It's really comedian Chris Rock's fault.  I was driving from one son's drop off to another son's pickup and remembered that I wanted to see the new Chris Rock show on HBO the other night.

Since in the course of family events it was quite likely I’d miss it, I knew that I would need to tape it.

And that’s when I knew-- in case I’d had any doubt before: I was old school.

See, growing up, if you missed a show because you were out, well, you just missed it.  When I was a little older, a wonderful invention came out called VCR, which allowed us to set the machine to tape a program for a particular time.

Now, however, I’ve gotten quite current.  We have TIVO (which, along with the microwave, automatic garage door opener and underground sprinklers are truly God’s gift to mankind).  With my TIVO, I can set up a season of Dr. McDreamy with Grey’s Anatomy, or every single tennis match played in Europe.  

I realized that although I act like I’m in 2009, I still think like I’m in 1989.  Here’s an example.  Beyonce just came out with a new _____? Yep, I’d still say “record.”  If I think about it, I’ll remember to say “CD,” but very rarely will I say “new song on itunes.”

I was typing an e-mail the other day, and my daughter asked what the bcc and cc at the top meant.  I explained that it was for blind carbon copy and carbon copy—when you want to send the e-mail to additional people.  Then I realized I had to explain what carbon copy actually was.  She’d never had the 5th grade pleasure of inhaling those addictive alcohol scented sheets that had just been pressed through the mimeograph machine. Her only memories are of papers warm from the Xerox machine.

My kids (and I) laughed at my husband when he looked for his Walkman.  “You mean, your iPod?” one of the older rug rats will say cheekily.  ‘You KNOW what I mean,” my husband replied.

I try to keep up.  I text. I even occasionally Twitter.  I have a passing knowledge of things my kids think are cool.  But I know I’m still behind.  I know I’ll still try to “roll” down my automatic car windows or “dial” someone on the phone.  So if I mention that the phone rang (when in actuality it vibrated, beeped, chirped or belted out a downloaded Top 40 song) you’ll KNOW what I mean.

Pamela appears on Tuesdays on TriangleMom2Mom. (Looking for Beth? Her tenure ended here earlier this month, but she promises to be back and you can always see her on MotherBunker.)