It probably comes as no surprise to learn I’m a big fan of the ever-unfolding technology available to ordinary people. From secure online bill paying to whiz-bang gadgets such as PDAs and so forth, the options just keep coming. I recently discovered another one.

Early in February I broke the lid to a small electric vegetable chopper I had. The lid is vital because it locks into the bowl containing the vegetables to be chopped and will not operate without being locked, so a broken lid is a broken device. I went to Target and bought another one. This is not an appliance I use often, but I’m incapable of effectively dicing up onions and other vegetables, so I need a chopper. I put the new chopper in the cabinet and forgot about it until late February when I decided to make guacamole and needed to dice some onions. Try as I might I could not get the new chopper to operate. The lid was locked, but no chopping was taking place. I no longer had the receipt, so I figured I was hosed, but I called Target anyway. I explained my situation and they asked me if I used an ATM or credit card when I made the purchase. I had. They said bring it back, we have a smart cash register.

A smart cash register? OK. I took the chopper back, gave them the card I used to purchase it with and Voila! Instant credit. I was impressed. In one motion they could verify the chopper had not been smuggled out in my purse, even though I did not have the actual cash register receipt, and refund my purchase. It would appear it pays not to pay with cash, which is something I don’t do much of anymore anyway. ATM cards are just as easy as cash and you can’t overspend your available funds.

I’ve also been having fun with my new phone, which has a camera. I took a great photo of my dog, which is now my phone’s wallpaper. As I had given the paper’s more sophisticated camera to one of the writers, I found myself at a soiree at Seagar’s with only my phone camera. Seagar’s was too romantically lit for good photos, but the amazing thing was this: I could take a photo and then push a couple of buttons on the phone and the photo was sent to my telephone online account. I have no idea of how this is accomplished, but I have a file called My Album on the telephone’s website that stores these photos. More technology. As I said, the photos were pretty bad, because the lighting was not optimal for my device and I have not yet fully explored my phone-camera-taking-photos options. I vow to experiment, but in good light, my dog photo came out just dandy.

For the full story on the Seagar’s soiree, be sure to read Bill Campbell’s column. As far as I can tell, Seagar’s has only done the media wining and dining twice in its history and I have been privileged to attend both. I was invited the first time in December 1999 when I worked at a local weekly publication and I received an invitation as the “entertainment writer.” This time I got invited because Julie Root always invites me to cool stuff. Both excursions were exercises in indulgence, but let Bill fill you in.

For those not in the know, Julie is the sole owner and operator of JazRoot, Inc. a public relations outfit and somebody I’ve had passing acquaintance with since she was doing public relations for the Walton County Tourist Development Council. I keep forgetting what a small town this is and how jobs and people overlap. Julie once worked at the same weekly publication where I worked when invited to Seagar’s the first time and now she does pubic relations for the Hilton.

A few weeks ago I jokingly said I was cyber stalking George Clooney but it was nobody’s business but mine. After hearing what I consider to be the classiest acceptance speech for an Oscar in the history of the Oscars, I may have to do it for real. George has it all: A visage that is soothing to the eye, an acerbic and funny brain, a twinkle in his eye and deep compassion. Be still my heart.

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