
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.
A person essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular publish incredible. Magnificent job!
Worth saying this site reads better than most paid newsletters I have tried, and a stop at findyourwayforward confirmed that comparison, the bar for free content is often lower than for paid but this site clears the paid bar consistently and that says something about the editorial approach behind the work being published here regularly.
I have realized that online diploma is getting favorite because obtaining your college degree online has changed into a popular method for many people. A large number of people have not really had a possibility to attend a normal college or university although seek the increased earning possibilities and career advancement that a Bachelor Degree offers. Still others might have a degree in one field but would want to pursue a thing they now develop an interest in.
В этой статье рассматривается комплексный подход к избавлению от зависимости. Читатель узнает, как сочетание физического, психологического и духовного восстановления помогает достичь стойкого выздоровления.
Кликни, не пожалеешь – стоп алко краснодар
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
Hello! You’re a breath of fresh air.
строка user agent что
Приятно удивлены скоростью обработки запроса на сайте, менеджер связался очень быстро.
https://xn--80aeedb0bfzeok.xn--p1ai/catalog/mednye-dvukhrastrubnye-mufty-pod-paiku/mednaiadvukhrastrubnaia-podvizhnaiamufta-pod-paiku76-1kh1-6mmm2mgost-r-52922-2008/
Dois bônus seguidos no Heist Stakes, ambos uns 30x. Estranho.
У нас можно подобрать стильные подарки и украшения для любого случая. В каталоге есть изящные аксессуары, которые подойдут для романтического вечера.
Если хочется порадовать близкого человека, стоит обратить внимание на серьги. Такие вещи создают настроение и помогают сделать подарок действительно особенным.
Каталог украшений и сувениров предлагает товары для тех, кто ценит внимание к деталям. Здесь легко выбрать подарок для коллеги, не тратя время на бесконечные поиски.
В продаже появляются новые позиции, поэтому каждый покупатель может найти интересную идею. Подарки и украшения помогают выразить внимание без лишних слов.
kraken ссылка зеркало
viagra para mujeres what happens if a girl takes viagra side effects of viagra
Picked this up between two other things I was doing and got drawn in completely, and after modernstyleworld my original tasks were completely forgotten for a while, content that derails a workflow in a positive way by being more interesting than what you were already doing is rare and worth recognising clearly.
Hi! So happy you posted this.
user agent яндекс браузер
Вывод из запоя на дому в Туле осуществляется по строго отлаженной схеме, которая включает несколько последовательных этапов. Такой комплексный подход позволяет не только быстро вывести токсины из организма, но и обеспечить всестороннюю поддержку пациента, включая психологическую реабилитацию.
Ознакомиться с деталями – нарколог вывод из запоя тула
Дом — привычное место, где пациенту легче находиться во время остром состоянии. Выездной врач приезжает по указанному адресу, проводит диагностика, назначает медикаменты, использует современные препараты и оборудование. Такой формат помогает получить помощь без постановки на учет, без посещения учреждения и без лишнего внимания третьим лицам.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – нарколог на дом вывод казань
Semana bombando no Ganesha Gold.
почему статус заказа отложен!? 1000539 Купить Мефедрон, Экстази, Кокаин, Бошки, Гашиш заказал вчера на пробу соточку мн. по прибытию отпишусь)250-й 1К10 то, что нужно..
Now sitting with the thoughts the post triggered rather than rushing on to the next thing, and a stop at dailybuyoutlet extended that reflective pause, content that earns time for thought after closing the tab is content of higher value than the merely interesting and this site has clearly produced that lasting effect today.
В этой статье обсуждаются актуальные медицинские вопросы, которые волнуют общество. Мы обращаем внимание на проблемы, касающиеся здравоохранения и лечения, а также на новшества в области медицины. Читатели будут осведомлены о последних событиях и смогут следить за тенденциями в медицине.
Давай разберёмся досконально – «Похмельная служба» в Краснодаре
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.
