические советы, как поддерживать близких на пути к новой жизни.
Открыть полностью – Наркологическая клиника «Похмельная служба» в Симферополе
В этой медицинской статье мы погрузимся в актуальные вопросы здравоохранения и лечения заболеваний. Читатели узнают о современных подходах, методах диагностики и новых открытий в научных исследованиях. Наша цель — донести важную информацию и повысить уровень осведомленности о здоровье.
Углубить понимание вопроса – «Похмельная служба» в Самаре
see here now
save tiktok video
Hey! You light up my feed.
user agent arm
Hey! You make my day better.
user agent android change
cozy up with a good book,sexy lingerieand shop for some fabulous and beautifully-crafted lingerie and loungewear.
этот контент https://ufolabs.xyz/
Hey there! You’re a daily dose of positivity.
user agent what