Learning and frustration

I am in the process of learning how to use a new piece of software. This is good news in the main, the problem however is twofold.

1) Instead of just stumbling along, i am actually trying to use the manual. Where is the problem i hear you say? The problem is that i dont think i have ever read the manual for anything. I have always believed in the tried and tested method of trial and error. First time for everything i suppose.

2) The manual is 543 pages long. I am currently on page 23. I am seriously tempted to throw in the towel but that wouldn't be any fun now would it. It is frustrating beyond belief however i am determined to stick it out and maybe i'll be at least somewhere decent by the end of the weekend.

Its a quiet night where i am. No rain, no wind, no sirens. If its starting to sound like i live in the sticks, rest assured i do not. It just gets surprisingly quiet at night time round here that's all.

Speaking of which, there is a dog barking right now and while thats not news per se, the strange thing is i have never seen this dog. I have a very good idea of where it lives but i have never set eyes on the dude. Perhaps he's always indoors.