Friday, March 1, 2013

The Curse of the Cursor




Blink, blink, blink…… the cursor taunts me with its incessant blinking….”Stop damn it, just stop!” I squeal in exasperation.

“Mom, you okay?” My daughter’s voice calls warily from the kitchen. “I’m fine.” I answer cheerfully, attempting to conceal my embarrassment. (I mean seriously, swearing at a cursor?)

Feeling momentarily defeated I slouch deep in my chair and continue to stare sullenly at the still blank page. I just don’t understand….Haven’t I been dreaming of this all week? ….Don’t I have a million “slices” floating around in my brain just begging to be shared?  Isn't writing one of the supreme passions in my life? Wasn't today's post supposed to be special? My eyes are stinging and temples throbbing, but that is not the worst of it. Suddenly, as if to mock me further, the spiteful little cursor seems to come alive; each rhythmic flicker accentuating not only my headache, but the stark emptiness of the untouched page.

“Oh no, you don’t!” I growl, refusing to be conquered. With a sudden burst of energy and quick roll of the neck, I place my fingers confidently on the keyboard and smile victoriously as words flow magically from my fingertips “You, little cursor,” I proclaim with ferocity, “will never get the best of me!”   

“Mom?” my daughter peeks into the room cautiously, “Are you sure you’re okay?” “I’m fine, sweetie.” I mumble sheepishly….. (Sigh)…. Poor baby, I have a feeling March is going to be a very long month for both of us ….. Thankfully, we've managed to survive day one:-) 

5 comments:

  1. What a great piece! We've all faced that blinking cursor and thinking/saying a curse word as it mocks us to get started writing. You did start with a special piece. I loved the inner thoughts you shared. Take it one day at a time and that cursor might become your friend.

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  2. It's so true. How many times have I wished that I could just stop in the middle of the grocery store and write because suddenly the idea is there and I know it will be gone if I don't capture it. Don't you let that cursor get the best of you!

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  3. Actually, day one is the most intimidating, I feel. Once you've taken the leap and posted, then hung around to comment and read, you will find that you can't wait for day 2, or day 3, or....

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  4. I'm a new Slicer this year, and it is a bit daunting to think about 31 whole days of writing in a row. You can do it! Don't let the blinking get you down. :)

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  5. I've been there. :)

    I love how you turned this into a slice.

    Ruth

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