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 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.
Желаете узнать подробности? – наркологическая клиника в красногорске
Now placing this in the small category of sites whose updates I would actually want to know about, and a stop at intentionalstylehub confirmed that placement, the difference between sites I want to follow and sites I just consume from is real and this one has crossed into the active follow category from the casual consumption side.
Hello! Keep shining!
I will run tik tok ads tik tok ads manager and tiktok marketing
В статье по вопросам здоровья мы рассматриваем актуальные проблемы, с которыми сталкивается общество. Обсуждаются заболевания, факторы риска и важные аспекты профилактики. Читатели получат полезные советы о том, как сохранить здоровье и улучшить качество жизни.
Следуйте по ссылке – detox24 в электростали
Forra monstra.
tadalafil dosage tadalafil 9mg tadalafil side effects long term
Solid value for anyone willing to read carefully, and a look at cobaltcrate extends that value across the rest of the site, this is the kind of place that rewards return visits rather than offering everything in a single splashy post and then leaving readers nothing to come back for later which is unfortunately common.
visit this page dmail airdrop
hop over to here dmail usdt
кодирование от алкоголизма нижний новгород кодирование от алкоголизма нижний новгород
Hey! You’re incredibly talented.
I will manage and grow your marketing as a pinterest expert
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.
Смотрите также – прокапаться от алкоголя электросталь
Hi there! This is so wholesome.
Promote your instagram account with organic rapid growth
hop over to this site leap wallet twitter profile
Eu só queria bater a meta, mas o Fortune Tiger mandou um Forra Máxima e me deu um carro zero.
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.
Ознакомиться с деталями – Психиатры клиники
Fortune Ox tá distribuindo Multiplicador 100x depois do almoço. Peguei R$ 12.000 e já parei de jogar. O coração quase parou.
pop over to this website dmail airdrop
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.
Изучите внимательнее – детокс24
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.
Углубиться в тему – наркологическая клиника в люберцах
Hi! This is so heartwarming, thank you.
I will create wix ecommerce website wix online store business site
If you’re searching for the best curacao casinos, https://www.pianomoversperth.com/curacao-online-casinos-without-gamstop-your-guide/, your search ends here. They offer entertaining games and great bonuses. Enjoy exceptional customer service in a trustworthy setting.
Piggy Gold salvou o dia! R$ 50 pro bolso e fim de papo. Quem saca rápido, comemora rápido.
В этой статье мы рассматриваем разрушительное влияние зависимости на жизнь человека. Обсуждаются аспекты, такие как здоровье, отношения и профессиональные достижения. Читатели узнают о необходимости обращения за помощью и о путях к восстановлению.
Ознакомьтесь с аналитикой – программа 12 шагов спб
Visit This Link dmail network foundation ltd
Hello! Sending you all the good vibes today! рџЊџ
Youtube video and channel promotion
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.
А есть ли продолжение? – детокс24 электросталь
Worth flagging that this approach to the topic is fresh without being contrarian, and a stop at dreamshopworld extended the same fresh angle, finding original perspective on familiar subjects is rare and this site has clearly developed its own way of seeing rather than echoing the dominant takes from elsewhere consistently.
official source leap wallet features
A piece that took its time without dragging, and a look at ulnova kept the same patient pace, the difference between unhurried and slow is a fine editorial distinction and this site has clearly found the unhurried side without slipping into the slow side which would have lost me as a reader quickly otherwise.
explanation leap wallet twitter profile
tadalafil buy how long does tadalafil last cialis vs tadalafil
нарколог стационар нарколог стационар
Hi there! рџЉ
Professionally translate text to high quality english in 1 hour
Этот краткий обзор предлагает сжатую информацию из области медицины, включая ключевые факты и последние новости. Мы стремимся сделать информацию доступной и понятной для широкой аудитории, что позволит читателям оставаться в курсе актуальных событий в здравоохранении.
А есть ли продолжение? – кодирование от алкоголизма балашиха
find here dmail price
Glad I clicked through from where I did because this turned out to be worth the time spent, and after beltbrunch I had a fuller picture, the kind of content that earns its visitors through delivering value rather than chasing them through aggressive advertising or constant pop ups appearing everywhere on the screen lately.
Nunca duvidei do Lucky Neko. Hoje ele soltou duzentão na maior tranquilidade. A disciplina é o segredo do sucesso.
В статье по вопросам здоровья мы рассматриваем актуальные проблемы, с которыми сталкивается общество. Обсуждаются заболевания, факторы риска и важные аспекты профилактики. Читатели получат полезные советы о том, как сохранить здоровье и улучшить качество жизни.
Смотрите также… – вывод из запоя на дому электросталь
Hey there! You’re awesome.
Logo designing redesigning tracing or editing free favicon as gift
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.
Неизвестные факты о… – анонимный нарколог краснодар
Читатели получат представление о том, как современные технологии влияют на развитие медицины. Обсуждаются новые методы лечения, персонализированный подход и роль цифровых решений в повышении качества медицинских услуг.
Читать далее > – detox24 в краснодаре
like this leap wallet extension
комбинезоны для малышей весна осень detskie-kombinezony-kupit.ru
Não existe milagre, mas o Spaceman facilitou muito depois do almoço. O mercado premia a consistência.
поставить капельницу от алкоголизма поставить капельницу от алкоголизма
A banca agradece! R$ 200 sacados do Wild Bandito.
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.
Все материалы собраны здесь – вывод из запоя на дому симферополь
pop over to these guys leapwallet
Quem joga Heist Stakes com inteligência não passa aperto. Gestão de banca em primeiro lugar.