Well, the Information Age sure has its good sides. Today I got birthday wishes from people who would have had no idea it was my birthday had it not been for the miracle of the computer.

For example, the guys at the front desk at the gym wished me well as I left; they must run your membership number through the computer, while you're sweating it up upstairs, to make sure you're paid up. Of course, the member's DOB comes right up on the screen.

This morning at 6:40 a.m. the local oldies (appropriately) radio station wished me well on the air, and told the world that I was turning 50. Thank goodness I have an earlybird friend who heard it in his car and told me about it later in the day. As observant readers of this blog know, I would have had a better chance of hearing my name mentioned at 3:40 a.m. than at 6:40 a.m. The latter is REM Cycle 1 Time for me. I think I may have missed a chance to call in and win a prize.

Anyway, how did the radio station know? I guess they asked my DOB when I signed up on the internet as a "loyal listener" some time back. The morning DJ must have just called up January 15 on the old PC early today, and there I was.

All this technology clearly makes our lives better, doesn't it?

Uh, maybe not.