That so sounds like I’m breaking up with someone. Close. You try to do something nice and what happens. Right. It all goes wrong and we can blame it on A) technology, B) bad karma or C) they’re all against me. I have to go with "A." I decided to take a coworker out to lunch who was having a rough day and since I had a gift card for Bascom’s Chop House which neither one of us had been to, it was the restaurant of choice. We both decided the Lobster Bisque was the best we’ve ever had, with a rich flavor and nice little bits of lobster. The Seared Maine Sea Diver Scallops with a port wine demi-glaze over a baby spinach medley was outstanding. But about that creme brulee’; please take the time to finish the dish. When you’re ready to crack the spoon against what should be a nicely caramelized sugar crust and it sinks into one that’s barely there, a little disappointing. But over all, a good meal with an excellent server (thank you Nick). However, when he took my gift card with the check, someone else came back with the explanation that they were unable to process gift cards at that moment, but he was able to verify the amount on the card. Now think about that - you’ve taken someone out for a good meal, and all of a sudden, you’re on the hook for a little over $50 lunch tab. What if you didn’t have it? And how were you able to determine the amount on the card, but not process it.  Good questions, and quite honestly if they were unable to process cards it would have been nice to know up front. But I’m sure they didn’t want us going elsewhere. So I took care of it myself, and hope they have it fixed soon. They did have a very interesting menu, and I wouldn’t mind trying a steak.

   But was the day done? Of course not. I then decided to buy a gift card of my own as a thank you to a friend. Simple little Dunkin’ Donuts card since I know she loves to stop on the way in work. A quick stop at the WalMart Neighborhood Market on Main St in Dunedin was anything but. Seem that none of the Dunkin’ Cards would activate, and they were all supposed to be pulled from the checkout area. But no one told the clerk, who was a sweet lady who tried for a good ten minutes to make it go through to the absolute delight of the five other people in line behind. I live to make others happy. A no go, and I left without it.

   So as you see, no good deed goes unpunished and I should have called it a day with the first non-functioning piece of plastic. But why stop when you’re ahead?! I need to keep more cash on hand.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

Money is the poor man’s credit card - Marshal McLuhan