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.
best site https://www.houseofnova.nl/
В данной статье рассматриваются проблемы общественного здоровья и социальные факторы, влияющие на него. Мы акцентируем внимание на значении профилактики и осведомленности в защите здоровья на уровне общества. Читатели смогут узнать о новых инициативах и программах, направленных на улучшение здоровья населения.
Давай разберёмся досконально – lugansk detox24
look these up https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/others
studio apartment in bur dubai 1 bedroom apartment for sale in international city dubai square yards real estate dubai
more helpful hints https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/lysergamides
Очень широкий каталог, нашли всё необходимое в одном месте, включая редкие позиции.
https://xn--80aeedb0bfzeok.xn--p1ai/catalog/mednye-zaglushki-pod-paiku/mednaia-zaglushka-kolpachok-pod-paiku-54kh47kh1-2-mm-32kh34-mm-tverdaia-paika-m3-gost-32590-2013/
have a peek at this web-site https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/pellets
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.
Давай разберёмся досконально – лечение алкоголизма в Луганске
click resources https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/others
click to investigate https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/arylcyclohexylamine
http://avocat-calfayan.fr/
Le projet Avocat Calfayan s’impose comme une agence specialisee implantee sur le marche francais, qui met a disposition des solutions sur mesure a ses clients, en priorisant sur l’excellence du service. En savoir plus sur cette page.
sites dmail login
http://avocat-calfayan.fr/
La societe Avocat Calfayan se positionne comme une structure experimentee dediee au le tissu economique francais, qui propose des solutions sur mesure aux entreprises et particuliers, en valorisant sur l’attention personnalisee. En savoir plus sur le site officiel.
Picked this for my morning read because the topic seemed worth the time, and a look at contemporarygoodsmarket confirmed the choice was right, my morning reading slot is precious and giving it to this site felt like a good investment rather than a waste which is a higher endorsement than I usually offer for content.
http://avocat-calfayan.fr/
Avocat Calfayan se presente comme une equipe de confiance orientee vers le marche francais, qui met a disposition un accompagnement professionnel a ses clients, en se distinguant par sur la confiance et la transparence. Decouvrez davantage sur le site officiel.
click here for more info https://www.houseofnova.nl/sitemap.xml
tadalafil generic tadalafil cost walmart how does tadalafil work
Decided not to comment because the post said what needed saying, and a stop at prairiemyrrh continued that complete feel, content that does not invite obvious additions or corrections from readers is content that has been carefully considered and this site appears to consistently produce pieces that satisfy rather than provoke unnecessary follow ups.
cialis daily cialis and viagra together cialis online
see this website https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/arylcyclohexylamine
Вы можете оформить доставка алкоголя 24, чтобы получить его быстро и удобно прямо к вашему порогу.
Современные службы доставки алкоголя набирают всё большую популярность и обеспечивают комфорт и оперативность.
Многие магазины и специализированные сервисы предоставляют возможность заказать любимый напиток прямо на дом и выбрать удобное время и место получения.
Для этого достаточно выбрать нужный товар на сайте или в приложении, оформить заказ и оплатить его.
Доставка алкоголя осуществляется быстро, зачастую в течение часа или двух.
На доставке требуется предъявить документ, подтверждающий совершеннолетие клиента.
Многие компании предлагают акции и скидки для новых заказчиков, что делает услугу ещё более привлекательной.
Таким образом, доставка алкоголя — это удобное решение для тех, кто ценит время и комфорт.
Now considering the post as evidence that careful blog writing is still possible, and a look at curvecatch extended that evidence, the broader question of whether the modern web can sustain quality writing has obvious empirical answers in sites like this one and seeing them is reassuring even when they remain a minority overall today.
view it now dmail network foundation ltd
click reference dmail twitter
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.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – Вывод из запоя на дому в Луганске
Reading this gave me something to think about for the rest of the afternoon, and after vanlizo I had even more to mull over, the kind of post that lingers in the background of your day rather than evaporating immediately is genuinely valuable in an attention economy that punishes depth rather than rewarding it.
go to this web-site https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/tryptamines
наркологическая помощь наркологическая помощь
find this https://www.houseofnova.nl
наркология нижний новгород наркология нижний новгород
you could try here https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/liquid-rcs
нарколог на дом цена нарколог на дом цена
his response https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/pellets
http://avocat-calfayan.fr/
L’equipe Avocat Calfayan se positionne comme une entreprise professionnelle focalisee sur le marche francais, qui met a disposition une approche complete a ceux qui valorisent l’efficacite, avec un accent sur les resultats. Visitez le site ici.
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.
Доступ к полной версии – лечение алкоголизма в Луганске
срочная наркологическая помощь срочная наркологическая помощь
Reading carefully here has reminded me what reading carefully feels like, and a look at narrowmotor extended that reminder, the experience of careful reading versus skimming is different in ways I had partially forgotten and this site has clearly refreshed my memory of what attention feels like when content rewards it consistently.
Get More Info https://www.houseofnova.nl/sitemap.xml
Подробнее зеркало vodka bet
алкоголизм вызов на дом алкоголизм вызов на дом
Closed the laptop and walked away thinking about the post for a good twenty minutes, and a stop at lushpassion produced similar lingering thoughts, content that survives the closing of the browser tab is content that has actually entered the mind rather than just decorating the screen for the duration of the reading.
Started reading skeptically because the headline seemed overconfident, and the post earned the headline by the end, and a look at frescoheron continued that pattern of earning its claims, sites that can back up their headlines without overpromising are rare and this one has clearly developed editorial calibration on that front consistently.
Now adding this to a list of sites I want to see flourish, and a stop at nexcove reinforced that wish, the few sites I actively root for are sites that produce the kind of work I want more of in the world and this one has joined that small list based on what I have read so far.
В этой публикации мы предложим ряд рекомендаций по избавлению от зависимостей и успешному восстановлению. Мы обсудим методы привлечения поддержки и важность самосознания. Эти советы помогут людям вернуться к нормальной жизни и стать на путь выздоровления.
Нажми и узнай всё – Наркологическая клиника в Луганске
этот контент vodka bet casino
website link https://www.houseofnova.nl/collections/pellets
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.
Информация доступна здесь – вывод из запоя в Луганске
Thank you for being clear and direct, that simple approach saves so much frustration on the reader’s end, and a stop at pillowmanor only made me more sure of it, the rest of the content seems to follow the same pattern which is a great sign of consistent editorial care behind the scenes.
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.
Только факты! – вывод из запоя в Луганске
Now appreciating the small but real way this post improved my afternoon, and a stop at cadetarenas extended that small improvement effect, content that produces measurable positive impact on the texture of a reading day is content with real value and this site is producing those small positive impacts at a sustainable rate apparently.