Подробнее тут – стоп алко краснодар
Found a couple of useful angles in here I had not considered before reading carefully, and a quick stop at ironrootcorner added more, this is one of those sites where the value compounds the more you read rather than peaking at one viral post and then offering nothing else of substance afterwards which is common.
Now adding a small note in my reading log that this site is one to watch, and a look at discovernewvalue reinforced the watch status, the few sites I track deliberately rather than encounter accidentally are sites I expect ongoing returns from and this one has cleared the bar for that elevated tracking based on what I read.
Hey there! Absolutely love this.
my user agent google
Наш магазин можно подобрать оригинальные подарки и украшения для праздника. В каталоге есть женские украшения, которые подойдут для юбилея.
Если хочется сделать приятный сюрприз, стоит обратить внимание на декоративные изделия. Такие вещи создают настроение и помогают сделать подарок действительно особенным.
Интернет-магазин подарков предлагает товары для тех, кто ценит внимание к деталям. Здесь легко выбрать подарок для любимого человека, не тратя время на бесконечные поиски.
В продаже появляются новые позиции, поэтому каждый покупатель может найти подходящий вариант. Подарки и украшения помогают выразить внимание без лишних слов.
кракен даркнет
В нашей клинике используются только эффективные и безопасные препараты, что гарантирует вам быстрое восстановление и минимальные риски.
Детальнее – http://kapelnica-ot-zapoya-irkutsk3.ru/kapelnica-ot-zapoya-v-kruglosutochno-v-irkutske/
Now recognising the specific pleasure of reading writing that shows real care for sentence shapes, and a look at wildhorizontrends extended that craft pleasure, sentence level writing quality is something most blog content ignores entirely and this site has clearly invested in the prose layer alongside the substance which is rare today.
What’s up to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit
of this web site; this website includes amazing and truly good stuff designed for visitors.
Hi friend! рџ‘‹
user agent google robots
Эта публикация исследует взаимосвязь зависимости и психологии. Мы обсудим, как психологические аспекты влияют на появление зависимостей и процесс выздоровления. Читатели смогут понять важность профессиональной поддержки и применения научных подходов в терапии.
А есть ли продолжение? – стоп алко ставрополь
Исключительный бред
Ремонт квартир, https://xn—–xlcafdbgpe0at.xn—-8sbbf3bbdjoeb8ad2r.xn—-9sbbbpi8a9bt6f.xn--p1ai/?p=topic&id=33675 — это важный процесс, который включает внимание и подготовку. Грамотный подход к модернизации гарантирует надежность результата.
A clear cut above the usual noise on the subject, and a look at happydailycorner only made that gap wider in my view, the kind of place that earns its visitors through quality rather than through aggressive marketing or sponsored placements which is increasingly the only way most sites stay afloat across the modern web.
Worth flagging that the post handled an angle of the topic I had not seen elsewhere, and a look at trendandbuyworld extended that fresh treatment, content that finds underexplored corners of well covered subjects is genuinely valuable and this site has demonstrated that exploratory editorial approach across multiple pieces in my reading sessions today.
У нас можно подобрать оригинальные подарки и украшения для праздника. В каталоге есть подарочные наборы, которые подойдут для юбилея.
Если хочется выбрать что-то запоминающееся, стоит обратить внимание на декоративные изделия. Такие вещи запоминаются надолго и помогают сделать подарок действительно особенным.
Каталог украшений и сувениров предлагает товары для тех, кто ценит качество. Здесь легко выбрать подарок для мамы, не тратя время на бесконечные поиски.
Каталог пополняется интересными товарами, поэтому каждый покупатель может найти интересную идею. Подарки и украшения помогают выразить внимание без лишних слов.
kraken зеркало рабочее
Hello! This is so sweet.
android device user agent
Эта статья освещает различные аспекты освобождения от зависимости и пути к выздоровлению. Мы обсуждаем важность осознания своей проблемы и обращения за помощью. Читатели получат практические советы о том, как преодолевать трудности и строить новую жизнь без зависимости.
