Dear Finieas,
Perna has said all i would have liked to tell you.In addition,i will say that though much older than you in years,i too always felt like you did 7 i could very well have written what you have written.But i have recovered lost ground & i would like to share it with you.Please see this link
http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2010/12/mouse-in-trap.html