I had a "first" earlier this week. I mailed a copy of an article to a source for approval. That's not a typo. I actually put it in the mail.

This is the first time in three years I've run into someone who didn't have e-mail or fax—at least that I know of. The person I am writing about is 83 years old and lives in Canada. Horses, not technology, are his thing.

This whole process made me thankful for the technological conveniences we do have. To start, I was actually early with this story in preparation for my upcoming schedule—I have seven stories and a presentation due before May 4. I got my source on the telephone on the first try, which never happens. Then at the end he says he wants me to mail it for him to review. So much for being early!

I do wonder how freelancers—or anyone, really—did their jobs before the Internet. Maybe they actually worked ahead and were prepared for the unbelievable lag time they must've encountered in researching and interviewing. Maybe they were even later on deadlines than they are (and very occasionally I am) today.

Twice in the past two months I've worked until midnight on an article/companion to an article. Both times, nearly every bit of information in these documents came from somewhere on the Internet. I mused through my fatigue that pulling last-minute all-nighters to research a project would be much more difficult without the World Wide Web.

No e-mail; no fax; surrounded by horses...Maybe when I'm 83, I'll be ready for that.