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.
Fruit Snap
Привет всем!
Решил поделиться полезной находкой оформления событий в столице.
Стояла проблема – организовать корпоратив для расширенного состава. Помещение требовало дополнительного оснащения.
Покупать мебель не оправдывалось для одноразового использования. Рассматривали возможности и попробовали прокат качественной мебели.
Читал информацию: каскад мебель аренда офисов – там все подробно.
**Что получили:**
– Существенная экономия средств
– Высокое качество мебели
– Все организовано профессионально
– Гости были в восторге
– Гибкие условия сотрудничества
Взяли на вооружение. В различных ситуациях – это идеальное решение.
Кто что использует? Обсуждаем!
https://anyflip.com/homepage/roydx
Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told
was a enjoyment account it. Look complex to more delivered agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we keep up a correspondence?
Acho simplesmente digital PlayPix Casino, tem uma energia de jogo tao vibrante quanto um codigo binario em furia. A colecao e um codigo de entretenimento. oferecendo lives que explodem como overclock. O atendimento e solido como um pixel. respondendo rapido como um buffer. Os pagamentos sao seguros e fluidos. mas mais bonus seriam um diferencial de matriz. Em sintese, PlayPix Casino garante um jogo que reluz como pixels para quem curte apostar com estilo cibernetico! E mais a plataforma reluz com um visual glitch. transformando cada aposta em uma aventura pixelada.
roda da fortuna playpix|
Je suis totalement captive par BankOnBet Casino, ca pulse avec une energie de casino digne d’un banquier audacieux. Les choix sont varies et blindes comme un safe. offrant des sessions de casino en direct qui accumulent. Le personnel du casino offre un accompagnement digne d’un gestionnaire. joignable par chat ou email. Les transactions du casino sont simples comme un depot. quand meme plus de tours gratuits au casino ce serait un investissement. Dans l’ensemble, BankOnBet Casino offre une experience de casino rentable pour les passionnes de casinos en ligne! Additionally le design est elegant comme un vault. amplifie l’immersion totale dans le casino.
bankonbet casino|
Откройте секреты счастливого детства с качественными товарами от TykePop.
Для тех, кто ищет информацию по теме “Традиционная русская кухня: рецепты и советы”, нашел много полезного.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://traktirseno.ru
Благодарим за внимание, и пусть ваши детки всегда будут здоровы и счастливы вместе с TykePop!
Откройте секреты счастливого детства с качественными товарами от TykePop.
Зацепил раздел про Новые вечерние платья и аксессуары со скидкой 30%.
Ссылка ниже:
https://dejaviu.ru
С TykePop ваши дети получают только самое лучшее. Берегите их здоровье и счастье с нашими товарами.
как купить диплом техникума в казахстане как купить диплом техникума в казахстане .
Awesome article.
musionet – Overall, promising and well made; gives a trustworthy first impression.
centensports – I’ll revisit often, the content keeps me curious and engaged.
Deals are available to http://billowinfomedical.com/ without a prescription?
http://tourout.ru/
musionet – Content seems relevant, I found a few interesting articles already.
gambling statistics uk, apple pay casino canada and no deposit united states casino,
or no deposit bonus aus casino
Have a look at my page can you split a split in blackjack (Franklyn)
лечение запоя
vivod-iz-zapoya-krasnodar017.ru
вывод из запоя круглосуточно
Good article. I am facing some of these issues as
well..
Review my page – check this link right here now
https://anyflip.com/homepage/fjlby
centensports – Articles flow well, visuals support the text in a nice way.
Hi! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would
be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and
look forward to new posts.
recensione Chicken Road slot: casino online italiani con Chicken Road – vincite e bonus gioco Chicken Road
centensports – They cover many niches, always something new to explore each day.
В клинике «Частный Медик 24» в Ростове-на-Дону вы получите комплексное лечение, направленное на восстановление организма и предотвращение рецидивов.
Получить дополнительную информацию – вывод из запоя цена
centensports – Very good balance of topics, content is rich and relevant.
musionet – The footer offers helpful links, makes exploring deeper content easier.