Детальнее – Похмельная служба в Краснодаре
Hello! You always inspire me.
sap user agent
https://white-house-fight-insight.lovable.app/
The UFC White House event etches itself into history on June 14th, 2026 — becoming the first UFC event held on White House property in the nation’s capital. Officially branded UFC Freedom Fights 250, the night features as the main event a lightweight title clash between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje for the 155-pound championship, while former two-division champ Alex Pereira making his heavyweight debut to face Ciryl Gane in the night’s co-headliner.
Now recognising that this site has earned a place in the small group of resources I treat as authoritative, and a stop at startdreamingbig confirmed that placement, the difference between resources I trust and resources I just consume is real and this site has clearly moved into the trusted category through consistent quality over time.
У нас можно подобрать красивые подарки и украшения для приятного сюрприза. В каталоге есть женские украшения, которые подойдут для корпоратива.
Если хочется выбрать что-то запоминающееся, стоит обратить внимание на браслеты. Такие вещи выглядят дорого и помогают сделать подарок действительно особенным.
Интернет-магазин подарков предлагает товары для тех, кто ценит красоту. Здесь легко выбрать подарок для коллеги, не тратя время на бесконечные поиски.
Каталог пополняется интересными товарами, поэтому каждый покупатель может найти интересную идею. Подарки и украшения помогают выразить внимание без лишних слов.
kraken сайт
заказать кухню по индивидуальным размерам в спб https://kuhni-spb-58.ru
Первый этап лечения направлен на оперативное выведение токсинов из организма. Врач-нарколог подбирает индивидуальную схему терапии с использованием современных медикаментов, вводимых капельничным методом. Этот метод позволяет быстро нормализовать обменные процессы и восстановить работу жизненно важных органов.
Получить больше информации – нарколог на дом вывод из запоя в уфе
Hello! You inspire me every time.
header user agent mozilla
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a bit of analysis on this. And he in truth purchased me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love reading extra on this topic. If doable, as you turn into expertise, would you mind updating your weblog with extra particulars? It’s highly useful for me. Massive thumb up for this weblog post!
Эти действия помогают быстро восстановить водно-электролитный баланс и снизить нагрузку на внутренние органы. После проведения процедур врач дает рекомендации по дальнейшему наблюдению и реабилитации.
Разобраться лучше – http://narcolog-na-dom-kaliningrad00.ru
Hey! Your content is gold.
изменить user agent браузере
Heya just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.
I am grateful for your post. I would really like to say that the tariff of car insurance varies from one coverage to another, since there are so many different issues which give rise to the overall cost. Such as, the make and model of the motor vehicle will have a large bearing on the cost. A reliable old family car or truck will have an inexpensive premium than a flashy expensive car.
Наш магазин можно заказать необычные подарки и украшения для приятного сюрприза. В каталоге есть милые мелочи, которые подойдут для дня рождения.
Если хочется сделать приятный сюрприз, стоит обратить внимание на подарочные композиции. Такие вещи создают настроение и помогают сделать подарок действительно особенным.
Магазин подарков и украшений предлагает товары для тех, кто ценит качество. Здесь легко выбрать подарок для коллеги, не тратя время на бесконечные поиски.
В продаже появляются новые позиции, поэтому каждый покупатель может найти приятную мелочь. Подарки и украшения помогают выразить внимание без лишних слов.
[url=https://motifri.com]kraken сайт[/url]
This actually answered my drawback, thanks!
However casually I came to this site I have ended up reading carefully, and a look at purefashionoutlet continued earning that careful reading, the conversion from casual visitor to careful reader is something content earns rather than demands and this site has accomplished that conversion for me over the course of just a few pieces.
I would like to add that in case you do not actually have an insurance policy or else you do not participate in any group insurance, you may well really benefit from seeking aid from a health insurance professional. Self-employed or people having medical conditions usually seek the help of one health insurance broker. Thanks for your text.