The tech revolution has generated a number of things in recent years that you get real used to, real fast. Most obvious is the Internet. I have no idea how I got along without this source of information. I have dim memories of spending hours in libraries searching for information I can find in minutes from my keyboard.

I don't think most people realize how much this kind of communication and data availability has changed our world.

- Cell phones. I am never out of touch with my family when they need me, and there have been a few emergencies which would justify the yearly cost all by themselves.

- My wife's new car has one of those navigation systems in it, with the little map on the screen. Just got this a few months ago, and am already thinking about buying an add-on for my heap of a Eurovan. Gas stations show up on the screen, which has saved us once already. When my wife and daughter went down to San Diego, I rented them a car with one installed, and it was worth every cent. When I went to Portland, I didn't, and regretted it more than once.

- Just got a TIVO-type system with my cable. Wow. Goodbye, VCR tapes, except for stuff I want to play on other sets. Just being able to stop and rewind something I'm watching is pretty cool all by itself.

- My daughter has an IPod, and uses it extensively. I don't use these myself, but have discovered that many people are sticking "books on tape" on these things. I think large books run from 150 to 350 MB each. ITunes music store sells a number of audiobooks.

- Other people swear by digital cameras, but I haven't gotten into that just yet.

What's really amazing is how fast these kind of things become everyday items in our lives.