Feb. 28, 2000 - Monday
Two things that I find do not mix particularly well are troubleshooting a computer problem and a whining baby looking for attention. My specific problem this morning was trying to figure why our printer was printing only blank pages. Harry, on the other hand, was less interested in this problem - irregardless of the fact that I was trying to print his passport photos so his mother could go to the passport office in a couple of hours - and was not actively helping me find a solution. He was, however, actively trying to convince me that I ought to be solving some unnamed problem of his.

The thing about computer troubles is that there are so many things to know. While solutions may be simple in the long run, one often exercises a lot of brain matter working through the various components that come together to enable a specific process. Similarly, with babies, there may also be easy solutions, but sometimes they also require troubleshooting to isolate the problem. Unfortunately, the systematic step by step approached for computers is often not expeditious enough for babies, nor do babies when gripped with a problem of their own generally have much patience, an asset when working with computers.

With the printer, it was clearly getting data from the computer because "Print" made it take action. It just didn't print anything visible. I thought the problem might be the file format, so I re-saved as JPEG. Still blank. Still uninterested was Harry and his audible suggestions were not focused on the printer. I checked the paper: maybe it was upside down. I checked the ribbon: still OK. I checked Harry. He was growing increasingly impatient that I was not solving all the days' problems more quickly. I was too. Fortunately, between Harry's whimpers and after a couple of breaks to focus on Harry's more pressing problems, I finally realized the trouble and successfully finished the work. It was, indeed, a simple solution, made difficult by Harry's refusal to find distraction in inanimate objects.

(After all the hassle, it turns out US residents don't need a passport to go to Mexico, or Canada for that matter. Adults can use a government-issued photo ID, a drivers license is fine, and proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate or expired passport. An infant traveling with both parents only needs a birth certificate.)

But, wouldn't you know? My dear, sweet son made it up to me at lunch time. Toward the end of feeding him a bottle of his mother's best, and as my mind started to wander, I began to sing a little song. The song wasn't particularly for Harry, though I often do that, but one rather out of habit. Perhaps it was just a simple release of earlier tension. It was a song from the Trio II CD, "Blue Train," and when I started singing in a hushed falsetto and rather modest approximation of Linda Ronstadt, almost immediately charmer Harry, who had been looking slightly away, quickly turned his head toward me. Then, in the next instant once he had his bearings, he pulled his mouth away from the bottle and gave me a smile. After a brief pause of gratitude and a 'thank you' to Harry, I continued my song - adding extra verses to keep the moment alive - and Harry kept being happy.


Comments, opinions?