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.
Hi friend! Keep shining bright.
8 000 real youtube views fast speed non drop
A piece that reads like it was written for me without claiming to be written for me, and a look at highlandharvestmall produced the same fit, when the writer audience match clicks naturally without being engineered through demographic targeting you know the writing is solid and this site has that natural fit consistently for me.
Публикация посвящена жизненным историям людей, успешно справившихся с зависимостью. Мы покажем, что выход есть, и он начинается с первого шага — принятия проблемы и желания измениться.
Хочешь знать всё? – кодирование от алкоголизма балашиха
наркологические стационары наркологические стационары
Picked this post to share in a Slack channel where I knew it would be appreciated, and a look at sorniq suggested I will share more from here later, content worth sharing into a professional context is content that has earned a higher kind of trust than mere personal interest and this site has it.
Quietly building a case in my head for why this site deserves more attention than it currently seems to receive, and a look at grovequay reinforced the case, the gap between quality and recognition is a recurring frustration in independent online content and this site is one of the cases that seems particularly egregious to me today.
Worth flagging this site to a few specific friends who would appreciate the editorial sensibility, and a look at beigeastro added more pages I will mention to them, recommending sites to specific people requires understanding both the site and the person and this site is making those personalised recommendations easy and natural for me.
phuket thailand property for sale phuket thailand property for sale
100cuci register 100cuci register
Reading this triggered a small change in how I think about the topic going forward, and a stop at astrocloth reinforced that subtle shift, the rare content that actually moves my thinking rather than just confirming or filling it is the kind I most value and this site is providing that kind of impact today.
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.
Хочешь знать всё? – Психиатры клиники
O segredo é esperar. Demorou, mas veio o Jackpot no Lucky Neko. 5 mil conto limpo.
Worth saying that the prose reads naturally without straining for style, and a stop at portguilds maintained the same unforced quality, writing that achieves elegance without effort is the highest tier and this site has clearly worked out how to land that effortless quality consistently rather than only on the writers best days.
Hello! Always a pleasure scrolling through your page.
I will do brand product label design and product packaging design
В этой статье мы обсудим процесс восстановления после зависимостей, акцентируя внимание на различных методах и подходах к реабилитации. Читатели узнают, как создать план выздоровления и использовать полезные ресурсы для достижения устойчивых изменений.
Посмотреть подробности – детоксикация алкоголиков
have a peek here coin leap app
детский мир комбинезон беби гоу http://detskie-kombinezony-kupit.ru
наркологическая клиника помощь на дому наркологическая клиника помощь на дому
Hello! So glad I found your page.
Increase ahref domain rating increase dr 60 plus
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I
think I would never understand. It seems too complex
and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next
post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
Sempre via os vídeos de Carta de 50x, hoje foi minha vez no Wild Bandito! R$ 15.000 garantidos. O coração quase parou.
Эта публикация посвящена актуальным вопросам современной медицины и здравоохранения. Мы обсудим новейшие технологии диагностики и лечения, а также их влияние на продолжительность и качество жизни. Читатель найдет здесь информацию о научных исследованиях и перспективных разработках, доступно изложенную для широкой аудитории.
Практические советы ждут тебя – Реабилитация наркотической зависимости в Краснодаре
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.
Ознакомьтесь поближе – детокс24 екатеринбург
В этом обзоре мы обсудим современные методы борьбы с зависимостями, включая медикаментозную терапию и психотерапию. Мы представим последние исследования и их результаты, чтобы читатели могли быть в курсе наиболее эффективных подходов к лечению и поддержке.
Получить дополнительную информацию – вызов психиатра на дом
автоматические гардины для штор https://elektrokarniz150.ru
O Sweet Bonanza nunca falha quando você entra focado.
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.
Получить больше информации – detox24 в краснодаре
Hey there, hope you’re having a wonderful day!
I will provide on page website seo optimization for your wordpress
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.
Посмотреть подробности – лечение алкоголизма в краснодаре
Этот текст представляет собой обзор свежих данных и исследований в области медицины. Он призван помочь читателям понять, как научные достижения влияют на лечение, диагностику и общее состояние системы здравоохранения.
Погрузиться в научную дискуссию – detox24 в краснодаре
Plataforma pagando liso. Saquei R$ 50 do Candy Bonanza em 2 minutos via PIX.
Этот обзор сосредоточен на различных подходах к избавлению от зависимости. Мы изучим традиционные и альтернативные методы, а также их сочетание для достижения максимальной эффективности. Читатели смогут открыть для себя новые стратегии и подходы, которые помогут в их борьбе с зависимостями.
Почему это важно? – детокс24 краснодар
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.
Прочесть всё о… – лечения наркомании в Краснодаре
discover this info here leap wallet
Hi! So thankful for your posts.
Promote your instagram account with organic rapid growth
Coisa linda.
official statement leap wallet twitter profile
Публикация посвящена жизненным историям людей, успешно справившихся с зависимостью. Мы покажем, что выход есть, и он начинается с первого шага — принятия проблемы и желания измениться.
Детали по клику – кодирование алкоголизма недорого иркутск
Modern ranking (the process of distributing search results) is based on semantic https://telead.ru/economy/seo-prodvizhenie-sajtov-kak-uvelichit-poiskovyj-trafik-v-2026-godu.html
his explanation dmail price
Girei no automático e, quando olhei, tava o Carta de 50x no Fortune Ox. uma bolada! Minha mão tá suando.
Stands apart from similar pages by actually being useful, that is high praise these days, and a look at thoughtfulmodernclick kept that standard going, you can tell when a site is built around the reader versus around metrics and this one clearly belongs to the first category for sure based on what I read.
go leap wallet features
find here dmail airdrop
В этом обзоре мы обсудим современные методы борьбы с зависимостями, включая медикаментозную терапию и психотерапию. Мы представим последние исследования и их результаты, чтобы читатели могли быть в курсе наиболее эффективных подходов к лечению и поддержке.
Как достичь результата? – вызов психиатра на дом
Generally I do not leave comments but this post merits a small note, and a stop at contemporaryglobalgoods extended that comment worthy quality, the urge to actively contribute to a sites community rather than passively consume from it is something specific content provokes and this site has provoked that engagement urge from me today.
visit https://www.kramatorsk.org/images/pages/?sovety_po_prohoghdeniyu_the_amazing_spider_man_osnovnye_missii_9_html=
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.
Проследить причинно-следственные связи – detox24 в краснодаре
В этой статье рассматривается комплексный подход к избавлению от зависимости. Читатель узнает, как сочетание физического, психологического и духовного восстановления помогает достичь стойкого выздоровления.
Всё, что нужно знать – detox24 в краснодаре
Hey! Loving this content!
I will create 200 plus edu and gov safe seo backlinks