It's amazing that just because we know how to technically operate a piece of equipment -- computer, PDA, telephone -- doesn't mean we really know how to use it. Or when.

Email is not an urgent form of communication. Just because it seems like everyone in the world is connected 24/7, doesn't mean everyone is.

I've had colleagues cancel breakfast meetings via email. These aren't 10 a.m. breakfast meetings and I was already working so I got the message -- these were 7 a.m. meetings. If I'm leaving the house at an ungodly hour, you'd better believe I'm not checking email first.

Ah, but fortunately, I did. And sure enough, my 7 a.m. meeting was canceled by someone "too tired" to make it. She, apparently, was also too tired to call.

If you need to contact someone immediately, especially if it's important, and especially if it means that person will be elsewhere waiting for you, pick up the phone and call.

The phone (remember what that is?) is an urgent mode of communication. Email and texting are not.