From the multiplayer menu, choose "Custom Games", Create Game, and in the game lobby, "Add AI".
"Evenly matched" in this case means you and the opponent AI have the same handicap percentage specified.
+1 for the dream analogy!
Like dreams, there is a good explanation of why you are living your game in slow motion, there is always one thing slowing down everything else. In the case of dreams, it is your brain, that actually dreams faster than your perception. That's why you seem to be slow, because the dream is actually faster than what you perceive.
For StarCraft, this is another problem. I discovered by studying replays that faster players remove one very large part of the time you may take in your game: controlling the army.
As an unexperienced player, you might not be familiar with unit balance. So when sending your 12 zerglings againts those 4 zealots, you don't yet know the outcome. I'm sure you expect some victory, but can you trust this expectation enough to actually leave your zerglings do the work without you?
I often find myself microing too much when dealing with large overpowered army. Yeah, I have 24 zerglings and they meet 1 zealot. Really, no need to micro them, just return and take care of your base!
Your problem may be the same...
Best Answer
I usually hit F10 and choose "Logout."
This prevents you from having to restart the entire game, at least.