
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.
В этой статье рассматриваются различные аспекты избавления от зависимости, включая физические и психологические методы. Мы обсудим поддержку, мотивацию и стратегии, которые помогут в процессе выздоровления. Читатели узнают, как преодолеть трудности и двигаться к новой жизни без зависимости.
Провести детальное исследование – Похмельная служба Санкт Петербург
p179d00
Статья посвящена анализу текущих трендов в медицине и их влиянию на жизнь людей. Мы рассмотрим новые технологии, методы лечения и значение профилактики в обеспечении долголетия и здоровья.
Ознакомьтесь с аналитикой – Наркологическая клиника «Похмельная служба» в Краснодаре
Hey! This made my heart smile.
user agent header example
more info here
mp3 tiktok downloader
Высокий уровень сервиса и контроля качества, для нашего научного проекта это было критически важно.
https://xn--80aeedb0bfzeok.xn--p1ai/catalog/mednye-dvukhrastrubnye-mufty-pod-paiku/mednaiadvukhrastrubnaia-podvizhnaiamufta-pod-paiku40kh1-8mmm2rmgost-r-52922-2008/
В данной статье мы поговорим о будущем медицины, акцентируя внимание на прорывных разработках и их потенциале. Читатель узнает о новых подходах к лечению, роли искусственного интеллекта и возможностях персонализированной медицины.
Изучить аспект более тщательно – стоп алко
sildenafil 100mg most common side effects of sildenafil sildenafil 20 mg
You can learn here how to use a VPN to play at Australian online gambling platforms https://steemit.com/nordvpn/@zovka/why-i-trust-the-nordvpn-australian-server-for-speed-and-privacy-even-in-a-holographic-outback
Decent post that improved my afternoon a small amount, and a look at uniquegiftplace added a bit more to that, sometimes the small wins online add up over time and a useful site like this one is the kind of place that contributes consistently to those small wins for me lately across many different topics I follow.
look at these guys
download story tiktok
выведение из запоя в спб https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-na-domu-sankt-peterburg-19.ru
В этой статье рассматриваются способы преодоления зависимости и успешные истории людей, которые справились с этой проблемой. Мы обсудим важность поддержки со стороны близких и профессионалов, а также стратегии, которые могут помочь в процессе выздоровления. Научитесь первоочередным шагам к новой жизни.
Только для своих – стоп алко ставрополь
plinko register https://www.plinko62894.help
Hey! You make the world brighter.
get запрос user agent
Эта публикация раскрывает психологические механизмы зависимости и их роль в развитии расстройств. Читатель узнает о том, как психология влияет на формирование зависимостей и как профессиональная помощь может изменить ситуацию.
Изучить вопрос глубже – стоп алко санкт петербург
Hey! This made me happy.
user agent мобильный браузер
В этой статье рассматриваются способы преодоления зависимости и успешные истории людей, которые справились с этой проблемой. Мы обсудим важность поддержки со стороны близких и профессионалов, а также стратегии, которые могут помочь в процессе выздоровления. Научитесь первоочередным шагам к новой жизни.
Раскрыть тему полностью – «Похмельная служба» в Краснодаре
Клинические протоколы стационарной терапии рекомендуют госпитализацию при средней и тяжёлой степени интоксикации.
Выяснить больше – вывод из запоя цена
Этот информативный текст сочетает в себе темы здоровья и зависимости. Мы обсудим, как хронические заболевания могут усугубить зависимости и наоборот, как зависимость может влиять на общее состояние здоровья. Читатели получат представление о комплексном подходе к лечению как физического, так и психического состояния.
