Like a baby learning to feed himself, learning anything new requires practice, practice, and more practice. Then suddenly the miracle happens. What an oxymoron…
Each week Rochelle Wisoff-Fields posts a pic to write a 100 word story about.
This week it’s mousy humor, a ratty tale, and a rodent’s discontent.
© Marie Gail Stratford
Of Mice and Babies
I cursed the mouse at first. It moved left instead of right; up, instead of down.
Then it disappeared entirely.
“Ridiculous,” I cried.
“It’s there,'” the instructor nudged. “Find it.”
I ran the mouse in circles; then, slammed it up-and-down hoping to kill it.
“Randy, breaking it won’t help.” Yes, it will, I silently scoffed.
Doomed as mouse dyslexic, pointer deficient, and spatially (spastically) impaired, I needed physical therapy and intense meds.
Then, miraculously, it worked.
Like a baby learning to eat, spoonfuls of food finally wound up in my mouth rather than on my cheeks, hair, and on the floor beside my highchair.
Randy Mazie
The Writer's Village 
Good description of learning something new. Back in the early nineties, I had to teach stock market guys how to use a computer first before teaching them the software; I usually started by teaching them how to control the mouse by playing Solitaire! 😉
I would have thought a game of poker would’ve worked – since the stock market is such a gamble.
Ha. Thanks for commenting.
Randy
Sounds like the way my mouse acted when I first got it and finally figured out I was using it upside down. haha!!
So that was my problem?
Thank God someone finally explained it to me in plain English.
Now just to be sure – which way should my desk be facing.
Randy 😉
Oh Randy, how I feel your pain. There is nothing more frustrating (ok, perhaps an exaggeration) than the disappearing or frozen mouse. Argh! Just the thought… or your story, to make me crazy.
😉
Wow to see my pain reflected back to me through your painful description only brings me more pain (not!).
Thanks for reading and commenting. Randy
I’m old enough to remember how this felt! Nicely done.
No way can you be old enough to remember.
I’m old enough to not remember.
Randy 😉
I learned to type at school on a typewriter!
I took a typing class in high school, but was too distracted by all the mini-skirts. Plus I am finger dexterity-coordination disadvantaged. I remain a two finger typist – but usually use a voice-to-text program.
Errant mice, just as frustrating as keyboard lag. Nicely captured.
Thanks.
I hate those mieces to pieces!
Randy
Dear Randy,
Perhaps if you had the mouse going the right direction. I find this also to be true for remote controls. They don’t switch the channels if the beam is pointing at your pupik. Live and learn. Great ending lines.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PUPIK!
I love the word PUPIK. It makes me smile just reading it and laugh aloud saying it. PUPIK. The whole world should say it. There’s be less wars.
I still have feelings like this sometimes when I try to learn something new with my laptop/iPhone.
janet
Ain’t that the truth. And although I had relatively mastered Photoshop – I still rub my bald pate raw when it comes to Illustrator.
Those mice can be tricky things. I seem to remember they took a bit of getting used to, back in the day!
Did you ever see a mouse trick?
A clever idea: I like it.
So you like clever ideas, eh?
Does the name Pavlov ring any bells?
Just fooling.
Randy
LOL
My mouse goes “rogue” all the time! I still curse the spaceship of a phone on my desk, still figuring out what my smartphone can do (wish it could do laundry, dishes and cleaning toilets), the TV has me baffled more times than not, and then my spouse bought a car with a start button ignition (what happen to a key). Just trying to keep up and learn as much as I can. Wishing You the Best – Good Luck!
Dear Cravesadventure,
With how you have described your life you moniker certainly seems apropos.
😉
Randy
as they say, it’s all in the wrist, but it takes time to realize that. great take on the prompt. 🙂
You know: a slip of the wrist sinks hips. Or, something of that ilk.
Boy that nails it–evokes a frustration I can still remember. Nicely done.
Thank you. Yes, I never thought I’d get and I thought it was a stupid idea. But stpid is as stupd does. (sic)
Reminds me of some pranks I’ve been doing on those with less rodent litteracy 😉
Please, indulge us – and tell us about your ratsy escapades….
Hehe, I felt like that with my first ipad. But now I’ve discovered Apple’s magic mouse, that’s like a rollercoaster for rodents. Fun story.
Wpw, a magic mouse.
Here he comes to save the day! The magic mouse is the way…
Sorry, I couldn’t resist it. Childhood memories overcome me.
Nice analogy between a baby learning and learning computer stuff, especially for Boomers. Great job!
I’d comment back,Perry, but I can’t get this damn mice tyo wqrk wite.
Oh my..I remember first trying to learn how to use a mouse. I had forgotten but now that you reminded me…
Now I remember how to use a mouse, but I can’t remember my own name or what I had for breakfast. Ha.
Randy
LOL…tell me about it!
How funny! I have these mouse dyslexic moments where I thought I needed meds or should be institutionalized. It’s incredible how much power they have. Great story.
Didn’t I originally meet you in Ward A, third floor?
Now i go to MA – Mice Anonymous.
I’m powerless over mice and they make my life unmanageable.
I’m trying to image my being something other than a cat to calm myself down.
I find having a hammer nearby generally fixes the problem.
Great answer.
You know, if i had a hammer I’d hammer in the morning… (new compulsion begins)
I’m so glad for you you mastered it Randy. I just want to know where the little arrow goes when it disappears. Sometimes mine goes flying off to another line of its own accord. Hilarious and well done. 😀 — Suzanne
“I just want to know where the little arrow goes when it disappears.”
You too? I thought i was the only one who wondered that.
What relief.
Randy
A charming and tender analogy of mouse and baby.
Really enjoyed your story, Randy!
(Oh, and I’m not sure whether you know, but my new site is: http://magicsurrealist2013.me )