The Mystery of the Missing Mug

[Snarky]

So, this isn't quite a Black Stories mystery, but a true-life tale that happened to me the other day and had me stumped for at least half an hour, and I thought it might be fun to see if you could solve it.

The Case
The other day I thought I'd make a pot of tea. (Since the pandemic I've switched from teabags to proper brewing of loose-leaf tea in a pot, though with a kind of wire basket to retrieve the leaves afterward.) But when I took the lid off the pot I discovered I had already made one earlier, which was now cold. I decided to just heat up a cup in the microwave—I know some people find reheating to be a crime against tea, but I honestly think it tastes just fine.

So I looked around for my favorite tea mug, but I couldn't find it.

Where was it?

(Ask me any such questions as might help, or propose places to look for it.)

[RootBound]

This is fun!

Spoiler

Was the mug already in the microwave because you had already microwaved it earlier too?

[close]

[Snarky]

Well, you got it a lot quicker than I did, that's for sure! Yes, that's exactly what happened.

I looked everywhere for it. I checked bookshelves and window sills. I checked inside cupboards and wardrobes. I checked in the bathroom. I checked under chairs. I checked inside the fridge. Finally I gave up and got another mug, poured myself a cup and opened the microwave oven to put it inside...

[Stupot]

This is fun!

Spoiler

Was the mug already in the microwave because you had already microwaved it earlier too?

[close]

This was my immediate guess too but it seems a bit too obvious for its own forum thread. So I'll guess something a bit more crazy.

Were you already holding the cold mug of tea your other hand?

[Snarky replied while I was typing this]

[heltenjon]

Seeing as the case is already solved, (Man, it would be fun to revive the Black Stories with some new cases again.) I thought I'd post a similar example of being absent-minded.

So, my brother has this whole ritual when making his morning coffee. He'll heat water in the coffee maker in order to sort of clean it, then pour the hot water in his mug to heat it up while the actual coffee is brewing. Then empty the mug in the sink, pour the fresh coffee into a mug that is warm and won't cool it down too fast.

A lot of you will probably see where this is heading.

Spoiler

Making his morning coffee, he did the process described above purely on routine, not being fully awake. And ended up with pouring the fresh coffee into the sink while holding on to the warm mug filled with hot water.

[close]

[Ponch]

Now that I'm 50, I have moments in my life like these more often than I'd like to admit. 

[Snarky]

Was the mug already in the microwave because you had already microwaved it earlier too?

[close]

This was my immediate guess too but it seems a bit too obvious for its own forum thread.

I suppose it's a bit more obvious when posed as a mystery, particularly as I was obliged to mention the microwave (and no other places), since if it had turned out to be on the coffee table behind some clutter, it wouldn't really be a story.

Now that I'm 50, I have moments in my life like these more often than I'd like to admit. 

At least I'm learning more and more where my things usually are if I misplace them. Anything I keep in my pockets is either in the pockets of another pair of trousers, or if I drove a car recently, I either took it out or it fell out there. Electronic gizmos are irresistibly drawn towards a certain drawer, where they camouflage themselves among their kind.

I'm still looking for the keys to my lockbox, though. The problem is that I hid them somewhere clever, and I have no idea where that might be.

[Cassiebsg]

I call it "You find it as soon as you give up looking for it (because you no longer need it)." moment. Happens way too often here as well.

I have this special plate for making cake that my parents brought me from Portugal... and for the likes of me, I can't find it anywhere! I know it's somewhere in the house though. I took it once out of the cupboard where it was, cause it was too messy in there, and I was afraid it would break. I found the perfect safe & soft place to put it, where I thought "no way it can break in here"... and now I can't find it. :/ And I feel like I searched "everywhere"...

[RootBound]

(Man, it would be fun to revive the Black Stories with some new cases again.)

That was before I joined the forums, but the thread from 2020 was still fun to peruse. I'd play if this were revived. Don't have any ideas at the moment, but I could probably think of one given a few days' time.

[CaptainD]

I assumed immediately that it was in the microwave, because I've done the exact same thing myself! 

[Ponch]

I'm still looking for the keys to my lockbox, though. The problem is that I hid them somewhere clever, and I have no idea where that might be.

You've outsmarted yourself, you devious fiend! Well played! Truly you are your most worthy opponent! 

[cat]

Does searching for sunglasses I either wear on my head or my nose count?

[Cassiebsg]

Yes, specially if they're on your nose. 

[heltenjon]

I'm still looking for the keys to my lockbox, though. The problem is that I hid them somewhere clever, and I have no idea where that might be.

There is only one way to find them. Give up. Buy another lockbox. Put the keys in a good spot. The keys to your old lockbox is already there. 

[Cassiebsg]

@Snarky, have you tried using the rubber chicken on the lockbox?

[Stupot]

@Snarky, have you tried using the rubber chicken on the lockbox?

That's what she said.

_{Sorry everyone. I promise this won't become a habit.}

[heltenjon]

@Snarky, have you tried using the rubber chicken on the lockbox?

That's what she said.

_{Sorry everyone. I promise this won't become a habit.}

I guess that calls for a Frank Zappa song quote. In Italian.
Devi usare un pollo
Se me la vuoi misurar