А есть ли продолжение? – Похмельная служба Краснодар
You can learn here how to use a VPN to play at Australian online gambling platforms https://getchamp.myshopify.com/community/champ/forums/6-pre-sales-q-a/topics/3380594-how-to-play-lobster-house-for-real-money-fast-in-bendigo-a-locals-guide
Hey there! Hope you’re doing well.
olegon user agent
Hello! So glad you’re here.
user agent edition
интернет реалистичные документы онлайн
Walked away with a clearer head than I had before reading this, and a quick visit to clickrank only sharpened that, the writing has a way of cutting through the noise that surrounds most topics online which is something I will definitely remember the next time I am searching for an answer to anything.
do you need a prescription for viagra viagra pill for men how many inches does viagra give you
В этой статье мы рассмотрим современные достижения в области медицины, включая инновационные методы лечения и диагностики. Мы обсудим важность профилактики заболеваний и роль технологий в улучшении качества здравоохранения. Читатели узнают о влиянии медицины на повседневную жизнь и ее значение для современного общества.
Жми сюда — получишь ответ – «Похмельная служба» в Краснодаре
Hello! You make everything better.
user agent google search
Now planning to write about the topic myself eventually using this post as a reference, and a look at shopandsmilemore would also serve in that future piece, content that becomes raw material for my own writing rather than just informing my reading is content with multiplicative value and this site is generating that multiplicative effect.
Bu arada soyleyeyim, eger sandalye olculeri konusuyla ilgileniyorsan?z, suraya bir goz at?n. Link burada: https://projesahibi.com/articles/yemek-masasi-sandalyesi-olculeri-secim-rehberi/
You can learn here how to use a VPN to play at Australian online gambling platforms https://www.hooraytoday.com.au/group/hooray-today-shopping-centre-group/discussion/da3dcf79-b091-40fa-8e2c-b75bb59f39a2
Hi! This is lovely, thank you so much.
html get user agent
Generally my comment to other readers about new sites is to wait and see but for this one I would jump to recommend now, and a look at dartray reinforced that early recommendation, the speed at which a site earns my recommendation is itself a quality signal and this one has earned mine quickly clearly.
YOURURL.com
save tiktok video
На первом этапе участник программы сталкивается с признанием бессилия перед зависимостью. Для многих пациентов это трудность, потому что человек может считать, что он способен справиться самостоятельно, что употребление не разрушает его жизнь или что лечение зависимости ему не нужно. В процессе работы он замечает, как болезнь влияет на отношения, работу, здоровье, самооценку, поведение, мысли, эмоции и способность принимать ответственные решения.
Получить больше информации – programma-12-shagov-dlya-sozavisimyh
his comment is here
tiktok to mp3
Liked how the writer used real examples instead of theoretical ones to make the points stick, and a stop at bestbuycorner added even more concrete examples, this is the kind of practical approach that respects readers who actually want to apply what they learn rather than just nodding along passively without doing anything useful.
Reading this prompted a small redirection in something I was working on, and a stop at discoverfashioncorner extended that redirecting influence, content that affects my actual work rather than just my thinking has the highest practical impact and this site is providing that level of influence for me at a sustainable rate apparently.
melbet зеркало бишкек http://melbet87025.help/
подробнее создание документов онлайн
Hey! This is pure happiness.
user agent расширение
browse around this site
tiktok saver
melbet официальный сайт киргизия вход melbet официальный сайт киргизия вход
Hi! This made me smile.
user agent расширения
Этот обзор содержит информацию о передовых достижениях в области медицины. Мы разберем инновационные технологии, которые меняют подход к лечению и диагностике, а также их влияние на эффективность оказания медицинской помощи.
Узнать напрямую – Наркологическая клиника «Похмельная служба» в Санкт Петербурге.
1xbet casino online turnirl?rind? istirak etm?k cox maraql?d?r. 1xbet kazino
Этот медицинский обзор сосредоточен на последних достижениях, которые оказывают влияние на пациентов и медицинскую практику. Мы разбираем инновационные методы лечения и исследований, акцентируя внимание на их значимости для общественного здоровья. Читатели узнают о свежих данных и их возможном применении.
Разобраться лучше – стоп алко
You can learn here how to use a VPN to play at Australian online gambling platforms http://alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=9670
villas for sale in thailand phuket villas for sale in thailand phuket
заказ кухни спб заказ кухни спб