What’s the fastest way to find a lost item?

April 23, 2005 · Comments

Replace it, of course.

My [Panasonic Lumix FZ3 digital camera](http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/fz3.html) came with a little battery charger. I think this image is actual size. The camera’s battery snaps out and into this little device which plug right into the wall.

I knew it would be easy to lose, so I keep it in a little drawer in an organizer on my desk. This drawer holds all those small things I may be prone to lose…a roll of stamps, the little plug for the end of my Shuffle, an extra battery for my PocketPC, etc. About a week or so ago, I went to charge the battery and I couldn’t find the thing. Exactly what I feared would happen. I turned my desk upside down looking for it. No luck. Meanwhile, I’m using my camera and my only battery is draining down. I now have one bar left, so this morning I give in and purchased [a replacement charger](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007NIO8K/momathomedesi-20). While I was ordering, I grabbed [an extra battery](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00080ORLU/momathomedesi-20). Not Panasonic brand, but I think the pricing is pretty good.

Suddenly, a few minutes ago, I remembered that I packed up all my chargers into my laptop backpack when I went to Washington, DC last month. Sure enough, the charger was right there in the front pocket along with my extra cell phone charger (which normally sits in a Fast Forward cradle to charge at home) and a charging cable for my PocketPC (which also charges in a cradle). I’m fully convinced that had I not placed that order, the location of the charger would have never entered my brain.

I cancelled the charger order, but I think I’ll still take the extra battery. Can’t hurt.

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