Monday, August 31, 2015

Baby Catch-A-Ball's Inaction


I fished two size D cell batteries from the battery drawer to test Baby Catch-A-Ball's mechanics and (after she gave me a slight scare followed by a heart-racing one), I discovered how she functions.

Scare #1:
I removed Baby Catch-A-Ball (BCAB) from the box to insert the batteries and discovered her battery cover was missing!  (Did they sell me a doll umpteen years ago without a battery cover? I questioned.)  I peeked into the box and found the cover at the bottom.  Relieved, I inserted the batteries and tested her.  She did nothing.  (These batteries must be old, I thought).  I looked at the diagram on the cover and read the insertion instructions.  I had the batteries inserted incorrectly.  As they say, reading is fundamental.  

With the batteries inserted properly and battery cover on, I placed BCAB in the seated position in my lap facing me with her arms and hands in the "catch-a-ball" position.  I tossed the ball toward her cupped hands (aiming to the area behind her bracelets as the instructions outlined).

Scare #2
She is quite noisy and the speed at which she popped (not threw) the ball back startled me!

An attempt to capture the doll in action by video met with frustration.  I can only imagine how children must have felt in their attempts to make BCAB catch and throw the ball back properly. After multiple unsuccessful tries which caused the old D cells to lose power and my exasperation to mount, I finally captured a decent video (take 10).  Click this link:  Baby Catch-A-Ball Take 6, then arrow through to view takes 7, 9 and 10.  I did not even bother to share take 8.

***


The reason behind BCAB's sly facial expression has become very apparent.  She has a sly grin with tongue sticking out on the side because she knows how frustrating each ball thrower will become in their attempts to see her catch and throw the ball back to them.  Baby-Is-A-Little-Cute-Devil is a more appropriate name for her.

BCAB made me feel like a parent who wanted to show an audience something their child did exceptionally well.  The child then either fails to do so or does it with less enthusiasm. As a result, I have given BCAB some additional names:

Baby-Won't-Act-Right
Baby-Is-Stubborn
Baby-Is-Getting-On-My-Last-Nerve
Baby-What-Is-Your-Problem?
Baby-Do-You-Want-Me-To-Sell-You?

Will I buy fresh D cell batteries to see if they will help her do what she is supposed to do correctly? No, because BCAB has been banished to her box in the corner, indefinitely.  The little stinker!

dbg

14 comments:

  1. I saw the video...I love the tongue...It was nice!!!

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to view the video(s), Ana Paula.

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  2. Hi Debbie, I have just finished watching the videos. You are more patient than I am. Bravo!

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    1. Thanks, Arlette.

      I'm pretty sure you could probably sense in my voice the frustration BCAB caused. She just refused to behave!

      :-)

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  3. LOL! What a little stinker! The expression on her face is priceless. I watched all the videos and seemed like you could get a workout setting up the ball and then backing away for her to throw it.

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    1. Not sure about physical workout, but this little girl right here certainly gave me a mental workout.

      She's a mess!

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  4. I watched the videos, hahaha, in the Take Ten video your voice sounds less patient :-D. I like the additional names you came up with!

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    1. Thanks for viewing the videos, Linda! Yes, she had me at my wits end by Take Ten.

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  5. Ha! I can see how that would be frustrating, but your new names for her are too funny. And it was great to see her action (or should I say "action") on video. :)

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    1. jSarie, if I ever get really bored and have fresh D cell batteries on hand, I will test her out again and throw the ball to her from a distance. Whether near or far, I know both skill and patience are required for her to work properly (and fresh batteries).

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  6. Baby-is-getting-on-my-last-nerve... I literally laffed my *ss off... You just made my day. We have all been there but God bless you for recording the whole experience! My favorite line, the last one where she will live indefinitely in the corner in her box. Awesome. :D

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    1. With age, patience dwindles. I enjoyed (even with the scare) her first successful catch and throw, but her refusal to cooperate afterward coupled with my stubborn determination to catch her on video taxed my nerves. So Baby-Had-To-Go.

      :-)

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  7. She's a little riot! Great post..this made me smile :) Sorry about the frustrations though! Cute video. :)

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    1. Thanks for watching the videos, Farrah Lily! I am happy this post and videos made you smile.

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