Marsha Maung:: Freelance graphic designer and writer

Blog first published : Thursday, January 20th 2005

This is exactly what I have learnt today. You NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER promise a 5-year-old anything unless you have the intention of keeping your promise. You can't just say things to calm the guy down anymore, you know. Like when he's throwing a massive tantrum cause you told him he should be doing his homework instead of watching TV and you told him you'd get him a new computer game? No, doesn't work anymore unless you have every intention to go out and get the guy his new computer game.

My ailing computer has finally given up on life. It's tired of serving me with my constant web surfing, writing, designing activities, it must have been dead tired. Not that it hasn't been cranking up on my of late, in fact, I have spent a lot of money and time....and EFFORT repairing the poor ole guy for the last couple of months. Apologizing to clients became part of my daily emailing routine because my moody computer may decide to take leave.

And my son loves to play computer games, like any other boys his age....I think.

When I told him that the PC was very fatally wounded and may not let him finish his game, he didn't really believe me. Halfway through his game, the computer died.....and DAMN, Joshua's wail could be heard like four blocks down!

Anyway, I promised him that I would fix the computer on Wednesday. I didn't realize that promising him that I would fix the PC on Wednesday would turn out to be so stressful. He asked me on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday whether it was Wednesday yet or not, you get what I mean.

Yesterday, the fateful Wednesday itself rolled around and I lugged the big old guy to the computer shop. The computer fixer guy was an erronously disgusting fellow who didn't look like he wanted my business, really. He doesn't look at me when he talks, tells me to 'no choice' when I ask him if there were other options, belittled me when I told him I was very computer-lazy and unsavvy......

After lugging the computer all the way to the shop, I lugged it all the way back. All the while, thinking of an excuse for Joshua. He is going to be, like.....SOOOOOOO upset.

And he was.

But thankfully, his protests and cries of me not keeping my promise woke his daddy up from sleep. Daddy decided to help out since his son was obviously distressed with mommy's incompetence at fixing the damn stupid computer.

And that he does.

Phew.

Now, there's a RELATIVELY new computer and everythings fine and dandy again. But I learned not to promise Joshua anything from now on unless I REALLY want to be bugged to death about it.

Marsha