god damn computer annoyances

Am I the only one with a laptop who occasionally realises I am running late (or my pick-up arrives early), slams down the lid, sticks computer in bag and shoots off to do what I have to do?
Laptop set to shut down upon lid closure so no problem right? Wrong! When I get back computer's still on, running at a 1000deg and battery virtually drained. Opening lid reveals a message saying something about certain programs are preventing the computer from shutting down!
1. Who exactly is this message aimed for? Some micro person who lives between the keys of my computer?

why don't you just turn it off?
what could you have been doing that is so important on a lap top that you couldn't just turn it off?