накрутка подписчиков в телеграм дешево
licensed UK casino sites Chicken Road: licensed UK casino sites Chicken Road – British online casinos with Chicken Road
joszaki regisztracio joszaki
https://pixelfed.tokyo/axzbnqkx8085
raspinakala – Every element seems carefully placed, giving this site a refined charm.
I know this site presents quality based posts and extra information, is there any
other site which presents these kinds of things in quality?
raspinakala – I enjoyed exploring their pages, feels polished and full of depth.
Казино 1win
raspinakala – I was impressed by the layout, it flows smoothly and elegantly.
raspinakala – I enjoyed exploring their pages, feels polished and full of depth.
Казино Cat слот Europe Transit
Вас интересуют лучшие товары для детей? Узнайте, почему продукция от TykePop заслуживает вашего внимания.
Между прочим, если вас интересует Честные обзоры фильмов и гаджетов: стоит ли доверять, загляните сюда.
Ссылка ниже:
https://100ch.ru
Желаем вам и вашим детям приятных покупок и незабываемых моментов с TykePop!
Вас интересуют лучшие товары для детей? Узнайте, почему продукция от TykePop заслуживает вашего внимания.
Между прочим, если вас интересует Новые вечерние платья и аксессуары со скидкой 30%, посмотрите сюда.
Смотрите сами:
[url=https://dejaviu.ru]https://dejaviu.ru[/url]
Если у вас возникли вопросы или пожелания, наша команда всегда готова помочь. До скорых встреч!
Доброго времени!
Хочу рассказать интересным решением оформления событий в столице.
Нужно было – оформить деловое мероприятие для значительного количества гостей. Помещение требовало дополнительного оснащения.
Закупка оборудования показалось нерациональным для разового мероприятия. Рассматривали возможности и открыли для себя прокат качественной мебели.
Читал информацию: аренда мебели для ивента кожуховская – качественный сервис.
**Результат:**
– Существенная экономия средств
– Мероприятие прошло на отлично
– Все организовано профессионально
– Гости были в восторге
– Индивидуальный подход
Теперь всегда обращаемся к ним. Для любых мероприятий – это оптимальный вариант.
Кто что использует? Обсуждаем!
best online poker in the usa, no deposit required online fort mcdowell casino fountain hills az (August) usa and uk casinos free spins, or
new zealandn online poker alliance
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already ;) Cheers!
Наши специалисты проводят детальную диагностику и разрабатывают индивидуальный план лечения с учётом состояния пациента в Ростове-на-Дону.
Подробнее – [url=https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-rostov232.ru/]вывод из запоя на дому круглосуточно в ростове-на-дону[/url]
https://imageevent.com/kalkisrolfs/uleac
adawebcreative – I like the color scheme and typography choices, very pleasant.
sunnyflowercases – Design variety is solid, I saw many styles I liked instantly.
Откройте секреты счастливого детства с качественными товарами от TykePop.
Хочу выделить материал про Советы по уходу за редкими домашними растениями.
Ссылка ниже:
https://raregreen.ru
Ждем вас снова, чтобы рассказать еще больше о наших продуктах и предложениях для малышей.
Порадуйте себя и своего ребенка отличными товарами от TykePop — уникальными, практичными и безопасными.
Зацепил раздел про Советы и тренды путешествий: Всё об отелях.
Вот, делюсь ссылкой:
https://hotelnews.ru
С TykePop ваши дети получают только самое лучшее. Берегите их здоровье и счастье с нашими товарами.
Добро пожаловать в мир лучших детских товаров с TykePop, где здоровье и счастье ваших малышей — наши главные приоритеты.
Хочу выделить раздел про Советы и лайфхаки для коллекционеров от ColShare.
Смотрите сами:
https://colshare.ru
Ждем вас снова, чтобы рассказать еще больше о наших продуктах и предложениях для малышей.
sunnyflowercases – I love how easy it is to browse through different phone models.